The obligatory 9/11 entry

Everyone seems to do them. I kinda was in 2 minds about whether I should do one or not. So I'd just like to mention this: a few days back I went thru my mp3 CD which has some "WTC remixes" - well known songs, anti-war or generally depressing, interspersed with quotes from 9/11 - mainly eye witnesses, news readers, victims, but also politicians like Bush and Blair.

It is weird to listen to these again now, two years on, with all this stuff that's happened since. The witness reports, the emotions, the disbelief of these people, and also their fear and uncertainty, it still gets to me.

But then you also get Bush and Blair and whoever else throwing about their pithy threats and promises. So well rehearsed, so eloquent, so full of pathos, demonstrating strength, determination, announcing revenge.

BUSH:
The victims were in airplanes or in their offices, secretaries, businessmen and -women, moms and dads, friends and neighbours.
Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.
Make no mistake, the US will hunt down and punish those responsible for tehse cowardly acts.

BLAIR:
This will be a monumental struggle of good vs evil.
This is not a battle between the US and terrorism, but between the free and democratic world and terrorism.
This mass terrorism, it is perpetrated by fanatics who are utterly indifferent to the sanctity of human life. We, the democracies of this world, are going to have to come together, to fight it together.

Now, after Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, after Iraq, how do these statements sound? I can understand how people can believe 9/11 was orchestrated by the US. It served them so well. And have things improved? Terrorist attacks in Djerba, Pakistan, India, Philippines, attempts in France, Germany, the US, Qatar, abduction in Marocco... let's not even mention the chaos in Iraq. And David Kelly.

What a fucking mess, what a huge failure. Ah but such is human nature. Good vs Evil my arse. Stupid and fanatical vs, er, stupid and fanatical. But what more do you expect?

BTW yes I back-dated this entry so it would be under the "11 Sept" heading. I won't be online tomorrow so I'll see you on Sat.