The interview of the individual

Myself | AD from SpringBay

[AD from SpringBay]

Folks - I know bandwidth is at a premium. Please forgive this vanity. I've been a member for a long time and seldom post but I want to share something I've noticed about today.

I have noticed in the streets of the Islamic nations there are many who celebrate today. They are joyous, they are happy, they are vocal and state what is on their minds. They do this in public, with no fear.

In our nation, the nation that just lost at least 10,000 citizens, we have been treated to the interviews of individuals and what it is they think. These interviews are, at best, reserved and "thoughful". The closest someone has come to saying what I currently feel is when the good general used the word "bastard'. There have been no mass demonstrations. There have been no sad processions or the group wailings that so often come from other parts of the globe.

I fear this is to our detriment. Have we been so whipped by the boundaries of what is "proper" and "correct" that even such a tragedy as today is shared only in the singular confines of home and family? Where are our demonstrations of outrage as a nation and as a people? Even though we have a freedom to speak our minds, we are conditioned to not?

Anyway, this is just an observation. Consider it for what it's worth.

[Governor StrangeReno]

What you speak of will come most of these people are too numb or busy to feel much now

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

These terrorists and their cheering supporters prove to me they are not fit to continue living in a civilized world. We should do something about that ASAP.

[Marauder]

Anyone catch Newt Gingrich's smoldering anger? I'm on his side.

[Russ]

The churches in our area tonight were filled with people praying. The phones were swamped with calls from people wanting to give blood.

It's a quiet resolve which, as days go by, will grow into much more.

[daviddennis]

I think one problem here is that we have no clue who to be angry at. I'm suspicious about this immediate accusation of Bin Laden; he doesn't seem to be that successful a terrorist, and this attack was done with nearly flawless competence.

I also don't think it was nearly as difficult as some people have been saying. It would take some organization, sure, but once you figure out the weapon is the plane, all you need to do is learn how to get a knife through security, find a few suicidal pilots who believe in the cause, and you're golden. Is that so "sophisticated"?

D

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

As I watched the screen filled with the faces of young Palestinian boys cheering the destruction in America, I compared that to my 10 year old son who stood and cried as he watched the replays on our TV - and later, he told me that he and his best friend took off their caps, put their hands over their hearts, and recited the pledge of allegiance as they passed the flags waving in our neighborhood.....I prefer the dignity, pride, and compassion shown by my son...

[erinjohn]

I agree as several of my friends are missing at this hour but walking the streets of New York Today and trying to give blood this afternoon the people of NYC have been reacting properly to this atrocity with an outporing of help and prayer

[lonestar]

Over 500 people showed up to donate blood in Houston at one location. Some waited 5 hours. More blood banks tomorrow-- all over TX.

People in Houston are lining the streets with flags.

[Drammach]

Let us also remember that there are alot of Arab Americans that are extremely dismayed by what is happening.

They are going to be taking a lot of crap from people venting their frustrations and anger. Don't blame every Arab in the world for what a few have done.

Likewise, while "carpet bombing" is possibly a good answer for the guilty party / parties, simply with-holding foreign aid from some of these countries would be sufficient to ruin their economies.

Let's try to focus our demands for retribution on the Guilty, and make damn sure we have the right people.

The rest, the emotional supporters, the decieved, we can deal with in other ways, by reminding them how much they depend on the wealth of this country, and America's Good Will.