Found on Facebook
20 years ago today, I remember waking up and trying to figure what was going on. I remember waking up ready to celebrate my mother’s birthday. I had no idea what the World Trade Center was or what importance it had on American society and democracy. I remember getting out of the shower seeing the second plane hit the second building. At that point, we all knew this was something different. At that point, all of our hearts sunk knowing the pain and distraught the people on those planes and their families felt. All of us felt, in some sense, a connection with those victims. May they all Rest In Peace. As we all know, that day changed us as our country forever and how we live our daily lives.
As we reflect on that day, I remember the day and the weeks that followed, brought us all together. Democrat, Republican, independent , blue, red, purple, who cares - we were all Americans. Brought together by the bigger picture that OUR democracy was bigger than anything else, no matter the politics. Democrats stood behind Republicans. Republicans heard the concerns of Democrats and visa versa. We didn’t care who was the leader of the country, we just stood by each other to defeat the enemy,
I was placed in buildings close to the capitol and in the actual Capital 5 years after those tragic events. I was scared everyday but I knew, the little contributions I made as a staffer of a member of Congress, were advancing the will our nation. I do like to think I made a small contribution to the progress of our nation, no matter how small my role was. But I reiterate, I was terrified everyday but thought my duty as an American outweighed those fears.
Today, 20 years later, we stand against each other. And that really concerns me as we approach this tragic day when we were attacked. Some want to listen to uncorroborated information while others seek the truth. Those that seek the truth are vilified for seeking such truth. When will it end? When will facts overrule the lies? When will decency overcome the worst of us? When we start trusting the facts and science and stop questioning those that think they know the facts and science? When will, what I call, “Dr. Google” stop? There is only one truth! Not “alternative facts.” That’s bullshit and you know it. Let’s agree to to disagree but not agree that your opinion alone are facts. Let’s remember those that died this day in vain and not blame those that should have stopped it. Let’s finally come together and be united as one. Let’s fight this pandemic as a human race and restore our democracy as it was when our founding fathers sought it to be. We will never be perfect. “We strive to be a more perfect union.” We will never be perfect, but we, as a human race, can stand up for humans rights. Stand up for those that are less fortunate than us. Stand up for our future and fight for our very existence.
I’m not perfect and I do not claim to be. My opinions and politics certainly differ than those that I am close to but that does not mean I dislike you. Some of you dislike me because of my opinions and beliefs and that’s ok, that’s what our freedom provide us. But your freedom of your opinion does not outweigh mine. And they do not make you right.
It frustrates me that some want to believe uncorroborated and disinformation, but I want to believe you will ultimately find the truth. It frustrates me that every political topic has to go to extreme, on both sides. What happened to open dialogue and coming together to meet in the middle; compromise? It frustrates me that some think because of my political beliefs that I am less patriotic. When did that happen? It frustrates me that you think your freedoms are more important than mine. It frustrates me that we didn’t think that 20 years ago but for some reason, we are different today. WE ARE AMERICANS and throughout our history, we want what best for US! Not you and I. US.
Some may say what I posted above is political; that was not my intent, just my general feelings as an America.
Now my political side - stop believing politicians that have no advanced degree in medicine. Stop believing media pundits that think they have some sort of medical background. Stop believing google searches that come up with only opinions, not facts. While I can’t say I 100% agree with government officials, I tend to appreciate their experience, knowledge and overall duty to the well being of our safety. If you think otherwise, maybe you you should move elsewhere. I’m not saying believe them blindly, but give them credit where credit is due - as a student of public service, they are not out to do what’s not in your best interest, it’s quite the opposite. Let’s act as a community, like an United States of America.
I will never forget that day. It’s sealed in my memory. I weep for all of those that died in vain. I embrace their family members who lost their love ones. I hope for the best in humanity. I love this country and proudly wove the flag everyday in my yard. I’m not religious so I say, May the United States of America always be protected.
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