This morning I sat and watched trailers for the new film 'United 93' which chronicles the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The film is directed by Paul Greenbush- a kindred spirit of mine who hates injustice and cruelty. http://www.flight93.net
Still very strongly moved by this tragedy! Could barely see due to the tears streaming down my face. A British film director made the movie using a no-name cast and it's based on flight records and phone calls that came from the plane to relatives during the short flight. It's purpose is to honor the memory of those on board. I think they've done a good job memorializing our brave men and women who died when the plane crashed in a field near Shanksburg, PA. Passengers stormed the cockpit, saving our capital city from yet another fiery crash and sparing the lives of countless others. May God reward each of those people who loved their lives no less than you and I, but gave the ultimate sacrifice. I do plan to see the film, though I'm not sure I'd be able to watch it in public as I believe I would weep too loudly and be embarrassed. So I may just curl up on the couch at home with a massive box of tissues and remember the day a part of me died along with the innocent men, women and children who had the misfortune of getting caught up in the horrible circumstances.
WARNING: This film is both a factual and a highly emotional account of what happened. It's natural to feel angry and want to hate someone whenever evil is done or suffering is experienced. I strongly encourage you to put all hatred out of your heart- it will only hurt YOU in the end. Remember the terrorist actions of 9/11 are NOT a reflection of all Muslim intent. I hope this film does not stir up a wave of anti-Islam sentiments. The blame for this great loss lies only in the heart of extremists and the vast majority of Muslims openly condemn the action of terrorists and wish to live in peace.
FLASHBACK: I was sitting at the breakfast table with my 4 small children. It was a beautiful day and we were planning a picnic at the park. Since we had no television, we had NO idea what was happening until our phone rang and a panicked neighbor said, "Our country is under attack!! I don't know what's going to happen, but two planes have hit the Trade Centers. They are burning and people are jumping out, it's awful!! Do you want to come watch the news with us?" I immediately thought of my brother-in-law because he's a pilot and hoped he was safe. We rushed over to the neighbor's house where at first we sat in stunned silence, then wept loudly as we watched the towers fall. My youngest was only 9 months old. I wondered what kind of world I had just brought another child into... what kind of future would we see?
Terrorism is brutal and barbaric. There is NOTHING "holy" or noble about killing innocent people! The bigger tragedy to me is that the chain reaction of violence 9/11 put in motion has caused even more death and destruction- not only here, but in other countries as well. Many have died in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bali, Great Britain, Pakistan, etc. Where does it end? Violence begets violence- hatred fuels the flames. For many, the fires of 9/11 still burn. Love and forgiveness are the only things that can quench such an inferno. If you see this film, grieve heavily as we remember our fallen, then let go... and be at peace.... God help us all.
13 comments:
my neighbor back in India had lost her only child,a son, who was working in the trade center that fateful day and i have lived thru to see their pain and anguish..no words can pacify their hearts... but they live on.. with a purpose...a purpose to instill the value of peace in every child they come across.
but i guess the real victims here are the children being brought up in iraq and Afghanistan...their future & that of their country is in their hands...& to a certain extent the fate of the world if i may say..the present terrorist gang will fade out if not by any other means, age will surely take its toll on them...but what about the younger generation??? hopefully the ones who have taken pledge to bring the sinsters to justice do keep this in mind as well.
Well, you could always watche the video/DVD "911 in Plane Sight." That gives the "consipracy people" an outlet.
I was 7 months pregnant and working full time when 911 happened. I remember thinking what kind of world would my unborn baby grow up in?
My then 6 year old also lives in a different world than when I grew up. I guess it's the same for each generation. Wars, Terrorism, Natural Disasters and so forth usually leave their mark on each generation, and therefore, the world is always the same, yet always changing.
It was a surreal moment, turning on the TV here on the West Coast sometime after 6 am to see the horrors. I had been at the gym, and hadn't turned on the TV until I received a call from my in-laws.
May we find strength in the Lord to forgive and love our enemies, as Christ instructed us.
Why reopen deep wounds that took ever so long to heal? These wounds if reopened will only bring more grief and revive hatred among a people who are still trying to bring a semblance of peace and bonhomie back in their lives.
This film , I believe is another covert capitalistic venture!
I was asleep when the first plane hit the first towers, my buddy called me up very disraught and said " We are under attack, turn on the tv".
He is an old hippie, and as such, not patriotic, and living through th 60's and 70's and seeing the efforts of a generation not really amount to a lot he is kinda' burnt out. He really doesn't get involved in politics anymore, for a long time ( he finally found a girl he loves and got married )he just worked and drank, living a minimalist existance.
But that morning he was angry, scared, amazed and all the things we all felt. Well I thought " S#$% if Doug is calling me we are screwed."
I firmly believe that the passengers on flght 93 were heros.
And I don't use that word very often.
I totally supported the idea of going after terrorist cells and orginizations, but only terrorist cells and orginizations.
I watched in horror as a Sikh man was shot in the back here in Az by a dumb redneck because he was wearing a turban. Turns out the man had children and grand-children, gave to charities, helped fund community projects and was a well liked and respected member of the community.
I feel so bad for the members of the Islamic community here in the US. Most of our Islamic friends are here because they want to be here, they left their country because of the intolerable conitions there, and they are persecuted here.
Yes, they have differnt customs and beliefs than we do, some we might even find offensive ( such as the man is the final authority in the house ).
However if we found ourselves in a militant state suddenly and we were oppressed because of our belief that we should have freedom of speach, or any of the other rights most Americans take for granted, and we fled the country, say to an Islamic nation would anyone give up their customs and religion.......nope. Neither should they.
I hope this movie doesn't stir up anti-Islamic feelings either, and I hope the movie is done in such a fashion that it recognizes the sacrifice the passengers made.
Our liberties must be defended, our leaders must be more closely chosen. When someone can get impeached because they lied about cheating on their wife, but not impeached for having lied to start a war our priorities as a nation are screwed up.
Thomas Jefferson said "The time to guard against corruption and tyranny, is before they shall have gotten hold on us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered."
There are a lot of films coming out based on real life tragedies. The most recent one is "Winter in Baghad", you can read the review here: Winter in Baghdad: Film Review. The other one "Road to Guantanamo". It is only appropriate that all people get their voices heard.
I find some things hard to reconcile here... Don't get me wrong... I am not a hater, but maybe one who is confused. I stand up for what is right and also when people have been wronged - regardless of background... because not only has God taught me to love but to stand up for those who have been oppressed. "Who is my neighbor?" is the question that is always in my mind.
So the problem I am having here is that if the "extremists" are not part of the ordinary good natured muslim religion around the world, then why are latter so afraid to speak out strongly against them? I only here mumblings and grumblings here and there. But no strong stance. No outrage... No massive street protests against this foreign doctrine. Of course until something happens to their own loved ones in the process. Maybe they are afraid of the terrorists? Maybe they really agree? I don't know, but actions, or the lack of, speak louder than words to me.
I want to know....What is the Muslim intent for me? And what if I don't agree?
I don't want to offend anyone on this...I am just trying to reconcile all the angles. And remember...I am not speaking about countries but people who confess their faith in their God.
Hi Kev,
I am a Muslim who had a connection with Basra, Iraq. It was part of my history. Imagine my frustration to see the United States come and bomb it. I was especially distraught at the economic sanctions which resulted in the deaths of more than half a million children to which Madeline Albright, the US Secretary of State said: "It was worth it." In the past two years, I have often expressed myself angrily in words but retained my composure. On Sept. 11, I was very saddened by the news. It was that time that I took to understanding the world. But as the Iraq war progressed, I realized that terrorism didn't have a religion. There were a lot of people engaged in it, and that included terrorism from the West. Terrorism isn't inclusive to a group or people. It is a movement in history that breeds on greed, power and supremacist politics. All people on this earth have hurt and helped each other. Sometimes we have to learn to forgive, which is why I come on this blog. Trailady is promoting tolerance and love between people. I just posted an angry post, and so revisited this blog for a balance and remedy.
As for Muslims not speaking, I think it's different. Some Muslims speak, some remain silent.
aiman,
I appreciate your response. I really don't like this war in Iraq. I don't like war...period. I am a US citizen. But I am a man and more specifically, a Christian man. My allegiance is to God and to God alone. I love my country because I can be who I choose to be, but my country scares me too. My country has nothing to do with my statements.
I don't listen to what Madeline Albright, George Bush or any other political figure says. I am responsible for my own words and my own actions. I don't hate Iraqis because of Sadam Hussein. I don't hate the Muslim faith because of "extremists" who use it as their reasons for what they do. I don't hate Sunnis for their constant terror on Shi`ites or Kurds. And I don't judge a country by its leaders. I am saying a lot of "I" words aren't I?
But my questions remain. What is the Muslim intent for me? And what if I don't agree? Please be straight forward to me on this. I can never get a straight-up answer on this.
Hi Kev,
I don't know what you exactly mean, and am replying on assumption. According to Islam Jews and Christians are called the "People of the Book", which means that they have recieved the Revelations from God and are nearest to Muslims in their teachings. This is what the Qur'an says about Christians:
"Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor shall they grieve" (2:62, 5:69, and many other verses).
"...and nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say, 'We are Christians,' because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant" (5:82).
I don't deny that there are some Muslims who preach hate (especially in some madrasahs), but in doing so they are not endorsing Islam but contradicting it. I pray that Jews, Christians and Muslims will come to greater understanding.
Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments!! I enjoy posting on my blog, but even more I enjoy reading the insights of my visitors. So, keep 'em coming. :o)
Hi Kev, the vast majority of Muslims I have ever interacted with have been peace-loving people. I have great respect for these people as they are also children of Abraham and God loves them. I'm glad you are able to interact with Aiman as he has a beautiful mind. There are many places around the world where Muslims live in fear of Christian intent. I watched a documentary several years ago about how Christians persecute Muslims in several countries, burning their homes and villages, destroying their places of worship- and boycotting their businesses such that they cannot feed their families. This breaks my heart. How can these things be done in the name of Jesus Christ who loved all people and emanated kindness?
Terrorist's on "Jihad" are a poor example of Islam. Christians on crusade are poor examples of Christianity. Love for God is never won by force but by kindness. The Almighty tenderly woes the heart- He does not overpower any soul. I'm sure you would agree.
dear,
sorry to anwer your post so lately but it is a shame for america that 5 years later nobody knows the exact facts that happened on 9/11.
"loose change" is not a forein movie, it is an american documentary and not one american politician is able to put the light on all the shadow parts that it's talking about.
that will be nice if your government could prove its non-implication in those events.....but it seems that it won't happen.....business as usual int the land of lords of war!
aiman,
As they say in Peanuts..."you're a good man Charlie Brown."
I have read those passages before. I have the Quaran on my Palm Pilot and found some things very interesting.
I know the news sites like to give us something fearful because it increases ratings. I am open minded but have seen for myself some Muslims who have no sympathy for others. But I do not forget Albanian Muslims and others who have been persecuted by "Christians".
It is true, trailady, that it works both ways. In the name of religion, people have always been persecuted. There are great people of all faiths, even though there is one Way, one Truth, one Life. But only God can judge who will be in heaven and He shall look into the heart of every man and woman and decide who has loved Him and their neighbor.
gmc,
I guess there will always be conspiracies for everything...but sometimes the only conspirators are the ones who actually do it. It happens frequently in life.
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