September 11th anniversary, what does it mean to you?

[ChrisFL]

On that day, they were all Americans.

Seriously? If I fly to China and a bomb goes off there and I get stuck in it, I'm not suddenly Chinese.

Sorry, I think that is not a good statement to make.

 

[Mermaid02]

Seriously? If I fly to China and a bomb goes off there and I get stuck in it, I'm not suddenly Chinese.

Sorry, I think that is not a good statement to make.

Literal much?

In spirit- we mourned them like everyone else.....

 

[ChrisFL]

Literal much?

In spirit- we mourned them like everyone else.....

Why can't we just mourn them as human beings?

Instead people have to constantly point out or pin them to a certain religion, or culture, or country.

Sorry for taking it out on your post, it just bothers me that we can't all co-exist without being labeled as something, then we wonder why such divisions happen, when one labeled "group" can't be at peace with another labeled "group"

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Actually, I'd like to correct an assumption that has popped up on this thread. It wasn't 3000 Americans who died in the four September 11th attacks.

2,669 were American citizens
310 were foreign nationals
67 were from the UK
41 were from India
28 were from South Korea
24 were from Canada
24 were from Japan
17 were from Colombia
16 were from Jamaica
16 were from Mexico
16 were from the Phillipines
11 were from Australia
11 were from Germany
10 were from Italy

Thanks,
agnes!

Thank you. A friend of mine added these figures for "deaths caused by 9/11":

Over 5,000 American and coalition soldiers KIA
Over 100,000 Iraq and Afghan civilians

One of the things 9/11 means to me is the horrible results that can come from attributing the acts of just a few lunatics to an entire country or section of the world. We are all just pawns. I think the point that agnes! was trying to make is that 9/11 wasn't just an attack on America. It was an attack to turn the world upside-down.

 

[Mermaid02]

Why can't we just mourn them as human beings?

Instead people have to constantly point out or pin them to a certain religion, or culture, or country.

Sorry for taking it out on your post, it just bothers me that we can't all co-exist without being labeled as something, then we wonder why such divisions happen, when one labeled "group" can't be at peace with another labeled "group"

I don't disagree with you. If we just all considered each other part of the human race and respected our differences the world would be a much better place.

 

[JLTraveling]

To me, it's the day the terrorists won. Plain and simple. Much as I think it's important to honor those who were killed, to the terrorists it's not about who they killed or how many or what tributes or memorials we hold. It's about creating fear and uncertainty.

I'm reminded every time I have to take off my shoes and pour out my coffee at the airport. But I'm also reminded every time someone says "We're at war" or "we're too complacent" or "I profile" or "security needs to be tightened further" or "how dare they build a mosque" or "I'm going to burn the Koran." September 10, I met a friend at the gate when she flew into the Orlando airport. Every day since then, our society has been focused on winning an unwinnable war and the seeds of distrust have grown into outright hatred of fellow Americans who don't look, worship, think or feel the same way we do. We're more divided than ever, and that's the legacy of 9/11. It's horrible to think about.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

DH is in Navy and we were stationed here in N VA at the time. He had worked at the Pentagon for 3 yrs and had just moved to a different builiding a couple months before. DH lost 7 former co-workers in the Pentagon that day. He ended up working his old job again for about 3 months while they restaffed and got things back in order. We just moved back to N Va about 3 wks ago and it is surreal to be here on 9/11. It seems like it was a life time ago, then I see a picture of one of the friends we lost that day and all the feelings come rushing back.

 

[Carly_Roach]

We have become too complacent again.

Yes, we have. You are so right. It will happen again.

Do you really think that by telling our stories to each other and re-living every single moment of that day and becoming frightened, depressed, sad, angry and outraged all over again, we're actually preventing another attack on our soil? Here's a news-flash: it's GOING to happen again. We need to get used to that fact and face it with courage.

There are many here on this board who knew people who died in the 9/11 attacks. But I know that there are many more than 3,000 Americans who've lost everything since then: job, savings, home, car, family, even their lives - EVERYTHING. That tragedy is far fresher in my mind than the 9/11 tragedy. It's still going on today yet there are no memorials to the victims of "the greed of the few".

I'll remember 9/11, and I'll attend any memorial my DH wants me to attend with him (I think the last one was 2006). But what I won't do is get mired down in reliving every detail and rehashing a past (which I can do nothing about) when the present and it's very real threat of losing a job, health insurance, savings, and home is already frightening enough thankyouverymuch.

 

[ChrisFL]

Do you really think that by telling our stories to each other and re-living every single moment of that day and becoming frightened, depressed, sad, angry and outraged all over again, we're actually preventing another attack on our soil? Here's a news-flash: it's GOING to happen again. We need to get used to that fact and face it with courage.

There are many here on this board who knew people who died in the 9/11 attacks. But I know that there are many more than 3,000 Americans who've lost everything since then: job, savings, home, car, family, even their lives - EVERYTHING. That tragedy is far fresher in my mind than the 9/11 tragedy. It's still going on today yet there are no memorials to the victims of "the greed of the few".

I'll remember 9/11, and I'll attend any memorial my DH wants me to attend with him (I think the last one was 2006). But what I won't do is get mired down in reliving every detail and rehashing a past (which I can do nothing about) when the present and it's very real threat of losing a job, health insurance, savings, and home is already frightening enough thankyouverymuch.

Also, besides a terrorist attack, there's still hundreds of other things that are more dangerous statistically.

Just driving a car every day is much more dangerous than worrying about whether to be in a certain place where an attack takes place.

Meanwhile, in the past 3 years, over 28,000 people have been murdered just across the U.S. border in Mexico...that is starting to scare me more than anything.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

To be honest---I know it didn't happen yesterday...but it doesn't feel like 9 years has passed at all.

In April--while visiting NYC for the very first time....

From the shaky landing of my flight, to looking down towards the ground imagining what went through the minds of those who jumped after left with no other path to save themselves....to dining at the top of a hotel restaurant and seeing the river and all the other buildings as the restaurant rotated....

While the emotion isn't raw and sending me into mournful tears...

It isn't something that I don't think about.

I was in DC today---it still didn't feel like 9 years had passed as being in DC is also a vivid reminder of what occurred.

Everyone will be at very different places regarding this tragedy. We should be respectful at the different places.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Literal much?

In spirit- we mourned them like everyone else.....

The statement you made earlier was actually disrespectful to the deceased and their surviving families. You can respectfully mourn those who died without providing a label that several may not have appreciated. Especially of they were nor never had any intention on becoming American.


It has nothing to do with the viewpoint you are accusing the other poster of taking.

 

[pigletz]

Do you really think that by telling our stories to each other and re-living every single moment of that day and becoming frightened, depressed, sad, angry and outraged all over again, we're actually preventing another attack on our soil? Here's a news-flash: it's GOING to happen again. We need to get used to that fact and face it with courage.

There are many here on this board who knew people who died in the 9/11 attacks. But I know that there are many more than 3,000 Americans who've lost everything since then: job, savings, home, car, family, even their lives - EVERYTHING. That tragedy is far fresher in my mind than the 9/11 tragedy. It's still going on today yet there are no memorials to the victims of "the greed of the few".

I'll remember 9/11, and I'll attend any memorial my DH wants me to attend with him (I think the last one was 2006). But what I won't do is get mired down in reliving every detail and rehashing a past (which I can do nothing about) when the present and it's very real threat of losing a job, health insurance, savings, and home is already frightening enough thankyouverymuch.

Everyone has their own way of coping. If posting about 9/11 isn't for you, then don't. I know you can post on any thread you wish but come on. It seems that you only want to make other people feel badly about remembering and sharing their experiences.

 

[Happy Mom2]

baking cookies with my 3 kids and delivering to the local fire departments and army reserve station. A great chance to tell the kids about what happened and teach a few lessons.

Love this idea. Wish I had read your post earlier. I have a firefighter friend whose birthday is today. All of my male cousins are firefighters.

 

[Dee77]

Do you really think that by telling our stories to each other and re-living every single moment of that day and becoming frightened, depressed, sad, angry and outraged all over again, we're actually preventing another attack on our soil? Here's a news-flash: it's GOING to happen again. We need to get used to that fact and face it with courage.

There are many here on this board who knew people who died in the 9/11 attacks. But I know that there are many more than 3,000 Americans who've lost everything since then: job, savings, home, car, family, even their lives - EVERYTHING. That tragedy is far fresher in my mind than the 9/11 tragedy. It's still going on today yet there are no memorials to the victims of "the greed of the few".

I'll remember 9/11, and I'll attend any memorial my DH wants me to attend with him (I think the last one was 2006). But what I won't do is get mired down in reliving every detail and rehashing a past (which I can do nothing about) when the present and it's very real threat of losing a job, health insurance, savings, and home is already frightening enough thankyouverymuch.

There's a big difference with acknowledging the significance of this day in history, for what should be every American citizen even if it did not affect them or a loved one personally or happen in their zip code and what you described. Talking about that day does not automatically equal becoming frightened, depressed, sad, angry and outraged all over again. For a lot of us, it is out of respect for those who lost their lives that day and the men and women defending our country since then.

 

[dejr_8]

We are at war and with an enemy that has no regards for human life. Our government doesn't seem to realize you can't negotiate with terrorists, all they want is death. Our PC society I'm afraid will be the downfall of us all.

In my opinion, some of the recent posts seem to be of the "if we only sing kumbaya" everything will be OK.

 

[Dee77]

In my opinion, some of the recent posts seem to be of the "if we only sing kumbaya" everything will be OK.

As the old saying goes... ignorance is bliss.

 

[DWGal210]

The London bombing took place where we stayed on our first trip to London. We stayed in that square and used that tube stop daily. I think we stayed there on a subsequent trip as well. When I heard that news, yes, I thought, "There but for the grace of God go I." How many other tourists were there by bad luck? How many people doing their daily commute to work? Just people going about their business, seeing the sights, having a good time, expecting nothing bad to happen other than a poor exchange rate.......and then a bomb goes off. I know I wouldn't have seen it coming.

The week after we left Moscow, terrorists bombed the metro we'd just been using. We returned 4 weeks later with our baby and walked or took taxis. BTW, I had friends in Russia during 9/11 and from what several have said, the Russians were beyond sympathetic and supportive of Americans during that time. Especially in Moscow.

No bombs went off where I lived on 9/11, but it still hit home. My DH works for a company that would have been a prime target on 9/11 and they sent them home that morning. Silly him, he didn't leave right away.....Until I told him to GET OUT considering no one know the logic of WHAT was being bombed and his workplace was as good a target as any....plus dead easy to locate from the sky. He left.

Every time I go to the airport and have to do X, Y and Z for security and jump through 100 hoops, I can't escape thinking about the terrorists. They have succeeded in changing our way of life.

Yes, they'll use planes again if they can, but really they'll use anything and everything. And since we don't think on those terms, we are at a distinct disadvantage. In all honesty, I think we are too trusting for our own good. We want people to think the best of us.....even if it means we don't always look out for our own self-interests. God forbid we offend anyone. I'm not saying we have to be like a bull in a china closet and bully everyone....We don't. But we've grown too PC for words and it worries me.

(bolded by me)
I completely agree. I think it's hard for us as Americans to confront that pure evil exists in the world, because we don't live in that world of the terrorists day to day and we don't see those evils day to day. We can live our lives as we please, our female citizens can live a life free and independent from men, etc etc etc. Does the US have its own issues? Of course! We're far from perfect; but our issues and downfalls are so on a different level.

It's hard to stomach, but there is a group of people who hate the way we live, the freedoms we have, and a host of other things about us. It's not "we disagree with your politics or religion or your foreign policy etc....", it's so so much deeper and more sinister than that. They won't feel successful until the US, and the entire world, lives as they do, under their reign of complete submission - THAT is their ultimate goal. And they will try to bring as many people as they can to their knees by perpetrating the worst kind of human atrocities. As Americans, I think it's hard to wrap our brains around that kind of evil. It's so different than not agreeing with someone's politics, the administration (whoever that might be), whether you like laws that are passed or not, etc. Yes, there are crazy and scary people in this country too - but this is different. Very, very different.

That is why I remember 9/11. What's the quote, those who don't remember the past history are doomed to repeat it?

Just my 2 cents.

 

[disney1990]

9/11 to me -- a sad day in the history of our country.

 

[JLTraveling]

(bolded by me)
I completely agree. I think it's hard for us as Americans to confront that pure evil exists in the world, because we don't live in that world of the terrorists day to day and we don't see those evils day to day. We can live our lives as we please, our female citizens can live a life free and independent from men, etc etc etc. Does the US have its own issues? Of course! We're far from perfect; but our issues and downfalls are so on a different level.

It's hard to stomach, but there is a group of people who hate the way we live, the freedoms we have, and a host of other things about us. It's not "we disagree with your politics or religion or your foreign policy etc....", it's so so much deeper and more sinister than that. They won't feel successful until the US, and the entire world, lives as they do, under their reign of complete submission - THAT is their ultimate goal. And they will try to bring as many people as they can to their knees by perpetrating the worst kind of human atrocities. As Americans, I think it's hard to wrap our brains around that kind of evil. It's so different than not agreeing with someone's politics, the administration (whoever that might be), whether you like laws that are passed or not, etc. Yes, there are crazy and scary people in this country too - but this is different. Very, very different.

That is why I remember 9/11. What's the quote, those who don't remember the past history are doomed to repeat it?

Just my 2 cents.

I totally agree with all of this, actually. But what seems to gets lost (not necessarily by you, just in general) is that every day that we're afraid, they've won. Every time we give away another freedom, they've won. Every time we voluntarily submit to a full body scan or eyeball the new neighbor suspiciously or even hand over our bags to be checked on the way into WDW, we're rewarding the terrorists. You're talking about living a free and open life, being able to come and go and do what we please, but we're NOT. We haven't been since that awful day. We're living under our own reign of terror, and this one's self imposed. We asked for it and we encourage it.

And for what? Nothing more than the ILLUSION of safety. People want to believe that they can somehow prevent this from happening again if they just try hard enough. And that leads to ritualistic, almost OCD behaviors, which spread through society and become the "new normal." We accept all sorts of intrusions that would have been unconscionable in the days before 9/11. Because we think that they will keep us safe.

But the terrorists don't think like that. By the time we react to one threat, they're already planning the next. Then when the next attempt occurs, we go back and try to prevent that one from happening again. And every time, it chips away at our freedom and our way of life just a little bit more. I don't think that singing kumbaya is going to make the terrorists go away, but I don't think living in terror is going to work either. I firmly believe that the best defense we, personally, as ordinary Americans without top secret clearances or military intelligence, have against the terrorists is to simply keep living...boldly and without fear. If it's going to happen it's going to happen, but if it's going to happen to me I'd rather be like the brave people fighting on Flight 93 than be half-naked at the airport when it does. JMO.

 

[ChrisFL]

(bolded by me)
I completely agree. I think it's hard for us as Americans to confront that pure evil exists in the world, because we don't live in that world of the terrorists day to day and we don't see those evils day to day. We can live our lives as we please, our female citizens can live a life free and independent from men, etc etc etc. Does the US have its own issues? Of course! We're far from perfect; but our issues and downfalls are so on a different level.

It's hard to stomach, but there is a group of people who hate the way we live, the freedoms we have, and a host of other things about us. It's not "we disagree with your politics or religion or your foreign policy etc....", it's so so much deeper and more sinister than that. They won't feel successful until the US, and the entire world, lives as they do, under their reign of complete submission - THAT is their ultimate goal. And they will try to bring as many people as they can to their knees by perpetrating the worst kind of human atrocities. As Americans, I think it's hard to wrap our brains around that kind of evil. It's so different than not agreeing with someone's politics, the administration (whoever that might be), whether you like laws that are passed or not, etc. Yes, there are crazy and scary people in this country too - but this is different. Very, very different.

That is why I remember 9/11. What's the quote, those who don't remember the past history are doomed to repeat it?

Just my 2 cents.

They don't hate the freedoms we have, they really don't care and despite what you might think, it IS about foreign policy and our presence in "their lands".

Do you think that if the U.S. never had any interests in the affairs of the oil-rich middle eastern nations, that the terrorists would even care about us??