Opinion: Thoughts on 9/11

Last weekend, (and indeed most of August and no doubt the rest of September) was dedicated to the tenth anniversary of 9/11. We saw one interview after another with the main players - Bush, Blair, Howard, Rumsfeld and Tricky Dickey Cheney. If they weren't giving interviews they were busy attending memorial services, complete with sincere expressions hired for the day from Hypocrisy 'R' Us

There is no doubt that 9/11 was a horrific event that should never be forgotten. But nor should it be turned into some sort of patriotic holiday, complete with hot dog munching tourists walking around the rather eerie but powerful memorial at Ground Zero.

Nor should it be an occasion for those responsible for what has happened since 9/11, to proudly and stubbornly justify the havoc they have reaped upon millions of innocent civilians, who posed no threat to the U.S., Australia or the UK.

I saw the men of war remember those who died on one day.

I did not see the same men, pause or pray to remember those who have died and suffered each and every day as a result of 9/11.

9/11 is not just about one day.
9/11 is not just about one country or one political philosophy.
It is about a whole decade and decades to come.
It is about the innocent who died that day and continue to die - they are victims too - not "collateral damage".

All the innocent should be remembered, no matter who or where they are, or when they paid the ultimate price.

The men of war say the world is a safer place because of their actions. They say we the West, has won, that we have not been cowed.

Their words are as misleading and deceitful as the words that paved the way for war.

Mike Hitchen