The Nation's Pulse
Go Fly Al Qaeda
A squabble in Kent, Connecticut, that is unlikely to have a happy ending.
Skying from Fort Lauderdale to New York City the other day, I was shocked when my seat neighbor, a college student from Seattle, turned and said: “Last time I flew in a plane, I didn’t land.” Clearly a clever punch line was coming, but what? I sheepishly played the straight man. “Really, how’s that?”
“I went skydiving.”
Funny though it was, it inevitably prodded our recollections to the events of September 11, 2001, and the student pilots who trained to fly laterally without descending. The tale of that hijacking and kamikaze bombing has been in the news this week, with a tempest brewing in the teapot of Kent, Connecticut, an ordinarily sleepy bedroom community outside New York. The municipal government has become entangled with one of the locals in a squabble unlikely to reach a happy ending.
Here is the synopsis. Mister Peter Gadiel of Kent lost a son, James, on that terrible day. James was just twenty-three years of age, first job out of college, working for the investment house of Cantor Fitzgerald. His office was on the 103rd floor of the first building and it is presumed he died instantaneously when the aircraft struck.
Eight years hence, the acting mayor (known as First Selectman) of Kent approached the elder Gadiel with news of a planned memorial for his son. They were favorably disposed toward the notion of honoring the hometown boy who had been among the tragic fallen.
Mister Gadiel was asked to propose a text for the inscription on the plaque. He wrote: “James Gadiel (1978-2001), a gentleman and a gentle man, murdered by Muslim terrorists.” This language was greeted with dismay. Uh, uh, no can do. The mayor, Ruth Epstein, said it was not in keeping with the town’s persona to disparage any ethnic groups.
Gadiel has taken his case to the public and the press in the New York area is abuzz with the controversy. He argues that this is a worthy battleground because there has been a determined effort to obfuscate the identity of the killers. For the most part, conservative talk-show hosts are backing the dad, lauding him for telling it like it is.
It seems to me that this calls for what lawyers describe as a good compromise, one in which neither side is happy with the result. Frankly, both sets of players are taking indefensible positions. It is not possible under any balanced system of social order and expression to immortalize the phrase “Muslim terrorists” as an identifier of guilt. If the terrorists cited a religious motivation, or if we suspect one, it is absurd to label the act as intrinsically Muslim in some way. This is true even if a sociological argument could be made blaming the religion for an insufficient revulsion toward violence.
By the same token, whitewashing the guilty parties in the name of ethnic tolerance is both unjust and dangerous. We do not need to cover up for those who destroy in the name of some species of virtue.
The correct path is to write that James was murdered by the terrorists of al Qaeda. This is accurate in naming the reprehensible. At the same time it does not attack Islam per se or any nationality. Al Qaeda is a know international entity, even if a non-governmental one, and can certainly be called out by name.
About the Author
Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he speaks at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Miami on June 8, 2012.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (45) | Leave a comment
Related Articles
More Articles by Jay D. Homnick
More Articles From The Nation's Pulse
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/10/30/go-fly-al-qaeda
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Self-Righteous Republic
- Ailes: A Voice for the Silent Majority
- Razing Reagan
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Pingback| 10.30.09 @ 6:41AM
How To Invest - Dow surges 200 as economy grows - Tulsa World « How To Invest links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Appleby| 10.30.09 @ 7:07AM
I would put the inscription of the fathers choice on the memorial stone in the cemetery of the family choice; murdered by Syrian terrorists of Al-Qaida would be good for the memorial. Alternatively you could inscribe the plaque and place it on the same day as you release some juicy tidbit about Michael Jackson, and nobody will ever hear about it.
R Martin| 10.30.09 @ 7:57AM
"It is not possible under any balanced system of social order and expression to immortalize the phrase "Muslim terrorists" as an identifier of guilt."
Muslim terrorists do not give a hoot about balanced social orders or expression. For that matter neither do Muslim men in general; note how they treat women. This "religion" (I think of it more as a philosophy of violence and intolerance) needs more profiling and less coddling.
Big J| 10.30.09 @ 8:04AM
I have an idea, Homnick. Maybe the plaque would read:
"James Gadiel (1978-2001), a gentleman and a gentle man, tragically passed away in a man-caused disaster. Since the alleged perpetrators of the alleged crime were likely being discriminated against due to their religious beliefs, we have drawn no link between the peaceful religion of Islam and the wish to harm what some call "infidels"."
How would that be?
R Martin| 10.30.09 @ 9:51AM
For those of you who have seen the term "zeitgeist" but are not sure what it means, Big J has defined it for you.
Ted Joy| 10.30.09 @ 8:50AM
Mr. Homnick's ID identifies him as a humorist. Presumably this piece is a joke.
Mark| 10.30.09 @ 8:52AM
Two quibbles, one minor & one major: the plane struck the north tower between the 93rd & 99th floors (according to Wikipedia, that bastion of accuracy!) so it is likely that James survived the initial attack.
More importantly, the father's suggested inscription is identifying the terrorists as Muslims, not the act of terrorism. His description is completely accurate and therefore justifiable. It is not implying that all Muslims are terrorists (although it is almost correct to say the opposite). I prefer the term Islamofascists--accurate enough--and to rename the "War on Terror" to the Islamofascists War on Civilization. That does not disparage peaceful, nonviolent Muslims (if there are any) and I think it accurately describes who the enemy is and what their motives are. It also does not bog done in politically correct stupidity.
Mark| 10.30.09 @ 8:52AM
Correction:
Two quibbles, one minor & one major: the plane struck the north tower between the 93rd & 99th floors (according to Wikipedia, that bastion of accuracy!) so it is likely that James survived the initial attack.
More importantly, the father's suggested inscription is identifying the terrorists as Muslims, not the act of terrorism. His description is completely accurate and therefore justifiable. It is not implying that all Muslims are terrorists (although it is almost correct to say the opposite). I prefer the term Islamofascists--accurate enough--and to rename the "War on Terror" to the Islamofascists War on Civilization. That does not disparage peaceful, nonviolent Muslims (if there are any) and I think it accurately describes who the enemy is and what their motives are. It also does not bog down in politically correct stupidity.
crookedwren| 10.30.09 @ 9:38AM
Isn't the father's suggested inscription -- well -- true? Sorry if someone might be offended, not that trying to be inoffensive and tolerant has helped reduce violence by a tittle or a jot.
These terrorists have offended me repeatedly, but they aren't bending over backwards to heal that particular wound. But I guess THAT'S DIFFERENT.
L. Ross| 10.30.09 @ 10:51AM
Personally, I wouldn't want to offend any of the moderate muslims throughout the world. You know the ones. The ones marching for peaceful solutions. The ones holding prayer vigils to stop the violence over the ridiculous mohammed cartoons. The millions of muslims around the world who were shocked and dismayed at the terrorist attackes on 9/11. The moderate muslims marching for peace in London, Paris, Berlin, Ryhad, Islamabad, Istanbul, and Cairo. Yes, the millions and millions and millions of innocent, modern, peace loving moderate muslims. I would hate to offer them any offense.
americanjarhead | 11.3.09 @ 7:57AM
Yes, the millions! I wonder how the news media misses them during these marches etc... Oh, they must be invisible, the Invisable Islamic Millions! We must have a website created to honor the IIM's! (L Ross, you're sarcasm was put to good use in that post... Cheers!)
Havoc| 10.30.09 @ 12:59PM
Jay D. Homnick -
Every time a terrorist screams, 'Allahu Akbar', he is broadcasting the muslim motivations for his actions. But, you need to have your receiver turned on to hear it, Jay.
dcd| 10.30.09 @ 2:39PM
If the town doesn't want to risk offending 5% of its population that's fine. If a bunch or radio pundits want to stick it to muslims: buy a plot of land in the center of town, put up a monument, and write whatever inscription you want.
Why do the conservatives on this site think the government has to do everything for them, spend the money and do it yourself.
J Hussein Obiden| 11.1.09 @ 7:54AM
Earth to dcd...come in dcd. The government came to the father, not the other way around. Why do the liberals on this site always leap the defense of government without any consideration of the facts?
Jim| 10.30.09 @ 3:20PM
Brilliant idea dcd. Problem is, soon there will be no such thing as "private" property if your obvious vote has it's way.
Quartermaster| 10.30.09 @ 4:28PM
Daddy was asked what he wanted. He told them. The PC bureaucrat says they can't print that. Daddy has every right to be offended in this case. The Bureaucrat should lose his job for simple minded stupidity if for no other reason. Homnick is being an idiot here.
What's going on here on AmSpec? We get a posting like Homnick's here then were get chided for not holding our nose and voting for the RINO McShamnesty. Is the editorial staff off their meds today?
Etiquette Man| 11.2.09 @ 7:45AM
I totally agree with you. It's frustrating as heck.
RET needs to come out of semi-retirement, and start kicking some editorial ass.
Richard Baker| 10.30.09 @ 11:14PM
So what exactly were the 9/11 killers? Answer: Moslem killers/terrorists. They weren't rogue Baptists or Presbyterians. Have we lost our stones to be able to label what exactly these barbarians were?
Anonymous| 10.31.09 @ 12:39AM
Instead of "muslim" terrorists, they could be "Islamic" terrorists, "Jihadist" terrorists or "infidel-hating" terrorists... we can be politically-correct, but honesty must enter into this sometime.
Alan Brooks| 10.31.09 @ 3:09PM
We don't want to hurt anyone's self esteem. Stalin's victims weren't murdered by Communists, they were murdered by the GULAG;
Hitler's victims were murdered by the GESTAPO.
James wasn't murdered by Islamic extremists, he were murdered by Al Qaeda.
Right you are.
Alan Brooks| 10.31.09 @ 3:13PM
"he were murdered''.
pardon.
sounds like a publik skool book report.
Pingback| 11.1.09 @ 6:45AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Go Fly Al Qaeda [spectator.org] on T links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Steve Lee | 11.1.09 @ 9:24AM
Our country was attacked by nineteen Muslim terrorsts directed by a "fatwa" to cause as many casualities as possible, the financing for their mission provided by religious organizations, many of them raising money from the faithful in the United States.
The US Department of State is bringing 70,000 Iraqis to live in our country. They will not be happy living here because they will be unable to adjust to our-way-of-life, just like the nineteen 9-11 terrorists.
When will the US government realise that that the US: Does Not Need Any More Zazis?
Rich Rostrom| 11.1.09 @ 11:30AM
As Homnick notes, this is a question without a good answer.
It is true that the 9/11 terrorists were Moslems, that they acted on Moslem religious motives, and that they had the support and approval of other Moslems. Not stating they were Moslems would be whitewashing this.
However, the Gestapo and the NKVD acted as agents of the recognized supreme authorities of their ideologies (Nazism and Communism). The 9/11 terrorists were not acting as agents of any Moslem authority, much less a recognized supreme authority. Their claim to be acting for "Islam" was self-asserted, and arguably fraudulent.
Al-Qaeda and its affiliates have murdered many thousands of Moslems, and are treated as criminals by the governments of most Moslem countries. The Pakistani army has had about as many men killed fighting Al-Qaeda and the Taliban as the U.S. has lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To define the 9/11 attackers as simply "Moslem terrorists" validates their claim to be acting on behalf of "Islam". To define "Islam" as the enemy is to make enemies of a lot of people who are not our enemies, and many of whom are our allies.
Nick| 11.1.09 @ 12:21PM
Mr. Rostrom,
I completely agree with you.
An acceptable compromise, as Mr. Homnick stated, would be to put "murdered by Al Qeada terrorists" on the plaque. Or just "terrorists".
The most accurate phrase would be, however, "murdered by Wahhabi terrorists."
JCD| 11.1.09 @ 12:52PM
To me, there is absolutely no justification for such a memorial to be on ANY town-owned property. I truly sympathize with any parent of a deceased child but this does have to be put into proper perspective. The deceased man was not a rescue worker who was killed, say, while rescuing 6 people. I hope this is not misconstrued but the truth of the matter is that he was a worker making a living at his job in an office building.
The father's blinding rage is something he's entitled to...even 8 years after the tragedy. But the use of this issue to allow the father to seemingly have an avenue to vent his rage is wrong. Does he think we might not know or might forget that it was an act of terrorism if it's not displayed on a memorial? But, again, I go back to my original statement that I don't think such a memorial has a place on town-owned land. Have we now come to the point that town leaders are forced to be SO "politically (in)correct" that they must give in to anyone who wants anything?
There are many examples to back up what I'm saying: Are there Pearl Harbor memorials (for one person) on town greens inscribed "Killed by the Japs"? Re the four college students killed by our own soldiers at Kent State, are there memorials to them on their town greens saying "Killed by United States Soldiers"?
If he wants to say what he wants, have him put it on a statue on his front lawn. If he puts it there, he can still inject his politics into the remembrance of his son as much as he wants but to force everyone else to view his political stance on such an issue is plain wrong. To use tax dollars (or even donated dollars) to inject his politics is wrong. (By my way of thinking, is the issue to remember his son or is it to make a political statement? Letters to the Editor are the place for that. Political action is the avenue for that.) How about this?: let him put his politics on the gravestone of his son at the cemetery (if it would even be allowed there).
Muslims Against Sharia | 11.1.09 @ 6:35PM
MASH message for Peter Gadiel:
Dear Mr. Gadiel,
You said: "Muslims have to acknowledge that it was their co-religionists who committed this act in their name." We couldn't agree with you more. Please know that there are Muslims who are disgusted with Kent officials' cowardice. Without acknowledging what happened on 9/11, there is no way forward. Germany acknowledged the Holocaust and other atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis in WWII and Germans became a better people for it. We would like to add our voices to your demand that "Murdered by Muslim terrorists" be added on your son's memorial plaque.
Respectfully,
Muslims Against Sharia
http://muslimsagainstsharia.bl.....-have.html
Etiquette Man| 11.2.09 @ 7:36AM
Dear MASH,
My sincere respect to you. I was truly moved by what you wrote.
Had these murders self-identified as Christians, stated that their Christian faith motivated them to kill, and been members of recognized Christian denominations, then I would look to Christendom to see how such a horrible thing could be done in my Lord's name. As a Christian and follower of my Lord Jesus Christ, I would repent to the families of the fallen and would vow to root out the perversion of my faith.
I hope that I do not say too much, and inadvertently give offense. I was deeply moved by what you wrote, and also read the article at the included link.
You have my sincere gratitude. You are very brave to speak up in this way. May we all live together in peace, in both our commonalities and our differences.
And may you all be blessed.
Respectfully,
EM
injection machine | 11.2.09 @ 2:39AM
Hangzhou Atech Machinery Co,.Ltd:injection machine
plastic injection machine "http://www.injection-molding-machine-china.com/">Injection Molding Machine "http://www.injection-molding-machine-china.com/">Vertical Injection Molding Machine
nessus| 11.2.09 @ 7:07AM
I don't draw a distinction between moderate and radical Islam. To me, Islam is a political ideology with religious aspects. To me, it's simple. I hate Islam. I simply do not want Islam here in the USA and the way to prevent that is to prevent the mass immigration of mooooslims.
Keep them out. Period.
Etiquette Man| 11.2.09 @ 7:42AM
I understand this sentiment, and we should indeed refuse a visa to anyone who has even remotely radical ties.
That said, in my travels abroad, and even in the US, among the best and noblest I have met are people of the Muslim faith.
Our view of Islam is understandably skewed by Muslim terrorists and FarraKKKhan's racist bow-tied minions, but what I saw during some time spent among Muslims impressed me deeply.
They are among the most decent, hospitable, honorable, caring people I have known.
And this from a Christian Zionist (which I am). May the Lion lay down with the Lamb, and may well live together in peace and mutual respect (a very tall order, indeed, I realize).
Just food for thought, friend.
Best Wishes,
EM
nessus| 11.2.09 @ 12:56PM
Sorry to disagree EM. First of all, I am not unenlightened about Islam and muslims. I have lived my entire life in Dearbornistan, Michigan - the capital of Islam USA. I could tell you story after story, documented of muslims and some quite devout ones, involved with endless law-breaking, including terrorist activities. More common, voter fraud, social security fraud, immigration fraud, etc. and the constant agitation for more and more acceptance of archaic customs, values and Sharia Law.
Sorry, no not me. I don't like Islam, I consider it a primitive ideology and an enemy of the Western tradition. I prudent policy would be to limit Mohammedan immigration into the West and the USA in particular. They need us more than we need them. Let's simply have less and less to do with the Islamic world.
Trouble| 11.3.09 @ 12:08AM
Part of me thinks: Just say NO to Muslim immigration, Muslim tolerance or pretty much Muslim anything (especially freedom of religion!) but them the other part of me (the Jewish Orthodox part) reminds me of how much I hate to be lumped with the radicals who killed Rabin). Just as there are extremes right here on this site (note esp. people who take conspiracy theories promoted by Beck, Hannity and Malkin seriously!) there are also moderates and/or people who really do love their kids/spouses in the Muslim world and don't want them to blow up themselves or others...they want to just have a normal prosperous and safe life where they can celebrate life cycle events and successes with joy and community. No, I'm not some lame brain anti-war 'librul' but I am a believer in the idea that a lot of dissent can get stiffled under fear for your family's safety (yet another problem )in the Islamic jihadist world too many Muslims have to navigate every day. But I really do think that the father should enlist the ACLU to represent his position wrt his son's tombstone. Its only fair!
rssg| 11.3.09 @ 12:32PM
Hey Trouble, in disparaging Beck, Hannity and Malkin, I take it then, you have no problem with Hussein Obama's numerous radical connections, associations and his administration's appointments of communists, anarchists, Marxists, etc?
Just curious.
Trackback| 12.5.09 @ 11:10PM
credit repair connecticut, on credit repair connecticut, links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
ddddd| 3.3.10 @ 3:20PM
Free Downloads Sotware - Free Downloads Sotware New Software Free Downloads Sotware
hiory| 4.22.10 @ 12:07AM
I’ll have a Poptropica full written walkthrough very soon, but in the ArenaBetting.com dukung fair play FIFA world cup AFSEL 2010meantime, here are some answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Mythology Island. Having trouble? Post a question in the comments and I’ll try to answer it!
Getting Hercules to Help You
Hercules won’t help you until you have all five items from Zeus’ quest. Once you have the five items, bring them to Athena. Zeus will appear and steal them. The big jerk! Once this happens, talk to Athena and she will tell you that Hercules will help you. You’ll need to have the magic mirror from Aphrodite because Hercules doesn’t want to have to walk. He’s so lazy!
Getting the Hydra Scale
You can see how to do this in the videos, but basically you need to jump up when the Hydra is about to strike. He will rear one of his heads back to attack and his eyes will bulge out. When this happens, jump up in the air and then try to land on top of his head. That head will get knocked out. When all five heads get knocked out, the ArenaBetting.com dukung fair play FIFA world cup AFSEL 2010Hydra will be asleep and you can click on him to get one of the scales. Poptropica I’ll have a Poptropica full written walkthrough very soon, but in the meantime, here are some answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Mythology Island. Having trouble? Post a question in the comments and I’ll try to answer it!
Getting Hercules to Help You
Hercules won’t help you until you have all five items from Zeus’ quest. Once you have the five items, bring them to Athena. Zeus will appear and steal them. The big jerk! Once this happens, talk to Athena and she will tell you that Hercules will help you.ArenaBetting.com dukung fair play FIFA world cup AFSEL 2010 You’ll need to have the magic mirror from Aphrodite because Hercules doesn’t want to have to walk. He’s so lazy!
Getting the Hydra Scale ArenaBetting.com dukung fair play FIFA world cup AFSEL 2010
You can see how to do this in the videos, but basically you need to jump up when the Hydra is about to strike. He will rear one of his heads back to attack and his eyes will bulge out. When this happens, jump up in the air and then try to land on top of his head. That head will get knocked out. When all five heads get knocked out, the Hydra will be asleep and you can click on him to get one of the scales.Poptropica