In the years since 9/11 I have certainly NOT read all of the words spilled on that un-absorbed puncturing of our collective hubris. If anything, 9/ll spread a lethal toxic fog of the almost universal human reaction to defeat, REVENGE, which as always, is a dish best eaten cold. Instead we erupted with wounded shock and fury. The chaos that continues to reign, flailing about in ill conceived belligerence, sowing grave atrocity, damage and the seeds of future chaos and retribution. Our reaction was that of the unleashed mob. The leaders at the time were totally out of their depth and only made matters worse. Many,E if not most, of our professional thinkers lost their minds and culpably joined the mob. Almost every aggrieved citizen, refused to even whisper that the attackers had what they believed to be a just rage against the West, for generations of oppression which continues unabated. Our grief, simply fuels their glee at their one successful act of reprisal.
The chaos that continues to reign in the Middle East, seems to me proof we badly handled our revenge, and The Gods know we are still fumbling around in the dust and debris of another endless war killing the innocent.
Beautiful compilation of the events, and what we should take from them. Thank you, Qasim. I don't know who are the readers of your words -- do you have a large following of Muslims?, of Pakistanis?, of Palestinians? -- you live here in the U.S., so I would think you also have many white people like me, reading.
My whole life I have fought for justice, realizing that I could do my best, yet could not exactly walk in the shoes of Black mothers, worrying about sending their children out the door into racist America. And so, when white Americans remember 9/12 >>>and George Bush, ... they perhaps haven't a clue how hard it was for turbaned men, for all brown-skinned men, being under suspicion after 9/11. It is very hard to step outside of one's comfort zone, and truly FEEL what another feels. Doesn't mean we stop trying, but must think about it, and TRY.
Ever since 9/11 I pray that the next terror attack we hear about won't be by a muslim extremist group. But there really haven't been many, not compared to other demographics. I just know how people react to them. You don't hear someone blame all christians for the US domestic terrorists, even though atleast the majority, if not all is christians.
But we also have to keep in mind the terror attacks that is perpetrated by muslims. They're not unprovoked. In their countries,the US is the terrorist. Either by backing foreign powers or attacks to target the leader/s of a (often) resistance group. Civilians is often hurt. Domestic terrorists in the US, they have an imaginary cause. They haven't been wronged, they have been duped.
In the post-world war dawn still, Israel found relevance in 9/11. Used it as springboard to crush whatever conceptual solution Oslo offered. Co-opted war on terror to oppress Palestinians more. Here we are.
While we are remembering, let us not forget that President Bush urged America to "go shopping." I do NOT miss the America of 9/12, nor do I remember it as unified. Thanks, always, to Qasim for telling the truth.
You are completely correct, as far as I am concerned, in stating that former CA Congresswoman and current Oakland, CA mayor, Barbara Lee, was right to oppose the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon by Al Qaeda 24 years ago on this very day.
She should have been listened to by the American people, including me, for predicting that the U.S. invading Afghanistan would be disastrous in every conceivable way for us as well as for the people of Afghanistan. And she should be lauded by every American for her vision and foresight.
In fact, Qasim, I agree with almost everything you wrote here. Unlike many Americans, you have been very consistent regarding your commitment to human rights and social justice.
As evidenced by your repeated condemnations of Hamas following its atrocities on October 7, 2023 and your frequent denunciations of antisemitism in the strongest of terms.
But, as far as I know, you have not yet affirmed your support for sending Ukraine all of the American made weapons that it needs to fight off Putin’s attempted genocide. If you have, please disregard what I am writing here and I apologize to you for accusing you of not doing so.
Because sometimes diplomacy and good will on the part of nation states is not nearly enough to prevent unwarranted aggression and human rights atrocities from being perpetrated by bad faith actors. Putin is the perfect example of this.
Also, without the USA Patriot Act, how is it possible to prevent acts of terrorism by belligerent foreign actors against Americans? Isn’t there some way to apply it without violating the civil rights and civi liberties of Muslims and/or others?
And how would you prevent acts of domestic terrorism from white nationalists and neo-Nazis like the Proud Boys and “boogaloo bois” without the FBI having the authority to surveil these organizations, if that is what you are advocating for?
Finally, if there were never any drone strikes conducted by the United States military, how would it be possible to bring foreign actors who perpetrate unprovoked acts of violence against Americans to justice?
Thank you for your commitment to human rights and social justice and for speaking truth to power. If there were no Let’s Address This, we’d have to invent one.
Yes I've been clear since day one that our commitment to Ukraine to give up their nuclear weapons was that we would defend them against Russian aggression. We must make due on our promise both because it is a signed treaty, and also because if we expect to promote nuclear disarmament, then we need to set the example that we will not abandon those who work to disarm nuclear weapons.
Regarding drones and white nationalists -- we have an infrastructure in place to ensure due process of law via the judicial branch. It exists for a reason, and we need to uphold that due process, even, nay, especially when it is most difficult. We cannot allow the Executive Branch to decide on its own when to act and when not to act, when that authority rests with the Judicial branch. If we sacrifice due process in one instance, we risk sacrificing it in every instance.
I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughtful question.
Thank you for saying it. I'm tired of hearing how united we were. I was 23 when it happened so I remember it well. The false patriotism was off the charts and h Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and anyone brown was in more danger than before. I went to high school with a Pakistani Muslim. He was famously arrested and plastered all over CNN because some Karen in a diner thought she heard him say something about doing 9/11. He was on a road trip back to medical school when he was detained and interrogated. He was released because he was innocent. That will be burned in my memory until the day I die. This country has NEVER been united. There has never been liberty and justice for all.
On 9/11, I was 49 years old & worked for an insurance company that had it's headquarters in the city. We could not reach anyone by phone but we communicated thru email most .of the day
That was the day my life & world shifted. The emotion I felt for my colleagues, for the people at the Trade Center, for the police, fire & EMS personnel.
The 9/11 tragedy was compounded by a stupid president, warmongers & hatred for Muslims. We went to war for nothing & still continue to hate as viciously as we did the day after.
I am grateful beyond words to have finally met & befriended Muslims! It changes your perspective when you take the time to know your fellow human! YOU particularly are a great source of wisdom, humanity & love - thank you. Qasim!
Some of the kindest people I know are Muslims. These people need to meet some Muslims and educate themselves. I had a Palestinian student (well i had a few, but this guy in particular touched my heart) when I was still teaching, and years later he messaged me on Facebook to thank me for helping him get an A in chemistry because he's a doctor now. I couldn't be more proud of him. When the student has a better career than the teacher, you know you've done something right
Francesca: You are 100% correct! Every person on this earth is connected by the air we breathe (I learned that from Deepak Chopra). My hope & prayer is that people will start to realize that we are all "humankind"! Thanks & Blessings!
I agree with all you've said, Qasim. And I am feeling very angry that this country often most often puts the largest violent criminal demographic IN CHARGE of our well being. If we handled our government the way rich white people have always handled it, there would be thousands of retributional strikes by us against white males for their mass shootings, pedophilia and rapes.
A reminder that of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on September 11, 2001, more than 300 were from more than 50 countries NOT named the United States. Hence, your opening line is incorrect. Still, I love your work.
In the years since 9/11 I have certainly NOT read all of the words spilled on that un-absorbed puncturing of our collective hubris. If anything, 9/ll spread a lethal toxic fog of the almost universal human reaction to defeat, REVENGE, which as always, is a dish best eaten cold. Instead we erupted with wounded shock and fury. The chaos that continues to reign, flailing about in ill conceived belligerence, sowing grave atrocity, damage and the seeds of future chaos and retribution. Our reaction was that of the unleashed mob. The leaders at the time were totally out of their depth and only made matters worse. Many,E if not most, of our professional thinkers lost their minds and culpably joined the mob. Almost every aggrieved citizen, refused to even whisper that the attackers had what they believed to be a just rage against the West, for generations of oppression which continues unabated. Our grief, simply fuels their glee at their one successful act of reprisal.
The chaos that continues to reign in the Middle East, seems to me proof we badly handled our revenge, and The Gods know we are still fumbling around in the dust and debris of another endless war killing the innocent.
The country was holding its breath after 9/11/01 for Bush to address the nation. His message?
"Go shopping." Not help your neighbors, not go to church...spend money.
Beautiful compilation of the events, and what we should take from them. Thank you, Qasim. I don't know who are the readers of your words -- do you have a large following of Muslims?, of Pakistanis?, of Palestinians? -- you live here in the U.S., so I would think you also have many white people like me, reading.
My whole life I have fought for justice, realizing that I could do my best, yet could not exactly walk in the shoes of Black mothers, worrying about sending their children out the door into racist America. And so, when white Americans remember 9/12 >>>and George Bush, ... they perhaps haven't a clue how hard it was for turbaned men, for all brown-skinned men, being under suspicion after 9/11. It is very hard to step outside of one's comfort zone, and truly FEEL what another feels. Doesn't mean we stop trying, but must think about it, and TRY.
Ever since 9/11 I pray that the next terror attack we hear about won't be by a muslim extremist group. But there really haven't been many, not compared to other demographics. I just know how people react to them. You don't hear someone blame all christians for the US domestic terrorists, even though atleast the majority, if not all is christians.
But we also have to keep in mind the terror attacks that is perpetrated by muslims. They're not unprovoked. In their countries,the US is the terrorist. Either by backing foreign powers or attacks to target the leader/s of a (often) resistance group. Civilians is often hurt. Domestic terrorists in the US, they have an imaginary cause. They haven't been wronged, they have been duped.
Beautifully written.
In the post-world war dawn still, Israel found relevance in 9/11. Used it as springboard to crush whatever conceptual solution Oslo offered. Co-opted war on terror to oppress Palestinians more. Here we are.
I wish you all the best.
Vietnam was our lesson, we failed history's teaching's again.
While we are remembering, let us not forget that President Bush urged America to "go shopping." I do NOT miss the America of 9/12, nor do I remember it as unified. Thanks, always, to Qasim for telling the truth.
We lack consistent just leadership in USA. I find your substack writings trustworthy and reflect my values. And I’m learning a lot.
Qasim,
You are completely correct, as far as I am concerned, in stating that former CA Congresswoman and current Oakland, CA mayor, Barbara Lee, was right to oppose the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan following the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon by Al Qaeda 24 years ago on this very day.
She should have been listened to by the American people, including me, for predicting that the U.S. invading Afghanistan would be disastrous in every conceivable way for us as well as for the people of Afghanistan. And she should be lauded by every American for her vision and foresight.
In fact, Qasim, I agree with almost everything you wrote here. Unlike many Americans, you have been very consistent regarding your commitment to human rights and social justice.
As evidenced by your repeated condemnations of Hamas following its atrocities on October 7, 2023 and your frequent denunciations of antisemitism in the strongest of terms.
But, as far as I know, you have not yet affirmed your support for sending Ukraine all of the American made weapons that it needs to fight off Putin’s attempted genocide. If you have, please disregard what I am writing here and I apologize to you for accusing you of not doing so.
Because sometimes diplomacy and good will on the part of nation states is not nearly enough to prevent unwarranted aggression and human rights atrocities from being perpetrated by bad faith actors. Putin is the perfect example of this.
Also, without the USA Patriot Act, how is it possible to prevent acts of terrorism by belligerent foreign actors against Americans? Isn’t there some way to apply it without violating the civil rights and civi liberties of Muslims and/or others?
And how would you prevent acts of domestic terrorism from white nationalists and neo-Nazis like the Proud Boys and “boogaloo bois” without the FBI having the authority to surveil these organizations, if that is what you are advocating for?
Finally, if there were never any drone strikes conducted by the United States military, how would it be possible to bring foreign actors who perpetrate unprovoked acts of violence against Americans to justice?
Thank you for your commitment to human rights and social justice and for speaking truth to power. If there were no Let’s Address This, we’d have to invent one.
Sincerely,
David Hurwitz
Hi David -
Yes I've been clear since day one that our commitment to Ukraine to give up their nuclear weapons was that we would defend them against Russian aggression. We must make due on our promise both because it is a signed treaty, and also because if we expect to promote nuclear disarmament, then we need to set the example that we will not abandon those who work to disarm nuclear weapons.
Regarding drones and white nationalists -- we have an infrastructure in place to ensure due process of law via the judicial branch. It exists for a reason, and we need to uphold that due process, even, nay, especially when it is most difficult. We cannot allow the Executive Branch to decide on its own when to act and when not to act, when that authority rests with the Judicial branch. If we sacrifice due process in one instance, we risk sacrificing it in every instance.
I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughtful question.
Thank you for saying it. I'm tired of hearing how united we were. I was 23 when it happened so I remember it well. The false patriotism was off the charts and h Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and anyone brown was in more danger than before. I went to high school with a Pakistani Muslim. He was famously arrested and plastered all over CNN because some Karen in a diner thought she heard him say something about doing 9/11. He was on a road trip back to medical school when he was detained and interrogated. He was released because he was innocent. That will be burned in my memory until the day I die. This country has NEVER been united. There has never been liberty and justice for all.
On 9/11, I was 49 years old & worked for an insurance company that had it's headquarters in the city. We could not reach anyone by phone but we communicated thru email most .of the day
That was the day my life & world shifted. The emotion I felt for my colleagues, for the people at the Trade Center, for the police, fire & EMS personnel.
The 9/11 tragedy was compounded by a stupid president, warmongers & hatred for Muslims. We went to war for nothing & still continue to hate as viciously as we did the day after.
I am grateful beyond words to have finally met & befriended Muslims! It changes your perspective when you take the time to know your fellow human! YOU particularly are a great source of wisdom, humanity & love - thank you. Qasim!
Some of the kindest people I know are Muslims. These people need to meet some Muslims and educate themselves. I had a Palestinian student (well i had a few, but this guy in particular touched my heart) when I was still teaching, and years later he messaged me on Facebook to thank me for helping him get an A in chemistry because he's a doctor now. I couldn't be more proud of him. When the student has a better career than the teacher, you know you've done something right
Francesca: You are 100% correct! Every person on this earth is connected by the air we breathe (I learned that from Deepak Chopra). My hope & prayer is that people will start to realize that we are all "humankind"! Thanks & Blessings!
Thinking about the violence yesterday and now 24 years ago, it’s sad. The world is sad. Will we ever learn violence isn’t the answer?
I agree with all you've said, Qasim. And I am feeling very angry that this country often most often puts the largest violent criminal demographic IN CHARGE of our well being. If we handled our government the way rich white people have always handled it, there would be thousands of retributional strikes by us against white males for their mass shootings, pedophilia and rapes.
A reminder that of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed on September 11, 2001, more than 300 were from more than 50 countries NOT named the United States. Hence, your opening line is incorrect. Still, I love your work.
Good call, David. We need all receipts.