9/11: Four Years Later...

Today is the 4th Anniversary of September 11th, 2001 and while I'd like to say that things have improved, the truth is, in my oppinion, they've gotten worse. Not only did America change on 9/11/01, but the entire world as we knew it changed forever on that fateful Tuesday morning, four yeras ago today.

It's sad now to think that before 9/11, we were ignorant; thinking that nothing could or ever would happen to us. It's sad to think that children born after 2001, or shortly before it, will never remember a time when there were not two or three security gards everywhere you go. It's sad that now, when you go into a mall, movie theater, or even occasional grocery store, there are semi-armed gards watching you.

But most of all it's sad to think that after all that pain and tragedy, there is still so much hatred and anger amongst us Americans. It sometimes seems like us human beings just don't learn.

The horror and heartbreak that happened four years ago today will never truly be over. There will always be a sadness surrounding the memories of those we lost, there will always be tears shed for the wounded and their suvivors, there will always be admiration for the courage and bravery of the heroes who so selflessly risked their lives to save others....The victims, heroes and survivors of 9/11 will always remain in our hearts.

You can't think of 9/11 without thinking of the incredible loss of life, and the pure senslessness of it all.

9/11 profoundly affected me, and the way I live my life. Most of all though, it changed the way I saw my country. While I am deeply proud to be an American, and am extremely blessed to have been born an American, I never questioned my country before 9/11, now I do....

now I think that although I fully support my troops and the brave men and women fighting for my freedom-I think that my Government could've somehow prevented 9/11, or at least been better prepared for it.

Four years later, we are in the threshold of another great American disaster that although is not man-made terroism, Hurricane Katrina has certainly evoked terror and hardship on millions of American Citizens.

And once again, I feel that my administration could've fixed the New Orleans levy, and should've also been better prepared for this.

Why does it take America so damn long to "be prepared," and why are they only prepared AFTER the fact of the matter?

Why does it take huge tragedies, loss of life and mass chaos to produce change in this country? Or in this world for that matter.

Last December with the Thailand Tsunami and the London and Madrid Terroist Bombings that have happened since 9/11; this is why I think the world has gone downhill since 9/11.....

before that, there was some sense of peace, security; since then, no place feels safe.

Now, the Government can come in my home and search it without a warrant, ha, America's forefathers would roll over in their graves in they heard this-but you know, it's okay, b/c it's fighting the war on terroism.

We're not fighting a war on "terroism," we're fighting a war against eachother; a war against ourselves; and a war against hatred; The phrase "terroism," is just a blanket word to describe it.

I remember where I was when 9/11 happened, I was asleep in my bed. Being that I live on the West Coast, the entire tragic events of 9/11 had already happened by the time I got up to start my day.

I remember my mom opening my bedroom door and saying "We're at war!" And I thought, "what? hunh?" I got up and ran into her bedroom and saw the Trade Center Tower 1 collapse. A few minutes later, the 2nd tower collapsed. My mouth was wide open. I could not believe my eyes. My eyes filled with tears and I was awe struck, but not in a good way.

It didn't hit me then what had happened, and I'm not sure if it has today, four years later. I do remember in the following weeks, the images that haunted me the most were those of people literally flying out of the high story towers and fleeing to their death. That got me, b/c I thought, what would I have done? At that moment, do you decide to burn to death, or plumit to the ground and go kaplunk? What a horrible decision to have to make-for anyone, ever.

It didn't really hit me what the people on the planes must have felt until next year, in July 2002, when I was on a red eye flight to Nashville, TN. As I sat in the back of the plane, and it was dark and quiet, I looked around; I looked at people sleeping, people reading, some just holding thier children. I though, "wow, how sad. Now I get it as much as I'm ever going to without (thank God) not having been there personally." I cannot imagine what those passengers went through, nor do I want to try. It is completely terrifying and crippling.

What can I say is that I know in my heart, those people are in a much better place now. Because the world has gotten worse, instead of better, since 9/11, I think those that died are not resting comfortably in a more peaceful, happier and healthier place. At least I hope so.

As far the terroists themselves, well, I hope and pray that they get what's there's. I am not a person to wish bad on people, but I'll leave the forgiveness of them up to God, 'cause they sure ain't gettin' mine.

I hope that no matter how bad the sarrow, pain, anguish and tragedy that we all experienced as a nation and as human beings, on September 11th, 2001-we can learn from it-be stronger and better for it, and hopefully, when we wake up in the moring-we won't ever again take one single thing, or person, for granted.

GOD BLESS THE 9/11 VICTIM'S & HEROES!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Happy Patriots Day,
-SL

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