It's an odd thing when a TV personality becomes an important online icon, and in this case it's way cool.
Your Mother's day quote quite truly helped me understand my mother's dismay at my wayward life, and helped me reconcile with her.
And, I intentionally came here to see what you might say today.
At first I was disconcerted with the brevity and commonality of your post; then I realized that it was just right. It is the most basic hope of almost all of us, and the most elusive of all realities.
...today was tough...when i saw your clip art it made me just stop and review the day, there were so many hurt and so many who became heros...i stand in awe of what we as a country have been through....i remember what i was doing 1 year ago today and i still hurt over it...and i do agree with you, may there be peace on this earth, may it be so for america...
Peace of mind and hope to my family and the residents of Rockway Beach, Queens who will have one more one year anniversary to tackle before the year of the 11th is really over for them.
Love to my cousin Deputy Chief Pete Hayden... my personal hero and the hero of many in the north lobby that day.
Humanity of this small world should know no hate.
Humanity of this fragile life should know no violance.
We are all like fingerprints in each others minds; We know each other for our distinctions and identifying marks we leave yet know the comfort when grasped and held tight.
We small few....We individual dreams shall hopefully indevour to find ourselves at each others doors and know it for home in our hearts. Home is where we are all safe.
Love Artisticspirit 9/11/02
The one song from one of the many Cowboy Bebop soundtracks' and Yoko Kanno's best work. Just this song "Gotta Knock a lil harder" sums up 9/11.
I recommend that everyone should listen to this.
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, positive or negative. Today is definitely a day to reflect with open hearts on all points of view as we remember the sadness and loss of 9/11. Together, we can get passed this and make a better world. Peace, Rob
Through some miracle, may we (the USA) step back from the brink with Iraq and come to see war as a last resort - not the first.
Some quotes (sorry, left to myself I'm quite unprofound).
I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
--Mohandas Gandhi
It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.
--William Tecumseh Sherman
Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind... War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.
--John F. Kennedy
Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not to be shared.
--Henri Nouwen
that flash movie those blue headed fellows did was pretty lame, when it started i thought it might be touching and clever, but it was really just kind of pretentios and useless.
oh well,
happy 9/11 to you all.
I've been numbed by terrorism here in Ireland, and an emotional detachment that I think I used as a kid to escape, blah blah.
What I want to say is just because I don't feel anything about 9/11 (and I was to fly to San Francisco the day after) I am not oblivious to your grief.
I think the TV stations should hang their heads in shame, but I think Wil's mark of respect has to be one of the most fitting I've seen. The internet version of the Vietnam memorial, to the point, simple, no flags.
Hang in there America, keep your heads. You DO have friends.
i pray for an end to the cycle everyday
revenge for revenge is a no win way
if only unhardened hearts could rise to the light
and like brothers and sisters, end the fight...
As much as I hate to try to hold people accountable while we're all feeling so warm and fuzzy, where is the substance behind your rhetoric, Peter? Where is the proof that the US government is responsible for thousands of deaths per year? I know we're all supposed to nod mindlessly while the drool runs from our mouths, but I actually like to see substantiated claims.
Of course Sweden's government, that allows child pornography among other things, is perfect, right?
And now back to your regularly scheduled thinly and not so thinly veiled America Bashing...
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has linked the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to perceived Western greed and arrogance and said the West should not use its position to humiliate people in poorer nations.
In an interview that aired last night on CBC-TV, the Prime Minister for the first time suggested the strikes stemmed from a growing international anger at the way the West flexes its muscle around the globe.
"You cannot exercise your powers to the point of humiliation for the others. That is what the Western world has to realize. Because they are human beings too. There are long-term consequences," Chrétien said in the pre-taped interview.
"And I do think that the Western world is getting too rich in relation to the poor world and necessarily will be looked upon as being arrogant and self-satisfied, greedy and with no limits. The 11th of September is an occasion for me to realize it even more."
It's at times like these, when I see words like that, that I still have faith in humanity....
Zeno, he's not bashing America.
We are your buddies from around the world trying to say "hey my friend, you are big, respect the rest of the world some more, and things will be fine"
No matter how badly a government acts, no one deserves such a horrible fate. I wouldn't wish it on my greatest enemy, not even Bin Laden himself. These were innocent people, and the only thing they did wrong that day was go to work or board a plane. While we look in hindsight knowing why this happened, the people who lost their lives had no idea. The world lost many lives, and 10 times more people are personally and directly affected because those were people they knew. If only people could learn how not to hate, and learn to live for their cause, instead of dying for it and taking thousands of people with them. If only...
I'd like to give my condolences to the people who are now left to suffer this horrific event, and the people of New York that are reminded everyday of what happened.
I want to send out my love and comfort to my Aunt Luz who worked in the South Tower 97th floor, who is still beating herself up for arriving to work late that day, and blaming herself for her best friend dying alone. Aunt Luz, you are alive, and I am thankful for that. Live in the memory of your friend, and continue her legacy of always fighting the good fight, which is what you always hold true in your heart. One day, maybe not any time soon, but one day peace will come, and you will begin to smile once again. I love you, Aunt Luz.
just to head off any 'I'm anti-american-comments...
i just want to say that:
1) i love america, visited it many times...
2) the americans that I've met have been excellent folks
both abroad (while visiting us in Canada)
and great hosts while I've visited the states.
3) you country has Wil for chrissakes...how bad can it be?
4) It's not just America...it's the western world in general...If you read a bit of mid-east history...the folks there have been getting royaly screwed by the west for over 60 years....
the west has a vested interest in keeping the region unstable...(for easier access to the oil) and has done a remarkable job at it....
but it's a balancing act....unstable is good for the west....but too much instability leads to problems....
so every decade or so we have a 'crisis' in the mideast...
but shit like that can only go on for soooo long untill the people that live there will have had enough....
looks to me like they've had enough....
so once again....
it's not the american's fault (though they've sure taken the beating for everyone involved)
the fault lies with all the nations of the west, including England, France, Canada ....all of us....
next time you hop in a gas guzzling SUV....remember what all this fighting is all about.....
I'm hoping that this is the first and last display of gratious delf pity that the U.S. will show the world over the events of last year. Honestly, how on earth do you expect people to move on in a POSITIVE way if they are constantly reminded of last years events?
By all means, mark the year anniversery of Sept 11, but let it stop here. There's nothing to be gained but ill feeling if this goes on.
I can't help but get depressed on many sites reading all sorts of anti-American bashing comments, and am glad its been civil here. Ordinary American citizens have no more control over what the govt. does, once officials are elected, than people overseas do. We supposedly have freedom of speech, but even that is fast becoming freedom of speech as long as we support everything the President does.
I do not support violence, but for the sake of the world, Saddam has to go. I'd much rather see him go peacefully than violently, but we all know you can't reason with him. I pray that Pres. Bush and our elected officials will exercise caution and reason when dealing with the situation, and think twice about using violence as a means to an end.
Also, not every American drives an SUV -- I don't, main reason being they waste fuel and aren't economical. Please don't assume all Americans fit the stereotype.
don't worry...
i don't look at you americans like one vast stereotype.
there's plenty of morons in Canada that drive SUV's too...i wasn't trying to single out your country...
and i know what you mean about elected officials...
seems sometimes like Americans have about as much power to elect who they want for president, as some mid-east nations do...
which is to say...none.
anyhow, peace folks....
and let's stick to 'war-monger' bashing...
not America-bashing...
Thanks for that. I'm in the finance business myself and recognized the forms from Morgan, Cantor and others. Hell, I'm surrounded by trade confirmations, account statements, financial reports and other tools of my trade.
One of my collegues lost a brother in tower 2. I still remember the look on his face when he was talking to him on the telephone. He hung up told us his brother was evacuating and then we saw the second plane hit.
Folks, regardless of any perceived ills on the part of *any* country, please don't cite them as a reason. No matter the rationale, the destruction of the Towers and lost lives will NEVER be acceptable.
Blaming anyone in a way to demean a country or a belief is giving the terrorists what they wanted.
I think my favorit popduo Roxette on their Europa tour had a great message on the big screen ( DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT HARM NO ONE) when singing " church of your hearts " for the victims of sep 11 sums it up very well .
Tyson: I read about Chretien's comments in today's edition of Toronto Metro. I was quite impressed. I don't think that his comments or yours can be interpreted as anti-American at all. In fact, I've heard/read Americans express these sentiments exactly.
I came to WWDN yesterday looking for a community for comfort. The white screen was jarring yet made a statement I could appreciate (I didn't notice that I had to scroll down to see the image until Redfenix pointed it out to me in my blog).
Classy statement, Wil. I admire you.
To those who lost loved ones on and after 9/11/01: I am sorry and feel for your loss.
To the United States: Canada has your back. We are family. We may make fun of you, bicker with you and kick your ass in hockey but siblings do that.
The United States must lead by example, by acting not in the interests of its profiteering corporations, but in the interests of the inalienable rights declared by her Founding Fathers 226 years ago.
I came to WWDN for comfort and found it. My heart and mind were filled with too little to say and too much to imagine. Thank you for the space you gave for us to do make both alright. Imagining peace ...
I don't get how instability in the mideast makes it easier to get oil. Please elaborate.
I don't get how it's evil to excel. Are companies only suppsoed to achieve a certain level of success and, then, what? Give money to those who can't compete? What is an acceptable level of success?
It's the same thing we see within the US with Microsoft and Bill Gates. We love a success story, but if you become TOO successful you are evil personified. I don't get that mindset. Sounds like sour grapes to me.
It's all rhetoric with no substance. What is the US doing that is so awful? Being successful? Gaining more wealth?
What, then, is the solution? Try less? Be less successful? Who would be evil then? Canada? Britain? Germany? Japan? Someone has to be the top dog keeping everyone down after all...
Look, there are serious problems in the world. Could the US do more to actively solve them? Probably, but when the US acts it's "interfering" and when it doesn't, it's "uncaring."
I don't know what the answer is, but they damned sure isn't to give in to maniacs who fly planes into buildings and threaten to attack our schools. Those people need to leave the planet immediately if not sooner, and then let the rational ones talk about solutions.
I agree. My question about us "interfering in other cultures", is
Is it justifiable to attack another country's government/culture when half that culture is oppressed, subjugated, reduced to nothing (ie women in the Arab world)? I think the US has a right, no an OBLIGATION to protect everyone in the world. The weak of the world need to know thats theres hope for a future for them. And that means taking out some of these horrible, misogynistic anti-western a-holes.
But even if our goals as the US is to bring US style democracy to the world, whats the prob? Who can read our Constitution and disagree with the basic human rights written there? Sure, the US messes up ALL THE TIME and does things we'd rather not talk about or admit, but whats the altnernative?
If the whole world lived by the US constitution, we'd still have lots of problems, but everyone would finally have a forum to discuss those problems and the ability to get involved and rectify all greviences, without having to resort to terrorism to get it.
Wil, thanks for exhibiting the same class and thoughtfulness you always do.
As for those who feel the urge to wallow in jingoism, ask yourselves this: Were it not for America's near total addiction to foreign oil, how much genuine interest would we have in the geo-political goings on in the Middle East? Would we have done much beyond foreign aid for Kuwait or Saudi Arabia? Would we have spent so much time and effort throwing foreign and military aid at Israel?
Before even half-heartedly assuming the role of "innocent victim" in the global community, I think we, as Americans, owe it to ourselves to become a little more intimately acquainted with our government's foreign policy track record.
No words exist to describe the scope of the tragedy of the events of last September. To remain willfully ignorant of the actions of our country that have created the environment that resulted in the attacks is to desecrate the memory of those who lost their lives.
It isn't inherently evil to excel, but with power comes responsibility. You can't avoid that.
Microsoft has gained a very large amount of power and money. Things that would normally be okay for a company to do, are unethical, and yes, evil for it to do.
The United States (God Bless it) has gained a very large amount of power. I feel/hope that its foreign policy has been well intentioned. It certainly has not been sane or well implemented. In an attempt to "make the western hemisphere safe for democracy", we put people like Pinochet in Chile, Noriega in Panama, Ortega in Nicaragua, etc etc etc.
We haven't restricted ourselves to just the western hemisphere. Read about the Boxer Rebellion sometime. In the middle-east, we established the Taliban and al Qa'ida with our money, our special ops teams, our intelligence networks, to fight communism in the mid-east. We refused money that Egypt needed to build the Aswan Dam and avoid starvation, just so we could have more power over the Suez Canal. I could go on like this for pages.
And we cannot just blame our government. Citizens of the United States provide the majority of the funding for terrorist groups in Ireland. Ask the people in the UK how much death and destruction that has caused.
What happened a year ago was atrocious, and while I lost no one, I cannot help but feel shivers when I see images or read about the events. I still wonder if we didn't take "Talk softly and carry a big stick" a little too much at heart.
You raise some interesting points, Jeffrey, and use examples of mistakes that are impossible to refute. So, the question remains: What is the answer? What do we do?
Total isolationism? Great Britain still bristles in regard to that pre-Pearl Harbor decision.
Police the world and get involved with every injustice everywhere? Sounds like Imperialism to me, and I doubt the American taxpayers, let alone loved ones of those in the military, would stay on board with that one for long.
Get involved only where we have vested interest? I think we all see the criticism that arises with that, our current, policy...
How can the US win? Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I'm willing to get on board with anything that stops fanatics from threatening to blow up our stadiums and kindergartens (as I read in Monday's paper).
The US is far from perfect (but still the best damned game in town). We have internal problems and foreign relations problems, but how do we fix it? How do we deal with people who think suicide bombings and killing American children is an acceptable form of diplomacy?
We are attracted to shows like Star Trek because we want to believe that the future is bright, that change is possible, that peace and reason will prevail, that we will raise the level of our evolution to more enlightened creatures who don't use violence to settle differences, and who can constructively control destructive emotions like anger and put them to use to create positive change.
We want to believe this, but it is difficult. It is easy to become discouraged. It is easy to be cynical. It is easy to be angry. Hope is what is hard. Faith is difficult, because it is just that - faith, unknowable and unprovable. (Why else are so many of our conflicts with each other based on religion?) But that's how we do evolve. And it happens one person at a time. War is easy. Killing is easy. Dying is easy. Living with each other is the challenge. Are we up for it? Keep the faith, everyone. We must keep on believing.
"A man huddles in a dark recess of his mind, crying. He holds back the tears, but not the rage, and swings his fist. He screams angrily.
A woman huddles in a corner crying. She wipes blood from her cheek and flinches at the bruise left by his hand. She sniffles quietly.
A child huddles under his bed crying. He wipes tears from his eyes and shivers at the screams in the living room. He disconnects swiftly.
A country huddles in amongst themselves crying. They blind themselves from the real violence happening around them every day. They do nothing."
The USA was wounded on September 11th, 2001.
The USA has healed that wound a little bit every day since.
The USA is dying anyway.
The USA ignores the wounds made hundreds of times a day.
Thousands of families are DESTROYED every minute in the world by domestic violence. Yet atrocities like 9-11 make the world take notice? WAKE UP FOLKS!!! and for the love of whatever "GOD" you know, GET UP AND DO SOMETHING!!!!!!ANYTHING!!!!! or it will be YOU next that we DON'T bother worrying about when your "loved one" beats you to death.
I wish I had an answer for our domestic and foreign policy. Like you said, damned if you do, damned if you don't. I don't think the UK has much to complain about, but of course I didn't have the hell bombed out of my capitol city every day for a couple years. We really are the UK writ large. The UK was always able to be a little ivory towerish in european politics because of that channel of theirs. We just have a bigger channel in a bigger world. I sometimes lean toward taking a back seat to the UN as world police. I can hear the "loss of state soverignty" people now.
I would rather take this discussion off WWDN, feel free to write me at mcbeth@morphogenesis.2y.net
I hate the word "revenge" and I hate the word "war"
I send my thoughts and prayers for the victims, and their families + friends. Rest in peace.
But right now I will do what I can to help the people in Africa who's dying of hunger. I will buy rainforests to save the rainforests when I have the money or the chance, and I will keep on hoping for peace. But as long as people want revenge and people want war there will be no peace.
PEACE! That's what I want. Peace. Not revenge and not war. But peace.
I'll avoid one of my usual bitching sessions about America.
All I want to say is that I am very glad thay Al Quaeda or any other fuckers didn't use yesterday's grief as a platform with which to launch another attack.
My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones, friends and colleages, and my eternal hatred goes out to all those who would use death and violence to impose their will upon innocents.
Countless people across the world have suffered pain, torture and death in the time it took me to write this. 9/11 was a monstrous tragedy, but it is only one among many.
But we think killing foreign children and giving the Israelis Black Hawk helicopters to blow up living rooms so they do not need to use suicide bombers is just fine.
Peace is fantastic, we all love peace. We all *want* peace. But sometimes you have to take a stand and actually protect yourselves and stop your pissing and finger-pointing.
What if we did indeed change our entire middleeastern policies based on the 9/11 attacks? What a great idea - everyone always says "find out why they did this" or "we had it coming for our own terrorist actions since WWII." If we change all of our middle eastern policies as a result of these attacks, then we are sending a very plain message: "NEXT TIME YOU DISAGREE WITH OUR POLICIES, MURDER THOUSANDS OF US AND WE WILL CHANGE THEM." Nope. Never. These people want us dead and are willing to die for it. We can only stop them by rendering them dead.
Any of you guys ever read Ayn Rand? She knew very well that the appeasers above all are most dangerous. The appeasers make sure that attacks on our country go unanswered, hence encouraged again. I have no doubt, none whatsoever, that the same crowd that's blaming us for this now would have blamed us for Pearl Harbor.
Fuck that. We should rest only after every person actively trying to do us harm is wiped off the face of the earth.
I think it's worse one year later- since we now know the names and faces of so many who have died that day- Last year-
I had taped the news coverage and looked back on it- and remembered that at first they didn't even realize that it was an Attack til the second plane hit then the Pentagon and of course who can forget- the flt 93 who fought back and sacrificed them selves to keep them from hitting the White House... all in all we are definatly all changed since then.
Hold your loved ones a little tighter, remember to say you love them, and cherrish all moments. you never know when they will be taken away.
I certainly agree with you in hoping that peace will prevail on earth. I think we have a way to go yet.
It is the natural yearning of all humans to live in freedom, and to have choices and opportunity in their lives. This is only possible when people live under gov'ts that recognize and protect their citizens' right to freedom. Until most all people live in freedom, under gov'ts that protect rather than abuse their citizens' natural yearnings, we will always have conflict. People will rebel against the tyrants. The tyrants will try to extend their tyranny to others who will resist, etc., etc.
The monarchies, dictators, theocrats, thugs, Chairmen of the Parties, or whatevers, who deny freedom have no history of voluntarily giving up their privileged positions and setting their people free. Think of any democracy: the USA, Great Britain, any of them, and what events led to their being democracies where people enjoy freedom. What about Germany and Japan? No history of democracy there until it was imposed militarily after 50,000,000 people had died, many of them innocent civilians.
As I believe someone has already said, peace will prevail after all the variously named thug govt's who deny their people freedom have been defeated: militarily, economically, from international pressure, or whatever. I think the military method has been, and will continue to be, the most effective. That might come from internal armed rebellion, or from outside force.
One comment for those who thrill in listing the assorted thugs the USA made alliances with in the past, or the nations where we helped overthrow gov'ts. From the early fifties until around 1990, our policy was to contain communism. To do that, we made many unsavory alliances, and we helped overthrow some socialist govt's (Chile). Few things are ever 100% perfect, but our goals were noble: to keep free peoples free, and to prevent communism from spreading to enslave even more people. Anyone can point out the flaws, but the main goal was to keep the largest number of people free of communism that we could. Sometimes the alternatives weren't much better, but the tyranny of communism lives in only about four nations now, where once it was twenty to thirty.
I've heard it said often lately that democracies don't go to war with each other. I can't think of a case where it's happened. I believe the more who live under some reasonable form of democracy, the more that peace will prevail. But, again, the ruling thugs aren't prone to granting their people freedom and democracy.
The best hope for peace is that more and more of the thugs will be defeated. Most likely that will most always involve some amount of shooting and killing, and the death of some innocents. Can someone show where that is incorrect, based on history, not unrealized dreams or John Lennon lyrics? If anyone can, I hope they will.
In today's world, the USA, with all its flaws, is the best hope for greater freedom and peace.
One more thought: If you'd decided to give peace a chance, be certain the other guys (or nations) have decided the same.
The site listed above is my personal tribute to the World Trade Centers: www.tradecenterfilms.com
It is dedicated to displaying all of the movies that the World Trade Centers have appeared in over the years. I never noticed them until after 9/11 and since then I've seen them in so many movies it's spooky. Come on over and check out all the movies displayed so far and keep coming back because I am always adding more.
You know, there was wall to wall television coverage of the anniversary down here in Australia, and I watched bits here and there, because, really, it was unbearable to watch those terrible images yet again. But one thing that came out of that for me was that every single person who made a phone call from within Tower 1 or Tower 2, or from the flight that came down in Pennsylvania was concerned with telling those on the other end that they loved them. That's all that mattered. And it is all that mattered. It's the one thing that will matter to every single one of us at the end of our lives. Love is really all that matters in this world, and we have to constantly remind ourselves and each other of that every day we live.
Comments
Peace.
Posted by: Chuggnutt | September 11, 2002 10:31 PM
Amen.
Posted by: Inuki | September 11, 2002 10:34 PM
It's an odd thing when a TV personality becomes an important online icon, and in this case it's way cool.
Your Mother's day quote quite truly helped me understand my mother's dismay at my wayward life, and helped me reconcile with her.
And, I intentionally came here to see what you might say today.
At first I was disconcerted with the brevity and commonality of your post; then I realized that it was just right. It is the most basic hope of almost all of us, and the most elusive of all realities.
Peace
Posted by: Drew Palmer | September 11, 2002 10:34 PM
Sleep well. Dream peace. Aloha
Posted by: Mikaele | September 11, 2002 10:34 PM
all this sept 11th stuff just brings me down.. now i gotta see it here.. man..
anyone see the raiders win the other day? go raiders!
Posted by: hops | September 11, 2002 10:35 PM
...today was tough...when i saw your clip art it made me just stop and review the day, there were so many hurt and so many who became heros...i stand in awe of what we as a country have been through....i remember what i was doing 1 year ago today and i still hurt over it...and i do agree with you, may there be peace on this earth, may it be so for america...
plum
Posted by: plum | September 11, 2002 10:36 PM
Peace of mind and hope to my family and the residents of Rockway Beach, Queens who will have one more one year anniversary to tackle before the year of the 11th is really over for them.
Love to my cousin Deputy Chief Pete Hayden... my personal hero and the hero of many in the north lobby that day.
Looking forward...
-MKF
Posted by: MissKittyFantastico | September 11, 2002 10:38 PM
*nod*
peace, out.
Posted by: missy | September 11, 2002 10:39 PM
Amen.
Posted by: Dani | September 11, 2002 10:42 PM
Humanity of this small world should know no hate.
Humanity of this fragile life should know no violance.
We are all like fingerprints in each others minds; We know each other for our distinctions and identifying marks we leave yet know the comfort when grasped and held tight.
We small few....We individual dreams shall hopefully indevour to find ourselves at each others doors and know it for home in our hearts. Home is where we are all safe.
Love Artisticspirit 9/11/02
Posted by: Artisticspirit | September 11, 2002 10:44 PM
Wil...
one day, one day very soon...
there will be peace on earth
just as John Lennon had written...
Just..."Imagine"
later
Posted by: wade art | September 11, 2002 10:53 PM
My first geocache found http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=15003&logs=y&decrypt=
PEACE!
Posted by: mcfoo | September 11, 2002 10:54 PM
Let's start mourning the thousands of deaths that your government is responsible for around the world every year first.
Posted by: Andrew | September 11, 2002 10:56 PM
Amen to that, Wil.
I'm sure humanity will work it out one day. It's just going to be a long and difficult road.
Posted by: Katie | September 11, 2002 11:13 PM
It affected us in Canada in a major way, but it really broke the whole world's hearts..
Peace.
Posted by: Etienne | September 11, 2002 11:33 PM
The one song from one of the many Cowboy Bebop soundtracks' and Yoko Kanno's best work. Just this song "Gotta Knock a lil harder" sums up 9/11.
I recommend that everyone should listen to this.
Posted by: Rob | September 11, 2002 11:36 PM
Cheers to us all. Live, not hate.
Posted by: Ramius | September 12, 2002 12:02 AM
peace.
sleep well.
Posted by: christy | September 12, 2002 12:07 AM
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, positive or negative. Today is definitely a day to reflect with open hearts on all points of view as we remember the sadness and loss of 9/11. Together, we can get passed this and make a better world. Peace, Rob
Posted by: Rob | September 12, 2002 12:12 AM
Through some miracle, may we (the USA) step back from the brink with Iraq and come to see war as a last resort - not the first.
Some quotes (sorry, left to myself I'm quite unprofound).
I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
--Mohandas Gandhi
It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.
--William Tecumseh Sherman
Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind... War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.
--John F. Kennedy
Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not to be shared.
--Henri Nouwen
See other peace quotes at http://www.quotelady.com/subjects/peace.html
Posted by: Bill Bekkenhuis | September 12, 2002 1:17 AM
that flash movie those blue headed fellows did was pretty lame, when it started i thought it might be touching and clever, but it was really just kind of pretentios and useless.
oh well,
happy 9/11 to you all.
Posted by: the richest dead celebrity | September 12, 2002 1:28 AM
Think less on the what and when, and more on the who and why.
We all know what and when.
-mgb
Posted by: mgb | September 12, 2002 2:23 AM
I've been numbed by terrorism here in Ireland, and an emotional detachment that I think I used as a kid to escape, blah blah.
What I want to say is just because I don't feel anything about 9/11 (and I was to fly to San Francisco the day after) I am not oblivious to your grief.
I think the TV stations should hang their heads in shame, but I think Wil's mark of respect has to be one of the most fitting I've seen. The internet version of the Vietnam memorial, to the point, simple, no flags.
Hang in there America, keep your heads. You DO have friends.
Dev.
Posted by: Dev | September 12, 2002 3:23 AM
Keep :)
Posted by: Phil | September 12, 2002 3:29 AM
I just wish your president would read wil's message...
Posted by: Philou | September 12, 2002 3:31 AM
Two things made me cry early yesterday morning. One was your site, and the other was this, which I sought out on my mother's website from last year:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/klump1/tomorrow.html
M
Posted by: Melinda Beasi | September 12, 2002 4:13 AM
"Let's start mourning the thousands of deaths that your government is responsible for around the world every year first.
Posted by Andrew at September 11, 2002 10:56 PM"
You're absolutely right. /Peter from Sweden.
Posted by: Peter | September 12, 2002 4:51 AM
i pray for an end to the cycle everyday
revenge for revenge is a no win way
if only unhardened hearts could rise to the light
and like brothers and sisters, end the fight...
Posted by: d. burr | September 12, 2002 5:00 AM
As much as I hate to try to hold people accountable while we're all feeling so warm and fuzzy, where is the substance behind your rhetoric, Peter? Where is the proof that the US government is responsible for thousands of deaths per year? I know we're all supposed to nod mindlessly while the drool runs from our mouths, but I actually like to see substantiated claims.
Of course Sweden's government, that allows child pornography among other things, is perfect, right?
And now back to your regularly scheduled thinly and not so thinly veiled America Bashing...
Posted by: Zeno | September 12, 2002 5:40 AM
I printed out that image from yesterday and
taped in in my car window. Also had it posted in the lobby where I work as a receptionist.
WIL PLEASE RUN FOR A PUBLIC OFFICE!
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH. beautiful!
Posted by: bluecat/redblanket | September 12, 2002 5:55 AM
Yes, let there be peace, but let there first be justice.
Posted by: Dale S. | September 12, 2002 6:01 AM
*Yawn* to all the America bashers. Your own country is just as guilty - every country is.
Posted by: Dale S. | September 12, 2002 6:03 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2139094055
Wil vs. Barney? SWEEEEET!
Posted by: Brian | September 12, 2002 6:07 AM
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has linked the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to perceived Western greed and arrogance and said the West should not use its position to humiliate people in poorer nations.
In an interview that aired last night on CBC-TV, the Prime Minister for the first time suggested the strikes stemmed from a growing international anger at the way the West flexes its muscle around the globe.
"You cannot exercise your powers to the point of humiliation for the others. That is what the Western world has to realize. Because they are human beings too. There are long-term consequences," Chrétien said in the pre-taped interview.
"And I do think that the Western world is getting too rich in relation to the poor world and necessarily will be looked upon as being arrogant and self-satisfied, greedy and with no limits. The 11th of September is an occasion for me to realize it even more."
It's at times like these, when I see words like that, that I still have faith in humanity....
peace folks.
Ty
Posted by: Tyson | September 12, 2002 6:07 AM
Zeno, he's not bashing America.
We are your buddies from around the world trying to say "hey my friend, you are big, respect the rest of the world some more, and things will be fine"
Posted by: Philou | September 12, 2002 6:09 AM
Pray hardest when it's hardest to pray.
Red
Posted by: Red | September 12, 2002 6:10 AM
No matter how badly a government acts, no one deserves such a horrible fate. I wouldn't wish it on my greatest enemy, not even Bin Laden himself. These were innocent people, and the only thing they did wrong that day was go to work or board a plane. While we look in hindsight knowing why this happened, the people who lost their lives had no idea. The world lost many lives, and 10 times more people are personally and directly affected because those were people they knew. If only people could learn how not to hate, and learn to live for their cause, instead of dying for it and taking thousands of people with them. If only...
I'd like to give my condolences to the people who are now left to suffer this horrific event, and the people of New York that are reminded everyday of what happened.
I want to send out my love and comfort to my Aunt Luz who worked in the South Tower 97th floor, who is still beating herself up for arriving to work late that day, and blaming herself for her best friend dying alone. Aunt Luz, you are alive, and I am thankful for that. Live in the memory of your friend, and continue her legacy of always fighting the good fight, which is what you always hold true in your heart. One day, maybe not any time soon, but one day peace will come, and you will begin to smile once again. I love you, Aunt Luz.
Posted by: Abbie | September 12, 2002 6:10 AM
just to head off any 'I'm anti-american-comments...
i just want to say that:
1) i love america, visited it many times...
2) the americans that I've met have been excellent folks
both abroad (while visiting us in Canada)
and great hosts while I've visited the states.
3) you country has Wil for chrissakes...how bad can it be?
4) It's not just America...it's the western world in general...If you read a bit of mid-east history...the folks there have been getting royaly screwed by the west for over 60 years....
the west has a vested interest in keeping the region unstable...(for easier access to the oil) and has done a remarkable job at it....
but it's a balancing act....unstable is good for the west....but too much instability leads to problems....
so every decade or so we have a 'crisis' in the mideast...
but shit like that can only go on for soooo long untill the people that live there will have had enough....
looks to me like they've had enough....
so once again....
it's not the american's fault (though they've sure taken the beating for everyone involved)
the fault lies with all the nations of the west, including England, France, Canada ....all of us....
next time you hop in a gas guzzling SUV....remember what all this fighting is all about.....
Posted by: Tyson | September 12, 2002 6:19 AM
Peace.
Posted by: tskll | September 12, 2002 6:23 AM
An eye for an eye would only make the world blind. Just something to think about.
Posted by: Abbie | September 12, 2002 6:24 AM
I'm hoping that this is the first and last display of gratious delf pity that the U.S. will show the world over the events of last year. Honestly, how on earth do you expect people to move on in a POSITIVE way if they are constantly reminded of last years events?
By all means, mark the year anniversery of Sept 11, but let it stop here. There's nothing to be gained but ill feeling if this goes on.
Posted by: Rusty | September 12, 2002 6:32 AM
I can't help but get depressed on many sites reading all sorts of anti-American bashing comments, and am glad its been civil here. Ordinary American citizens have no more control over what the govt. does, once officials are elected, than people overseas do. We supposedly have freedom of speech, but even that is fast becoming freedom of speech as long as we support everything the President does.
I do not support violence, but for the sake of the world, Saddam has to go. I'd much rather see him go peacefully than violently, but we all know you can't reason with him. I pray that Pres. Bush and our elected officials will exercise caution and reason when dealing with the situation, and think twice about using violence as a means to an end.
Also, not every American drives an SUV -- I don't, main reason being they waste fuel and aren't economical. Please don't assume all Americans fit the stereotype.
Peace!
Posted by: Emily | September 12, 2002 6:32 AM
http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/log/2002/08.html
This site has some photos of the Wil vs. Barney match. Scroll down and you'll find them.
Posted by: Brian | September 12, 2002 6:39 AM
don't worry...
i don't look at you americans like one vast stereotype.
there's plenty of morons in Canada that drive SUV's too...i wasn't trying to single out your country...
and i know what you mean about elected officials...
seems sometimes like Americans have about as much power to elect who they want for president, as some mid-east nations do...
which is to say...none.
anyhow, peace folks....
and let's stick to 'war-monger' bashing...
not America-bashing...
Posted by: Tyson | September 12, 2002 6:40 AM
To all the people who lost their lives and to all the people who live...peace.
Posted by: Nadia | September 12, 2002 6:47 AM
Wil,
Thanks for that. I'm in the finance business myself and recognized the forms from Morgan, Cantor and others. Hell, I'm surrounded by trade confirmations, account statements, financial reports and other tools of my trade.
One of my collegues lost a brother in tower 2. I still remember the look on his face when he was talking to him on the telephone. He hung up told us his brother was evacuating and then we saw the second plane hit.
It hit real close to home.
Best to you and keep up the great work you do.
Posted by: Steven Prediletto | September 12, 2002 6:50 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/09/12/iraq.report/index.html
So what do we do?
Posted by: newtothis | September 12, 2002 6:54 AM
Folks, regardless of any perceived ills on the part of *any* country, please don't cite them as a reason. No matter the rationale, the destruction of the Towers and lost lives will NEVER be acceptable.
Blaming anyone in a way to demean a country or a belief is giving the terrorists what they wanted.
Posted by: Jeff Boman | September 12, 2002 6:57 AM
I think my favorit popduo Roxette on their Europa tour had a great message on the big screen ( DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT HARM NO ONE) when singing " church of your hearts " for the victims of sep 11 sums it up very well .
martina
Posted by: martina | September 12, 2002 7:06 AM
Tyson: I read about Chretien's comments in today's edition of Toronto Metro. I was quite impressed. I don't think that his comments or yours can be interpreted as anti-American at all. In fact, I've heard/read Americans express these sentiments exactly.
I came to WWDN yesterday looking for a community for comfort. The white screen was jarring yet made a statement I could appreciate (I didn't notice that I had to scroll down to see the image until Redfenix pointed it out to me in my blog).
Classy statement, Wil. I admire you.
To those who lost loved ones on and after 9/11/01: I am sorry and feel for your loss.
To the United States: Canada has your back. We are family. We may make fun of you, bicker with you and kick your ass in hockey but siblings do that.
Peace. Love. Happiness.
Posted by: delphine | September 12, 2002 7:13 AM
The United States must lead by example, by acting not in the interests of its profiteering corporations, but in the interests of the inalienable rights declared by her Founding Fathers 226 years ago.
Posted by: Drakensykh | September 12, 2002 7:14 AM
Good job Wil. I left my computer on your site all day long so that my roommate and our friends could see your message. Keep it comming.
Posted by: Terra | September 12, 2002 7:15 AM
I came to WWDN for comfort and found it. My heart and mind were filled with too little to say and too much to imagine. Thank you for the space you gave for us to do make both alright. Imagining peace ...
Posted by: MsSpentyouth | September 12, 2002 7:23 AM
One of the coolest links ever. Blue Man Group rocks!!
Posted by: Holly | September 12, 2002 7:31 AM
OK, I'm still not getting it.
I don't get how instability in the mideast makes it easier to get oil. Please elaborate.
I don't get how it's evil to excel. Are companies only suppsoed to achieve a certain level of success and, then, what? Give money to those who can't compete? What is an acceptable level of success?
It's the same thing we see within the US with Microsoft and Bill Gates. We love a success story, but if you become TOO successful you are evil personified. I don't get that mindset. Sounds like sour grapes to me.
It's all rhetoric with no substance. What is the US doing that is so awful? Being successful? Gaining more wealth?
What, then, is the solution? Try less? Be less successful? Who would be evil then? Canada? Britain? Germany? Japan? Someone has to be the top dog keeping everyone down after all...
Look, there are serious problems in the world. Could the US do more to actively solve them? Probably, but when the US acts it's "interfering" and when it doesn't, it's "uncaring."
I don't know what the answer is, but they damned sure isn't to give in to maniacs who fly planes into buildings and threaten to attack our schools. Those people need to leave the planet immediately if not sooner, and then let the rational ones talk about solutions.
Posted by: Zeno | September 12, 2002 7:46 AM
Wil,
Well said Wil, well said.
Until your next post......
Matt......
Posted by: matt | September 12, 2002 8:07 AM
Zeno!
You rock!!
I agree. My question about us "interfering in other cultures", is
Is it justifiable to attack another country's government/culture when half that culture is oppressed, subjugated, reduced to nothing (ie women in the Arab world)? I think the US has a right, no an OBLIGATION to protect everyone in the world. The weak of the world need to know thats theres hope for a future for them. And that means taking out some of these horrible, misogynistic anti-western a-holes.
But even if our goals as the US is to bring US style democracy to the world, whats the prob? Who can read our Constitution and disagree with the basic human rights written there? Sure, the US messes up ALL THE TIME and does things we'd rather not talk about or admit, but whats the altnernative?
If the whole world lived by the US constitution, we'd still have lots of problems, but everyone would finally have a forum to discuss those problems and the ability to get involved and rectify all greviences, without having to resort to terrorism to get it.
Posted by: newtothis | September 12, 2002 8:18 AM
Let me guess, Wil went to the Blue Man Group at the Luxor...regarding entry: thanks.
Posted by: ze-mag | September 12, 2002 8:25 AM
http://www.dnalounge.com/gallery/2002/08-22/
Posted by: John | September 12, 2002 8:28 AM
Wil, thanks for exhibiting the same class and thoughtfulness you always do.
As for those who feel the urge to wallow in jingoism, ask yourselves this: Were it not for America's near total addiction to foreign oil, how much genuine interest would we have in the geo-political goings on in the Middle East? Would we have done much beyond foreign aid for Kuwait or Saudi Arabia? Would we have spent so much time and effort throwing foreign and military aid at Israel?
Before even half-heartedly assuming the role of "innocent victim" in the global community, I think we, as Americans, owe it to ourselves to become a little more intimately acquainted with our government's foreign policy track record.
No words exist to describe the scope of the tragedy of the events of last September. To remain willfully ignorant of the actions of our country that have created the environment that resulted in the attacks is to desecrate the memory of those who lost their lives.
Posted by: Nekromantik | September 12, 2002 8:33 AM
Nice sentiment, but as long as the naked ape walks the Earth, it ain't gonna happen.
Posted by: Fred Fowler | September 12, 2002 8:45 AM
It isn't inherently evil to excel, but with power comes responsibility. You can't avoid that.
Microsoft has gained a very large amount of power and money. Things that would normally be okay for a company to do, are unethical, and yes, evil for it to do.
The United States (God Bless it) has gained a very large amount of power. I feel/hope that its foreign policy has been well intentioned. It certainly has not been sane or well implemented. In an attempt to "make the western hemisphere safe for democracy", we put people like Pinochet in Chile, Noriega in Panama, Ortega in Nicaragua, etc etc etc.
We haven't restricted ourselves to just the western hemisphere. Read about the Boxer Rebellion sometime. In the middle-east, we established the Taliban and al Qa'ida with our money, our special ops teams, our intelligence networks, to fight communism in the mid-east. We refused money that Egypt needed to build the Aswan Dam and avoid starvation, just so we could have more power over the Suez Canal. I could go on like this for pages.
And we cannot just blame our government. Citizens of the United States provide the majority of the funding for terrorist groups in Ireland. Ask the people in the UK how much death and destruction that has caused.
What happened a year ago was atrocious, and while I lost no one, I cannot help but feel shivers when I see images or read about the events. I still wonder if we didn't take "Talk softly and carry a big stick" a little too much at heart.
Posted by: Jeffrey McBeth | September 12, 2002 8:47 AM
Amen!
Posted by: Sue | September 12, 2002 8:49 AM
Wil,
user friendly is at it again with you today.
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20020912
check it out.
until your next post......
Matt......
Posted by: matt | September 12, 2002 8:55 AM
Wil,
Leave it up to you to always have the right words to say... and for the rest of America hold your heads up high and never let them see you down.
Posted by: Viv | September 12, 2002 9:19 AM
You raise some interesting points, Jeffrey, and use examples of mistakes that are impossible to refute. So, the question remains: What is the answer? What do we do?
Total isolationism? Great Britain still bristles in regard to that pre-Pearl Harbor decision.
Police the world and get involved with every injustice everywhere? Sounds like Imperialism to me, and I doubt the American taxpayers, let alone loved ones of those in the military, would stay on board with that one for long.
Get involved only where we have vested interest? I think we all see the criticism that arises with that, our current, policy...
How can the US win? Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I'm willing to get on board with anything that stops fanatics from threatening to blow up our stadiums and kindergartens (as I read in Monday's paper).
The US is far from perfect (but still the best damned game in town). We have internal problems and foreign relations problems, but how do we fix it? How do we deal with people who think suicide bombings and killing American children is an acceptable form of diplomacy?
Posted by: Zeno | September 12, 2002 9:34 AM
May peace prevail, indeed. Thanks, Wil.
We are attracted to shows like Star Trek because we want to believe that the future is bright, that change is possible, that peace and reason will prevail, that we will raise the level of our evolution to more enlightened creatures who don't use violence to settle differences, and who can constructively control destructive emotions like anger and put them to use to create positive change.
We want to believe this, but it is difficult. It is easy to become discouraged. It is easy to be cynical. It is easy to be angry. Hope is what is hard. Faith is difficult, because it is just that - faith, unknowable and unprovable. (Why else are so many of our conflicts with each other based on religion?) But that's how we do evolve. And it happens one person at a time. War is easy. Killing is easy. Dying is easy. Living with each other is the challenge. Are we up for it? Keep the faith, everyone. We must keep on believing.
Posted by: c.a.m. | September 12, 2002 9:35 AM
"A man huddles in a dark recess of his mind, crying. He holds back the tears, but not the rage, and swings his fist. He screams angrily.
A woman huddles in a corner crying. She wipes blood from her cheek and flinches at the bruise left by his hand. She sniffles quietly.
A child huddles under his bed crying. He wipes tears from his eyes and shivers at the screams in the living room. He disconnects swiftly.
A country huddles in amongst themselves crying. They blind themselves from the real violence happening around them every day. They do nothing."
The USA was wounded on September 11th, 2001.
The USA has healed that wound a little bit every day since.
The USA is dying anyway.
The USA ignores the wounds made hundreds of times a day.
Thousands of families are DESTROYED every minute in the world by domestic violence. Yet atrocities like 9-11 make the world take notice? WAKE UP FOLKS!!! and for the love of whatever "GOD" you know, GET UP AND DO SOMETHING!!!!!!ANYTHING!!!!! or it will be YOU next that we DON'T bother worrying about when your "loved one" beats you to death.
Eternally,
Ember
Posted by: Ember Ryan | September 12, 2002 9:44 AM
I wish I had an answer for our domestic and foreign policy. Like you said, damned if you do, damned if you don't. I don't think the UK has much to complain about, but of course I didn't have the hell bombed out of my capitol city every day for a couple years. We really are the UK writ large. The UK was always able to be a little ivory towerish in european politics because of that channel of theirs. We just have a bigger channel in a bigger world. I sometimes lean toward taking a back seat to the UN as world police. I can hear the "loss of state soverignty" people now.
I would rather take this discussion off WWDN, feel free to write me at mcbeth@morphogenesis.2y.net
I think we have gone far enough off topic :-)
Um, yeah Wil!
Jeff
Posted by: Jeffrey McBeth | September 12, 2002 4:08 PM
I hate the word "revenge" and I hate the word "war"
I send my thoughts and prayers for the victims, and their families + friends. Rest in peace.
But right now I will do what I can to help the people in Africa who's dying of hunger. I will buy rainforests to save the rainforests when I have the money or the chance, and I will keep on hoping for peace. But as long as people want revenge and people want war there will be no peace.
PEACE! That's what I want. Peace. Not revenge and not war. But peace.
Helene
Posted by: Helene | September 12, 2002 4:23 PM
I'll avoid one of my usual bitching sessions about America.
All I want to say is that I am very glad thay Al Quaeda or any other fuckers didn't use yesterday's grief as a platform with which to launch another attack.
My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones, friends and colleages, and my eternal hatred goes out to all those who would use death and violence to impose their will upon innocents.
Countless people across the world have suffered pain, torture and death in the time it took me to write this. 9/11 was a monstrous tragedy, but it is only one among many.
We must never forget that.
Posted by: fluffy | September 12, 2002 4:49 PM
But we think killing foreign children and giving the Israelis Black Hawk helicopters to blow up living rooms so they do not need to use suicide bombers is just fine.
Hypocrisy is sooooooo 1987, Zeno.
Posted by: Rasputin | September 12, 2002 5:46 PM
Peace is fantastic, we all love peace. We all *want* peace. But sometimes you have to take a stand and actually protect yourselves and stop your pissing and finger-pointing.
What if we did indeed change our entire middleeastern policies based on the 9/11 attacks? What a great idea - everyone always says "find out why they did this" or "we had it coming for our own terrorist actions since WWII." If we change all of our middle eastern policies as a result of these attacks, then we are sending a very plain message: "NEXT TIME YOU DISAGREE WITH OUR POLICIES, MURDER THOUSANDS OF US AND WE WILL CHANGE THEM." Nope. Never. These people want us dead and are willing to die for it. We can only stop them by rendering them dead.
Any of you guys ever read Ayn Rand? She knew very well that the appeasers above all are most dangerous. The appeasers make sure that attacks on our country go unanswered, hence encouraged again. I have no doubt, none whatsoever, that the same crowd that's blaming us for this now would have blamed us for Pearl Harbor.
Fuck that. We should rest only after every person actively trying to do us harm is wiped off the face of the earth.
Peace, after we win.
Posted by: Chris | September 12, 2002 6:55 PM
I actually like this one better: http://www.politicsandprotest.org/
Posted by: Ruger | September 12, 2002 7:53 PM
You're a pussy Wil, like those shithead Christians...
Posted by: 666FAG | September 12, 2002 9:42 PM
I think it's worse one year later- since we now know the names and faces of so many who have died that day- Last year-
I had taped the news coverage and looked back on it- and remembered that at first they didn't even realize that it was an Attack til the second plane hit then the Pentagon and of course who can forget- the flt 93 who fought back and sacrificed them selves to keep them from hitting the White House... all in all we are definatly all changed since then.
Hold your loved ones a little tighter, remember to say you love them, and cherrish all moments. you never know when they will be taken away.
Posted by: Andie-Gypsy_girl | September 12, 2002 9:45 PM
Wil,
I certainly agree with you in hoping that peace will prevail on earth. I think we have a way to go yet.
It is the natural yearning of all humans to live in freedom, and to have choices and opportunity in their lives. This is only possible when people live under gov'ts that recognize and protect their citizens' right to freedom. Until most all people live in freedom, under gov'ts that protect rather than abuse their citizens' natural yearnings, we will always have conflict. People will rebel against the tyrants. The tyrants will try to extend their tyranny to others who will resist, etc., etc.
The monarchies, dictators, theocrats, thugs, Chairmen of the Parties, or whatevers, who deny freedom have no history of voluntarily giving up their privileged positions and setting their people free. Think of any democracy: the USA, Great Britain, any of them, and what events led to their being democracies where people enjoy freedom. What about Germany and Japan? No history of democracy there until it was imposed militarily after 50,000,000 people had died, many of them innocent civilians.
As I believe someone has already said, peace will prevail after all the variously named thug govt's who deny their people freedom have been defeated: militarily, economically, from international pressure, or whatever. I think the military method has been, and will continue to be, the most effective. That might come from internal armed rebellion, or from outside force.
One comment for those who thrill in listing the assorted thugs the USA made alliances with in the past, or the nations where we helped overthrow gov'ts. From the early fifties until around 1990, our policy was to contain communism. To do that, we made many unsavory alliances, and we helped overthrow some socialist govt's (Chile). Few things are ever 100% perfect, but our goals were noble: to keep free peoples free, and to prevent communism from spreading to enslave even more people. Anyone can point out the flaws, but the main goal was to keep the largest number of people free of communism that we could. Sometimes the alternatives weren't much better, but the tyranny of communism lives in only about four nations now, where once it was twenty to thirty.
I've heard it said often lately that democracies don't go to war with each other. I can't think of a case where it's happened. I believe the more who live under some reasonable form of democracy, the more that peace will prevail. But, again, the ruling thugs aren't prone to granting their people freedom and democracy.
The best hope for peace is that more and more of the thugs will be defeated. Most likely that will most always involve some amount of shooting and killing, and the death of some innocents. Can someone show where that is incorrect, based on history, not unrealized dreams or John Lennon lyrics? If anyone can, I hope they will.
In today's world, the USA, with all its flaws, is the best hope for greater freedom and peace.
One more thought: If you'd decided to give peace a chance, be certain the other guys (or nations) have decided the same.
Posted by: William | September 12, 2002 9:54 PM
William, well said. No anger or rancor, just the truth.
Posted by: James | September 13, 2002 6:09 AM
My heart goes out to all of those who lost there lives on September 11th....
its so sad
Posted by: Maureen | September 13, 2002 12:28 PM
Wil, I think this may interest you:
http://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?journal=vyoma&itemid=437161
Posted by: Mike | September 13, 2002 12:40 PM
Wil, that was touching.
and 666FAG, you must be a very sad person. i hope you grow a brain someday.
Posted by: suzy | September 14, 2002 1:08 AM
The site listed above is my personal tribute to the World Trade Centers: www.tradecenterfilms.com
It is dedicated to displaying all of the movies that the World Trade Centers have appeared in over the years. I never noticed them until after 9/11 and since then I've seen them in so many movies it's spooky. Come on over and check out all the movies displayed so far and keep coming back because I am always adding more.
Posted by: Wesley Maynard | September 14, 2002 10:51 AM
You know, there was wall to wall television coverage of the anniversary down here in Australia, and I watched bits here and there, because, really, it was unbearable to watch those terrible images yet again. But one thing that came out of that for me was that every single person who made a phone call from within Tower 1 or Tower 2, or from the flight that came down in Pennsylvania was concerned with telling those on the other end that they loved them. That's all that mattered. And it is all that mattered. It's the one thing that will matter to every single one of us at the end of our lives. Love is really all that matters in this world, and we have to constantly remind ourselves and each other of that every day we live.
Peace, Vicki
Posted by: Vicki | September 15, 2002 11:46 PM
That really just says it all.
Posted by: Raynbow | September 18, 2002 1:40 PM
inzucht mpeg
http://inzucht.inc-diary.com/
Posted by: inzucht mpeg | January 8, 2005 4:02 PM