Tuesday
Average day. Nothing special.

NPR/PRI
The World: New American Embassy in Nairobi
The World: War on Terrorism
The World: Chelsea Jeans Store… and Museum
Talk of the Nation: The United States as an Empire, Revisited
Talk of the Nation: What Makes a Leader?
All Things Considered: Historical Hindsight
All Things Considered: 1991 Pre-Gulf War Debate
All Things Considered: Sonic Memorial Project: A September Story
(As of 22:15 MDT on 10 Sept 02, there seems to be a problem with the Talk of the Nation and All Things Considered RealAudio links.)

Tonight’s Soapbox
Tomorrow will be the first celebration of “Patriot Day.” While I think that the victims of the events of last September 11th should be remembered, I’m not sure that “Patriot Day” is the most… appropriate… name for the day. As my friend Steve would say, the name caters to good old American jingoism. I would have to agree. Don’t misunderstand me: I am proud to be an American citizen. I just don’t think that we, as a nation, should be so egocentric about the “holiday.” It was a tragedy that occurred on American soil. That is a fact, no problem there. It bears remembering. This goes without question. It was also a tragedy that had global impact and ramifications. That is something that should not be forgotten… especially before we slap a “Made in the U.S.A.” sticker on it.

Correct me if I am wrong, but weren’t they called the World Trade towers? World Trade. Let’s look at that. “World trade.” “International commerce.” Yes, they were in New York. Yes, many American companies had offices there. But, there were also international citizens and businesses in the buildings. What about them? Are they being categorically grouped as “honorary American patriots” for the day? I don’t get it.

And, another thing: What makes this a “patriotic” day? I don’t get that, either. We didn’t fight against an invading army. We didn’t make a heroic stand in the heat of battle. We were attacked. We were stunned. We were caught in a situation that no one would have expected, other than in the pages of a spy thriller or on the movie screen.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of a historic event. A tragic event in history. Not just American history, but in world history. As you take time to remember what happened, please also remember that Americans were not the only ones affected by it. In a case such as this, it is important to remember that. Lives were lost. Needlessly. That’s the bottom line.

Peace.