The year is 2001. The debate is post 9/11 and it’s Charles Krauthammer versus known leftist and terror apologist, Tariq Ali.

DON’T watch these videos unless you like:

A. Charles Krauthammer

and/or

B. The taste of blood

PART I

PART II

A handful of local town meeting officials in the western Massachusetts town of Amherst are actively campaigning to host a couple of GITMO detainees there. Funny thing is, at least one of them is also responsible for making sure that American flags don’t fly in downtown Amherst on the anniversary of 9/11.

Michael Graham reports in today’s Boston Herald:

“Selectman Diana Stein was uncertain about supporting the article, the Springfield Republican reported, until she realized her fear of the detainees had been “propagandized” into her. The other “yes” vote, Gerald Weiss, had no such qualms, saying the detainees were “suffering because of the U.S. government.”

“Music to the ears of Ruth F. Hooke, who wrote the article and says the detainees “sound like fine guys. They’d fit right in Amherst.”

“She should know. As a member of Town Meeting, Hooke supported resolutions calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush, the immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and granting the right to vote to non-citizens.”

“What does Hooke oppose? Military action against Iran and the flying of American flags in downtown Amherst – on 9/11.”

“Read that again: Ruth Hooke wants released Guantanamo detainees roaming downtown Amherst next Sept. 11, but she opposes flying American flags to commemorate that horrific day.”

Hey middle America, meet Amherst, Massachusetts where the American flag is (to some) a “symbol of terrorism.”

The volume on this video isn’t great but stay with it. Then walk around for a few minutes counting to ten so you don’t pick up your chair and start smashing things.

Michael Graham is a radio host at Boston talk station 96.9 WTKK. He has more details on this story at his website.

Paul A. Tegtmeier was a Firefighter with New York City Engine 4.

Paul perished in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Paul’s birthday is March 24th.

At the time of his passing, Paul was 41 years old.

Paul lived in Hyde Park, New York.

Prior to joining the NYFD, Paul was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years in Roosevelt, NY.

Paul fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining the NYFD, 18 months before the attack on 9/11.

Paul is survived by his wife Catherine, two children, extended family and many friends.

Paul A. Tegtmeier is an American hero of 9/11 and he will never be forgotten.

Paul A. Tegtmeier has an online guest book you can visit.

This post is part of Project 2,996.

We will never forget.

Democrats don’t like September 11th because for some weird reason they feel it glorifies Republicans. That’s how they see 9/11. It’s just a partisan problem to be re-branded. Luckily for them, they now have a president who agrees.

Last time I checked, 9/11 was a national day of mourning for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. Not so anymore. Democrats want to change the narrative of 9/11 to fit their agenda.

Matthew Vadum at American Spectator reports:

“The Obama White House is behind a cynical, coldly calculated political effort to erase the meaning of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks from the American psyche and convert Sept. 11 into a day of leftist celebration and statist idolatry.”

“This effort to reshape the American psyche has nothing to do with healing the nation and everything to do with easing the nation along in the ongoing radical transformation of America that President Obama promised during last year’s election campaign. The president signed into law a measure in April that designated Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service, but it’s not likely many lawmakers thought this meant that day was going to be turned into a celebration of ethanol, carbon emission controls, and radical community organizing.”

Michelle Malkin has more on the subject, including a report from the Sweetness and Light blog which has then Senator Obama’s official response on September 11th, 2001.

“The essence of this tragedy, it seems to me, derives from a fundamental absence of empathy on the part of the attackers: an inability to imagine, or connect with, the humanity and suffering of others.”

Empathy? Really??? That was what caused Jihadists to murder thousands of Americans, a lack of empathy???

You know, this reminds me of another Democrat who also happens to be a useless political stooge sold by master astroturfer David Axelrod. In 2007, Obama’s friend Deval Patrick made the following stunningly ignorant remarks about September 11th which were found offensive even by the standards of liberal Massachusetts residents.

“Among many other things, 9/11 was a failure of human understanding. It was mean and nasty and bitter attack on the United States. But it was also about the failure of human beings to understand each other, and to learn to love each other.”

The next time someone kills a member of your family with a bomb or beheads your spouse with a knife in front of a video camera, be sure to remind them that they’re acting mean and nasty. Remind them that what they need is more “empathy.”

Note to the Democrats: Try to re-brand 9/11 if you wish. YOU are the only ones who see 9/11 as a “partisan” issue.

The American people know exactly what 9/11 really was. It had nothing to do with empathy and it will never be recognized for your thinly disguised service to Obama’s never ending campaign.

9/11 was a direct attack on America by vicious people who wanted to kill as many Americans as they could. Period.

The Democratic Party’s attempt to capitalize on such a massive American tragedy is beyond inappropriate, it’s disgusting.

The New York Times is reporting that Mohammed al-Qahtani was “tortured” at Gitmo. Qahtani is accused of conspiring with Kahalid Shaikh Mohammed in the terrorist attacks of September 11th and is described as a “very dangerous man.”

The New York Times, sympathizing with a man who conspired to murder thousands of Americans, respectfully refers to him as Mr. Qahtani throughout the entire article.

The Times lists the “torture” to which the human scum was subjected.

1. Prolonged Isolation

2. Sleep Deprivation

3. Forced Nudity

4. Exposure to Cold

5. Involuntary Grooming

6. Forced to Dance with Another Man

7. Forced to Bark Like a Dog

The good news for Qahtani is that what he endured is identical to most American college pledge weeks and he now qualifies as the newest honorary member of the Alpha Delta Chi fraternity at the University of Southern Idaho.

There is still no confirmation on whether or not he was forced to do a bong hit.