Remember

It is has been 15 years since we suffered the most significant loss of life on our shores, in one military attack, since the Civil War. We have learned much of ourselves in recovering from this tragedy.

We learned that we could come together as a country and celebrate our diversity. While there have been scattered attacks against those of the Muslim faith since 9-11, we have refused to discriminate or denigrate followers of one of the world’s three great faiths finding inspiration from the children of Abraham.

We have also learned that the legal system works. Many families were left devastated by the loss of the World Trade Center Towers, the four (4) planes and the Pentagon. Lawsuits were filed, claims were settled, and families received some compensation for their losses. Granted, while there were no civil trials to expose the plethora of security and intelligence failures that contributed to this disastrous day, justice was still served.

We have also learned that the political system can still work.

Families of first responders were devastated by diseases (if not death) caused by heroic acts. The sausage making of passing bills to make sure they received some protection and compensation for this heroism was ugly, however, laws were passed and help was provided by the Federal Government. The same can be said for relief funds to help New York rebuild and our soft-target major cities create a terrorism shield still serving us well.

Yet, there is still work remaining.

We need to have a comprehensive national debate about privacy free of “flag-waving.” We have surrendered too much freedom, even while law enforcement is faced with new challenges in this new high technology age (such as having access to “locked” cell phones). We need to recover the same bi-partisan spirit breathed into the initial resolution to invade Afghanistan, the Iraq war resolution, and passing disaster and first responder relief bills. It is still a mystery why someone on a terrorist watch list can legally buy a firearm. There are discussions well worth having.

Finally, we need to remember what it means to be an American. We are, indeed, a “shining light on a hill,” an unparalleled example of people from different backgrounds, different countries, and from different faiths, can join hands to build something better ourselves. We are better than this filth we are seeing in our current Presidential campaign; we are one, we are a country of brothers and sisters, not strangers. We fought a civil war on the principle that a house divided cannot stand – we need to stop dividing our houses. America is not about “them,” it is about “us,” and we seem to have forgotten this.

All of this brings me to Colin Kapernick. You might wonder what an overpaid, fading National Football player, has to do with 9/11 and the glory that is America. Initially, he decided to sit during the pregame ceremony that is the playing of our National Anthem. He did so because of his perception that African-Americans and minorities are oppressed in this country. He felt that he could not salute our flag, knowing there were so many stories of the forgotten.

Outrage ensued. He has been vilified for defiling our flag, our veterans, and for being unpatriotic. After talking with some honoring our country with their military service, and wanting to make a point without offending, he modified his protest to kneeling instead of sitting.

A smattering of other players have followed his example.

Mr. Kapernick may be crazy, he may be narcissistic, he may even be stupid for what he is doing in a sport known for mindless adherence to play books, and his perspective may be flawed, but he is still trying to make a point bigger than himself and he is not harming anyone. In fact, to the extent that his protest is accepted by all of us as an exercise of his free speech right, this strengthens our bonds.

Today, we are still locked in mortal struggle with the progeny of the evil men who attacked us on 9/11. North Korea’s nuclear saber-rattling should terrify us. And, Russia spreads mischief throughout the world, ever-looking to stir up resentment against us. Yet, through all of this, we have learned we can find strength in our unity, accepting our rich difference, and in our willingness to tolerate peaceful protest. This is what makes us unique and why, 15 years later, we can find comfort in the inchoate knowledge that the attacks on 9/11 have only made us greater and stronger. God bless the United States of America!

Local attorney Jim Rockefeller owns the Rockefeller Law Center and is a former Houston Co. Chief Assistant District Attorney, and a former Miami Prosecutor. Visit www.rockefellerlawcenter.com to submit confidential legal questions, and to review former articles and Frequently Asked Questions.

A James Rockefeller 478-953-6955 ajr@rockefellerlawcenter.com

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