Must not mention Muslims on 9/11 memorial
We read:
"Jamie Gadiel was 23 years old when he died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. The handsome young man with the brownish hair worked on the 23rd floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Jamie loved his job as an assistant trader for Cantor Fitzgerald as much as he loved the New York Mets. Every single day, Peter Gadiel misses his wonderful son, the boy who grew up in the Litchfield County enclave of Kent. Gadiel resents the lost holidays, the wedding that will never be, the grandchildren who will never run up and hug his leg.
This fall, Gadiel and the Kent Board of Selectmen have been at odds over the best way to pay tribute to Jamie, a true favorite son. Both sides believe a memorial at Town Hall is appropriate. It's the wording that is keeping this wound raw. Gadiel wants six lines inscribed on a plaque that will be set in a stone on the Town Hall's front lawn:
James Gadiel
Born February 3, 1978
A gentleman and a gentle man
A lifelong resident of Kent
Murdered by Muslim extremists
September 11, 2001
It is the fifth line -- "murdered by Muslim extremists" -- that has struck a nerve in this quaint New England town and all across America on network TV, national talk radio, blogs and other forums primed for debate. Kent First Selectman Ruth Epstein and the Board of Selectmen have asked Gadiel to strike the "murdered by Muslim extremists" line from his son's planned memorial.
Gadiel, a 30-year Kent resident, refuses to delete the "murdered by Muslim extremists" line....
"I was approached by Peter more than a year ago about this idea," Epstein said Friday. "Jamie grew up here. He was a lovely young man. When I first brought it up to the board, everyone agreed it was appropriate. "I think people are still in favor of some kind of tasteful memorial at Town Hall," Epstein said. "I'm still willing to do that, but absolutely not with those words (murdered by Muslim extremists)."
Gadiel does not mince his feelings for Epstein and her successor, Selectman Bruce Adams, who was elected first selectman Tuesday and will take office Dec. 1. "I have nothing but contempt for the two of them," Gadiel said Friday. "If this is their idea of remembering my son, I don't want his name even remotely associated with this town. "I can't tell you how many family members (of 9/11 victims) have called and supported me," Gadiel said. "People need to know the truth about the people who murdered my son and 3,000 other people."
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11 comments:
Why can't we tell the truth anymore? What happen to "the truth shall set you free"? How can this offend anyone its the truth.
The left does not want us to be free. The wants us all to be good little worker bees and not upset their apple cart with the truth.
Anon 2:20, It is the beginning of revisionist history. Minimize the mentioning of actual facts and eventually popular misconceptions can be substituted for the truth in a decade or so.
Anonymous said...
"Why can't we tell the truth anymore? What happen to "the truth shall set you free"? How can this offend anyone its the truth."
The truth (along with reality) has been replaced by political correctness. And it is the fault of a weak-minded, gullible people for it's spread. It will, in the end, do us far more harm than terrorism ever could.
In keeping with the current prosecution of the alleged murderer Major Hasan, perhaps it would be acceptable to revise the line to say:
Murdered by Alleged Muslim Extremists
The fact that they're still using the word "alleged" when describing this terrorist shows their weakness and continued addiction to PC. That he murdered 13 innocent people is not an allegation. It's a fact, established by numerous eye witnesses, including actual victims, and physical evidence. Our weakness and failure to deal with the reality of the situation will only invite more attacks.
Firstly, it seems this is a town tribute on town property - presumably paid for by the town. What they want to put on the plaque is up to the town. Now, whether the town wants to deal with the backlash for appropriating a 9/11 victim's name for something the family opposes - that's another question.
Secondly, the plaque doesn't condemn Muslims - it condemns Extremists. Can't we all live with that?
I agree. That wording is inappropriate. It should just read: Murdered by Muslims. Adding extremist is just redundant.
Westboro is an anomaly.
Islamic terrorism is not an anomaly.
Maybe he could have bought a small peice of land, erected his own monument. Then gifted it to the community under the condition that the monument not be altered? Conditional deed?
Why a town memorial in the first place? It's not like we're talking about a general or even a beloved town pediatrician. Are they going to erect memorials to every 23-year-old who dies in the big city or just the ones killed by Muslims?
Usually memorials aren't so detailed. "Gave his life for freedom" instead of "was burned alive by Vietnamese farmers" etc. Of course in this case the death was in vain so maybe the extra information has it's merits.
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