What do you remember about Sept 11, 2001?

[hipeter924]

What I knew of Islam , I knew from Robert Heinlein ,El Cid and Shakespeare .
I blamed the Jews for the plight of the "palestinians", and Christians for the Crusades.
I smoked.

I used to believe:

1. That Israel had to be destroyed and that Jews were all inherently evil.

2. That Christians should be barred from practicing their religion and re-educated.

3. That heavy taxation on the rich would end poverty and that private businesses were evil and should be taken over by the government.

4. That Turkey was a secular democracy without a foul human rights record.

5. That western culture was the cause of all the worlds problems and that the only solution was to destroy it, and create a new international culture.

6. That America was mostly a nation of racists, bigots and religious crazies running around with guns and shooting each other.

7. That the Republicans were Bush/Cheney clones.

8. That Bill Clinton was the best President ever (didn't fuck the economy, have an affair, and jump in the paycheck of agricultural corporations to hurt and destroy small farmers).

9. That Cuba was heaven on Earth.

10. That socialism worked, and if the world became socialist or communist the world's problems would go away.

 

[mudwhistle]

pre-9/11 i didn't care about foreieng policy (was only in 9th grade though), post-9/11 I have read as much as I can about our FP and the people we deal with.

I have never been scared about terrorists attacks though and don't even think about it when I am flying. Would rather kill myself than live in fear like a pussy

Jesus you're young. I had already been retired from the military for 6 years on 9/11.

Many of you discovered on 9/11 that evil exists.

From my time as a G. I. I already knew it from first-hand experience.

 

[Toro]

The only thing that has changed for me is the sinking realization that America will never wake up and is doomed because of it.

Don't be silly.

America is great now. It will be great 200 years from now.

Islamic countries will revert to secularism long before America becomes doomed.

 

[chanel]

Yes. I think young people think of suicide bombers as criminals. Prosecute after the fact. That strategy did not work in 1993 with the first WTC bombing and even Clinton admitted it. We must learn from our mistakes and the mistake of other western societies. Freedom of religion is not a suicide pact.

 

[johnrocks]

Not much except now I pay a lot more attention to who I support politically, if a candidate supports an interventionist foreign policy, they DO NOT get my vote, no if's ,and's, or but's about it.

 

[Luissa]

That is what I hate about the area I live in. Even if they are a democrat, they still have to be somewhat of a social conservative and support the war.

The US, needs to learn from other Empires, and realize we need to scale back right now. Many Empires have fallen when they have had troops or armies all over the globe while their own country was failing. China is a prime example.

 

[editec]

Before 9-11 I argued with my inlaws that NYC was going to be targeted for a serious terrrorist attack.

They dismissed my concerns as paranoia.

I content that NYC is STILL the primary target for Islaic terrorists.

It is, I think, a more ideal target for Islamic fanatics than even Tel Avis, to be frank.

Because, first there are about three million Jews living in that city, and secondly, NYC is still the capital of western Capitalism.

If NYC doesn't get hit with a WMD weapon in the next twenty years or so, I will be happily surprised.

My opinions haven't changed a whit since 9-11.

If you live in NYC or nearby, move.

 

[chesswarsnow]

Sorry bout that,

That is because emotions come and go while principles last a lifetime. September 11th tuged at the emotions of every American that day, yet only a few emerged with a sense of resolve to never let it happen again.

1. I'm one!



Regards,
SirJamesofTexas

 

[Annie]

I was at school. We had a directive from the principal NOT to turn on the TVs. Then the rumors flew as well. L.A. had been hit. Chicago, Detroit, D.C., etc. He finally allowed us to watch. I sobbed all day long. My grandmother lived in Queens and my brother and sister in law worked in Manhattan. I could not get through to my mom on the phone. But the sweet thing was, as I was sobbing in the cafeteria during lunch duty, several of the students came up to console me. For many of them, NY was as a foreign of a place as Afghanistan, but they showed empathy for me - even kids I did not know.

I suffered mild PTSD for about a year. I am still terrified of flying.

Wow, I wonder what the principal was thinking in not keeping staff aware? Then I think, hmm, if my principal had heard instead of myself what would her reaction have been? One of my own kids was already in university, as someone else posted, her classes were cancelled, I believe until Thursday. All of the schools around here, private and public seemed to have reacted pretty much the same, younger kids were kept out of news, older kids watched all enfold-with adults commenting on what information they knew about New York, DC, terrorism, bin Laden.

Your 'fear of flying' reminds me that strangely enough, we had already booked and did take the 7th and 8th graders to DC in March of 2002. Now that was strange. The kids and chaperones were all nervous about flying, though only 2 parents elected not to allow their children to go. Probably the most impressionable site we saw was a side trip to the Pentagon City Mall after dinner. The Pentagon itself while heavily guarded, was obviously well under reconstruction.

As I posted earlier, the school is literally 5 minutes from the end of O'Hare runways. Yes, it was the airport that soundproofed and air conditioned our school. As the planes started to be grounded, a bad location got worse. We literally were watching planes come down at remarkable rates.

Over the next few days, air force planes were the only ones in the skies breaking up the eerie silence above with even more startling sonic booms. As I said, bad location.

 

[mudwhistle]

Yes. I think young people think of suicide bombers as criminals. Prosecute after the fact. That strategy did not work in 1993 with the first WTC bombing and even Clinton admitted it. We must learn from our mistakes and the mistake of other western societies. Freedom of religion is not a suicide pact.

I remember during the 08' Democratic debates Obama's only concern was making sure that we had good first responders....rather then striving to prevent attacks.

I guess he doesn't care if we get attacked as long as we clean up the mess (and the bodies) after we are attacked....this includes putting a good face on the devastation that another attack would cause to everything, including the economy.

 

[Paulie]

I was in my office at out our restaurant going through the 86'ed list and putting together an order list. My barback came up the stairs (we were the only ones there that early in the morning) and said "Chef, ya' need to turn on the TV". I said ''i'm busy". He said "No chef, seriously, ya need to turn on the TV". I said, "I'm Busy. Unless the presidents been shot or Pearl Harbors under attack, i'm busy!"..He said, "Yeah, ya' need to turn on the TV chef".....I turned on the TV and was absolutely floored. 2 minutes later, the second plane hit......I'll never forget it.

Dude I'm sorry, but that sounds like the cheesiest bullshit story ever

 

[Blagger]

I also have more of problem with people flying the flag improperly or disrespecting the flag, than if they burn it. At least they know their rights, and are doing it out of protest.

I don't think many Americans have a problem with jerks who burn the flag... but, it was in Britain - it has nothing to do with their 'rights'. Our rights don't extend to the rest of the world. My real interest was that the police chose to allow the protest - Muslims burning our flag - but did not allow a counter protest. Why not? If it is ok for one group to protest - then it surely is ok for others to protest too? Apparently not in Britain. Go figure.

You think burning your flag is bad? You have no idea. In Britain it's seemingly O.K for Muslims who live in the U.K and enjoy all the benefits that come with citizenship, to go out and protest at the parade for troops returning from active duty in Iraq.

The following footage may actually make some of you feel sick. And if I were in charge, I would have had the ***** flogged.

See for yourselves:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pRNmLWhtO4&feature=related"]Disgraceful[/ame]

 

[California Girl]

I also have more of problem with people flying the flag improperly or disrespecting the flag, than if they burn it. At least they know their rights, and are doing it out of protest.

I don't think many Americans have a problem with jerks who burn the flag... but, it was in Britain - it has nothing to do with their 'rights'. Our rights don't extend to the rest of the world. My real interest was that the police chose to allow the protest - Muslims burning our flag - but did not allow a counter protest. Why not? If it is ok for one group to protest - then it surely is ok for others to protest too? Apparently not in Britain. Go figure.

You think burning your flag is bad? You have no idea. In Britain it's seemingly O.K for Muslims who live in the U.K and enjoy all the benefits that come with citizenship, to go out and protest at the parade for troops returning from active duty in Iraq.

The following footage may actually make some of you feel sick. And if I were in charge, I would have had the ***** flogged.

See for yourselves:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pRNmLWhtO4&feature=related"]Disgraceful[/ame]

No, I have no opinion on them burning our flag. I support their right to protest - and if they want to be drama queens and burn a fake flag (cuz it wasn't a real one anyway), then that is up to them. What I disliked was that the police refused to allow a counter protest. That's not fair... but Britain long ago ceased to be fair... which is why the far right British National Party is growing in numbers.

 

[Blagger]

I understand what you mean with regards to protest, CG, as the western ideal of free speech would be very hollow if we prevented free speech that we didn't like. But I disagree with you on flag burning to a degree.

I don't really care when I see third world agitators burning the Union Jack on TV in the third world. But I do take exception to seeing the Union Jack burnt on U.K soil. Because free speech is one thing, but overbearing hypocracy is another. And that's what I can't stand when I see the Union Jack being burnt in the U.K. I imagine the same is for Americans.

The same attitude can be applied to taunting returning British veterans by people who these men have defended and upheld the quality of life they enjoy. To then spit on them for laying their lives on the line, and in many cases paying the ultimate price, is an unforgivable betrayal. And should be answered with criminal charges.

This stand point is also why I sympathize with all the Americans who oppose the construction of a Mosque near ground zero. It flies in the face of reason, but more importantly, honour.

 

[Modbert]

Alright, I'm done playing nice with this. I have given enough freebies and I'm tired of moving bullshit.

I have just banned one person for a few days for not listening to me on this after I gave them a warning. No more. Now, if you do it, two day ban. Simple as that. I don't care who you are. If you have a problem with what someone is saying by politicizing the thread, report it.

Hint: Don't bring up Osama Bin Laden, Bush, Obama, or any topic such as that. This thread is to remember what YOUR day on that fateful day.

I don't want to come back to this thread and have to start swinging the banhammer, I really don't but I will if I have to.

 

[daveman]

Thanks, Bert.

 

[SFC Ollie]

Thank you very much.

 

[Ozmar]

I understand what you mean with regards to protest, CG, as the western ideal of free speech would be very hollow if we prevented free speech that we didn't like. But I disagree with you on flag burning to a degree.

I don't really care when I see third world agitators burning the Union Jack on TV in the third world. But I do take exception to seeing the Union Jack burnt on U.K soil. Because free speech is one thing, but overbearing hypocracy is another. And that's what I can't stand when I see the Union Jack being burnt in the U.K. I imagine the same is for Americans.

The same attitude can be applied to taunting returning British veterans by people who these men have defended and upheld the quality of life they enjoy. To then spit on them for laying their lives on the line, and in many cases paying the ultimate price, is an unforgivable betrayal. And should be answered with criminal charges.

This stand point is also why I sympathize with all the Americans who oppose the construction of a Mosque near ground zero. It flies in the face of reason, but more importantly, honour.

They should at least allow counter-protestors to encounter these protestors.

 

[lizzie]

pre-9/11 i didn't care about foreieng policy (was only in 9th grade though), post-9/11 I have read as much as I can about our FP and the people we deal with.

I have never been scared about terrorists attacks though and don't even think about it when I am flying. Would rather kill myself than live in fear like a pussy

Imo, better to learn how not to fear, and how to not live in fear, than either of the options you put forth.

 

[Avatar4321]

I realized how quickly life can change in unexpected ways

I realized how truly fragile our civilization is and how human nature is still the same as it has been for thousands of years.

I started paying attention to politics more. It was the Bush/Gore fight and 9/11 that really made me interested in keeping abreast on current issues and politics.

I also learned that even when the is crashing down around you, you can find solace in quiet reading and prayer.