What do you do different since 9/11?

[snoopy]

9/11 changed the way I feel about my home. There once was a time when I felt very safe, very happy to be living in the heart of Washington, D.C., but terrorists and snipers changed that.

I fly my flag every day, though, 9/11 made me even more patriotic and in love with my country then ever.

 

[Kitty 34]

I fly now with a more awareness of the other passengers.


I have a flag on my car and a huge flag hanging from our little house.......I'm definetly a lot more patriotic.


I get teary eyed with any songs now that have to do with America.


I moved a little TV out near my computer two years ago on 9/11 so I wouldn't miss anything as I DIS. That TV is still here and usually on.


I will always keep the lines of communication open with my boys even if I might not agree with what they are communicating.

 

[Zurg]

I am getting a better feeling for the "melting pot" of America.

I was happy to see the flag be more a symbol of all Americans and less of a tool in the polarization of political camps.

Some thoughts here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=4150506#post4150506

 

[RickinNYC]

Originally posted by Mad4Mickey
I lost my cousin on 9/11 . He was doing what he loved he was trying to help strangers.Strange how I really thought his unit would be in a air pocket somewhere waiting for other FF to get him out.

Mishell, I know exactly how you feel. For days, almost weeks afterwards, I kept waiting for my phone to ring and hear one of my buddies say, "You won't believe what happened!" I honestly thought of all the hallways and archways on the lower levels in the mall and perhaps some of them might be trapped and waiting for help.

But without fail, each and every time I received a call, it was from one of their parents, wife/husband or partner, telling me the news that I didn't want to hear.

It's two years later and as much as I, and the world for that matter, have gotten closer to coming to terms, I still miss that group.

I'm sorry about your cousin. He is in my thoughts and prayers.

Rick

 

[trayletha]

I spend more time with the people who matter to me.

I went back to school.

We went to WDW - 1st trip Oct 2002.

I've got a weeks worth of water and food in my basement, and a three day supply in my trunk.

And I try to be nicer to everyone meet - espec. people who appear to be of Middle Eastern heritage.

We are all in this together.

 

[nativetxn]

I fly the US flag everyday, I illuminate it at night.

Not too much else has changed. I'm more patriotic than I was pre 9/11/01.

 

[Selket]

I was at work in DC on 9/11. I was pregnant with child #2 and my son was in daycare in DC also near where I worked. I eventually decided to leave my job as I couldn't bear either bringing them downtown to daycare/school...or having them in the suburbs and being so far away from them if something like that happened again. My DH happened to be working at a site close to the Pentagon that day (he usually works elsewhere) and could see it burning after the plane hit.

I often leave my small t.v. in the kitchen on CNN during the day (usually muted) in case something happens. Ironically this came in handy when the sniper struck my neighborhood multiple times in the DC suburbs last October

I will always hold a special place in my heart for those who died on 9/11 and their families, those who escaped despite the terrible conditions of the WTC and Pentagon, and the people in NYC, DC area and Shanksville cause I know our lives will never, ever be the same again.

 

[luvndisney358]

I've always been alert but I am leery of large trucks, or container type vehicles

I always tell my kids how much I love them, how much they have meant in my life.

I thank God often for lending me my three children for a short time. I do the best I can by them, and try to instill Christian values as often as I can, by setting the example.

I thank God for my DH, for the business we have, for having a man who comes home every night, one who doesn't drink or do drugs, one who loves his kids and keeps our lawn mowed and our cars clean. When I get angry, I remember the losses of those who WISH they had their spouse to argue with. It all somehow seems trivial then.

I, like a previous poster, and yes although not PC, am leery of middle eastern people, and actually of men in general. Call it wrong, but I am of the belief that charity begins at home, and by that? I mean our home, the USA. We have our own people to care for, homeless people, children who need help, single parents just trying to make ends meet. I know we are the melting pot, and I know our doors are always open, and that we've welcomed foreigners by the scores, but I think we have done TOO much. Let's take care of our own first...........

Sorry, but it's my fervent belief

I also try to be kinder to everyone I come in contact with and I do a kind turn for someone daily.

I take the time to call my family members and siblings, just because and tell them how fortunate I am to have them in my life

 

[Aurora63]

I, like a previous poster, and yes although not PC, am leery of middle eastern people, and actually of men in general. Call it wrong, but I am of the belief that charity begins at home, and by that? I mean our home, the USA. We have our own people to care for, homeless people, children who need help, single parents just trying to make ends meet. I know we are the melting pot, and I know our doors are always open, and that we've welcomed foreigners by the scores, but I think we have done TOO much. Let's take care of our own first...........

So should we just close the borders?

One of the reasons our country is so great is that our doors are open. Ever hear about the new, great stuff coming out of France? No? Maybe it has something to do with that zero immigration policy of theirs. The best the world has to offer are flocking to this country because of that freedom and opportunity, and you should be grateful.

And thankfully, most of the Middle Eastern people who immigrate here do not come here looking for our help. They come here and work and support themselves. I guess when you live in a country with no economic opportunity, it makes you want to go to one with it, and your drive to succeed is all the greater. i don't see how we are "taking care" of them. They are taking care of themselves.

If this post sounds harsh, I apologize. I don't want to offend, but I get so tired of the anti-Middle-East sentiment that exists. And I know that immigration has it's good and bad points, but I feel the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Also, sorry for derailing the thread. Back to what the OP intended...

 

[GeekChic]

I also try to be kinder to everyone I come in contact with and I do a kind turn for someone daily.

I guess that means only if their skin is fair enough for you not to be 'suspicious', of them? What about middle eastern women? do you discriminate against them, too? Or just the men?

I'm whiter than death myself, so it's not as if I've experienced this kind of prejudice myself. But I've seen it, and I cannot stand intolerance.

I have to stop reading this thread now, it's making me physically ill.

I cannot believe that some would discard everything this country really stands for, freedom, equality, and chuck it out the window because of the acts of a few human beings.

I'm not a bible thumper, but it reminds me of the saying "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

What if you needed help someday, if your life were in peril, and the only person around to offer it was middle eastern? Would you refuse it? I doubt it! And that would be called hypocrisy.

I'm just heartsick reading this stuff. Hate is an ugly thing, and it's the very thing that caused the crimes of 9/11. If you hate in return, you are no better than 'they' are.

And that's the last I'll say on this. My apologies to the OP, I just couldn't let this go, and then look at myself in the mirror tomorrow morning with any respect.

I'm ashamed on behalf of the narrow minded souls of this world.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I, like a previous poster, and yes although not PC, am leery of middle eastern people, and actually of men in general. Call it wrong, but I am of the belief that charity begins at home, and by that? I mean our home, the USA

I also try to be kinder to everyone I come in contact with and I do a kind turn for someone daily.

Aren't these two things contradictory? It's so sad to me that people really feel this way - it's so narrow minded and unfair to people of Middle Eastern decent. I can't imagine going through life and people being leary of me based on the color of my skin.
I agree completely with everything that Aurora63 and GeekChic
have said - they have said it so well. I also apologize to the OP but I couldn't read this post and not comment.