You are right - I understand their being upset, and I would be too.
Let me clarify: My point was to the notion that we tend to lose our perspective as a nation when we focus on the families. That does not mean that co opting their loss for another’s agenda is acceptable. It clearly is not.
On 9-11, America’s economic power and freedom and military were attacked symbolically. The particular people who were attacked were not the point of the attack. All of us who believe in, support and benefit from our economy, our freedom and our military were victims.
I think that perspective gets lost somehow in a way that the attack on Pearl Harbor does not.
The clarification was perfect and your analysis is most appropos.
Thank you for elaborating; I understand exactly why you said what you said, that by focusing on the individual, we are losing the larger message.
I would think, though, that event planners could have found a way to accomodate both. During a recent trip to the OKC memorial, the horror of that day was brought home again on a very personal level when I saw the broken, battered toys.
I have a horrible feeling this will be nothing more than political showboating.