I must emphasize at the outset that the approach which is set forth below is intended as a memorial and is not to be interpreted as any form of political communication. The reason for this will become clear. When others pick up this approach and hopefully disseminate it through blogs and websites, it is hoped that they would keep this key point in mind.
United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into the ground in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11th, 2001 at 10:03:11 AM. Substantial evidence exists that the crash was preceded by a revolt among the passengers against the Islamic Supremacist hijackers who had earlier taken over the airliner. This was the first time in recent history in which the intended victims of an Islamic Supremacist assault have been able to resist and thwart their plans.
The people who took part in this act of resistance and died deserve to be memorialized. Therefore, Iencourage everyone to set their watches to alarm at 10:03 AM, on a daily basis, as an audible form of memorial and a reminder to reflect upon the sacrifice which was made by the Flight 93 crew members and passengers. Of course, we realize that the crash took place at 10:03 AM (Eastern Standard Time), meaning that some people in other time zones might view a more appropriate time to memorialize would be in their own respective times which would correspond with 10:03 AM. However, a pursuit of such an option would confuse things. Therefore, let's keep the time at 10:03 AM, irrespective of the time zone.
Now let's examine the potential effect of a watch alarm going off at 10:03 AM. First and foremost, most people at this time would be out in the real world. Most likely they would be at work. Other options include being in a bus, subway, train or airliner. They could be at a movie, sports event or religious activity. The possibilities are numerous. In each of these instances it is highly probable that the person wearing the alarming watch is accompanied by someone whom they already know. It is reasonable to presume that this person will ask the wearer of the watch why the alarm went off. This would, in turn, give the watch wearer the perfect opportunity to explain the purpose of the alarm. If the explanation inspires the listener, they, too, may begin to set their own watch at 10:03 AM. And so on.
It is conceivable that many people who hear the alarm (as in a work meeting) and are unaware of its meaning may quickly view it as an insignificant interruption. Two alarms going off at the same time in the same setting changes the picture entirely. This will cause everyone to realize that something is going on. It will also show each respective wearer of the alarming watches that they are not alone. Depending on the type of setting, such a situation may lead to an exponential increase in the number of watches alarming at 10:03 AM.
Multiple watches alarming in most non-work settings would not seem to pose a problem. If some people object, so be it. This now brings us to the thorny question of work environments which are "politically correct" (quite prevalent in Europe). Supervisors or Human Resources personnel may say that the watch alarm is "offensive" political speech and cannot be tolerated. As stated above (and hopefully in any distributions by others of this concept), this is simply a way in which a person can cope with their grieving over this specific incident on September 11th, 2001. As such, an employee in such a situation could argue that the company is trying to interfere with their psychological health and well being. They could point out that no employer would be disrepectful of the coping mechanisms of an employee who recently lost a family member. With this in mind, what basis would they have to interfere here? Who defines the limits of mourning? Who can say how long it takes to recover? In fact, it is possible that some of those who alarm their watches will actually be personal friends or family members (distant or close) of the non-Islamic Supremacist individuals on Flight 93 (see list below). A quick internet search can reveal details regarding their respective lives.
Of course, a politically correct employer who provides time for fellow Islamic Supremacist employees (if any) to take time out of the work day for multiple prayers would seem to stand on flimsy grounds in objecting to the watch alarms. The watch wearer could invoke similar claims of religious rights. After all, the border between mourning and religious beliefs is quite porous.
There is also the possibility that, quite coincidentially, some people at work who have their watches set at 10:03 AM could be doing so to remind them to perform some medically necessary task, such as taking a vitamin or checking their pulse. The performance of this task could have actually been prescribed by an understanding physician or even an itinerant natural healer. An employer's interference in this,or any other health matter, could be viewed as highly questionable.
Regarding an employer's objection to alarms based on their "interfering with work", the question could be raised to them as to whether they are willing to stop an even worse interference: the ringing of employee cell phones. It would be interesting to see how employees would react to a cell phone prohibition, particulary when considering that so mamy people are dependent on them for making family arrangements and so forth.
The key thing to do when considering potential employer resistance to watch alarms is to check your employee handbook first. Then, consider the above text and contemplate a suitable response in advance of being questioned. Effective mourning need not require that an alarm run continuously; even one or two "beeps" could have the same effect.
The ultimate effect of all of this is that individual members of the general public will gradually become aware of a considerable amount of sympathy among their fellow citizens for the passengers and crew of United Flight 93; people who successfully thwarted the henious plans of Islamic Supremacist hijackers. At some point, this level of sympathy will be impressed upon the media and government officials who unfortunately control and limit much of our public discourse.
It is regretable that some would view the watch alarms as a political tactic. Again, it must be emphasized that our intent is solely to memorialize. If this idea is incorrectly promulgated as a political action, employers would have ammunition to ban it. |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 21:14:19
