September 11

[Matthew]

Of all the things that have happened in my life, and ever will happen, I don't think there will be one that I wasn't directly involved in that has affected me as much as September 11.

In fact, it's taken me nearly 7 years to be able to even write about it. And I don't even know why I feel the urge to write about it now. I guess I felt I needed to about a month ago. I saw a show advertised on tv for the date September 11. It had nothing to do with what happened 7 years ago, but the mere mentioning of that date triggered something.

But today, when I was at the beach, I was just contemplating. I was thinking about what happened 7 years ago. It opened my eyes to what Americans are like. Before then, I thought the people on Jerry Springer were basically what Americans are like.

I was wrong. What I saw that day was people trying their best to survive and doing whatever they could to help strangers. They displayed strength, courage and compassion during the most trying of circumstances.

Imagine you're at work (it was what a Tuesday morning?) and a plane of all things comes flying into your building. To be able get over the mere shock and display such a will to live to get out of there and to help people you have never met before..

But then I thought about the firefighters. Words cannot describe their actions. All I can do is describe what they did. You see all the office workers trying their best to get the hell out of there, and then the firefighters went running in there to try and save people and put the fire out.

No words or actions will ever be able to do justice to how brave they were.

I'm not scared of alot of things, but if I was there, I don't think I would of been able to run in there if I thought about it. Maybe if I didn't think about it I would of been able to, but whatever. They did it, and I don't know what else to say. In some ways, I still can't believe what happened happened.

And I also am aware that America is not perfect. Prior to September 11, they had made some enemies. To me, though, what happened on that one day in September is unforgivable. If they had a problem with American politicians, then go after them. Flying a passenger jet filled with civilians into a building packed with people with the sole purpose to kill as many people as possible is the biggest act of bastardry I have seen or for that matter I can imagine.

When that day happened, I thought I would be anti muslim or even anti middle eastern. I haven't. The world hasn't, either.

Maybe in 7 years I'll think differently. Maybe I'll be dead in 7 years. Who knows what will happen. But kudos to America. Kudos to Americans. And infinite kudos to those firefighters.

[Kbryant8]

I remember it like it was yesterday. Came back from school, turned TV on, switched channels and then BBC channel came on, i was like in shock when i saw this, then the second plane just crashed in the WTC.It scared the crap out of me, thought that there will be a WW3. God bless these people who died at there.

[Andrew]

I was woken up with the news and I remember my disbelief at the time. For all the anti-American sentiment in certain parts of the world, I would not have expected such a thing to happen in the United States. Obviously, there was terrorism in the world long before 9/11 but I was probably rather ignorant in identifying it as something that took place in war-torn countries, countries experiencing political uprisings and warring parties. And no doubt, that's the message they were trying to send, that they could - and would - commit heinous attacks under the noses of the authorities of a powerful nation.

If any good can come out of such an atrocity, it's that we are more aware of these despicable plots and have tightened security in airports and at events where large groups of people have congregated. The foiled plot in London back in 2006 is a good example of how our heightened vigilance and awareness prevented further catastrophe, though unfortunately other terrorist attacks have succeeded since 9/11. Still, we fly on planes and attend big, public events as we did before 9/11. Corny as it is to say, if terror is a concept that can ever be "beaten", refusing to live in fear and going about our lives as normal - albeit more carefully and never forgetting events like 9/11 - are perhaps more effective weapons than the ones used in warfare.

[cyanide]

While condolences and lots of respect goes to the firefighters and families who have suffered and died at 9/11, the event sparked something much larger that had led to further suffering. While it was surreal to watch airplanes crash into large towers, an event I'll never forget, but there's something more than just this day. I'm presenting the other side of the coin, and of course, I'll offend people, but let's not ignore the fact that other people deserves respect.

What happened in those following years were Afghan and Iraq civilians doing their best to survive and whatever they can to avoid friendly fire and collateral damage. They displayed strength, courage and compassion during the most trying of circumstances.

Imagine you're trying to gather food and water (it could be any morning!) and missiles and gunshots of all things come flying into your building. To be able to get over the mere shock and display of holding your only child dead in your arms and to help move your screaming children out of a war zone..

But then I thought about the troops. Words cannot describe their actions at Abu Ghraib. All I can do is describe what they did. You see Iraqis trying their best to get the hell out of there, and then the troops went running in there to arrest them and to physically and sexually humiliate and abuse them.

No words or actions will ever be able to do justice to how cruel they were.

I'm not scared of a lot of things, but if I was in Afghanistan or Iraq, I don't think I would've been able to survive. I would certainly survive in America, though. Maybe I should focus more on what happened in America, and ignore what goes on everywhere else, but whatever. They did it, and I don't know what else to say. In some ways, I still can't believe the things people did.

And I also am aware that Afghanistan and Iraq are not perfect. Prior to the removal of Saddam Hussein and extremist groups, the people of Afghanistan and Iraq suffered as well. To me, though, reacting to a group of extremists by poor planning and by brute force that will lead to future generations of war trauma is unforgivable. If America had a problem with extremists crashing airplanes into their buildings, then spend billions rather than trillions on increasing domestic security and using the technology and tactical intelligence to assassinate Saddam Hussein and leaders of the Taliban. Shooting missiles into buildings with civilians still inside with the sole purpose of killing possibly one extremist is quite an act of bastardry.

When those years happened, and is still happening, I thought Americans would become more accepting and tolerant of muslims or even of Middle Eastern ethnicity. Unfortunately, attitudes and suspicions still remain.

Maybe in 7 years I'll think differently. Maybe I'll change my mind in 7 years. Who knows what will happen to Iraq and Afghanistan now that democracy is in place. Kudos to Afghanistan and Iraq for putting up with years of suffering. And infinite kudos to those Afghanistan, Iraq, and American families who have lost their loved ones in the "war against terror."

[el badman]

I was in my first few weeks as an exchange student here, and I realized there was something very wrong when I saw everyone here, students and professors, with dead serious faces calling on their cell phones or in public phones. A French professor here told me something had happened in NY, it had to do the WTC but she didn't really know what it was about. Classes were pretty much suspended everywhere and I saw the first images on the big ass TV from the student lounge.
Very strange and creepy moment, I'll remember that all my life. Let's hope we won't see that kind of atrocity ever again, anywhere.

[Doobie]

I saw it happen in front of me. My school had the perfect view across the hudson river. I saw the second plane hit. I was in 7th grade I didn't know much back then, but when I think about it now I think of it as a catastrophic moment in the life of all of us. It hurts alot to imagine it again, but I saw everything vividly. R.I.P every life lost in that tragic moment.

[benji]

Lulz at anyone who whines in regards to this post: "leave politics out of 9/11." You didn't get [9/11].

But then I thought about the troops. Words cannot describe their actions at Abu Ghraib. All I can do is describe what they did. You see Iraqis trying their best to get the hell out of there, and then the troops went running in there to arrest them and to physically and sexually humiliate and abuse them.

No words or actions will ever be able to do justice to how cruel they were.

Thanks for smearing all American troops based on the actions of a perverse few.

Prior to the removal of Adolf Hitler and the Japanese, the people of Europe and Asia suffered as well. To me, though, reacting to a group of extremists by poor planning and by brute force that will lead to future generations of war trauma is unforgivable.

("Fixed.") I know I automatically lost, but still. The point stands, in my opinion.

If America had a problem with extremists crashing airplanes into their buildings, then spend billions rather than trillions on increasing domestic security and using the technology and tactical intelligence to assassinate Saddam Hussein and leaders of the Taliban.

Wut. And assassination is fine now? Crazy times we live in. Feminists want women staying at home with their families, the rest of the world wants us assassinating leaders and leaving power vacuums.

I thought Americans would become more accepting and tolerant of muslims or even of Middle Eastern ethnicity. Unfortunately, attitudes and suspicions still remain.

Is this any better than saying "all muslims are terrorists"?

Merely "remembering 9/11" is silly. It is historically ignorant to set 9/11 aside from past events as if it is some shining city on a hill. The lesson of 9/11 is that "law enforcement" and "defense" doesn't work. Not alone, not without use of power. Before 9/11 the U.S. was directly attacked every two years. WTC93, Bojinka, Khobar, The Embassies, U.S.S. Cole, etc. 9/11 was the failure of the old ways, it was time to shift the paradigm.

Why hasn't there been another 9/11 or attack aimed squarely at the U.S.? (Instead of our allies and the West.) Because they're afraid. Afraid we'll flip the fuck out and do it live.

Oh, and they're dead. Lots and lots of them are dead.

Remembering 9/11 as if it were a solitary tragic event like an earthquake or volcano. Please.

Let's celebrate it because it is my dad's birthday. He's a pretty cool feller.

[Patr1ck]

I remember being up all night on my computer. I had just lit up a blunt and turned on the tv just before 6 am(9 am in NY). One tower was on fire with reports of a plane colliding with it. So I watched while finishing my blunt. When I saw the second plane hit, I knew just like everybody else who hadn't known, that it was and attack. It also completely destroyed my high. I woke up my family and told them America was under attack. We were all around the tv, watching the news til about midday. It was an intense day seeing and hearing about all the events that had took place.

[cyanide]

Thanks for smearing all American troops based on the actions of a perverse few.

I wanted to talk about the other side of the coin, but yes, abuse by troops are in the minority.

Wut. And assassination is fine now?

I had to appease those who thinks Saddam shouldn't be in power. Let's change it to tranquilize and arrest Saddam.

Is this any better than saying "all muslims are terrorists"?

Isn't that what I was basically saying?

Let's celebrate it because it is my dad's birthday. He's a pretty cool feller.

Happy birthday to your dad! It's actually also our (my gf's) monthiversary too.

[kevC]

Afraid we'll flip the fuck out and do it live.

[Sauru]

i remember sitting in work when they interupted the sports talk radio show we all listened to(machine shop) and at first the shock stopped work but fairly soon everyone got back to work, only they moved slower and the radios were all louder. then suddenly the second plane hits and the entire company shuts down as everyone stood around just to listen to what was going on.

i even remember the big boss from up stairs coming by and seeing this and instantly being pissed at us until he realized what was going on, then he too stood around with us all before quickly retreating back to his office which had the tv.

i gotta agree with matthew, i lost no one, i didnt even know someone who knew someone who was taken that day, and still the day had a major impact on me and will continue to do so for ever i am sure. i remember when my son was born(2 years ago tomorrow) i asked the doctor if he thought we might go into labor on the 11th and if he thought so i wanted to induce on the 8th(the 11th was a monday that year if i recall) just so my son didnt have it as a bday.

[benji]

Isn't that what I was basically saying?

No, or were you not saying that Americans are not accepting and tolerant of muslims/Middle Easterners?

I had to appease those who thinks Saddam shouldn't be in power.

So you think Saddam Hussein should still be in power.

Let's change it to tranquilize and arrest Saddam.

Doesn't matter. You cannot eliminate one man and everything be fine. You cannot organize a bunch of Sam Fishers and Jason Bournes, send them into Iraq to kill/capture Saddam and then leave. His sons take over. Okay, so now you have to take out the sons. And a good number of the Baathist leaders. And now you have a power vaccuum in the country and absolute chaos happens. Instead of small groups of idiots taking up small arms against the greatest military in world history.

Repeat the same thing for Taliban (this is, unfortunately close to how we carried out things in Afghanistan for logistical reasons, and now we see why it's not the best idea) or that figurehead bin Laden himself.

if he thought so i wanted to induce on the 8th(the 11th was a monday that year if i recall) just so my son didnt have it as a bday.

Wow.

[Oskar]

I was 6 years old, and I really don't remember that day. As much as I've heard about it afterwards, it's.. beyond belief.

[Sauru]

wohoo i got a wow from benji lol

[cyanide]

No, or were you not saying that Americans are not accepting and tolerant of muslims/Middle Easterners?

I'm saying that negative attitudes (you're a terrorist!) toward muslims and Middle Easterners are still prevalent. Just ask Kumar.

So you think Saddam Hussein should still be in power.

I don't, but any way of removing him and his goons from power won't make anybody happy apparently Either leave it as the status quo until the people unite to topple the government, which might not happen in our lifetime, or go with intervention, which is what happened anyway. Either way, is there a "better" way?

[benji]

I'm saying that negative attitudes (you're a terrorist!) toward muslims and Middle Easterners are still prevalent

Okay? As are attitudes against blacks, white men, Americans, etc.

Either leave it as the status quo until the people unite to topple the government, which might not happen in our lifetime, or go with intervention, which is what happened anyway. Either way, is there a "better" way?

Yeah, the latter, which was our moral responsibility after we betrayed them when we told them to do the former.

Ideally, we would've removed Saddam in 1991 and not let the war continue for twelve more years.

[cyanide]

Okay? As are attitudes against blacks, white men, Americans, etc.

Right. I didn't mean to make a blanket statement solely on Americans (as this attitude is also held by other people in other countries), but my point was after 9/11 happened, blame was put on muslims and Middle Easterners rather than on terrorists. People saw terrorists = muslims and/or Middle Easterners.

[benji]

after 9/11 happened, blame was put on George Bush and the Jews rather than on terrorists. People saw terrorists = George Bush and/or Jews.

("Fixed.")

[cyanide]

Awesome

[Joe']

I remember that day vividly. I was sick so I didn't go to school. I woke up just minutes before the attacks, my dad was watching CNN. Suddenly the screen went blank and a few seconds after that we found out what had happened.

My grandparents were in Brooklyn that morning and saw the whole thing as it happened. It was horrible, we didn't even know if they were okay until late in the night (some kind of issue with the phone lines.)

I can't even begin to imagine the reason behind all this. I can't even begin to imagine why anyone would want to do something like this.

As it has already been said, condolences to the families of the victims and kudos to the FDNY for being so brave and saving the lives of many that day.

[Matthew]

While condolences and lots of respect goes to the firefighters and families who have suffered and died at 9/11, the event sparked something much larger that had led to further suffering. While it was surreal to watch airplanes crash into large towers, an event I'll never forget, but there's something more than just this day. I'm presenting the other side of the coin, and of course, I'll offend people, but let's not ignore the fact that other people deserves respect.

What happened in those following years were Afghan and Iraq civilians doing their best to survive and whatever they can to avoid friendly fire and collateral damage. They displayed strength, courage and compassion during the most trying of circumstances.

Imagine you're trying to gather food and water (it could be any morning!) and missiles and gunshots of all things come flying into your building. To be able to get over the mere shock and display of holding your only child dead in your arms and to help move your screaming children out of a war zone..

But then I thought about the troops. Words cannot describe their actions at Abu Ghraib. All I can do is describe what they did. You see Iraqis trying their best to get the hell out of there, and then the troops went running in there to arrest them and to physically and sexually humiliate and abuse them.

No words or actions will ever be able to do justice to how cruel they were.

I'm not scared of a lot of things, but if I was in Afghanistan or Iraq, I don't think I would've been able to survive. I would certainly survive in America, though. Maybe I should focus more on what happened in America, and ignore what goes on everywhere else, but whatever. They did it, and I don't know what else to say. In some ways, I still can't believe the things people did.

And I also am aware that Afghanistan and Iraq are not perfect. Prior to the removal of Saddam Hussein and extremist groups, the people of Afghanistan and Iraq suffered as well. To me, though, reacting to a group of extremists by poor planning and by brute force that will lead to future generations of war trauma is unforgivable. If America had a problem with extremists crashing airplanes into their buildings, then spend billions rather than trillions on increasing domestic security and using the technology and tactical intelligence to assassinate Saddam Hussein and leaders of the Taliban. Shooting missiles into buildings with civilians still inside with the sole purpose of killing possibly one extremist is quite an act of bastardry.

When those years happened, and is still happening, I thought Americans would become more accepting and tolerant of muslims or even of Middle Eastern ethnicity. Unfortunately, attitudes and suspicions still remain.

Maybe in 7 years I'll think differently. Maybe I'll change my mind in 7 years. Who knows what will happen to Iraq and Afghanistan now that democracy is in place. Kudos to Afghanistan and Iraq for putting up with years of suffering. And infinite kudos to those Afghanistan, Iraq, and American families who have lost their loved ones in the "war against terror."

Who mentioned Iraq in this thread? You troll.

[Riot]

This day means a lot to me. It changed my life in more than one way. I'm obviously in the military now so this day means a lot. Today when we put the flag at half mast you could tell the day still remains vividly in their head, as it should. That day is the motivation for some of us. We want to kick ass and take names. I'm proud to say I'm a member of the United States Navy and I'm even more proud to say I am an American. Those firefighters and police officers showed so much courage and bravery that day. They set the bar high for all of us...lets not let them down.

[diddy]

that day i was gonna watch some good movie on tv, but all chanels in Russia showed the terract! i was really shocked and watched it all night! rip for people who died in those skyscreapers, and fu** those muslim bastards!

[Dramacydal]

Wow, congrats on being a racist, Diddy. You moved up yet another couple of spots in my rankings for worst poster ever.

And at what Riot posted.

[diddy]

Wow, congrats on being a racist, Diddy. You moved up yet another couple of spots in my rankings for worst poster ever.

And at what Riot posted.

actually, i'm not a racist, man! just hate those terrorists, and we both know what nationality and religion were they! people of my country were hurted by that kind of terrorists too back in the day, so i think my meaning of the muslims in this case understandable! tell me what is the main nation, that grew up the biggest number of terrorists, hah? Iranians, Iraqes, Chechens, Georgia, Azerbaidjan? may be i'm wrong, but i believe they all muslims! and because of troubles my country had that were caused buy those people, i have my opinion about them, and u just heard it!

buy the way, if i were a racist, i would hate afroamericans, chineese, indians.... no, i'm absolutelu positive to all people in the world, and muslins too, but i hate bastards, that can do only one thing - kill and murder! they are so stupid, so they can't even work in the garden, growing up vegetables! actually, i have 2 friends that are muslims, and they are good people! so if u don't know enougt and don't want to think more about what u read, don't judge another person! no offence!



p.s. please name spot number of your rankings of "worst poster ever", that belongs to me, i'm just so intriguet!