I'm scared that we learned nothing from the tragedy and are charging head-first into another one.

Posted by: Jack on September 24, 2002 10:45 PM

 

The world would be better off if we resolved issues with nasty pranks and practical jokes.

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on September 24, 2002 10:48 PM

 

Are humans programmed to destroy? Are we missing an important element in our genetic make up to promote peace and discussion without harming others? *ponders*

Posted by: daniel szuc on September 25, 2002 01:55 AM

 

A wonderful piece of writing, but it made me wonder. Is Jonathan a gifted writer who happens to be working in a job which isn't related to writing like this? Or are there many other people who went through what he went through and can reflect and express themselves like he has? One of the things I find amazing, looking back, is how many ordinary people expressed themselves like this. Do we need tragedy to awaken this in ourselves?

Jack - I agree, the western nations appear to be learning nothing from what happened and (even worse) don't appear to want to try to learn anything. Depressing.

Posted by: Alan Fisher on September 25, 2002 04:49 AM

 

Alan,

You're definitely too kind by calling me a "gifted writer" but I appreciate the words. Writing has always been more of personal thing for me and never part of a career, to answer your question.

9/11 forced me to write stuff out and the result was a much more effective way of dealing with my experience than just talking about it (which grew tiring after the first week).

I don't believe we actually need tragedy to awaken this but for me, it was certainly a good catapult for it.

jonathan

Posted by: jonathan on September 25, 2002 11:43 AM

 

Sometimes, I feel like people need a reason to stop and reflect, almost as if they feel ashamed to slow down and do it when there isn't a "good excuse." That's too bad.

Posted by: Lydia on September 25, 2002 03:04 PM

 

>Are humans programmed to destroy?

C.S. Lewis talks about how Evil could not exist without Good because Evil basically is taking something good and twists it.

I do believe we are all predisposed towards sinful acts from what is termed "original sin" but that's a topic far removed.

Posted by: boysen on September 25, 2002 03:53 PM

 

Did anyone else see the footage of Bush reciting the 'fool me once' proverb? (MP3 version)

The Comedy Central Daily Show footage (requires Real Player) had me in tears -- tears of laughter and tears of sadness. (Click the 'shame on you' link that is currently in the upper right-hand corner of the page.)

Even us uneducated folk know the proverb. I think it was Scotty on the bridge of the Enterprise who said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

What's this have to do with 9/11? Faith in our leaders.

Posted by: Jack on September 25, 2002 07:36 PM