“Make Mine Moxie”

The image above shows a suspected terrorist, recently arrested in Massachusetts, celebrating at Ground Zero on the fifth anniversary of the attacks. We think this picture can do a lot to open people’s eyes. All who think the official plan is a credit to us need only imagine the look on these guys’ faces if the “Freedom Tower” were standing there instead of the hole in the ground. Then imagine their faces if the Twin Towers were rising in their rightful place — there wouldn’t be a smirk in sight. And then say it doesn’t matter or say that it’s too late…

Those of us who are old enough to remember the “Moxie” soft drink ads in the Fifties are old enough to understand the connection between rebuilding the Twin Towers and being true to ourselves. The calls to “Make America America Again” and “Make New York, New York Again” resonate for us because we remember a very different culture than the “culture” of today.

Those who don’t remember it, or who don’t know their history, might think it’s hyperbole. But for most of us, it follows quite clearly. Unfortunately, those who don’t get it are in power and, whether in politics or the media, seem to have forgotten who it is they are there to serve.

One notably different characteristic of the present day is the lack of “moxie” among those who are setting the agenda. Wikipedia notes that “moxie has taken on the meaning of ‘courage, daring; energy, vision.’” And since those have always been trademark qualities of both America and, in particular, New York, losing our moxie is a form of suicide and a breach of our national, and international, security.

Whether one is more at home on the left or on the right, no one is happy about the disgrace at Ground Zero and the damage it is doing to our confidence and standing in the world. It is baffling to think that anyone honestly believes the “Freedom Tower” is a suitable response to the attacks of 9/11. There is no denying the pleasure and comfort that our failure to overcome what ails us is giving our enemies. But that could so easily be solved. If the utter futility at Ground Zero were to suddenly galvanize us to start acting like ourselves again our future would become dramatically brighter.