Posted on 09/20/2006 10:49:53 AM PDT by Spiff
Shock and Awe
I visited the 9/11 memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza Tuesday and I was stunned by what I saw.
Here's how the Governor describes the memorial.
According to governor spokeswoman Shilo Mitchell , Napolitano described the memorial as being " unique, bold, educational and unforgettable," she said. " The memorial uses the sun to articulate words and thoughts."
The memorial is an elevated flat ring with phrases cut through the metal. Throughout the day, the sun shines through the ring and phrases become visible on the side walk.
What kind of phrases? Politically correct phrases that bash America. That's what kind of phrases. The memorial looks like a MoveOn.org webpage.
Sure there is the usual timeline of events, but how about this little reminder of American aggression. (The stray Ds on the left are from another inscription.)
The sign is referring to this event.
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (CNN) -- At least 20 people were killed and more than 60 injured in Afghanistan when a U.S. plane dropped a bomb on a wedding party as celebrants fired into the air, an Afghan defense spokesman said Monday.
I thought the memorial was to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11, not score cheap political points about collateral damage in Afghanistan.
Here's another example.
That's right; what did Bush know and when did he know it? Funny, I walked over to the Pearl Harbor memorial and I didn't see any reference to Roosevelt getting advance notice of the bombing. Come to think about it, I didn't see any mention of erroneous attacks on Japanese civilians either. Golly, they just don't build monuments like they used to.
This one is more subtle. Notice the significance of the dates? Everyone recognizes the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I'm a bit of a history buff, but it took me a second to recognize the sinking of the Lusitania. That's the 1915 event that brought the US into WW I.
Then the last date dawned on me. My gosh, it's the attack in the Gulf of Tonkin in August of 1964. Why is that significant? Because it's the fictionalized event that Lyndon Johnson used as an excuse to trick Congress into supporting the Vietnam War. You know...just like this time.
The left is desperate to compare Iraq to Vietnam, but do they really want to trivialize 9/11 by comparing it to Tonkin? That's the implied message. Johnson was a liar; Vietnam was a quagmire. Bush...well, you fill in the rest.
The memorial is a permanent monument to the left's perceived failures of the Bush administration.
Does the Napolitano administration stand by this travesty? Does she really want to compare 9/11 to Tonkin? Does this represent her view of America? Does she really think the memorial is unique, bold, educational and unforgettable?
Is this the way we want 9/11 to be remembered?
A. U.S.S Arizona Anchor B. Vietnam Veterans Memorial C. Korean War Memorial D. Arizona Peace Officer Memorial E. Father Kino Statue
Arizona 9/11 Memorial is dedicated
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0912memorial0912.html
William Hermann
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 12, 2006 12:00 AM
When the Arizona 9/11 Memorial was unveiled Monday at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, bells tolled, bagpipes played, fighter jets roared overhead. And as a crowd of about 2,000 remembered a terrible day, tears fell, too.
Tucson Firefighter Shannon Adams wore her dress uniform and carried son Taylor, 4, in her right arm as she held the hand of daughter Spenser, 6.
"I'm here to honor the people who lost their lives, but also for my children," Adams said. "I want them to remember this day and understand what sacrifices were made for our freedom."
Several hundred firefighters, some from New York and scores from Arizona, were on hand to mark the fifth anniversary and to dedicate the memorial, a circular, stainless-steel plate suspended above a concrete base. Phrases and facts relating to the 9/11 attacks are cut into the steel, and as the sun moves overhead and shines through the plate, the words are illumined on the concrete below. Words like, "Feeling of invincibility lost," and "We stand in 100-degree heat to give blood," and "Remember," shine through.
Gov. Janet Napolitano addressed the crowd, recalling how fair the weather was, how "ordinary that day was," on Sept. 11, 2001, before the attacks.
"On that cloudless day, all of our lives changed," Napolitano said. "We who are here will always remember . . . but (the memorial) is designed for the children of Arizona of tomorrow. We want them to understand what happened."
Donna Bird of Tempe, whose husband, Gary, died in the North Tower of the World Trade Center, spoke movingly of how on that September day, "we all became one."
Bird said the memorial of concrete and steel symbolizes "the steel resolve of Americans to embrace our future without fear; we suffered together then, and we remember together today."
As the ceremony drew to a close, a flight of four Arizona National Guard F-16 fighter planes roared in low, executing the "missing man" maneuver where one plane veers from rest.
The 100-member police fire and military honor guard formed a cordon through which people could walk into the memorial itself, and the bagpipes of the Scottish American Military Society played Amazing Grace.
Inside the memorial, Napolitano spoke with relatives of those who lost their lives.
Billy Shields, president of the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association and chairman on the 9/11 Memorial Commission, did the same.
"They have been telling me that building this memorial has been a part of their healing," Shields said. "And today, they say, has finally been a September 11 that has been uplifting."
"This is perfect; it's beautiful," Bird said. "It's so good for all of us, for everyone."
Among the words illuminated on the concrete were her husband's last words to her:
"I'll be home for dinner Tuesday night."
I don't guess I understand healing anymore. What heals you about geting pissed off?
This is outrageous. It needs to come down. Perhaps Senator McCain can focus some of his energy at home where it can do some good.
http://www.az911memorial.com/FAQ.htm
What is the 9/11 Memorial?
Arizonas September 11th Memorial will be built at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza located directly in front of the Capitol Mall so that future generations will not forget the tragic losses of life and the inspiration, heroism and lessons learned that day. This monument to those who died, served and rallied to the cause, will be a worthy and lasting education symbol to remind us of how our great State came together in the face of adversity.
Who is sponsoring the 9/11 Memorial?
The Governors Arizona September 11th Memorial is being coordinated by the Governors Arizona Memorial Commission, which has members from all parts of life in Arizona. Current partners in the fundraising effort to build the Memorial are:
Arizona Emporium
AZ Comm Financial Services
azcentral.com
Bank of America
Bashas
Blue Cross Blue Shield AZ
City of Glendale
City of Phoenix
City of Tempe
Concert
Fort McDowell Casino
Future Vision Investment
Grupo ñ Advertising
Honorable George Weisz
Humana
iHealth Technologies
Levine Foundation
Maricopa Community College
Mass Electric Construction
McCarthy Construction
MTI
Nationwide
Phoenix Councilmember Greg Stanton
Phoenix Suns
Primestaff
RBC Dain Rauscher
SCF Arizona
Schaller Anderson
Sleep America
State government agencies
The Arizona Community Foundation
The Arizona Republic
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association- PLEA
The Ramsey Foundation
UFCW
United Phoenix Fire Fighters
When is the Memorial to be built?
The target date for completion is September 11, 2006.
How is the design selected?
As the funds are raised, a request for proposal will be developed and approved by the 9-11 Commission that articulates the vision for the memorial and memorial site. The request for proposal will be distributed to members of the arts community. Proposals will be submitted to the Design Committee of the 9-11 Commission with final determination made by the full 9-11 Commission.
How much money is going to be raised?
The Commission has set a fundraising goal of $500,000.
How is the Commission raising money for the Memorial?
Funds are being raised a number of ways:
The Commission is accepting tax-deductible donations through the Arizona Community Foundation.
Cell phones are being collected at select government offices, fire stations, and Phoenix Law Enforcement Association office. These cell phones will be recycled and the Arizona 9-11 Commission receives the money.
Arizona 9-11 Memorial pins are being sold. Please email callman@phxfirefighters.org if you would like to purchase one of these pins.
How can I make a check, or online credit card donation?
Please send check donations to ACF- 9/11 Memorial Fund, 2201 East Camelback Road, Ste 202, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Make payable to ACF-9/11 Memorial Fund. To make a online credit card donation please check out the Donate Here link.
How can I find out more about this effort?
For more information or to have any other questions
please email callman@phxfirefighters.org
OMG
It's also got the Islamic crescent symbol. Does it face toward Mecca?
I guess I'm missing something in it, too. I think it's pretty hideous.
Lives didn't get "lost," Governor. Those people were killed, by madmen.
Your memorial to the Americans who were killed on September 11, 2001, is painful and stupid and awful. You should be ashamed of having anything to do with it.
disgusting
Outrageous. Will we eventually see the end of memorials as a result?
1) What the Hell is wrong with this country that we can't even build a memorial to a fairly straightforward event like 9/11 without being morons?
2) Why is there a 9/11 memorial in Phoenix, Arizona?
3) Who in a position of responsibility looked at this thing and approved it, and how do we go about firing that person?
4) Got Bondo?
Do any of those phrases mention how Clinton bombed an aspirin factory in 1998 to detract from his affair with a White House intern?
The "wedding party" fired in the air. Our side RETURNED fire.
Why not add Bubba bombing the Chinese embassy???
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