In historical terms, 9/11 was just yesterday, perhaps a week ago. But in what we might call ‘news terms’ it’s now something like ancient history. Even the bloody shirt crowd who got in the habit of using the annual memorials and remembrances to beat down any questioning of the “War on Terror” or any other aspect of the country’s post-9/11 footing seem to have lost some of the appetite for it.
And for those who never bought into the politics of 9/11, again, for lack of a better word, there’s a element of rejection to any further commemoration. I can understand both trends. And both seem healthy in their own way. What it all reflects is that almost from the beginning there’s been a clear and I would say growing difference between 9/11 and 9/11ism – and by the latter I mean the whole mix of activism, propaganda, politicization and advocacy that grew up around the events in question.
A fascinating look at Arab-American political activism and its discontents as the background of the Cruz trainwreck. From TPM Reader HK …
Unfortunately, this is par for the course every time an Arab-American organizations tries to play “respectability politics” by courting the favor of politicians they know most of their constituents disagree with. It happens in both Muslim and Christian circles in the States.
Arab-Americans have few allies in Congress anymore. Those they did have (Cynthia McKinney and John Traficant, to name a few) we’re either too fringe or too corrupt to ever feel entirely comfortable with. David Bonior was districted out in Michigan and those members of Congress who represent areas with large Arab communities (Bill Pascrell, Marcy Kaptur, and John Dingell, to name a few) have increasingly over the years had to temper the decibel of their advocacy on any issue that runs afoul of AIPAC. Justin Amash might be it for now.
Hijiacking a conference about solidarity with Arab Christians with calls for a Arab Christian – Jewish alliance probably won’t end well. With Ted Cruz involved there are so many moving parts it’s hard to untangle the derp. See our report.
Making calculated use of American airpower to help anti-ISIS forces regroup and make progress against ISIS makes sense to me. But given what we heard last night, given the hyperventilation from many that it is somehow not enough, I strongly recommend reading this article we posted yesterday. The strength of ISIS on the ground where it is seems to have been wildly, wildly exaggerated, through a mix of very effective social media-based propaganda and complementary hyper-ventilation by US commentators and and politicians. Even the limited airstrikes the US has already undertaken has lost ISIS arms, equipment and territory.
Not your usual Rob Ford fare.
Late this afternoon, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was hospitalized with abdominal pains. According to a statement released by the Humber River Hospital, Ford had been experiencing abdominal pains for at least three months (apparently without seeking treatment, though that is not stated explicitly) and escalated dramatically over the last twenty four hours.
To quote the press release, “Examination and investigation has resulted in a working diagnosis of a tumor.”
Taking a moment to introduce two new members of our team: Ahiza Garcia and Christine Frapech.
Okay, here’s an awesome job, if you’re really into news and digital news publishing. This is a near entry level position. What it requires is a lot of enthusiasm and smarts, ready familiarity with headline writing, social media and the full horizon of US politics. Sense of humor also required. See full job listing after the jump.
So apparently NFL got the Rice video three months ago.
Senate Dems break initial GOP filibuster on equal pay for women bill.