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Here’s a Thought: Even on 9/11 — Accentuate the Positive!

September 11th is such a poignant day that sometimes we need to stop and remember that much positive has happened since 9/11/2001 and 9/11/2012. We should never, ever forget those lost on both of those tragic days. In forgetting them and our history, we are doomed to repeat stupid mistakes and tragic errors. Taking a page from a local radio station who asked for people to call in with positive things about 9/11, I have decided that it’s time to accentuate the positive. In honor of those 3000+ who perished on 9/11/2001 and four lost in Benghazi one year ago today, my column today is dedicated to their memory. I’m honoring them in remembering the positive and amazing things that make America the beacon to the world that she still is.

First, rising like a phoenix from the ashes, One World Trade Center rose. It is almost finished and ready to be opened to the public. It is the tallest building on the New York City skyline, majestically telling the world, “We will not cower in fear!” It is located on the World Trade Center site and is 104 stories. I saw it this spring when I accompanied my daughter on a school field trip to NYC. There is no missing it as you drive into the city. After visiting Ground Zero two years after 9/11 and before building started, the sight of that building gleaming in the sunlight brought tears to my eyes.

Knowing the destruction, seeing it rise to completion, makes me proud to be an American. We may get knocked down, we may not agree (and even get nasty with each other), but we ALWAYS get up and pull together when needed. We are the best nation in the world. The number of people coming here from somewhere else in the world show that the rest of the world knows it, too.

I was greeted by good news from the west this morning, too. The people of the State of Colorado stood up and took back their rights! After the Colorado legislature passed highly restrictive gun control laws, the voters spoke up and recalled two of those who voted for the initiatives, one of which was in a heavily Democrat district. The recall was panned by the media to be an abject failure: no money, run by “out of work plumbers” who are young and had little experience. I’m guessing that they’ve shown us all, including the two now unseated, that their $1 to every $7 spending disadvantage (versus the incumbents) meant very little.

The Democrats insisted that the majority of voters would back them on how they made “Colorado safer” by restricting the Second Amendment. The results should tell Colorado Democrats that the majority of people are NOT in favor of restrictions to their constitutionally protected rights. Dems in other states should be listening, too!

Oh, and RINOs, consider this notice. Love guns or hate them, this is how our Republic was meant to work. If the people don’t like what their elected officials do, they voice it in the voting booth, LOUDLY. Colorado sure did!

In another positive step forward for constitutionally protected rights, the Two Million Bikers Ride is going forward, despite their lack of permits. The National Park Service denied a request for a permit for the bikers to cruise nonstop through Washington, D.C. today. NPS granted a permit to the “Million Muslim March,” later renamed the “Million American March Against Fear.”

The biker ride is in honor of those who died in the 9/11 terror attacks and the soldiers who subsequently fought al-Qaida in Afghanistan. It was announced in August after the news of the “Million Muslim March” permit request gained some media coverage. The bikers said they were coming anyway, permit or no.

At first the DC Police said they would make arrests if crimes were committed, including the crime of doing what they are doing without a permit. Better news came this morning when it was reported on Twitchy.com, via Tweets from ride participants and organizers, that the DC Police has changed their tune and will welcome and assist the Two Million Bikers. I’m sure the roar of their motorcycles will make a rather loud statement about remembering 9/11!

As I wrote this time last year, September 11th is a special day in my family every year. It is my son’s birthday. Ever since that day in 2001 it’s been bittersweet, but we always try and remember that its being his birthday means we can celebrate life, while honoring those who perished. For those born on that day, or on any 9/11 since, I caution everyone to not give them the “oh, that’s too bad” face and remember that birth brings joy and life goes on. If they aren’t aware of the auspices of that fateful day, they will find out soon enough. Just tell them “Happy Birthday!” unreservedly. Celebrate life.

We all lost something that fateful day. If not a loved one, then our sense of invulnerability. We have grieved as a nation, held onto fear and made some bad decisions because of it. Some of those decisions have come back to haunt us. What we need to do to regain some sense of contentment with our nation, is to learn to celebrate the positive, and learn from the negative. So today, if only for a moment, stop and think of something good. Then thank God for it and smile.

Image: Uploaded by jcornelius; author: Grey World from Manchester, UK; Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

Suzanne Olden

Suzanne Reisig Olden is a Catholic Christian, Conservative, married mother of two, who loves God, family and country in that order. She lives northwest of Baltimore, in Carroll County, Maryland. She graduated from Villa Julie College/Stevenson University with a BS in Paralegal Studies and works as a paralegal for a franchise company, specializing in franchise law and intellectual property. Originally from Baltimore, and after many moves, she came home to raise her son and daughter, now high school and college aged, in her home state. Suzanne also writes for The Firebreathing Conservative website ( www.firebreathingconservative.com) and hopes you'll come visit there as well for even more discussion of conservative issues.

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