Remembering 9-11 Nine Years Later - "How Did We Allow This Day To Get Hijacked?'

As we remember 9-11.. Ask yourself what are u doing to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again? Have we been taking the path of love and understanding or hate and revenge?

In the days after 9-11, I recall how folks came together and tried to comfort one another…I remember for the first time in a long time folks would look and try to find the humanity in each other.

I remember those images of folks reaching out and trying to find deeper meaning in the tragedy that occurred. No one knew what they could really do so folks just started holding or even wearing the flag. Everywhere you looked you saw the American flag. Graffiti artists painted flags. Thugs wore flags as bandanas. Our radio station went and brought a bunch of flags to give to everyone.

I recall folks breaking down and crying uncontrollably in the streets and strangers would reach out and comfort them. For brief moment the world or at least things here in the US, seemed to stand still. All the planes were grounded and people seemed to genuinely care for one another. I’m not sure if we kept building off those feelings of upliftment. I’m not sure when they went away

In the days and weeks after 9-11 while folks were still vulnerable the seeds of revenge were planted in our heads. I recall President George Bush sternly warning theTaliban, they better give up Osama Bin Laden or there would be hell to pay. He was soon joined by British Prime Minister Tony Blair who gave a prime time speech on our networks to the nation saying the same thing and pledging Britain’s unconditional support.

I remember President Bush standing in a church with a flag in the background stating ‘Either your with us or your with the terrorists’. He was making it clear folks had better pick sides. Slowly we started to see the warm feelings we had toward one another move in the direction of war and revenge. The words ‘Love’and ‘understanding‘ was being replaced by the word ‘payback‘.

For many our sentiments really began to turn when Bush gave his famous bullhorn speech from the middle of the rubble at Ground Zero, where he declared the ‘World hear you and soon the people who knocked down the towers would hear you’.. The crowd began chanting real loud ‘USA, USA, USA..’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7OCgMPX2mE

I recall Reverend Jesse Jackson announcing that he was invited to meet withTaliban leaders and he wanted to go. He felt, perhaps there was a chance for us to negotiate and take a path for peace. That was quickly shut down when he got a call from then Secretary of State Colin Powell who told him fall back. There would be no peace negotiations. Such peace talk would be seen as a sign of weakness. Anyone talking about peace as a resolution was deemed un-patriotic and weak. Do folks recall that?

So as revenge became the order of the day, we began to hear lots of talk from high places about how we were gonna kick some major ass and take no prisoners. This was epitomized by football star Pat Tilman, a San Jose native with rugged GI Joe looks who gave up a lucrative contract with the Arizona Cardinals and volunteered to go fight.

The question we need to ask ourselves is 9 years later is ‘Do we feel satisfied’? Were our revenge efforts worth it?

9 years after 9-11 Osama still has not been caught. Pat Tilman is dead at the hands of friendly fire and we’re still at war in Afghanistan. The Taliban has returned and seem more defiant then ever. Even the president we installed in Afghanistan Hamid Karzai has turned out to be a corrupt, conniving individual who we’re forced to keep in power and deal with.

9 years after 9-11 we’re knee-deep in war. Why aren’t we knee-deep in love?

9 years after 9-11 why have we allowed all sorts of politicians to pimp 9-11 and send us off to fight un-winnable wars?

9 years after 9-11 we’ve seen scandal after scandal including some high-profile ones with our fire fighting heroes leaving their wives to marry the widows of fallen comrades have tarnish the memory of that dreadful day.

9 years after 9-11 we’ve seen so-called patriotic pundits like Ann Coulterpublish books where she attacked and said hateful things about 9-11 widows.

9-11 has been hijacked by a 2 bit charlatan Pastor named Terry Jones

9 years after 9-11 the love we’re supposed to have for one another has been hijacked by a charlatan 2 bit, ‘Koran’ (Quran) burning preacher from Florida namedTerry Jones. How did this happen?

How did 9-11 become hijacked by angry people attacking one another over their religion? How did this day become hijacked opportunist politicians like Newt Gingrich and Congressman Peter King demanding that a community center/ Mosque not be allowed 2 blocks from ground Zero even though one Twin Towers actually had a Muslim prayer center?

How did we allow the memory of everyone who was killed many of them Americans of Muslim descent be obscured and demonized by Islamaphobes who are running around slashing the throats of cab drivers and vandalizing mosques 3000 miles away from Ground Zero?

photo credit ABC News

9 years after 9-11 I can still I recall the distinct smell from the towers that permeated Ground Zero months after the towers fell. The plan in those waning days was to build a serene tree lined park & memorial. People spoke emphatically about not allowing any buildings or any commercial development. It was to be sacred ground. Sadly over the 9 years that somehow all that changed. The area around Ground Zero has everything from strip clubs to fast food joints and on the day we should all be remembering those who lost their lives we have angry mobs shouting at each other.

I still cant get the sight of people trapped on those floors jumping out of buildings or those eerie photos showing people still alive crying for help on those top floors moments before the tower fell. Such memories should not be obliterated by the circus that is now 9-11. Shame on all those corporate owned mainstream media outlets for their participation in this. They could’ve easily set a vastly different tone.

Many people used to say George Bush and hawkish-revenge seeking policies squandered the good feelings and good will people around the world had toward us after 9-11. However, after hearing and seeing the vitriol & hate we’ve allowed to dominate our space over the past few months, we can’t say Bush alone squandered this. We did.. All of us

Condolences to those who lost loved ones. Special prayers to the families of restaurant workers, janitors, secretaries and regular 9-5 man who woman who was barely making it prior to 9-11 and hence their families did not get a hefty payoff when settlement checks were issued. Many of them have been hidden in the shadows all but forgotten after all these years.

Some say revenge is a dish served cold. I say revenge is a dish not served at all.. How about we try loving those who lost and loving those we have before they are lost..

F— You Terry Jones and people like him for reminding us just how ugly people can be even on the most sacred of days.

Something to ponder

written by Davey D

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99er Cindy Paoletti on Ed Schultz MSNBC

Cindy Paoletti of Syracuse, N.Y appeared on the Ed Schultz show on MSNBC yesterday. Paoletti, 58, understands those costs of long term unemployment. Laid off from her job as a bookkeeper at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s operations center in December 2007, she used a severance package to pay bills, and then began collecting $330 a week in unemployment benefits. She exhausted her 99 weeks of benefits in March 2010, and still can't find a job. Employers "just don't want to hire anybody in our age group," she says.

Cindy has worked tirelessly as a vocal advocate for the 99er Nation. She has done countless interviews for print media, radio shows and Tv as well. Her experiences as a 99er advocate in her own words: “

My life as an activist for the 99ers has been a fruitful yet frustrating one. I fight for all 99ers and have been doing so since EUC Tier 2 was close to expiring. It has taught me to respect all mankind and that everyone is at a different level of devastation. I have talked to people on the verge of desperation thinking about taking their own life. I have done television, radio and newpaper interviews for our cause. I spend a couple hours each day calling my Senators and Congressmen, expressing the need for a Tier 5.

I've read tons of letters I've received from other 99ers that have made me cry more then once. My heart goes out to all of the people that have exhausted UI benefits. I am here as a cushion for anyone that needs to vent, and I will continue to fight until our Government does the right thing and passes a jobs bill that helps everyone and supplies all unemployed with a safety net to survive until the jobs appear. Will everyone have a normal life like we once had? I doubt it, but I look at it as starting over and making my life as good as I can with what I have to work with. I am praying that eventually our Government will wake up and deal with the disaster that millions of Americans are going through. The suffering has to stop, and I will not give up until it does.”

When asked what the experience of being on national TV, with the reach of the Ed Schlutz show, Cindy replied:

"Being on the Ed Show was quite an experience. I had to sit in a chair and look at a camera. I could hear Ed speaking through the ear piece but could not see any of the show, just a camera! There was a camera man in the room with me, that kept giving me a thumbs up...he could see me on the screen. I rolled my eyes a few times forgetting that I was supposed to keep them glued to the camera. Being the first time on camera like this it takes some getting used to. If I have the opportunity again then I'll know what to do. There was a guy ahead of me that they were filming for another show and he was running late, so we didn't have much time to get me set up before I had to go on the air. All and all, I enjoyed doing it and I hope that the message I got across to the country about the 99ers will be taken to heart by Congress and all those that are up for re-election. Thank you all for the support and the kind emails and messages I've received. We need our Tier 5 NOW and I don't intend of giving up the fight until we have it."

Cindy represented the 99er Nation very well on the Ed Schultz Show yesterday and will be back on his show very soon to tell more about our message to Washington. Cindy appears at the end of the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Cal 31, Colorado 0 - 3rd Quarter Hot Day

As i type this blog mobile entry, I am standing in the cool provided by an open concession area at Cal Memorial Stadium.   For the Bay Area it is a hot day.  About 80 degrees.  But even hotter is Cal.  

The stars mentioned in the first blog post have driven.this obvious win.  QB Kevin Riley was 7 of 13 for 81 yards.  WR Keenan Allen had 3 catches for 49 yards. And Shane Vereen had 45 yards rushing. 

OK. Not big numbers but with Cal's Defense they aren't needed.   

Cal 17, Colorado 0, 2nd Quarter

In a game that was to be a test for the Cal Golden Bears, Cal is clobbering Colorado now 21 to 0. 

The stars are the Cal Defense, Running Back Shane Vereen, and Freshman Wide Receiver Keenan Allen.

The other story is the hot weather. It must be 80 degrees as I live blog this account

Stay tuned. 

Remembering 911 on 9-11 And Ground Zero Visit, New York

Today marks the 9th year since the tragic events of September 11th 2001, when The Twin Towers Of The World Trade Center in New York City were destroyed by two hijacked Boeing 767 planes in an elaborate crime plot, the Pentagon was damaged by another plane, and the third plane, reportedly headed for The White House, crashed in Shanksville, Pa after a passenger revolt.

Over 3,000 people were killed, countless families impacted, and the sprit of America damaged, perhaps irreparably.  And so because the New Freedom Tower's design is not the aggressive, confident, proud one that marked the original World Trade Center Towers.  It's almost as if the new design is afraid to be tall.

In retrospect, part of the reason for the way Freedom Tower was designed is due to design strength concerns.  But I personally favor Donald Trumps' idea of rebuilding the same design as before.  Taller and stronger.

Two videos mark this day.

The first video is this blogger's explanation of where he was on that September 11th Day.



This second video is of my good friend Bill Chackhes talking about, and giving a brief tour of, Ground Zero at World Trade Center, New York City.




Never forget, yes. But also, don't hate either.

Stay tuned to Zennie62.com for live mobile blogging today.

Cal vs. Colorado: Keenan Allen Watch Week 2, Berkeley, 12:30

Cal hosts Colorado today, and this blogger's excited to see what Freshman Wide Receiver Keenan Allen does against a real good opponent in Colorado in two hours, plus.

Again, if Cal Offensive Coordinator Andy Ludwig can install a plan that gets Allen on-one against a defender consistently, he will be the Heisman front-runner.

Too much pressure on him? Hey, brother. It's COLLEGE FOOTBALL! It's the big leagues. Want less pressure? Go play intramurals, brother.

9-11: Towers of the World Trade Center, New York City

Towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan Seen From West Street, 05/1973, originally uploaded by The U.S. National Archives.

September 11th 2001 was marked by the murder of not just the 3,000 people that were in the twin towers of The World Trade Center, but the towers themselves. The World Trade Center symbolized American ambition, wealth, power, and purpose.

Moreover, since it was developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, its completion in 1973 showed what American government could do. A constant symbol of the potential for a competent government.

The World Trade Center was New York City, and it held a prominent position at the tip of Lower Manhattan.

That the towers have not been replaced is an unfortunate symbol of how America has lot its way. Donald Trump is right: the real towers should have been remade - taller and stronger.

9-11 was a criminal act. But some Americans, so intent on having someone else to hate to cover up for their own shortcomings, insist on making it more than what it really was. We need to get over that, and get on with the task of rebuilding America.

Twitter Employees @clairew @gregpass & @jillyface at Social Bar

@clairew @gregpass & @jillyface, originally uploaded by @Twitter.

In the Kanye West at Twitter blog posts it was mentioned that Twitter employees also know how to get their drink on at work. Here's an example: the Social Bar event September 4th.

Since that was a Friday, it's fair to assume that the Social Bar's a Friday thing at Twitter. A great way to relax and unwind.

Lots of drink glasses, eh?

Kanye West @kanyewest with Twitter Employees

@kanyewest, originally uploaded by @Twitter.

In the last post, we saw Twitter Founder Biz Stone announcing that Kanye West was joining Twitter on July 28, 2010.

The subsequent Flicrk photos apparently show Kanye West singing there as well, and perhaps it's his new single. Whatever the case, clearly Kanye was having a good time.

But this blogger can't help but wonder if he was the only black man in the room. Hope not, but looking through the photos, it seems that way. Someone Indian, but not someone black.

When this one looks at that, it's hard not to think of who's applying to work at Twitter and who gets hired? I do know Twitter has at least one black lawyer on staff because that person's a friend of mine.

Small group of blacks in tech, I guess.

Kanye West and Biz Stone at Twitter, or @kanyewest, @biz

@kanyewest, originally uploaded by @Twitter.

Twitter headquarters in San Francisco is certainly a blast of a fun place to be. Twitter has hosted such celebs as Wil.I.Am from The Black Eye Peas and here, Kanye West on July 28, 2010. And when they're not hosting celebs, they can get their drink on, as we'll see in another blog post.

But back to Kanye.

What's Kanye doing there with Twitter Founder Biz Stone? Annoucing he's joining Twitter. According to the LA Times The Envelope, Kanye announced he was drawing followers at the incredible rate of 80 per second.

Now, @kanyewest is well over 1 million Twitter followers.

The question is, what will he tweet at the Video Music Awards Sunday? He's already apologized to Taylor Swift.

SF Events: Ernie Gehr's COTTON CANDY At Balboa Theatre This Weekend

Balboa Theater SF

A San Francisco event must-see: Balboa Theatre's Gary Meyer emailed the news that Ernie Gehr's COTTON CANDY will be at The Balboa Theatre this weekend.

Gary writes:

Critic J. Hoberman has described Gehr's celebrated avant-garde film work as "a tale of three cities": Berlin, his parents' home; New York, where he became known for his structuralist films in the late 1960s; and San Francisco, where he lived and taught from the late 1980s to the mid-2000s. COTTON CANDY visits the beloved Musee Mecanique before its move from the Cliff House to Fisherman's Wharf; relishing the proto-cinematic devices there, Gehr recaptures the dream of cinema before it found its big screen. Gehr introduces the film and joins us for a post-screening discussion.

Check out Cotton Candy this weekend.

Hip Hop News: Too Short Talks New Band, Funk Music Impact - by Davey D

In Hip Hop News, Bay Area Hip Hop Pioneers Richie Rich & Too Short talk about the importance of musicianship & live bands within Hip Hop.  


Too Short: Oakland Hip Hop Royalty 

When we talk about Hip Hop, its important to note that every city and region has its own unique histories and pioneering figures. In New York we give props to Hip Hop’s forefathers, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa andGrandmaster Flash. They did the first parties, formed the first groups and developed the first techniques throughout the 1970s that laid the groundwork for those who came after. Here out west, 3000 miles away in the San Francisco Bay Area, we pay homage to pioneering figures Todd Shaw aka Too Short, Richie Rich, Freddy B and E-40 to name a few. Like their New York predecessors they too did the first parties, formed the first groups and developed some of the first techniques throughout the 80s that would influence future generations both nationally and around the world.

One of their signature contributions was laying down important blueprints on creating, recording and distributing music independently. The other important contribution from these pioneering artists was the how they used funk music and live instruments to develop the early West Coast sound.

Yesterday we caught up with Too Short at a barbershop around the corner from Mexicali Rose restaurant on 7th and Clay in downtown Oakland. Here he, explained that from the very beginning West Coast Hip Hop had live instrumentation. He noted that when he did his first recordings at 75 Girls record label, like everyone else they had a drum machine but it was complimented with someone playing keyboards, guitars or bass. There was no such thing as sampling for many of the early artists, Short asserted.

Short noted that he was in the tradition of many of his fellow artists and producers like E-40, Digital Underground and pioneering producers Khayree, Al Eaton, Studio Tone, Tommy Foster & Danny McElroy, and Ant Banks to name a few, in the sense that they all played in high school or college bands. Short went on to explain that he started out as a drummer who played in the band at Fremont High School. He said he was also a pretty good ‘one finger expert’ when it came to keyboards and guitar. He named off a string of records including Freaky Tales, Dope Fiend Beat and I Ain’t Tripping where he played the background instruments.

Short added that the use of live instruments allowed early artists to maintain a funk sound that was desired by those who came up either listening or being directly involved in the hundreds of 3-4 man garage bands that existed prior to Hip Hop showing up in the Bay Area. “It was all about musicianship”, he said.Short pointed out that within every Bay Area Hip Hop group there is someone in the fold who can really throw down on the musician tip. It’s part of Bay Area/West Coast culture and our legacy. Short talked about the influence that groups like Tower of Power and Sly and the Family Stone had on early Hip Hop in the Bay.

Shock G of Digital Underground started his group as a full fledge band with a drummer and him playing piano photo credit: ani yapundzhyan

If folks really look closely at Bay Area rap groups you will find that many of them deeply rooted in band culture. I recall earlyDigital Underground shows where DJ Fuze would battle long time drummerChopmaster J while Shock G also an accomplished musician would rock the keyboards as one of his alter ego ‘Piano man‘.

MC Hammer had a lot of early production done by Felton Pilate of Con Funk Shun. Later he would have huge bands at his live shows which included the original horn players from Earth Wind and Fire.

Before Paris also an accomplished musician made his mark as a political rapper, he started out as an artist who was moving in the direction of Prince.

Today artists like Boots Riley of the Coupnot only have their own band, but recently teamed up with Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine to form Street Sweeper Social Club.

Again Bay Area Hip Hop is derived from the funk bands that proceeded them.

This was a point that was re-emphasized by Richie Rich. He said that even though he doesn’t play instruments, he considers himself a musician because as an emcee he uses his voice and flows to play along with live instruments. He went on to add, that over the years he’s come to prefer rhyming with a live band because it allows him a lot of freedom to express himself and also be felt.

We spoke with both Too Short and Richie Rich about the new music venture that’s emerging from their camp. For those who don’t know, Too Short has teamed up with popular accomplished musicians Kev Choice and Martin Luther formerly of theRoots to form a band that has no official name as of yet. Also in the group is Silk E who many know as one of the Bay Area’s dope emcees, who often performs with Tony Toni Tone but as Short noted, she’s also an incredible singer.

During our interview Short talked about how the group has been able to bring such divergent sounds together and make it work. He pointed out Martin Luther‘s soul/neo sou/ and rock backgrounds. He talked about Kev Choicebeing a classically trained jazz musician who can ‘freestyle endlessly’.

‘He’s the exact opposite of me in the sense that he has super positive rhymes and spits rhymes about current events’ Short noted. But that’s what makes the group work.

Silk E rounds out the group with her unique sound and approach

Dubbed Towne Business, their debut performance is scheduled this Saturday September 11th at the Mezzanine in San Francisco. Short noted this will be the first of many shows they plan to do in the Bay Area before taking it on the road.

Here our interviews with both Too Short & Richie Rich-click the links below

Interview w/ Too Short

Interview w/ Richie Rich

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