9/11.. Failing the American Public

Hey readers so for my last Blog post I went for the chapter on 9/11. Now it took alot to get me to do this one believe me. I was quite on the fence about doing this chapter, for reasons being I felt everyone would. Like its going to be a major thing, but whatever I know I can turn it out. I also choose the chapter because it gets down to the nitty gritty. I saw the smoke from my 7th grade history classroom, and heard it on the news, but what this chapter says happens is quite stunning. The chapter is a layout on how  in our society it is easier for us to listen to our president lie about the what really happened as appose to hearing the truth.

Picture of President making speech after 9/11 http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/05/01/the-most-unpopular-president-in-modern-history/

This Chapter also shines some light on our ante up mentality. The book says "The president had been set on attacking Iraq 8 months before 9/11" I mean wow. That's like the bully who hates you cause you smile funny and then the one day you spill a drink on him all hell breaks loose. It's American way to fight without cause most times a major issue. A major piece that stood out to me was how citizen journalism helped Frank Rich cite some of the issues with his book " The Greatest Story Ever Told:The Decline of the Truth". In which he says about said journalism " The explosion of new technology was the fastest hes seen white house fiction be exposed." Just wow.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/piety-and-politics-barry-w-lynn/1100994703  Picture of his book.

Today there is mounds of hurt around and yet we hear nothing about it. It takes websites like Democracy now to tell us what really is happening out there. The link I'm sharing is from Democracy Now and it's a timline of what happened on 9/11 up all the way to now. And you tell me can you see a difference? http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2011/9/9/the_9-11_decade_voices_of_dissent_on_democracy_now
With President Bush's rhetoric of "Terrorists are Bad America is good" we've seen a country of downright hooligans instead of the freedom fighters we need. And the aftermath of a useless war are still outstanding. Today is a day we should use more than a gun to get our points across like this Chapter we need blow away the smoke and mirrors and see and know the truth. IT'S TIME...

Chapter 7... Defying The Ku Klux Klan.

Defying the Ku Klux Klan is a chapter that shed light on a group that in some ways shaped America. May it be good or bad.                                                                           

Escapedtowisconsin Photo/Paul M. Walsh

Photo of The KKK preparing to burn a cross a common ritual for them.        

 

The chapter also speaks of Joesph Pulitzer the man behind the early years of the "New York World." This paper was his defense against the on slot of KKK taking over.

 

A photo of The "New World" newspaper'http://johnkemeny.com/blog/?p=331

  

The KKK started in 1915 in ATL by a man named Joesph Simmons. As he held his bible and led a troop of men up a stony trail, he set a pine cross a blaze. He told these men to vow an allegiance to the knights of The Ku Klux Klan.To them the KKK was a fraternity a brotherhood of some sorts. The Klan even recruited like a frat.

A real Frats recruitment.
http://www.kappasigma.org/merch/rushstore

Almost identical recruitment posters.http://www.brasilescola.com/historiag/ku-klux-klan.htm

The Klans men made a war on Jews, Blacks, immigrants, and Catholics. But The New World paper decided they were not gonna take this war sitting down. Joesph Pulitzer decided to write a posts in the paper with the headline "Ku Klux Klan Exposed!!" Where he wrote that the Klan was a big financial scam, and that they were a thriving business that made their sales in hatred and bigotry. When I read this I feel it's very reminiscent of the gossip rags of today, but just as effective as the NY Times. There were two other papers that helped in the aid of the tyrant Klan. They were Commercial Appeal and The Montgomery Advertiser. Even though the New York World set the stage these newspaper help get it a standing ovation. With their convictions being they were in heavy Klan oriented areas and still preserved what they wanted  is what kept the fight strong.

Even though the Klan is dwindling they still very much exist.They mainly stay in the Bible belt where it all started, and they try and recruit and make waves. Here's a video of a rally they had in 2010 in ATL exactly where they started take notice of how they are...

They are not the only one's still kicking. The New York World has gotten a reboot as well!! This past March Colombia University started the digital version of New York World. They're writing new posts with some of its old contents here's a link to the post.  http://shortformblog.tumblr.com/post/5544512994/new-york-world-columbia-university. This chapter leaves you with lots to think of. How does what we came from to where we are make you feel? Another question how does it feel to know that a battle that started in the early 1900s still hold a candle to some of the battles of today? We must do better...