Never Forget. That’s what some are saying nine years after the September 11 attacks in New York.
And to that I say, “Forgive and Forget.” It’s a better way to live. Less baggage. I find that forgiveness makes my life easier and makes me easier to live with. Seems like it would make the world a better place if we all chose to live this way.
An eye for an eye mentality is unacceptable. We are a nation with civil and moral values and we must show the world that. These terrorist attacks were clearly a crime against humanity. What does a democracy do to punish criminals? We put them on trial, if found guilty, we imprison them.
Whatever forms of action we choose must reflect our democratic principles and distinguish us from the mentality of terrorists and destructive violence. Our actions must pursue a path towards reducing violence, not escalating violence. Launching weapons of mass destruction or collateral attacks against innocent civilians would be no different than the terror we have already had brought upon us.
Dennis Kucinich Statement to the House of Representatives “On Authorizing Force On Those Responsible For Recent Terrorist Acts” – September 14, 2001
Sadly, Kucinich’s wise counsel fell on deaf ears. Sadly, it seems like there’s nothing we can do about the military industrial congressional complex, a ravenous death machine which continually demands more bodies and taxes. But we do all have a choice as individuals. Personally, I choose “Turn the other cheek” over “An eye for an eye.”
Here are some things we should never forget:
Violence begets violence.
The United States has been at war with an ever-changing legacy of enemies since World War II.
Close to 100,000 people have died in Iraq as a result of the United State’s quest for revenge.
Think about the perpetual spiral of death and destruction we’ve created and then ask yourself, “Who would Jesus bomb?”
