In Honor of Patriots Day
Fourteen years ago today America was attacked, but whatever their goals were, they failed. We’re still here, enjoying our freedom, our modern life, and just being us. Having recently traveled to Europe, I am more aware than ever that our country has a personality, an energy, that is unique to us. I’ll be blogging about that in more depth later, but today is about Patriot’s Day.
In honor of the fallen we have lowered our flag to half mast.
In honor of the constitutional freedoms we have in America I am carrying concealed, because I can. The very different attitude about guns here and in Europe will be part of that other blog. For me and my household, we are armed and proud to say that our founding fathers wanted the populace armed because they understood that armed civilians make for a much more polite government.
In honor of the fact that I have the freedom here to disagree with my government, let me say this, “I think the deal with Iran is wrong.” I won’t argue most of the details, but I’ll say this, as long as they are still holding American citizens prisoner they shouldn’t get their money back. The fact that our sitting president didn’t even try to negotiate for the Americans held shows a lack of caring for the citizens he’s supposed to be leading. But then, every time I visit Washington D.C. I think that most of the politicians there have very little understanding of much of the rest of the country.
Unfortunately, the cities most likely to think they are in charge of our country are the ones that know the least about the majority of it. Washington D. C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York are horribly out of touch with the most of the rest of us. I travel the country, I talk to people in all those cities and in the rest of the country. We are a very diverse nation in every way, and I wish that everyone understood just how diverse we are and didn’t assume that their city, town, neighborhood, was the whole world of opinion. That D. C. is on that list is truly troubling since that’s where our Federal government resides.
I can say the above and not get in trouble with my government because in America you’re supposed to be able to state your opinion. You can disagree with me, because you’re entitled to your opinion, too. It doesn’t make either of us right or wrong, it’s just a freedom we have here.
To all the women and men in emergency services here, armed forces, police, fire service, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and all the people that are on the front lines for us when things go wrong: thank you. You are all heroes every day of the year.
15 thoughts on “In Honor of Patriots Day”
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Thank you! Love your books and value your opinion. Our son serves in the U.S. Army.
Very well said!
Hi Laurell. I’m a Scottish reader and can relate to the idea of Patriots Day. It’s the kind of celebration of our protectors that our Nations do well. It’s just a pity that our political leaders of all persuasions can’t, or won’t, emulate the honour or bravery that truly does keep us safe.
I’m with you regarding the Iran situation. This deal will again weaken the west’s defences against those who would harm us, and that our people are being left to suffer the fate of hostages is truly appalling. Out of touch doesn’t begin to cover their flagrant disregard of human life and belies the idea that citizenship guarantees safety. The US is not alone in this. British history is also spotted with similar situations, where political chess has been played at the expense of the general populace.
From my external view of America I am amazed and awestruck that a continent can function as a country in the way that your country does. Given its vast size and diversity it is gratifying and surprising that despite the wide ranging views and cultures apparent in your society, your country ( and mine ! ) shows a mind boggling ability to pull together with extraordinary resilience when the chips are down. How unfortunate it is then that we only seem able to pay attention to this talent when we are met with truly abhorrent and unacceptable assaults on our way of life as with 9/11.
Laurell, thanks for letting me wax lyrical. I look forward with interest to your ideas on the guns debate.
Thanks,
Jacqui. x
I completely and utterly concur with this blog. We have many freedoms other countries envy. Main thing needed to get out of office the idiots that are currently in office. A so-called president (not worthy of a capital P), and officials in other areas of our government. I still say with the current people in office, we are in the midst of the dumbing down of America. Wake up people, we need to do something NOW, not next year.
Three quarters of the United States population lives in and around urban areas. That makes urban dwellers – like those people in NYC, LA, Chicago, and, yes, even DC the MAJORITY.
We are a democracy. The majority rules.
P.S. It’s not terribly nice to run down the people of New York City today of all days. Unlike the rest of you in middle America, they got to watch their homes, their families, their friends and their businesses destroyed 14 years ago.
We’re not a democracy, we’re a republic. The difference is stark: “majority rules” except when the majority tries to bully a minority. In our republic, we established checks against the majority. 2 are the bicameral legislature and separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers. Another is the protection of the individual right to keep and bear arms.
Also, while most of us live “near an urban area,” there’s a big difference between a city of several million like Los Angeles and one of a few hundred thousand like St. Louis.
Boyd above makes some valid points. I’d like to add as a lifelong Chicagoan who’s travelled to more “conservative” areas for work like Des Moines and Phoenix, the same can be said of them being “out of touch” with more populous urban areas.
I’ve never been one to think anything other than “I may not agree with you, but I support your right to your own opinion”. However, with regards to guns, while I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves and their home against an intruder, and kill if necessary, outside of necessity, I don’t believe people should carry or stockpile weapons “just because they can”.
All too often, that sort of attitude leads to tragedies, intentional or accidental. When Matt and a Sweat escaped from the prison in upstate NY and fled through more rural areas, they were able to find refuge in UNLOCKED cabins that were stockpiled with guns and ammo–along with food and clothes.
Guns are like cars or having kids: just because you have the ability to use/have one doesn’t mean you should. I work for a lawyer now, and have fielded intake from those with multiple DUIs who try to get their licenses back after revocation. Who’d want you behind the wheel and potentially killing a child or parent?
And how much better would this world be and less taxed our resources, if only those who could afford to care for a child and had the mental and emotional (as well as financial) stability to raise one were the only ones allowed to have kids?
Because of the potential for destruction in the wrong hands, I believe guns, cars, and kids should only be had by those mature and responsible enough to have/use/raise them right–for beneficial rather than destructive purposes. Just because you can “have” something, doesn’t mean you should. We have the right to work to support ourselves and live as we will as long as what we do doesn’t have the potential to mess up an innocent person’s life. Everything else is a privilege, or conditional upon a certain standard of behavior. The problem is, far too many self-serving, self-entitled people don’t see it that way.
While I insist you can tell that a politician is lying because the mouth is issuing sound, I’m thankful that I live here in the USA where I can say things like this freely. Just want to add my thanks to the first responders. They may not all be saints, but on that day they ran towards the burning buildings rather than away from them. Also want to remember the people who died in the other 2 crashes since New York gets the lion’s share of attention.
Ma’am as an avid reader of your books and a veteran of the military I want to say thank you. I served my country for people such as yourself, people who believe in the values our beloved country was founded on. Then again I find your talent as a genuine woedsmith even more admirable. I just did what needed to be done. Some of us need to serve, not all of us can can do what you have, entertain and connect to millions. Guess I still feel awkward when I’m thanked for serving. It’s not that special, just taking care of things than need taken care of.
Hi, I’m from Germany, and I just wanted to add, that 9/11 was not just an attack on America but to the whole western world, including Europe. I was fife back then but I still remember the weather outside and the horrific pictures on TV. I remember being scared out of my mind. I remember the wish for vengeance.
But I also remember the power of forgiveness and love. And last year I remember meeting a woman from Iran. I remember what we talked about. I remember how hopeful she was. She hoped for a better future, for a better life, for more freedom. She hoped for the deal. And I remember her telling me, that most people in her country wished for it to happen too, because sanctions always hit the general population the hardest. Never the military but always the civilians. And most of the population there wishes for peace not war. There will always be some idiots thinking otherwise, but most of us want to avoid bloodshed and suffering. So maybe it’s time to forgive and to start trusting again.
I live in Nebraska. We are so behind everyone else in the US. That new technology to us is old news to everyone else. I agree with you. Our government I believe is more concerned about their money than the people that are living in this country.
I grew up in New York and now live and work in San Francisco. I have never shot, held, or owned a gun. I have no military background, and only fly over most of the country. I have voted Democrat ever since my 18th birthday, and recognized that no one gets everything they want when it comes to politics, and other than your carry concealed statement; I find that I agree with most everything you’ve said.
When it comes to guns however I find that if you have to hide the gun than your purpose is generally not peaceful. Gun control is exactly that “Control the gun” not the gun owner.
My esteem for you just jumped up another trillion points! And I was already a huge fan, especially after meeting you at Dragon Con! I could not agree with you more, especially when it comes to our rights to bear arms. My sister saved herself and our young cousin from an intruder many moons ago, by knowing how to handle a shotgun and every time someone starts ranting about taking away our guns, I think back to how differently that encounter might have turned out. I thank God that Dad believed in keeping guns in our home and that my sister had the opportunity to grow up, get married, and raise my gorgeous niece.
Thank you for being a voice of reason in this crazy day & age!
Amen to Laurells’ comments.
I’m from a military family and remember being terrified that someone from my family could be sent overseas to protect our liberties.
I too, wish to thank all first responders.
I’m from Belgium and I’m a french speaker si m’y english is pretty bad… First of all I wanted to say that I’m a huge fan of your books! I really respect you and your job.
Regarding to your ideas about guns I must say afew things. If the people have to carry guns to have a “polite” governement there is a huge problem ! I mean I don’t think de have less rights to show our desagreement in Europe than in US. More than that I think we’re safer because the risk to have someone shooting at you because they don’t like your face, they are scared or something like that is reduced. I mean u
in America you have shootings almost every weeks. Don’t you ever thing you would have less of these shootings if there was gun control? Some people say that bad intentionned people would always fond weapons. Maybe they are right. But 15 years-old would je less likely to bring one at school. And the one who really want to have guns would really have to think twice to fond one illegally. How many of your citizens would have to die before you think it will je safer to get guns out of civilians’ hands.
I don’t say it’s the perfect solution I juste say that it would improve the situation.
Once again I’m sorry for my english.