It was not just the Twin Towers that were brought down, 10 years ago, Tom, it was the American spirit as well. I don’t think we’ve been the same country ever since. Till then, I think we had a sense of invincibility, which we probably didn’t deserve—not even the ’93 attack on the Trade Center really got to us. But the events of 9/11 exposed our vulnerable underbelly, making us feel that the people whom we’d trusted to protect us were impotent. I think our citizens became more cynical, something not characteristic of Americans. Our suppressed anger allowed us to… Read more »
Hey Tom, Before I comment, allow me to drop a dude note: you look much smoother in rolling film than in your writer-photo (and don’t get me started on the green pants photo at the Celts game). Now, to more serious matters, your point about an increased economic and social disparity 10-years after September 11 is well-taken. This realization, when it comes in earnest, will be what (hopefully) lifts the country out of its post-9/11 funk. The American reaction, since the genuine nationalistic dust settled, has been insular, separate, reductive and divisive of the tenants which make us such a… Read more »
Tom, you’re right on. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 911, its good to ask who has benefitted and who’s been harmed, and where do we go from here? If one goal of the attack was to destroy the economic system of America, they are certainly succeeding. What we’ve spent on wars in the last 10 years is certainly contributing to our economic demise. Also, you rightly point out that there are those in America who also have benefitted financially over the last 10 years. Corporate profits are up and the rich control more of the… Read more »
I agree with you about Al Qaeda acheiving the result it wanted. I always thought it was about hitting us where it hurt – destroying America’s most impressive acheivement – a capitalist economy. And look where we are today….
It was not just the Twin Towers that were brought down, 10 years ago, Tom, it was the American spirit as well. I don’t think we’ve been the same country ever since. Till then, I think we had a sense of invincibility, which we probably didn’t deserve—not even the ’93 attack on the Trade Center really got to us. But the events of 9/11 exposed our vulnerable underbelly, making us feel that the people whom we’d trusted to protect us were impotent. I think our citizens became more cynical, something not characteristic of Americans. Our suppressed anger allowed us to… Read more »
Hey Tom, Before I comment, allow me to drop a dude note: you look much smoother in rolling film than in your writer-photo (and don’t get me started on the green pants photo at the Celts game). Now, to more serious matters, your point about an increased economic and social disparity 10-years after September 11 is well-taken. This realization, when it comes in earnest, will be what (hopefully) lifts the country out of its post-9/11 funk. The American reaction, since the genuine nationalistic dust settled, has been insular, separate, reductive and divisive of the tenants which make us such a… Read more »
Tom, you’re right on. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 911, its good to ask who has benefitted and who’s been harmed, and where do we go from here? If one goal of the attack was to destroy the economic system of America, they are certainly succeeding. What we’ve spent on wars in the last 10 years is certainly contributing to our economic demise. Also, you rightly point out that there are those in America who also have benefitted financially over the last 10 years. Corporate profits are up and the rich control more of the… Read more »
I agree with you about Al Qaeda acheiving the result it wanted. I always thought it was about hitting us where it hurt – destroying America’s most impressive acheivement – a capitalist economy. And look where we are today….