Stop the teary-eyed, televised memorials.
Stop being a victim.
Stop asking "why?".
Stop fueling the notion that any random aggressor has the ability, the
power, to permanently affect the American spirit.
Stop scratching at the scar.
Let it go.
The comments at the bottom of
this article reveal exactly why we're such a tempting target for crazies; it's crystal clear to even the most casual observer that the average American is a maudlin mess who will freely hand the most nefarious villain complete control of their emotional constitution.
With all the flag-waving and soggy handkerchiefs that we insist on publicizing, we may as well print a global invitation that reads a little something like this:
Attention!
If you attack us, we will act like the wuss at the playground who cries when you taunt him! We will constantly try to convince anyone who will listen that we are SAD! SO SAD!
Please! Give us your pity, for we are a society of miserable, victimized whelps!
We refuse to stand in defiance of your attack when it's so easy to call attention to our loss and our pain, ad nauseum!
America can be what it was pre-9/11, if you want that. All you have to do to realize this goal is publicly act as if 9/11 never happened.
I understand there is pain. I understand there is horror. I also understand that our grief as Americans should be a private act of reflection, not a freaking parade float.
You know, Japan didn't become the post-WWII industrial titan they are now by soliciting pity. They cut their losses (which were immeasurably worse than 9/11) and decided it was better to get their act together and be an international contender rather than play the pity card.
It was six years ago, people. Stand up and take some pride in our strength instead of our hurt.
