"What if I don't pray and don't wanna shop? Then what the fuck do I do?"

[phantom power]

Remarkably, we are still left asking the same question, 10 years later.

(After 9/11/2001) As a country, like the nation after Pearl Harbor, we were awaiting our marching orders. What could we do as an enraged citizenry with all the energy we had? Christ, it's America - what couldn't we do, if we had wanted? We were ready to work, to sacrifice, to fight, something. Instead, we got this (and bear with the long quote, but read now, after all this time, it's kind of stunning):

"Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat. I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith. I ask you to continue to support the victims of this tragedy with your contributions...

"The thousands of FBI agents who are now at work in this investigation may need your cooperation, and I ask you to give it. I ask for your patience, with the delays and inconveniences that may accompany tighter security; and for your patience in what will be a long struggle. I ask your continued participation and confidence in the American economy. Terrorists attacked a symbol of American prosperity. They did not touch its source. America is successful because of the hard work, and creativity, and enterprise of our people. These were the true strengths of our economy before September 11th, and they are our strengths today. And, finally, please continue praying for the victims of terror and their families, for those in uniform, and for our great country. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead."

Amazing, isn't it? Hug, stay calm, listen to the authorities, shop, and pray. And the vague notion of "uphold the values" of the country. In other words, your participation is not needed, only your acquiescence. In otherer words, stay out of our way and you won't get hurt. "He didn't unify us," the Rude Pundit said. "What if I don't pray and don't wanna shop? Then what the fuck do I do?"

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2011/09/todays-republicans-vs_07.html

[ixion]

1. There was a commercial that ran after 911

with * telling everyone to go shopping and then head off to Disneyland.

It just been a steady slide downward ever since.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I am guilty of waiting for my marching orders too.

I keep wondering what it is that I can do. How do I make a difference? But I have come to realize that I should not wait for some other person to tell me what to do. I have to live my life the best way I can for me. I have to try to make the lives of other people around me better with something as simple as a smile, or anything more I can do.

Let's stop waiting for someone to tell us what to do next. If each of us do what we can, in our own little way, that will give us more self-fulfillment than shopping or praying.

[w0nderer]

3. what?

you don't want to pray?
and
you don't want to shop?

please report to re-education camp 1220 as prisoner 44242 on the charge of treason

:sarcasm:

want something to do?
'fight the right' :-)

edit:
this is written as a joke, i'm hoping the sarcasm tag shows that
but i'd rather not give insult without meaning it
so..:-)