Rugger Patriot - Submitted for your consideration is something I posted today to the listserve for the international association of gay rugby clubs:

In light of the recent discussion about the uniqueness of the Bingham Cup compared to other international gay sporting events, this is a good time to note yesterday's findings of "9-11 Commission" here in Washington.

As described in Staff Statement No. 17, the FAA and the U.S. military were utterly unprepared to defend America against the four suicide hijackings on 11 September 2001. The investigative report concludes with these words:

"NORAD officials have maintained that they would have intercepted and shot down United 93. We are not so sure. We are sure that the nation owes a debt to the passengers of United 93. Their actions saved the lives of countless others, and may have saved either the U.S. Capitol or the White House from destruction."

As bad as the destruction of the Twin Towers was, I cannot imagine the blow to the national psyche caused by the obliteration of the White House or especially the demolition of the Capitol building. The conclusions reached by the commission serve as another reminder of the gratitude all Americans should feel towards Mark and the other brave and selfless passengers on Flight 93 that awful morning.

Sometimes heroism isn't just a media myth.