celebrating 911 with the bush administration

By Mark | September 10, 2005

Word on the street is that those individuals who show up to participate in tomorrow’s “America Supports You Freedom Walk,” the Department of Defense-sponsored celebration in DC intended to further link 9/11 and the war in Iraq in the minds of Americans, without having preregistered, will be arrested. (Link via Think Progress.)

Here’s a bit of background by the way of Washington Post (an early sponsor of the pro-war event, that has since pulled their support):

The event, the America Supports You Freedom Walk, is billed as a memorial to victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks and a show of support for those serving in the military, topped off with a concert by country singer Clint Black, known for his pro-troops anthem, “Iraq and Roll.” Organizers said they expect 3,000 to 10,000 participants…

Some military supporters have welcomed the event as a way to counter the antiwar movement and back the troops abroad. Antiwar groups say they are convinced that the event was orchestrated to boost the war effort and link the war to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — and to undercut an antiwar protest planned for Sept. 24.

I’m sure that the irony wasn’t lost on any of you that people would be arrested at the “Freedom Walk” if their papers weren’t in order… Perhaps they’ll follow up with “Burning Love: A Bonfire for Book Lovers.”

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10 Comments

mark

Posted September 10, 2005 at 6:15 pm | Permalink

I had to look up the lyrics to the song:

“I RAQ AND ROLL”

Words and Music by Clint Black and Hayden Nicholas

YOU CAN WAVE YOUR SIGNS IN PROTEST
AGAINST AMERICA TAKING STANDS
THE STANDS AMERICA’S TAKEN
ARE THE REASON THAT YOU CAN

IF EVERYONE WOULD GO FOR PEACE
THERE’D BE NO NEED FOR WAR
BUT WE CAN’T IGNORE THE DEVIL
HE’LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE

SOME SEE THIS IN BLACK AND WHITE
OTHERS ONLY GRAY
WE’RE NOT BEGGING FOR A FIGHT
NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY

WE HAVE THE RESOLUTION
THAT SHOULD PUT’EM ALL TO SHAME
BUT IT’S A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEADLINE
WHEN I’M CALLED IN THE GAME

CHORUS
I RAQ, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
I’M BACK AND I’M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I PRAY FOR PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR
AND I NEVER WILL FORGET
THERE’S NO PRICE TOO HIGH FOR FREEDOM
SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD

THIS TERROR ISN’T MAN TO MAN
THEY CAN BE NO MORE THAN COWARDS
IF THEY WON’T SHOW US THEIR WEAPONS
WE MIGHT HAVE TO SHOW THEM OURS

IT MIGHT BE A SMART BOMB
THEY FIND STUPID PEOPLE TOO
AND IF YOU STAND WITH THE LIKES OF SADDAM
ONE JUST MIIGHT FIND YOU

CHORUS II
I ROCK, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
I’M BACK AND I’M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I’VE GOT INFRARED, I’VE GOT GPS AND I’VE GOT THAT GOOD OLD FASHIONED LEAD
THERE’S NO PRICE TOO HIGH FOR FREEDOM
SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD

BRIDGE
NOW YOU CAN COME ALONG
OR YOU CAN STAY BEHIND
OR YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE WAY
BUT OUR TROOPS TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE
FOR THE GOOD OLD U.S.A.

I ROCK, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
IN THE USA
I ROCK, I RACK’EM UP AND I ROLL
I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT THE USA
mark

Posted September 10, 2005 at 6:18 pm | Permalink

For those of you who don’t feel like celebrating 9/11 with a big country music shindig… I’m wondering what you have in mind? Will you be doing anything special with your family to commemorate the event?
Maximum Advantage Discussed

Posted September 10, 2005 at 7:07 pm | Permalink

Insurrection in NOLA?
Perhaps the whole picture is far beyond mere media disaster damage control. I believe the answer may be that some sort of insurrection or rebellion is occurring. Left to die, some may have decided to violently strike back. If so, the government is do…
chris

Posted September 10, 2005 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

Would someoene please tell me how it is that the rest of the US have come to coopt 9/11.

Do not us New Yorkers have that market covered, if not trademarked?

I am not kidding, I have been hired by a contingency of new Yorkers to travel the other 49 states and have been given their imprimatur to demand the immediate removal and destruction of any 9/11, NYPD, NYFD, “never forget” t-shirts, caps, patches, bumper stickers, and yes…really fucking insipid lyrics; at will.

Hide now bitches (OK, really just John) as I am coming for you. I also hear that others are being hired so that we can travel in packs.
chris

Posted September 11, 2005 at 2:28 pm | Permalink

Yes, I know, I know…the Pentagon, and the flight that crashed in Philadelphia. But somehow, I cannot help but feel if the two towers are being exploited for really ultimately unfruitful ends.

Sorry if I offended anyone. I understand if the administration is guilty of criminal negligence on a gigantic level, but could they please just stop saying insensitive things.
mark

Posted September 11, 2005 at 8:38 pm | Permalink

A clip from the Salon article that was just posted:

(Clint) Black introduced Rumsfeld by saying that his own niece thinks Rumsfeld is “a hunk.” Rumsfeld took the microphone to rally the crowd to march again next year. “This is our first March for Freedom and by the size of the crowd, I suspect it will not be the last,” he said. Department of Defense materials said organizers will try to hold marches next year in all 50 states.

Department of Defense materials handed to the press said that the Pentagon organized Sunday’s event to answer citizens’ “call to action” for a meaningful way to mark the day, and to say thanks to soldiers. It was difficult to tell how many people marched. Organizers had said they expected 3,000 to 10,000 people; one event press person said 17,000 people were there.

Security was intense. The parade route appeared to be completely sealed off to all vehicles and even pedestrians who had not registered with the Department of Defense by last Friday afternoon. The concert was walled off from the rest of the mall by fences. Police were everywhere. Near the stage, dozens of chairs were set aside for families of those killed on Sept. 11, where Rumsfeld took time to visit with them.

Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was in the crowd. I asked him who was paying for the whole thing. “I think it is the sponsors on the back of this T-shirt,” he said, referring to the Freedom Walk shirts. The back of the shirts listed Clint Black (presumably not a sponsor), McDonalds, the Pentagon Channel, Stars and Stripes, Lockheed Martin, The Washington Times, Subway Restaurants, America Online, local radio stations, and others.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/09/11/DOD_march/
mark

Posted September 11, 2005 at 9:59 pm | Permalink

I haven’t been able to find any pictures taken at the event… If you know of any, send me a link…
Jim

Posted September 11, 2005 at 10:42 pm | Permalink

Here’s an account with photos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/11/193512/562
Looks like it was pretty poorly attended.
chris

Posted September 11, 2005 at 11:13 pm | Permalink

Why aren’t those flags at half staff in memorium, and for the victims of Katrina?

They were here in NYC.
Anonymous

Posted September 22, 2005 at 7:02 am | Permalink

light MY f1re
So cool that you post this..