WASHINGTON —
I hadn’t written a column in a while, so while trying to come up with a topic, I thought I might take the easy way out and carve up the new reality show, “Here comes Honey Boo Boo.”
It is a show about a pint-sized pageant contestant and her uncouth tribe — a hillbilly clan that spends the better part of each episode trying to perfect exquisite seasonings and side dishes to best pair with a little deep-fried squirrel.
That was the plan and I had Honey Boo Boo directly in my contemptuous crosshairs.
But just before putting pen to paper Tuesday, I walked on to my deck on a beautiful, cool, sun-drenched fall morning and I knew the Honey Boo Boo column that would have to wait.
I had been here before — 11 years to be exact — and this was a column that would take a different turn.
On that September day 11 years ago I had a house full of toddlers and preschoolers, and was primarily concerned with diapers, runny noses and pulling crayons out of the toaster oven.
The day before, I had just written a smarmy, tongue-in-cheek “expose” of Mr. Rogers as my column to be published on Sept. 11.
After that, I assumed the rest of my week would be spent at soccer and volleyball games just like every other week in the fall — but then the world all changed in a matter of 102 minutes.
Funny columns weren’t so funny and high school soccer just wasn’t that important.
My three-year old and I stood in front of the TV and watched the second jet smash into the south tower, knowing only seconds later that this was not an accident — and everything was about to change for everyone.
I still remember the anger I felt that day. We all wanted someone to blame. After the anger, came the sadness, which has never gone away and I doubt ever will.
Because of the events of 9/11, we fought two wars in the last decade, spent billions of dollars, watched our economy free fall and seen gas prices skyrocket. We have pointed fingers at each other, trying to find some policy that began under President Bush, or was created by President Obama that caused the economic woes we now face. They didn’t cause it, they just tried to respond to it.
The cause came from 19 hijackers filled with hatred who created a confluence of events that we are still responding to today.
So was justice served, a year ago when Navy SEALs double-tapped bin Laden? No, nothing will take away the pain that man caused so many families who lost loved ones in the attack or in the decade of fighting since then.
So 11 years have past and I’m sure many of us have begun to move on to some degree.
Unfortunately, judging from the events of the last week, as our neighbors in Dubois County bury a 21-year old Marine and the Middle East explodes into utterly insane chaos, it obvious our enemies have not.
I’m sure some time in the future, I can walk outside on a beautiful, cool fall September morning and worry about writing a column about a silly TV show — but not today.
•••
Todd Lancaster is still watching “Honey Boo Boo” and can be reached at tlancaster@washtimesherald.com to share squirrrel recipes.
Obituaries
The day was oddly familiar
- Obituaries
-
-
Robert Pennington
Robert Pennington, 72, Shoals, died Friday at 1:15 p.m. at his residence. Arrangements are being handled by Queen-Lee Funeral Home.
-
Danny Lee Thomas
Danny Lee Thomas, 72, died at 3:25 p.m. Thursday at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh.
Born Oct. 21, 1940, he was the son of Ellen (Veale) Padgett. A graduate of Jasper High School in 1958, he attended the University of Kentucky at Hopkinsville. -
James Gregory Stroud
James Gregory “Greg” Stroud, 55, died May 18 in Indianapolis.
-
Ronald Robling
Ronald J. Robling, 73, died at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper.
-
Benny McDermed
Benny Ivan McDermed, 78, of Washington, died at 10:58 p.m. Monday at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. Born July 5, 1934, in Bedford, he was the son of Orval and Ivana (Terrell) McDermed.
-
Aaron Banta
Aaron Max Banta, 72, passed away at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville. Aaron was born April 17, 1941, in Washington, the son of Harold Max and Ermel Louise (Stafford) Banta.
-
William Malone
William Forest Malone, 69, born in Scotland, Ind., to Ernest C. and Hazel I. (Woodruff) Malone, passed from this life after a brief illness at his home on Tuesday.
-
Roy Fisher
Roy C. Fisher, 82, passed away Saturday at Good Samaritan Hospital. Born Jan. 13, 1931, in Lawrence County, Ill., he was the son of Willard and Martha (Timms) Fisher.
-
Sue Ann Armes
Sue Ann Armes, 66, of Washington, died Monday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville. Born Oct. 22, 1946, in Washington, she was the daughter of John W. and Vonlue (Himsel) Barber.
-
Makenlie Robinson (Lakatos)
Makenlie Jean Robinson (Lakatos) was granted her angel wings Friday, following a short illness.
- More Obituaries Headlines
-
Robert Pennington
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
