Today, 9-11-2026, everyone is remembering Bloody Tuesday, when the world turned upside down for many, many people.
We point out, this Anno Libertatus 250, that quarter-century is one-tenth of the lifespan of the United States of America. (It is about one-third of the lifespan, so far, of two of the principals of TPOL.)
Twenty-five years of more and more lies. Not just on the part of government, but seemingly by government, academia (GRTF or not), business, the medical industry, and much much more. Including the opponents of all those groups and entities.
But not everyone is lying. They may be mistaken, but not lying. But the result is that we have lived for 1/10 of the life of this Union in a state of fear, under a cloud of fear of terrorism that can strike anywhere. And therefore, more and more people have demanded security in exchange for liberty. (And the result is exactly as they were warned: they get, we get, neither.)
Consider one correspondent, who writes, “…[I] mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a warning about the future. Amid the chaos of a terrorist attack, “fear made demands for government restraint appear frivolous,” and Americans were prompted to accept previously unthinkable levels of intrusion. Our justified fear of unchecked AI could be similarly exploited, with similar results for privacy, liberty, and power.”
We think, not just “could be” but is. A quarter-century we live in a state of fear and a constant pounding of the pulpit warning us that we are in constant danger, externally and internally, from terrorists.
He continues: “Also well worth your time: [another man]’s personal remembrance: “Remembering the Truly Forgotten,” which reflects on the terrorists’ choice of the World Trade Center: “America’s attackers understood more about the roots of American prosperity and the wellspring of human prosperity than most Americans do.””
Absolutely. Because American leaders are best at deluding themselves, even more than their victims.
Among other matters, the trillions of dollars (taxed, and borrowed (that is, future taxes)) squandered by the FedGov in its supposed panic over global terrorism, has done a wonderful job of destroying the potential for many people, communities, and entire nations, to have prosperity on a scale never seen before in human history.
Like him, we are reminded of rock musician Bono’s statement, way back in 2012, that “commerce and entrepreneurial capitalism take more people out of poverty than foreign aid.” The singer noted that aid’s incentives “allow poverty to persist rather than help eliminate it.”
Decades, indeed, a lifetime spent fighting poverty will make a market believer out of almost anyone. Unless they make more money and gain more fame from their continued buy-in to government “poverty-fighting” programs. Well, they may believe in the market, but like too many people, they will not admit to believing it, or acting on that belief.
The massive and wasteful government spending for the Global War on Terror and the explosive expansion of a tyrannical surveillance and security state here at home in the States did more than destroy prospects for prosperity for millions and millions of people.
It also has destroyed, or severely weakened philanthropy. (We followers of the Christ call this benevolence.) Since the 1930s, government had become the main funder of “benevolent” efforts (a twisting of the definition, of course). From social security and all its programs, to unemployment insurance, to Medicare and Medicaid, to food stamps and every sort of welfare program at home and abroad, governments have both not ended poverty and the need for help by others, but has also destroyed the desire of many, many people to give freely to help those in need. Truly in need. Once upon a time, churches, benevolent and civic organizations (including fraternities, brotherhoods, orders, and less formally-organized groups, provided for those who were truly in need and not able to care for, provide for, themselves. Including providing of education, medical help, and more.
The old way was not perfect – indeed, far from it. But the present way, ever more corrupt and unsuccessful of accomplishing its stated objective, have made society and daily living worse and worse.
Now? It is “let George (that is, Washington (DC): government) do it.”
You only need to drive down a local street to see the results.
Can we learn anything from a quarter-century of living under fear of terrorism? And not knowing who the real terrorists are? (That is, the minds behind the suicide pilots and suicide bombers and “shoot up the church” guys.)
We must, if we are to survive. And thrive. If we want peace and prosperity. If we want liberty. If we truly mean “Never Again.”
The Price of Liberty 
A quarter-century: looking back
Today, 9-11-2026, everyone is remembering Bloody Tuesday, when the world turned upside down for many, many people.
We point out, this Anno Libertatus 250, that quarter-century is one-tenth of the lifespan of the United States of America. (It is about one-third of the lifespan, so far, of two of the principals of TPOL.)
Twenty-five years of more and more lies. Not just on the part of government, but seemingly by government, academia (GRTF or not), business, the medical industry, and much much more. Including the opponents of all those groups and entities.
But not everyone is lying. They may be mistaken, but not lying. But the result is that we have lived for 1/10 of the life of this Union in a state of fear, under a cloud of fear of terrorism that can strike anywhere. And therefore, more and more people have demanded security in exchange for liberty. (And the result is exactly as they were warned: they get, we get, neither.)
Consider one correspondent, who writes, “…[I] mark the anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a warning about the future. Amid the chaos of a terrorist attack, “fear made demands for government restraint appear frivolous,” and Americans were prompted to accept previously unthinkable levels of intrusion. Our justified fear of unchecked AI could be similarly exploited, with similar results for privacy, liberty, and power.”
We think, not just “could be” but is. A quarter-century we live in a state of fear and a constant pounding of the pulpit warning us that we are in constant danger, externally and internally, from terrorists.
He continues: “Also well worth your time: [another man]’s personal remembrance: “Remembering the Truly Forgotten,” which reflects on the terrorists’ choice of the World Trade Center: “America’s attackers understood more about the roots of American prosperity and the wellspring of human prosperity than most Americans do.””
Absolutely. Because American leaders are best at deluding themselves, even more than their victims.
Among other matters, the trillions of dollars (taxed, and borrowed (that is, future taxes)) squandered by the FedGov in its supposed panic over global terrorism, has done a wonderful job of destroying the potential for many people, communities, and entire nations, to have prosperity on a scale never seen before in human history.
Like him, we are reminded of rock musician Bono’s statement, way back in 2012, that “commerce and entrepreneurial capitalism take more people out of poverty than foreign aid.” The singer noted that aid’s incentives “allow poverty to persist rather than help eliminate it.”
Decades, indeed, a lifetime spent fighting poverty will make a market believer out of almost anyone. Unless they make more money and gain more fame from their continued buy-in to government “poverty-fighting” programs. Well, they may believe in the market, but like too many people, they will not admit to believing it, or acting on that belief.
The massive and wasteful government spending for the Global War on Terror and the explosive expansion of a tyrannical surveillance and security state here at home in the States did more than destroy prospects for prosperity for millions and millions of people.
It also has destroyed, or severely weakened philanthropy. (We followers of the Christ call this benevolence.) Since the 1930s, government had become the main funder of “benevolent” efforts (a twisting of the definition, of course). From social security and all its programs, to unemployment insurance, to Medicare and Medicaid, to food stamps and every sort of welfare program at home and abroad, governments have both not ended poverty and the need for help by others, but has also destroyed the desire of many, many people to give freely to help those in need. Truly in need. Once upon a time, churches, benevolent and civic organizations (including fraternities, brotherhoods, orders, and less formally-organized groups, provided for those who were truly in need and not able to care for, provide for, themselves. Including providing of education, medical help, and more.
The old way was not perfect – indeed, far from it. But the present way, ever more corrupt and unsuccessful of accomplishing its stated objective, have made society and daily living worse and worse.
Now? It is “let George (that is, Washington (DC): government) do it.”
You only need to drive down a local street to see the results.
Can we learn anything from a quarter-century of living under fear of terrorism? And not knowing who the real terrorists are? (That is, the minds behind the suicide pilots and suicide bombers and “shoot up the church” guys.)
We must, if we are to survive. And thrive. If we want peace and prosperity. If we want liberty. If we truly mean “Never Again.”
Share this:
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.