My Final Response
Let me preface this most recent article with the following statements: This is my last article/response on this issue. It’s taken me a while to decide whether or not I should post the following article, and I will tell you why. This country becomes more divided every day. Divided on issues simply because the other side thinks it is a good idea. The kind of bickering that has persisted thus far becomes only a portent to the future of this country. I have spoken with several close relatives and friends about this issue, and have reflected over the best way to handle it. Though I wrote an article filled with passion, I understand that we cannot agree on everything. However, when it comes to the point when we get to arguing on things we actually agree on, I get very frustrated with the situation. Therefore, our invitation to the Drexel College Democrats is still open, and will be until the Drexel College Republicans hopefully host the event. It wasn’t hard for us to honor those killed in other circumstances, I don’t understand why this is any different. Maybe you believe this is not the right time nor place, but please remember this invitation in the future.
My Response:
Rhetoric is the only thing the Democrats have to argue anymore. This early into the Presidential year, and we have not only the Democratic Presidential nominee drinking the Liberal koolaid, but the College Dems are too. The Drexel College Democrats have sought out any and every way to denounce our promotion of 9-11 Remembrance day. Not surprisingly, there is little substance to their argument, as is the same to any Democrat’s policy. They just throw in some buzz words here and there, and the job is done.
The argument on the Drexel College Dems website against our promotion of this event is that it is ‘too political’. This is what the criticism has come down to. They know, as I’ve said earlier, that 9/11 is a day of which the majority of Americans remember exactly where they were when it happened, and how they heard about it. Often, the next thought that crosses their mind is one of anxiety. It is a reminder of the ways of which freedom can be taken away in seconds. If they disagreed, surely, they would have wrote about that in their blog. But instead, they disagreed with us “putting our names on it”. Even though no sign will say “sponsored by the PA College Republicans”. We are encouraging our chapters to take part in this event.
The articles that the Drexel College Democrats have written truly exemplifies the state of the Democratic party and the ways they try to hide behind their rhetoric. The group would not sponsor or support this event if it were hosted by the College Republicans, but if the SGA sponsored it, they would support it. Obviously, they understand the reasoning behind this kind of tribute (and agree with it), and they also understand what this day means to Americans. If they disagreed, they would not have offered to support the SGA’s ‘potential’ endeavor - it all simply depends on the organization sponsoring it. Instead, they want to claim that we ‘exploit 9/11′. Again - even though they would support this event if we were not promoting this.
Perhaps the Drexel College Democrats know exactly what is at stake during this election - our freedom and security. They know that if the American people realize this, their vote will go towards the GOP. Sure, this event would most certainly remind people of what is at stake each and every day of our lives. They are turning this into a political event, arguing that 9-11 is not worth remembering only if you are a college republican.
It truly disturbs me that this is what this dialogue has come to. It began with a way to remember those who died on this day, and to reflect on what happened. Instead, it has become a way of the Drexel College Democrats to minimize the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Tags: 9/11 Remembrance Day, Mike Ubbens, PACR
July 15th, 2008 at 11:34 am
After reading closely the information I frankly think his main point does not make sense.
If this event has, or if the organizers of the event want, the sponsorship of both of the Drexel organizations then how can you come to the conclusion that this is about a political agenda.
Please if you read this John take the time to respond how having bi-partisan sponsorship and organization on this 9/11 commemoration would count as furthering a political agenda? If both names are stamped onto the event nobody how can anyone even think that this is about partisan politics?
July 15th, 2008 at 11:50 am
This is ridiculous for us to even argue about. Therefore, like Mike had said this will be our last response on the issue. While the Drexel Democrats and other liberal blogs will do everything they can to divide Americans, The College Republicans are and will continue to support and promote activities like the 9/11 remembrance ceremony which are aimed to unite and bring Americans together on common issues, concerns, fears, and a tragedies like 9/11 that have truly affected us ALL.
I think it is a shame, but not surprising, the way the College Dems and liberal blogs alike feel the need to act in this manner. However, again we the PA College Republicans will continue to do what we believe is RIGHT and will leave the politics out of an even like this, where we agree politics should not be present. This may be a fundamental difference between our two groups. While college dems only focus on political correctness and politics, we the College Republicans try to not only stay involved in politics, but also stay involved and help our overall community. It is our belief that the victims of 9/11 should not be forgotten, they should be honored, and that the least we can do is help provide for the families, those affected by, or for those who were indirectly affected by 9/11 a venue to commemorate one of the greatest tragedies in our countries history.
Anthony Pugliese
PA College Republicans
State Chairman
July 15th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Its ok if the Dems sponsor a Never Forget event, but not the CRs? Aren’t they “politicizing” the event as well if they sponsored it?
The only reason the CRs are organizing this activity is because the universities and other groups on college campuses across the country have failed to do so. Why are the dems so eager to celebrate murderers like Che Guevara, but not innocent civilians murdered by radical Islamists?
If the dems are so upset, they are free to organize their own programs.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I think that this deserves a brief response. My point was so simple that your attacks on straw men really make me question whether you are arguing in good faith.
Mike writes: “But instead, they disagreed with us “putting our names on it”. Even though no sign will say “sponsored by the PA College Republicans”. We are encouraging our chapters to take part in this event.”
Attaching the name of a political organization to an event brings with it political connotations, and Americans have become particularly wary, and justifiably so, of Republicans invoking 9/11. Just today comes this example of more billboards in Florida.
Mike, you also say: “The group would not sponsor or support this event if it were hosted by the College Republicans, but if the SGA sponsored it, they would support it. Obviously, they understand the reasoning behind this kind of tribute (and agree with it), and they also understand what this day means to Americans. If they disagreed, they would not have offered to support the SGA’s ‘potential’ endeavor - it all simply depends on the organization sponsoring it.”
You’re misreading what I wrote. I didn’t say that if our USGA sponsored a memorial that we would support it, I said that I wouldn’t have the reservations about it that I do when the College Republicans and YAF sponsor it. The Drexel Dems still would not sponsor or co-sponsor that event, or otherwise inject our political organization into the event. However, surely many of our members would participate; not as College Democrats, but as Americans.
Furthermore, even if such a memorial were con-sponsored by both the College Dems and the College Republicans, it wouldn’t really assuage my concerns. My contention is that such a memorial shouldn’t be sponsored or orchestrated by political organizations at all. It is important to remember that many Americans (and college students) do not identify as Democrats or Republicans. 9/11 does not belong to either of our groups, and I maintain that even were such a memorial to have bi-partisan sponsors, it would be an unnecessary and unfortunate political association for what should be an apolitical event.
SU Republican, you wrote: “Its ok if the Dems sponsor a Never Forget event, but not the CRs? Aren’t they “politicizing” the event as well if they sponsored it?”
I suspect you haven’t been following the entire conversation. I’m not sure who you think alleged that it’s “ok for the College Dems to sponsor a Never Forget event but not the CRs.” It certainly wasn’t me.
Finally, to all of you who don’t understand why people are wary of Republican invocations of 9/11, I ask you in all sincerity whether you’re unaware of, or just ambivalent towards, the examples I’ve cited. I don’t think it’s even controversial to assert that Republicans have long used the tragedy of 9/11 as a tool to advance a political agenda. Don’t you remember the 2002 midterms, when Democrats ran ads touting their support of the president, and Republicans ran ads with Democrats juxtaposed with Bin Laden? Don’t you agree that conflating 9/11 with Republican politics cheapens the memory of the tragedy?
July 15th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
http://itssweeney.blogspot.com/2008/07/relying-on-911.html
July 15th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
John,
Here is the point that I believe you don’t understand. You talk a great deal about how no party should sponsor an event to remember the victims of 9-11, but I must ask you…. if we don’t who will? You say that many Americans do not identify with either party, and you are very correct in that assumption, but no matter what party you identify as or don’t identify as you still are an American. Whether you are a democrat, a republican, green party, or hell a communist, we are still all Americans. That means that each and every College Republican is an American, and if they want to organize an event to remember that horrific day, its events, and their fallen countrymen … it is there freedom to do so! It is also the freedom of others that do not wish to partake in the event to not come, however, bashing the other side for trying to do something worthwhile is not the answer.
Next, what I desperately hate is how politically correct you are trying to be about this whole thing. The political connotations line is just well ridiculous. What do you think we are going to hand out twin tower stickers in the shape of President Bush’s head or something? Seriously! You having reservations about such silliness is honestly wasting your own energy. If the CR’s were planning those types of things, do you think they would have invited the College Democrats to partake in the day’s remembrance side by side with them? Oooh wow that would be thinking it through, huh? New concept.
I was sitting in an 8th grade english classroom when a teacher came running into my class screaming the news about what had just occurred. I wasn’t a republican then…. I didn’t know what was happening, barely knew where Afghanistan or Iraq was let alone who lived there. I didn’t know who Osama Bin Laden was! I was not even in high school yet! But you know what I did understand…. I knew from that moment on that nothing would ever be the same, and I was afraid. The world as we had previously known it was no longer in existence. Watching friends whose parents worked in those towers deal with the pain of knowing they would never see their mother or father again still haunts me to this day. So if you want to know the reason the CR’s want to host events like this one…. well you just read it. TO REMEMBER!!!
See the difference between the Drexel College Republicans, Mike, and Anthony is that they don’t have a political agenda here. You on the other hand do. The last paragraph of your comment proves that. Republican invocations of 9/11….. you are assuming things about people that you have never had the pleasure of meeting. I must ask…. do you know many College Republicans? Do you know Anthony or Mike? My guess is that you do not, otherwise you would not have written that last statement. You must not always believe that every Republican you meet fits within your view of what they “should be.” Not every College Republican comes from a family that makes 500,000 a year… we don’t all sleep with our guns… not everyone is Pro-Life…. some Republicans do not support the war, and most of us would love to see the price of gas go down :-). In your last paragraph, however, you try very hard to play politics yourself. You talk about Republican political agenda, and ad campaigns, and presidential races of the past. Yet none of the other people who posted on this blog talk anything about that stuff. ; - )
Hint…. Hint…. if you want to make a case against the other side, you must not put in your statement exactly what you are telling them not to put in theirs!
July 15th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
As a student living in Washington, DC last semester I was able to take advantage of several opportunities as a result of my internship. Although you may think these opportunities are irrelevant, I assure you they are relevant to the issues being discussed.
One of these opportunities was a private tour of the Pentagon, which included a moment of silence in the memorial room dedicated to those working in the DoD, and those in the plane who lost their lives on September 11th. There was a book in the room, where family members had placed memoirs of those who died. As I turned the pages of this book, I stopped immediately when I saw two colorful drawings and the picture of a family. As I began to read this page I realized that this whole family, mother, father, and two children under the age of 6, lost their lives on 9/11. As we exited the room, we looked out the window to see the new Air Force memorial, which was built after 9/11. One of the branches of this memorial is directly facing this room in the Pentagon where so many lost their lives.
I was also able to enter the Newseum before it opened to the public. A section of this museum holds part of one of the twin towers, in addition to several movies and photos on every newspaper around the world. After sitting through several movies, watching men cry about losing their wives and children, or watching children talk about losing their parents…there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
September 11th happened. It was a very tragic moment for all of America, but especially for those who lost family and friends close to them. I’m appalled at people accusing others of using 9/11 to advance a political agenda. It is respectful to remember those who lost their lives. Period. This is not about politics. This is about a nation that suffered a great loss.
As an American you should be proud to display your country’s flag in memory of those who unexpectedly lost their lives. We are one nation under God and displaying flags in memory of 9/11 is showing support of those who were directly involved and support of your country.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
This is silly. The PA CRs had a stupid idea and got called on it. Their attempts to save face are lame.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I’m not surprised that the Democrats are nit-picking silly things like signs, and memorial events. It’s not like they have any real policy to speak of.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Whatmeworry?
I’d say its more likely that the Democrats need to attack the republicans regarding 9/11 because it highlights the anti-war, isolationist ideals perpetuated by the far-left.
I don’t think anything about it was a poor idea. And I reiterate what was said above about how the Democrats lack of policy gives them little to do other than attack unfairly the efforts of the other-side to contribute to the community.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Of course you guys were being political! Why else would the CRs gave a 9/11 day? Use your heads.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Gee maybe because CRs are respectful to those who lost their lives. Is that political?
Last time I checked on Memorial Day everyone puts flags on the graves of loved ones who died fighting for our country - is that political?
Is remembering innocent people and soldiers different? Is one political and the other not? I’m confused…is Memorial Day a republican political conspiracy as well?
Maybe we should back track - Are you familiar Memorial Day? Are you familiar with 9/11?
Have you ever been to DC to visit the countless memorials?
My understanding of 9/11 day and display of flags is showing the same respect the memorials in DC show to our soldiers and other innocent lives lost in war - Are the memorials in DC all to serve political agendas as well?
July 15th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Your accusing their involvement as a group in this memorial as having political overtones. Yet your attack is just a thinly veiled political statement as well.
Your Drexel Dems blog also demonstrates that your only basis for argument is that other unrelated groups in the past have taken advantage of such events. So, without any knowledge for how the PA CR’s conduct themselves in the community you’ve taken it on yourself to “call them out” on this and protect people from this organization. I am not a member but I have to say that in my limited interactions with the PACR board and knowing Mike personally, I’ve found the PACR’s to handle themselves with class, dignity and a genuine concern for the community. Why you’d want to discourage a group of people with positive motivation who want to contribute back to the community is beyond me.
And as others have said above, It appears that the Democratic party and your posts in particular have reduced themselves to small baseless attacks since the policy stances of your party are poorly thought out or non-existent.
July 15th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
It is clear that the 9/11 tribute was never in any way a political statement by the PACR’s. Even before the backlash from the Drexel college democrats, it was posted that the event is in no way political and no PACR signs will be present. The PACR website is for a network of people who support their country. It only makes sense that this sort of event would be passed on to these people. It is quite interesting that the college democrats are so against a 9/11 tribute. I always liked to think that both democrats and republicans shared the same honor and respect towards their country, but differed in their opinions of HOW to make our country a better place. If anything, honoring those who died in the September 11th attacks should be something shared between both the democrats and republicans. I find the decision by the Drexel democrats to oppose this event to be in bad taste. What kind of values do the Drexel democrats have if supporting a 9/11 tribute is not one of them? It has seemed that the democrats lately have been opposed to honoring, or in this case remembering those who have served or made a sacrifice for our country. What are the democrats trying to accomplish? Why has this phenomena been occurring? I am unsure. I quote Howard Dean after some discussion about why Barrack Obama did not wear a flag pin, “I will tell you why I wear a flag pin and why I have since I took this job. I want to remind the Republican Party that they do not own the flag. We all own this flag.”- Howard Dean. A classic example of a liberal who can’t show support for his country without having his own political agenda underneath. I guess in a way, it is not all surprising that the Drexel college democrats would refuse to join an event to remember those who were affected by the 911 attacks because the liberals have decided that showing support for your country is strictly a “republican thing”.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Very Very much agreed bbsp62!
July 16th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Ooh and I just wanted to point something else out! On the PACR’s calendar of events, on December 7th, we have a Pearl Harbor Remembrance day too…. do all you Democrats have an objection to that one? Are we trying to make some kind of political statement with that day too, or is that one fine to go on with? Lots of people killed there, right? I mean and it was on American soil. So I guess we are using a day like that for our own purposes too. Seriously, I love how tragically silly you all are making stuff like this. Laughing only begins to scratch the surface of it.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:34 am
You CR are hilarious! If I were an anthropologist I would live amongst you and study why you are all so crazy!
July 16th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
BroadStreetBully,
That’ll show us! If you can’t win on the facts, just resort to calling your opponent crazy. I suppose if conservatives were in control of every major national institution and means of news dissemination, we’d have forgotten how to argue too.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I agree the CR are just mad cause they had a stupid idea and got caught. No matter what there is no chance the Drexel College Republicans are going to organize an event like this, they can barely hold meetings.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
LLoyd,
CR’s are just mad cause they had a stupid idea……. and got caught! I don’t think trying to remember our nation’s dead is such a revolutionary idea but maybe I’m wrong!
Next, if you honestly think remembering 9/11 is stupid then wow, I don’t know who can help you. Show some respect. honestly. If not to the CR’s at least to the families of those who died on that day. It makes me sick to think anyone would even post something like that.
And honestly again unless you are about 199.9% sure that the Drexel College Republicans won’t be able to organize the event I would suggest letting that go. The College Democrats are often times much less organized than the CR’s so….. and I can pretty much assure you that they will be helped by others if not the Drexel College Democrats. Others who think that a day such as 9/11 should be remembered…… not just other College Republicans.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Aahhhh……Hhmmmm…… Bottom line here I think : If you (Republican, Democrat or Independent-whatever) feel this tribute is important then support it no matter who tries to take away from your honest, heartfelt tribute to our lost citizens. Their lives were stolen away by madmen, monsters who care not a whit about life, freedom, democracy. Honor the fallen any way you choose and critics be damned !! To paraphrase Winston Churchill’s admonition to the British public during the war against Germany : Never forget, never forget. Never, never, NEVER!!!