Remembering September 11 2001
| | This site is intended as a place to remember and celebrate the lives of the men, women and children lost on September 11, 2001.
To view a tribute or sign the Guest Book for a specific person, click here. You can also search by clicking on one of the links below.
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| |  | To share your thoughts and condolences for all of those lost, please sign the National Book of Remembrance.
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Guest Book entries may include both words and photographs. All entries are free and are posted after being reviewed for appropriate content.
If you have information about someone not included on this site, click here.
 
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The Eagle Cry
He does not cry in fear.He cries in sadness,He cried at the Little Big Horn.He cried at Wounded Knee.He cried at The Trail OF Tears.And know He cries for all Americans.
His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500 USA
September 12, 2001
Your Excellency,
I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving four apparently hijacked aircrafts and the immense devastation these caused. It is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost and it seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We are deeply saddened. On behalf of the Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the American people during this painful time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence. I am attending a special prayer for the United States and its people at our main temple today.
I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation will be able to overcome this present tragedy. The American people have shown their resilience, courage and determination when faced with such difficult and sad
situations.
It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to think seriously whether a violent reaction is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and the people in the long run. I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how do we deal with hatred and anger which are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very difficult question, especially when it concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal with such attacks. I am sure you will make the right decision.
With my prayers and good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
The Dalai Lama
Regardless of the political and cultural differences that American Indians and American Indian Nations may have with the US government and its policies, it should be recognized that American Indians serve our country, our sacred land, in the various arms of the US military at over twice their demographic representation in the US population. CERTAIN, as indicated in our Mission Statement, strives to locate, isolate, confront, and ameliorate sources of anti-Indian racism. That work continues - prejudice has no legitimate place in the "pluralistic society" that we have all heard America described as in the wake of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The reality is that most of our membership are American citizens as well as citizens of our individual Indian Nations.
We at CERTAIN support America in the legitimate mission of bringing the criminals who conducted these cowardly acts, particularly against the thousands of civilians working in the World Trade Center Towers, we also believe it an absolute necessity to protect the civil rights of people of all ethnicities and origins who may speak for or against certain policies in the pursuit of justice. As Benjamin Franklin said, "He who would give up an essential liberty for a little safety deserves neither liberty nor safety." Already, threats to our First Amendment right to free speech loom on the horizon - if we remember no other remark, we should remember what Presidential Press Secretary Ari Fleisher stated in one briefing of the press when asked about the freedom of individuals and the media to criticize particular actions taken by the Bush Administration: "People had better watch what they say..." Mr. Fleisher's unfamiliarity with the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the other Amendments notwithstanding, this remark shows a discomfiting direction in the Bush Administration toward the curtailing of free speech.
If we do not retain our rights under the Constitution, then we are sending our fliers, seamen and women, and soldiers into the face of grave danger for purposes other than the defense of democracy, and this is simply not acceptable.
That being said, CERTAIN stands with our men and women in uniform - particularly those wearing the uniforms of Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical Services personnel of the City of New York and all the volunteers who have come from all over our nation to lend their hands and their hearts at the World Trade Center disaster site, the Pentagon disaster site, the western Pennsylvania crash site, and in cities and towns across America where individuals and groups are working to collect needed medical and other supplies for New York and Washington. We also stand with the hundreds of millions of other Americans who must be allowed to state their opinions, regardless of the popularity or "patriotism" of those opinions, without fear of reprisal by the government or by callous individuals or corporations who would attempt to stifle disagreement. We urge visitors to the CERTAIN website to read the message below and to contribute to one of these two listed charitable organizations that are providing the bulk of the support to victims of the September 11th attacks. We also ask that visitors be particularly cognizant of the agendas of the individuals and organizations mentioned below.
Mike Two Horses (Lakota/Dakota), CERTAIN Council Circle
