I remembered coming into WTC station in the mornings and coming out of
the towers. Looking up, you could almost swear those towers were swaying
in the wind. It made you dizzy to look up to the top but fascinating to
see the majestic twins from 110 floors below.
The Sphere before 9/11/2001
The huge brass sphere would bounce the morning and afternoon sunlight
and reflect off the pool that surround it like some weird aura of
light.
When I first moved to New York City, I was in awe of
everything about the city. In fact, I remembered getting my directions
mixed up coming out of subways but knew if I always looked for the World
Trade Centers, I could acclimate myself, knowing they were always
South. I took it all for granted. I never thought in a million years
anything could destroy those two rather dull looking grey towers or any
of the surrounding buildings.
When the second plane hit 9:04AM EST
And here we are... It's hard to
believe it was fifteen years ago this morning - a hot sunny Tuesday
morning - people still commuting. As some of you read this, in real time
that day, the towers were about to make their descent, becoming an
instant grave for 2,606 people.
Though
I was a couple hundred miles away, I can't help remembering the phone
ringing early in the morning. My dad told me to turn on the news and
stay calm. By this point, the first plane had already hit the World Trade Centers.
Watching
in horror, I remembered 1993 when I was living in the New York City
area. A bomb had blown up in the garage of the World Trade Centers. So
to see the second plane hit and then minutes later both towers
collapsing to the ground left me stunned for more than just a day. The
panic to get in touch with friends that still lived and worked on Wall
Street began as cellphones and landlines didn't even ring on the New
York City end. It was dialing out into the void, hoping a call would
connect with someone on the other end.
On Independence Day weekend, I thought about what this holiday's remembrance is really all about and why it's meaning now is more pertinent than ever before in most our lives. For those who embrace this election's importance, this is a somber holiday - not just an excuse for a three-day weekend.
Washington, Jefferson, Adams & Franklin
Our founding fathers had great ideas. They were educated men consisting of landowners, lawyers, inventors, philosophers and business owners, who carefully thought out the way to govern the new nation. They had a combined focus and goal to eradicated themselves from the Crown and launch a most extraordinary experiment. The United States of America.
The two main ideas became apparent in their planning. A) To guarantee inalienable rights which are prescribed by God, which protect our Right to pursue personal happiness in a free land. And B) to preserve our country's sovereignty. The Constitution provided a framework, giving directives to three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. These branches of government were placed specifically to keep power from becoming a centralized power base - leaving the power to the individual states' citizenry to self-govern.
Their quotes about freedom, liberty, pursuit of happiness and self governance have survived the 240 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 2 and its adoption by the united group of the original thirteen states on July 4, 1776. Yes, it's been 40 years since we celebrated the 200 year anniversary; yet, America is a radically difference country today than it was even 20 years ago.
Was this radical turn what Thomas Jefferson envisioned when he penned the Declaration of Independence that birthed our Nation?
After much study of Jefferson's writings and scholarship, I seriously doubt it...
Today, we're happy to let the federal government dictate every facet of our lives - right down to personal habits and vices. Under the guise of common good, we have handed over our rights and freedoms one by one to people who know no better than any of us what is in our best interest and well-being. In return, they've taken no time at all to strip our rights to minutia while grossly overstepping their constitutional boundaries.
Now look at where we are...
United Nations
We are a country that folds to its minority because they throw elaborate temper tantrums. The Minority dictates our behaviors and 'free' speech because of the laziness and apathy of the Majority. We now have a presidential candidate that is the focus of an FBI criminal investigation and yet, many don't appear to care she's untrustworthy, dishonest and corrupt. Our lawmakers are promoting globalism which strips away everything the Founding Fathers fought for and were against (the reason they revolted against King George) -- including our right to self-governance. Now these supposed elected by the people representatives are moving us towards being under the United Nations - a global conglomerate that even FDR detested and had no desire for the US to join.
What have we become? Is it time for America to reinvent itself or is it time to go back to what made this nation the super power it once was. Many will nay-say and think, "But, Mr. Crowe, we're still great..." But are we?
We defer our rights so massive invasions of illegals and refugees to come here to take our jobs, rape our women and children as well as threaten the very existence of our community enclaves like the LGBT community! Is this really greatness? 40 years ago, we hadn't experienced a terrorist attack on our soil with the exception of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Yet 15 years later, we are cowering not standing up to the very ideology that portrayed one of the most violent events in our country's history - 9/11.
Paid agitators burning our flag
Why are we at this juncture when the very basis of our country was
founded on solid principles and for 200+ years, served its citizens and
our industry well? How did we get here and why is one party so hell-bent
on taking away the greatness of our nation? Why do we condone people burning our flag?
Why have we been so quick
to give up our freedom for the acceptance of the failed Welfare State of Socialism?
Therefore, on this weekend designed to remember our Declaration as a Sovereign Nation, perhaps it is now more than picnics and beach days - but also with this year, a time to reflect and think carefully, where you as a citizen want this country to go from here.
This election boils down to two conflicting idioms: Nationalism verses Globalism. Nationalism being remain a free sovereign nation or Globalism meaning we completely wipe out what this nation has founded on 240 years ago.
Donald Trump (R) & Hillary Clinton (D)
If ever there was a time, it's now a time for choosing...
On that note, I leave you with this parting video from Ronald Reagan, whose words are as true now as they were in 1964 - we can clearly see his prophecy in our reality today. It's worth the thirty minutes out of your long weekend merriment to check out.
This is perhaps the last election to correct our course and destiny! I have faith there's hope for us yet.
While some may have a rip roaring time demonizing our local politicians during this time of grave importance, remember: 100 Parents lost their child last night! 50 souls lost their lives - irrelevant is their sexual preference. This is the largest mass shooting in American history with victims being young!
Terrorism is something Americans need to start taking seriously as it's no laughing matter anymore. Orlando is a prime example of the very dangerous violence that lurks within our shadows and sometimes in blatant sunlight. Yet, many from the Left ostracize Trump for his proposed Muslim Ban.
Yes, I know, before you start to press comment, last night's perpetrator is a US citizen; however, someone had to know. Our PC-overkill culture has created upset and fear to turn people in - just like San Bernadino. People are leery to reveal what they know about a relative or neighbor or friend because they are fearful of being branded a Racist!
Hence, this election is more important than any other because the time has come for us to embrace, Radical Islam is ideological. This isn't an enemy that's merely in a civil war coup or arguments over nuclear disarmament. This is much worse.
Wake up, Eastern Shore! This country belongs to every legal citizen of it. It's time we stopped placating and start defending our own citizens.
