We Need a President for 9/12

[here_be_dragons]

Saw this on synergybc's journal. This article articulates pretty closely the way I feel about the subject. It's well-worth a read

Comments

9/12

[synergy]

I was disappointed to read that one of my favorite feeds, from David Brin, kind of liked this article, but mostly criticized it for only paying attention to something "insignificant" as tourism. I'm pretty sure he did make mention that it's an indicator of our falling influence, so I'm annoyed with Brin about it. But then there's some things I disagree with Brin about anyway, so I guess I should chalk it up to just one of those things.

Re: 9/12

[here_be_dragons]

Wow. That's a rather idiotic view to take (Brin's, not yours :D). Tourism is anything but "insignificant." Perhaps when considering the whole American economy it might seem less important than other industries, but there are areas of the country who completely depend on tourism to make their livings. (Just like there are some entire countries who only stay afloat because of tourist dollars). To call it insignificant is a slap in the face to a great many service workers, and shows a distinct lack of a clue. Yeah, I guess just chalk it up to one of those things, but it's a disappointing criticism, that's for sure.

Re: 9/12

[synergy]

It was that he was saying that tourism is insignificant and not important where he should only be talking about the loss of professional jobs. Maybe it's just me and I'm not reading it right or explaining it. If you want to read it, it's here:
http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2007/10/911-912-and-stupid-decade.html

Re: 9/12

[here_be_dragons]

Okay. That was interesting, and I suppose I can see Brin's point. Not about tourism, per se, but why he needed to find something to criticise about the article - looks like the guy who wrote the original one did quite the about-face, and Brin is annoyed with him in a "what the hell took you so long to get a clue?" way. To which I can relate, as I feel that way myself. I feared this would happen just days after 9/11. Not the specifics, obviously (I couldn't have guessed that). But I knew that war would be WRONG. And yet, GWB somehow didn't pay any attention to the letter I wrote him about it at the time. Surprised? :D

The link to his Professionalism article doesn't work, though. What's that all about? It he talking about outsourcing technology jobs to places like India, or something like that?

[pictureclepto]

I have to agree with much of what the writer said; tragedy stuck and we really haven't learned anything from what happened aside from striking out blindly at anyone within striking distance. When in Ireland this summer I got a bit of a taste of how Americans are viewed away from home, and trying to get back into the country was so painful it was almost exactly like being stuck in the 9th circle of hell. Hell yea our borders are unfriendly, even American citizens were treated like terrorist suspects!

[here_be_dragons]

The thing that's worst about this for me is that we've done this TO OURSELVES. I was living abroad (in Scotland) when it actually happened, and at that time, Americans away from home were viewed with kindness and cameraderie and sympathy. The rest of the world was on our side, and if Bush had been a different sort of president (oh my, that was an awfully nice way for me to say that; nicer than he deserves), he could have used that as an opportunity to rally the whole world in a POSITIVE way. But he chose war instead

[synergy]

Airport "security" is just busywork to make it look like we're safer.

IAWTC