This morning we got up early to catch live coverage of the ceremonies remembering the fallen victims and heroes of September 11. I'm having a tough time understanding how 10 years since that evil day could have passed already. In the past few days we've been watching documentaries and reading accounts of how the attacks unfolded. For me it's vital to keep this awful event in mind for freedom is not free, and we have all been enlisted, whether we know it or not, to the cause of defending our way of life from those who seek our death for their glory.
We watched CBS, then CNBC, to listen to family and friends read the names of every person (minus the terrorists) whose life was brutally and murderously cut short. It took over four hours to finish the list, but it was important to us to acknowledge each person. One of the readers was a boy who never met his father; he was born after the towers fell. Today was also the first day the memorial plaza was open to the public. How touching it was to see people thinking and meditating over the names of loved ones lost.
This anniversary has been kind of a turning point for me, too. In past years, I've been frustrated and disgusted more times than I can count with the overreactions, hysteria, and calculated power grabbing perpetrated by the federal government and supporters of the security-industrial complex. We Americans have lost not only mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, we've surrendered liberty for sham safety and ceded incredible power to unscrupulous politicians and authorities.
But instead of wanting to give up and hide, this year I've been inspired by so many, especially those who gave their life saving others (and I include my brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces), to become more involved in shaping this country into what generations past intended it to be: a place where people can truly enjoy life, liberty and pursue their happiness in peace. So, while I'm at it, I encourage you to do the same. Say no to oppressive government rules and regulations, no to stupid, wasteful foreign wars, no to the nanny state. Say yes to limits on power, yes to peace, yes to freedom.
We watched CBS, then CNBC, to listen to family and friends read the names of every person (minus the terrorists) whose life was brutally and murderously cut short. It took over four hours to finish the list, but it was important to us to acknowledge each person. One of the readers was a boy who never met his father; he was born after the towers fell. Today was also the first day the memorial plaza was open to the public. How touching it was to see people thinking and meditating over the names of loved ones lost.
This anniversary has been kind of a turning point for me, too. In past years, I've been frustrated and disgusted more times than I can count with the overreactions, hysteria, and calculated power grabbing perpetrated by the federal government and supporters of the security-industrial complex. We Americans have lost not only mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, we've surrendered liberty for sham safety and ceded incredible power to unscrupulous politicians and authorities.
But instead of wanting to give up and hide, this year I've been inspired by so many, especially those who gave their life saving others (and I include my brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces), to become more involved in shaping this country into what generations past intended it to be: a place where people can truly enjoy life, liberty and pursue their happiness in peace. So, while I'm at it, I encourage you to do the same. Say no to oppressive government rules and regulations, no to stupid, wasteful foreign wars, no to the nanny state. Say yes to limits on power, yes to peace, yes to freedom.
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| Part of the Memorial Plaza (http://911memorial.org) |
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| Plan for the new World Trade Center complex |
Brent, it was such a privilege to participate in those memorial services with you, to experience that range of emotions, and to talk with you about how the events of that day changed all our lives--and ours in a very personal way. I'm honored to be married to such a wonderful man who loves freedom and truth and who "walks the walk" in defending them. You're a wonderful example--especially to me and our children. I love you with all my heart!
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