The Cult of 9/11

On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I'm going to do the very thing I've been complaining about others doing. I'm going to talk about it. But if you are sensitive about that day, please do not read on. You won't like what I have to say.

I've recovered. Well over nine years ago. I was saddened as I watched it unfold from the comfort of my home in Seattle. Yet, I knew it was nothing compared to what other nations have endured. In the eyes of history, it's a rather small event. I'm not a New Yorker. I don't know anyone who was affected. Nor have I ever met anyone who knew anyone. With that perspective, I got over it. Fast.

I find all the repetitious coverage across the media to be quite tiresome. Rather than be forced to relive the pictures and hear the same old stories, I'm reflecting on the last ten years of our nation's history and the post 9/11 world in which we now live. The event has changed our nation and the world. And it's not a good thing.

In the last ten years, four thousand of our young men, barely out of high school, left home to "defend our freedom" only to return in a wooden box. Our troops who returned alive will never be the same, having hardened themselves to bear the shedding of blood. I watched as two million innocent men, women and children died in the "war on terror". Many of these were in Iraq, a country which had no terrorists before we got there. I want to ask you, were the 3,000 lives that were lost that day worth the killing of over 2 million people?

After the tragedy, most Americans were afraid to fly. I've never known fear and immediately after 9/11 I'd have sat next to the guy in Muslim garb on a jet. Why would I be afraid to fly when I'm many thousands times more likely to die in a car or any number of medical conditions. The odds of another terror attack, both before and after 9/11, are so negligible that our response has been absolutely ridiculous. The last 10 years have seen the erosion of many freedoms in the name of security. We now have a Transportation Safety Board who makes old people remove their diapers. Parents allow their young children to groped in the name of security. We have body scanners which show every curve of your sexy (or not so sexy) ass. If you have a bandage under your bra, they're likely to fondle your breasts.

Air travelers have been burdened by watch lists which included anybody even remotely connected with someone they didn't know they knew. My own brother was yellow tagged by virtue of his name. He was a frequent business traveler and was hassled every time he boarded a plane. The would detain him, examine him and see a much shorter man not matching any of their description and let him go on his way. Despite all the false alarms, it took him several years to get his name removed.

And then there's the Patriot Act, which has destroyed much of the privacy and liberty we treasure as Americans. The list of laws and Executive Orders which have eroded our freedom is exhaustive, and include the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, Sections 1615 and 1622 of the 2008 Defense Authorization Act, Protect America Act of 2007, Revising the 1807 Insurrection Act and Ending 1878 Posse Comitatus Protection, and The Homeland Security Act, just to mention a few.

Despite the erosion of our Constitutional freedoms, none of these measures have led us to a single terrorist. Every serious threat to our security has been uncovered with standard CIA procedures. The TSA's security procedures have exposed only few low-tech lone wolfs, so it's a bit difficult to justify the abuse of travelers and the heavy restrictions placed upon us.

Loss of freedom aside, that day has changed us. And by us, I mean you. You who will "never forget". I'm bludgeoned 24/7 with your sentiments on social networks.  I'm assaulted by the media's never ending coverage and rehashing of the same stories over and over an over again. I change the channel. I change the radio station. I try another site for news. But it's everywhere! I can't escape it. There's no where to run. And it's not just on 9/11. It's been weeks of virtual non-stop rape of my brain. Yes, I said "rape". Don't you realize that once you've healed, reliving all those videos and stories ad nauseum is akin to torture?

Our country has taken on a cult mentality surrounding 9/11. You have not recovered, so I'm not allowed to move on. I am not allowed to seek respite from all the hype. There is no way to escape it save going on safari in Africa. I am forced to endure it. Forced to relive it. And forced to keep my mouth shut or face backlash. Those of us who have gotten over it are damned by the masses. I'm branded as heartless because I got over it. If being emotionally strong is a heartless state, I'll take that label gladly. Whatever you choose to call me, I refuse to give myself over to a state of perpetual mourning and fear. Don't you know that if you "never forget" you will never recover? You'll continue to live in fear. You'll continue to gladly offer yourelf to be groped by the TSA under the illusion that it makes you safer.

Some people take longer to heal. I get that. But should I be forced to mourn with you? Your mourning should be kept private, not cheapened by hype. You should allow those of us who have recovered to move on with dignity.

Election Day, Filipino Style

On October 25, 2010, local elections were held in the Philippines. I had the privilege of witnessing it first hand in remote province of Agusan del Sur on the island of Mindanao.

Elections are a big deal in the Philippines. I would guess nearly 100% of Filipinos turn up at the polls. Here, election season can also turn violent. During the period leading up to an election, my bags were routinely checked before entering a tiny shop. My hosts also insisted on escorting everywhere, even just to walk down the humble road near the home. Among my hosts was Amelito Cadao who is a Counselor of the Pisaan Baranguay (a local voting district in the Philippines) in San Francisco and was running for re-election. To illustrate the danger present even in this seemingly peaceful place, he told me that as long as I am in his baranguay, he could have armed men at my defense. If I left the baranguay, he could do nothing.

Agusan del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines

A few pics I snapped on my visit to San Francisco, in Agusan del Sur, Philippines. It was a wonderful place, with beautiful people. I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I boarded the bus that would take me to Butuan for the flight back to Manila. I have so many memories of this place and much to share in the weeks to come.

Nanai's kitchen, where my meals were prepared for me.