The Lasso of Truth

Sensitivity not a prerequisite

Most of the time, it can be safely assumed that politicians are tone deaf to the feelings of the general public.  Often, they just don't give a rat's ass.  But every once in a while, one is given the impression that some of them are genuinely, clinically retarded...

Saskatchewan's opposition New Democratic Party is slamming an advertisement distributed in a government-held constituency announcing a fundraising dinner that includes an image of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in flames and refers to a pig roast.

The poster is for Saskatchewan Party member of the legislature and provincial Environment Minister Nancy Heppner.

In her defense, the guest speaker is a firefighter who survived the attack on 9/11.  But I'm pretty sure these people make a hell of a lot more money than I do, and so do their advisers.  Did not a single one of them think maybe...just maybe...this might be a bad idea?!

One sunny September morning

At 8:45 am, I was sitting in my car, outside my children's school, chatting with them about our wedding tomorrow, before sending them out to the playground.

At 9:03 am, I was back home and mopping the kitchen floor, sipping my coffee and thinking about everything I need to do today.

At 9:43 am, I will be poking around the news and getting ready to go out.

By 10:05 am, I will be heading out to the grocery store and Costco, for last minute supplies.

By 10:10 am, I'll be chatting in the car with my mother and listening to Mike Stafford fend off the Truthers who will inevitably swamp the lines today.

By 10:28 am, I will be trolling through Costco, with my shopping cart and my Amex card.

...All very mundane.  All very ordinary.  And all so very much like the same day, 8 years ago, that dramatically changed my world view forever.

Listening to the call-in shows this morning, it is obvious that not enough of us learned the one valuable lesson of that day -- that diligence is the only protection we have against the very real threat at our doorstep and that if we forego that, in favor of compassionate political correctness, we will one day find ourselves enslaved or slaughtered.

How many people went about their daily routine today, without giving a single thought to any of that?  I dare say, more than is good for us.

The next logical step in the campaign

From the people who's stupidity knows no bounds.

h/t

***Update:  The WWF issues a statement, distancing themselves from the campaign "It is our understanding that it was a concept offered by an outside advertising agency seeking our business in Brazil. The concept was summarily rejected by WWF and should never have seen the light of day."

An Inconvenient Photo-Op

And the Presidency of supreme sensitivity...

A jumbo jet being chased by a F-16 fighter jets buzzed Lower Manhattan this morning, panicking New Yorkers, many of whom were forced to evacuate their office buildings.

It was not a terrorist attack, however, but a photo opportunity for Air Force One, sources told the Post.

President Obama was in Washington at the time, but the low-flying 747 circling the Statue of Liberty was one of the planes used as Air Force One, sources said.

The NYPD and the city were notified of the planned flight, but did not share that information with Mayor Bloomberg and other New Yorkers, many of whom said they were terrified.

In the shadow of those 2 towers

Exactly one year from today, I will be donning my best dress and making my way across a tiny patch of grass, beneath the boughs of ancient willow trees and to the banks of the Credit River where I will be pledging my life to the one man who deserves the rich gift of my heart and my life.

The choice of September was without doubt.  The fact that we wanted to have the children in the wedding party – 3 girls at my side and 3 boys at his – narrowed it further to 2 weekends for that month, due to custody arrangements.

That left the 12th and the 26th.  Not normally a contentious choice for a pair of young lovers, but the shadow of September the 11th on the most important day of our lives presented a unique challenge, due to the profound and overwhelming effect that day has on both of us.  I worried about the appropriateness of a celebration at such a time and even more so, about my ability to narrow my focus from the massive scope of world events enough, to address the very personal ones before me on that day.

But I am the luckiest woman in the world because the man I will be facing that day clarified the reasons why no other date would mean as much.

He said “don’t let them win”.  And he was right.

My life was very different on the day those towers fell, as was his.  The advent of that horrible, tragic day set us both on a path that lead us to find each other.  It altered both of our perspectives to a very different course in a profound and unalterable way.  I started blogging about politics and he started really reading about politics and among the millions of outspoken bloggers out there, opining on that event and many others, he found me.  Something he read here intrigued him and for many months, he came back every day.  Nearly a year later we met and 3 weeks after that, we decided to spend our lives together.

One event.  So many lives altered forever.

For that reason, it seemed somehow appropriate to choose as our wedding date, the anniversary of the day when we both became the people we are today.  The 2 people who found each other through the wreckage and horror of a world forever changed.

On September the 12th, 2001 I woke up with a clearer understanding of the value of life and the role each of us plays, in the events that swirl around us.  I developed an appreciation for the power that each of us holds, to shape the course of our own lives and to change or resist the conditions that stifle our best instincts.

That day, I woke up ready to be the person who would be worthy of that one man who will join me on the banks of the Credit River, one year from today.  A man with the strength of character and principal, the sensitivity and courage, the fortitude and sincerity that makes all others pale by comparison.  With him, no compromise is necessary.  No explanations are required.

He understands and shares my goals.  He believes in the things I believe in.  He saw those towers fall that day and knew what I did – that life would never be the same, but it could be whatever he had the strength to make it.

They wanted to break us.  They wanted to instill us with fear and sorrow.

Instead, they inspired us to join forces and fight.  To turn our attention toward the important things – the things they hate us for.  Freedom and the concept of what is truly right.  The glory of personal accomplishment and the enrichment of community through positive action.  The acceptance of the responsibility to resist the forces that strive to enslave us all.

Seven years ago today, I woke up a person prepared to do whatever was necessary to preserve these ideals.  Seven years ago today, Mikey did the same.

Somehow, it is right that on the 8th anniversary of that day, we will cement that commitment together in the presence of the ones we do it for most.

Those bastards shocked us out of our apathy and propelled us toward the happiness we share.  They don’t get to win.

We win.