Posted on 09/11/2001 4:42:14 PM PDT by Keyes2000mt
America was attacked today, but in my hometown of Kalispell, Montana, life went on, even at our local college campus, where I'm a student, majoring in Journalism.
My third class of the day (and first of the Afternoon) was Advanced Student Publications, which puts out our college newspaper, the Mercury.
The Newspaper is advised and staffed by liberals (as far as I can tell) with myself excepted. I entered the office and our first assignment was to write a summary of what happened. It was the most difficult excercise, I've had to undertake as a college student. On the verge of falling apart, I quickly finished my lead (thankfully, there was no credit given out on this assignment).
After this, I asked my adviser whether I could publish my poem about the attack in the paper. She said I needed to show the staff my poem. I read the poem and everyone agreed it was really good. One man, who was too occupied to give a verbal response, flashed me a thumbs up.
I then went over to my speech class. My speech teacher was one of the Liberals that Howlin referred to who would be calling for us to show "restraint" and saying that we can't just go to war. She also suggested that President Bush would not be the one calling the shots in this situation.
I got up and gave my speech and really hit hard, telling how I viewed the situation. I made a key point of the fact that while I didn't back President Bush in the primaries that he was OUR president now and he's the only president we have and how we all should be Bush supporters right now. After the speech, she admitted that she should cool off on her criticism of President Bush for a while.
There were three other speakers who spoke about this tragedy. Two argued that it was our fault for being involved in the middle east and another went on somewhat incoherently without a point.
How's reaction in your neck of the woods? (This is directed more to college students, but anyone else can chime in).
The Day of Terror
Oh my Country,
My Country
Now you are stricken
At morning light,
By mayhem most foul!
Behold the terror that grips the skies
As the smoke billows across the land
Behold the petty vengeance of Americas enemies
As hundreds and thousands panic
As fear takes hold
And rules the airwaves
As you listen to the radio,
Wonder about your loved ones,
And whether you shall see them again
Wonder whether this is the end or
Just the beginning
And know, things will never be the same again
Howl for justice,
For retribution against those
Who have wrought havoc upon our nation
And deal with the uncertainty of not knowing
Who the culprit is
Try to go about your day
Try to hold back the tears
And the anger
To write your papers
And attend your classes
See your brother
So long alien from his father,
Call and talk with him for the first time in ages
See churches fill and people pray
Like they never have before
Pray for peace
For an end to the confusion
-Adam Graham
That wasn't the only reaction here. People were glued to their TV sets for the first few hours. Students are now hanging American flags out their windows. My dorm room now has a Gadsden ("DONT TREAD ON ME") flag in one window and an American flag in the other.
It was Vito Corleone's birthday, too (I think it was his 49th).
Can I join someone else's generation, I'm not too happy about being in mine.
"A poem as lovely as a reactionaree..."
I'm well aware of that. I meant I'm glad America's young people in 1941 reacted in a less self-centered manner.
Yes, people were more patriotic then and there was no TV news brainwashing. But I think a certain number of Republicans groused a lot and called it "Roosevelt's War."
SN EDITORIAL BOARD: Terrorist actions despicable; America must unite behind president
Terrorism struck our nation Tuesday in a way the Cold War never had. Four hijacked planes turned into weapons more fierce than the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The skyline of the United States will forever be different - the World Trade Centers twin towers gone. A portion of the Pentagon is wiped away.
Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and I assure you freedom will be defended, President Bush said, a somber look on his face and a serious tone in his voice. Make no mistake. The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly actions.
We echo our presidents vigilance and stand behind his response to this attack on U.S. soil.
He has vowed these cowards will be held accountable for the hundreds of lives lost in four airliners - and for the thousands who died in New York and our nations capital.
But until that day comes, we choose not to hate the world, or be afraid to live our lives and love our loves.
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