Look, up in the sky...

Political Cartoon by Paul Combs
More political cartoons by Paul Combs

September 11, 2007

On September 11, 2001, the Towers fell.

It seems like such an innocuous thing to say, as if they were only childrens' toys in the playroom. But those three words bring up a churning, choking mass of emotions in me, even today ...

Grief, for those who died, known and unknown to me.

Sadness, for those who lost family, friends, and co-workers. I cannot imagine the pain that they felt, and are still feeling.

Rage, toward the people who did this thing.

Every year for me, 9/11 is a day to recall what matters most.

To enjoy the family and friends that I have, and to give thanks for their continued presence and influence.

To remember those who have gone before me, and to miss them.

To remember that we are all connected in some way, whether we know it or not.

And to remember that this too, shall pass.

To all the people who have influenced me, I thank you.

To all the people who love me, I love you too, and wish you absolute happiness and peace.

Please keep in mind what matters most... and hold them tightly tonight.

- LaVeda Hatchel Mason, 9/11/2007

Gonzales to Spend More Time Eavesdropping on His Family

‘Domestic Surveillance Begins at Home,’ Former A.G. Says


Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned today, effective immediately, telling reporters that he wanted to spend more time eavesdropping on his family.

Mr. Gonzales, a champion of domestic surveillance and warrantless wiretaps while in office, said he was “totally stoked” about turning his prying eyes on his own family.

“Domestic surveillance begins at home,” Mr. Gonzales said at a White House press conference. “That means nobody in my family is above suspicion, not even the little ones,” an apparent reference to Mr. Gonzales’ children.

Standing by Mr. Gonzales’ side, President George W. Bush praised his former Attorney General, singling out his “courage” for ramping up his domestic spying program on his own family.

“If every head of every household was as willing to eavesdrop on his own family as my man Alberto is, we wouldn’t need a Homeland Security Department,” Mr. Bush chuckled.

Mr. Gonzales was noncommittal when a reporter asked him a question about the role that waterboarding and other forms of torture might play in his interrogation of family members.

“Nothing is off the table,” he said.

Asked about his tenure as Attorney General, Mr. Gonzales was candid about his stormy time in office: “Frankly, I can’t believe it took this long for them to shitcan me.”

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