SEPT 11?

Obviously, moderating this thread is having no effect. To Audiogon, please just let people say what they want to say. To everyone else, please refrain from finding fault with each other and arguing.

Of course, Nrchy, pray if you will for those who lost loved ones. I didnt mention them because everyone else does. I do pray for Divine guidance to somehow ameliorate the base instincts of the people currently in positions of power in this nation. But God help me, I am thankful I am not in a position to make decisions about what to do as a nation, and I am reluctant to criticize those who are, no matter how illegitmate their route to power. And no matter what I think of them, and no matter what they decide, I will support them.

I will support them because my country was attacked and they are in charge of responding. You say God is not a prostitute. I agree. God does not need public displays of obeisance. He certainly doesnt need for any nation or people or individual to use His name for their own selfish purposes. But I will tell you this, and the leader of my faith said it several years ago, the documents that underly our nation's system of government, the Declaration and the Constitution, have an aspect of providence to them. That is, even though some of the drafters were deists or atheists, God had a hand in the founding of this nation, the United States of America, a beacon of light and hope to the human race. Our leaders make mistakes abroad, do a lot of stupid things. But an attack on this nation, on its own soil, is simply evil.

Today will be a day of quiet remembrance, reflection, and discussion with friends, away from the hype, spin, and agendas on the tv.

What I'll be remembering about September 11 are the heroic, mostly public, workers, most prominently firefighters but also *many* others, who are usually taken for granted or devalued in many ways, but who, on September 11, were providing the kinds of essential services, big and small, that they are ready to provide every day. On that day, they had to begin to deal with the attack on and murder of thousands of innocent people in the World Trade Center. The Pentagon, an important command and control center, might have been considered to be a more legitimate military target in a different context, if the attackers were part of a military force, but the terrorists were members of a covert multi-national criminal gang that is still bent on destroying its targets without much regard for the guilt, innocence, religion, or national origin of their victims...

I'll also remember the passengers on that flight that crashed that day in Pennsylvania, who heroicly did their best, as soon as they heard about the planes crashing into the World Trade Center.

I'll also recall that while most national politicians, including Mr. Bush, were flailing about for the correct posture, soundbite, and setting for a week or three, Mayor Giuliani stepped up boldly, wisely, and compassionately and was a major spokesman for his city and the nation for a few crucial weeks. He was one of the few politicians truly ennobled by the attack and the sacrifices of his troops.

I'll also reflect on what has been done and what has not been done since then. I'll think about how little has been done to address the chronic intelligence problems that were and still are a prime source of our vulnerability, while so many of our traditional freedoms and legal protections were so hastily imperiled or trashed (and I'm not referring to inconvenieces at airports and the like). I'll think about all the political and corporate agendas that have been pushed forward, while Americans have been preoccupied by a putative war on terror. I'll think about the instability and trauma that is growing in Afghanistan, the probable war with Iraq, and the various far-reaching ramifications of both. And there is so much more...

God bless you, Nrchy. God bless everyone, God bless America.

Being an aetheist/humanist I cannot pray. However I use my reflections of the tragic loss to try to constantly remind myself to be grateful for what I have and to strive to do whatever I can in life to make this world a better place for others. I forget who it was modified Jesus' original quote, but it is the quote by which I would like to try to live:
"Treat thy neighbor as you would have him treat you, and remember all living creatures are your neighbors".

Charles, as a born and raised New Yorker I know that ALL of the victims and their families have the sympathy of New York. I think the sheer numbers involved and the fact that they were civilians in New York and not goverment employees underlines the concept of terrorism and how it makes all of humanity vulnerable. New Yorkers have had particular praise for the brave individuals who sacrafised their lives in Pennsylvania.
As an opponent of organized religon I hope that this forum doesn't become a vehicle for religous perspective. At the risk of appearing hypocritical I believe that a private perspective of spirtuality might save us from these terrible offenses. Please, let us not sever our common interests in this debate.
I moved to a small town in New Jersey 5 months before this tragedy. My new town has offered 4 white paper bags containing 4 white candles to all of it's inhabitants. Each of these candles is to be lit and put into it's own bag and placed on our front door step to comemomerate each airplanes passengers, that had fallen victim to this tragedy. A public gathering, as well as special srvices and requiems at most of the houses of worship are also planned. My friend John Sbarbaro was lost in the World Trade Center. His loving significant other Judy is planning a golf outing in early October to celebrate the joys of his life, friends and golf. I don't play but I hope to attend.