Candidates halt campaigns for joint appearance on Sept 11 anniversary
The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
U.N. observers warn of Syria civil war after massacre
( 7 )
-
Obama on the defensive over spending, debt
( 18 )
-
Egypt's top candidates try to broaden support
( 1 )
-
Queen marks diamond jubilee riding wave of popularity
( 0 )
-
Thousands take part in 'Slut Walks' in Brazil
( 10 )
-
- Business Teaching Positions - Part-time - Kanto Region
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥3,000 ~ ¥5,000 / Hour
-
- National Relief/Substitute Teacher - summer start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥275,000 ~ ¥300,000 / Month
-
- 営業パーソン
- 加治金属工業株式会社, Tochigi
- Salary: ¥240,000 ~ ¥350,000 / Month Negotiable
Order by Time Order by Popularity
39 Comments
Login to comment
0
Alinsky4prez
Too bad for the wingers - most of the world does NOT believe that Al Qaeda was responsible for 9-11.
Barack is the candidate most of the world wants.He is huge in Russia, China, the Middle East, Cuba, and Indonesia. Off the chart in France.
0
VOR
Alinsky4prez; shhhhhh, your candidate is already bleeding, why make it any worse for your party's chances repeating that the rest of the world prefers Americans elect an empty suit to the White House.
0
skipthesong
Too bad for the wingers - most of the world does NOT believe that Al Qaeda was responsible for 9-11."
I really don't know what a winger is, but having lost friends in those attacks, I can tell you the cheering crowds that I saw in the Muslim lands believed it was their guys who did it and to this day, they still do, just ask any one in Queens...
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Seven years after the Sept. 11 attacks, there is no consensus outside the United States that Islamist militants from al Qaeda were responsible, according to an international poll published Wednesday."
I could careless, and I think America would be better off if it did the same, about what goes on in other countries any longer, with the exception of Cuba. And I hope America not only stops going to wars in other countries, but I really wish they would also stop giving hand out that have not worked one single bit since they started giving hand outs out and I really wish the next time someone decides to fly building into NYC, I hope they land it on the UN.. But, Spain believes it, Britain believes it, Russia without any doubt believes it, China believes it...
As for Barrack being liked, well its really no contest: an old white Anglo with Irish mix or a young and good looking Mulatto with a good looking wife who is still athletic; kind of like France's Sarkozy. But, I am sure Palin is making a bit of headway in France and Russia. You really were stupid to mention the ME and Indonesia - haven't you heard that is causing him a few issues and you have to bring it up now this close to the election?
Don't forget who else has been and is kind of known in three of those countries you mentioned...
Oh, and there are many who don't believe in those conspiracy theories either...
0
Nippon5
seems Obama and McCain are the only ones smart enough not to bring up the election race in a story about the tragic loss of life that is 9/11..
As far as the rest of the world believing or not, who cares.. Thousands of idiots still think area 51 has aliens, JFK was killed by the US, and ETC ETC.. That is why cults grow so big in all lands cause people like to live in fantasy worlds.. Ive yet to hear from anyone outside of a blog who has the belief that it wasnt AQ, and that include AQ and its leaders..
X-files isnt on any more so are you trying to find a replacement for your fantasy life???
0
SuperLib
Ewwww..... You just made it more difficult for Obama to get elected.
0
WilliB
Nippon5:
Lets see how long it lasts. You can be sure that both campaigns will make political points out of it.
In the event, the jihad against the West, financed and by rich islamic countries and ideologically founded in the koran should be the political topic no. 1. But instead we will get once more only narrow-minded party-political sniping.
0
Sarge
"The president thinks about 9/11 every single day when he wakes up and before he goes to bed"
This is partly the reason why there have been no major terrorist attacks on U.S. soil for 7 years.
0
smartacus
If they can suspend their mud-slinging and dirty tactics for one day to mark 9/11, why can't they do it for the whole campaign?
0
Sarge
smartacus - You can't be serious. Why, that would make for a seriously boring campaign! Americans won't stand for that!
0
sailwind
Class........Righties and lefties might take some real notice of this.
0
RomeoRamenII
Barack is the candidate most of the world wants
After he loses on Nov. 4th he run for president of the EU. Given europeans tolerence for minorities, heh, he'd be a shoe-in for the job.
RR
0
Sarge
sailwind - "Class..."
Who made you the teacher ha ha ha
Yeah, yeah, it's nice of the candidates to have a little friendly get- together.
0
adaydream
My prayers for the 9/11 victoms, survivors and all those who were effected closely or from a distance.
God Bless America.
Pray For Peace. < :-)
0
Wottock_Hunt
Hmmm - pity he hasn't given much thought to Peace, the Economy and not being an all-round gimp.
9/11: the Magic Number. Incant it and Lo! all critical thought disappears.
0
goodDonkey
I remember I was sitting in a class and a girl came in late and sat next to me. She told me a plane had crashed into the tower and they thought it was terrorist. I would normally never talk in class during a lecture. I acted more like one of the kids would have acted than an older adult student. I said "No Way!" She said it was true. I said I doubted it was a terrorist. She said she was pretty sure it was because there was a second plane on video crashing into the tower and it looked intentional. I said "No way!" Of course we were whispering but I had pretty much interrupted her finish saying the Pentagon had also been hit by a plane. Well I was convinced and I said I wonder if we should interrupt class by telling the Professor what happened because nobody else in class knew about it. I made the wrong decision and did not interrupt class.
I had a lab class next and in between classes and all during the lab the young students looked to me for answers. I was a good 20 years older than the guy conducting the lab class. We were free to talk so I basically had a group of kids around me asking questions. Some were sure it would be world war III because they knew the Arab nations would turn against us when we retaliated. I had not even seen the news but I said I was positive that would not happen. I told them that the Arab countries would condemn the attack and support the retaliation that was sure to come. There were some kids saying I did not know what I was talking about because they knew the Muslims would unite against our country now that they had the chance. I stood firm and said they didn't understand that it wasn't like that at all. I even heard some say that Russia and China might ban together against us. Some kids were really worried about their future. The main thing I kept saying is that everything would be alright. Almost all of them eventually believed my reassurances. Some had told me of horrid video they had seen.
When my lab was over I went to the Student Center and watched the TV screens. I was also horrified. It hurt me deeply to see the footage played over and over. The very worse thing for me was watching bodies falling from the building and plummeting to the ground. The next thing that had a great impact on me was the footage of people trying to outrun the smoke and debris plume overtaking them as the building collapsed.
After I got home from school that day I was glued to the television for days. I did have a meeting that evening and I could not understand how little people were mentioning it and how it could not have devastated them like the event devastated me. I was overcome with grief as were so many other Americans. I can say I never hated Muslims in general and did not blame them. I did worry about their safety. These people who say they never heard a Muslim speak out against terrorism must not have been watch TV during those days. Yes I saw the footage of the Palestinians cheering. I watched countless plain Muslims in America and Muslim officials around the world expressing grief and sympathy for the tragedy.
Quite a few years later I was chatting in a room ( I used to do such a thing; how weird!) and I came across a guy who was a cop in NYC during the event. He said he had lost his wife and was never the same. He turned custody of his little girl over to his in laws. He sent me a pic of him in his dress uniform, his wife and his girl. He said he had rarely done that and never sent them to a stranger. We connected I believe I was just a good set of ears for him (through text in a private chat). He said he stopped working after the funeral. He just sat around and drank beer all the time. He said he wasn't like that before his wife was killed in that tragedy. Oh yeah I almost forgot he also sent me a pic of the medals he got for his actions as an officer on 9/11. It wasn't like he was bragging at all. His story was quite compelling. Apparently he just kept working alongside all the others digging through the rubble for days on end; in the beginning he did help pull some injured people out. Later he was just digging through the rubble searching endlessly.
0
smithinjapan
I think it's admirable that they are potentially holding off attacks today in commemoration of 9/11, but you can bet your bottom dollar they're going to USE 9/11 to fuel attacks against each other tomorrow, and more fiercely than if they had used them today.
As for posters on here not sniping as much at each other, remember that the day began a lot earlier, and many already have been trading barbs. If you want to start at the time that the attacks occurred in the US? good... let's do it, but that also means tomorrow morning's comments here have to follow suit. In other words, too little too late on this end.
Still, sounds like a very LIBERAL approach to things (oops!) to take a break from attacking... hehehe.
skip: "I could careless, and I think America would be better off if it did the same, about what goes on in other countries any longer, with the exception of Cuba. "
You know, skip... your logic astounds me, sometimes. Sorry, pal, but if you think the US should not do anything about other countries, that INCLUDES Cuba -- otherwise your entire opinion is rendered moot based on extreme subjectivity.
Sorry to throw that little hiccup into your argument for 'peace' (hahaha... as long as all Muslims are dead), but I needed to point out your faulty logic before we can actually pretend to be neutral.
0
RomeoRamenII
The memories of 9/11 are still painful after seven years. I have yet to watch any of the movies Hollywood produced that are centerd around that day as I have no desire to relive that time in my nation's history.
I also now think more about the nations where random terrorist attacks are almost a daily ritual and how lucky I was to be from a place that was free of that concern.
My country's luck ran out on 9/11/01.
RR
0
smithinjapan
RR: THat is the single best post I have ever seen from you... ever. That it came from pain says something. I hope the posts continue, though the pain ebbs, my friend. I also refuse to watch any of the movies. As you guys love to point out, I'm not American, and somehow you think that I can therefore not relate. That's not what I'm debating... but I'll still refuse to watch Hollywood try to make coin of what happened that day.
Peace to all... that's what this day should bring.
0
DXXJP
Im sure he does sarge, like if he can get alCIA da to do it again he might get another four years.
I dont doubt that the planes hit, but I do doubt the pentagon attack. Even their 5 frames show a vaper trail and a explosion. Its time to fess up and stop the BS.
0
RomeoRamenII
Peace to all... that's what this day should bring
True dat, brother.
RR
0
Helter_Skelter
Even Hamas and Hezbollah support Obama. What outstanding endorsements!
0
Sarge
So, DXXJP ( 1:05AM ) believes the 9/11 attacks were carried out by the CIA! And that if they do it again, Bush can stay in office another 4 years! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
0
Taka313
Good Donkey, Thanks for the story. My mother was visiting us in Japan when it happened. Just by chance, I was channel surfing before going to bed and end up seeing the whole thing unfold. I woke my wife and my mother and told them I was going to war. Then I took my 1 1/2 year old daughter from her crib and held her until morning. It was, an end of an era, for all of us.
Taka
0
SezWho2
I don't think that the candidates need to halt their campaigns for 9/11. This pretends that we are somehow a unified country when the truth is far from that. One of the issues of this campaign--if we can ever get past the lipstick--is how we operate in a world in which 9/11s are possible.
Another issue is why we remember 9/11. Do we remember it as we remembered the Alamo, the Maine, and Pearl Harbor? as a spur to revenge and vindication? Or do we remember it as the trigger to when we finally began trying to answer the little girl's question as to why "they" hate "us" so? Or is it just a day for unspecified national mourning?
I don't think that McCain and Obama should make a political spectacle of the day, but I think that is exactly what they're doing when they pretend to put politics aside. For the relatives and friends of those who died, 9/11 was a personal event. For the most of the rest of us, it was shocking and emotionally devastating--but primarily a political event.
Furthermore, it is an event that we as a country have not moved beyond. It is constantly in the news. We are constantly asked to remember that day and are constantly invited to consider what is the best political reaction to it. Unless they are going to say something helpful, there is no need for Obama and McCain to remember a day that America has not yet had a chance to forget.
If McCain and Obama wanted to do something meaningful, they would not suspend their attack ads for only a day. That is a gesture, and an empty one if it does not lead to greater civility in the future and to increased focus on issues. Permanent suspension would be meaningful. Non-suspension would at least be honest.
0
DXXJP
Yeah sargie I do believe your dear leader had a lot to do with it. Weather or not you do. I also believe as long as he can perpetuate war, weather in or out of office he can also benefit from his investment in it.
Kind of like the crack dealer giving out samples till everybody is addicted. You would have been better off a crack head then a bush supporter, they have 12 steps to ween you off the crack.
0
Nippon5
As far as the McCain and Obama maybe just maybe they are feeling the pain that all of us from America feel when we remember 9-11 and feel they should put it aside and be united as Americans not politicians for a day...
0
SezWho2
There is no point in being united for a day if it does not lead to being united. Returning to an atmosphere of acrimony after a day's truce makes 9/11 all the more grotesque.
0
Nippon5
sezWho2 So since you will never get all the people to do the same thing all the time we shouldnt try to be peacful in respect of anything.. Good logic there, glad you wont ever be in power any time in my life time...
0
SezWho2
Nippon5,
And I'm glad you'll never be a logician in mine. Who said we shouldn't try to be peaceful in respect of anything? To use your terms I said that there is no point in being peaceful for a day if we are resolved to continue being bellicose afterwards.
0
Nippon5
SezWho2
I dont live in the land OZ or mother grimms fairy tales so your safe.. But here in the real word you have to look at things for what they are and not what you want them to be, You post it doesnt matter what the event is if it doesnt change the pattern, and I say your full of BS cause its not about the two idiots running for election its about the 3000 who died, but you just dont get its not a political thing. They got it and didnt act like typical political dumb a$$es, and that was the point.. The day was far more important then them,...
0
SezWho2
Nippon5,
I don't live in OZ nor do I live in Mother Gooseland or Brothers Grimmland either. I can assure you I live in what people call "the real world". However, my real world seems to be not quite so uncivil as yours seems to be. I choose not to indulge in implied threats, personal slurs and innuendos against people who disagree with me and I choose not to call them names. I wish our candidates would do the same.
You're right that this is not about the two candidates, at least it's certainly not all about the candidates. You are not quite right that it's about the 3000 who died. It's about the 3000, it's about the pain we suffered as a nation, it's about our response to what happened on 9/11 and its about observing correct political form--and possibly more.
Contrary to what you say, I did not post that it does not matter what the event is if it doesn't change the pattern. I posted that there is no point in a cessation of political ads on this one day if we are determined not to change the pattern. If you are down with a one-day truce, that's fine with me. I don't find you an idiot for thinking so. But I disagree with you.
0
Nippon5
As I only refered to the polititions as idiots.. I dont know you nor would it change my belief that not everything in the world has to revolve around a political belief if I did, and 9-11 shouldnt be used in politics. Bush was wrong for using it and so is any other person who uses it for political gain.
Ill quote you so you understand why I think you dont get it...
This is history of what happened on a day when too many died for no reason, putting a political spin on it and saying because they dont stop the ads it makes it worst is just wierd and not a way I feel we should honor those who didnt do anything to warrent death....
Enough said on this subject, you have your belief and I have mine, but to quote you" I choose not to indulge in implied threats, personal slurs and innuendos against people who disagree with me " this means you dont read what you right?
Good night
Thats not true you do it almost every post when you dont agree with someone.. sorry but thats just reality
0
SezWho2
Nippon5,
Forget about "almost every post". Show me two examples where I have indulged in implied threats, personal slurs or innuendos against posters who have disagreed with me.
I still have no idea why you think I don't get it. The political ads that appear on television have no connection with 9/11 although it seems to me that McCain's sometimes suggest that they have. Obama and McCain are perfectly capable of honoring the day without suspending their ads and the suspension of the ads in no way honors those who died on 9/11.
Pretense does honor to no one. In my opinion, it does more harm than good. However, I understand that many, if not most, people will think that their agreement to suspend hostile ads for a day shows that they are sincere Americans who honor the memory of the horror of 9/11 and recognize a superordinate goal. That in itself is a political spin on the day.
0
Nippon5
I had some written down on this answer but I dont want to get in a tit for a tat on this cause you will say its not an attack its just my opinion, but when you tell others they have something wrong with them because they dont agree with you its an attack on them...... So I say we drop it cause its a waste of band width and I really dont have theat much time to type on a 2nd rate web rag.... With that said
I actually agree with a lot of what you say, but I cant understand why you think if someone does something out of respect it has to be politically charged.. When the VFW fired the 21 gun salute at my fathers grave I didnt ask them if it was because they had to I knew it was to honor his service in the Navy.... Just like I will always believe those two Americans took off the hats of politics and just wanted to show respect for those 3000 people who died that day.. Sorry if you have to put a political spin on it as its your right as an American (if you are one) to do so... I just choose to believe in the spirit of being an American and taking my hat off and holding it on my heart for those who died for no reason.....Just like I do here in Japan when we refresh the graves and such.....
0
SezWho2
Nippon5,
To the best of my knowledge I have never told anyone that they have something wrong with them because they do not agree with me. It really is time for you to produce evidence for your claims. You had enough time to make the accusation. I would ask you to find time to provide the evidence.
You say that you can't understand why I think that if someone does something out of respect it has to be politically charged. I don't understand why you think I think that. I am not speaking generally, I am speaking about a particular set of facts and circumstances. And my claim is not that McCain and Obama should not have shown respect for 9/11, but that the 1-day suspension of negative advertising does not show respect and, if anything, tends to make a mockery of a show of unity. I think I have already explained my reasoning for that so if you have a question about any of the reasons I have already cited I'll be glad to try to elaborate.
If you want to take off your hat to show respect for those who died (even if there was a reason for them dying), that is your right. But if you think this is not a political act, I think you are mistaken. If it is a political act to sit while others stand to hear the Star Spangled Banner, then it is also a political act to stand. If it is a political act not to wear a flag lapel pin, then it is a political act to wear one. In addition to all the other reasons I have cited, I say it was a political act because as soon as one or the other candidates proposed a suspension of advertising, the other party couldn't refuse to accept. Imagine the headlines.
Back to top