Lee's Journal
October 9, 2001; Terrorism

One month ago seems like a lifetime. Looking back at what was important in my life, it all seems so....trivial. We were focused on plans for a Hawaii trip this coming winter. Baseball pennant races were heating up and heading for the playoffs. The Vikings were stinking up the place in a fashion not seen in years. The elections coming in November included (in Duluth) a ballot concerning the smoking ban.

These were a few examples of what was occupying my mind and my time back on September 10.

It took only a few terrible hours on the morning of September 11 to change all that. We were at work, following the developments on the Internet. The first plane hit, and we didn't know right away it was a jumbo jet. We certainly didn't know it was a terrorist act. The second jet which hit the World Trade Center drove home the reality that it was most certainly terrorism. The jet which struck the Pentagon, followed by the one which crashed in Pennsylvania, didn't sink into our numbed minds at first.

The shock which occurred followed me around the remainder of the day. It was nearly surreal. Ironically, this was the day we were required to put our deposit down with our travel agent for the planned Hawaii trip. Which was done, with understandably little enthusiasm. Confusion, rumors and questions were the order of the day.

Pain and anger followed in the next several days. The pain has subsided somewhat; the anger has to a lesser degree. Terrorism is nothing new. Not even to America. What was new was the scope of this act carried out by the brainless followers of Osama bin Laden, easily the most evil person to plague this planet since Adolf Hitler. America has always been long on talk, sometimes short on action. The survival of this nation depends on that trend ending. We need action. These pr**ks need to be hunted down and killed no matter where they sleep. Not just in Afghanistan, but in any nation where they live, including in the United States. Trial, my ass. "Dead or alive" were President Bush's words. I prefer for them to be dead. Painfully, if possible, but just dead in any case. They want to go to "Allah"; let's oblige them.

Some other observations (and a few questions):

  • Bipartisanship has invaded Washington and all politicians (for the most part) stand as one. The petty politics which paralyzed our environment for too long are being set aside. Let's hope this continues.

  • The FAA, airlines and airports, by their quest for the almighty dollar, created a lax security which allowed the attacks of 9/11 to happen. They need to get this thing corrected quickly. If not, the airlines deserve to go bankrupt. They owe safety to all who pay to travel on their planes. Anything less is criminal.

  • Along the same lines, customer service was not exactly a priority in the airlines' minds. It's time for this to change. If not, again, their bankrupcy is deserved.

  • Is anyone else sick of people blaming the Clinton administration for what has happened? Bleep blame. Fix it!!

  • Another question; can Pakistan be trusted, and was lifting the sanctions against their country because of their nuclear testing a reasonable action on the part of the U.S.? I have serious reservations about this.

  • The military action has now started. It's absolutely vital that we stay with it until the job is complete. "Job" being defined as holding every nation accountable for helping to contribute to terrorists. This includes Iran, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Egypt, among others. I'm not impressed by their so-called "support". Each of these nations has contributed to an atmosphere where the terror groups can flourish.

  • In case you have any questions on where I stand so far as what America needs to do militarily, the appearance on the O'Reilly Factor last week by Dr. Leonard Peikoff of the Ayn Rand Institute was an eye-opener. You can read his article here.

  • On the lighter side (lighter is good, lighter is much needed these days), The Onion had a classic piece about the terrorists' confusion upon arriving in hell while expecting heaven. Check this out...it was the best laugh I've had since 9/11!

    More to follow later...but in the meantime, we're continuing on with our lives. The trip to Hawaii is still on. Fear is one thing; if we refuse to act on those fears, then it's just a feeling, neither bad nor good. It's not about carrying with normal life in order to send "a message" that terrorism won't win. I care nothing for how they see us. It's all about living a good life and having some fun along the way. That will not change.

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