911 .. America's Call To Excellence ("ten years after")
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9:35 am Tuesday September 11th 2001.
Three hijackers have stormed the cockpit of flight 93, and have cut the pilots’ throats. A fourth hijacker with a bomb strapped to his body has forced the passengers to remain seated. In the moments that followed, the terrified passengers spoke via cell phone to families and loved ones back home. By this time, it was all over the news that several other planes had been hijacked besides theirs, and had already been crashed into buildings. It didn't take long for everyone to put the pieces together. Can you imagine what went through their minds as they began to contemplate their fate? The thoughts of family and loved ones that they may never see again must have been racing through their mind faster than they could process as they sat there quietly.
Not all of the passengers were sitting quietly though. Reports are a little sketchy, but this we do know. Six men were making a plan. It’s not clear who came up with the idea, but six gentlemen by the names of Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Jeremy Click, Tom Burnett, Lou Nacke, and Donald Green, decided to take action and be a factor in what was to be the fate of flight 93. They decided to take a hand in the out come of what had been forged against them and the other passengers on that airplane. They knew well that America was under attack, and they were determined to foil this part of that attack with what ever moments they had left to live. Together these brave men stormed the cockpit using a beverage cart as a ramming device. They made the decision to not just sit there and accept the set the circumstances dealt them. They used what they had and were able to thwart the enemy’s plan of crashing a fully fueled passenger plane into the United States Capitol. Instead, the plane hit the ground in an open Pennsylvania field at over 500 miles per hour. As horrible as this was, six brave men took the responsibility of changing, maybe not their destiny, but the circumstances of their destiny. Who knows how many innocent lives they saved? Because of them, the lives of the Americans lost on Flight 93 had meaning. These six men would be the ones to give Osama Bin Laden his first defeat. What does this story have do with anything today?
It’s a beautiful thing when average people do outstanding things together. Unfortunately, most people aren't mentally designed to be proactive. Without someone to lead, the majority of people freeze and wait for someone else to make the first move. It is the responsibility of those who can lead to do so. I believe this. I pose a question to you who are reading these words. Who are you? You probably have a pretty clear idea who you are as a person, but who are you as an American? Is your allegiance to a party first and country second? Or are you a person who independently uses common sense to determine right from wrong? Let me be clearer. Do you have the courage to stand up and admit that whether you are a conservative or a liberal, the powers to be do not have this countrie's best interest in mind? Do you see our Constitution being raped by power hungry, greed infested crooks from both sides of the isle?
You and I are passengers on a great airliner with over three hundred million passengers. Our pilot is on a deadly course, and our survival depends how we react. Bear in mind, the pilot is only a product of a larger support system. His support system is made up of liberal and conservative string pullers in the House and Senate. While there are some good Americans in position there, the game is fixed rendering them sterile. Which passenger are you? Are you one of the passengers who will remain frozen in their seat, or will you join us in charging the cock pit? In truth, most people are sheep, waiting to be led. We have reached a time which seems Biblical. It is a time when the lion amongst us must emerge to protect the sheep. This is the hour of the lion, and I call upon all those who feel a sense of duty, a sense of responsibility, to come forward. If you hear that voice inside you calling, it's not your imagination. It's real and it's an honor. You are being called to charge the cabin. Of course I urge you to join us at the Housefire Project, but that's not the only way to "charge the cabin." Think outside the box. Be bold. Let the memories of 911 be our wake up call to excellence. Let's roll! http://housefireproject.com/
Yes, I cracked on our president. It has nothing to do with him being a democrat. He has made some bad business decisions, and demonstrated an attitude towards my state of Arizona and our crisis on the border which does make my case a little personal. All that is wrong isn't his fault, and smart conservatives must realize this if we are to improve. This is a soft version of the Iowa message, and I thought it would be appropriate here on the 10th anniversary of the disaster in New York City which changed this nation forever. This piece isn't about a president, it's about America. It's about standing together against anything that attempts to rape us through the beauty of our own Constitution. It's about using a disaster to help us grow instead of burying it without meaning.
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You go Jim, I got your back,
Peter
Unfortunately everything you've heard about flight 93 is a fairytale. Most likely that plane was shot down over Shanksville.
Beautiful Jim.
Very timely presentation. You say this with a conviction that should entice at least a few to follow, and do something about this hijacking of America. Yes, our country is being hijacked by greed and corruption from the top, and only we can stop it.
The guy that wrote this hub just happens to be my best friend and neighbor. He has a dream called the Housefire Project, and he is 100% committed to giving America back to us, the citizens of this great nation. If you are perfectly happy and satisfied with the way our country is being run, than there is nothing in the Housefire Project you would find interesting. If you are fed up with the greed, graft, corruption, sweetheart deals, and waste and theft of our hard earned tax dollars, then this is the place for you.
There is nothing in the Housefire Project about Democrats, Republicans, or the Tea Party. There are no favorite candidates to support or raise money for their campaigns. No the Housefire Project is about getting back to the Constitution our founding fathers wrote and believed in. This country belongs to us, not a bunch of greedy and corrupt politicians who sold us out a long time ago.
Do yourself and the rest of America a big favor. Get acquainted with the Housefire Project because you will be seeing and hearing more about it in the near future. Jim is putting his heart and soul into this, not to mention his own money to get it rolling. With his help we can get our country back to what it was meant to be.
Thanks BG. I think you'd surprise yourself if you were in a situation like this. Hard to know until you're there.
jim
Peter,
Thank you for the support my man!
jim
Brie.
Talk about a turd in the punch bowl. (laughing) No, I didn't like fairt tales as a kid and I don't subcribe to them now, but thanks for coming by kiddo!
jim
Thanks Rachell!
jim
Mike,
Thank you my brother. I could not ask for a better friend. What I see many others can't Mike. I learned something in Iowa and that is that many people actually like the ear candy handed out by our politicians. You've got the vision and the courage to appreciate the truth.
jim
Great (and very relevant) pics to go along with a great message!
Laura,
Thanks. Got lucky on the pics!
jim
Jim, a gifted and polished speaker can convince us that rattlesnakes don't bite, and farts don't stink, but they are lying. They pay huge bucks to professionals to learn what we want to hear, and then they deliver us these words. What they say in these polished speeches in not what is in their heart and mind, it is pure BS to gain our trust, and of course our votes. Rarely does a politician tell it like it is, they are on the campaign trail their entire time in office.
How different it would be if just one of these highly paid professional politicians would tell us the truth. Good news or bad news would always be welcome as long as it was true. Their constant lies, or at least half-truths and distortions of the facts have the citizens of this country at each others throats worse than I have ever seen. The extremists on both sides have based opinions on less than factual information, and the hate level just keeps increasing. It would be so refreshing to just hear the truth for a change.
Mike,
It's amazing. There ARE people who prefer the ear candy because they are scared of the truth. They just humm softly and adjust their blinders, making themselves a soft mark for the sweet talking politician. Change doesn't come from a promise. It comes from a well executed plan aimed at the heart of a problem. No more pep rallies for me bro.
jim
Very interesting article! I think it should hit right at home for everybody if they can think. No matter what your political views are like one thing is clear and that in the last 10 years the United States and the world has changed drastically. Most would agree that it has not been for the better. Look at our economy and the morals and values people have today... it is sad. I like the fact that you are trying to change things for the better!! We need to go back to basics (as much as we can while still using what we have learned in the last 400 years)!! More people need to think like you!
myth,
Thank you for your support and your thoughts. I agree with everything you said. We learn everything the hard way, but we DO learn. You're cool my friend.
jim
Well done, Jim.
I clearly recall the early news coverage on Flight 93, including the cell calls some of those men made to their loved ones at the last second, just before "Let's roll!" time.
Glenn Beck had a really sharp caller on his radio show yesterday. Just happened to catch that one.
The caller pointed out that "the center" (politically) is not anywhere near the location claimed by either Democrats or Republicans. The center, he believes, has to be the U.S. Constitution itself--and the farther anyone gets to EITHER side of those bedrock principles, the more extreme that person has become.
Which makes sense despite those who would attempt to convince Americans that the Constitution is really wa-ay over there on the extreme fringe.
Voted up and everything but funny.
Thanks Fred. I used to wonder why anyone would even want to mess with a blue print for success. Sadly there are some who don't recognize our success. You can't change that, you just have to out vote em.
jim
Jim...based on this piece...I don't hold a candle to you. I'm trying to ignore the goose-bumps raised by your opening passages about the passengers on Flight 93. They were truly a brave group of individuals.
You are correct, our problems are systemic and not the fault of a single individual. Those sinister forces you allude to would have us believe that a single change of the seats will make everything better...that's not true. Thank you for your thoughts my friend.
Thought,
Hey Dude! Thanks, but you're oratorical whizz, bro. Is that the word I'm looking for? See? I'm asking you! Seriously, thanks for the read and the warm support. You're the man! Hummer call?
jim
Beautiful message! Anyone can make a difference, and more efficiently if they join hands. Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight. A vote up!
seriousnuts,
What a beautiful response. I appreciate the read AND the kind words.
jim
Jim,
Great hub for your return. Up and Awesome
NoPants, many have completely lost site of Flight 93. This weekend, as I searched for information and relevant back stories on the tragedies of 9/11, I found very few things pertaining to Flight 93; it seems everyone wants to focus on the Twin Towers and even a little on the Pentagon. Your use of this tragedy to point out how we must take the same control is profound and fabulous. A great read and a great inspiration. Thank you.
American View,
Thanks for coming by my man, and thanks for the vote!
jim
Jaymye,
Makes a guy feel good when someone writes such a thoughtful comment as this. If this had been the only comment I got, it would have made the writting worth while. You're cool!
jim
Jim-You have given my goosebumps with this Very Important message about our country. Let's roll says it all Jim. Let's push that beverage cart for our country. God Bless you and God Bless America my friend :-)
Jim,
Thanks. Your passion is making a difference! This is a microcosm of your potential. Go for it! Create, duplicate and delegate... Awesome and flag up!
Minnetonka,
Thank you so much. some people get it, and some don't. You get it my friend.
jim
dallas,
You have a committment to excellence my friend. I love it when you give me a nudge mixed with blessings and support. We can do this.
jim
Pants, If anyone can't understand this, kick them out of our country.
How did your speach go, you never told me. H
Thanks Harvey. I'll tell you about the Iowa trip in a private e-mail my friend.
jim
We all want to know about the Iowa trip and the speech
9/11 is truly one of the saddest days in the history of mankind. Even we who are not Americans feel like Americans when we think of that horrible day.
To equate the aircraft with America and those six brave men gives one a vivid idea of the real gist of the matter;. We all have the same wish, the same longing to live in absolute peace and prosperity, but our ideas of how to get there, what to build and what to destroy in our efforts to get there, differs.
You see many passengers doing nothing and only a few are killing the evil pirates. I also see more than half of the passengers acting unwisely because they are in a state of panic.
Perhaps, maybe, we should not see America as flight 93, but rather as another flight that will reach its destiny safely in spite of a terrible storm and inadequate pilots?
But this idea only came to mind, Jim. This is a brilliant hub with an important message. Voted UP and upper.
Martie,
I always look forward to your input, as you are able to be objective from where you sit. Thank you very much for the warm support my friend.
jim
I will not sit back and watch our country be destroyed. I love your passion, I really do. Up and awesome.
Little Sister With Giant Brain,
Stay close my friend. Exciting times a comming!
jim
The story of Flight 93 is certainly a great American story, which emphasizes the fact that America's most valuable assets are its people, politicians included. Later!
Kosmo,
Agreed my friend. Thanks for for the read and your thoughts on this! jim
barbergirl28 Level 8 Commenter 8 months ago
Wow - I ain't gonna lie - reading the first part and making me think about the passengers on the plane put knots in my stomach, made me feel a little sick. I would hope that I would be the one to take action in that circumstance, but I will admit that I am easily paralyzed by fear! You drive a good point across.