9/11: 5 Years Later
I‘ve written a good deal about this personally and have never released any of it for public eyes. As a whole, I think most Americans feel the same about it. I remember where I was when it hit. I was asleep since I didn’t have my mass communications class until 12. My then girlfriend left 2 frantic messages on my machine. My machine was in the other room so I paid no mind to the first, but when I got the second I thought, "Damn, I guess I better go check what she wants." I remember hearing a bunch of loud blather about something at the WTC, but I really had no idea what she was talking about. I turned on the TV to find ESPN (Ch 35) from the previous nights events. They were showing coverage…then to FOX (70) @ 944am…then to CNN (42)…then to local ABC affiliate (2). Finally, I settled on one and I don’t remember which one. I remember standing three feet from the screen in nothing but my LSU football shorts, the remote in my left hand and my right hand holding my left elbow, feeling completely vulnerable. One knee slightly bent, I found myself in complete disbelief as I watched the replay of the 1st plane hitting. I thought, "What kind of sick documentary is this?" But it was very real. I was 4,000 miles away and felt so close. Thinking about it right now, puts a small choke in my throat.
I get very angry when I hear these nutjobs (I was going to put a link here but refuse to give them more publicity than necessary) make comments about the whole thing being staged. These ignorant people live in a world on paper that is governed by thesis statements. These are the same people who accuse New Orleans officials of blowing up the levees in order to get black people out of the city. I remember morons like Harry Belafonte and Kanye West (please stick to singing) saying that Bush was a racist for doing that. Are you f*&$ing kidding me? I took that as a personal slap in the face. I know many on both sides of the color spectrum that are in the same boat to this day. The weather didn’t discriminate just like the terrorists didn’t discriminate. These people have a serious agenda. Had Gore won the seat in 2000 and not Bush, then the extreme right would be saying the same crap. These people seem to miss the fundamental idea that the terrorists don’t care who’s in office…they don’t care about right, left…Donkeys or Elephants. They HATE Americans and everything we, as a cohesive unit, stand for.
I heard a poll on the radio that 40-something percent of Americans blame Clinton and 40-something percent of Americans blame Bush for 9/11 happening. Who cares? I know no one did right after it happened. The thing that matters is today. What are we doing to crush these people? I remember the fire that came out from the American public for a good year after the attacks. Five years later where has that fire gone? We need to get it back. Three things need to be realized: 1) Politicians on both sides need to stop using this day as a scapegoat because it’s a sacred day. Whatever politician is in office is in a lose/lose situation. So make the best of it. 2) As proved just a month ago at Heathrow Airport, the threats are still looming very real. We need not lose sight of this and remember how they injured us on that day. I remember. I felt insulted and humiliated. 3) When you see one of these nutjobs and want to slap them, just use your energy to smile. It will do no good to waste your breath. Go find an area to pray, stand on your head for Yoga or find a Zen place.
I know many people that were affected directly and indirectly in NYC, DC and PA. I really feel for them. I know that choking sensation you get. I know that heaviness in the tear ducts you feel. I can’t imagine being 60-something floors up and trying to decide whether or not to jump out of a window as maybe my best option. Can I call my family? Can I call my son? Can I call anyone that I love? What will happen to them? What will happen to me if I don’t jump? What will happen if I stay? I wish I hadn’t fought with my wife this morning. Does she know I love her? Do I…Oh my God, what is that vibration…the floor is moving…the wall is coming closer. Ok, I’m jumping out. I just can’t imagine.
I guess it’s human nature to always aim to take down the top dog. With being the best, comes a responsibility to maintain the image and give people opportunity to be a part of that image. That’s why they gun for us. That’s why they want to take us down. That’s why we are the best…the United States of America.