I just thought this belonged here - On the way to the hospital to see Bob there was a car in front of me that had this painted in white letters across the back window:

We will never forget you, Dad.
9/11/02

And then there were some hearts and things. I don't know why that family chose their car to memorialize Dad, but I hope it helps them.

I haven't really heard the term "hero" applied across the board to everyone who was killed that day. However a lot of the victims were in the process of what I'd consider heroic acts. A lot of the rescue workers who were killed didn't even have to be there..went there of their own accord. There were many people who helped others get out only to find that it was too late for them. I can only imagine..can't even imagine what it must have been like. Maybe my standards are low, but I'd consider any behavior better than mowing people in front of you down to get yourself out as being pretty heroic.

Chicago just finished their hour on A&E's Live By Request with "Free." A good setup for the difficult week to come. "I just want to be free . . . ." with our flag as a backdrop. We're still here.

I have a friend at work whose uncle had been laid off on Sept 10 by the company that lost so many of its workers in the attacks. He had to deal with MAJOR survivors' guilt.

Our newspaper asked the question, how do you think life will be different in 5 years, 25 years, 50 years after these attacks--I'm not sure anyone can really speculate. I mean, who would have predicted decent relations with Japan 50 years after Pearl Harbor?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pat Rainey:
Our newspaper asked the question, how do you think life will be different in 5 years, 25 years, 50 years after these attacks--I'm not sure anyone can really speculate. I mean, who would have predicted decent relations with Japan 50 years after Pearl Harbor?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm going way out on a limb here, but IMHO not much is going to change in the long run. The US will continue to stick its long-reaching ugly nose into everyone else's business, making more enemies whether due to political belief or or in the guise of "helping" other countries be "more like us" as if "WE" are all that great. It's ethoncentrism at its worst.

I'm sick to death of the US being involved in everyone else's problems. And it's not the politicians' sons (and daughters) who will be killed, it will continue to be OUR kids!

Why do so many countries hate us so much? Because we don't know when to stick our noses OUT of their business? Why do WE have to be involved in the Middle East and their pre-historical problems? They've all been at war since Biblical days, it's THEIR problem, not mine and not my son's!

Just my 2C worth.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BuffaloGal:

... Why do WE have to be involved in the Middle East and their pre-historical problems? They've all been at war since Biblical days, it's THEIR problem, not mine and not my son's!

Just my 2C worth.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Go outside and stare at your cars... When we no longer need petroleum for fuel to run them, and to heat our homes, then we'll be able to ignore the middle east...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Arnie:


Go outside and stare at your cars... When we no longer need petroleum for fuel to run them, and to heat our homes, then we'll be able to ignore the middle east...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Then if that's WHY we're over there, sticking our noses in their hostilities, why are we siding with the side that doesn't have oil?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Why does everyone hate us SO much???
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
*Americans don't like to share thier toys. A bad perscription, for a world full of want. None of us asked to be born. Right?

P.S. oh if ya didn't notice, my PC is fixed!!!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rbrown:

*Americans don't like to share thier toys. A bad perscription, for a world full of want. None of us asked to be born. Right?

P.S. oh if ya didn't notice, my PC is fixed!!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pre-coffee thoughts: Our toys too often start as material and labor somewhere else, and then we don't share them--bad form. But I think also, the girls and the Jews and all those other weird people get to play in our game (maybe the girls aren't yet on first string, but we are in the game) and that doesn't set well in some places.

Rb: congrats on a fixed PC! Missed you!

Ceas

Fox Sunday News had a program this morning with a couple of people from NPR, and their comments were interesting. One thing that has emerged from this whole year is how valuable it is to be an American, and that there are still people who want to come here for what we have to offer--relating to Ceashell's comments--we're not perfect by any means, but most people at least get a chance here.

One other thing that was mentioned was that love can always overcome hate and evil. Even if people who operate out of love lose their lives, as so many did last year, those who operate out of hate, such as the hijackers, are completely destroyed by their actions. The spirit of those who act in love never dies.

Heavy thoughts for a beautiful Sunday morning--go out and enjoy the weather!!
<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

I do hope that our way of living in American freedom can continue for the next 50+ years, and hopefully a lot longer than that, but I personally think that could be tested very soon. If Shrub keeps running off at the mouth half cocked, we will be in a full scale war soon with Iraq. To me, that is not an appealing thought seeing as how Russia is taking sides with them. We certainly don't have China as a country who would like to help us out any time soon either. I don't know, but the odds don't look too good at this point.
I find it ironic that when Busch didn't "get" Osama - along with every other terrorist in the land - that he just points the finger at someone else as being the "real" source of the problem and off we go on another wild goose chase, only bigger guns are coming out on this one.

Ters, we've already lost many basic freedoms (as has been stated elsewhere in these posts)--especially in terms of our civil liberties. There's been an unfortunate history of this. Earlier Pat stated, "I mean, who would have predicted decent relations with Japan 50 years after Pearl Harbor?" How long did it take to heal the wounds of the Japanese-Americans who were herded into compounds? How many innocent people are right now being held with no charges being brought against them. Kind of hard to know, since there are no hearings or trials to determine guilt or innocence.

Don't get me wrong--I'm all for harsh punishment for terrorists. My questions is, what are they (Justice Dept. and whatever other agencies are involved) waiting for? Does anyone know? Am I missing something, somewhere? Why are all these people simply being held--not tried?

Meanwhile, thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends of those were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ceashel:

Pre-coffee thoughts:

Ceas<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Pre-coffee thoughts are often the best, because they are sprinkled with dreams. Being completly awake is highly over-rated.

Nate, is there a reason that the thread titled is "Sept. 11, 2003"? Or was 2003 just a misprint for 2002?

I, like everyone, will have a lot of thoughts and memories come Sept. 11, but right now more than anything I'm hoping to wake up to a quiet world and country on Sept. 12.
As far as us going after "Sodamn Insane" and Iraq, if we do, I fear that the "pre-emptive" strike may just shake the lid off of Pandora's box. I hope I'm wrong.
And if "we" do go, I hope and pray that it is truely justifed, and that can be proven.it's hard to trust the judgement of a Shrub.On a personal note,not the least of my concerns is that my daughters boyfriend reports to the army for basic training in November.

Larry--I like your name for SH himself--very appropriate. As I've said before, the idea of a war against Iraq scares me. I'm wondering if this is not some attempt on Jr's part to "make up" for his Dad not finishing the job last time--if so, that's not the reason to go in there. If there is a legitimate threat, let the UN inspectors verify it, and if they are not allowed, then do SOMETHING, but an all-out attack doesn't seem to me to be the way to go at this time. We're stretched pretty thin between Afghanistan, etc.

And, with Larry, I have my own personal reasons too--my son is just finishing up his tech school for the Air Force Reserves, and he's learning to work on C-130's and bombers, so you KNOW he'd be called up if something happens. Let's all pray....

Larry, I had no idea that this was 2002. I guess that maybe I just got a year ahead of everyone else and I need to just slow down and let you folks catch up.

I read that the information made public regarding why we had to invade Iraq the first time was all fake. There was no build up of troops and the story of the babies being tossed on the hospital floor again 100 per cent lies. The same group that worked that magic is the same ones that are handling this one. So maybe, just maybe, we are being feed a bunch of bull.

Someone said that they were not soft on terrorist, I agree, but I certainly want to be sure we are getting the right ones and not becoming the terrorist ourselves.

May Peace love and happyness be yours this day and always.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pat Rainey:
And, with Larry, I have my own personal reasons too--my son is just finishing up his tech school for the Air Force Reserves, and he's learning to work on C-130's and bombers, so you KNOW he'd be called up if something happens. Let's all pray....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My oldest will be 19 next month... although he's in college, I hear there's no deferment anymore... can we still run away to Canada?