posted on September 19, 2001 04:46:57 PM new
Spoke to a friend of mine today for the first time since the horrors... I'd been concerned because she's got scads of buddies in New York City and some relatives managing a Marroitt Hotel there. Fortunately (for them) it was NOT the Marriott at the foot of the World Trade Center. My friend had considered flying to NYC to see these relatives and attend the big memorial to be held in Central Park on the 23rd. Wanna know what the airfare was? TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS! I laughed and said, "Yeah, but you'd be the only one on the plane." I haven't seen an airliner since That Tuesday -- we're right in the flight path to Oakland International Airport and typically see/hear dozens of jets per day. I haven't even seen any private two-seater planes; we have a puddle-jump airport right here in Hayward and it's usually very busy. May be closed for all I know...
And I guess that's why I'm writing -- for all I know, this massive naval force we've dispatched to the Middle East is going to unleash THE war we thought could never happen. For all I know, capturing and/or killing Osama bin Laden will provoke spontaneous attacks around the world. We DIDN'T kill the Ayatollah Khomeni due to just such fears. And the fear we're all now feeling (for the first time, most of us) is why I'm writing, as well. It's the fear that has had some of us pouring over "Apocalypse" websites; it's the fear that has closed the Golden Gate Bridge to pedestrians; it's the fear I feel of no longer being safe. A part of me would like to believe that's a "healthy" fear, but an even larger -- perhaps more logical -- part says, "No. Fear is not healthy. Fear is what led that Arizona man to kill a Middle-Eastern man at a gas station in Mesa."
Mine is a crippling, lousy fear. I won't go to our corner store because the new owners -- Arabs -- may be targeted for vandalism or worse. I can't look them (they are two brothers) in the eye right now. I'd be ashamed to learn they HAD been threatened and ashamed there'd be little or nothing I could do about it. I'd be ashamed of them if they WEREN'T flying an American Flag out front and sorry for them if they felt they had to. (I haven't been up there, so I don't know one way or the other.)
Shame. That's why I'm writing, too. We have new neighbors kitty-corner to us who are from the Middle East. We don't know them. When I lit a candle on our porch last week at 7 p.m., I looked to see if they had, too. They hadn't. Nor had most of our neighbors, but it irked me that their porch, in particular, was dark.
My favorite clerk at the Post Office, who is an (India) Indian, has not been there all week. Usually, I give up my place in line to conduct business with her because she's very funny and knows me and we banter like magpies while she calculates my eBay passage. She's another "casualty" of all this, I suspect. Afraid to go to work, afraid to have people AVOID her window as much as I sought it out. All week, there've been no lines at the Post Office. That's not normal. That's not right.
That's another reason I'm writing... what was normal and right a week ago has been replaced. Fear is normal now. "Right" is a convoy of naval ships sailing toward battle.
Somewhere, sometime, though, that battle and that fear will collide -- and not just for Americans. It turned my stomach this morning to see newspaper photos of Pakistani university students demonstrating their loathing of the United States in Karachi. They are Pakistan's "next generation". What are we going to do to turn their hearts and minds toward peace? IS there anything we can do? Really?
Addendum: I support efforts aimed at eliminating terrorists and terrorism. I question our ability -- even as a united global force -- to do so adequately. Timothy McVeigh was a decorated American soldier, afterall...
posted on September 19, 2001 05:07:23 PM new
Thank you for your post.
I am fearful too, but I am holding to hope. This feels like a learning point, where we might again remember that it is a small planet that we share.
For capturing hearts and minds, I would like to suggest that a first step is to listen to those that are angry, to hear what it is that has made them angry.
As an American, here are some of the things that have made me angry, and which I believe perhaps reflect some of the anger elsewhere:
The inconsistency in foreign policy. Less than six months ago, the Taliban were gives millions of dollars because of their anti-drugs stance. They were harboring bin Laden then. They are harboring him now. Why are Taliban now our enemies for harboring a terrorist that was accused of the 1993 bombings, let alone the recent bombings?
Why are some dictators and undemocratic regimes ok, and others are not? Who decides who's cool and who's not? How? If our basic creed is freedom and democracy, shouldn't we only support those moving towards that?
Just because a country is seen as our friend (Israel), it doesn't mean they can do no wrong. We shouldn't turn a blind eye to their wrongs while we go after other countries for transgressions of what we think is right.
As a superpower, we have a responsibility not only to ourselves, but also to lead the world in doing what is right. Ignoring the environment is neglecting that responsibility. Dirty air, climate change and lack of resources will affect America sooner or later too. Seriously.
The flippant neglect of attention to the law and rules of law. Why is it now going to be ok to have the CIA again start assassinating people "we" don't like? What gives America the right to be judge, jury and executioner, without any reference to law or justice?
I don't agree with the expression of anger that we have experienced. But I can identify with some of the anger, and where it comes from.
posted on September 19, 2001 05:21:28 PM newAWrocks, I, too, can identify with and envision many causes/possibilities/outcomes. This is far too complicated an issue for me to comment upon in a cogent political or historical manner. I simply know what my days have been like since September 11, and know that no days hence will ever be as serene-seeming as September 10...
Tell us, if you will, what has gone on in your neighborhood, your town, in the aftermath of these tragic events.
posted on September 19, 2001 05:39:48 PM new
Plsmith, thank you for saying what many of are thinking. Here in my little town, business as usual. Not alot of middle eastern folks live here, but Im thinking if they did, they would still be as they always were...our neighbors and part of our little community. Not having any here that I know of, Im hoping what Im thinking would be true.
I have had fear the past few days...deep fear. But of all the places where I found comfort, it was what Toke said today that her dad said to her: To not worry about what I cant change. All I can do is make peace with myself, batten down the hatches, and hope I do with honor and dignity whatever it is I am meant to do or be. And to find solace in a higher power. I wont make this thread religious, because I am not religious myself...yet. But I will tell you that I enjoy your posts, and have missed your presence, and maybe that will put a very small smile on your face for a quick moment.
edited to add that I will dream of better days, more fun days where I LOL at the antics of you and krs when you both went at each other. Ah...the good old days.
[ edited by hepburn on Sep 19, 2001 05:42 PM ]
posted on September 19, 2001 05:59:18 PM new
Yes, Hepburn, I, too, agreed with Toke's Dad's assessment of our individual responses to world conditions: Keep our own lives humming, do the right thing in our own back yards.
As to krs, I can tell you that while he and I may from time to time use this forum as a pissing contest, I've no doubt in my mind that he's one of few I know I'd be content to be trapped in a foxhole with... either he'd slit my throat on the spot or risk his own life trying to save mine -- and I rather suspect it would be the latter...
posted on September 19, 2001 06:15:17 PM new
Ordinarily, I'd suggest we add some "offensive" language to the numbers and see what happens. Today I really AM interested in reading what other Americans' lives have become since last week -- every nuance, every latent prejudice...
posted on September 19, 2001 06:17:42 PM new
Yes, it would be interesting to know on an individual basis. Today, same o same o here. Flags waving, talk at the bakery about the 11th, but other than that, nothing is different. Except the Nuclear place is still on high security and they are testing sirens often.
spelling.
[ edited by hepburn on Sep 19, 2001 06:18 PM ]
posted on September 19, 2001 06:35:43 PM new
Life in my little town....We live in a suburb of NY. Given our close proximity to the city, many many many people here have been directly effected by the tragic events. Many have lost loved ones. Still others are sending their firefighting spouses from our local volunteer fire departments to the scene each and every day, waiting anxiously for their return each night. Our local radio stations have become community bulletin boards where the local drop off spots for donations are announced, phone in's are encouraged with folks expressing their thoughts, feelings & fears, the music formats are out the ole' window per say, as callers request their favorite patriotic/inspirational songs (Kate Smith's God Bless America was a first for our local classic rock station!). Our homes,cars & businesses are bedecked with American Flags. There is noticed difference on the roads, where courtesy has become common place. Candles are left burning thru the night on many many front porches.The previously jovial mood in most gathering places: PO, stores & businesses, has been replaced with a more solemn one, off hand remarks and the sound of laughter is virtually gone.
Our experiences with those of Middle Eastern discent (or those who simply look that way) have been somewhat limited. We attended a memorial service a few nights ago at a local Vietnam memorial. As we walked thru the darkness alone, at the bottom of the path we were met by a single dark skinned man. For a second all of us froze (including him) He then politely pointed us to the exit and we thanked him. He then thanked us for coming and we in turn thank him for holding the service & parted without fear. Last night at a local supermarket, there was a couple obviously of Middle Eastern discent. Both were wearing red/white/blue ribbon pins, but looking up at no one. It is very very sad, and although I do not harbor any ill feelings towards anyone based on color or religion, I am afraid. Watching a show last night on the anger directed towards Muslems in the US, a comment was made by a young Muslem woman on how all they want to do is to be able to walk out of their houses without fear. Well in THAT statement is our common ground. SO DO I! But the events of the passed week, combined with details of terrorists living in the US have taken away my security. So please forgive me if I falter or hesitate, but the wounds are still bleeding and it will take some time for this American to heal.
posted on September 19, 2001 06:42:48 PM new
I find it heartbreaking that those who came here (from middle eastern countries) to claim American as their home, just like the Irish did, and the Italians, and the English, and the Germans and Swedes and Chinese and Japanese and the people who make American what it is, now are in fear because of what some of their countrymen have done. That, friends and neighbors, is SAD.
posted on September 19, 2001 06:48:00 PM new
I agree, Hepburn, and recall how we treated Japanese Americans when Pearl Harbor was bombed: we incarcerated them. Do you see a possibility of similar action being taken today against Muslims living in the United States? Is it really so far-fetched an idea, given the climate of fear and rage? What do you think?
posted on September 19, 2001 06:53:51 PM new
As far as locking them up in "camps", I dont think that will happen. The fence they will find themselves behind will be worse. They will be free to come and go, but they will be watched with suspicion. They will be able to live in their homes, but under a microscope. They will be free to attend school functions for their children, but they may be snubbed. Their children will have battles in the schoolyard and picked on. Maybe a fence would be better...at least they wont be so fearful of a backstab and would be able to console themselves, ya know?
posted on September 19, 2001 06:55:47 PM new
I live in a fairly small town about an hour south of Cleveland. The plane that went down in PA is known to have passed over us as it turned. The small local airport visually saw the plane.
There have been blood drives, children raising money, fireman collecting money and items, all of that type of thing. People are more subdued and polite. I've only noticed laughter the last couple of days.
I keep thinking about my oldest son's girlfriend and her family. Her mom had a brother at the Pentagon...he is not accounted for yet. A friend of mine from church has a 21 year old son who joined the army 8 months ago. 3 weeks ago he and the friend who signed up at the same time were sent to Kuwait(sp). They emailed their families this weekend and said they were being sent "somewhere" but they weren't allowed to say where. He also said it would most likely be a while until he could write or contact them in any way.
My neighbor across the street has a 23 year old son who is on the Abraham/Lincoln aircraft carrier in Seattle. They are also Jewish, and while they themselves have not been harrassed, some of their friends have been.
I find myself thinking differently about things. Most things I spend my time on seem trite and trivial. As I thought about my work day tomorrow, I thought that I should make sure and gas up my car, and I told my sons to do the same. I'll be going to the grocery store for a normal run, and I was thinking about stocking up on some essentials.
When planes go overhead, I look. We get helicopters a great deal because of a National Guard armory that is close by. There are more of those than usual.
I have three sons, ages 21, 19, and one who will be 18 next July. For me, normal took a shift last week. I am still adjusting to this new "normal".
posted on September 19, 2001 07:02:51 PM newHepburn, you're probably right -- we'll simply make life "legally" unbearble for people of Middle-Eastern descent in some circumstances... we'll bully thier kids on the playground, drive past their gas stations and avoid their convenience stores. Not quite terrorism but certainly its cousin.
Meya, I sincerely hope that "shift" doesn't include a future military draft neither you nor your sons ever dreamed would come to pass...
posted on September 19, 2001 07:06:05 PM new
I feel for you all. It is ok to be afraid. All it means is that you are a normal, caring person.
But the fear will never go away unless it is faced and face it is what the world must now do.
When fear is stood up to it can be overcome. By giving in to it the fear will only get worse. Now is the time to face it, once and for all.
People now need to put aside petty differences and perceptions and stand tall, shoulder to shoulder, and look this monster we call fear straight in the eye and defeat it, no matter what it takes.
posted on September 19, 2001 07:08:38 PM new
Meya, it crossed my mind to do all that you said crossed yours...stocking up, having a full load of gas in the car, etc. I decided I was not going to do that, because there really is no reason to. I live about 15 miles or so from a nuclear plant, as the crow flys. There are two ways out of this small town, and those two ways would be so congested with the surrounding townspeople heading out (if we were still alive after the plant blew), it would be impossible to get anywhere within a mile of the city limits. I will not leave my dogs or cat to fend for themselves, either. So here I will stay. I might get some water, but Im really hoping if that plant blows, there wont be anything left of me to worry about such things. I have thought many times of painting a target on my roof...because if that place goes, I want to be right in the middle of it and not suffer the sight of seeing those I love die slowly. So, no stocking up for me. Day to day is what I have lived while being in this place...day to day I will live in future.
posted on September 19, 2001 07:11:10 PM new
Something else I thought of today. In the aftermath of this horrible event...so many people gone, the damage to the cities etc. What do we see as we watch the country react? We see people for the most part massing together, pitching in and doing the hard work. People making sacrifices above and beyond the Call of Duty. We are waving our Flag and working towards a unity this country has not had in a long time.
Think of how other countries would respond to something like this. Many would be marching in the streets, burning the flag of the country that was responsable, burning dummies etc.
This countries strength will soon be seen, you can bet on it.
posted on September 19, 2001 07:14:00 PM new
My thoughts on stocking up are more based on the possibility of the gas stations jumping their prices if anything else happens, and the type of runs you can get on stores during emergencies. Most gas stations raise their prices on the weekends anyway, so we do try to gas up on Thursday.
posted on September 19, 2001 07:14:28 PM newThink of how other countries would respond to something like this.
We would see LOTS of AMERICANS standing side by side with them, helping to dig out victims, and rebuilding their cities, and treating their wounded, is what else we would see. Americans have always given freely. It sure would be nice to see other countries here with us, wouldnt it? With their doctors and nurses and Red Cross (if they have one).
posted on September 19, 2001 07:16:25 PM new
Since I have decided I wont try to go anywhere IF something happens, and Im still around to have to GET around, I still have my bike out in the garage. Thank goodness this is a small enough town that I can ride that where ever I need to go. Personally, gas hikes in times like this make me sick. Nothing like a disaster for people to start gouging, eh?
posted on September 19, 2001 07:19:25 PM new
Yes, Mylanta, one hopes one will have the the same degree of courage expressed by those on United Flight 93 when and if one's life is placed on such a line. But you and I sit here, logged onto an AW chatboard, relatively safe, yet (some of us) profoundly afraid. It's the courage one needs to face another day I'm concerned about... Meya may lose some of her children to this war that didn't exist a week ago. Many others are facing serious repercussions from the downturn in our nation's economy.
Take a stand? Yes, by all means, let's do so. But let's also be aware of the "sacrifices" (to which even President Bush has alluded) that this "stand" will entail, and pray we've the strength -- and the courage -- to meet them...
posted on September 19, 2001 07:30:46 PM new
I have yet to see news coverage of a group of Americans burning an Afghani, Pakistani, Iraqi, or any other flag...
Seen plenty of footage of the Stars and Stripes being set ablaze in those countries, though...
(Is that it? WE'RE a solidified, identifiable target, while those countries -- and others -- are merely "sympathetic" to terrorist causes? Is that why we don't burn THEIR flags in our streets? Or is it something else?)
posted on September 19, 2001 07:40:20 PM newIs that it? WE'RE a solidified, identifiable target, while those countries -- and others -- are merely "sympathetic" to terrorist causes? Is that why we don't burn THEIR flags in our streets? Or is it something else?
I dont have the answer to that one. I have ideas of what I think, but Im not too slick at making them come out right, so I will let someone else do it and then YES them. But I will give it a small shot. I think we dont do that because there is something in us that prevents it. It just isnt the RIGHT thing to do. Does that make us different them they are? Maybe so. Then again, we have people here who will go kill someone who LOOKS like an enemy, because of something that happened that was beyong their own control...the killer and the victim. Tolja I wasnt good at this stuff.
