Just returned from viewing the 9/11 memorial quilt

[booksenkatz]

Seeing the quilt, with a large square created by family members of each and every victim who died on 9/11, including rescue dogs, was a much more overwhelming experience than I'd expected. It was so moving, and it occurred to me that grief can be a very dangerous emotion. How many people will view this quilt and be blinded by their grief into supporting Bush and his misdirected war on terra? One man remarked to me quietly that all of this that we were seeing is why the election will be tight this year. I thought to myself, "If the next words out of his mouth are 'This is why we need to vote for Bush,' then I'm going to do a Number Six on him right here and now, embarrass myself, and get my picture on tonight's news." So I just moved on.

I'm so glad I was able to pay my respects to those people today; but my God, grief can be a dangerous thing. Especially when it's wrapped in the Stars and Stripes.

(Folks in the Ann Arbor area: the quilt will be in Canton at the Summit through Sunday evening. I have no idea where it will go from here, but if you can see it, I recommend it.)

A link to this particular project (apparently there are lots of quilts out there):

http://www.unitedinmemory.net/