Katheism

To be honest, I’ve mostly ignored the fact that today is the anniversary of one of the worst tragedies in our nation’s history.

Except for participating in a moment of silence at a meeting this morning, I’ve tried not to think much about the weighty significance of the date. Still a sore spot, I suppose. Sort of glad nothing else blew up (though I haven’t watched the news).

Unfortunately, though, I made the mistake of clicking on a web link to a reflective article about September 11 subtitled “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It was late in the day, and I thought I owed the event a formal acknowledgment. But I didn’t even read the brief piece. I didn’t bother after reviewing some of the comments that were posted under it. (Why media sites allow this is beyond me.) One person chided the author for his choice of title, calling America egocentric enough to think that our tragedy should affect the rotation of the globe.

First of all, it’s called writing. Second of all, yes, dear commenter, I would that the planet should grind to a halt — just to let you off.

Another poster wrote bitterly that more people have been killed in Iraq since September 11, 2001 than died in the catastrophe. I wasn’t keeping count, myself, but I see what he’s trying to get at.

These people probably say the worst things at funerals. They’d pull aside the wife of a heart attack victim to tell her, “You know, I’d told him for years to lay off those fries. He had it coming.”

I understand that people have their opinions. They’re entitled; and I admit I don’t always know if our government is doing the right thing. But honestly, when someone chooses to exalt his politics over the valid suffering of his fellow man, I think that person has stopped being a human being. And I don’t think I want that person living between the same two oceans as me.

I’ll grant that the USA is seriously messed up in a lot of ways. But there is enough present good — and past good intentions — that I am still thankful to live here. It’s like family: some relationships you don’t choose, so you try to work out the bad and appreciate the good, but either way sometimes you just have to deal with it, because it’s family. Some folks may differ, but I feel like the USA is family.

To all the ingrates who don’t have the decency to mourn with the rest of the relatives: You are NOT invited to my funeral.