The Bitter Rose

Every time the course of human events leads into violence a cycle occurs which consists of three main points. The rose crowning these exudes the stench of human arrogance and ignorance. Since the events of September 11, 2001 and the multiple reactions thereto overshadow all else, they make of themselves the best core examples for an illustration.

Barb One: Instigation

There can be no doubt that an act of violence was carried out on the entire world on this date. It occurred on American soil, but how can anyone deny this as a threat against the entire western world? Indeed, residents of European nations also felt threatened as four aircraft fell from the skies at the demand of terrorists most notably colliding with the World Trade Center. So inhumane was Bin Laden in his planning that he had no care for the countless Muslims who also lost their lives in this act of mass murder. Before the dust had even settled in New York, bombs exploded in the trains of London's underground taking yet more lives. In the immediate shock of this disaster, men and women on both sides of the Atlantic banded together in ways they normally do not.

Barb Two: Commemoration

Though tears still fell in New York and across the rest of the United States, her citizens set about the task of assessing the damage to property and more importantly to families. Also, she asked herself an eternal question: How? To aid in finding the answer, an entirely new government post was created. Meanwhile, support groups provided emotional support to those directly touched by this tragedy and September 11 became enshrined as a nationwide day of mourning. Some now grumble that this practice should be discontinued. Nietzsche once wrote, "Those who forget their past are doomed to repeat it." Should we risk another disaster of this magnitude to keep us mindful of the evils that lurk around the corner?

Barb Three: Retaliation

Perhaps, from a religious point of view, both the United States and the United Kingdom should have cut respective losses and moved on. However, human nature makes this impossible. As a race, people are inclined toward the mosaic code, demanding an eye for an eye. Those nations wronged by these deeds banded together to seek out those who would do them further harm. Even then, some disagreed vehemently with these actions. Alas, the mastermind of these atrocities has yet to be found.

The Rose: Defecation

Defecation is the intended word. The grumbling dissenters used every death as a base for criticism as time moved on. Some actions proved no more than annoying and were soon discontinued for lack of effect. The "die-ins" staged in city streets number among these. If annoyance had been where this stopped, further comment would be unnecessary. Some move to the stage of criticizing those who continue to risk their lives for the greater good. Worse than all of this, a traveling band of zealots took it upon themselves to insult fallen soldiers at their funerals. This is no less than dropping one's pants and relieving oneself on the fighting man's grave. These men and women who have come home carried on their shields should have received the highest of honors from one and all. Instead, their final homecoming is marred.