In the wake of the tragedy that occured on September 11, 2001 to the World Trade Centers, Washington D.C., and the heart of America itself, I have taken down Eat@JaB's. In it's place you will find this page dedicated to getting help to our fallen heros who risked their lives to save their fellow American. It's dedicated to all Americans who have given in this time of need, be it a sandwich, a blanket, or a bed to rest in. It's dedicated to New York. It's dedicated to those on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania that said no more Americans will die not if I can help it! But most of all, this is dedicated to those around the world who lost a loved one or a friend in this cowardly act. My family has you in our hearts and in our prayers.
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I was looking at various sites on the net and I found many articles and commentaries on what has happened. Along with those, I found this article from Leonard Pitts Jr. of The Miami Herald. It, to me, sums up everything we feel right now.
"We'll Go Forward From This Moment."
We'll go forward from this moment
It's my job to have something to say.
They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the
American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving
eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must
be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering.
You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard.
What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed.
Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause.
Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve.
Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together.
Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God.
Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals.
IN PAIN
Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before.
But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice.
I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future.
In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined.
THE STEEL IN US
You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold.
As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish.
So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started.
But you're about to learn.
I read this and was instantly motivated. I found many other articles like this that were equally as moving but I will not put it all here. I will give you the links though.
Charlies Soapbox This is the personnal thoughts from Charlie Daniel himself.
The Case for Rage and Retribution By Lance Morrow, Time Magazine
I Am the Flag A tribute to our flag
The Americans Gordan Sinclair, Canada; First broadcasted in 1973, but still rings true.
United Airlines Flight 93 has heroic stories in itself. These people stood up for America. They took a stand against their hijackers that made a bold statement to the world of terrorism. These heros took back thier freedom. As a result they paid the ultimate sacrifice to their country. But what they sacrificed, saved countless numbers of lives and perhaps their country. We owe those heroes as much gratitude as all the others. Here is two news articles.
A heroic last stand MSNBC
"Let's Roll" Post-Gazette
Many Photo essays have been put together since tuesday. It makes me feel good knowing we aren't alone in our most trying time. These photos say alot.
a heartfelt thank you Many wonderful pictures. Takes a bit of time to load.
Please visit my forum and tell me how you feel.
Lastly, this photo says it all.
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