I BEG you all.........

First of all, thanks Purp, you caught every one of the most important words in my post. I meant every word I said when I mentioned that it could have been any of us. We are all really special people here at the boards and it grieves me to think a single one of us might have been lost so senselessly. That so many people were lost so horribly still wrenches my heart daily.

I will reserve my love and compassion for people like you who for the very most part earn it with such routine dedication to truth and decency.

As Veb mentioned, what we carry forward from this experience is very important. It must most certainly contain love and compassion, without it we are doomed as a race. But like the love a lioness has for her cubs, we must protect our own fiercely and without hesitation. Compassion is something that must not be squandered thoughtlessly. Our country is the most compassionate on earth, giving to so many in times of war, peace or disaster. There are times when this nation needs to reserve some of that compassion for itself. This is one of those times.

Towards that end I propose we all try to be a bit more appreciative of each other and how rare it is to find such a collection of good souls all in one place. The light we can shed is tremendous. I just happen to feel rather strongly about having violence dim that light by even one single bit. I have had images graven into my mind that I will never be able to shed. I did not ask for them and neither did any of you. I’ll leave it at that.

Scotti, I hope you know me well enough just by the beautiful musical pieces that I have sent to you whereby you also know to count upon me to care. I have never met so many people as I have here that are so easy to respect. My words have been mentioned and responded to in this thread so I wanted to reply without ranting quite so much as I usually do.

What Mauvaise said.
{{{everyone}}}

Thank you so much, all of you; for the many things you are doing to make this place, and this world, a better place to be. You have all made a difference in my life, and helped me through this difficult time.

Cheri

is freedom of speech. We are free to disagree with each other. Hopefully, we can do this with courtesy and respect. If we allow this tragedy to divide us, the terrorists will have yet another success.

Thank you for starting this thread, ////Scotti\\.

Scotti, you are a wonderful, beautiful person. I can’t say that enough. I know that I haven’t been on Instant Messanger much, what with me living at school and all, but if you need to talk or vent or anything of the sort, feel free to e-mail me. I check my mailbox more than I probably should. :slight_smile:

As for how to deal with the tragedy, everyone should just make sure to remember that although angry words can be thrown around at a time like this, most of them are empty, and merely a way to vent frustration. So let’s not form any long-lasting grudges about anyone here, but instead realize that everyone deals with things in a different way. In a month or two, we should all be friends again.

Thoughts and prayers to everyone hurt by this tragedy.