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Not One Person
Author: BobR
Date: 12/02/2015 14:14:33
When it comes to campaign rhetoric, sometimes it seems like anything goes on the Republican side. They know their voting base is primarily older white voters. In an effort to reel them in, playing to their sense of fear of non-white, non-Christian people is an easy go-to. While nearly all of the slate of Republican candidates has said something horrendous, none do it quite so loudly, proudly, and consistently as Donald Trump.
In the past he's trashed Hispanics (Mexicans in particular) and "smart" women (those who don't know their place is in the kitchen and bedroom, apparently). Muslims are an easy target as well. When you target fellow Americans, however - regardless of religion - then your words get a closer look.
Trump has claimed that "thousands" of people were dancing in the street in Jersey City, NJ on 9/11 as the towers fell. On it's surface, it seems like a typical exaggeration. It is of course dog-whistle "racism", attempting to cast suspicion on fellow Americans based on their religion (and possibly ethnicity). It's the sort of talk that can lead to stochastic terrorism (which is a bit ironic, when you think about it).
Trump said he saw the video on TV, but no video can be found to support his claim. There is some evidence that he may have seen a hurried news report that there were celebrations, but that report was debunked the same day.
I know it's not true, because I was there.
On the evening of 9/10/2001, a colleague and I flew into Newark airport, and spent the night at a hotel about 10 blocks from the waterfront in Jersey City. On the morning of 9/11, we happened to run into another guy who was going to the same office we were to attend the training we were there to provide. He had a car (we did not), so he offered to drive us there. On the drive to the office, he casually noted that the World Trade Center was on fire.
At the time, I thought to myself someone had left a bomb in a bathroom. We parked the car in an underground lot in a building on the waterfront. We could see both towers directly across the river. There were some flames coming out, but that was it. While getting bagels, the person mentioned a plane had hit it. Everyone assumed a small plane. After getting our food, we went upstairs to prepare for the training. That training never occurred.
Within an hour and a half, we were essentially "trapped" in that windowless conference room, getting snippets of information, seeing people running up and down the halls crying. Then we got word that the FBI was ordering the building evacuated. We also heard that all flights would be cancelled for at least a couple days. We called the hotel to see if we could get our rooms back, but they were sold out.
When we stepped outside, it was complete pandemonium - a living nightmare. I looked over at the towers. One had collapsed already. The other was fully engulfed. Black smoke filled the sky. The streets were clogged with people walking and driving away from the waterfront. There was no dancing... there was no celebrating... The police were directing thousands of people looking back over their shoulders away from the tall buildings on the waterfront. At that moment in time, there was a clear fear that more strikes were imminent.
We managed to get the cop to allow us to walk toward the waterfront so that we could get the car. We had only our laptops with us; our overnight bags were in the trunk of the car. We also had nowhere to go, and no cellphone service.
As we inched our way west along the street, and then north towards the way out of town, the second tower fell. The throng of frightened people continued to plod and push and trudge, not knowing what was happening, not knowing where to go, not knowing how to get home.
Jersey City and Manhattan are practically the same, with people living in Jersey City working in Manhattan, and vice-versa. Everyone there knows someone who worked in the twin towers. No one was celebrating.
Not. One. Person.
In the past he's trashed Hispanics (Mexicans in particular) and "smart" women (those who don't know their place is in the kitchen and bedroom, apparently). Muslims are an easy target as well. When you target fellow Americans, however - regardless of religion - then your words get a closer look.
Trump has claimed that "thousands" of people were dancing in the street in Jersey City, NJ on 9/11 as the towers fell. On it's surface, it seems like a typical exaggeration. It is of course dog-whistle "racism", attempting to cast suspicion on fellow Americans based on their religion (and possibly ethnicity). It's the sort of talk that can lead to stochastic terrorism (which is a bit ironic, when you think about it).
Trump said he saw the video on TV, but no video can be found to support his claim. There is some evidence that he may have seen a hurried news report that there were celebrations, but that report was debunked the same day.
I know it's not true, because I was there.
On the evening of 9/10/2001, a colleague and I flew into Newark airport, and spent the night at a hotel about 10 blocks from the waterfront in Jersey City. On the morning of 9/11, we happened to run into another guy who was going to the same office we were to attend the training we were there to provide. He had a car (we did not), so he offered to drive us there. On the drive to the office, he casually noted that the World Trade Center was on fire.
At the time, I thought to myself someone had left a bomb in a bathroom. We parked the car in an underground lot in a building on the waterfront. We could see both towers directly across the river. There were some flames coming out, but that was it. While getting bagels, the person mentioned a plane had hit it. Everyone assumed a small plane. After getting our food, we went upstairs to prepare for the training. That training never occurred.
Within an hour and a half, we were essentially "trapped" in that windowless conference room, getting snippets of information, seeing people running up and down the halls crying. Then we got word that the FBI was ordering the building evacuated. We also heard that all flights would be cancelled for at least a couple days. We called the hotel to see if we could get our rooms back, but they were sold out.
When we stepped outside, it was complete pandemonium - a living nightmare. I looked over at the towers. One had collapsed already. The other was fully engulfed. Black smoke filled the sky. The streets were clogged with people walking and driving away from the waterfront. There was no dancing... there was no celebrating... The police were directing thousands of people looking back over their shoulders away from the tall buildings on the waterfront. At that moment in time, there was a clear fear that more strikes were imminent.
We managed to get the cop to allow us to walk toward the waterfront so that we could get the car. We had only our laptops with us; our overnight bags were in the trunk of the car. We also had nowhere to go, and no cellphone service.
As we inched our way west along the street, and then north towards the way out of town, the second tower fell. The throng of frightened people continued to plod and push and trudge, not knowing what was happening, not knowing where to go, not knowing how to get home.
Jersey City and Manhattan are practically the same, with people living in Jersey City working in Manhattan, and vice-versa. Everyone there knows someone who worked in the twin towers. No one was celebrating.
Not. One. Person.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 12/02/2015 14:19:06
trojanrabbit on 12/02/2015 14:19:06
Oh but wait....
Convicted felon Bernie Kerik just appeared for an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW on "One America "News" Network" (The Washington Times?, sure) saying tRump was right.
I'm sold.
Convicted felon Bernie Kerik just appeared for an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW on "One America "News" Network" (The Washington Times?, sure) saying tRump was right.
I'm sold.
Comment by 
BobR on 12/02/2015 14:25:50
Wasn't he down near Ground Zero on 9/11?
BobR on 12/02/2015 14:25:50
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Oh but wait....
Convicted felon Bernie Kerik just appeared for an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW on "One America "News" Network" (The Washington Times?, sure) saying tRump was right.
I'm sold.
Wasn't he down near Ground Zero on 9/11?
Comment by 
Raine on 12/02/2015 14:28:28
Raine on 12/02/2015 14:28:28
Excellent post, Baby.
No one.
No one.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 14:34:57
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 14:34:57
Morning 
Geez, that must have been terrifying. Never saw or heard a single person who didn't think 9/11 wasn't beyond heartbreaking.
Geez, that must have been terrifying. Never saw or heard a single person who didn't think 9/11 wasn't beyond heartbreaking.
Comment by 
TriSec on 12/02/2015 14:36:15
TriSec on 12/02/2015 14:36:15
Wasn't there a German dude that said if you tell a lie enough times, people start to believe it as the truth?
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 14:38:23
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 14:38:23
Speaking of tRump, he's in Manassas tonight - our town has enough assholes and racists, we don't need him and those who support him.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 14:41:07
I reserved a couple tickets at one of his events, just to leave a couple empty spaces in the seats
BobR on 12/02/2015 14:41:07
Quote by wickedpam:
Speaking of tRump, he's in Manassas tonight - our town has enough assholes and racists, we don't need him and those who support him.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
I reserved a couple tickets at one of his events, just to leave a couple empty spaces in the seats
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 14:52:09
XD Very nice troll technique
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 14:52:09
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
Speaking of tRump, he's in Manassas tonight - our town has enough assholes and racists, we don't need him and those who support him.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
I reserved a couple tickets at one of his events, just to leave a couple empty spaces in the seats
XD Very nice troll technique
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 14:59:22
Yuck.
Good luck getting home tonight.
Raine on 12/02/2015 14:59:22
Quote by wickedpam:
Speaking of tRump, he's in Manassas tonight - our town has enough assholes and racists, we don't need him and those who support him.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
Good luck getting home tonight.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/02/2015 15:01:38
I'm partial to Rmoney.
trojanrabbit on 12/02/2015 15:01:38
Quote by wickedpam:
Speaking of tRump, he's in Manassas tonight - our town has enough assholes and racists, we don't need him and those who support him.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
I'm partial to Rmoney.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 15:09:50
Yeah, fingers crossed the crazies stick to 66 and leave the back road to me and the other normal commuters.
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 15:09:50
Quote by Raine:Yuck.Quote by wickedpam:
Speaking of tRump, he's in Manassas tonight - our town has enough assholes and racists, we don't need him and those who support him.
You know ever since Obama used the fairgrounds the night before the election (HUGE CROWD) other politician's seem to like to try and top it. Rommeny(sp? I can't even remember how to spell his name right) didn't even try and used the very small venue of the Harris Pavilion.
Good luck getting home tonight.
Yeah, fingers crossed the crazies stick to 66 and leave the back road to me and the other normal commuters.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 15:37:04
Raine on 12/02/2015 15:37:04
Can someone give me a reason why, on my desktop, twitter defaults to the mobile version?
I can't seem to get it to the desktop version. This started last night, BTW.
I can't seem to get it to the desktop version. This started last night, BTW.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 15:42:02
Does your browser link say "mobile.twitter.com"?
BobR on 12/02/2015 15:42:02
Quote by Raine:
Can someone give me a reason why, on my desktop, twitter defaults to the mobile version?
I can't seem to get it to the desktop version. This started last night, BTW.
Does your browser link say "mobile.twitter.com"?
Comment by 
Scoopster on 12/02/2015 15:58:05
Scoopster on 12/02/2015 15:58:05
Mornin' all.. 
New computer parts are on the way, tho I probably won't get it all before next week.
New computer parts are on the way, tho I probably won't get it all before next week.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 16:00:22
Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 16:00:22
Grunt. That is all.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 16:13:10
yes, and when I type in the normal link it changes to the mobile url.
Raine on 12/02/2015 16:13:10
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Can someone give me a reason why, on my desktop, twitter defaults to the mobile version?
I can't seem to get it to the desktop version. This started last night, BTW.
Does your browser link say "mobile.twitter.com"?
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 16:28:01
Hmm. Have you cleared out your cache as well as browsing history recently? Try that.
Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 16:28:01
Quote by Raine:yes, and when I type in the normal link it changes to the mobile url.Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Can someone give me a reason why, on my desktop, twitter defaults to the mobile version?
I can't seem to get it to the desktop version. This started last night, BTW.
Does your browser link say "mobile.twitter.com"?
Hmm. Have you cleared out your cache as well as browsing history recently? Try that.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 16:43:08
Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 16:43:08
Raine, do you use a Google account on both your computer, tablet or phone? if you do that is why you are seeing the mobile Twitter on the computer. Since when you sign into your Google account your browsing history gets uploaded into the cloud so it can be accessed on any device. Say you weren't using the Twitter app on the mobile devices, but just going to Twitter.com that is going to be saved into your browsing history. So, yeah my prior comment about deleting the browser history will help.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 16:51:20
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 16:51:20
hmmm, its still raining, wonder if they'll cancel at the fairgrounds tonight - that place is gonna be a muddy mess.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 17:11:18
Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 17:11:18
BobR, thanks for the blog. I did not recall any celebrations in the U.S.
Perhaps the media will begin to stand up to this ugly lie. I have to wonder how Donald Trump has gotten so far in our country.
Perhaps the media will begin to stand up to this ugly lie. I have to wonder how Donald Trump has gotten so far in our country.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 17:11:25
no I would pay to see a bunch of white bigots all muddied up and brown….
Raine on 12/02/2015 17:11:25
Quote by wickedpam:
hmmm, its still raining, wonder if they'll cancel at the fairgrounds tonight - that place is gonna be a muddy mess.
no I would pay to see a bunch of white bigots all muddied up and brown….
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 17:13:17
It would be appropriate as Trump has thrown around a lot of mud and worse.
Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 17:13:17
Quote by wickedpam:
hmmm, its still raining, wonder if they'll cancel at the fairgrounds tonight - that place is gonna be a muddy mess.
It would be appropriate as Trump has thrown around a lot of mud and worse.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 17:18:55
Only if I could sit in the exhibits building with hot coffee and a free limo ride would I go.
Oh and this just in asshat PWC board chair Corey Stewart is going to meet with Trump before hand. Pretty sure he didn't meet with Bernie before hand.
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 17:18:55
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
hmmm, its still raining, wonder if they'll cancel at the fairgrounds tonight - that place is gonna be a muddy mess.
no I would pay to see a bunch of white bigots all muddied up and brown….
Only if I could sit in the exhibits building with hot coffee and a free limo ride would I go.
Oh and this just in asshat PWC board chair Corey Stewart is going to meet with Trump before hand. Pretty sure he didn't meet with Bernie before hand.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 17:30:26
They're all a bunch of pigs - it would be appropriate
BobR on 12/02/2015 17:30:26
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
hmmm, its still raining, wonder if they'll cancel at the fairgrounds tonight - that place is gonna be a muddy mess.
no I would pay to see a bunch of white bigots all muddied up and brown….
They're all a bunch of pigs - it would be appropriate
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 17:33:01
I just tried it and got nothing. I am perplexed.
Raine on 12/02/2015 17:33:01
Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, do you use a Google account on both your computer, tablet or phone? if you do that is why you are seeing the mobile Twitter on the computer. Since when you sign into your Google account your browsing history gets uploaded into the cloud so it can be accessed on any device. Say you weren't using the Twitter app on the mobile devices, but just going to Twitter.com that is going to be saved into your browsing history. So, yeah my prior comment about deleting the browser history will help.
Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2015 17:56:32
TriSec on 12/02/2015 17:56:32
REI DOESN'T PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 18:25:35
Sounds like a very good policy. I hear so many of the darn same songs around this time of year that I wish someone would break into a radio station and just play the satirical version of songs. WXRT in Chicago will have some rock and roll holiday songs (yes, including some Chanukah songs) that are a lot better than the 15th playing in a day of the Little Drummer Boy.
Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 18:25:35
Quote by TriSec:
REI DOESN'T PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!!
Sounds like a very good policy. I hear so many of the darn same songs around this time of year that I wish someone would break into a radio station and just play the satirical version of songs. WXRT in Chicago will have some rock and roll holiday songs (yes, including some Chanukah songs) that are a lot better than the 15th playing in a day of the Little Drummer Boy.
Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2015 18:57:39
TriSec on 12/02/2015 18:57:39
Radio and retail tend to play the lowest common denominator. There's so much good music out there, and we get stuck with friggin' Paul McCartney.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 19:35:26
Then I got nuttin.
Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 19:35:26
Quote by Raine:I just tried it and got nothing. I am perplexed.Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, do you use a Google account on both your computer, tablet or phone? if you do that is why you are seeing the mobile Twitter on the computer. Since when you sign into your Google account your browsing history gets uploaded into the cloud so it can be accessed on any device. Say you weren't using the Twitter app on the mobile devices, but just going to Twitter.com that is going to be saved into your browsing history. So, yeah my prior comment about deleting the browser history will help.
Then I got nuttin.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 19:52:18
Now I know it's the Holiday season…
Raine on 12/02/2015 19:52:18
Quote by TriSec:
Radio and retail tend to play the lowest common denominator. There's so much good music out there, and we get stuck with friggin' Paul McCartney.
Now I know it's the Holiday season…
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 20:06:55
Mondobubba on 12/02/2015 20:06:55
And now something to lighten the mood:
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 20:07:36
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 20:07:36
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 20:11:02
BobR on 12/02/2015 20:11:02
Quote by Raine:Quote by TriSec:
Radio and retail tend to play the lowest common denominator. There's so much good music out there, and we get stuck with friggin' Paul McCartney.
Now I know it's the Holiday season…
Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/02/2015 20:14:17
Interesting, I saw on TV this morning that the biggest "winners" on Black Friday was gun sales, up by at least 5% over last year.
trojanrabbit on 12/02/2015 20:14:17
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Fuck — again, another mass shooting.
the new normal - its horrific.
Interesting, I saw on TV this morning that the biggest "winners" on Black Friday was gun sales, up by at least 5% over last year.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 20:21:35
This did bring me a smile.
Raine on 12/02/2015 20:21:35
Quote by Mondobubba:
And now something to lighten the mood:
This did bring me a smile.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/02/2015 20:29:41
Scoopster on 12/02/2015 20:29:41
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Fuck — again, another mass shooting.
the new normal - its horrific.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/02/2015 20:43:17
Scoopster on 12/02/2015 20:43:17
BBC News (on NPR) just mentioned something about an IED being found near the shooting location.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 20:46:59
The reports I read previously said a "suspicious package" that they detonated
BobR on 12/02/2015 20:46:59
Quote by Scoopster:
BBC News (on NPR) just mentioned something about an IED being found near the shooting location.
The reports I read previously said a "suspicious package" that they detonated
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 20:51:53
Live Scanner from San Bernadino
Raine on 12/02/2015 20:51:53
Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
BBC News (on NPR) just mentioned something about an IED being found near the shooting location.
The reports I read previously said a "suspicious package" that they detonated
Live Scanner from San Bernadino
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 20:56:16
Raine on 12/02/2015 20:56:16
IF reports are correct and this is actually more than one shooter — fuck everyone and their mental illness gum humping defense.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 20:57:38
BobR on 12/02/2015 20:57:38
Comment by TriSec on 12/02/2015 20:59:29
TriSec on 12/02/2015 20:59:29
Thank God the NRA defends the rights of lunatics to own guns!
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 21:09:51
Raine on 12/02/2015 21:09:51
CBS is saying that the conference center was rented out for a meeting and that is where the shooting occurred.
Comment by BobR on 12/02/2015 21:11:16
What kind of meeting? That will speak volumes
BobR on 12/02/2015 21:11:16
Quote by Raine:
CBS is saying that the conference center was rented out for a meeting and that is where the shooting occurred.
What kind of meeting? That will speak volumes
Comment by wickedpam on 12/02/2015 21:16:44
they aren't saying
wickedpam on 12/02/2015 21:16:44
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
CBS is saying that the conference center was rented out for a meeting and that is where the shooting occurred.
What kind of meeting? That will speak volumes
they aren't saying
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 21:19:33
yeah, no word on who was there.
I think that will explain a little bit more.
Raine on 12/02/2015 21:19:33
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
CBS is saying that the conference center was rented out for a meeting and that is where the shooting occurred.
What kind of meeting? That will speak volumes
they aren't saying
I think that will explain a little bit more.
Comment by Raine on 12/02/2015 21:27:02
Raine on 12/02/2015 21:27:02
it is looking like the Conference room was rented out for banquet for county workers
Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 21:44:58
Will in Chicago on 12/02/2015 21:44:58
I fear for this country.
I should have shared this earlier, but it is still appropriate. Markos Moulitsa: Fascist danger in the GOP.
I should have shared this earlier, but it is still appropriate. Markos Moulitsa: Fascist danger in the GOP.
And you don’t have to be a fascist to have an impact in the GOP race. The Republican field, and Carly Fiorina in particular, spent weeks churning up hate using a mocked-up work-of-fiction video supposedly showing Planned Parenthood selling the “body parts†of aborted fetuses. Is it any wonder those words would lead to a terrorist attack against a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic?
For all the hysteria of Islamic terrorism, the nation has suffered far worse attacks from white, Christian, conservative terrorists, and Colorado Springs was no different. Turning himself in after murdering a police officer, a mother of two, and a father of two and Iraq War veteran, Robert Lewis Dear Jr. ranted to police about “baby parts,†expressing anti-abortion and anti-government views. “Baby parts†were Fiorina’s words, verbatim.
Words matter, whether they encourage violence against political detractors, promote a fascist America, or paint lies about a supposed American dystopia. Unfortunately, those words — infused with violence and fascism — are also apparently the only way to win a modern Republican presidential primary.