OK, so about this Moussaoui trial. I have to wonder if replaying all these Sept.11 tapes and videos is good. Sure its realism, history, maybe even cathartic for some. But it seems injurious to me. This could be one of my over-sensitive things (oh yeah, still got 'em!), but it almost hurts reliving it.
On September 11, the day of the attacks, I remember thinking I would just cry. There was nothing I could really do for all those people...those who died, those who lost someone, those who were hurt. I didnt know anyone directly affected by the attacks. So I thought I would just feel it...that's all any stranger could have done for me in the same situation. I'd just want the world to recognize my passing...feel my absence, even if I was just one of thousands. So that's what I did.
So when they replay all of these tapes, I feel it again. And it doesnt feel good. Perhaps it serves to remind me, I dont know. Maybe I'm just pulling some rediculous, unintentional martyr thing. Its certainly not like I dont feel enough in my life...I'm not one of those. I really dont need to go in search of more emotion! So I'm not enjoying this.
And as an American, I'm trying to see the value in this discomfort. It escapes me. I still find the crime senseless and my country unwilling to really deal with what I consider to be the true causes (hell, we are exacerbating them!). I think we've got a man on trial that will very likely get the martyrdom he seeks, and that concerns me.
Moreover, he didnt actually commit the crime. I heard a 9-11 widow on NPR a few days ago. I thought she was brilliant. She said Moussaoui wasnt her "proxy"...killing him wasnt representing justice to her, it wasnt healing anything. He wants to be a martyr, his death will deter nobody. And he hasnt killed anyone, although he should be prevented from ever having the chance to try again. And really, is he even smart or sane enough to do shit? I'm thinking the bad guys decided to leave him out of the plan...they didnt even want him! Who knows.
Frankly, Bush has killed many more innocent people. I find it ironic that we blame Saddam for the deaths he causes, but not Bush. In the name of our country we have committed so many senseless murders, terrible crimes against humans...but this dolt is pure evil? Sure, his poor victims didnt get a fair trial, and I bet his is a bad man. But that we expect him to follow our trial system? That is OUR system of justice...not universal, and certainly not the system used in so many parts of the world. Hell, even though it is our system, our president seems to sidestep any rule, law or moral imperative he doesnt find convenient!
None of this makes me happy. I want to go back to peace and love.
I agree Meg. It's clear that there are so many problems with changing stories and testimonies that I'm not sure we'll ever know the whole story. But I think the point is simply to look like we've 'done something'. Obviously the war has been a fiasco, and only gets worse, so we're left with this. And outside of a few enlightened grieving spouses, I think it will serve simply as a vehicle for releasing frustration and anger, regardless of the truth surrounding it. The next time somebody says, "Man, 9/11 was such a shame," the next guy can at least say, "Yeah, but we nailed the guy who did it," Clearly he didn't do it, but it helps a lot of people redirect their frustration. I find it sad that we lost 3000+ people on that day, but I find it even sadder that we've killed countless tens of thousands in response, and have leadership that feels it did the right thing, regardless of the fact that there is no connection between the dying thousands in Iraq and the victims of 9/11. I wonder. Do you think an atheist or agnostic president would be bombing the shit out of the middle east right now? Me either. Reminds me of that George Carlin line - "I'm not an atheist or an agnostic, I'm an acrostic. I'm puzzled by the whole thing."
Posted by: Your Conscience | April 13, 2006 at 11:14 AM
now they are saying he 'caused at least one death' one sept.11? bullshit, the guys was in a Minnesota prison! If his lying to the FBI caused anything, then what about the other evidence someone chose to ignore? Shouldnt that person be tried as well? Moussaoui is clearly a whack job who wants to be martyred...i hope our countrymen are just.this.once smarter than the hype (but I doubt it)...
Posted by: meg | April 13, 2006 at 05:02 PM