Posted on 03/06/2002 9:00:16 AM PST by Starmaker
I keep hearing the words, "I'm not going to let those 'so and so' terrorists keep me from living a normal life." Is that the same as, "I'm not going to let those sharks keep me from swimming in the ocean?" I, too, have made such remarks and found that certain aspects of our day-to-day routine will never again be "life as we knew it" before September 11. We are at war. I was reminded of this the other day when a friend, who is a consultant for a national "kitchen tools" company, commented that she wanted to take her sister a couple of paring knives with her on an upcoming trip to California. She said, "these little knives are just great for paring apples." I said, "We're at war, you can't do that". My friend responded, "Oh, that's right, I forgot." So nonchalant — so accepting — but yet everyday brings a new reminder of being at war. Some days I'm mightily aware that there are terrorists who would like to kill us all, and then other days I have no thought of anything more than completing my grocery list and getting my house cleaned. I felt bad for the man who simply got up to go to the bathroom on a flight to Salt Lake City the other day and now faces a possible 20 year jail term for breaking the law. The law now states: you can not leave your seat in the last thirty minutes of a flight. I realize he could have had bad intentions, but I wonder if it was just a bad bladder. What a shame, but we're at war. After hearing about this gentlemen, I said, "Well, no more snacks and soda for me on my next flight." But then I remembered that many flights have canceled food service altogether. That's right, we're at war. We will certainly have stories to tell the next generation of young people. They won't believe that we use to fly all over the country carrying Christmas, Birthday, or "Just-Because-I-Love- There are probably many of you who find this a welcome change. No more snow skis, golf clubs, or toys to contend with in the overhead compartments. It's all business now and everyone marches to the beat of a different drummer. We're prepared to get on airplanes and overtake ANYONE who would threaten our safe landing. We're at war, and, if necessary, that's what we would do. Gone are the days of sitting in the airport with a loved one, maybe eating a last meal together before parting. Or the children spending every minute with Daddy before his flight leaves. All the food services at our airport are past the security check-in, so unless you have a ticket, this is where you say good-bye. If you linger too long, your children may have to watch Daddy get 'wanned', frisked, or be made to spread-eagle up against a wall with hands over his head. This isn't a pretty sight, so now we simply "drop-off" and "pick-up" in front of the terminal in hurried fashion as police officers usher us on our way. I can even remember this past summer greeting my nephew, a Marine, at the airport with "welcome home" signs carried by several of us blowing bubbles and carrying balloons to mark the festive occasion. Not ever again, we're at war. As I sit at my desk in my office, I am notified by security that there is a letter or package that has been received at the make-shift postal trailer stationed out in the parking lot. We no longer receive mail in the building because of the anthrax scare. That's right, we're at war. All personal letters sent by customers to say a kind word of thanks are opened and inspected before I ever get to read their remarks. It's strange how some things have changed dramatically, and others, not at all. But, there's a bright side to all of this, and it's good. More and more people are eating at home, around a dinner table with interaction and conversation between children and parents. What a concept! Could this be because we're at war? If this is the new "norm", I welcome it. People are going to church more, they're praying more, they're hugging more, and saying I love you more. There are many positive changes that I've seen. I'm realizing that this may be a new definition of "NORMAL" for us in the face of this war. And it's OK, it's what we have to do. Our lives are at stake and I understand the seriousness of it. It makes me proud to be an American because we always seem to bounce back in the midst of turmoil and make the best of even a bad situation. We're always good at making things better . . . even when we're at war. To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Debbie at dddtx@yahoo.com .
You" gifts for special people at the other end, with ne'er a thought of search and seizure. But we're at war and you can't do that anymore.
We're at war. Mark my words...its all going to pay off. Someday, somewhere, a terrorist or a cell of them is going to strike using firearms inside this country and it won't be a cop or a national guard soldier who takes them out...it will be a lawfully armed CITIZEN....proving once and for all the real meaning or intention of the 2nd Amendment, because...we're at war and will ALWAYS be at war with people who want to destroy our freedoms.
I am reminded, every time I think about how racial profiling would be an efficient use of scarce taxpayer dollars in finding terrorists, that there is a War on.
I am reminded every time I think about how Muslims around the world are taught by smiling Mullahs to hate and kill non-Muslims while the U.S. Govt dishes out taxpayer dollars and calls them friend so that Big Oil will benefit, that there is a War on.
Every time I think of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, I am reminded that there is a War on.
Every time I think of the fact that the U.S. Govt cries large, rolling tears for every soldier wounded or killed in combat in some foreign Shit hole, when it is that same Gov't which has armed and funded whole countries of bloodthirsty madmen, I am reminded that there is a War on: Against Americans
I would consider it an honor to have the opportunity to plug one of these outlaws in the act.
Remember: SERIOUS GUNS FOR SERIOUS TIMES!!!
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