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Gifts for all occasions in the Galleria! Subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list. March 7, 2004 What is the Deal with the 9-11 Families? By Jan A. Larson Predictably, a number of politicians (most, if not all, Democrats) decried the use of images from the attacks on the World Trade Center in several recent political advertisements for President Bush. These complaints may easily be dismissed as political demagoguery in an election year. More troubling are the expressions of shock and outrage by family members of some of those lost in the attacks. One woman that lost a daughter on September 11 said, "It's outrageous for him to use 9/11 this way." Another woman, whose husband died in the Trade Center, insisted, "It is unconscionable." Not everyone that was personally affected agreed. A woman that lost her sister commented, "To me it was a tasteful ad." Before I continue, I must say that I have the deepest sympathy for those who lost family members on that horrendous day. I believe most Americans can understand and appreciate the loss that many families suffered. Could it be that those complaining the loudest might be Democrats? For the purposes of this discussion, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Obviously I cannot view the events of that day in the same way as those that were personally touched by the tragedy, but many people have suffered the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. Over 500 families have lost a young person in Iraq. Over 60,000 families have lost someone on America's highways since September 2001. Others have lost relatives to gunfire on the streets of American cities. The difference is that while maybe one or two families may grieve and feel the pain of loss when someone dies in an automobile accident, the entire nation felt the pain of September 11, not just those who knew or loved someone whose life was lost. September 11 is going to be with us for the rest of our lives, just as the attack on Pearl Harbor was part of the lives of those that experienced the horror of December 7, 1941. Images of September 11 have profound meaning for many Americans, not just those that experienced a personal loss. We all felt loss that day and while that day was tragic, it also brought Americans together in a way that has rarely been experienced. Everyone that has felt the pain of losing a loved one is reminded of that fact from time to time. My reminder comes every year when the calendar turns to December 12, the day my father suddenly left my family forever. I don't remove December 12 from my calendar. I can't. It will always be there to remind me. The images of September 11, 2001 belong to all Americans. We must not forget what happened that day and while those images may bring back painful memories for some, they also bring back images of heroism and, for many Americans, feelings of unity that have apparently faded in the past two and a half years. The families of those lost that day must accept the fact that the painful memories will be rekindled periodically. President Bush exhibited great leadership in the weeks and months following September 11 and now he is seeking another term as President. In the face of an unrelenting onslaught by opponents, it is important that voters be reminded of the type of leader he is. Images of September 11 comprise some of those reminders. -- Send feedback to the author. The "What is the Deal?" column will appears weekly on the Pie of Knowledge website. Guest submissions are welcome and encouraged. To submit an article to "What is the Deal?" click here. To subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list and receive early notification when a new column is available, click here. The Pie of Knowledge will never, ever divulge email addresses to any third party for any reason unless so ordered by a court of law. Contributions to the Pie of Knowledge are greatly appreciated. 
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