"Senators Obama and McCain, the Democratic and Republican nominees in November's election, will appear together at Ground Zero in the afternoon to lay wreathes in honour of the victims.
In a joint statement from the campaigns announcing their decision to visit Ground Zero together, the two men vowed to come together 'as Americans' and suspend their political campaigns for 24 hours.
'All of us came together on 9/11 - not as Democrats or Republicans - but as Americans,' the statement said. 'In smoke-filled corridors and on the steps of the Capitol; at blood banks and at vigils - we were united as one American family.'
'We will put aside politics and come together to renew that unity, to honour the memory of each and every American who died, and to grieve with the families and friends who lost loved ones,' it said.
Their appearance is to be followed by another in the evening at a Columbia University forum to discuss their views on public service.
The ceremony in downtown Manhattan will pause four times for silence - at 0846, 0903, 0959, 1029 - marking the times when the planes hit the Twin Towers, and the times when each tower fell."
Read the whole article at BBC News.
11 comments:
I always suspect that when they say it's not about the politics that means it is. Sad that I'm so cynical.
somehow, i don't believe it.
so many years have passed, but the sick feeling that washes over me on this day is still present. i am so thankful that mine came home, but miserable over those that lost.
This morning, upon hearing it's been seven years, I thought: But it seems like forever, except for the ever fresh images.
Charles, Well, we don't usually become cynical without good reason. Hopefully, they really do give it a break today. I think we're all sick of the sniping this week.
Patti, I think we'll always get that sick feeling, no matter how much time passes.
Larramie, In some ways it's hard for me to believe it's been seven years. Whenever I think of this day, I remember every detail, even though I can't remember what I was doing ten minutes ago. I was getting ready to start work. I was in my bedroom in Colorado Springs with the TV on and I watched the first plane hit the tower and I watched the confusion on Bryant Gumbel's face. Then I saw the second plane hit and I knew things were never going to be the same.
And yet... their very presence at Ground Zero today makes a statement. How could it be anything but political?
Maybe I'm naïve, but I say good for Obama and McCain. I think both men care deeply about America and Americans, unlike our current president.
They were on the news here tonight, some cut-and-paste coverage of a Yank in voiceover wondering on the political ramifications of Obama's flower placement.
F**k's sake.
(I wish I'd finished my writing with time to read blogs this morning. I think evening makes me cranky...)
I also remember that day so well---it is one of those days where we know exactly where we were and what we were doing. When the planes started flying again, and we saw them overhead,my kids were terrified. They spent quite a few nights sleeping on the couch. These things I will never forget.
Orchid Hunter, Well you do have a point, although I agree with Shauna about both of them. Unfortunately, the truce sure didn't last long.
Shauna, I'm with you.
Steve, It's really getting nasty now and I am not optimistic it will be improving any time soon. This is going to be a very long few weeks.
Debra, I remember the day and then I remember the feeling of oneness that we all had in the first days and weeks after that. I want that back.
There were many lessons to be learned by 9/11. Unfortunately, we lashed out and showed the World how wrong-headed we could get. When the French tried to tell us we were making a mistake invading Iraq, we called them cowards and the Congress changed the name of french-fries to freedom-fries. I've heard that Homeland Security has enacted anti-terrorist plans for big shopping malls. How secure that makes me feel! England has a gas tax equal to the cost of their petrol; the result is smaller cars and better public transportation. Germany offers tax credits for the total cost of residential solar panels installed by individuals. Spain has 25% of their electric supplied by wind farms and in the US ? We make travellers take their shoes off before going through security. We're a comic strip.
I'm with Charles, except that I'm a PROUD cynic! ;)
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