(Before I say anything, I need to point something out: I'm not an american, and while I usually don't give two figs about what happens to the lot of them (I do have a small pile of friends scattered throughout the states, and I've even met a couple of them, years ago), I knew two of the people who were in New York on Sept. 11. One I had heard from the day before, and then the day after. She had been at work in the second tower - I hadn't known where she worked at all, until the 12th. She was fine, physically. I don't need to restate how she was feeling.
The second person? Fellow I'd met years ago, but never had a chance to meet in person. Nicknamed 'Seeker', into reading all night because you can't sleep, and arguing about philosophy-type stuff, doing the best a person can within their limits and then shoving the limits back to do more. I hadn't had a chance to talk to in several months, he'd gotten too busy with getting through a very heavy college course, then starting work. Computer industry, the kindof stuff you'd do in a big office building. No biggie, he'd promised to call when he found time, same as he'd done before after a few weeks or months offline. We'd been talking for a couple of years, I wasn't worried that he'd forget to say 'hi' when he found a chance.
He hasn't called yet. I haven't been able to find him in any of the likely chatrooms or mailing lists, either. Am I worried? Yes. I don't have a clue what his real name is, either. I can't find out what happened to him that way. But by now, I've got a very gloomy idea that he isn't going to be able to call. Ever. I don't like not being able to do anything about it. It makes me angry. Very angry.
My point is this: I might not like America all that much, but if anyone within rifle range of me turns out to be supportive of the Taliban, I'll send them to the hospital. A machine can breathe for them the rest of their lives.
I want my friend back!
- end pre-rambling.)
America realised it needed to grow up, because, like any child, it had thought itself to be next to perfect, the center of the world, and therefore untouchable. They knew, in small pockets, that it wasn't totally perfect - rats, drugs, kids going hungry, but most of them had the 'We're the best there is and that makes us better than you' attitude. Most didn't even know they were acting like that, but they were, and it bugged the heck out of me. Now, they've had to face the idea that they are NOT all-powerful. When they finish picking themselves up, they are going to steamroll over anything and anyone that hurt them. Good. But I am hoping they take a humble pill from it all, and look at the rest of the world eye to eye rather than down their collective noses. Here's hoping that in the next year, the next 5 years, 10 years, 100 years and beyond, they have lessons that teach as much but without the hurt involved. There are a lot of places in the world where death, pain, and fear are as much a part of daily life as breathing, and the people who cannot really understand that need to get off their asses and change things. I don't mean they can make imprints of themselves all over the rest of humanity, but a bit of teaching and fair trade would be good for us all. Sending a group of reforestation experts, and the equipment they'd need, sending people who know how to reclaim croplands from drought, sending doctors and medicine - sending a box of bandages, even - would do more than soldiers and guns. (Beat the snot out of Bin Laden, of course, but please, try to not to hit the little kids or few surviving women left in Afganistan while you do it, they've been through enough as it is.) - Gok
From : Lara This is something that my father's cousin's wife sent me. Purple aka Lara Subject: On Monday, On Tuesday Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 03:18:19 +0000 This is one of the best e-mails that I have seen recently on the events of 11 September. I hope that you feel the same. Thanks Peggy for sending it to me... - Something to think about : On Monday there were people fighting against praying in schools On Tuesday you would have been hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying On Monday there were people who were trying to separate each other by race, color and creed On Tuesday they were all holding hands On Monday we thought that we were secure On Tuesday we learned better On Monday we were talking about heroes as being athletes On Tuesday we relearned what hero meant On Monday people went to work at the world trade centers as usual On Tuesday they died On Monday people were fighting the 10 commandments on government property On Tuesday the same people all said 'God help us all' while thinking 'Thou shall not kill' On Monday people argued with their kids about picking up their room On Tuesday the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their kids On Monday people picked up McDonalds for dinner On Tuesday they stayed home On Monday people were upset that their dry cleaning was not ready on time On Tuesday they were lining up to give blood for the dying On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses On Tuesday grief stricken they sang 'God Bless America' On Monday we worried about the traffic and getting to work late On Tuesday we worried about a plane crashing into your house or place of business On Monday we were irritated that our rebate checks had not arrived On Tuesday we saw people celebrating people dying in the USA On Monday some children had solid families On Tuesday they were orphans On Monday the president was going to Florida to read to children On Tuesday he returned to Washington to protect our children On Monday we emailed jokes On Tuesday we did not It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to place things into perspective, but it has. The lessons learned this week, the things we have taken for granted the things that have been forgotten or overlooked, hopefully never will be again. On Monday - pray and be thankful On Tuesday - pray and be thankful On Wednesday - pray and be thankful On Thursday - pray and be thankful On Friday - pray and be thankful On Saturday - pray and be thankful On Sunday - pray and be thankful >