Thursday

The Thursday Dispatch - 11 September 2025

On how we cope.

S. L.

• 4 min read

I have a lot of thoughts ping-ponging through my head right now. I’m going to flesh some of that out here, so bear with me. I might be all over the place this morning. Today’s date struck me as I typed it out. Anyone who’s a millennial or older will have that feeling for quite some time.

I have a friend who’s flying today. I wished them safe travels as they have a long haul ahead of them. I hope they have the experience they’re hoping for. But they noticed the date too.

The morning of September 11, 2001, I was packing for a trip to Chicago. My family and I were to fly from Omaha to O’Hare that afternoon. We were set to do all the touristy type things: see the then-called Sears Tower, catch a Cubs game at Wrigley (where I would have seen Ken Griffey Jr. in a Reds uniform), and eat Chicago food, like deep-dish pizza and Chicago dogs. Tourist shit.

I was packing when the first tower was hit. I thought it was possible it was an accident. Then the second tower was hit. I knew what it was then. It wasn’t an accident. Then the Pentagon. Then the plane crash in Pennsylvania. I wasn’t flying that day. I still haven’t been to Chicago. It’s a seven-hour drive. I should really go.

I remember in the days following, some congressman declared that every American should display the flag from their home. I lived in Lincoln, Nebraska at that point. This is the heart of Husker football country. And although I know many of these folks lean more on the conservative side of the fence and would proclaim they love their country, I knew within a month, most of those American flags outside of those homes would be replaced by red flags with a white “N” on them representing the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I was right. I’d estimate only about 30% of those American flags remained by the end of October.

There’s a part of me that would see this as a bit of American complacency. As I’ve gotten older, I also recognize that in times of grief, we tend to seek comfort in the things we love. For some, that’s a college football team. It could also be music, a pet, or a hobby of some sort.

Right-wing windbag Charlie Kirk was shot and killed yesterday in Utah. Kirk was a big 2nd Amendment advocate, but further, he tugged on the values conservative voters cling to in order to lure them into something darker. He was outspoken against LGBTQ rights, denounced the teaching of critical race theory, which tells the ugly truth of slavery and racism in this country, denied that white privilege is real, and was an avid Trump supporter. There are many reasons to celebrate his lack of existing in our society.

But, I feel it also says a lot about where my country is heading. Conservative windbags have already made Kirk a martyr, playing like the aggressors are the real victims, not the people that want peace, love, and harmony for all. I fear it’s only a matter of time before someone on the left is targeted again. I hope we don’t spiral out of control even further than we already have, but I fear we will.

It’s also a matter of time before there’s another windbag conservatives prop up, someone that has enough charisma to captivate gullible audiences. Someone who knows their way around social media and news media who can convince people they’re “just telling it like it is”. Kirk was fully expendable. For many, his death will be profitable. That is the sad and sick truth of it.

For the rest of us, those who are going through it, whether we’re stressed from life, grieving, can’t pay our bills, are looking for work, or whatever life is throwing at us, we need ways to cope. This is where we reach for our coping mechanisms. Maybe that’s a local college football team, our pets, music, writing, a hobby, etc. Understand this: even when it feels like it, you are not alone. It may feel like it sometimes, but you aren’t. Reach out to your friends and family. Check on them. And don’t be afraid to tell your truths as well. We’re 24 years past September 11, 2001. We’re also 54 years since Marvin Gaye released What’s Going On?, yet that album still sounds current. My point being everyone has struggles. I don’t say that to minimize them, but as an opportunity for us to find common ground and to build each other up through the fire.

There’s always been dark times. I wish that wasn’t true. I wish we could all live in harmony. I know I’m not alone in that thought. That’s why I still have hope.

Weekly Photo

Just Griffey being creepy. He’s always done this. It’s because he wants something. He will withhold cuddles until the situation is rectified, but you have no clue what the issue is until you try a few things.

This Past Week…

iPhone 17: Photographer’s Reaction - Tyler Stalman’s detailed reaction to the iPhone 17 announcement, focusing on features relevant to photographers and filmmakers.

iPhone 17/Pro/Air Impressions: Spot the Red Flags! - Marques Brownlee provides his first impressions of Apple’s 2025 September event, focusing on the new iPhone 17 lineup and other product announcements.

Introducing iPhone 17 Pro | Apple - I’m ordering this tomorrow. I’ll share more details on that soon.

Songs in the Chaos

This is my weekly list of songs that either caught my attention or came to mind this past week. I post these throughout the week on a site called Crucial Tracks, where they’re also added to a playlist on Apple Music. Feel free to follow me on either space.