I’m not going to dwell on politics or my health today—just two quick statements on both.
First, politics. I don’t think political violence should ever happen in the United States or anywhere else. Sadly, it happens far too often as it is, though thankfully, more often than not, it’s unsuccessful (and sometimes staged—ears just don’t grow back). The United States is gripped with a political fervor that seems rooted in hate, violence, cruelty, and greed. What’s most troubling is that most of the political violence, both successful and unsuccessful, has been against those who themselves have not been calling for it. Infer what you want from what I’ve said.
While I’m not going to change what I wrote above, I think it came off as more offensive than it should have. I do not meant to blame a victim for what happened, but I firmly believe that rhetoric from the far left and the far right have caused this extreme polarization that is tearing apart our democracy. Charlie Kirk, no matter how awful the things he might have said were, he did not deserve to be murdered. Also, the conspiracy theory part, while it is my belief that it was at least portrayed much worse than it was for political gain, whatever else was behind it is not known.
Second, health. My Botox seemed to go really well yesterday. I liked the new provider I saw. We talked about how the treatment usually wears off for me around week ten of the twelve-week cycle. She’s going to try to convince my insurance to allow for treatments every ten weeks instead of every twelve. The woman who does scheduling for the Headache Clinic even set up my next two appointments with dates for both possibilities—ten weeks if it’s approved, twelve weeks if it’s not. That way I’ll have an appointment either way. Like my previous provider, she said if there’s ever a problem getting me in on time, to have them talk to her and she’ll adjust things to make sure it happens.
So, those weren’t exactly “two quick statements,” but I’ve said what I wanted to say on both topics.
On this day especially, I want to pause in remembrance of September 11. I think nearly all of us—maybe even all of us—remember where we were when we first heard the news. The confusion, and then the horrifying realization of what had actually happened, is something we’ll never forget. It’s been more than two decades, yet the memory of that morning—the shock, the grief, the uncertainty—still lingers deeply for so many of us. We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the countless families forever changed, and the first responders who ran toward danger with courage and selflessness. We remember too how, in the days that followed, communities came together in ways that reminded us of our shared humanity and resilience. And it’s that spirit of unity, compassion, and strength that we especially need in today’s world.
May we all carry that spirit with us, today and always.
Joe
The Closet Professor 
September 11th, 2025 at 7:18 am
Yesterday evening I was deeply saddened, scared, by the numbers of friends, neighbors, and complete strangers on social media making blanket statements saying, in the name of Christianity, that the left is pure evil and those who support the left are evil, that they must repent, and may God have mercy on our souls.
It is the first real and powerful political fear I have felt in our current political environment, the first that I was not able shrug off. The first that seemed to penetrate my peaceful quite rural life.
The greatest fear, however, came with the knowledge that those writing and saying those things claim to be Christians, claim to believe in, to follow, to live as did Christ.
September 11 for me is always a solemn day. I typically do two things on this day each year–
I typically start the early morning hours reading a few of the stories that emerged in the months following the attacks… the reasons why people which should have been at or above the point of impact but were not there.
I have read many of them several times, though there always seems to be new stories emerge.
A child starting kindergarten. A car that wouldn’t start. A home phone ringing just as one was about to walk out the door. Forgetting it was their turn to bring donuts and having to stop at a donut shop. The NJ Turnpike at a complete standstill due to a traffic accident. The irritation of taxi cabs driving by, seemingly ignoring the attempt to wave one down. The bus pulling away from the curb literally seconds before one reached the bus stop.
All of the reasons why they were not there that morning and a reminder to me that sometimes God is protecting us even though we may feel irritated or frustrated at being delayed or perhaps angry that things aren’t going smoothly for us.
Maybe those little delays were just coincidences, the argument could be made, though I don’t see them as simply coincidence.
The second thing that I do each year, on the afternoon or evening of 9/11, is watch Boatlift, The Untold Story.
A brief 11 or 13 minute youtube video on the largest maritime evacuation ever carried out, and it occurring over hours not days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDOrzF7B2Kg
I sometimes watch this video at other times of the year. Recollections of it will surface so I watch it and find myself re-centering as a result.
To me, we all need a “boatlift”, a rescue once in a while… and we can all be the rescuer for others that need assistance. It doesn’t have to be anything as major as 9/11, it can be a simple act of kindness… and we might never know the impact that simple act had on that life.
In writing that last paragraph I seem to have found some peace amongst yesterdays fear.
September 11th, 2025 at 11:22 am
Thank you for all you share… the concerns, the grief and anger, the hope and care
Your friend,
Steve
September 12th, 2025 at 4:20 am
Conspiracy theories are the cancer of democracy, and it is beneath your intellectual dignity to spread false information about “staged” assassination attempts.
And justifying political violence by blaming its victims – effectively saying they asked for it – is beneath your moral dignity as a human being.
I would counsel you to delete this post – or at least to rewrite it to make it quite clear that you did not intend to do this.
September 12th, 2025 at 4:56 am
You are 100 percent correct, and I do apologize.