Speaking of Analysis
Thanks to the magic of RSS, and the writings of Wired’s copy chief, Tony Long (aka The Luddite), I’ve discovered a major media political analyst whose statements I actually find worthwhile during this time of discussion on the events of September 11th 2001.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/
Keith Olbermann, of MSNBC news of all places, has a few articles up right now that really impressed me. I tend to dodge the news, as it’s typically rather depressing, highly skewed in ways I have to question, and generally not useful. While these articles are undoubtedly skewed, they are skewed with the air of human opinion, instead of reeking of propaganda. While these are depressing, they are also hopeful, because they’re written with the idea that Americans are not the sheep we’re being made out to be. The usefulness is dependant wholly upon the impact and reach of the article. It reached me, and I’m spreading it. The impact on me was immediate and profound.
A lot of people have been writing about the anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center, part of the Pentagon, and the planes which were destroyed during this series of attacks. Mostly, where they were on the day. I know right where I was. I can’t forget, it was a huge event that no one in America could realistically avoid.
In the article “This hole in the ground”, Olbermann addresses not so much the event but the national progress since then. In our dedication to the adage-nouveau “Never Forget” some of us - a lot of us - have elected to focus solely on the event. Which is understandable to a degree, it was horrific, it hurt a lot of people directly and indirectly. The circles of effect that radiate out from that series of assaults runs far and fierce, there’s no question there. However, the history of what has occured as a result of these particular incidents is just as important to address - if not more so - than the original events themselves. I recommend reading beyond that particular article as well; it illustrates my point better than I probably could myself.
Where are we going?
What are we doing?
Who is driving?
What do they want?
What do WE want?
Who among us will stand/are standing for the desires of the majority?
What is accomplished by fear?
