by Mark Silva and updated
There still are a few things that congressional leaders are capable of performing in a bipartisan spirit -- that welcome reminder came with the memorials for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy recently, and it will come with a remembrance of Sept. 11 today.
This afternoon, near the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington and the crash of a fourth terrorist-hijacked airliner in Pennsylvania, Democratic and Republican leaders will assemble on the steps of a Capitol that may have been spared an attack on 9/11.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) will lead other members of Congress in a Congressional Remembrance Ceremony on the East Front Steps of the Capitol at 3:30 pm EDT.
The ceremony will pay tribute to the thousands of Americans whose lives were taken on Sept. 11, 2001, the leaders' offices say. Members of Congress and the families of the "heroes'' of the downed airliner also will dedicate a plaque for the victims of United Airlines Flight 93 at 3 p.m. in the East Front Lobby of the Capitol.
Leaders fled from the Capitol on that day, nearly eight years ago, when the course of the fourth hijacked airliner was uncertain in the aftermath of the first three attacks. Last year, near the election that seated a new president, the major parties' contenders, President Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain, met in New York for a remembrance.
It's unfortunate, through all of this, that it takes tragedies to unite the leaders of a nation. But in a remembrance of tragedy, today, they will assemble.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada delivered these remarks at the 9/11 remembrance at the Capitol today:
"The solemn anniversary we remember this week has no parallel in our lifetime.
"We lost more loved ones on that one morning than the number of mornings that have dawned since that day.
"We still mourn. We still hurt. But we still hope. We still stand tall. And we still marvel at the incomparable heroism we witnessed.
"Ours is a nation started, settled and strengthened by heroes. And when tested, it is a nation defended by heroes - those who answer the call of duty and those who are called without notice.
"Some wake up every morning and know they may have to run into a burning building while everyone else runs out.
"Some wake up every morning and know they may have to sacrifice their own life so a fellow soldier can wake up the next morning and know the same.
"And some, like those on Flight 93, wake up as passengers and travelers, sons and daughters, and choose to become heroes only in their last moments.
"Though we grieve, we are also grateful for them.
"Though they leave us too soon, they leave us with a legacy of bravery we cannot fully fathom, one for which we cannot fully thank them.
"We remember them so that others may learn from their courage.
"We revere those who died so that others may live.
"We stand in a building that might not be here but for these heroes, and we know what it means to be thankful."
Comments
Perhaps this 9-11 commemoration will help Obama and Holder to remember that their first duty is to protect America from another attack, not to place the well-being of terrorists above American citizens' safety.
Posted by: Harding | September 9, 2009 11:51 AM
A 9/11 ceremony on 9/9? Do they have somewhere else to go on Friday? Or could this be a way to display their "patriotism" prior to the president's big speech? They all have to go.
Posted by: L | September 9, 2009 12:32 PM
Posted by: Harding | September 9, 2009 11:51 AM
No, their first duty is not to protect America from attack. Their first duty is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. That is the duty that they have sworn to uphold. I know that the radical revolutionary right hate the Constitution of the United States, and dearly wish to ignore the rights and freedoms it provides, all in the cowardly attempt to protect their lives at any price. They turn Patrick Henry's words on thier head. "Give my liberty to protect me from Death!"
Posted by: Right wingers are cowards | September 9, 2009 1:12 PM
Perhaps this 9-11 commemoration will help Obama and Holder to remember that their first duty is to protect America from another attack, not to place the well-being of terrorists above American citizens' safety.
Posted by: Harding | September 9, 2009 11:51 AM
Or perhaps it'll remind Americans that had Bush done his job of protecting us from attack in the first place, we wouldn't NEED to memorialize 9/11 because nothing would have happened.
That ole "perhaps" is SUCH a useful word, isn't it?
Posted by: Op109 | September 9, 2009 2:05 PM
Harding, Nice job making the death of over 3000 innocent people into a stupid political comment. Is this all that the Republican (Glen Beck) Party can offer? Inappropriate political comments.
Posted by: pd | September 9, 2009 2:12 PM
"Right wingers are cowards": Actually, we very much like the Constitution. We just wish the left would adhere to it.
For example, where is the federal government instructed, by the Constitution, to manage health care? The federal government is, however, asked to defend the shores. "...provide for the common defense...".
The real problem is that guys like you find the Constitution an inconvenience and something to be overcome.
Rick
Posted by: Rick Caird | September 9, 2009 2:26 PM
Funny how the party in power who allowed 9/11 to happen on their watch feel some sort of righteousness. Oh Mr. President...there is a memo on your desk saying Bin Laden to attack America. Sorry he! he! he! got to go clear some brush at the ranch. Sides, who knows how they'll do that? Who would have ever put terrorist, plane, and Trade Center all together.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 2:28 PM
I hope that ALL members of Congress keep their focus on the 9/11 Anniversary, which is the victims, their families and the violence of terrorism.
The focus should be about keeping our borders secure and not cow-towing to Muslim terrorist nations.
Posted by: CR | September 9, 2009 2:54 PM
I hope that ALL members of Congress keep their focus on the 9/11 Anniversary, which is the victims, their families and the violence of terrorism.
The focus should be about keeping our borders secure and not cow-towing to Muslim terrorist nations.
Harding- maybe you should read the Constitution. The Constitution demands that the POTUS make border security a priority. What you cite it the vow the POTUS makes upon his swearing in.
Posted by: CR | September 9, 2009 2:57 PM
Oh, Spare us Rick. Torture supporters like you have no place to lecture anyone on following the Constitution.
Posted by: Lou | September 9, 2009 3:09 PM
"The Constitution demands that the POTUS make border security a priority."
Nope, sorry, you are absolutely wrong on that one. Article II of the Constitution which sets out the powers of the Executive Branch never mentions border security, let alone saying that it is a "priority".
The writers of the Cionsitution embodied what they thought the priority of the President was in the oath of office. They didn't have him swear to protect the borders to the best of his ability, or to keep the people safe to the best of his ability, they had him swear to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution.
Posted by: Right wingers are Cowards | September 9, 2009 3:39 PM
Ahhhh, as usual the deranged, demented members of the Left have their undies in a bunch with nonsense.
First of all, Bush is not to blame for 9/11, just as Clinton is not to blame for the first Twin Tower attack or even the two U.S. embassy bombings in Africa or even the attack on the U.S.S. Cole.
Second, whatever few people received enhanced interrogations during the Bush presidency were not unconstitutional. In fact, the proof is that it derailed further attacks and saved American lives. If Khaleed Sheik Mohammed, the 9/11 mastermind and beheader of Daniel Pearl, was made to feel a little uncomfortable, then so be it.
It also seemed that the Bush administration efforts, along with help from British intelligence, stopped a handful of planes from blowing up over the Atlantic. If it comes down to saving innocent lives or making life hell for some head-chopping terrorist, I'll go with keeping the people safe every time. Now, if it came to choosing to keep loony lefties safe or making life hell for a head-chooping terrorist, that one I'd have to think about for while! In that case, I just might choose in favor of the terrorist!!
Posted by: John D | September 9, 2009 3:55 PM
Now, if it came to choosing to keep loony lefties safe or making life hell for a head-chooping terrorist, that one I'd have to think about for while! In that case, I just might choose in favor of the terrorist!!
Posted by: John D | September 9, 2009 3:55 PM
Figures you'd show yourself to be the traitorous freak we know you to be. BTW, do all those liberal "friends" of yours -- the ones who you say think so highly of you but are probably imaginary (AND your parents probably still like them better than you) -- know you want them dead?
Posted by: Op109 | September 9, 2009 4:29 PM
Has anyone asked Van Jones to comment? Last I heard, he had a few interesting opinions regarding 9/11.
Posted by: Chris | September 9, 2009 4:54 PM
Has anyone asked Van Jones to comment? Last I heard, he had a few interesting opinions regarding 9/11.
Posted by: Chris | September 9, 2009 4:54 PM
No but I heard that Pat Robertson is going to say a nice prayer about how 9/11 was God's divine punishment for America's evil, evil ways.
Posted by: Kris | September 9, 2009 6:01 PM
" Lou": I see you still have no reading comprehension. I claim enhanced interrogation is decidedly not torture. Guys like you love to define things down so you can shout your accusations.
Now, what part of the Constitution do you not understand, either.
Rick
Posted by: Rick Caird | September 9, 2009 6:08 PM
Has anyone asked Van Jones to comment? Last I heard, he had a few interesting opinions regarding 9/11.
Posted by: Chris | September 9, 2009 4:54 PM
We definately need to find out what the "secret negro army" has to say on this. Negros, marxists, socialists, communists.......I need to hide under my bed.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 6:10 PM
"Right wingers are Cowards": You said: "never mentions border security, let alone saying that it is a "priority"." Article 2 says "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States".
Now, I suppose you could argue the President should let us be invaded rather than deploy the military. But, is that really an argument you want to make?
Rick
Posted by: Rick Caird | September 9, 2009 6:16 PM
Rick, and where does that say that border security is the President's priority? It doesn't, contary to the previous claim. I guess you could say that the founders just had him swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution for the heck of it, but really didn't think protecting our form of government and the rights enshrined in the Constitution should be a Presidential priority. The founders knew those rights were worth dying for, unlike the cowardly right wingers of our time.
Posted by: Right Wingers are cowards | September 9, 2009 7:27 PM
Perhaps this 9-11 commeation will remind people of the numerous times Bill Clinton failed to act on bin Laden when he was walking freely
http://newsbusters.org/node/7871
Posted by: Terry | September 9, 2009 8:35 PM
Blaming Bush or Clinton or any other American for 9/11 is a little silly, in my opinion. All Americans might be .01% responsible for 9/11. The other 99.99% is on the murdering scumbags who premeditated, deliberated for several years, then intentionally murdered 3000+ Americans.
Posted by: Herbie H. | September 9, 2009 9:26 PM
Keep invoking the victims you and the republicans failed to protect. Bin Laden to attack America!
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 9:26 PM
Hey Terry, tell us about the last 8 years. Did Bush capture Bin Ladin? Is Bin Ladin walking any less free today that he was when Bush took office? Is Bush respponsible for anything, anything or did responsibility pass directly from Clinton to Obama without even pausing in George W. Bush's administration?
Posted by: Call Bush Irresponsible... | September 10, 2009 11:10 AM
" Right Wingers are cowards": CinC of the military is specifically a part of the Presidential duties. The really interesting thing is the Judicial and Congressional oaths include:
"I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;"
I am assuming the founding fathers expected the President to defend against foreign enemies too and that is why they put him in charge of the military.
Rick
Posted by: Rick Caird | September 10, 2009 11:27 AM
REick,
If protection of our borders was intended to be the number one priority of the President, isn't it interesting that the Founders omitted the word "foriegn" from the Presidential oath? Is your theory that the Founders were just stupid, and forgot to include it there?
The Constiitution is clear: Freedom first, then safety. It's too bad that the cowardly right has turned away from that principles and demand that the Nanny State protect tham at all costs, including the cost of their freedom.
Posted by: Right Wingers are Cowards | September 10, 2009 11:51 AM
Irresponsible,
Answers:
No, Yes - he's hiding ion cave, not visable to our drones, Yes - but not to the extent that Clinton screwed the pooch when it came to terrorsim during his administration.
Posted by: Terry | September 10, 2009 12:36 PM