What a Tangled Web...

On NPR this morning, Bill Moyers likened the Internet to "a great public park." I'm not typically a fan of Moyers, but that little analogy struck me as incredibly appropriate. He also made the rather ironical comment that the media in this country seem to do everything possible to avoid their true function: informing the public. Very bothersome, especially considering what's happening with Michael Moore. I've written about Moore on occasion, being not so much a fan of the man, but admiring of his insatiable veracity and his having the balls to speak his mind despite the obstacle of so many people conspiring to stop him.

The question of who's to blame for September 11 is one I believe will never be answered to anyone's satisfaction. In some ways, no one is to blame. In some ways, we are all to blame. But Moore tackles the monumentally more important question of what the U.S. did after the attacks. Thank heaven and hell someone finally came forward and dragged this out into the light. The Bush family has strong, decades-long ties to Saudi Arabia--including bin Laden's family--and we're busy trying to figure out if the attacks could have been avoided? Are you shitting me?!?

On September 11, one of the first things Bush did was locate the closest friends and family members of the undisputed perpetrator of the crime and then escort them quietly out of the U.S., no questions asked. Forget the fixed 2000 election, forget the prison abuse photos, forget the other follies of our brainless president. Allowing bin Laden's posse safe passage from the U.S. not 24 hours after the worst act of terrorism in centuries is the most heinous, infuriating, disturbing and downright evil thing this administration has done (and somehow, doesn't appear they'll be held accountable for).

What the fuck is wrong with everyone?!? We're so busy blasting Bush for some underinflated Medicare numbers or for draft-dodging or for being functionally illiterate but the truth is, no one will ever pay for the tragedy of September 11 because Bush needs their friendship and support. It sickens me to the point of wanting to flee this country (which I'd strongly consider doing if it didn't mean leaving my family).

I can't wait to see Moore's film, though I'll admit I'm quite concerned I'll blow a fuse within the first ten minutes. I have not given in to my increasing urge to rant and pontificate about various things lately because such foaming at the mouth raises my blood pressure, which is exactly the opposite of what I promised my body I'd do by leaving New York (the fact that I have consistently low blood pressure notwithstanding). Let's just use "high blood pressure" as a metaphor for "inner turmoil" or other such bodily chaos.

A few months back, I mentioned that I couldn't remember a time when I was more upset, disgusted or troubled by news reports. Well, it's gotten worse, hasn't it? My days typically begin on a good note but as soon as I read the daily newspaper, my "blood pressure" goes up, teeth and fists are clenched and heart begins to swell. I've always been an optimistic sort who sees the glass as eternally half full and believes everything will work out for the best. But that's changing. I'm now more of an optimistic pessimist, someone with real concerns over whether the battle zones of the world (including the one right here on American soil) will ever be even remotely peaceful. Gee, thanks, Dubya!

Posted by ayelet at May 13, 2004 10:11 AM