[9/11] A short message to my cousins across the pond.
- Thread starter Arbi Trax
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Well, let me give a good reason as to why we may seem contentious and contrary.
Imagine your average, stereotypical British man. He's probably going to be of medium height, fairly pale-skinned, with dark hair. Your average Middle Eastern man? Sort of tall, swarthier, straight black hair and maybe a thick moustache. Average African? Well, if we're talking sub-Saharan (and not South Africa), probably tallish, dark-skinned, curly black hair. Average Asian? Perhaps a little shorter than the others, narrowed eyes, dark hair. Average Nordic man? Probably tall, pretty pale, blonde.
Your average American? Any of the above.
We don't call ourselves the "Melting Pot" just for giggles. The United States of America is one of the most heterogeneous nations on Earth. We don't have a millenia or more of shared history and culture binding us together; it's rather difficult to walk through an entire city and see nothing but people who look just like you, act like you do, who probably have distant relations to you. The one thing we have binding us together above all else is a four-word concept:
"I am an American."
The problem we run into the most is that quintessential question: "What is it to be an American?" 307 million citizens; 307 million opinions. That question has unfortunately been hijacked by various groups over the years, given false answers such as "An American is not a Communist" and "An American is a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant". In my view, maybe one of the best expressions of the American ideal comes from (surprise!) the French:
"Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité"
Liberty, equality, brotherhood. Too many people are forgetting the second and especially the third. When I say "I am an American", I mean "I belong to this country, and so do you. And I will do what I can to support you and help you move forward, because I know you will do the same for me. And together we will help our friends and allies, carefully watch our enemies, and live the ideals we expect others to follow."
So, in the truest American fashion, I- an American citizen- thank you, our friends in Great Britain, the UK and all other countries, for your well-wishes and support. Perhaps this nation has stumbled and lost its way, but so long as at least some of us hold those true American ideals at heart, things can get better.
Imagine your average, stereotypical British man. He's probably going to be of medium height, fairly pale-skinned, with dark hair. Your average Middle Eastern man? Sort of tall, swarthier, straight black hair and maybe a thick moustache. Average African? Well, if we're talking sub-Saharan (and not South Africa), probably tallish, dark-skinned, curly black hair. Average Asian? Perhaps a little shorter than the others, narrowed eyes, dark hair. Average Nordic man? Probably tall, pretty pale, blonde.
Your average American? Any of the above.
We don't call ourselves the "Melting Pot" just for giggles. The United States of America is one of the most heterogeneous nations on Earth. We don't have a millenia or more of shared history and culture binding us together; it's rather difficult to walk through an entire city and see nothing but people who look just like you, act like you do, who probably have distant relations to you. The one thing we have binding us together above all else is a four-word concept:
"I am an American."
The problem we run into the most is that quintessential question: "What is it to be an American?" 307 million citizens; 307 million opinions. That question has unfortunately been hijacked by various groups over the years, given false answers such as "An American is not a Communist" and "An American is a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant". In my view, maybe one of the best expressions of the American ideal comes from (surprise!) the French:
"Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité"
Liberty, equality, brotherhood. Too many people are forgetting the second and especially the third. When I say "I am an American", I mean "I belong to this country, and so do you. And I will do what I can to support you and help you move forward, because I know you will do the same for me. And together we will help our friends and allies, carefully watch our enemies, and live the ideals we expect others to follow."
So, in the truest American fashion, I- an American citizen- thank you, our friends in Great Britain, the UK and all other countries, for your well-wishes and support. Perhaps this nation has stumbled and lost its way, but so long as at least some of us hold those true American ideals at heart, things can get better.
Oh stop looking down on me, and nice job at being passive agressive. I just can't give a damn about people at the other side of the globe. Moreso in all of the conflict in the world, all of that the western world has caused itself in it's pointless wars, this is a mere drop in the ocean. The US army was in foreign lands causing a royal muckup and it came and had a strike back. Casualties of war and all that. People died, people's relatives died. They have my sympathy but thats as far as it goes. A great big whingy hoohah, every year an excuse to cling to the old grudge, renew the axe to grind and get upset again over something a decade old. You know what, the UK was blitzed into oblivion by the germans during the war and we certain as hell don't make a yearly bawww out of it. It is confined to the history books and taught to our children, maybe the US should take on the example. But it won't happen.Bradeck said:
Since someone else already pointed out how disgusting your attitude towards this situation is, I'll just point out that no, it isn't 11/9, it's 9/11, because in America we go month/day/year not day/month/year.Versuvius said:
So don't correct us with your petty nitpickings. We do it our way. You do it yours. Leave it be. Especially on a day like this.
Thank you, it's nice to know even if we make fun of each other constantly, we realize there are more important things sometimes than our petty differences.
Now, while I'm not the biggest fan of the way America has handled the whole 9/11 situation, I can safely say that you're overreacting. For many people the situation ISN'T over, because their loved ones died trying to save people in the attack. Would you be offended if you had a father who died and I told you to "get over it" because I'm sick of your sob story?Versuvius said:
If you don't like it, that's fine. Just ignore the threads, ignore the coverage, and deal with the occasional American airline security once in a while.
Hell I'm with you dude. I don't mean to be offensive about it or anything, yeah it was a tragic day but people really lack perspective. I just don't see why it warrants more attention and respect than a lot of other tragic days/events.Versuvius said:
It wouldn't be so bad if it was just remembered on the day either given it wasn't that long ago but ffs it seems to be dredged up every 5 minutes.
Thanks. Its really nice to see a thread like this out here even if a few trolls like to ruin it.
Folks who've been nice and gave us they're well wishes on this thread, you have my respect and honest thanks. I'm sure many other can say the same.
As for the few who like to trod on the hurting hearts of many...I wont stoop so low like you and feed the flames with derogatory responses. Just have some respect for the people who died, the people who are mourning, and this nation as it remembers what happened on 9/11. If only for a moment, just some respect.
Folks who've been nice and gave us they're well wishes on this thread, you have my respect and honest thanks. I'm sure many other can say the same.
As for the few who like to trod on the hurting hearts of many...I wont stoop so low like you and feed the flames with derogatory responses. Just have some respect for the people who died, the people who are mourning, and this nation as it remembers what happened on 9/11. If only for a moment, just some respect.
Yup. although this in the internet. He wouldn't be saying that if all of us were in the same room having this discussion.TheDarkEricDraven said:
but anyway to make my post simple: I hope no attacks happen and if they do they are dealt with swiftly, with no damage or loss of life. and bless the families of the deceased.
I... Don't think there's a word strong enough to convey my hatred of you for this one sentence. Such a callous disregard for human life is sickening on so many levels.Versuvius said:
I love the amount of hate in this thread (/sarcasm).
Really, guys? Show some respect. It's a day of remembrance for those who died senselessly and for nor reason. And I dunno about anyone else, but I'll be using 9/11 to remember both the American civilians killed by Al Qaeda and the Iraqi civilians killed by America.
And yes, I am aware of the 7/7 bombings, and it's just as tragic as 9/11.
Why the "hate" for 9/11? Are you guys just that apathetic? Are you sociopaths? Are you just people who crave attention of any sort? Maybe you're trolls? In any event, you all need professional help. It's just sick what you're doing. Fucking disgusting.
Really, guys? Show some respect. It's a day of remembrance for those who died senselessly and for nor reason. And I dunno about anyone else, but I'll be using 9/11 to remember both the American civilians killed by Al Qaeda and the Iraqi civilians killed by America.
And yes, I am aware of the 7/7 bombings, and it's just as tragic as 9/11.
Why the "hate" for 9/11? Are you guys just that apathetic? Are you sociopaths? Are you just people who crave attention of any sort? Maybe you're trolls? In any event, you all need professional help. It's just sick what you're doing. Fucking disgusting.
Aah. Immature brat for having a different view on things, primarily my view being "It has happened, you gave them hell, now shut up and have a biscuit". Well you are welcome to your freedom of expression too, but finding a final refuge of personal insult showing just what you think on anyone other than like minded people HAVING that opinion. Well in response: You are like a dog with a bone, immature to a folly for clinging to this aging, stale slight. Confine it to the history books, teach it in schools, but stop ripping open old wounds for the sake of it.Bradeck said:
*raises mug of tea in return*Arbi Trax said:I'm not sure why I'm moved to write anything really. I'm certainly no orator, and apart from a brief stay in LAX enroute to the Southern Hemisphere I've never even set foot on American soil. To a British outsider it can often look like a frightening, garish place - full of noise and neon, empty pomp and charmless excess.
However, it is hard not to admire the sheer bloody-minded passion with which you conduct anything, or the conviction with which you carry out your actions. In short, you say what you mean (and may God help anyone who doesn't agree!). You are ruthless, ambitious, industrious and tough - and while those qualities aren't always the best tools for the job, it allowed you to turn 4 million square miles of dust and Turkeys into a glittering monument to Western culture.
You're equal parts brave and belligerent, rude and reverent, repulsive and captivating. You are a United Republic of contrasts and conflicts, that is sometimes incredible, sometimes horrifying, but always moving forward and meeting its challenges head on.
Anyway, enough of my mawkish ramblings. I know there are loads of reasons why this event shouldn't be a big deal, why time has moved on and the world is still turning. But for one moment, if anyone feels one slight bit of comfort from this message, then it's worth all the bile and cynicism it'll generate.
I was always taught to stick by your mates. So to my mates in the USA, I want to offer this little gesture of solidarity on 9/11. And I invite anyone who feels the same way to do so too.
*raises his mug of tea*
Cheers,
From a British person.
Tlr - If anyone's feeling down about 9/11, know that there's at least one person thinking of you. Cheers.
Cheers!
I have a lot of respect for anyone who's willing to say things like that, and your words seem to be incredibly sincere.
Thank you for your kind words, especially before the tenth anniversary of a terrible tragedy.
Even though some people might argue about whether we should move on or not, I want you, OP, to know, that at least one American, if not more, appreciates your words.
... You, sir, are being incredibly, incredibly insensitive both to the families and friends of the dead, and the survivors of the incident. You're sick of seeing it, but Americans memorialized it for a reason. It's not entirely to mourn the tragedy. It's as a reminder that there are people out there who want us dead and will do whatever they have to to see it happen. It's a reminder that America stands for freedom and liberty. You might not care, but we sure as fuck do.Versuvius said:
I almost ended that paragraph with a nice, delicate "Shut the fuck up." but... That wouldn't be kind. I respect the fact that you're willing to give your opinion without a care as to who it insults, but you could have at least done so on a more socially appropriate time.
As an American, I can say that memorializing 9/11 (or 11/9, depending on how you do things) might not seem significant to anyone who doesn't live in America. But it means a lot to us.
Good day, sir.
Incidentally this 'disregard for human life' as a basis for anger is just a wee bit monotonous. The dead don't get upset over the likes of my opinions and in the grand scheme no one means anything. Not me, no one. Shed a tear when it happens and move on. If you want to spend ten years having a gripe certainly don't televise it for all the world to see, and get sick of seeing.
You realise that we have remembrance day in November annually that everyone pays tribute to in the form of buying little plastic poppies for charity. And WW2 was over half a century ago. Why shouldn't those affected by the events of 9/11 (yes we are all fully aware that 11/9 is the correct way around to say it in this country, but seeing as the events took place in the US it seems only logical we use their dating system when referring to it) have a day to mourn as well? Especially with the fact that terrorism is still a current issue.Versuvius said: