Journal Jack William Bell's Journal: The Day My World Changed 3
Two years ago today a terrible thing happened. A thing that affected everyone in this country, in this world, deeply; although each was affected in their own way. I remember how it felt to me. I remember the confusion, the horror, the way my mind kept searching for answers that weren't there.
The next day I wrote an essay to clarify my feelings which my friend Jim Kling posted, along with others like it, here.
I re-read my essay today and the feelings of two years ago came flooding back to me. I also noted something else, at the end of the essay I described some concerns about what might happen as a result of that day; predictions if you will. Unfortunately they were spot on. We have made exactly the mistakes I dreaded then.
On the other hand we have done some things right -- I won't argue that invading Iraq was a proper response to 9/11 (and not until it is history will we know for sure), but Afghanistan was fully justified. Hunting down (and killing as we did in Yemen) the architects of this atrocity was also proper. Where we screwed up was in not trusting ourselves. In not taking responsibility for our own safety and expecting the government to do it for us. Not only is this unworkable, for the terrorists can always find some new path to carnage, but it is opening the door to tyranny.
Maybe re-reading my essay was a mistake. All the doubts and fears of that day have returned and once again I distrust the future. It truly was the day my world changed...
Spot on (Score:1)
most everything else, but that especially.
Re:Spot on (Score:2)
At least one set of passengers realised this - not in time to save their own lives, but at least in time to stop those terrorists killing others. Apparently "the government" did succeed in saving at least one plane, albeit accidentally: apparently another team boarded their target airliner - only to realise it had a bunch of Marines on, at which point they changed their minds.
After Flight 93, I expect - and hope - another 9/11 could never succeed. On 9/11, the p
Ditto... (Score:2)
All the doubts and fears of that day have returned and once again I distrust the future
... Same feeling here. I have trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel some days whenever I read about a new bill someone is trying to get passed to take away another freedom.