posted on September 19, 2001 07:47:35 PM new
But you hit right at the heart of it, Hepburn:It just isnt the RIGHT thing to do.
It ISN'T the right thing to do. There's an irony I'm not savvy enough myself to comprehend buried within the fact that the very same countries in which our flag is routinely burned in the streets are now "officially" descrying terrorism. Something not right there... much more than just not the "right thing to do"...
posted on September 19, 2001 10:36:12 PM new
I have only left the house once to go to the store since the 11th. It's not because I'm fearful something will happen if I do, just don't really have the will or talk to anyone. I'm a loner anyway and this just made it worse.
My son works graveyard at Safeway, and he said he has seen more Middle Easterners shopping late at night. They come in, get what they need, and are out of there in record time. He said he feels sadness for them.
plsmith - did you see on the news last night that the markets in China Town had a big run on rice? In a way it was kind of funny. I always tease my DIL because she has to have her rice every day.
posted on September 20, 2001 12:28:43 AM new
I live 20 mi from Manhattan. I haven't changed a single thing that I can think of other than watching the TV coverage.
Most of us out here get a little comic relief with news reports of hoarding, gouging, lines etc. There are no lines here, gas hasn't gone up, you can go into any store and buy 15 different kinds of bottled water.
Emails about when will the mail work again???? Other than the 2 days of air carried mail slowness, there has been no interruption of mail except to 2 zips in Manhattan and even THEY only have the inconvenience of going to the post office to p/u mail.
A person can be a complex and wonderful thing to behold, but people are truly one of stupidest herd animals.
posted on September 20, 2001 01:40:06 AM new
We have lots of planes flying overhead...but we're outside the base. Lots of activity there. I haven't been on base because it's such a hassle to get through the gate(increased security means incredible delays) and we're all lined up outside the gates like sitting ducks to anyone who might consider taking out a military person or two.
I've lived with a target on my back for so long that I don't feel any differently. For us, it's the same-old, same-old. The tom gets up and goes to work at 0-dark-thirty and comes home, the kitten attends school, and I'm doing the same things I've always done.
But...my elder kitten is in the Army, training to be a Ranger. It is not out of the realm of possibility that he will be on any front lines. I have cousins in the Army. My brother is in the AFReserves. The tom is ADAF. Most of my friends are in the military or married to AD members. I'm scared for all of them.
Mostly, though, I'm terrified for the kitten. I know there may be a need for him to fight for his country but he's my kitten, my baby, my first-born and all I want to do is go to where he is and bring him home where I can keep him safe but I know I can't keep him safe, not any more, not like I could when he was little...
So I do what I have to do to get through the day and try not to think about my kitten.
My heart hurts and I find myself in the bathroom, crying, anytime I think of him.
posted on September 20, 2001 01:50:06 AM new
{{{{Shadowcat}}}} I think as mothers we all worry about what this might mean for our children. It's family's like yours serving in the military that make our country so great. I look at my 12 year old son... his two favorite things in life are playing "army" and going with his dad on search and rescue training. He's asked a lot of questions this week. Some I could answer for him and some I'm still trying to figure out myself. We'll pull through this but it sure looks like a long road ahead.
posted on September 20, 2001 01:54:11 AM newhepburn, with regard to other countries helping the U.S. in the aftermath, I am sure that help has been offered. Tony Blair spoke of discussing with U.S. officials how the U.K. could help with the search/rescue/recovery. I am sure other countries followed suit. I can only assume that the help was not needed, not that it was not offered. Such work requires coordination, rather than simply abundance. In addition, Lloyds of London will be paying out huge amounts of money in insurance (I know it is not "given", but it is very tangible support).
mybiddness, I will put you on ignore. Please do me the same kindness if you do not like my posts.
plsmith, this has been a snapshot of some of my days.
On Sunday, I went to my local Quaker meeting, and heard many expressions of great sorrow and distress about what has happened, along with concern for what the future will bring. I spoke of my experience as a child, during the cold war, during the Bay of Pigs, and the tangible fear that was in the air. Of adults talking quietly. Of bomb drills in school. Of laying awake at night, wondering why the Russians wanted to kill me - a small girl in America. Thinking of Russian girls, just like me, and wondering what they were thinking. And realising that they did not want to kill me - that they simply wanted to play with their dolls, go to school and grow up. Just like me.
I spoke of how there would now be Afghani women, just like me, wondering about the future for their children. Afraid and yet unable to give into that fear for the sake of our children. Having to be focussed on doing the laundry, getting dinner, etc.
I spoke of how I hoped that the conflict would be able to not degrade into the demonisation of an entire people because of what a few had done.
I went to work on Monday, and read the comments left in the Town Hall memorial book. Ordinary people, and representatives of a wide range of people have expressed their deep distress at the deaths of so many, their support for the need to take action against terrorism, and their hopes for the future in being able to live peaceably.
I took my children to school on Wednesday, where they receive their education in a highly mixed environment. Large numbers of immigrant children from a range of backgrounds attend there: Turkish Muslims, African Christians, Rastafarians, Hindus and a range of white children from different backgrounds. Children. Just children.
And I spend time here and elsewhere, stating my views and trying to receive the views of others without denouncing them for what they believe. For some, the pain of loss is too great, and they cannot go beyond grief and anger. For others, the grief has been transmuted into grief for ourselves, and fear for our planet.
Martin Amis: "Our best destiny, as planetary cohabitants, is the development of what has been called 'species consciousness' - something over and above nationalisms, blocs, religions, ethnicities. During this week of incredulous misery, I have been trying to aply such a consciousness, and such a sensibility. Thinking of the victims, the perpetrators, and the near future, I felt species grief, then species shame, then species fear."
I hold my heart with hope that we will find a way through this without utter destruction, of either the planet, or of innocents. It is a fearful time, but one which I still hold as a time of learning and realisation of our interconnectedness, and of our, by and large, shared humanity.
posted on September 20, 2001 04:25:15 AM new
Things in this area seem to be very much the same after the first few days. The grocery stores and freeways are full again. Lots of red white and blue, I'm proud to report. No hassling of foreigners after the initial reaction.
But:
All of the churches had special services Sunday. I don't know what incited the man because I wasn't there. But during the service at one of the larger churches, an Iranian man suddenly stood up and starting screaming 'die, Americans!' He had to be subdued by some of the other men and the police called. Another incident at another church in a town nearby, but I don't know the details of it. An odd place for it to happen, and they must have been Christian (I suppose) to have been there to begin with. Unless they came for the specific purpose of causing trouble, but I don't think that seems likely.
Bomb threat at a local hospital, all the patients had to be evacuated.
Building new fences around the army base, since the old ones have been there 50 years, easily, and are covered with honeysuckle. For some reason, this bothers me! As though war doesn't have room for flowers.
I personally am going about my day, doing what needs to be done. But my sons are ever in my mind. As I have said before, the eldest leaves for officer training school after college graduation in December. I would try to talk him out of this, but I know that wouldn't be right for him or me. The youngest is 19, and I pray he stays put in college. I pray every mother's son is safe and that we do not have to make that sacrifice. Gas shortages, security checks, price gouging I can deal with. Just keep my sons safe.
Afterthought: Texas declared a moratorium on gas price hikes last Wednesday when the first reports of 4 dollar gas came out. They can raise it if the wholesale cost goes up, but only to the normal proportionate increase. Have any other states done this?
posted on September 20, 2001 07:14:19 AM new
The only fear I have felt is the same fear I stated in a thread on 9/11 and that is of what is to come (militarily).
What I do find is that I am not ready yet to watch a movie in the evenings. I always watched Martha Stewart's show in the mornings, but now find I am not ready for that either. Maybe because it all seems so trivial.
I imagine a lot of people are reassessing their priorities. Fortunately, but at the same time, unfortunately, I had that little slap alongside the head 2 years ago.
A few observations:
The lack of flags flying in my neighborhood. Especially the absence on the homes of vets from both WWII and Vietnam.
Encountering very few vehicles on my trip from Pa. to N.C. Friday (the day of mourning) displaying a flag when I expected to see more. We made sure our flag was displayed in the window. I even took a small TV along so that I could participate in the memorial service.
My husband, daughter, son-in-law and I were the only ones in their condo complex outside with candles at 7pm Friday evening.
On the other hand, pleased as punch when we went into a store on Saturday and the employees were making red, white and blue ribbons and giving them to the customers.
As we were close to N.C. a car passed us, driven by a woman covered in traditional (excuse me if this is wrong) Muslim garb and a bumper sticker "Islam is the way". On one hand I admired her for not allowing fear to dictate her life, but on the other hand I found myself concerned for her safety.
We met our kids best friends over the weekend and the male is Indian (India). I find myself (privately) concerned with his safety. The couple is Canadian and this weekend they are leaving for Canada for their wedding next week. I don't know if they are driving or flying. Will he encounter any problems? I hope not. My hope is that they may enjoy this most important time in their lives.
posted on September 20, 2001 07:48:02 AM new
Hi Pat,
Up here in our small town in Oregon things still look the same, on the surface. People's eyes are the give away though. Things ARE different now. There is a lot of fear and uncertainty in peoples eyes.
Many American flags on display all over town. You can't even buy a flag anymore, they're all sold out. Cars with flags on the antenas honk and wave at each other as they pass. Churches are filled with more people than usual. There are more moms standing at the bus stops waiting for the school bus with their kids.
Here in Oregon, one can be licensed to carry a concealed handgun. I hold such a permit and I am now carrying a gun all the time. I wasn't doing that before 9/11 but I am now. I wonder how many others are doing the same thing. I suspect quite a few are.
posted on September 20, 2001 11:31:41 AM new
Well, I seem to have returned to a thread that has had posts deleted and people suspended. Not going to ask for details...
Today my heart goes out to all parents who are facing the very real possibility of giving one or more of their children to "Infinite Justice". May God protect them...
posted on September 20, 2001 02:40:41 PM newToke Yep, gotta pay attention to those little hairs on the back of your neck.
Plsmith I'm sorry for the distraction on your thread.
I had answered somewhat last night but I had just finished watching hours of Discovery Channel's specials on bin Laden and the tragedy so I was feeling a little morose about this whole subject. (understatement)
I guess I'm fortunate that the area I live in has always been an overly friendly town and this has made everyone seem even closer than usual. We have a few family's here that are from the middle east region and I usually run into them occasionally but haven't seen them since the tragedy. I take a lot of comfort in the number of flags in our community. On my way home from the post office today I actually saw two pick up trucks that had huge flags mounted to the truck beds... it was a sight to see and it made me smile.
We have so many friends in the search and rescue community that our phone has rang almost non-stop. It's amazing to see how many people want to sign up when something like this happens. Friends of ours are in New York attending the funerals of some of the firemen there. The stories of what the searchers have lived through have been beyond horrifying. People just shouldn't have to see what they're witnessing in that pit. I don't know how they've done it but I know that it just reaffirms my pride and my faith in my country.
I'm probably one of the few people on the planet who has never thought of visiting New York before... I don't get out much. But, since this tragedy I have taken such strength from the strength that they've shown the rest of us that I can't wait to go there myself and see these wonderful people up close... I'll probably grab the first one I see and give them a hug.
Our lives have changed and the more I read and learn about bin Laden and other terrorist leaders the more I am sure that our lives are never going to be the same. If you have a chance watch the special on the Discovery Channels that will replay tonight because they explain a lot about how we got to the point that we're at. The scary thing is that this isn't so much a matter of politics or military might as it is a man who has pronounced that all Americans, men women and children are open game for assasination in any form possible. Not because of our government as much as because of our freedom of religion. He says this is a Holy war... how do we prepare for that? I wish I knew.
