This insignia was officially adopted by the United States Air Force and was displayed on at least one aircraft from each squadron until September 11, 2002 in honor of the American Spirit.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:56 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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I had lunch at McDonalds today. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

Posted by: Ted at 06:23 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Yesterday a video tape featuring Osama Bin Laden was released and displayed by the Aljazeera network. IÂ’m sure this is causing much teeth gnashing and wailing among certain quarters, as well as joy and smugness in others. The timing of this tape was carefully planned, yet once again these terrorists have misplayed their cards.

I, for one, am glad for the reminder. I remember that Bin Laden has been in hiding for most of the last two years, to the point where his being seen on video is remarkable. IÂ’m reminded that heÂ’s been reduced to leaflets and occasional internet postings attributed to him. His voice heard on infrequent audio tapes is newsworthy.

IÂ’m reminded that he stood arrogantly in his fortress Afghanistan and mocked the United States and her people, and now the regime that harbored him is no more. The people of that country are rebuilding themselves while struggling to distance themselves from the madness of his radical Islam.

IÂ’m reminded that terrorist networks and financial dealings all over the world have been heavily interdicted. Muslim countries have realized the danger as bombs destroyed their fantasy that the terrorists were strictly anti-western. The terrorists are anti-everything except themselves.

IÂ’m reminded that a disinterested American populace has come together and drawn strength from each other. That strength and resolve has been used to topple yet another despot. And when American soldiers marched into that country, the people there cheered and celebrated their freedom.

I honor the memory of those murdered on 9/11/01 in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and that field in Pennsylvania. I honor the memory of those murdered in Bali, and those killed arresting the terrorists in Pakistan, and those killed by other bombs and attacks all over the world. I honor our soldiers, and those of our many allies.

I also celebrate the courage and strength of those who lived through that day, who directly assisted or indirectly helped in whatever way they could. I honor the policemen, firemen, rescue workers and ambulance drivers, the doctors and nurses, heroes all regardless of nationality or language spoken, that pitch in to right the wrongs inflicted by terrorism wherever it happens.

To those who think we should get over it, I suggest that you should think about the message intended by this latest Bin Laden tape. They hope to intimidate America with their bluster, but the desperation of their situation comes through despite their threatening words. Since that day two years ago, theyÂ’ve scurried into the dark corners of the world, afraid to openly show themselves for fear of eradication. They talk the talk, but Uncle Sam and his Allies have walked the walk.

This tape was to remind us that weÂ’re supposed to be scared.

IÂ’m reminded that weÂ’re not done winning this war yet.

Posted by: Ted at 12:08 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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If you're not interested in (mostly) American symbols of patriotism and remembrance of this day, then please scroll past this message. For those who are still reading, below is a collection of 31 different images relating to 9/11, celebrating 'western' values and the American spirit. There are at least a couple that could be described as international in nature.

If you'd like to put one of these on your blog or website, go for it. In fact, I encourage it*. Tell your friends too.

The images are in the extended entry, click it to see them.

* I'm the collector only, none of these images are mine. Some are copyrighted, and should be used unaltered except for size. more...

Posted by: Ted at 12:00 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Only because it was so much more immediate in my life, I'm tending to focus more on the Pentagon today.

Here is a site about the proposed Pentagon Memorial. I was especially moved by the description of the memorial. Damn, they did a fine job with the design.

Thanks to Dean Esmay for the link.

Posted by: Ted at 10:28 AM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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I see this image almost every day. One of the managers has this posted in full color, blown up to about 2'x3' size. You can't miss it, and everyone walking down this long hallway sees it.

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John has posted another image on his site, which was what I had originally planned for today. He did a much better job, by posting a link to the story behind the image. Check it out, it's beautiful.

Posted by: Ted at 11:52 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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1 Two things that have nothing to do with this post:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! a day late. (I was BORN two weeks late and haven't caught up yet.)
and-
What do ya have to do or pay to get to mu.nu and offa blogsplat?

Since you and Mookie left, I'm starting to feel lonely over there....Besides, I screwed up that 'archives' thing and I'm thinkin' it may just be easier to move than fix the stupid thing.

Posted by: Stevie at September 09, 2003 10:56 PM (AJ0RC)

2 Hey, Teddy-poo! I'm gonna need your help, possibly. Pixy Misa told me I'm welcome to move to mu.nu. If this requires any more skill than to type and beat my head on the computer table at varying intervals, I will probably need you.
I'd also like to switch to MT. (Why does that make me want to mail you a bottle of aspirin?)
Speaking of mailing stuff, I finally found a hat for ya. It's a black, mesh "Sire Power" hat. I've had it a while. Must have worn it a time or two, too, because even after I washed it, there's a bit of orange paint stick (a huge crayon type-thing used to write stuff on cows) on it. Yeah, writing on cows happens A LOT. I can probably get you a brand new one, too, but it'll be red and white instead of black-my favorite clothing color. Where do I send it?
Hell, you get me going with mu.nu and MT and I'll send ya more hats (and cookies) than you could use in a lifetime.

Posted by: Stevie at September 10, 2003 01:24 AM (AJ0RC)

3 Teddy-poo?

Writing on cows?

Looks like you'll fit right in

Posted by: Pixy Misa at September 10, 2003 03:09 AM (jtW2s)

4 Yeah, really..."Teddy-poo"??

Posted by: Jennifer at September 10, 2003 08:50 AM (E9paH)

5 Teddy-poo?

Teddy-poo.

TEDDY-POO! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-!

Good thing you've got all those long-range missles in your garage, or that nickname might stick.

Posted by: Victor at September 10, 2003 08:59 AM (L3qPK)

6 Y'all are just jealous because I get a hat and you don't. :p

Posted by: Ted at September 10, 2003 09:15 AM (bov8n)

7 I was scared to come back here after that 'Teddy-poo' thing...I thought I might get smacked for that. (Whew...)
Anyhoo, glad you're not mad, Teddy Bear. (Trying to start a new nickname, I think...)

You, Dearest, are my first again...the first to be written to with the new URL.
I just wanted to let ya know that Pixy Misa is doing such a wonderful job setting me up, that you may escape unscathed, here. (Except for the 'Teddy-poo' part....lmao.)
I still need to know how to get you that hat. I tried stuffing it into every orafice on this computer and it just won't go! And, I doubt I could 'Frisbee' it all the way to you-especially since I don't even know which direction to fling it.

Posted by: Stevie at September 10, 2003 01:49 PM (XuBjo)

8 just wanted to let you know, dad, that rachael's link is working for me now ...

Posted by: Robyn at September 10, 2003 10:59 PM (gWcjd)

9 Looking for a "Sire Power" hat that Steve mentioned in an earlier blog...any help with this is appreciated.

Posted by: Kirk at March 07, 2005 05:12 PM (gCemr)

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Notice that we haven't heard this particular statement lately?

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Posted by: Ted at 11:57 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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You must check this out over at Silent Running. Make sure you follow the links too.

Posted by: Ted at 12:12 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Enjoy a little bit of American 'technology with style'.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:44 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Look familiar?

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Posted by: Ted at 11:10 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Possibly my favorite, and certainly one of the more widely known.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:53 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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There's always a silver lining. It's just hard to see sometimes for the size of the dark cloud.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:38 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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A whisper among the multitudes.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:36 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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United.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:55 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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We've proved the point, it's always better to give than to receive.

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(click here to see what this is all about)

Posted by: Ted at 06:41 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Not since WWII had America focused so intently on a single goal.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:45 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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