Fear
I’m not impressed with an article in the New York Times, 9-11 Polls Find Lingering Fears, which describes the citizens of New York City as jittery about the prospects of future terrorism.
This doesn’t describe any New Yorkers I know. Fear? We all face hazards every day, whether we live in cities or towns or off the grid completely. Our individuality and strength comes through in the way each of us react to these hazards. Fear does not describe the looks I see on faces when I walk down the streets of New York City.
As the fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001 approaches, I have a feeling I’m going to be annoyed by many of the cliches I’m going to hear. I’ll try to avoid spouting any myself. What makes me angriest about the September 11 attacks was how incredibly successful they have proven to be for Al-Qaeda. We’ve been living in an Al-Qaeda world since that day. My own country, which I was once prouder of than I am right now, seems to be playing a grisly role in the cosmic comedy Osama Bin Laden and his associates orchestrated.
Fear? No.
Disgust? Anger? Strong, strong desire for change?
That’d be a yes.