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United We Will Stand

Jay Caruso

It's hard to think of something to write with all that has happened over the last 5 days. Warmongering fanatics have destroyed the World Trade Center. In all likelihood, by the time this is over, more than 5000 people will have died as the result of this act of war. People have been making the comparison to Pearl Harbor. However, the death toll here is going to double that of Pearl Harbor, and with this attack the overwhelming majority of casualties are civilian as opposed to military.

It was one of the most horrible days I have ever experienced. Having worked right across the street for four years at the World Financial Center and NYC having been a place I loved to visit almost every weekend when I lived in New Jersey, it was a shock when I saw those towers come down. I have friends who work in those towers and right nearby. My heart went to my stomach when I realized that some of those people might be dead. I shed tears when I heard the reports of people jumping to their death - to make their fate their own instead of being burned alive by the fire. I watched in utter disbelief when I saw the towers collapse and realized the toll that it was going to take, would be great, not only on the people still trapped inside, but the rescue workers who had arrived on the scene to help. As the day went on, the news of plane crashes at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania came through, and it was clear that an act of war had been perpetrated upon the United States.

Over the next 24 hrs, sadness gave way to intense anger. I wanted to see the people who planned this out, funded it and cheered about it killed. I wanted them all to die, and to die horrible deaths. My anger has subsided much, but I still want those directly responsible to suffer. I was angry with the people who did this, but at the same time I was disheartened to hear about the bigots in this country who used this attack as an excuse to go after Moslems in this country. While I am sure there are Moslems living in the United States that quietly celebrated what happened, the majority are hard working, good and peaceful people. There is no excuse for this type of behavior.

As the days went on, my feelings of anger lingered and still do, but what I was struck by more than anything else, was how this event united the American people as well as the world. I saw people in Great Britain singing the United States National Anthem. I saw the pictures of people in countries all over the world, going to US embassies and laying down flowers and words of support. I read and listened with encouragement as leaders from across the world voiced their support for the United States. I have never been a fan of Tony Blair, but my respect for him has greatly increased because of what he has done over the last few days. His words have been an inspiration.

President Bush has risen to the occasion in my opinion. After overcoming the initial shock, he seems to have found his footing and has made me proud. The speech he delivered at the National Cathedral in Washington this week was heartfelt, and very moving. Bush cemented his role as our nations leader when he delivered an off the cuff speech to firefighters and rescue workers amid the rubble of the World Trade Center wreckage. He delivered a stirring speech, which prompted rescue workers to chant, "USA! USA! USA!" even though they were to return to a task that would once again, bring them face to face with the dead. At one point, one of the workers yelled out, "I can't hear you!" Bush replied, "I can hear you! The world can hear you….and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!" His words were met with a roar of approval, and further chants of "USA!" The opportunity for Bush to step up and become the nations leader had come and he grabbed it.

What has emboldened me more than anything else since this began is the unity that it has brought to the American people. Aside from a few assholes (yes assholes) who continue at this time to bash President Bush, or to blame President Clinton, the majority of Americans have rallied behind our President. More importantly, most Americans have put aside their petty differences and have come together as a country to show our strength and our unity. We have sent a message to these terrorists: Your acts of evil are not going to tear us apart. In fact, they have made us stronger. Wal-Mart and K-Mart have sold over 1.5 million flags over the past 5 days. Large crowds of people have come together to pay tribute to the dead and to join in prayer. Spontaneous singing of our national anthem, 'America The Beautiful', 'God Bless America' and 'God Bless The USA' has broken out all over the country. Candlelight vigils have been held where people who have never met have come together and have forged a bond. A bond that is stronger than the any resolve that some evil terrorist has.

I tried to think of something that I could do in order to convey this message of hope that people have shown me. The images and words of people across the country have inspired me to create something small, but convey my thoughts about what has happened. I created something that does not include images of the carnage, but rather the response - the patriotic and heartfelt response of Americans all across the country. The Flash animation that you saw when you entered this site was what I could come up with. I hope that it touched you the way it did me when I was creating it.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the others who have helped create this special edition of Post 41. To BT, who has decided to take up the financial obligation to keep this site running, as well as created a very emotional Flash slideshow. To Janefinch, our Canadian neighbor to the north, who has sent her well wishes to us and is a good friend. Thanks also to _Jsov and Henny for taking time out of their schedules to write something for the site. Thanks also all the Politically Incorrect Café club members who have written some very thought provoking and excellent posts regarding this entire crisis. God bless all of you, and God bless America.