How about Muslim extremists, because that is what they are. I am not indicating that I think all Muslims are extreme, but the ones who perpetrated 9/11 certainly were. To indicate otherwise does not assign blame where it belongs.I also was severely disturbed by those images. However, I hate describing them as “Muslim” as their defining feature…hate-mongering violent zealots seems more fitting.
That they were extremists is indeed a given, and most Muslims should and would be the most eager emphasize that they were indeed extremists.How about Muslim extremists, because that is what they are. I am not indicating that I think all Muslims are extreme, but the ones who perpetrated 9/11 certainly were. To indicate otherwise does not assign blame where it belongs.
I doubt the need for a universal word with which to define the enemy, and even question the wisdom of looking for such a word, as doing so has only led to dark places in the past. Better to let the enemies be defined by what it is that they are doing that makes them the enemy. For better or worse, we live in an incredibly pluralistic world, and universal enemies tend to exist chiefly in the imaginination. Real enemies are harder to define, and to find, hence the issue of who exactly is the enemy in the war on terror. Of course the singular metaphor “the enemy” probably wouldn’t even be appropriate there. They are invariably quite plural, in so many ways.The singular failure of the American response since 911 is finding an universally understandable term which defines the enemy.
For sure we are not talking about over a billion Muslims, nor is the problem limited to a Westetboro or Aryan nations cult-like movement either.
Bonnie McEneaney, whose husband was killed on 9/11, wrote a book entitled MESSAGES, SIGNS, VISITS, and PREMONITIONS. Her husband had survived the 1993 bombing. Before that fatal Tuesday, he became obsessed that another assault would occur. He felt he would not be alive by December. He actually discussed how he would evacuate his floor when it happened again. Then she began to hear stories from others whose loved ones had similiar experiences. I found it very moving.The day before, 9-10, I was deliverying my route when in the afternoon my mind seemed to be focused on patriotic songs (e.g. God Bless the USA, Coming to America). Maybe I was having a premonition.
On 9-11 as I was getting ready for work I was watching the local (Chicago) news. The big story coming up on the national news was Michael Jordan coming out of retirement. I though nice but looks like a slow news day. I was at work when I heard someone say that a plane crashed into the WTC. He was far away and I couldn’t hear everything but I thought it wasn’t going to be a very funny joke anyway. But soon it became very quiet at work with not one person speaking. All I could hear was a radio describing what was happening.
On my route that day many were surprised that the mail was still being delivered. The route had a lot of small businesses and every one had the television news on. Unfortunately all were on Spanish language stations and I was not really getting much for news other than seeing the tv screens.
I too read that book about a year ago, just after it came out last June. (For those who might be interested in reading it, the full title is “Messages: Signs, Visits, and Premonitions from Loved Ones Lost on 9/11”.) Yesterday, I again requested it from the library. It was comforting to read it and I think now, just after the 10th anniversary of 9/11, is a good time to reread it.Bonnie McEneaney, whose husband was killed on 9/11, wrote a book entitled MESSAGES, SIGNS, VISITS, and PREMONITIONS. Her husband had survived the 1993 bombing. Before that fatal Tuesday, he became obsessed that another assault would occur. He felt he would not be alive by December. He actually discussed how he would evacuate his floor when it happened again. Then she began to hear stories from others whose loved ones had similiar experiences. I found it very moving.