Note: I hope I don't offend anyone by this post - that certainly is not my intentions. I'm just struggling with my emotions on this subject, like everyone else, and felt I could share them with all of you.
Marianne Wrote: No offense to all those loving people out there (you) who are sporting American Flags at this time, but the American flag doesn't do it for me. . .it speaks to one nation as if it is the most important. "All of it is important or none of it is." Marianne, you have said (and beautifully I might add), exactly what I've been trying to convey to friends since the events of the eleventh of September. At this point, I think most of my friends think I'm some sort of lunatic. I'm not sure if it's the old hippy in me coming out, or what, but I too, can't help but look at this from a more global perspective. As far as I'm concerned, the terrorism that occurred on the eleventh, was a crime against humanity, not just the United States. From what I remember hearing, over 1,000 of 5,000+ missing at the WTC are non-US citizens. Are their deaths any less important because they aren't US citizens? Of course not, but with all this emphasis on the US, I can't help but wonder how the families of those non-US citizens feel. Surely, there must be a more universal symbol that can be used at this time to show support for everyone impacted by this event. Please don't misunderstand my intentions here. I love the United States, and feel extremely blessed to live here. I'm also extremely proud of how our country has pulled together during this whole event, and I'm speechless in the face of the heroics that have occurred. I went to a Chicago Cubs game on Thursday night (their first home game since the eleventh), and waved my American flag, and cried like a baby during America the Beautiful, and the National Anthem, just like everyone else in the stands. It was truly a very touching and inspirational moment - and not one I will ever forget. I just wish it was a feeling that the rest of the world could participate in. A part of this whole thing has such a superiority feel to it. "God Bless America" is one of the hot phrases going around, which is fine, but personally, I think we're pretty damned blessed already! What's wrong with "God Bless the World"? I wonder how different our collective reactions would be if this tragedy occurred in another part of the world. I'm sure we would still be stunned, and probably send tons of aid, but I'm also convinced that if it had happened elsewhere, we wouldn't be nearly as freaked out. Why does it have to happen to US citizens in order for us to be moved as a nation? I read the other day that they are estimating that close to 6 million people in Africa could die of AIDS within the next decade. 6 million!!! That's 1,000 times the devastion of that occurred at the WTC. Why is it we can find billions of dollars when there is a war involved, but we can't find the money to send the necessary medications and supplies to prevent the deaths of 6 million Africans? Maybe I suffer from Woody Allen Syndrome - I can't be completely happy, knowing there is somebody else out there suffering - or maybe I'm just a dim-witted idealist. However, I realize that I was born here by chance, and that doesn't make me better than the rest of the world... just a whole lot luckier. Peace! Jack
