Opinion

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03.04.2004

Black Tuesday to Super Tuesday!

November is getting closer and the razzmatazz of election fever has started. Senator John Kerry looks like he will be the democratic nominee following his sweep of the primaries. At the same time the Republican ‘machine’ changed gears to mount their battle to hold their spot in the Oval office.

From now until the election each day we will besieged with messages, discussions and debates in every form of media known to mankind. There is one goal in mind; Votes! Whether by phone, newspapers, television, radio, internet, personal appearances, some how, some way you are going to hear it, see it and read it.

Today the Republican machine decided to use images of September 11th to further their cause. As part of the early round of television ads we see shots of 9/11destruction, including firefighters removing a lost soul draped in the stars and stripes. The ad begins with the President stating that he ‘approved this message’.

How hypocritical can the President be after stating that he would never use a national tragedy for political means? I guess promises mean nothing during campaigning. The sympathy vote will never be anything short of a soft vote.

To add more insult to injury Gov. Pataki stated on television that he thought that it was important that ‘non New Yorkers’ should not forget what happened that day. How he could make such a statement? Is there anyone on the planet that could ‘forget’ what happened on September 11th.

Bernard Karick the police commissioner of New York at the time, and now working for the government in Iraq , mirrored Pataki’s comments and further stated that 9/11 is part of our history and we should not forget it.

When I hear these irresponsible statements made by people in the media I have to wonder if they think that the American people have short memories; that they have swept 9/11 under the carpet almost like it was nothing more than the weather forecast? Do these people think that we are all stupid? Have we forgotten about Oklahoma or Pearl Harbor for instance? No! Of course not; they are also part of America history, as bloody and destructive as they were. The difference is that those tragedies are not as voter strategic as 9/11. They did not happen during this administration.

The President took three days to come to New York following the attacks. Many Republicans such as George Pataki and ex Mayor Giuliani have jumped to the side of the President stating that his leadership following the attacks was tantamount to the nation moving forward and set the tone of the infant administration. If that was the tone to which the President would pivot his ideals and goals for his term in office he has simply tainted it with this irresponsible cheap ad. It’s disgusting and shameful.

Campaigning for votes is one thing but there is also a fine line of decency that has been crossed here. We have our commander chief clearly refusing to testify in the September 11th hearings, the falsified EPA reports telling us all that the air was clean, missing pages from the official report and just before the 3rd anniversary the Republican convention will be held right here in our city. Is this whole campaign focusing on 9/11?

If the Republican’s did not expect some fall out from these ads then they firmly don’t have a grip on the pulse of New Yorkers. Indeed Karen Hughes, a campaign advisor for the Bush camp has been a surrogate spokeswoman for the Whitehouse today, appearing on three morning news shows. Clearly proving that damage control was in place beforehand. So why do it?

Using images of 9/11 is just plain wrong.  I wonder which political ‘genius’ came up with this idea. What was said in the corridors of power, what was decided to go ahead with something like this?

Three thousand people lost their lives that day for no reason at all. Each family member, friend, co worker and colleague that knew someone will endure these images all over again. I sit here in pain each day and when I see this on my television I am transported back over two years ago. I don’t want that anymore and I am disgusted that it’s used for political advantage.

Life goes on. The wounds of September 11th will never heal, but people will be able to deal with them better as each day passes. That is my hope for everyone affected.

Ordinary people all over this city, state and indeed maybe all over America help others with foundations, charities, websites, discussion groups and support for all directly and indirectly affected by that day. Perhaps the Republican’s in their quest for four more years should take this into account instead of slapping potential voters in the face. Learn from a nation that you want to lead, don’t use pain for votes

I wonder what’s next; nothing will surprise me.

Dennis