Letters: U.S. is losing censorship war

Posted: Sunday, November 11, 2001

Marceita L. Dorsey is the winner of the Amarillo Globe-News Encore award for the best letter for the month of October. Her letter, which ran originally Oct. 13, is being reprinted here today.

Those who attacked us already are winning one war against the United States - one we didn't even know we were in. They have censored us.

A large radio conglomerate recently decided what we are capable of hearing and understanding. It has chosen to pull such songs as "American Pie," "Only the Good Die Young" and, for crying out loud, "Blowin' in the Wind" from its stations' playlists.

Radio is not the only medium to decide what we should and should not be "subjected" to. Such films as "Independence Day," "Lethal Weapon" and "Die Hard" have been removed from cable and network stations. One grocery chain pulled the same three films from its rental shelves.

Some talk shows and sitcoms have taken the World Trade Center off their backgrounds and promos. If Great Aunt Edna dies, do you take her picture out of the family album? How far should sensitivity go?

The World Trade Center was part of America for more than 30 years; now we ban all photos of it? Are we to simply forget there once were twin towers in the New York skyline, or forget the movies and songs listed above?

The terrorists who attacked our country are part of the same people who force women to wear veils and men to wear beards. All entertainment has been banned by these religious zealots, who want everyone to focus on their version of God and shun anything that doesn't fit into their version of a righteous world.

As an American, I take pride in my freedom to choose what I watch, listen to and read. That freedom has been hindered by establishments that believe I am too dumb to choose.

Nope! I am smart enough to know that there are places that value my business and believe in my intelligence. I refuse to let "them" win this war without a fight.

Marceita L. Dorsey is a resident of Amarillo.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letters on the Sept. 11 terrorist attack were submitted by students in Karen Wells' fourth-grade class at San Jacinto Elementary School.

Attack won't destroy America's dignity

On Sept. 11, a plane crashed into the two tallest buildings.

It was a show of meanness. It was a disgrace.

It might destroy buildings, but not our dignity.

Kaylee Smith

Phone call to dad helped alleviate fears

Do you know about the terrorist attack? Well, I do.

My dad was in the Bank One building. They had to leave the building after the two planes hit the twin towers.

I was in Music that day, and I was worried about my dad.

So, I asked my teacher if I could call my dad, and she said, "Yes."

I was a little upset, so she let me go see the counselor.

She said it was going to be all right - and it was.

Ginni Evers

Donating blood was critical during that fateful day

After the twin towers were hit, over 30 people were donating blood.

Then, another hijacked plane crashed into the side of the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. - across the Potomac River from the capital.

The firemen put out the fire and started looking for survivors.

After that, so many people were trying to donate blood because a lot of people were hurt and burned.

They had to stop trying to donate blood. So, a lot of people had to stop coming, and a lot of people had to go home and watch.

Joshua Thompson

Grandpa would have made things easier on Sept. 11

On the morning of Sept. 11, we were all working until our teacher, Miss Wells, told us about the World Trade Center.

That day, everyone was sad. What if part of someone's family was in there?

I know that there were families in there, even though a part of my family wasn't.

It still made me feel sad because my grandpa died in a crash when I was only 2 years old.

I know I was still a baby, but that doesn't mean that I don't love him any more.

Man, I wish my grandpa was still alive. I really wish those terrorists didn't hijack the planes.

Sierra McDonald

God wouldn't want us to be sad

I am proud to be an American because God made everybody to be glad in America.

God does not want us to be sad.

He wants us to be glad, just like we are now.

Those of you who had relatives who died in the attack, I am very sorry.

On Sept. 11, it was sad.

Adrianna Hernandez