Interestingly, on this 16th anniversary of 9/11, a commercial that aired thirty years before that tragic event came to my mind [Follow this link to that one-minute ad: [Link To Ad]. The ad, which featured Native American Iron Eyes Cody, was about the environment — not pushing the “climate change” rhetoric that’s so prevalent today, but depicting the need to be mindful of keeping the environment pristine for future generations. Sadly, I’m in Mr. Cody’s mode today, because I’m doubtful that the esprit de corp that for now has drowned out or at least dampened the constant vitriol that has unfortunately become the “new normal” in America will last more than a few months at the very most — probably more like a few weeks. All it will take is for one post of some silly remark on some dingbat’s Social Media account to “go viral” — and the vitriolic atmosphere will be immediately back to “normal”.
On 9/11/2001, the iPhone was still five years into the future, Social Media was not an integral part of our vocabulary, and the news reported in the media was still orders of magnitude closer to being actual news than the polarized commentary, even propaganda, that it is today. It is worth noting here that in at least one respect, 9/11 came at a time not altogether unlike now, when there were deep political divides stemming from a still relatively recent highly contested Presidential election. In the compassion being shown in the aftermath of two major hurricanes in the past few weeks, there is a glimmer of hope that we can still come together as we did at least for a while in the aftermath of 9/11, put our differences aside, and accomplish much as Americans.
I think the following excerpt from something Reverend Franklin Graham posted on his FaceBook page today is something we should all think about:
“When tragedy strikes, historically Americans pull together. Neighbors help neighbors; strangers help each other—without giving a thought to political affiliation or any other differences. Once again with the disasters of Harvey and Irma, we see ordinary citizens rise up as heroes. I hope in the coming days we can build on this unity and remember the importance of being “one nation under God” [Source: FG – FB].
While I look at the situation in this country a month ago [before all the hurricane domination of media time] through tearful eyes like those of Iron Eyes Cody’s in 1971, I honestly hope that somehow the long-range outcome of the time of transition in which we find ourselves now will be better and more durable than the time since 9/11.
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Charles M. Jones
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Americans, as a nation, have always had a tendency to be Americans & neighbors first – at least the America that I’ve grown up in. Over the last three generations I have observed that our divisions have started in the roots of the “progressive” movement – the anything goes “flower child of the 60’s” “Aulinsky doctrine” movement.
That is where the political divide has its roots. Make no mistake about it!
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