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In memory: Mark Bingham, Father Mychal Judge, and the many victims of 9/11
Mark Bingham and his mother, Alice Hoglan Today is of course the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon outside of Washington, DC. I'm sure most of us have vivid memories of that day, whether it be of a newscast or a pillar of smoke on the skyline or a frantic phonecall from a loved one, and as difficult as these memories may be, it's important to remember those that were lost. Cheyenne Jackson as Bingham in United 93
Mark Bingham was an openly gay man on United flight 93 and is generally held to be one of the passengers responsible for preventing the hijackers from reaching their intended target, a struggle captured with excruciating intensity and astounding sensitivity in the film United 93, where Bingham was played by out actor Cheyenne Jackson. Father Mychal F. Judge
Father Mychal F. Judge was an openly gay fire chaplain who died while administering last rites to victims at Ground Zero. The image of Father Judge's body being carried from the wreckage became a definitive one for many, and he was honored as the hero that he was. Bingham and Judge are two known gay victims, but many LGBT people were affected by the attacks, and we honor them, and all others impacted, here. Both my brother and I were in Manhattan during the attack and it had a profound impact on my life, relationship, friends, and family. I can say with absolute certainty that were it not for 9/11/2001, I would not be sitting here doing what I do today, for better or for worse. And as much as I'd like to forget sometimes, it's just not something I can afford to do. If you care to share your own thoughts on this day, please feel free to below. Submitted by on Thu, 2008-09-11 08:05. |
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On this day seven years ago, I was...
...driving to my work at a computer training company in San Jose, listening to--of all things--Ricky Martin's CD "Sound Loaded." My partner called me once and told me there'd been an accident in New York, then called me later borderline hysterical, saying I needed to come to his work so he'd know I was with him and OK. (I refused, and finished the day at my job.)
On a note related to the above pictures, I've never been able to watch "United 93." There's something about it that, for me, would be almost too emotionally pornographic. I've heard it's a brilliant movie, but that's just my take. I did see the doc "The Saint of 9/11" about Father Mychal Judge. It's lovingly made but it definitely pulls a lot of its punches on his personal life and journey, and how he reconciled his sexuality with his Catholicism. It's still a moving film, just slightly frustrating.
Over at msnbc.com, Keith Olbermann has a blistering 8-minute editorial about September 11th, terrorism, and the Republican party. If anyone dares to say in your presence, "Well, at least the terrorists haven't attacked us again, so Bush and the Republicans must be doing something right," counter with, "Bush took almost the entire month of August off in 2001, right as our intelligence was aware that a potential attack was imminent. And does no one recall 'My Pet Goat'?" Do not let the Republicans exploit the memory of those who died on September 11th due to their own incompetence now try to hijack our grief and anger for their own political purposes.
One final note: in 1998, Vice-President Al Gore tried to push anti-terror legislation through the Republican-led Congress that would've monitored foreign banking activities by terrorist groups. A major leader of defeating this legislation was Phil Gramm, now economic advisor to McCain, who claimed it would be too "onerous" for the banking industry. (Gramm, of course, is beholden to the banking industry, and a big fan of those Cayman Island-Bahamas PO boxes for the wealthy to escape taxation.) This is the same man who called Americans worried about their finances and houses "a nation of whiners." Also, during commentary on Gore's proposal, Utah state Senator Orrin Hatch accused the Clinton administration of exaggerating terrorist threats, and trying to "frighten" the American people. (Look it up, it's Congressional record.)
So, now you know. What are you going to do?