tonights show

[Billy Staples]

I am going to be very interested to hear Ron and Fez discuss this day of rememberance on tonights show.
I remember sharing that night with them, grateful that we could make it and our families were OK

My thoughts on today can be found here

http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=87&Topic=32004

SIG PIC inappropriate today

This message was edited by Billy Staples on 9-11-03 @ 5:20 PM

[curtoid]

I like the "old fashion call in show" format of tonight's show (so far).

I remember 9/11/1 very, very well. I was working at the time near the White House, and the grid lock downtown was horrible - chaos was just a smidge away. Then, at some point, there was the sound of an explosion - later the rumors of bombs going off began to spread, which made sense at the time, only later did I learn it was the sonic boom of a jet. Scared the shit out me.

Somehow I got my car out, and made it clear over the 14th Street Bridge into Virginia, right past the Pentagon that was on fire. It should go without saying that I will never forget that.

A few months later, I became involved (through my job) with rescue workers from NY and DC, as well as family members and survivors in a project that culminated on 9/10/2.

It was the most humbling and important work I have ever done. When you meet someone like FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Pfeifer, who was the first on scene at the World Trade Center (and whose brother was another firefighter died), and he thanks you for what you've done, you are honored, but also embarrassed.

One year removed from that event, I can't help but feel that the real story all along should have been how 20,000 people survived the worst attack on American soil.

Not to take anything away from those who died or their family members (when I think of the people on those planes, or sitting in their offices, the sadness is still so fucking raw), but this is a strong country, and while we may be able to be thumped from time to time, or humbled, we are a nation of survivors, not victims.

Finally, I disagree (to a degree) with the sentiment that Ron and Fez have said today - that we are so divided two years later - where did we go wrong?

While this may be true with missed opportunities on the world stage, as a country I don't think its apathy so much as returning to normal, but ready to serve if we need to again. We can still disagree on policy and politics, and have heated debates, but we know for a fact now that you don't have to go too far under the surface to find the true nature of the American people - in a crisis, we do step up to the plate.

[KOP]

This message was edited by KOP on 9-12-03 @ 8:56 AM

[Crazy Jen]

I am so proud to be an American today even though I cannot begin to explain the pain in my heart.
I am glad i told that guy on ron and Fez, I will never forget people who have never seen the trade center could never understand the saddness of them being gone.they were not just 2 buildings but two huge pieces of my heart that were riped out

love
jennifer