Eleven years ago planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. I remember getting up and turning on the TV (yes, I still had TV back then) so my then only child could watch cartoons, only there was news on all 3 channels. My biggest concern when I realized the ramifications of what had happened was whether or not the flights we had booked for a week later to visit my family were still going to go.
Yes, we did make it out of Canada and into the US. Our flight was the first international flight out of Vancouver that was NOT one of the redirected flights. It was amazing to me the amount of patriotism – the HUGE flags and the window paintings – all over when we landed in Minneapolis.
My mom had a small paper US flag on her dash, and while we were waiting to pick my dad up from work, she gave it to my 2 year old to play with. She asked him if he knew what it was.
“A flag.” he responded.
“Yes, but what kind of a flag is it?” Grandma asked.
“A Candada (Canada, in 2 year old speak) flag.” my son answered.
“No….” said Grandma.
“But it will be when it grows up!” replied the eager young boy.
We still laugh about that story. And as the memorials flood Facebook, I wonder whether or not either of our countries have grown up yet.
Whether you believe that terrorist planes crashing into the towers caused them to explode, or whether you believe that the government strategically placed bombs in the towers to assist said planes as many theorists proclaim, a tragedy occurred that day eleven years ago. The tragedy is still occurring, as our governments use increasing fear of terrorism to control us.
I truly feel sadness and compassion for those people who lost loved ones in the destruction. And I feel anger that the media drags that day out any time that they want to defend wars in the Middle East or the latest infringement on freedom under the auspices of Homeland Security.
I don’t consider myself much of an activist. I don’t have any recommendations for what you should do to remedy the situation. I only ask that you be aware. Be aware of what you are trading for the so-called sense of security. In the words of Benjamin Franklin:
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Be free,
Mary