More thoughts on "Forbidden Thoughts"

Anyway, what makes a thought or expression "forbidden?" Unfortunately, the only type of expression that can be considered illegal in this country is one that can cause harm to others. Even many forms of hate speech and pornography are legal in this country. At the time I graduated from J-school, flag burning and cross burning were still legal in this country. As were racist Klan rallies - as long as they were peaceful. As repugnant as these types of speech may be, they are still legal in this country - which is one of the things that makes this country great - the fact that we can speak out against our government should we decide to do so.

Yet the quotes in these Salon piece were labeled "forbidden." Some of the links around the blogosphere about this story used words such as "tripe," "trash," "drivel," "disgusting," "obscene," "spume," "repulsive," "filth," just to name a few. Yet why are these thoughts so forbidden? Some of these statements may not have been appropriate given the consequences, however, much of what was said was part of everyday life. The Salon article is one of the best articles I have read about what people were REALLY thinking on that day - the raw thoughts of average Americans, who didn't have the cameras trained on them 24/7 - and what happened in the aftermath. I got this inspiration to write today's essay not from reading the updated Salon article, but by reading the overkill dedicated to 9-11 in the blogosphere. I kept my computer off for the majority of the day, as well as the TV, but there were far too many syrupy patriotic quotes out there.

While I'm crashing someone's 9-11 party, I guess I'll tack on the essay I was going write today. It's regarding the fashion trend following 9-11. The president called for display of the colors, and there was a rush to wear the colors in any form possible. Unfortunately, people tended to overdo it. Considering that this was supposed to be a solemn occasion, these same people saw nothing wrong with being tacky about displaying the colors in any form possible. Which, of course, is against the law, as outlined in 36 U.S.C. 176 (d): "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." So, all those t-shirts, earrings, and headbands that purported to be displays of national pride were actually violations of the U.S. Code. Not to mention the poor care that the people that flew the flags in droves heaped on their newfound patriotic symbol. From 36 U.S.C. 176 (b): "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise." From 36 U.S.C. 176 (e): "The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way." However here's my favorite one. Fortune 500 companies are most to blame for violating this one: It's from 36 U.S.C. 176 (i): "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." Every media outlet in the country is guilty of this one, as they have their little flag in the corner of the screen with the network name superimposed.

So while people are getting on the case of an online publication such as Salon for having the cojones to air the words of those who dared to voice an alternative view, showing the world that we really do live in a society that enjoys freedom of expression, even under the worst times of duress, it is still disturbing to know that those who control the media, the government, and the mainstream mindset are not even aware of the laws of this country - or simply choose not to follow them.

• • • • •

"Forbidden Thoughts" not a hit with everyone

Apparently it's not just you in the blogosphere. There's a holier-than-thou attitude associated with this day, and no such blasphemy will be spoken in conjunction with it. I say poppycock! Not all of us were in the thick of the action, and were helpless as we sat in our homes and offices thousands of miles away. It was a day that we went on with our daily lives. It was Tuesday, for crying out loud. And for millions of Americans, as well as millions of New Yorkers, that was just another work day. The President of the United States orders us to go about our daily lives. We do so. You get pissed off. It is for people such as yourselves that articles like this get written.

• • • • •

Don't come here looking for a free education

Morris, who beat board Chairman Sonny Rundell in the August primary and faces no Democrat in November, maintains that children of undocumented immigrants should be barred from public schools. That view is contrary to federal law, and it infuriates Hispanic groups, which have started a petition drive against her.

• • • • •

 
If the terrorists attack Arizona this time, Tucson will be safe. Why? Because, like Vice President Cheney, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup was kept in a secret location for the past 24 hours.

Tucson Police Department Assistant Chief Kermit Miller said the department knew of no threat against the mayor or the city, but defended the move as a necessary precaution.
"He's the city's chief executive," Miller said, adding, "Look at how important a role (New York Mayor Rudolph) Gulianni played in New York City."
After the attack on the World Trade Center, Miller noted that Gulianni assumed a highly visible leadership role in the city, doing much to assist rescue efforts and maintain calm in New York.

• • • • •

People after my own heart

• • • • •

It's all in the numbers

On Wednesday, Sept. 11 -- a day that forever will be solemnized by the numbers 9/11 -- the New York State Lottery's Numbers game winner was 9-1-1.

• • • • •

Neither rain, nor snow, nor threat of deportation...

The Border Patrol arrived on the scene and agents were able to capture 17 men and women, all of whom voluntarily returned to Mexico, he said. The driver of the truck and a few others were not apprehended, Martinez added.

This isn't the first time smugglers have tried to disguise their transportation as a commercial or government vehicle. Within the last year, police have stopped a fake FedEx truck, and recently a Border Patrol agent spotted a fake construction vehicle.

Martinez said the agency was called recently about what appeared to be a postal truck loading up illegal immigrants in a desolate area along the border. He suspects the one involved Monday was the same truck.

• • • • •

The war on drugs isn't working - trust me, Mr. President, I mean Uncle George

Bush was not arrested because police could not obtain sworn statements signed by the center's staff. A worker who found the suspected cocaine on Noelle Bush tore up a sworn statement she had written at the suggestion of one of her bosses, police said.

• • • • •

Looks like someone isn't getting the clue

• • • • •

If we let them in, will they burn the whole country down?

Food containers, juice cans and water bottles from Mexico were found at many of the fires' starting points. The Star reports that nearly all were along popular immigrant smuggling routes rarely used by others. In some cases, the fires were traced back to campfires.

The Star says the tab for fighting the fires exceeded $5 million.

• • • • •

Now I know why I left New York

However, Jeff, I have a question for you. Where were you in 1992 when L.A. burned? I bet you don't even know what the hell I'm talking about. That's because contrary to what you say, New Yorkers are far more selfish than Angelenos. I've lived in both cities, and New York may loosen up after recovering from this tragedy, but it will return to business as usual. By the way, 1992 was the year of the L.A. riots.

• • • • •

4000 Hits!

• • • • •