First off, I think we all need to cool down a bit
Now then,
Akomine's comments in blue:
Let us never forget the 48,644 Afghan and 1,690,903 Iraqi people who paid the ultimate price for a crime they did not commit.
So, today we can only talk about the people who died in the towers? We can't talk about the massive number of innocent people who died in the aftermath? Since when do the deaths on American soil take precedence over the deaths in other countries? Or is it the date - should we only be able to talk about the deaths that happened in and around Sept 11th on any given year? In that case, can we discuss the crimes commited Chile on Sept 11th 1973? Can we discuss the deaths that took place in Iraq and Afghanistan within the 24-hour span of each annual Sept 11th?
Almost 3000 people losing their lives in the towers is horrible, but it doesn't mean the hundreds of thousands of other people who lost their lives in the subsequent events don't get to be discussed. Many of them had positive lives and stories to be told as well.
Nope. The world doesn't have to stop for only these 3000 people for a day. There are other tragedies that took place and it is insensitive and unfair to say they don't get discussion on this important date.
I agree! But why limit it to only lives lost on American soil!? Are they more important?
My inclusion of non-American-soil deaths is not an attempt to be insensitive of the 2977 innocent people who died in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It is an attempt to get people to remember that many, many more completely innocent people have died as a result of the following and related events.
Because while I don't have a friend who died there, that is essentially all I did. All I said was: "Let us never forget the 48,644 Afghan and 1,690,903 Iraqi people who paid the ultimate price for a crime they did not commit."
You didn't need to give me so much resistance to my attempt to allow those people to be remembered too. You could have held your peace or added to it. I wish you did remain silent, because your response wasn't okay.
So lets remember EVERYONE innocent who died as a result of both the airplanes making impact with structures, and the entirely related and equally as unfair deaths of those overseas.
I don't think it is wrong to talk about the innocents that died overseas. I don't believe it was right for them to die for others' actions. However, that is not the point of this "holiday" (I shudder to even call it that because of the horrendous occasion). What you are basically saying is "Let's celebrate Jesus' birth on Kwanza". The purpose of the "holiday" is to remember the fateful day and the heroes that gave their lives trying to help others. Is it that Americans are more important? No. It is, or so I believe, because it is closer to home. It is because it impacted us more and, quite sadly I might add, overshadowed the other deaths.
Also, the world does not have to stop for those 3000 people. I don't think anyone here really said it did. It is for AMERICA, not the whole world. I did not make this thread to shove this "holiday" on anyone; I was really aiming at Americans here. That being said, if this event reminds you of those innocent that died overseas, so be it. It is good that they are recognized. However, that is not the point of this AMERICAN "holiday".
We can remember EVERYONE; that is fine. Is it unfair that they got overshadowed? Yes and no. It is in a universal sense, yet, like I said before, the Twin Towers' death toll hit closer to home. It is basic psychology that I can relate more to a dead American than I can a dead Iraqi. That may seem harsh, but it is true. I don't want to come off as a racist or anything like that because I am not; I am just saying that I can relate more to someone that lives closer and more like me rather than someone overseas that practices a different religion, lives different, looks different, etc. etc.
Now, Ako, I understand where you are coming from. Islid, I also see what you are saying. You both pose valid points. However, Ako, this is an American "holiday". Let us remember. We can remember the other deaths.... but let us have this day for OUR people. I do not believe this "holiday" downplays the other deaths, I just think it raises the ones on our soil. If the Iraqis want to have a day for their innocent deaths on this day, let them. If the Chileans want to have a day for their tragedy, let them. But please, let us have our day as well.
Thanks for reading and posing good points.... all of you.