9/11 thoughts

[SharonTucci]

Many of you know my dad passed on last year. My mother died on 9/11 the year before "the 9/11". I think because of this, my reaction to the actual events of 9/11 has been very delayed. I had had trouble sleeping the night before. My dad had just moved in with me and I was really concerned how he'd be since it was the anniversary of my mother's death. I'd also spent the previous year taking care of him more than I was dealing with the loss of her. I remember waking up that day and hearing of the first plane hitting. Because of my own state of mind and general tiredness, it almost felt like a surreal experience. I honestly didn't know if I was actually dreaming it all rather than it was actually happening.

A couple of girls I went to college with (I graduated in Finance) were working at the WTC. One made it, the other didn't. A business associate of mine I was in daily contact at the time lived/worked a very short distance to the site in Washington. I was worried - unable to reach her.

I'm not American - I'm Canadian - but I doubt that I feel any less impacted by the remembrance of the date than most Americans do.

It's always tragic when there are mass deaths in a senseless manner. I suspect very few of us have not had at least some feeling of emotion when hearing of a 'normal' plane crash, earthquakes & other natural disasters. But for some reason, it feels so much worse when other HUMANS were the cause of this.

I don't want to get into my personal opinions on war or on terrorism. I just feel really sad right now when I think back to where we were on 9/11 versus now. I'm 39 - older than most of you - but still young enough not to remember Vietnam and I've not lived through other wars. Perhaps the years I've been alive and feeling a sense of FREEDOM in the world are making it that much more difficult to understand how we got to where we are. The generations before fought for freedom and independence. Yet in the aftermath of 9/11, "free" is the last thing I feel. There has been no resolution to any of it. If anything the situation is worse today than it was before. I used to love traveling but quite frankly the idea of dealing with the embarassment of yet another airport strip search makes me less likely to want to do it.

I'm NOT a peace nut but I do believe in personal liberty and humanism...much in the same way that I consider myself agnostic but believe that everyone has a right to follow their own faith as long as it doesn't negatively impact those who do not follow the same faith.... much in the same way I believe that race, skin color or language should not be dividers. Unfortunately, there's some irony here in that to ME it is crystal clear that the world would be a better place if we could all just ACCEPT and LIVE AND LET LIVE... yet even that could be construed as pushing my own belief system on others.

Without turning this into a political debate, I'd be interested in knowing how others here have found themselves changed by what happened.... or have you been?


Sharon

 

[Kenny]

Sharon...

Great Post!!!!!

I need to let this sink in before I respond, but I will be back.

Cy

 

[BinderGang]

Many of you know my dad passed on last year. My mother died on 9/11 the year before "the 9/11". I think because of this, my reaction to the actual events of 9/11 has been very delayed. I had had trouble sleeping the night before. My dad had just moved in with me and I was really concerned how he'd be since it was the anniversary of my mother's death. I'd also spent the previous year taking care of him more than I was dealing with the loss of her. I remember waking up that day and hearing of the first plane hitting. Because of my own state of mind and general tiredness, it almost felt like a surreal experience. I honestly didn't know if I was actually dreaming it all rather than it was actually happening.

A couple of girls I went to college with (I graduated in Finance) were working at the WTC. One made it, the other didn't. A business associate of mine I was in daily contact at the time lived/worked a very short distance to the site in Washington. I was worried - unable to reach her.

I'm not American - I'm Canadian - but I doubt that I feel any less impacted by the remembrance of the date than most Americans do.

It's always tragic when there are mass deaths in a senseless manner. I suspect very few of us have not had at least some feeling of emotion when hearing of a 'normal' plane crash, earthquakes & other natural disasters. But for some reason, it feels so much worse when other HUMANS were the cause of this.

I don't want to get into my personal opinions on war or on terrorism. I just feel really sad right now when I think back to where we were on 9/11 versus now. I'm 39 - older than most of you - but still young enough not to remember Vietnam and I've not lived through other wars. Perhaps the years I've been alive and feeling a sense of FREEDOM in the world are making it that much more difficult to understand how we got to where we are. The generations before fought for freedom and independence. Yet in the aftermath of 9/11, "free" is the last thing I feel. There has been no resolution to any of it. If anything the situation is worse today than it was before. I used to love traveling but quite frankly the idea of dealing with the embarassment of yet another airport strip search makes me less likely to want to do it.

I'm NOT a peace nut but I do believe in personal liberty and humanism...much in the same way that I consider myself agnostic but believe that everyone has a right to follow their own faith as long as it doesn't negatively impact those who do not follow the same faith.... much in the same way I believe that race, skin color or language should not be dividers. Unfortunately, there's some irony here in that to ME it is crystal clear that the world would be a better place if we could all just ACCEPT and LIVE AND LET LIVE... yet even that could be construed as pushing my own belief system on others.

Without turning this into a political debate, I'd be interested in knowing how others here have found themselves changed by what happened.... or have you been?


Sharon

I live in New York City. I was in class when it happened. I saw the smoke with my own eyes. It was pretty crazy. Living there, you never really took in those things. Those two towers were always there, never really even remember actually standing next to them. Never had to go to that area, although I know I went in them a few times, but you know what I mean.

However, my life, personally, was more affected by George W. Bush being elected president than 9/11. The country was on it's way downhill the moment he was put in office, before 9/11.

 

[Kenny]

Binder, she specificly asked we dont get political here.

Lets leave out the politics.

 

[BinderGang]

Binder, she specificly asked we dont get political here.

Lets leave out the politics.

Honestly, I'm not. I'm not asking for anyone to debate me. My life hasn't been affected much due to the actual occurrence, but the actions one took before and because of the occurrence. It's just my experience, I'm not preaching.

I mean, Sharon, herself said "If anything the situation is worse today than it was before."

Tell that to someone who lost their son in Iraq. I'm sure they'd be very hurt by how she feels (which is a political stance). But, that's how Sharon feels and she said it in a non-political way, as I said what I said.

 

[SharonTucci]

Binder, she specificly asked we dont get political here.

Lets leave out the politics.

Honestly, I'm not. I'm not asking for anyone to debate me. My life hasn't been affected much due to the actual occurrence, but the actions one took before and because of the occurrence. It's just my experience, I'm not preaching.

I mean, Sharon, herself said "If anything the situation is worse today than it was before."

Tell that to someone who lost their son in Iraq. I'm sure they'd be very hurt by how she feels (which is a political stance). But, that's how Sharon feels and she said it in a non-political way, as I said what I said.

Did you actually read what I wrote?

A. I am NOT American.

B. At no time was any of this ABOUT politics which is why I asked for people not to turn it into that.

C. I did not mention or refer to Iraq in anyway. You have no idea what I think.

Wow Binder, I have to say thank you for demonstrating exactly what I meant when I talked about the polarization that exists based on 'differences'.

You wrote "Tell that to someone who lost their son in Iraq"..."would be very hurt by how she feels." - what exactly do you think I feel based on what I wrote?

[Mods - feel free to clean this up..... again, as I stated in my original post, on a significant day such as this, I was trying to generate a discussion to continue the healing rather than to encourage political debate.]

 

[shockie]

i have not been personally affected by 9-11 in that i don't have any family, friends, or people i know of in new york at the time. obviously what happened that day and the days that followed are still fresh in my mind, with all the media coverage, videos, etc.

i've also been stopped at the airport once after 9-11, but i still don't feel that my life is in any more danger than it was before the tragedy. maybe i just don't see the real threat because i am relatively distant from what happened, both mentally and physically (i'm also canadian). although i may not have felt such loss before, i do understand that others have, and that their emotions and memories need to be respected.

hopefully we can learn from all this and appreciate the people we care about in our lives. haven't talked to some friends in a while? call them up today and catch up on things.

 

[Michelle]

First off... ((HUGS)) sharon.. I know you have had a difficult couple of years but have remained strong and focused....

For me (UK) a weird peep :hehe: It affected us you canadians those very strange peeps in the states and the entire world the same... an awful ..you said it *surreal* loss :td:

I sat watched and cried in utter sorrow and disbelief and I hope that this or anything else like this NEVER happens again..

I have said a prayer or two and will im sure do the same for many years to come for sad loss of life, the families left behind and the true true strenght of the brave people in the rescue..

It changed me ... america... the world...

 

[SharonTucci]

hopefully we can learn from all this and appreciate the people we care about in our lives. haven't talked to some friends in a while? call them up today and catch up on things.

Thanks for sharing Shockie. I didn't realize you were Canadian too. Great idea on the above. I called my brother last night and had a long chat - we don't speak very often (he lives in Western Canada) so that was nice.

I understand what you mean about not seeing a real threat. That is a huge problem for me as well... especially when it comes to traveling.

First off... ((HUGS)) sharon.. I know you have had a difficult couple of years but have remained strong and focused....

Thanks Mell and thanks for sharing too.

 

[Broker]

Sharon, some words of wisdom I read in a book one time that changed not only my life, but how I look at it.

"Do not live in the past, nor in the future, live in the now"

Eckhart Tolle

Peace........

 

[Robert Allen]

Sharon, who do you think caused 9/11? Do you think it could have been prevented?

Rob

 

[BinderGang]

Did you actually read what I wrote?

A. I am NOT American.

B. At no time was any of this ABOUT politics which is why I asked for people not to turn it into that.

C. I did not mention or refer to Iraq in anyway. You have no idea what I think.

Wow Binder, I have to say thank you for demonstrating exactly what I meant when I talked about the polarization that exists based on 'differences'.

You wrote "Tell that to someone who lost their son in Iraq"..."would be very hurt by how she feels." - what exactly do you think I feel based on what I wrote?

[Mods - feel free to clean this up..... again, as I stated in my original post, on a significant day such as this, I was trying to generate a discussion to continue the healing rather than to encourage political debate.]

Sharon, you took what I said completely wrong. It was late at night here so I didn't really explain myself very well either.

Sharon, in no way was I attacking you. I was defending myself against Cyberian telling me not to get political. I wasn't. I was stating how I felt. He took what I said in a political way, which I was not trying to do at all. I can talk about how politics and world events changed my life in a non-political way.

What I meant is that there is no talk about events such as 9/11 without being able to take it in both a political and non political way. I simply used what you said as an EXAMPLE as to how someone could have seen what you said politically. What I said in the example was not meant AT ALL to replicate or demonstrate ANY feelings you had, nor was I trying to lean towards saying you think that.

I just don't like being taken out of context and being jumped at for it, when things anyone says on topics like this can be taken out of context.

I hope you understand what I'm saying now that it's not 5am and I'm thinking semi-coherently.

 

[SharonTucci]

Sharon, who do you think caused 9/11? Do you think it could have been prevented?

Rob

Rob, I think it's more important for us to figure out collectively how to move past it all. The current things being done are kind of like one of the problems prevelant in the healthcare industry where the focus is put on relieving symptoms rather than finding a cure. I'll have to end my thoughts there without getting into dangerous ground.

Sharon, you took what I said completely wrong. It was late at night here so I didn't really explain myself very well either.

Peace Binder.

 

[.X.]

I remember , I was watching Tv, the news broke in, showing the first tower hit, I couldn't even swallow, i felt i was near in shock, literally ,As i was watching, the second plane hit, and it was live news, All i remember is a tear fell down my face, i was devastated , i walked away from the Tv, and didn't return for several hours, I called my ex Seargent in the Marine Corps, We talked a bit, I knew our troops were headed back to Iraq, and the middle east, It will be a great blessing, when all peace is restored in our world.

I have far moved forward, but will never forget that day.

 

[WolfMother]

I hear you Sharon.

Tragedies are one of the hardest things to contemplate and understand. We can only hope to become stronger in some way afterwards.

It's always tragic when there are mass deaths in a senseless manner. I suspect very few of us have not had at least some feeling of emotion when hearing of a 'normal' plane crash, earthquakes & other natural disasters. But for some reason, it feels so much worse when other HUMANS were the cause of this.
Sharon

I was in the building across from the hall that was plastered all over the news during the Virginia Tech shooting. That event made me shed a new skin in terms of being able to overcome such senseless behavior in humans. Some people I knew were murdered. One of my friends had to hold the door shut on the killer with a desk to save everyone in the classroom. Intense feelings of shock, loss, disgust, anger, and resolve were throughout this place in a matter of a few weeks.

The world is full of people whose minds have been poisoned. In some cases it's involuntary, but something around them has directed their motives towards hostility, justifying ludicrous actions. It is a situation that humankind seems to be struggling very hard with, both to avoid and suppress.

I am not a complicated person. I believe in simplicity, celebrating the fact that I am here on this earth with good intentions and a brain capable of acknowledging different perspectives. All of the senseless things that happen in our lives are incentives for us to think freely, express ourselves, and radiate reason for others who have lost it.

Thanks to everyone who read this. It helps to write about it, and I hope that it encourages some form of insight.

 

[SharonTucci]

Thank you for sharing that WolfMother *hug*. I definitely understand you.

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

But for some reason, it feels so much worse when other HUMANS were the cause of this.

Perhaps the years I've been alive and feeling a sense of FREEDOM in the world are making it that much more difficult to understand how we got to where we are. The generations before fought for freedom and independence. Yet in the aftermath of 9/11, "free" is the last thing I feel. There has been no resolution to any of it. If anything the situation is worse today than it was before. I used to love traveling but quite frankly the idea of dealing with the embarassment of yet another airport strip search makes me less likely to want to do it.

Sharon

I cried for the people whose last thoughts were filled with absolute terror, horror and grief-not to mention they most likely knew they were being murdered by other people before they died.

I was a soldier for 2 1/2 years, and was very proud to fight for freedom. But these days I am jaded...not too sure anymore that any of us are really, truly free.

I'm mostly saddened that our species has been around for thousands of years, but we're still killing each other like barbarians.

 

[Barrucadu]

It's always tragic when there are mass deaths in a senseless manner. I suspect very few of us have not had at least some feeling of emotion when hearing of a 'normal' plane crash, earthquakes & other natural disasters. But for some reason, it feels so much worse when other HUMANS were the cause of this.

I am one of those people. I'm not heartless, I just am quite unemotional. I am sad when I head of something bad happening to people I know, but apart from that, nope.

(Please don't hate me everyone =P)

I'm mostly saddened that our species has been around for thousands of years, but we're still killing each other like barbarians.

Here's another perspective for you: Be glad that we have the intellectual capacity to be barbarians, and are not just animals.

 

[sashas]

I personally believe it was a shame. A huge blotch on humanity.

I come from India, and believe me, terrorist attacks are something we've all learned to take as a "part of life" there. Though there has been nothing (and I really really hope there never is) as bad as 9/11, I do realize that human rights around the world are abused. A LOT.

The question that perplexes me the most is that how can we put an end to this? We can try and talk the language of peace, but unfortunately, in this trigger happy, perennially angry world we live in, such words have hardly any impact. We can talk violence, but that only leads to more violence.
So do we just ride it out? Hope that one day one side will get exhausted and give up? I don't really see that happening, and even the thought of that as a solution only says how messed up the current state of the world is.

I'm not paranoid, but they way things are going, I think we might very well hear those three words - "World War 3".

 

[Michelle Ü]

i am not really influenced by this tragic since I don't have any relatives out there. but who ever will not be affected by that? I myself is so far but seeing it on TV is a heart breaking. you wouldn't really know when this things will happen. it came to a point when I told myself that i should be telling my love ones how greatful i am being with them and how i love them.

we should all do that. life is somehow unfair....be sure to always tell your love ones how you deeply love them.