Confessions of a 9-11conservative (9-11con)

5/1/2003 | Jon Alvarez

[jonalvy44]

Lately it seems that people, particularly those on the left, have been trying to place a label on me. I've been called an "Ultra-Right Winger", a "Nazi", a "McCarthyite", as well as other names that I can't list here. Therefore, I'm going to assign myself a label. I feel that it's fair to call myself a 9-11conservative, or 9-11con. It's taken me a while to reach this self-realization, to step back and examine where I've been and where I want to go. My transformation into a 9-11con, my obsession with politics and events in the world began shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Fox News Channel quickly replaced HBO as my favorite spot on the TV dial. I now wake up every morning to a cup of coffee and a visit with my fellow conservatives on Fox and Friends. How did I get this way and what the heck is a 9-11con?

I wouldn't consider myself a neoconservative, or neocon, as that just sounds too conspiratorial. I do support much of what they stand for, particularly the need to act pre-emptively, to remove and destroy regimes that support terrorism. I also favor certain aspects of the paleoconservatives, or paleocons. In particular, I am adamantly in favor of sealing our national borders. We've seen the effects porous borders have on national security. Plus, we have enough people in this country and our resources are getting stretched. I think you'll see a greater emphasis on immigration control and border security in the near future.

As a 9-11conservative I'm a relative newcomer to the Big Show. I've been playing catch up. Prior to September 11 my TV news habits usually consisted of tuning in primarily to catch the sports highlights and the weather. I have always had a passion for history, but was never very interested in modern-day politics and government. I have always fulfilled my duty as a citizen by voting, at least in national elections. I even voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 (Blame it on immaturity, but I did vote for Bob Dole in 1996 if that's any consolation). Marriage and maturity made me realize that I'm a conservative and the Republican Party was obviously more suited to that mindset. Plus, I really didn't want to give any more of my money to the government than I had to. I just felt that the Democrats were the party of enablement and victimhood. It seemed hypocritical for wealthy white guys to attempt to speak for minorities and the working/non-working poor.

It took the events of that horrible September morning for me to realize that I was not fulfilling my duty to make the world a better place in which to live. I feel that I was reborn that day, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of the World Trade Center. Neither President Bush nor myself would be who we are today were it not for the events of September 11. Reports of innocent stewardesses being slashed with box cutters infuriated me. The cold-blooded murder of 3000 of my fellow Americans filled me with rage. I became aware that day that I had a new sense of duty. I would never again allow myself to be lulled into a sense of complacency and leave the responsibility of safeguarding our great country to others.

Many 9-11cons like myself were still in a state of shock and grief during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. American flags were waving and an overwhelming majority of Americans supported President Bush in this battle vs terrorism. It wasn't until Iraq and Saddam Hussein was targeted that we saw a splinter in American support for the War on Terror. That is when I feel people like myself and other 9-11cons began to speak out. We were the silent majority, the American public that cherishes our great country and would oppose those that mean it harm. We overwhelmingly confirmed President Bush's mandate via the election of 2002 that he was to root out and destroy terrorism and any country that supports it.

Following the attacks of September 11, President Bush told the world, "You're either with us, or against us". I believe that. In a time of crisis, you support your country, end of story. It's your duty as an American. We're talking good vs. evil here. One thing I could not understand, still don't understand, and have no tolerance for, is those Americans who sought to stand against America in our War on Terror. President Bush told us that Iraq would be our next target after we destroyed the Taliban. If the man says they are a threat and a part of the terrorist fraternity, then let's roll! When I began to hear of American citizens rising up in opposition, I was truly dumbfounded. As a 9-11con, I felt that this was tantamount to blasphemy. I seethed with anger as I heard about groups organizing protests. I had my wife make a sign of support for President Bush and I went to downtown Syracuse just to stand amongst the protesters to show the world that Americans did support our President and his policies. I would never have done that prior to September 11, 2001! Now don't get me wrong, I fully support the rights to free speech that my fellow countrymen have utilized in protesting the policies of our government. However, I was not going to sit idly by on the sidelines and allow this tiny minority on the left attempt to speak for the silent majority! (As for their claims that they can support the troops, just not the war, we shall see if the anti-war folks turn out for the huge parades for our returning troops!)

Hollywood has provided me with an outlet for my outrage at these protests. The average anti-war protester seemed to be either an immature college kid, some burnt-out hippie with no real means of employment, or a professional agitator from the far-left hate-America community. What really bugged me was the opposition from the anti-war celebrities. These pampered celebrities don't have to bust their hump 40 hrs a week like the rest of us. How could they possibly attempt to speak for the rest of us? They were so smug in their obviously biased attacks on President Bush. We were treated to never-ending footage of them joining ranks with the vocal minority, egging them on in protests and rallies, decrying how bad America is. They had the audacity to attack our leadership from abroad, which is a major no-no. As a huge fan of the escapism of movies, I felt that these celebs abused their star status. They chose to enter the fray, which is their right as Americans. However, with that right comes consequences. They were wrong, they have not been willing to admit it, and they should not be surprised to see that loyal Americans will no longer support their careers. I will not forget their despicable actions and behaviors, and I hope my fellow Americans won't either. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I will enjoy watching their careers go down the toilet.

I've answered President Bush's call to action. Since that fateful day our nation was attacked, I have done the following:

1. Stood alone in downtown Syracuse amongst a group of antiwar protesters in the early pre-war days to voice my support for action vs. Iraq.

2. Organized a "Pro-USA" rally on Superbowl Sunday in which it snowed; yet 15 other strangers showed up on what was a beautiful day in downtown Syracuse.

3. Began volunteering on Sundays at the local VA Medical Center in Syracuse.

4. Started a Neighborhood Watch group in my community.

5. Joined the local Republican Party committee so I can help promote our agenda.

6. Contacted the Army to see if I could enlist, but was told that at 36 I was too old.

My call to action came on September 11, 2001. I wonder how many others are out there that share my story, that feel the same way, that will remain silent no more? We aren't warmongers, we aren't part of the neocon conspiracy to rule the world (as laughable as that is), and we aren't part of the "America First" isolationist paleocons (we saw what happens when we ignore the goings-on in the rest of the world as we did in the Booming 90's). We are political creatures born of the 9-11 attacks, we are 9-11cons. We are now an active player in the political landscape of 21st Century America.

Jon Alvarez Syracuse, NY

[judicial meanz]

Good for you John! Keep up the good work.

[Paradox]

Awesome! As a former liberal and Democrat, I'd like to congratulate you not only for your political persuasion, but for what you have actually DONE for your beliefs!

[BreitbartSentMe]

Welcome Jon!

You're not alone, there were many eyes opened on 9/11 and during the aftermath. I applaud your actions. We all need to take a cue from our president, lead by example.

[Desecrated]

Count me in that category. Never took much of a stand either way before 9-11, but the actions and words of the left since then have disgusted me. This was mainly caused by the chorus of voices saying, "What did we do to deserve this?" after 9-11.

Coming from a proud military background, having close friends/relatives on the ground in Iraq and Israel certainly made it a bit more personal for me.

[b4its2late]

I'm glad you left the darkside.

Welcome aboard!

[GOP_1900AD]

Indeed, sometimes it takes a shock to the system to be awakened. Prior to 1996, I was a "moderate" who believed in a squishy middle set of ideas that would have made both Bush Sr. and Klintoon proud. Well before the writing of "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" I blindly followed a similar naive, globalist, America-last policy and even helped to industrialize, and by extension arm, our enemies, most notably the PRC but also other players to the West of them who are now showing their true colors. What woke me up personally was being in Taiwan in 1996 when the PLAAF were threatening to nuke the island with IRBMs. That was the crack in the dam and started me along the road of questioning my assumptions. By the time of the EP-3 attack, I was well along the way. 9-11 hardened my stance even further. And hence, my handle, stating that I am un-PC even to many who call themselves "conservatives" but in the end who always compromise rather than fight. Which therefore begets the statement Right makes right. In otherwords, classical Rightism, which is the defense of our Western protective strata of church, home and nation state, puts one, ultimately, in the right position both morally and geopolitically. Welcome aboard Jon!

[spookycc]

Hey, John, way to go!

You story sounds a LOT like mine, except that you've done more with your newfound "politics" than I have.

I was a non-practicing 'cRAT until 9/11. After I saw Dubya at ground zHero on 9/14, I joined the RNC and signed up for the Freedom Corps (no one has EVER contacted me from that group, even though I've contacted the head of the local chapter).

I travelled to NYC in August of 2002 - a pilgrimage to ground zHero. It was empty, and sad. I'd never been to NYC before, but I felt *pulled* there.

I did some emailing for protests, etc, but not much until I found Free Republic, this year. Since then I've FReeped a local peace rally and have been to a Rally for America (Auburn, Indiana - 12,000-15,000 people).

I feel like I've found a home here. I don't post a lot, but so many people here feel like I do, post-9/11. My soulmate and I thought we were "the only ones" who felt the way we do, about America, about Dubya, about boycotts, etc...

It was great to find out we're not alone!

[Badray]

Welcome home to both of you.

[foto]

Keep it up, alot of eyes were opened on that day including mine. Starting with my joining the NRA and GOA membership rolls during the campaign of AL Gore for president, every new event seems to push me further away from the darkside. Big question for myself is always, how the h*** didn't I see this all before?

[Tamzee]

You are an inspiration, now another among the many here at Free Republic :-)

[nyconse]

I am a recovering Democrat. I was a true leftist. I didn't even date Republicans. However, I fell madly in love with my Republican husband 15 years ago (still mad about the guy). My family was extremely amused. I set out to convert my husband to a Democratic, liberal way of thinking (leftists are very arrogant). I started with Rush Limbaugh. I asked my husband why he liked Rush; after all Rush was a woman hating rightwing crazy. My husband asked me if I had ever listened to the show. I was insulted. Of course, I did not listen to this terrible show. My husband opined that perhaps I should not judge a show if I had never listened to it. I began listening to Rush. To my surpise,Rush did not hate women, and he was very funny. I began to notice that liberals consistently lied about Rush and other conservative. When the Berlin wall fell, I began to think maybe Reagan had been correct to call the Soviet Union "the evil empire". I had never been exposed to conservative thought. Then, Clinton was elected president. I watched President Clinton steal FBI files, lie constantly and ruin a man's life for no reason (Billy Dale -travelgate). In 1994, I became a Republican and placed my husband's signed picture of President Reagan in a prominent place in our home.

[OldBlondBabe]

My eyes were opened during the 2000 presidential election. I'm not quite as activist as you, but I do my best to keep myself informed. I also write letters to my local papers, and to my representatives. (I've sent various E-mails to Senators Levin and Stabenow, although I know it doesn't do a damn bit of good.)

[WOSG]

Thanks for a great article.

We all have a duty to our country. 9-11 shook us out of complacency.

I am a Reagan Conservative and been a conservative since I realized that Socialism leads to poverty, high tax rates destroy prosperity, and Government should be supporting families not undermining them. ... but since 9-11 I am less concerned about my pocketbook and more concerned with the fact that many in the world LACK BASIC FREEDOM. I dont want them growing up to be terrorists. It's why even though I am a small Government conservatives, I fully support our current war on terror and the war to liberate Iraq.

Our interests (US security) and our Ideals (freedom) point in the same direction: We stand for human liberty.

A paraphrase from President George W Bush tonight, who I fully support.

[Susannah]

That covers a lot of territory. And an excellent reminder of how much we value FREEDOM.

p.s.: time for a replacement of one 'ism' for the lefties:


"Then there's the matter of the source of many of Joe's accusations – accusations being proved by release of the so-called Venona intercepts of Soviet cable traffic whose code was broken back in the mid-forties and remained top secret until recently.

These intercepted cables proved that there were over 350 Americans spying for the Soviets, and enabled investigators to identify about half of them. Joe McCarthy had access to the information contained in the top secret Venona intercepts – access given him by J. Edgar Hoover and others concerned with the extent of Soviet espionage and penetration.

But he could not defend himself against charges of recklessly accusing people of being Soviet agents by revealing the source of his information without alerting the Soviets that some of their most important secrets were known to U.S. intelligence.

One of the more revealing admissions recently made by the left was Carl Bernstein's quote from his father, who, with Carl's mother, was a top Communist Party member. Here's what Bernstein recalls his father warning him when his 1989 book, "Loyalties: A Son's Memoir," was published:
"You're going to prove [Sen. Joseph] McCarthy was right, because all he was saying is that the system was loaded with Communists. And he was right. ...
I'm worried about the kind of book you're going to write and about cleaning up McCarthy. The problem is that everybody said he was a liar; you're saying he
was right. ... I agree that the Party was a force in the country."

[exDemMom]

Welcome to the Right side.

As you might be able to tell from my screen name, I, too, have made the journey. For me, it was long and difficult, and the events which set me on the path culminated with the nomination of Klintoon, whom I perceived is a psychopath, and whose nomination and election profoundly horrified me. I'm so glad you have been able to join us.

Anyway, 36 might be too old to enlist in the Army, but it's not too old for a commission, if you're qualified. (I know this because I'm older than you and have applied for a commission...still waiting to find out if they accept me.) Goarmy.com has information on officer specialties and eligibility requirements.

[dubyagee]

A BUMP for your awakening! A good piece, I enjoyed it.

[moodyskeptic]

Welcome, my children. You have discovered the guilty pleasure of intelligent company. Freepers are smart, funny, kind people, if you've been to a public event with Freepers, you know what I mean. We love our kids, our country and the simple pleasures afforded by a free nation.

The left is desperate, hateful and humorless.