Don't know if I can stomach all the 9/11 tributes

Some folks need more help than others...

Everyone should remember in their own way and young and old alike should never forget this event. In my lifetime I hope I never see an attack like this on US soil again.

Life changed that day and Americans can never drop their guard again.

I am glad to see people being patriotic not only on this day but others. It is truly an honor to live in our country is it perfect...no but I am still proud to be an American.

I guess I understand feeling patriotic over a national accomplishment (say like launching a new space station or increasing our national student science scores) a whole lot better than I understand feeling patriotic over the murder of almost 3000 people.

Or maybe "patriotic" is a euphemism here for something else altogether and that's why I'm not "getting" this?

AspenValley wrote:

Arlen wrote: It is the difference between knowing and understanding.

So you think that watching the towers come down over and over will somehow make us understand it?

Knowing is an intellectual level. Understanding is an emotional level.

The attack on 9/11 has nothing to do with patriotism. It has nothing to do with government. Our culture clashed with the primitive culture.

Arlen wrote:

AspenValley wrote:

Arlen wrote: It is the difference between knowing and understanding.

So you think that watching the towers come down over and over will somehow make us understand it?

Knowing is an intellectual level. Understanding is an emotional level.

The attack on 9/11 has nothing to do with patriotism. It has nothing to do with government. Our culture clashed with the primitive culture.

Well, that's your understanding of it. Others may have different understandings. But I fail to see how obsessively watching the event over and over informs anyone's understanding, it merely manipulates the emotions. I don't think this is accidental, either, especially in some of the docudramas that have come on television in the past week, they are extremely emotionally manipulative in their choice of shots, commentary, and even music.

Remembrance is a time of private sorrow and reflection. Glorification is inappropriate, as is the political posturing and manipulation all in the name of 9/11. Most of us understand that we will unite if threatened.

I would not agree that one culture is advanced and the other primitive. That is going too far. It must remain focused on a select faction who is intent on forcing their doctrine on the rest of the world, be it Western culture, Far Eastern Culture or Middle Eastern culture.

It remains a day of personal emotions. Unfortunately, 9/11 has become an event and political tool we could all do without. Remembering the event is not going to make my blood boil or have me lusting for revenge. It certainly is not going to fuel hatred of all Muslims. The only thing it will do is make me sad for the loss of all life and especially those with some I had personal relationships.

AspenValley wrote:

Arlen wrote:

AspenValley wrote:

Arlen wrote: It is the difference between knowing and understanding.

So you think that watching the towers come down over and over will somehow make us understand it?

Knowing is an intellectual level. Understanding is an emotional level.

The attack on 9/11 has nothing to do with patriotism. It has nothing to do with government. Our culture clashed with the primitive culture.

Well, that's your understanding of it. Others may have different understandings. But I fail to see how obsessively watching the event over and over informs anyone's understanding, it merely manipulates the emotions. I don't think this is accidental, either, especially in some of the docudramas that have come on television in the past week, they are extremely emotionally manipulative in their choice of shots, commentary, and even music.

What I alluded to with regard to fueling hatred or political agendas is what the "obsessive watching" is all about. It confuses the issue entirely. Those who suffered losses need no visual reminder for grief they feel.

The media attention given is like rubbing a wound that is trying to heal. Ten years to deal with the sorrow was just about enough to reach acceptance. It is time to tone down the volume and give those who lost loved ones the courtesy to remove themselves from haunting memories.

I have never known any person who "obsessively" watches the videos of 9/11. I suspect that AspenValley does not either. She may have used the term as hyperbole because she is just critical of others.

Could you give examples of this "political agenda" of which you mention. I have seen none of it. Maybe i do not watch the TV channels that are promoting this agenda.

Or, she may have used the term to point out how 9/11 images can be used to whip up anti-Muslim hysteria in certain people who are easily susceptible to such things, and DO, in fact, mix and confuse it with some jingoistic form of uber-patriotism.