I’m listening to you, Rick, from the same room in my home in Canada where I watched the Towers fall on 9/11. The TV has been upgraded, lovely rugs have been gifted as friends have passed, the teenager who watched with me is now a wife and mother and like all of us I’m older. But somehow life remains the same. Even though my country and yours are in the midst of a family quarrel, this too will eventually sort itself out. And so, as I listen to your heartbreak, I try to imagine how people would react if faced with another almighty terror. I do believe in the essential goodness of most people. I think goodness, left to itself, would rise to the surface and overwhelm political differences. But then I hear that voice, the growling words of anger and hatred, and I’m certain he would use a nightmare event to try to divide us further. …. America must purge itself. It needs a deep cleanse, a year in rehab, a long walk in the desert and then a return to its true heart that has been beating these 250 years. The world has loved America and, given the chance , will love you all again. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with such vulnerable honesty. 🙏
So sorry for your losses on that day Rick, I remember where I was watching with fear and in disbelief at what was happening. Your words are truth that hurts deep but inspires us to remember who were and who we are. We have been badly broken at home and to the world but I have faith, hope and the sincere belief we will find our way back and hold all those accountable for what they have done, they will have no place here... Thank You
Thank you for sharing your feelings of sadness, and your insight as to how, if bin Laden were alive today, how pleased he would be to see the destruction of America, accomplished by one person. The unity of our country at that time, was astonishing, and globally we were embraced. Now it seems to be gone. Destroyed. 25-years; it seems unreal. 25 years, more technology, AI, pandemics, division, and the economy in shambles, and another war, and, of course, conflicts throughout the world and disunity among Americans. As grim as it feels, and as disheartening and exhausting it is, we can overcome this hell, this evil. It means taking action, no matter how small. Rest, have some fun. That's alright. Then stand up again, and again. "Never-give-up. America will overcome this and be a country loved and respected for our compassion and generosity.
Rick Wilson I just read Chris Hedges: post ‘Osama Bin Trump’ on the email Chris Hedges Report. And it just occurred to me. It would be fascinatingly interesting if you and he talked or debate it or whatever came of it.humm. I agree with both of you.
Has anyone else here noticed that what tRump is doing with bombing Iran AND with attacking the fishermen off the coast of South America is exactly the same thing Bin Laden with 9/11, i.e. killing civilians with no actual true and verified that they are actually trying to attack the U.S. ? I was as horrified by 9/11, like everyone else, but when they read the address to the nation from the President at the time, about the attack on civilians being unprovoked and morally wrong, I couldn’t help feeling it was very hypocritical, given those recent actions by us.
I can’t help to think that the evil of the military industrial complex fits in somewhere on 911. For those of us that were poor or lower middle class we had already been through the Vietnam debacle and the lies told us by our government.
I don’t see Osama bin Laden responsible for that, the American military industrial complex (CIA) took over. I think I’m a little older than you, but do you remember Rampart magazine? It was considered a very radical magazine. I seem to remember that a number of the articles from that magazine, supported theories about government conspiracies that are similar to what I read today on Substack. Perhaps J Edgar Hoover, I know you remember him, did a lot to destroy the (Liberal) trajectory of this country. Whoever killed John Kennedy was fucking with our heads back then.
i’ll close this up, I really agree with you about Osama Bin Laudin and what you say in your essay but the rot in this country did not start with Osama or Donald Trump.
The pain was great then but it feels so much greater now. What one man has taken away from us is astounding. We are no longer the America we were on 9/11. We are now so diminished and I am right there with you crying for us now, crying for what we have lost just in the last 19 months.
I’m listening to you, Rick, from the same room in my home in Canada where I watched the Towers fall on 9/11. The TV has been upgraded, lovely rugs have been gifted as friends have passed, the teenager who watched with me is now a wife and mother and like all of us I’m older. But somehow life remains the same. Even though my country and yours are in the midst of a family quarrel, this too will eventually sort itself out. And so, as I listen to your heartbreak, I try to imagine how people would react if faced with another almighty terror. I do believe in the essential goodness of most people. I think goodness, left to itself, would rise to the surface and overwhelm political differences. But then I hear that voice, the growling words of anger and hatred, and I’m certain he would use a nightmare event to try to divide us further. …. America must purge itself. It needs a deep cleanse, a year in rehab, a long walk in the desert and then a return to its true heart that has been beating these 250 years. The world has loved America and, given the chance , will love you all again. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with such vulnerable honesty. 🙏
Rick, this is a riveting piece. There were moments when I couldn’t breathe. Excellent.
So sorry for your losses on that day Rick, I remember where I was watching with fear and in disbelief at what was happening. Your words are truth that hurts deep but inspires us to remember who were and who we are. We have been badly broken at home and to the world but I have faith, hope and the sincere belief we will find our way back and hold all those accountable for what they have done, they will have no place here... Thank You
Safe travels you two.
To quote an old movie..”..I’m used to you..”
Trump is only the largest mushroom on the huge right wing terror cow pie. The whole mess needs to be thoroughly composted.
Thank you for that, Rick.
Thank you for sharing your feelings of sadness, and your insight as to how, if bin Laden were alive today, how pleased he would be to see the destruction of America, accomplished by one person. The unity of our country at that time, was astonishing, and globally we were embraced. Now it seems to be gone. Destroyed. 25-years; it seems unreal. 25 years, more technology, AI, pandemics, division, and the economy in shambles, and another war, and, of course, conflicts throughout the world and disunity among Americans. As grim as it feels, and as disheartening and exhausting it is, we can overcome this hell, this evil. It means taking action, no matter how small. Rest, have some fun. That's alright. Then stand up again, and again. "Never-give-up. America will overcome this and be a country loved and respected for our compassion and generosity.
Rick Wilson I just read Chris Hedges: post ‘Osama Bin Trump’ on the email Chris Hedges Report. And it just occurred to me. It would be fascinatingly interesting if you and he talked or debate it or whatever came of it.humm. I agree with both of you.
Has anyone else here noticed that what tRump is doing with bombing Iran AND with attacking the fishermen off the coast of South America is exactly the same thing Bin Laden with 9/11, i.e. killing civilians with no actual true and verified that they are actually trying to attack the U.S. ? I was as horrified by 9/11, like everyone else, but when they read the address to the nation from the President at the time, about the attack on civilians being unprovoked and morally wrong, I couldn’t help feeling it was very hypocritical, given those recent actions by us.
Rick thank you for this. I will never view 9/11 the same. I find your insightful to be glaring.
Thank you Rick. You are human which is what makes you so cool. 😎
Thank you!
I can’t help to think that the evil of the military industrial complex fits in somewhere on 911. For those of us that were poor or lower middle class we had already been through the Vietnam debacle and the lies told us by our government.
I don’t see Osama bin Laden responsible for that, the American military industrial complex (CIA) took over. I think I’m a little older than you, but do you remember Rampart magazine? It was considered a very radical magazine. I seem to remember that a number of the articles from that magazine, supported theories about government conspiracies that are similar to what I read today on Substack. Perhaps J Edgar Hoover, I know you remember him, did a lot to destroy the (Liberal) trajectory of this country. Whoever killed John Kennedy was fucking with our heads back then.
i’ll close this up, I really agree with you about Osama Bin Laudin and what you say in your essay but the rot in this country did not start with Osama or Donald Trump.
No words 😭
Thank you, Rick. The remembrance heartfelt. What has come all these years later is heart breaking.
The pain was great then but it feels so much greater now. What one man has taken away from us is astounding. We are no longer the America we were on 9/11. We are now so diminished and I am right there with you crying for us now, crying for what we have lost just in the last 19 months.
Thank you Rick, it’s exactly how I feel—and it’s depressing—and I lost several friends in 9/11