[rosa]

Hey Allison. Thanks for your perspective. I didn’t mean to attack anyone personally; just surprised at the sheer volume of memorials, or whatever you wish to call them.

I also didn’t mean to imply that people (however directly/indirectly affected) don’t have a right to be upset. But why bring a year-old thread back up, just to reassert that you’re still upset? I too was upset and frightened on this day last year; I guess I just differ from everyone else in that the repurcussions aren’t as acute for me.

Don’t get me wrong- we’re all here to help each other out, of course, and if any of my friends are still genuinely upset then Rosa’s got your back, by all means. My problem is not that people are grieving; my problem is that it all seems rather vain. Again, I’m not directing that at any one person specifically; just a generalization as influenced by the media. No one seems to have anything original to say, and I’m referring to sources outside of this one as well. I wouldn’t mind a 9/11 thread if it offered some fresh perspective/ideas (i.e. channeling our suffering into a positive agenda for change; extending the scope of our empathy to include the rest of the world; raising critical questions as to the competency and efficiency of our government; etc). And I don’t even mind this one so much, because you all are giving me room to speak my mind, as general and disorganized as it might be <img>

thanks,
Rosa

p.s. den buck, I’m sorry that you have friends who were hurt and who suffered loss. I also agree with you about Tony Blair <img> , but as for Hussein, I think Bush is just attempting to carry out his old man’s unfinished business.

<small>[ 09-12-2002, 03:31 AM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

I’m surprised at the number of freaksceners who are contributing to this thread. Did any of you know people who were involved? Did you think that the U.S. was immune to attack (i.e. were you surprised)? And did you really need such a graphic & monumental display of death to make you reevaluate your own lives?

I’m really not trying to be crass, or to offend anyone. I’m completely serious, and curious. Because I didn’t know anyone involved. I had no money or property at stake. I didn’t experience any personal revelations, nor did I feel compelled to write poems about freedom. I was not affected by the attacks, with the exception of just becoming more resentful toward our government, and the ignorant flag-wavers who serve only to embarass.

I feel horrible that lives were lost, and that a few zealots have cast all Muslims in a bad light.

But instead of taking 9/11 as a wakeup call that maybe our colonialism/imperialistic attitudes are getting out of hand, we’ve decided ‘gee, maybe I need to spend more time with my family, and get that car I’ve always wanted’.

I guess I just don’t understand the need to celebrate. My heart goes out to the families of the victims on every side. I just think that the whole situation has been mishandled, and has become an insult to the people who did indeed make sacrifices. Wealthy families on Wall Street are receiving millions from both public donations and federal compensation. What about victims of other tragedies? What about providing money or education to young people in the middle east (or other economically underpriveleged areas) so this doesn’t happen again? The media are mouthpieces for the Bush administration. Dissent is being squashed as though we were living in 1940s communist territory; Bill Maher got fired, for god’s sake. Radio stations aren’t being allowed to play certain songs. The whole country is insisting that things will never be the same again, because that’s what all the news programs are telling us, with little exception.

I can’t buy into the American obsession with death and tragedy. I refuse to proclaim that I’m a somehow deeply changed person, thereby letting the Bush administration win its little game of rule-by-fear. And I’m saddened to think that this day will be rehashed on the news every year until we’re all immune to it anyway.

I mean absolutely no offense to the deceased or their families and acquaintances. But on this day I choose to think on the role of the U.S. in the global village, and not about all the things that I’m doing wrong with my life. Because my life is good.

Would enjoy hearing other peoples’ thoughts.

xo
Rosa

[rosa]

Beth Orton- Blood Red River

[rosa]

TLC- Red Light Special <img>

edit: my mom suggested ‘Red Roses for a Blue Lady’, by Wayne Newton. She WAS laughing when she said it <img>

<small>[ 09-09-2002, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

Maria McKee- If Love is a Red Dress
Jimi Hendrix- Red House
Reverend Horton Heat- Big Red Rocket of Love

<small>[ 09-09-2002, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: rosa ]</small>

[rosa]

a little Bukowski on this grey evening.

****

Gothic and etc.

I heard from two fellows who each are going to
write a thesis on Chinaski.
one is from Louisiana and the other from
somewhere in the midwest.
they both type careful letters on
expensive paper.
they sound young but interested
and I answer their letters, but
I don’t say too much.

I feel that I am the geek
in their literary circus
so even though I don’t say mch
(so as not to disappoint them)
I do throw in a a few strange lines
as if my mind was properly
unattended.

some years back
another fellow mailed me his thesis.
there were pages and pages
wherein I was given much praise:
I was the Whitman of Los Angeles
and I
was Gothic in addition to being
any number of other
strange and sundry things.
I was given credit for knowing
much more than I do
and he concluded by saying
I had written a few pieces that had
unmatched psychological insight.

this is what they finally do to you
after you’ve failed for
the first 50 years of your life
trying to get something going:
they want to give you credit for much
more than you ever
intended.

the students want it to be mysterious and
important.

I want it to be easy.

which is what it
is.

[rosa]

DJ Cheb i Sabbah – Shri Durga
Medeski Martin & Wood – Tonic
D’Angelo – Voodoo
Pearl Jam – Vs.

[rosa]

Don’t confuse ‘labels’ with ‘adjectives’, dear.

Perhaps you don’t know how to play well with girls, or something. <img> Always directing negative energy at me regarding one post I made several months ago.

nothin but love,
Rosa

[rosa]

Sandler used to do Eddie Vedder, too. I remember trying really hard not to laugh.

xo
r

[rosa]

There WAS a BTM on Meatloaf! The big excitement: mid-career, he lost his voice and had to go into psychotherapy to correct it. The horror.

And yeah, I think he’s been focusing more on acting in recent years- have seen him in a bunch of small parts.

And speaking of, did anyone see the episode of Saturday Night live with Horatio Sanz as Meatloaf? Dear god.

[rosa]

Oh, bite me.

<img>

[rosa]

Wow, your girlfriend’s hot. Try again, Whiny McPumpkin.

[rosa]

I’m with br <img>

I’d venture to say that the people on your other board are perverts.

xo
Rosa

[rosa]

We’ve agreed before, bastard. That’s why you hate me so much <img>

And seriously. Someone please tell me what the black-suited band is named? I’ve completely forgotten. I think I blocked it out with my aniticipation of the Vines. Plus, I thought the Mick Jagger prancing was kind of embarassing (no offense).

<img>
Rosa

[rosa]

Oo, oo, I like that one by the Vines, a lot. Even if MTV did smoosh them together with that black-suited band at the awards. Because, you know, all the hip young groups have to stick together.

And p.s., it’s not Guns N’ Roses without Slash.

xo
Rosa

[Author]

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