World Trade Center

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 marked the day of the most damaging terrorist attack on American soil in the history of this nation.  Four passenger airliners, all fully loaded with fuel, were hijacked by terrorists and rerouted.  The first  plane crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center, the second into the north tower, the third into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into an empty field south of Pittsburgh, PA.  The twin towers of the World Trade Center eventually collapsed, trapping and killing thousands of people, including the rescue personnel who were responding to the emergency.  The Pentagon fired burned for over a day and part of the south elevation collapsed, killing many more.
America watched in horror and disbelief as video of the attack was broadcast moments after the actual events.  The nation stood stunned as the first tower collapsed in a matter of seconds raining tons of debris down onto the streets a quarter of a mile below.  Less than a half hour later the remaining tower followed suit, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in New York City was nothing more than a seven story pile of rubble.  Later in the day another tower would succumb to gravity and other buildings would be in danger of collapse.  Footage of the aftermath resembled a war zone.  Gray powder several inches deep covered everything for blocks around, and the air was thick with dust and smoke that would remain for days.  America united in mourning, grief, anger, and an infectious case of patriotism.  Flags sprouted up everywhere, the Red Cross was inundated with blood donors, food and supplies poured in from all over the country, and nation as a whole wanted to do something to support the rescue and relief effort.  President Bush vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, even at the sacrifice of what could be a lengthy military engagement--in his words  WAR--and the polls showed that the majority of the nation supported the president to take whatever action he deemed necessary.
I have spent the last few days listening to the opinions of people from all over this country.  Some feel that we should retaliate immediately and forcefully, make a statement to the world.  Some want to put a stop to emigration and close the country off to anyone not born here.  Many people have become paranoid of the Americans of Arab descent in our midst.  Many people are mistrustful of people of Islamic faith.  Emotions are running high right now and everyone is simply voicing their fear and anger.  I hope that once some time has passed, and emotions even out a little, people will understand that this attack was made by a small group of fanatics and that this group and all who supported it are our targets that need to be held accountable.
I do not want to see a prolonged, full scale war on another country that will result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.  Lives that would never get the chance to grow and make wise choices that might take this world to a higher level of harmony.  I do not want to see prejudice rear its ugly head even higher as Arabs become the new target of persecution.  I feel that the world has made some progress, although at a snail's pace,  toward a brighter future in which all peoples can live together in peace, supporting each other.  I know these statements might sound like the ramblings of a hopeless idealist, but I have to believe that we are all working toward something better, otherwise what's the point?
I do see the reality, though.  The United States has to respond to these attacks.  The response has to be strong and unwavering.  We must choose a course of action and commit fully to it.  My most sincere wish is that this can be resolved without war, yet I feel deep down in my gut that we are already on that path, and it may be inevitable.  Such is the price of freedom, which is a privilege that must be earned, appreciated, and preserved.