[alloysteel]

The tinder had been laid for the conflagration years before, but the serious spark was not struck until 9/11/2001. There had been warnings, by various fire marshalls, but the neighborhood committee had come around and and assured all the citizens, that, not to worry, the fire trucks would get there if ever they were needed, there was no reason to take all those troublesome and frankly fussy steps to remove the fire hazards.

On the day when the fire alarm went off for real, only sheer good luck and some really quick thinking kept the devastation from being so much worse than it finally turned out to be. Sure, there were some steps that had been taken, but but there was so much more that had been neglected for years, that considerable effort and energy were lost before we regained equilibrium. We had to clean up the mess, while simultaneously identifying the culprits, track them down, and prepare to take them out by the most effective means we could muster. We were more prepared for the Second World War when it came, than we were for 9/11. At least then, we knew the face of the enemy, and could count on the loyalty of all Americans.

[Spruce]

I'd hate to be a rag-head about now.