Patriots Without Permission

Here we feature a biker's view of America's 911 ride in 2011, from the site of the Flight 93 crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The music is by James Horner (first piece) and Bear McCreary (second piece).

For this year's Two Million Bikers' Rally, the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police estimated that over one million motorcycle riders came through the Nation's capital today. Having been denied a permit by the United States Park Police (which has jurisdiction over national park territory, including the National Mall), the DC Police (many of whom were bikers themselves) were pleased to cooperate with the hundreds upon hundreds of riders who just happened to be passing through their city, all at the same time, observing all traffic regulations, and making a statement about themselves, and the republic for which they stand. On the way they passed through towns and hamlets that opened their hearts, and cleared the main drags, to welcome them.

Let them ride on this day every year. Let their numbers increase with every year. “We don’t need no stinkin’ permit!”

God bless America.
 

Nine-Eleven Plus Eleven

We have nothing to add today, except a reference to that which was published last year on this date, the account of an eyewitness.

“I read the news today, oh boy ...” (Pre-9/11 Edition)

It's another Monday morning, but without the usual blogospheric roundup from Pajamas Media, we present another of their contributors, Bill Whittle, in a video from this time last year, where he defends American foreign policy and counterterrorist strategy in the years since 9/11.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on planet Earth:

• Who said romance is dead? A Russian man wanted to see if his girlfriend really did love him to death, so he faked his, and it worked. (Orange)

• Speaking of romance not dying, a photo of an unidentified couple kissing as they are being handcuffed could be the basis for an upcoming film. (NY Daily News)

• A mother in China cannot tell her quadruplets apart, so she numbered them by shaving the numbers on their heads. They'll never get to sit with the cool kids now. (News.com.au)

• Speaking of winning numbers: "Buddy, can you spare five bucks?" A man in North Carolina has the answer, and was handing out five-spots to celebrate his birthday. (WXII-TV)

Well, that's all the news that fits. As the week goes on, stay tuned, and stay in touch.