As the horrors unfolded on September 11th, 2001, people posted their thoughts on our discussion board. Whether to share information, resources or updates, or to vent anger and sadness, or to simply seek support from their friends, this compendium of messages starkly illustrates how America and others from around the world reacted to one of the most devastating events in American history.

Seems that a plane has flown into the side of the 110 story tall, Twin Towers of the World Trade Center! It happened about twenty five minutes ago (about 8:55 am EST), as yet there is no word on fatalities or injuries. They couldn't topple the towers with a bomb, so someone has now flown a plane through the building. According to witnesses, there is an entrance hole and an exit hole. I'm in the office with no radio or television, so the story is very sketchy for me at the moment, just happened to see it on Yahoo. Today is a good day to not be in New York! -Blue Knight, September 11th, 2001, 9:20AM EST.

Actually, it was two planes, 18 minutes apart. -Lynnda, September 11th, 2001, 9:38AM.

One of the Twin Towers just collapsed! The Pentagon has had a bomb attack and even though it is about 5 miles from my building here in D.C., I can see the smoke rising from it. The Executive Office Building is about 3 blocks away from me, it was bombed about a half hour ago. They are currently evacuating the U.S. Capitol. So it appears that they have arrived in the USA afterall. Guess it had to happen sooner or later...... -Blue Knight, September 11th, 2001, 10:09AM.

It is horrible!! If you can get anywhere near a TV get it on. I just heard another plane has been taken. God knows what is next. --Lori, September 11th, 2001, 10:22AM.

Air travel lock down. A car bomb ouside the state dept (?) in Washington. Everything is coming too fast for me to keep up. Trade center building has collasped. The other trade center is close to being down also. We are under attack from somewhere! Help these people dear lord...... Lori, September 11th, 2001, 10:29AM.

I'm watching it now on 24hr BBC news. My reaction is that it seems too unbelievable to have happened. Now i cant help but thinking about all the people who are suffering. Now i'm getting shivers from the personal testimonies.... it's too terrible. ((((((Huggz)))))) everyone in NY and U.S. Let's hope for the best, and no worse! -Netstalker, September 11th, 2001, 10:34AM.

With two planes still unaccounted for, even half of San Francisco is shut down out of fear. Devastating doesn't even describe this. -Brian, September 11th, 2001, 10:26AM.

Hi, My prayers are with all the US people. (Just heard from BBC World News) that the American Arline had 156 people onboard were killed. How sad and crazy.) Here in Canada we have had all North American International flights ordered to land at Canadaian Airports and all Canadian airports have been shut down. If I can speculate I wonder if there is any connection with the recent UN conference on racism? My prayers here in Winnipeg are with the US people. --Paul, September 11th, 2001, 11:31AM

To Everyone in NY and DC-May God bless all of you and keep you safe. I am still trying to get ahold of people I know up there. I am trying to get over being completely in shock as well. George, I tried to call you but my cell phone is working intermittently as well as my house phone as well. My prayers go out to everyone in the USA and specifically NY and DC right now. MeLynda, September 11th, 2001, 12:01PM.

It's pretty devastating. You know, I was talking to my inlaws the other day about Pearl Harbor and how devastating it must have been for those alive then; after all, we take our wars elsewhere -- they "never" come to us. *sigh* Well this time, just like during WW II, it did. My prayers and thoughts are with those who have friends and family members lost or unaccounted for in this horrible disaster. I just cannot imagine what it must have been like -- or must still be like for those still going through it. Here's hoping that we've seen the last of terrorism (a grrrl can wish, can't she?) How on earth can we act against people who willingly give their lives? I'm going to take your advice, Netsie, and head to Costco to stock up. Living in Alaska, we are really dependent on air travel bringing supplies here. It won't take long for stores of necessities to run out. I just hope things are back to normal soon. Damn. I just heard that a fourth plane that has been unaccounted for has crashed. We don't know where, yet. How on earth can I explain this to my kids?--Vickie, September 11th, 2001, 12:05PM.

To All Americans-I want you to know that all over the world today, people are watching the news from the U.S.A. with horror . And our hearts go out to you for your losses. As always at times like this , I'm shocked at the brutality of the people responsible . All the passengers on those hijacked planes and all the people in and around the World trade Centre and the Pentagon are sacrificed with out a second thought. Their deaths don't even figure in the equation . Except as a way of demonstrating to the american people how totally without mercy is the enemy. My thoughts and prayers are with those inncent victims and their familys. May God watch over and keep you.--Pete the Canuck, September 11th, 2001, 12:29PM.

Winnipeg Update-I just heard that that all international flights bound for the US which have been diverted to Winnipeg are being thoughly checked by the Canadian Military using military (police?) dogs before any passengers will be allowed to leave the plane. It hits home when part of the dramma is taking place so close to home. Is this an act of war?-Paul, September 11th, 2001, 12:36PM.

I can't stop crying. It's like a nightmare, bad sci-fi. Watching the WTC towers collapse...surreal. Grotesque and surreal. My hometown, I can't believe what they did to my home. My prayers for all the victims and their families. My thanks to all our neighbors who send their prayers--Mindy, September 11th, 2001, 1:08PM.

It's just unspeakably awful. You're in my thoughts, m'dear, and I hope all your friends are okay. This is just plain evil. My thanks, too, to our international friends, for your concern and prayers. I think this will go down as the worst day in American history. And how do you fight an enemy too gutless to come forward and admit to their "handiwork"? Cowardly bastards. It is my fervent hope that we catch the creeps responsible for planning this deed and that they are punished in the same vein as those they killed. I also hope that the US government can stay functioning, and that chaos doesn't ensue; it really has the potential to get pretty ugly, even worse than it is now. Hugs, BB. --Vickie, September 11th, 2001, 1:26PM.

DefCon4-Finally able to get online. Phone lines here are jammed. With the US on Delta level alert, which is essentially Defense Condition 4, the military is engaged in procedures which are designed to respond to war. From my family contacts, I know that all European and domestic military bases are at the highest alert. My niece's boyfriend is in the Navy and he has been sent to Nevada to load bombs onto airplanes. The others in my family are in security. I don't know what they are doing, of course, other than the level of alert means the most serious response. --Kris, September 11th, 2001, 1:35PM.

Attack on Anchorage? We just had confirmed reports that a KAL (Korean Airlines) jet was highjacked and on its way to Anchorage. They called for an evacuation of downtown Anchorage (where my girls to go school). My mom in law called me, I rushed out to the car got halfway there, and apparently the jet landed safely, "with military assistance" though I'm not sure what that means. I tell you, my nerves are shot. I think I'm going to go get the girls, go get my son and husband and just go home and try not to have a nervous breakdown. Shaking (this time not from caffeine intake).---Vickie, September 11th, 2001, 2:10PM.

I saw the rejoicing Muslims. I say we unleash the furies of the gods. I say eye for an eye. No pity. I saw all those Muslims rejoicing the death of innocent thousands. I say we retaliate, but at double the devastation. For all those people to rejoice as they have been doing, one can't help but think the national consensus of these particular middle eastern countries is to condone that attitude. Time for our new President to show his mettle. Time to show a little strength. Time for all of us to show support for his decisions, compassion for the victims, and unity as Americans. --Brian, September 11th, 2001, 3:45PM.

"Is retaliation the best thing anyway? I'm not sure." I am. Revenge may be cold comfort to the families and friends of those in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard those airliners who were MURDERED this morning. But if the sub-humans responsible are in hell being sodomized by over-endowed, hunch-backed, club-footed, wry-necked, cross-eyed demons with withering halitosis who haven't bathed in millennia, they won't be hijacking any more airliners or planting any more bombs. For me, that makes it worth doing. I agree we should make damn sure we get the right sub-humans. But once we find the cowardly thugs, we should obliterate them, anyone who supports them, and anyone who tries to protect them. While we're looking, we can start with the sick bastards who are dancing in the streets over all of this. --Mike, September 11th, 2001, 3:59PM.

They were handing out candy and crying *tears of joy* that the United States finally *got what it deserved* Its really really sick, I can't even describe how I feel.. --Jenna, September 11th, 2001, 4:05PM.

To The Americans: Words cannot express the shock, dismay and sadness I feel at what happened in the US today. I hope everyone here and all your loved ones are safe and unhurt. {{{{hugs to everyone}}}} Holy fuck.... Rosie, Canada, September 11th, 2001, 4:49PM.

How can we be hijacked? How come we do not have sufficient abilities to not let our planes here be hijacked? If these planes were not hijacked then none of this could have happened. Where was our airport security? How could this have happened? I still have not heard from my friends up there that I am concerned about and it is very frightening. I spoke to my ex boss this morning and he was on the phone with me telling me that they were all watching the World Trade Center as it was burning. I worked just across the river in Jersey City, NJ. I am terrified for all the people I know up there. The people at my old job who lived in NY are not going to be able to get home today. No traffic is being allowed to go into NY as I understand it. I am still in shock. MeLynda, September 11th, 2001, 4:55PM.

Listening to the news and being informed would reveal that Bin Ladin announced in the past few weeks via the Arab language newspapers that he was planning a sudden, swift, and decisive attack at US commerce and military. It's all over the news, Jean. -Kris, September 11th, 2001, 5:12PM.

I've gotten a few e-mails from friends asking if I'm okay so I thought I'd just post here to let you know I'm fine. It was a horrible morning. I was going into work late so I was still home when my phone started ringing off the hook with friends telling me to get my television on. It was just after the second plane hit. I don't work in Manhattan but my brother and his wife do. My brother is about 20 blocks north of the WTC, his wife further north. Mind you, in retrospect it seems like one's imagination can certainly get away as I was imagining the worst things possible. I tried in vain to call my brother's office and the lack of response was even more unsettling. I wasn't sure if it was the phone lines, my nervous fingers misdialing, or the tears making me hit the wrong buttons. Common sense tells me now they were more than likely fine, but at the time, with planes kamikazied out of the sky, with reports of car bombs in D.C., jet fighters shooting planes out of the sky, and other planes unaccounted for, it was a very freaky time. Bryan finally got through to me between noon and one.... he had left his building and made his way to April's where they were working on finding a way home, a place to stay in Manhattan, or getting up to my place. After Tower 2 fell he and co-workers heard a plane flying so they went up to their roof to see what it was. Fortunately it was a military plane. While they were up there, they witnessed Tower 1's collapse. He said he didn't anything else to do but to kneel and pray. After speaking with him and doing my best to contact family to pass on the message I went to my roof but trees obscure my view of Manhattan, I was able to see smoke and dust that had most likely drifted a good distance to allow me to see it. I went to the grocery store (and forgot to get anything for dinner) and could see the smoke a bit better. The store was full of people buying water, dry goods, canned foods, etc. And it hurts to know the Palestinians rejoice at the great loss of innocent life. We may be allies with their enemies, but rejoicing over the war there? Not hardly. It's still very scary. Three planes have flown over my place since the airports were closed and each time I've been covered with goosebumps. One I'm certain was a military plane, the others I don't know. I called the local hospital to find where to donate blood, they said to stay home, they couldn't handle the people they already had. I will check with them tomorrow. I wish there was more I could do. They asked for medical personel to come to the hospitals and help. I'm an EMT but I don't know that I could offer much help, plus, getting into the city could be impossible as well as foolish. So, I'll keep praying. -Barbi, September 11th, 2001, 6:10PM.

I wouldn't go as far as to attack people here, but I have NO problems bombing to holy hell any country we even SUSPECT is involved. It's time this country abandoned this sense of liberalized fair play that seems to choke us every time something happens. And to hear it now when the UNTHINKABLE happens? Laughable. Did it ever occur to anyone that Bin Laden was suspected of the WTC bombing back in 1993 AS SOON AS IT HAPPENNED. We "went through the process"...and look where it got us. Ed Koch had it right, for once. He said EVERY country BELIEVED to be hiding terrorists should be REQUIRED to turn them over or face the bombing of all their major cities. And it must be done NOW. The unthinkable HAS happenned, people. It hurts like hell right now, but we have to pick up and show people we won't stand for it. And we have to do it while it still hurts. -Anonymous, September 11th, 2001, 6:27PM.

I share your anger. I really do. And I don't think Paul was saying at all to turn the other cheek. He cautioned that we be sure we have the right guilty party before we retaliate, which I think is excellent advice. Think of the havoc we could cause by going after an "innocent" party. (I put innocent in quotes because NO terrorist is innocent, just not necessarily guilty of this particular crime.) If we attack the wrong group, not only do the guilty parties go free but we could unleash hell on earth. It could make it WORSE than it was today. Much worse. And when we do catch those bastards? Nuke the fuckers. (And yes, those words coming from a Birkenstock wearin', bleeding heart liberal. ) I'm sorry for your loss, "Patton". It's a devastating day for many people and you're in my prayers. -Vickie, September 11th, 2001, 6:30PM.

Retaliation. I just want to address the people who are insisting that we keep our heads, that we find out who is responsible for this before we act. Of course. When the WTC was bombed in 1993 did we go off half cocked and bomb other countries? When Oklahoma happened, did we send our bombers and fighters out for blood? No, we painstakingly found those responsible and proved the case against them in courts of law. If it's not, it should be painfully obvious that the United States methodically gets to the core of these things. If it were not the case, ole Bin Laden wouldn't still be walking around with a 5 million dollar bounty on his head..... no? I'm almost offended by the suggestion that we would simply bomb a bunch of innocent people, but I'll let it go, there are much more upsetting things today. -Barbie, September 11th, 2001, 7:08PM

While I was out riding around, I was listening to the oldies station here in Southern Maryland. A female St. Mary's Sheriff's Deputy called in and asked the DJ to play the National Anthem. Seems that her brother is also a police officer, in New York City, he works Manhattan South. She lost contact with her brother when the first tower fell. She was barely able to speak, but the DJ did his job and his station proud! Unlike the so-called "shock jocks", he told her that it was okay to cry, it was alright for a police officer to cry. They played the song. There are bright spots that are happening all over NYC and Virginia and D.C. The American people are coming out to do anything that needs to be done. From free cab rides to free water, from waiting in several hour long lines to give blood to Disc Jockey's showing their true mettle. All are giving something. My wife and I have many, many friends across the country and indeed around the world. All of them are connected to law enforcement, just in NYC alone, we have more than 150 friends', all of whom we talk to about 4 or 5 times per year, we usually only see them once per year. I pray that God will bless my wife and I enough to allow us to see them again in the spring..... Sorry Barb and Pete but, the last count I got from NYC, they estimated that they are now missing between 200 and 300 fire fighters' and rescue workers'. It is suspected that they were trapped/killed when the first tower collapsed. So far there is no count for police officers'..... -Blue Knight, September 11th, 2001, 7:39PM.

Glad to see you, Barbs. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to email you this morning to find out your status in the city of chaos. You even had the energy to respond back rapidly even after just giving blood to the cause. Yer a hero, Barbs. And by the way, thanks for speaking nothing but the truth as you have in your post I'm responding to. I'm hoping for a swift and firm retaliation with little pity shown as I stated in more detail in another post. But there's a lunatic amongst us who is a virtual loose canon who even went as far as saying we should bomb any and all countries that we even have a hint are involved in this attack. Such scattered and frantic thinking will simply cause an avalanche of fear, panic and more pain to innocent people. It's nice for one to live in their nice, squeeky clean suburb and bark out military orders from their arm chair, but it's not so nice to the innocent Americans that will prove to be the victims of these crazed, blood-thirsty Archie Bunkers. I have a good friend name Shah who happens to be Iranian and who also happens to feel as disgusted with today's activities as I am. But he's feeling more paranoid than a chicken in a fox den. Any innocent American citizen who even remotely looks middle eastern will most likely feel concern for their safety because they know there's wackos like the one on this board inspiring people even MORE blood-thirsty than they are to start lynch mobs. If I was given the opportunity to wreak havoc on a child molester or a serial killer, I'm sorry but I'd do so with a pair of pliers and a rusty knife. But I ain't gonna go after anyone that I suspected of those unspeakable crimes, or those that read the same psycho literature as him. I say get the REAL enemy and the country that harbors them and supports their fanatic politics and squash them like roaches. But don't start panic and fear amongst your own people! Nice to see ya, Barbs. -Brian, September 11th, 2001, 10:01PM.

'More than half a century ago, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese are said to have responded: "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant." If we do not engender this same response of fear in 2001, we have lost everything our fathers and grandfathers died to preserve." I totally agree with this, Kris. It's too easy to get lazy and complacent. One thing I am glad for is that Colin Powell is involved in this. As I've said before, I have a lot of respect for this man's military expertise. You know, the US has gotten the reputation for being bullies and I think that in some ways, we are afraid of perpetuating that in situations like this. Thing is, by responding to this terrorism, we would certainly not be bullies, but would be correct in fighting back. I truly do believe that Bin Laden, if he is who ordered this, will only understand an eye for an eye - maybe a whole face for an eye, I dunno. My only concern in this is that we be sure who it is before we strike. You know, i was just reading the news (link below), and it was talking about the guy whose wife called him from the plane. It said, "Olson said his wife made no reference to the nationality or motive of the hijackers, according to CNN." So, are they sanitizing this or what? Also, it says the woman was supposed to have left yesterday, but wanted to spend the day with her husband yesterday, whose birthday it was. Poor guy will forever have rotten birthdays because of feeling guilty that she stayed behind for him. -Tina, September 11th, 2001, 10:04PM.

This a war with terrorists. They declared it, but we haven't taken it seriously. We have not been *fighting* back. I think we should obliterate (yes, as in target and assasinate-blow up) all known terrorists and their *cells*. Doesn't matter which one was responsible for this attack, get rid of them ALL. I also think if their country retaliates or provides them aid, we should deal with that appropriately. Nobody should get in our way to bring all of these terror bringing freaks to justice. And by justice, I do mean they must be executed. Bringing them to trial and waiting around hasn't worked, we need to get rid of them now. Sad, because I am a pacifist by nature. But this is crazy. These people must be stopped. And sitting idly by to try and bring someone to justice to be tried after it takes 10 years to find them, is not justice to me at this point. -Jenna, September 11th, 2001, 10:41PM.

I'm here and okay. And VERY lucky!!! I was in the process of writing the message below when I popped over and saw Tina's message. Pardon my "form letter", but I wanted to let folks know that my family and I are okay. I work three blocks away from the World Trade Center. I was sitting at my desk when I felt and heard the first explosion. I remember thinking that it was too sunny out for it to have been thunder (we had a bad storm last night). A few minutes later, several people came over to my desk and said that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. All we could see out of the window was smoke and loads of papers flying all over. We went to our break room/pantry, and were standing around watching the news coverage of the first crash when the second plane hit. We felt the second explosion as we watched the second plane hit the other tower. That's when we realized this was no accident. We were told to leave the building. Once down in our office lobby, it looked like everyone else in the building had the same idea. Some moron from the building's Fire Safety staff was announcing that our building was not being evacuated, that it was secure, and that they were encouraging people to return to their floors. The manager who had instructed us to leave our office (who also happens to be one of my good friends on the job) said that was the dumbest announcement he ever heard. Three of us watched the smoke pouring out of the hole in one of the two buildings, and the full reality of it had yet to sink in. We stayed that way for a few more minutes, trying our cell phones in the hopes of calling family members to let them know we were okay, but cell phones were useless. So, I and one of our visitors from our Virginia office went down into the lower level of our building to find a pay phone, and to catch a subway train uptown. Fortunately, we were able to get a train fairly easily, and I had no problems catching a Queens-bound train at Times Square, so I was well on my way home and out of the area when the World Trade Center buildings collapsed. My one sister lives in Manhattan, but far away from everything. My mother, and my younger sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew all live in Queens near me. We're understandably shaken up and upset, but alive and well. (Thanks for asking and being concerned about me.) -Carol, September 11th, 2001, 11:34PM.

The worst I heard was how two people (a couple?) jumped out of a building together. Can you imagine that? Two people falling holding hands. Just to do that they would have had to been able to step out together. Just imagine falling through the air like that whilst still holding onto someone's hand. It reminds me of when couples died together in their beds on the Titanic. Maybe they weren't even a couple yet. Maybe they just secretly liked each other lots and were suddenly drawn together like that and decided that's how they were going to end their lives. It's enough to see people jumping. I don't know why but to me there's just something more awful about that. When people are together like that it's as though they're in control of themselves and in that situation right to the very end. It's unfair that people should be thrown into a defiant situation like that. It's been a terrible loss of life. (I know that i shouldn't say "the worst", but other than somthing as useless as "one of the worst", i don't know how else to describe it.) -Netstalker, September 12th, 2001, 9:24AM.

Two things made me feel better yesterday. First, and I can't explain why, but the sight of fighter planes escorting Air Force One. Second, the prayer by the members of Congress on the steps of the Capitol, and the spontaneous singing of God Bless America. I was deeply moved. -Kris, September 12th, 2001, 3:03PM.

On the plane that went down in Pennsylvania, one of the passengers managed to get a call off to his wife and mother to say goodbye, telling them that one passenger was already dead, and that he and several others were planning to rush their abductors to keep them from arriving at the planned target or any other highly populated area (they apparently could see that they were over a relatively uninhabited area). It verified what my husband and I thought—that the plane was destined for a place picked by design (as were the others) to take thousands of lives—and it appears that whatever action the people on THIS plane took, they ensured that the plane didn't make it to its target (wherever it was, be it the White House or other D.C. spot as this gent seemed to think), thereby potentially saving thousands of lives. They died saving the lives of others they didn't even know—perhaps the lives of all those at the White House yesterday. That is truly humbling. -Redster, September 12th, 2001, 4:14PM.

I agree with Kris that it would take a lot for me to stay planted in my chair while I sit and allow such vermin to carry out their unthinkable deed, especially since it alother passengers jumped up and assisted those brave fellows. I don't know what the target of that mission was, but those heroes obviously saved quite a few lives in spite of giving their own. And I heard the terrorists allowed passengers to use the plane phone to call their loved ones to say goodbye. Sweet guys, huh? And I guess you all have already heard the target of the Pentagon attack WAS the White House. It's possible some passengers were responsible for thwarting THAT particular attack as well. Airforce One was a target as well you know. Wonder if the plane that went down in PA was intended to attack the President's plane. We need to retaliate swiftly but wisely as Colin Powell suggested. We do have to remember we're dealing with a people that have full access to some of the biggest nuclear bombs man can make. And since they believe their acts of aggression will guarantee them a prime spot in Heaven next to Allah, they have NO qualms about giving their own lives to make sure one of those bombs gets to its target. This is all much more complicated than we can ever imagine. One thing's for sure, life as we've known it in America will no longer be. So if you're grousing about having your guns and rights taken away, get used to it. Time to tighten up. I was just told over the phone to call in next week about giving blood at my donor center. Apparently it will be needed even more urgently then. Sincerely yours not even coming close to collecting his wits yet, Brian. -Brian, September 12th, 2001, 6:10PM.

Since yesterday, the USA doesn't seem to be the same country that just a few days ago was rife with frivolous lawsuits, road rage, partisan politics, Jerry Springer fights, and in-your-face antisocial behavior from pro athletes. The way the citizens of this country have united to pitch in and help the victims however they can, from coast to coast, reminds me why I love America so much. No where else on earth are its citizens free to be anything we want to be, or even to make jokes about our leaders. I hope the unity and civility and helping each other out will continue long after the worst of all this is over. It's sad that it takes a tragedy of this magnitude to bring out the best in people, but it's heartening to know that goodness still exists.- Pat, September 12th, 2001, 6:15PM.

Yeah, right. Your country depends on OUR country for YOUR defense. As far as living near ground zero, sweetie, if someone nukes DC, my area gets it, too. Don't tell me about ground zero. I know exactly what my risks are. And they are far worse than yours. Things are going on that are not being reported and I'm still in a stand-by mode. It's not over yet. Gotta get off the phone... -Pete, September 12th, 2001, 6:18PM.

I'm pretty sure most people here would agree we're far past solving this crisis benevolently with a diplomatic dialogue and a handshake. Hunting down and killing just those specific lunatics doesn't seem an option since we know they represent a huge sect of middle easterners that subscribe to their extreme politics. But I'd also like to think no one here believes it's a crime to pray for a peaceful solution that would prevent further bloodshed of nations of innocent people that have little to do with these twisted religeous zealots. I haven't read all (or probably most) of your posts, but I'm thinking your intention was merely to try and explain what these Muslim extremists motives are and have been for low these many years. I'm assuming it's for the sake of intellectual enlightenment that you're explaining their motives. My brother explained what their dogma is to me, only because I asked for my own intellectual enlightenment. But at this particular moment in this country, we don't need to hear it preached to us. That kind of intellectual enlightenment will work against us. It's important we view them as monsters, and putting a human face on the monster is not what America needs now. And yes, REAL Muslims don't condone the acts of terrorists in the least bit, but if we stop and believe that fact, it will make it more and more difficult for us to condone killing so many innocent people as what may happen if we go to war. That's the nature of war, and if we stop and think about the innocent people that by no means support the terrorist acts some of their own people have committed or condoned, we will weaken and soften up and be viewed as schmucky doormats . Throughout history our enemies have looked upon us as a nation of devils, and we were convinced we were fighting against nations of demons. If we weren't convinced they were all demons, we wouldn't have been able to fight effectively. Again, your putting a human face on the enemy is NOT what we need now. The young Indian guy and his wife that moved in across the street from me has made huge contributions to electronic technology. But regardless of the fact that this sweet, gentle, ingenious nerd was born in America of Indian blood, he will probably meet some serious nastiness (or at least be under the public's eye) for the rest of his life simply because he resembles those monsters that killed so many people this week. But again, that is the ugly nature of war and many American citizens will have to suffer from overly aggressive trigger-happy, blood-thirsty mobs. As I mentioned earlier, I have an Iranian friend and there are many middle eastern people who I've come to know on extremely friendly terms, and they, too, will most likely be met with aggression from pissed off Americans. But without a doubt, you are a very kind, peaceful man who's been a kind, friendly voice on this board for quite a while, and I, for one, appreciate the concerns you have for the tattered nerves of my fellow citizens. We now have to claim back our reputation of being a strong nation to be taken seriously. I do believe we've kind of lost that reputation. Peace. Brian, September 12th, 2001, 7:06PM.

For me it was the stories of New Yorkers helping each other. NY City folk have a rep for being rather brash, unfriendly and not exactly touchie feelie. I'm sure we've heard the stories of people flipping each other off, toss the "f" word at each other, and being too busy to help. But you know else New Yorkers are? Strong, protective, and open hearted when there is real need. Hearing the stories of people offering food and drink, lines of 800 or more of people wanting to give blood, and the hospitals having to turn away medical personnel because of the outpouring of support really did my heart good. They can bomb us, they can crash our planes, but they will never take away that spirit that makes us Americans. Hugs. Vickie, September 12th, 2001, 8:27PM.

Back to Scribes

Home | Mission Statement | Scribes | Art | Interact | Resources/Links | Guestbook | Forums | Chat | Email