I invite you to visit Hickam AFB in Honolulu. About 12 years ago, I was walking back to the parking lot from a meeting in one of the buildings there, and noticed that there were some peculiar looking marks on the wall. I walked over and thought, Odd! Why has someone been jackhammering here? And then I realized that those holes were made by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. They were not covered over so that would serve as a reminder to be vigilant and prepared.
Some of the programs I worked on to observe other nations space programs were undertaken with a goal of “avoiding a Pearl Harbor in space.”
Remembering past failures is useful. Remembering the consequences of hubris is also useful.
And, like many others, you could listen to a docent at the Pearl Harbor Memorial describing that day. No jingoism. It was quite moving. And then go over to the Arizona memorial and look at the names written there. Maybe not quite as moving as the Vietnam Wall, but it turns spectacle into remembrance.
So too, remembering the consequences of any past failures brought on by hubris is useful.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.George Santayana
With my apologies to the Brits for hijacking their rhyme…
Thank God Obama didn’t use the tragedy for his own personal war. He got Osama Bin Laden! Now if Trump could only be presidential – just this one day a year.
Many of those who survived and responded can’t talk about it now because even 17 years later it’s killing people who were there. Many have died and are dying from cancer, and particulates and toxins they were exposed to then. People in New York and the Pentagon today are exposed to deadly residue that remains. You can’t get over it. It’s still there. It will always be there and you can’t sweep it under a rug. Not that people don’t try. Legislators and voters who clutch their wallets continue to avoid compensating survivors and heroes with medical care.
I can talk about what I did on that day but I can’t express how I feel about it. Rage is just too easy a word to use and does not cover the experience.
Intelligence was ignored in 1941, and again in 2001. In the first case, new technology wasn’t trusted. IN the second, technology AND humans with experience were ignored, but it got Bush his shot to get even with Saddam for a hit ordered on his daddy. Afghanistan was intended to be a short step-oops. And Kicking out the powerful in Iraq when Saddam was gone indeed DID CREATE ISIL. Great moves there.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 5 years ago
I invite you to visit Hickam AFB in Honolulu. About 12 years ago, I was walking back to the parking lot from a meeting in one of the buildings there, and noticed that there were some peculiar looking marks on the wall. I walked over and thought, Odd! Why has someone been jackhammering here? And then I realized that those holes were made by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. They were not covered over so that would serve as a reminder to be vigilant and prepared.
Some of the programs I worked on to observe other nations space programs were undertaken with a goal of “avoiding a Pearl Harbor in space.”
Remembering past failures is useful. Remembering the consequences of hubris is also useful.
And, like many others, you could listen to a docent at the Pearl Harbor Memorial describing that day. No jingoism. It was quite moving. And then go over to the Arizona memorial and look at the names written there. Maybe not quite as moving as the Vietnam Wall, but it turns spectacle into remembrance.
So too, remembering the consequences of any past failures brought on by hubris is useful.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana
With my apologies to the Brits for hijacking their rhyme…
Remember, remember the eleventh of September
Airplanes, murder and plot.
I see no reason why twin towers
Should ever be forgot…
Mr. Blawt over 5 years ago
Thank God Obama didn’t use the tragedy for his own personal war. He got Osama Bin Laden! Now if Trump could only be presidential – just this one day a year.
Coyoty Premium Member over 5 years ago
Many of those who survived and responded can’t talk about it now because even 17 years later it’s killing people who were there. Many have died and are dying from cancer, and particulates and toxins they were exposed to then. People in New York and the Pentagon today are exposed to deadly residue that remains. You can’t get over it. It’s still there. It will always be there and you can’t sweep it under a rug. Not that people don’t try. Legislators and voters who clutch their wallets continue to avoid compensating survivors and heroes with medical care.
dogday Premium Member over 5 years ago
There are words, but they don’t, they can’t, describe what it was like even for those of us who could only stand on the sidelines.
Gary Williams Premium Member over 5 years ago
I still cannot watch any shows that show the collapsing towers.
wiatr over 5 years ago
I can talk about what I did on that day but I can’t express how I feel about it. Rage is just too easy a word to use and does not cover the experience.
pamela welch Premium Member over 5 years ago
Well expressed Mr Ramsey ♥
Dtroutma over 5 years ago
Intelligence was ignored in 1941, and again in 2001. In the first case, new technology wasn’t trusted. IN the second, technology AND humans with experience were ignored, but it got Bush his shot to get even with Saddam for a hit ordered on his daddy. Afghanistan was intended to be a short step-oops. And Kicking out the powerful in Iraq when Saddam was gone indeed DID CREATE ISIL. Great moves there.