B .L. D.
Today might seem be a “Big Let Down” time for some people.
Much concern has been expressed in the past month or so concerning the distinct possibilities that we were going to “overdo” the observance of the first anniversary date of the September 11th suicide bombings
of the Trade Towers and of the Pentagon Building, in Northern Virginia. Plans sounded so grandiose and conclusive.
Now, more than half way through the 11th, I have been pleased with what I have heard.
Had I Iistened to radio or watched TV “full time”, I have a feeling I would be saying that it was too much of the same thing; endless emotion, which would have worn pretty thin had I over-used it. This happens a
great a deal in criticism , especially of television, I think. A person can watch too much TV, and many do exactly that. As a result they are sated by sameness and starved for sensationalism. If you sat down and read and re-read the
same story in a dozen newspapers all day you might get the feeling “they”, too, had “ovedone” it. I think the media, in general, maintained an acceptable level in what I have heard and seen thus far today. Most performed a
genuine public service in staying with the various cermonies for most of the day.
As the day progressed, I sensed, too, that the networks seemed to be grateful that nothing of any dire consequence had occurred in the wider scope of the news More than one of the participants apparently
woke up this morning wondering if some cataclysmic event would dominate the day, and, as the day worn on, they seemed to feel more and more relaxed and worry-free. Maybe this was an echo of my own, personal feelings. I’ll
never admit, of course, I that I might have been “ “worried”, in the least, but I was “concerned,” that something “wild” or “offbeat” may evolve from all the hate that has been engendered in recent months and so often focused
on the anniversary date as logical time for all of it to erupt.
Our enemies in this war against terrorism do not think in what we call “logical” terms. They remind me of a young kid who has learned to scribble numbers on the wall, the furniture, and any paper surface available,
but who does not, as yet, understand numbers can be processed in adding and multiplication applications of value. All of the things they do seem to be important, judging from the way Mom reacts when they do them!
No one can judge the mental state of the terrorist by usual standards. The manual on the “how to....” aspects of handling terrorists is still being written in blood, bound in flesh, and covered with human skin.
It will never be a “best seller”, when and if, it ever gets published, you can rest assured it will be one book we can judge by its cover.
More and more people looking at September 11, 2002 as a special mark after which we must set aside grief and sorrow and concentrate on doing something about the cause of such suffering.
A.L.M. September 11, 2002 (About 4 PM) [c-542wds]
