What has changed in your life since September 11, 2001? Remembrance thread.

In My Humble Opinion
1

Thursday will mark the second anniversary of 9/11/2001. I have the Time Magazine commemorative edition from that day. Last year I took it out and looked at it because I wanted to remember that day. I’d like this thread to be one of remembrance, and one where dopers can post how their lives may or may not have changed. Or just post where you were on that terrible day. For those who choose not to remember that day, simply don’t post here.

Reflection: I was in AZ at the time doing some research for a study I was working on. I got a phone call in the morning a little after 6am. "Turn the news on" the person on the other end of the phone said. Turning it on I watched as Charlie Gibson was trying to spit out whatever he could think to say about the Burning tower. Then flipping to CNN I watched Paula Zahn try to commentate on her first day as morning anchor. Then to my horror in real time I saw this image.

I dropped the phone and sat on my couch. Eyes wide, heart beating like snare drum.

Then the news that all planes were stopping or being routed else where. Full shut down of American Airspace.

Pentagon . “It appears a large passenger jet has crashed into the Pentagon. This appears to be an organized attack of some kind.”

This is when I began to worry for my wife who was in Connecticut.

The phone rang, it was her, she was ok.

“People are calling from cell phones saying their plane is being hijacked. This just in - There appears to be a plane down in the hills of Pennsylvania, the plane was heading towards Washington.”

The president is on his way to a secure location, the United States of America breaches Defense Condition (DEFCON) status below 3.

I think we are going to war. The day progresses with a surreal tone. I go to Safeway to pick up groceries and can not remember is if I said a word to anyone, or if I paid for anything. I just remember coming home, and watching CNN some more.
WorldTrade Center , Pentagon , Terrorists
My life has changed in a variety of ways since that day. I am more cognizant of Hate around the world, of international relations, of my own mortality. I never knew how much patriotism and love for my country I truly had before that day. I was never in the military, I don’t believe I was ever asked if I was patriotic.

I have a loose knit plan with family members if anything should ever happen. Why would have had to have that before September 11? Why would I need to be concerned with Osama types before September 11? Why didn’t I pay more attention before September 11?

This is the place to reflect if you want to. I was watching a documentary about 9/11 last night. That is what spurred this thread.

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Well, 9/11 contributed to my eventual RIF 9 months later so unemployment has been a major change. There are probably dozens of minor things, the brief winces when I see old photos or films that show the trade center, etc.

Mostly, what I find has changed is that I am afraid. Not paralyzing fear, not to the point of “staying inside” or anything that severe. Immediately after 9/11, I still traveled extensively for business. I was supposed to fly on 9/11, afternoon flight from Columbus to St. Louis actually. For the first time, I could not shake the thought that I might not come back from this trip or that trip and see my fiance. Now, being unemployed and my wife traveling, I have the same fear each and every time she travels - fear that another terrorist event will happen and something as simple and mundane as a business trip will keep me from ever seeing her again. She is traveling to fu–ing Chicago on the fu–ing 11th and although I’ll never admit it to her, I am afraid again.

It is irrational, it is frustrating, it is always present… it is fear. Sorry that this is not eloquent but it is good to type it out - thanks.

MeanJoe - who doesn’t like to admit being afraid often.

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I went into NYC and back to Jersey on Sunday September 9th and never even noticed the World Trade Towers. Even time I go now, I notice the empty space. And it still breaks my heart.

Whenever anything happens, my first thought is “Was it terrorism?” Electricity goes out? Is it terrorism?

I live on the flight route into and out of Teterboro Airport. On the morning of September 11th, I didn’t even notice the planes. Now I notice them every time. And a big Pitting to the pilot who came in so low last Thursday that my apartment shook.

4

I no longer enjoy living in the DC area as much as I used to.

I no longer want to fly.

I no longer trust that my civil liberties are infallible.

5

I work as a contractor for a major government agency. I think about a plane flying into the buildings every morning as I walk up the driveway. They have “rent-a-cops” here, and it would be oh-so-easy to inflict major damage here.

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Well, if you exclude the economy sucking as a result of 9/11 then nothing has really changed in my life. Life goes on as always.

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Precisely why I wrote the thread. I wrote it not only for everyone else, but for myself. My Abnormal Class is switching gears this week and going into Fear. And it’s causes and cures. They are writing an essay on sept 11, with the spin that they must relate it to the mental processes we experienced at the time of the event.

I fear for my children as well. Will their civil liberties be eroded as we try to increase our security.

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An odd change for me has been this: on that morning, I was very early to work due to an early doctor’s appointment. I clearly remember what a wonderfully gorgeous day it was and I walked down South Main Street in Providence just loving life. I clearly remember feeling that it was going to be a good day at work and feeling confident about everything in the world. Obviously, not such an accurate feeling! So, whenever I feel that way, I remember September 11th and remind myself not to be so cocky.

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I hate politicians even more.

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What has changed for me since then? I am no longer proud to call myself an American.

Sure, when it first happened, I was as stunned as anyone – those 3000 people did not deserve to die. I mourned for those people, but as a fellow human, not as an American.

But as the days and weeks wore on, I became increasingly disillusioned at the attitudes and behavior of people in our country. Grief turned to racial profiling. Confusion turned to hatred. Shock turned to arrogance. And suddenly we were speaking very loudly and shaking a very big stick. And the problem is that these are not new qualities; any European will tell you that Americans have had these qualities for years. Only now we weren’t afraid to show them. It has not made us look good at all.

Sure, the NYC attacks were an atrocity of the worst kind. But to me they were entirely predictable. We have been making much of the world resent us for many years. It’s fine to be the world’s only superpower - someone has to be. But with that power should come fairness, charity, and responsibility. Instead I see an incredible amount of arrogance and short-sightedness, and this has only grown since September 11, 2001.

On September 11 2003, I will mourn for those who gave up their lives years ago, and give them the remembrance they deserve. But I will also mourn for something else, the passing of our “kinder, gentler” America. That is what has changed for me.

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My stress levels have risen enormously.
Resulting in me grinding my teeth.
Resulting in the loss of a molar.

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Interesting I had the opposite reaction.

I was on travel and had to fly all the way from Panama to Boston. I remember thinking about my fiance, that she was in Boston, and I had not heard from her in more than 24 hours. She was on assignment with-in the city and I could not reach her on her cell. Which was very weird.
I finally heard from her late in the evening I was heart sick that I could not be right next to her. She immediately went with her sister to our home in Vermont.

I’m a hyper vigilant person as it is. I have traveled extensively all over the world. I am very aware when people are looking at me funny, or checking me or my crew out. We usually use the same guides for trips in various regional areas. I was recently in Northern Africa - a few months ago - and I was shocked at how punchy our military guys are over there. They have been under constant threat.

I know now I will not be on travel nearly as much as I used to. But I have been considering taking a different job, a little more low key.

Either way you string it, I was born an American, and even if our current administration is not doing what I may want to see them doing. If they need support from the citizens of this nation, I’m sure as hell going to give it to them.

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I haven’t had any big changes, but a lot of little ones.

On the morning of 9/11, I was listening to a CD intstead of the radio or morning news, since then, I have the TV on almost all the time.

Whenever there is a news alert and I hear beep, beep, beep it gets me freaked out for a minute.

If work takes my husband into NY for the day I tell him to try to hurry up and leave.

I’m afraid to leave home for a long time while my kids are at school.

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Increased my level of cynicism about 100%.

I don’t feel any more secure than I did on September 10, 2001, nor do I feel any less secure.

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I used to enjoy the one business trip per year that I take as one of the nice perks of my job- now I hate to fly. I book flights with as many stops as possible on the theory that shorter flights are less likely to be hijacked by terrorists than long ones.

I treasure life more. Each time I see my wife and children, I remind myself how lucky we are that we were not personally affected by the mass murders of 9/11/01.

My faith has increased. I attend church more regularly and pray more often. If the terrorists hate Jews and Christians, then I’m determined to be a better Christian.

I supported the Afghan War and opposed the Iraq War. Although not a fan of Bush, I fully agree with what he said, that every single person that died on September 11 was the most important person in the world to somebody. For those somebodies and for those that died, I continue to pray that we find the means to defeat terrorism.

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My stress levels have risen enormously since I work a half a mile from the airport. Planes fly over all the time and the loud ones really make me nervous.

I tell people that I love that “I love them” more frequently.

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I feel the distance between me and my family more acutely. I am on the west coast and they are on the east. It’s not just fear of flying (though none of us are eager flyers) but the knowledge that when in times of crisis we really are a very long way away from each other.

One of the things I’'m going to do on September 11th is go back and re-read stunning account by Cartooniverse . In fact, I’ll probably re-read them all.

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I’m pretty sure they hate atheists, too, so I’m determined to be the best atheist I can be!

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I’ve become more fascist.

I’d like to describe myself as a cynical, pragmatic Hobbesian. September 11 dashed any idealism left in me. It’s turned me into a 100% cynical, pragmatic, realist Hobbesian.

Ironically, it has made me into a super-patriot. Not the flag-waving kind - the kind that worries about the survival of the American Empire, and wants to ensure its survival by any means whatsoever. I am extremely proud of America, its accomplishments, what it stands for, and the resources and liberties here.

It has made me realize that my political theories are complex and very controvertial - something to reflect on but never share (except with my father - we both think alike). I’m risking that conviction by posting here - but thought it’s worth the risk.

It’s also showed to me that we are at war - a cold war that’s turned hot. It isn’t against the Commies but against terrorists, who belong to many groups with various agendas but all share resources. This war requires a new way of fighting, and a clear purpose.

September 11 made me proud of Americans - it really brought the best out of us. But, sadly, the people’s reactions to the State’s actions against terrorism has made me realize that many Americans don’t deserve to live here. They are so caught up in their own perspective/beliefs/values that they refuse to see any other. (I’ve had heated, raging debates with one of my good friends on this - until we agreed to disagree.)

September 11 was the rape of America, when America lost her innocence - not that this was the first terrorist attack, but that this was the first attack that opened our eyes to what may be and whom we’re up against. But when this sleeping giant is awoken, the world trembles. We may not be the best nation, but we are the most powerful, and we will protect our interests by all means. Sure, it’s imperialistic. Sure, it’s arrogant. Sure, it’s self-serving. But everyone’s like that. If we don’t act accordingly, we will be a footmat that will be trod over.

WRS

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I left for work that morning and was standing across the street from my apartment waiting for the bus. It was a quiet, beautiful morning, as everyone recalls. Just then this man walks out of the locla convenience store and comes across the street and in passing says to me

he: “Did you hear?”

me: “Hear what?”

he: “Someone just flew a plane into the world Trade Center.”

me: “Holy crap”

He just shakes his head and moves along. Here I am thinking that something like a turbo prop or cesna or something had a mishap. It wasn’t until I got all the way into work when I got the full and still unfolding story.

The office closed and we all made our way home. I live out near Logan airport and I decided to walk from the train station back to my apt. I’ve lived in that are for almost 17 years and there had never, EVER been a time when the sound of the airport was not as much a part of the town as the trees and buildings.

The erie silence was the most frightening part for me. For the next few days it was only broken by the occasional sound of F-15 skycaps.

Now I find the sound of the airport reassuring.