The 2,976 lives lost in New York City have been commemorated. Patriotic words have been said and dignitaries came to call. The U.S. and the world stood in silence once again to remember the victims of September 11.
In the decade that has followed the U.S. government has waged a War on Terror that is stained by torture, secret detentions and human rights violations.
But what of the other victims of terror; the 1,690,903 Iraqis, 48,644 Afghans, 400,000 Pakistanis and countless others whose lives have been lost? Women, children and men have also paid the ultimate price for a crime they did not commit.
What of the victims who were dying as we all tucked into our Thanksgiving dinners? American unmanned, armed hunter drones cruise the skies.
Instead of killing combatants, half of the flights kill civilians. And the military public relations call it collateral damage.
What about the millions of victims displaced from their homes by wars raging around the world? The lucky ones who subsist in refugee camps are not giving thanks.
All victims of terror, especially the living, need to be remembered with more than a minute of silence.
Commemorate and honour their human dignity by working to heal that which has been damaged and building that which has been torn down.
Why has the tragedy of 9/11 been used to launch deadly wars on an unprecedented scale and why has the Western world stood by, either as silent observers or active ‘coalition’ participants?
It is not about democracy. It is about ensuring a continuous supply of oil.
In years to come it may be the lack of drinkable water that engenders war.
Remember the phrase “blood diamonds?”
All victims of greed, whether it be for diamonds, rare minerals, water or oil, have not died for a worthy cause or to make the world a better place.
Unbridled nationalistic and corporate greed wrapped in the guise of patriotism, jingoism and misplaced values has betrayed humanity, including those soldiers who reap the results of international conflict.
Perhaps some of us are more worthy of life than others, especially if they look down on the world from the heights of power.
Chris Drake, Parksville
