MOTHER JONES DAILY: I’ve Covered Islamophobia for Years. Trump’s GOP Has Taken It to a New Level., The religion of national security, Utah’s voters would like their national monuments back, thank you, Don’t be fooled—Congress isn’t cracking down on OpenAI, A brief history of Donald Trump’s 9/11 controversies, “We’ve been told there’s another plane in the air and it’s heading here” 11SEP26

 

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September 11, 2026 A social media thread from Sen. Elissa Slotkin has, in my humble opinion, rightfully drawn attention because of the peculiar narrative Slotkin claims about the immediate aftermath of September 11. Specifically, the Michigan Democrat asserts that the country formed a “shared bond” after the attacks. What many, including myself, remember is the Islamophobia, vicious paranoia, and nationalism that overwhelmed so much of the public discourse. And when it comes to Islamophobia, such racism has gotten only exponentially worse among Republicans. As my colleague Tim Murphy writes today: It’s a cliche, at this point, to suggest that if elected officials in this country talked about members of any other religious group the way they talk about Muslims, they would be shunned from polite society—or at least called to account for it. But it’s hard to dispute the point. Open bigotry toward Muslims is not just a way to get ahead in President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. Increasingly, it seems to be the purpose of Trump’s Republican Party. It’s the key to understanding what’s changed in the MAGA world—and what has always been like this. The targeting and vilification of an American religious group is one of the most important stories of the midterms. We’re not talking about it enough. Tim’s right; we aren’t talking about this enough. So read his piece—and be outraged, downright horrified. —Inae Oh

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I’ve Covered Islamophobia for Years. Trump’s GOP Has Taken It to a New Level. The shocking vilification of Muslims is one of the most troubling storylines of the midterms. BY TIM MURPHY

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“We’ve been told there’s another plane in the air and it’s heading here” A 9/11 remembrance and thank you. BY DAVID CORN

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VIDEOS COMMEMORATING THE 25 ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 & ARTICLE 9-11 Aftermath: An E-mail from the U.S.S. Winston Churchill By Good News Network -Sep 14, 2001

VIDEO: SAUDI INVOLVEMENT IN THE 9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS ON AMERICA / 25 years later, 9/11 victims hope newly uncovered records will help illuminate Saudis' alleged role 3SEP26

 9-11 Aftermath: An E-mail from the U.S.S. Winston Churchill

 By Good News Network -Sep 14, 2001

“Dear Dad,

We are somewhere out to sea, still with little direction as to what our next priority is. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time. Being isolated as we are, I don’t think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.

About two hours ago we got a call from the LUTJENS (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in England. While in port, the CHURCHILL and the LUTJENS got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some pretty good friends. Now at sea they called over requesting to pass us close up to say good-bye. The Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through her binoculars that they were flying an American flag.

As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. They had made a sign to display on the side that read, “We Stand By You”. The entire crew of the German ship were manning the rails, saluting, in their dress blues.

More than a few of us fought to retain our composure as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes. It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life.

The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew. It’s amazing to think that only a half-century ago things were quite different. And to see the unity being demonstrated throughout the world makes us all proud to be out here doing our job.

After the ship pulled away the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said “I’m staying Navy.” I’ll write more as I know when I’ll be home.

Love you guys…”

Timeless Enigma

September 10 at 4:45 PM ·

In early September 2001, the American destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill was participating in routine training exercises off the coast of the United Kingdom. Operating alongside her was the German destroyer Lütjens. During their time together, the two crews spent time tied up in port, sharing meals, swapping stories, and building a deep friendship.

Then came the morning of September 11.

As news of the terrorist attacks reached the ships, the Churchill was immediately recalled to the United States to secure the East Coast. Port visits were canceled, and a heavy, grief-stricken silence fell across the American vessel. Cut off from their families and watching their homeland change from thousands of miles away, the crew felt completely isolated.

On September 14, 2001, as the Churchill began her journey home, the Lütjens requested to come alongside.

What happened next became one of the most immortalized acts of international solidarity in naval history:

Manning the Rails: As the Lütjens drew near, the American sailors looked over and saw that the entire German crew had lined up on deck in full dress uniform—a formal naval honor traditionally reserved only for heads of state.

The Flag at Half-Mast: High on the German mast, the crew had raised the American flag, flying it at half-mast to honor the thousands of innocent lives lost in the attacks.

The Bedsheet Message: Displayed prominently from the bridge wing was a makeshift banner, hand-inked onto a white ship bedsheet, reading simply: "We Stand By You".

As the Lütjens pulled parallel, the boatswain’s mate blew his whistle. The German sailors stood in rigid, silent salute, maintaining their formation as the ships rode the ocean waves together.

For the grieving American crew, the gesture was completely overwhelming. An officer on the Churchill later wrote home, noting that "there was not a dry eye on the bridge" as they realized they were not standing alone in the dark.

The original bedsheet banner was preserved and later donated to the Naval History and Heritage Command. The Lütjens crew proved that true alliances aren't just defined by military treaties or geopolitical strategies—they are forged in the quiet empathy that prompts a friend to stand by your side during your darkest hour.

CANADA ON 9/11 2001 9SEP26

 

TENS OF MILLIONS of Americans ( and probably several million Canadians ) aren't aware of how Canadians took tens of thousands of US bound ( mostly American ) travelers when the US government closed our airspace to all flights after the terrorist attacks on 9 SEP 2001 because they weren't born yet. Especially now, to counter the fascist imperialist aggression of the drumpf/trump-vance administration, their ass sucking cabinet and the gop / greed over people-republican party against Canada, we need to remind and teach Americans Canadians are our friends. And it wasn't just the people of Gander who took care of us, it was also the people of Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto, Goose Bay, St John, and I am sure other places in Canada too. THANK YOU CANADA!!! GOD BLESS AND KEEP CANADA!!! This from Behind The Wings .....

On 9/11, 38 international planes carrying nearly 7,000 people suddenly descended on a Canadian town of about 10,000.

Most of the passengers had no idea why they were there.

As U.S. airspace was shut down, international flights were ordered to divert. Thirty-eight of them ended up at Gander, Newfoundland — an airport that normally handled only a handful of flights each day.

Passengers waited for hours aboard their aircraft as security teams worked through the planes. Some wouldn't get off for more than 24 hours.

Then Gander had a problem: What do you do with nearly 7,000 unexpected guests when your entire town has only about 10,000 people?

The answer became famous.

Schools and nonessential businesses closed, freeing buildings and residents to help. Churches, schools and community halls became makeshift dormitories.

Locals cooked meals, donated clothes and bedding, and opened their homes to complete strangers.

Pharmacies filled prescriptions without charge. Free public phones were set up so passengers could call their families.

And so much food arrived that Gander's hockey rink was turned into what the mayor called “the largest walk-in freezer in the country.”

For some passengers, what happened in Gander restored something the attacks had shaken: their faith in other people.

And the relationship didn't end when the planes finally left.

Passengers from one flight created a scholarship fund for students in the Gander area. What began with $15,000 has since grown to more than $1 million, helping more than 200 students.

Some passengers returned for anniversaries. Friendships with the families who sheltered them lasted for decades.

And then there was Diane and Nick.

They were strangers aboard a London-to-Houston flight diverted to Gander. They ended up sleeping in a fishing union hall about 30 miles outside town and started talking over a pile of mothball-scented blankets.

During a local gathering, someone jokingly mistook them for a married couple and asked how they managed a relationship while living on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

They explained they'd only just met.

So someone asked if they wanted to get married.

They played along.

But something real had started. A year later, Diane and Nick actually got married.

The extraordinary few days in Newfoundland eventually inspired the Broadway musical Come From Away, which won a Tony Award. Gander's former mayor Claude Elliott has now seen the show 139 times in six countries.

Twenty-five years later, people still return to Newfoundland to see the strangers who took them in when the world seemed to be falling apart.

Had you ever heard the story of Gander before this?