September 11, 2008

A Children's Treasury of Terrible 9/11 Art- On this solemn day a half-dozen years ago, nearly 3,000 people were horribly killed so that Rudy Giuliani could earn a hundred million dollars and run for president of 9/11 and the most corrupt administration in American History could wage endless war around the world that has killed some 700,000 people while finally restoring energy and defense stocks to the solid dividend payers favored by long-term investors. Also, “September the Eleventh” has inspired the most insipid, maudlin kitsch in the history of an already very kitschy nation, along with some truly stomach-turning old-fashioned American Huckersterism.
  • Can I take my commemorative lighter on the plane?
  • Man, I'm glad I had a small breakfast.
  • People may ask themselves, why would there be faces in the smoke, and also, why so many? I believe I know the answer to that question. Demons can feel and experience things like we can. Consider that picture of the demon below that has its head sticking up like it is on some kind of rollercoaster ride...Most acts of violence are not as huge as this one, or last as long, or kill this many people, so this was DisneyLand for demons. There was the planes impacting and exploding and people jumping, and then the buildings falling down and killing over 2,000 people in the process. This was a dream come true for demons.
  • By looking at the tattoo, you feel petrified at that situation. That depends on whether by "situation" you mean 9/11, or the tattoo itself.
  • What is the obsession with this date? Why must the media grind this stone to dust every September 11th? For fuck's sake - - yes, people died. A lot of people died. But their lives have no more importance than the millions of others that have died since from countless other atrocities that will always be a part of humankind. In all seriousness (I'm sure I've probably already ranted on this somewhere here), I stood in downtown Manhattan on that day and watched it all with my bare eyes - the plane hitting, explosions, bodies dropping, etc - but for the life of me, on this day I can't help but to think of others that have died at the hands of war, famine, disease... and yet, we hear very little about those lives. Not to detract from the lives that *were* lost on 9-11, because I knew a few that went down in those buildings, but let's move on people... *cringes at the crying eagles*
  • Why must the media grind this stone to dust every September 11th? Many of us can't get over ourselves. And the news media's got ad revenue to make.
  • Well, it *was* a pretty huge event. Probably the biggest in my lifetime, and it wasn't even my country or city. Keep in mind that for Americans, having acts of war on their own soil is extremely rare. They tend to take place far away. Even Pearl Harbor wasn't on US soil (Hawaii not being a state yet) so you may have to go back to the Civil war for an equivalent event. Plus, jingoistic patriotism is as American as apple pie and NASCAR.
  • This was a dream come true for demons. Indeed it was. And they'll milk this for decades to come.
  • yeah but the mcdonalds coupon is PRICELESS. omgwtfbbq indeed...
  • *giant kong-on-the-empire-state-building-sized hugs to smt*
  • I refuse to accept the Gregorian calendar, therefore 29-08-01 numquam dediscere!
  • The terrorists won.
  • All tragedies should be described in terms of Demonic themeparks.
  • For instance, the Virginia Tech massacre was like mini-golf and go-cart racing for demons.
  • you may have to go back to the Civil war for an equivalent event. It has happened precisely one time in the past: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus,_New_Mexico The military reaction was similar, but at least they went after the right guy that time.
  • 3/9 NEVAR FORGET!!!
  • Well said, SMT. The fries coupon is pretty special, though.
  • The Columbus invasion was like Chuckee-Cheese for demons.
  • Keep in mind that for Americans, having acts of war on their own soil is extremely rare. Sure, and it's nice to hear someone who's not my countryman say that, so thank you. But I think there's something else going on there in the culture and mentality of Christian conservatives, the most rabidly patriotic demographic you'll find here. Basically, there are huge pockets where there's a strong psychological undercurrent of victimhood, men and women (often in positions of great power) who actually view themselves as being not entirely unlike first-century Christians, i.e., persecuted. There's a temptation there to define yourself at least partly in terms of your suffering and victimhood. There's a kind of reversal of thinking that comes with that: not just that 9/11 was such a tragedy that befell a great nation, but that part of the proof of our greatness (and moral rightness) is the fact that we suffered such a tragedy. At bottom, though, I really envy the British. Bombings, death, big scare, and when the dust settled, they seemed to say "Well, that was terrible, and I hope those bastards get fucked," and got on with their lives. That is something we as a culture need to do, and the 9/11 porn at the GOP convention this year really, really drove that home for me.
  • Monkeyfilter: there are huge pockets where there's a strong psychological undercurrent of victimhood. Monkeyfilter: Well, that was terrible, and I hope those bastards get fucked.
  • Repeated media bleating about the events of that day has done more to promote hatred in this country then any current Aryan Nation propaganda. What else happened Sept 11? 1609 - Explorer Henry Hudson sailed into New York harbor and discovered Manhattan Island. 1777 - American forces, under General George Washington, were forced to retreat at the Battle of Brandywine Creek. 1842 - 1,400 Mexican troops captured San Antonio, TX. The Mexicans retreated with prisoners. 1875 - "Professor Tidwissel's Burglar Alarm" was featured in the New York Daily Graphic and became the first comic strip to appear in a newspaper. 1883 - The mail chute was patented by James Cutler. The new device was first used in the Elwood Building in Rochester, NY. 1922 - A woman was hospitalized following a flogging by four masked women who were members of the "Ladies of The Invisible Eye " from Dallas, Texas. 1930 - A house was blown up today in Madison, Wisconsin when a still exploded in the basement. 1941 - In Arlington, VA, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pentagon took place. 1951 - Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the English Channel from both directions. 1959 - The U.S. Congress passed a bill authorizing the creation of food stamps. 1964 - "Friday Night Fights" was seen for the last time. 1967 - The Carol Burnett Show premiered on CBS. 1970 - The last "Get Smart" episode aired on CBS-TV. 1970 - Ford introduces the Pinto. Because of a major design flaw, the gas tank exploded if in a rear end collision of over 20mph. 1974 - "Little House On The Prairie" made its television debut. 1985 - A U.S. satellite passed through the tail of the Giacobini-Zinner comet. 1997 - John Lee Hooker received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 1999 - The Wall Street Journal reported that Bayer Corp. had quit putting a wad of cotton in their bottles of aspirin. 2000 - Gas Hits $1.70 per gallon
  • > What else happened Sept 11? The big one that's missing from your list is the military coup in Chile in 1973 that resulted in Salvador Allende's death and brought Pinochet to power.
  • > Basically, there are huge pockets where there's a strong psychological undercurrent of victimhood, men and women (often in positions of great power) who actually view themselves as being not entirely unlike first-century Christians, i.e., persecuted. Not entirely unlike Islamic fundamentalists, either. It's perhaps a question of going far enough in any given direction and ending up at the same place. There's also the whole question of how the U.S. can justify its hugely disproportionate military expenditures. When the Reds were strong in Europe and elsewhere, it was a fairly simple proposition, but in the absence of a Big Enemy, it's hard to justify the fact that U.S. military spending makes up about 50% of the world's total. However, if you constantly remind people about a spectacular terrorist attack that took place relatively recently, they can more easily see the wisdom of the $500 billion - $600 billion in budget allocations (and the surrender of various civil liberties, etc.)
  • On reading the wonkette article, I realize my last comment qualifies me as a cynic... I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment. I will read before I comment.
  • 1974 - "Little House On The Prairie" made its television debut. *gives GramMa a big 'ol kiss*
  • 9/11 was the day television changed forever. It was on that fateful day that two pilot programs - "Dot Comedy" and "Emily's Reasons Why Not" - crashed into long-standing TV icon "Get Smart". The resulting catastrophe ended the careers of over 3,000 TV executives, and changed the face of America's schedules forever. In response to the tragedy, US networks assembled the greatest television exports ever seen, sending over 150,000 television programs to far off nations to defend America. "General Hospital" led the invasion force that brought shock and awe to America's enemies and now, some seven years on, "Everybody Loves Raymond". Never forget, America. Never forget.
  • How can we forget with all these reruns!
  • I have some questions about this date. 1970 - Ford introduces the Pinto. Because of a major design flaw, the gas tank exploded if in a rear end collision of over 20mph. Terrierists had already won in the 70s!!!? 1951 - Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the English Channel from both directions. At once?
  • Terrierists had already won in the 70s!!!? Well, if Little House on the Prairie didn;t convince you of that, maybe Hamster Dance on the Prairie will.
  • Batman, too. Oh, that's nothing. You should have seen Amazing Spider-Man after 9/11, the black cover issue. Goddamn, all that piece of shit lacked was a pickup truck with a THESE COLORS DON'T RUN bumper sticker on the back. I'm totally going to Hell for this one. I think that wins Bizarre Photoshop Pastiche of the Year award.
  • From the lovely cakewrecks.blogspot.com 9/11 cake