A Dark September Morning

[Tom]

Today we, the lucky ones, experienced the act of some of the most despicable, cowardly, vermin to occupy space on this planet earth.  My anger is exceeded only by my sorrow for the victims and families of today's terrorist attack on the United States of America.  That is you and I, fellow Americans, who have been bullied by an insignificant minority of Homo Sapiens.

It is my fervent wish that for once in the modern era we determine the political and or religious factors responsible and annihilate them from the face of the earth with such force that nothing will grow in their land for a hundred years.

Those zealots live in a world of self-imposed war and have for generations.  We are the country that was built by people trying to escape tyranny.  If we do stand for peace then we should step on these cowards with both feet.

[Jeff]

Remember after Pearl Harbor what the Japanese fleet commander said of "Waking a sleeping giant."  Of all the problems our country faces, of all of the differences that exist among us, We know how to come together. That's why the United States of America Stands. Our resolve has no match.

The world and humanity is our friend, whoever was responsible for these acts will be wiped from the earth. They are not human, or animal, and do not belong amongst us.

[Don P]

 

[RavioliKid]

What an awful day!

I can't believe it. The whole thing seems more horrific than anything a Hollywood scriptwriter could come up with.

[CHARLIE]

I have run the gamant of emotions from shock, horror, sorrow to anger. People that would do that to others do not deserve spit. I'm in hopes they are found, chopped into pieces and fed to the buzzards. The shame of it is, to find and catch these scumbags will probably cost our country more lives. Lives of men who stand for something worthwhile. It is my hopes that the U.S. will declare all out war on whatever country is harboring these cowards and wipe them all from the face of the earth. May their souls rot in hell. My prayers are for the victims, their families and friends.

[Eggsander]

Words cannot begin to express the rush of feelings over such despicable acts as the events of yesterday. I don't believe anyone can even begin to comprehend the effect that this will have on all our lives for years, maybe generations to come.
I spent some time last night trying to explain to my seven year old son what was going on. His unending questions to me centered around what it means to live in a FREE country, and what is a country if it is not free. While I'm glad that these are concepts that he has desire to understand at this age, I am saddened that at his age he even needs to concern himself with these things, and I am sickened by what brought the discussion on.
I do think we should all stop to consider what our freedom means.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have had there families impacted by this tragedy.

[Jeff]

Thanks Eggsander.
I also have had conversations with my daughter (15). War, terrorism, death, reality all have been a part of our talks. It sickens me that instead of being focused on upbeat things like the upcoming Michigan youth hunt, we now must put our energies into turning negative to positive, somehow.

[Jeff]

On a different note:

Use this thread to discuss your feelings on this. We all have them. And its good to know that as Americans, we still share common believes and morals.

Do not use this thread to point fingers and name groups, or political retoric and ramblings. I just deleted several posts here. If you want to point and second guess and be political do it somewhere else, like another forum far far away. Save this place for thoughts that will help us understand. Most of us here are pretty much like minded. Thats why you are here.

[Ron Wenrich]

From where I sit, New York is to the northeast, Washington is to the south, and Somerset county is to the west.  I'm about 100 miles from each of those points, right smack in the center.

You want uneasy feelings?  At lunch time, there were supposed to be 4 planes still unaccounted for.

My wife called, and her work cancelled, since it is in the state capital area.  She called shortly later and said 3 planes were shot down as they were heading for Three Mile Island (an unsubstantiated rumor).

I was pretty uneasy about working the rest of the day.  By 1:00 the fear was over, as no news was good news.  But the uncertainty still remains.  

We've had this kind of uncertainty when Three Mile Island started to melt down.  It will never be anything you can shake.  

[Gordon]

My prayers go out to all of the families. This will be something we must all live with for a very long time.

At work we locked down pretty quickly after the news was out about what happened. School was also let out early. Quite a day.

Ron I can relate to where your located. I'm just south east of you. That's the bad thing about living near a metro area. Or the capital of the U.S.. Three mile island is close to you, to me right across the Delaware bay is a nuclear power plant as well. The plant is in clear sight of where I work. Depending on how the alarm sounds is what the problem is either for fire, prison break or nuclear meltdown.

Gordon

Gordon

[cointoss]

What a tragic and horrible deed against untold helpless people.  I am certain that before this is finished everyone in this country will be affected in one way or the other, either personally or economically.  At this time, I just pray for the families of the victims and the safety of the rescuers in their grim task.

[Texas Ranger]

I am ex-military.  I have a deep unabiding anger and hate for the perpetrators of this act.  They and their running dog support countries need to feel the wrath of our military, now.  I want to see body counts in their country.  I want revenge in the Biblical mode.  Ten fold.  I regret I am to old to be in the first wave.

An example for the rest of the world.  Terror will beget annialation.  

[Bruce Henion]

Thank you Jeff for correcting me when I began pointing fingers and naming groups, or political retoric and ramblings.  

Terriorism has effected me personally and I have never been able to put closure to my feelings having been involved in terriorist operations when I was in the Navy

As an American and veteran, I am supportive of the armed forces and am deeply saddened by reason events.  Terrorism is a plague on humanity as a whole and must be eliminated.

Everyone has ideas, some practical and others unrealistic.  Some ideas are better off undisclosed as their input merely fatigues the reader.

I do not intend to fatigue anyone with my thoughts and yes, on occasion I have been guilty of assuming others may be interested in my proposals and or reports.  

Americans must be united against terrorism, at home and aboard.   Terrorism has many forms.

I'm for the elimination of all terrorist organizations throughout the world.

During the Iranian crisis, I assisted Rear Admiral D. Chamber’s staff, COMCARGROUP THREE manage the OPORDER.  

I too wish I could be among the first wave.  Those of us involved in the Iran hostage military mission did not all walk away.  Our nation lost Marines, Army, Naval and Air force personnel when a helicopter and troop transport plane collided over the desert.

I was in Combat Information Center at the time and I can tell you I wanted to cry but composure was necessary.

The Iranian crisis was about terrorism and I and others at the time felt President Carter let us down when he chose not to launch phase II.  CORAL SEA and NIMITZ planes had complete control of the airspace and every Iranian aircraft launched was escorted two to one and forced to land.

The hostages were eventually released and yes, President Carter's diplomatic negotiations was successful, but at what cost?  

Terrorism has grown throughout the world and has firmly established a foundation that once and for all must be destroyed.

   In behalf of my comrades in arms who died serving their country, others or I will never forget their call to duty and if the world can become united against terrorism, their  death will not have been in vain.

[Jeff]

Thank you Bruce.

[RavioliKid]

I received word tonight that some people I know from my geography training days were on the plane that struck the Pentagon.

*sigh*

On a happier note, a cousin was working in the Pentagon at the time of the attack. She got out and ran 2.5 miles before she was picked up and driven home.

[swampwhiteoak]

Ravoli,
I am sorry for the loss of your friends.

Times like this I realize how insignificant my daily life and tasks are compared to what has went on recently.  When I found out about the tragedy, I was out counting trees, doing survival percentages from the last planting season.  As I got in my truck to go to the next sight I turned on the radio and began to listen to the terrible events that had unfolded.  I drove home listening, still not fully comprehending all that was happening.  When I finally watched the TV and saw the days events, the horror of it all really set in.

Comparison (for what it's worth)

Ten years of war in Vietnam:  50,000 soldiers killed

1 day of terrorism on US soil: 5000-20000 (rough estimates) killed

I'll have to say, watching the images of new yorker's helping each other, and those around the country helping out in any way they can really cements what it means to be an American.  I have no doubt that those responsible will be hunted down like the worthless scum they are.

[swampwhiteoak]

I don't know how many of you may have seen this so I'll pass it on:

Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. step out your door, stop  your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle.   We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism.  We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly.

The message:  WE STAND UNITED - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE  TERRORISM.

We need press to cover this-- we need the world to see.

[Jeff]

Thanks swamp, i'll put that on the news ticker on the home page

[L. Wakefield]

snip

It is my fervent wish that for once in the modern era we determine the political and or religious factors responsible and annihilate them from the face of the earth with such force that nothing will grow in their land for a hundred years.

snip

  'In their land'. Is this land to which you refer the exclusive property of the terrorists you seek to bring to justice? If not, then I assume you will have some justification for scorching the earth loved dearly by innocent people. Or do you believe that wherever the terrorists are, that by their presence, they condemn all within the borders to automatic guilt? I remind you that some of them were living within the US, in Florida. Were you going to scorch Florida as well?

  According to a newscast last night, there was a time when Afghanistan was fighting the Russians, and bin Laden was among their freedom fighters. According to the newscast, at that time we armed him, supported his actions, and trained him. Does that put us on your scorched earth list, or is there a statute of limitations here?

  I believe in justice. I do not believe in hate or hate crimes. I deplore bloodthirst. Just as I would very much want to eradicate disease in a forest that was threatening the trees I loved, but I would not want to burn down the forest to do it.

  Hate is very contagious.       LW

[Tom]

What a feeling of relief in this time of grief to hear our President and elected officials agree with the overwhelming majority of United States citizens.  

It sounds as though we will be gearing up for retaliation.  My heart pounds and my spirits are high.  This is not the time for whimpering nor cowardice nor backing down.  Neither is it a time for the Media to blatantly give away military plans and troop movements for the benefit of ratings.

Care must also be taken to insure that we remain UNITED and not punish, blame or bully our own neighbors because of unfounded anger.  We must, above all things, remain "WE".

This is a time to rejuvenate Patriotism.  Fly "Old Glory" with respect and pride but realize that there are rules for her exhibition.  She's not to be flown in the rain nor forgotten in the dark.  It would be easy to hang her out like laundry but that is not in the spirit of respect.  To show respect for our flag heightens the respect we have for those she represents and that is you and me as well as the fallen.

She is not a sales banner for advertising as some automobile dealers suppose.  She is a symbol, "The" symbol, of all that is good about The United States and a monument to those brave souls who created her, protected her and shaped her;  that includes mothers in the home as well as soldiers on the field and all brave souls in between.