9/11 reminds us of true nature of peace

On this day, it is impossible for a majority of Americans not to flash back to where they were, or how they first learned of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. Or reflect on how those attacks on this day in 2001 stole the lives of nearly 3,000 people at New York’s World Trade Center twin towers, at the Pentagon and aboard United Flight 93 that went down near Shanksville, Pa. An estimated 400 first-responder rescuers also were killed.

For our nation, as well as others throughout the world, the perspectives, policies and rhythms of our lives have forever changed. As we enter a second decade of the post-9/11 era, this anniversary should evoke remembrance but not be consumed by the brutal, murderous side of humanity. As Mother Teresa once said: "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

Gabbard turns up on MSNBC, lei in hand

You couldn’t pay for publicity like that. Tulsi Gabbard, the heavily favored Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Hawaii’s 2nd District, kept her seat on the rotating panel of talking heads for the full two hours of the MSNBC Sunday show "Up with Chris Hayes." Of course, its reach to her actual voters was limited somewhat by another time factor: MSNBC shows run on the East Coast schedule, which meant the wee hours, Hawaii time.

Gabbard got a generous allotment of microphone time. But only that sleepless Hawaii viewer, resolute to the bitter end, caught a choice moment: Gabbard plopping a puakenikeni lei around Hayes’ neck. The host skipped away from the candidate before she could plant the requisite kiss on the cheek. Ah, well, a New Yorker can loosen up only so much.