September 11th. Five Years On
It is truly unbelievable that five years have passed since that horrible day. Like most people, it is an experience I will never forget.
When the crisis began, it was the late evening in Tokyo. I was busy surfing my usual sites on the internet, when I was alerted that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre. Immediately, I turned on my television to follow events. As I watched horrified, and already supposing that it was a terrorist attack, I saw the live footage of the second plane crashing.
Within minutes, friends all over Tokyo, who did not have cable television, were contacting me to find out what was going on. My dear friend, Brett, who was my neighbour at the time, came to join me and watch the coverage. I had CNN on the television and the BBC streaming through on my computer.
We both sat watching the news dazed and shocked at what was occuring. This was so clearly an event that would have massive repercussions on our lives. You could just feel immediately the impact of what was happening.
It is sad to see how the events that have since followed, such as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, have done nothing to return a sense of security. In fact, the world now seems more dangerous, with the media continually fuelling fear and terror like cheap pedlars of drugs: The boogeyman, who used to wear red and goose-stepped, now wears a turban, has bird flu and is lingering under our beds, waiting to wreak havoc with a sniper rifle at our malls!
When I was in Thailand, a few years after 9/11, I met a very wise American gentleman. He surprised me with his description of what he believed would have been the correct response to the events of 9/11. He said: 'Bush should have come on television and said, "We forgive you."'
I was blown-away by the ramifications that such a noble, simple statement would have made upon the world. It would have instantly neutralised the poison of all terrorist acts, as well as presented the US as a fine role model for all in the world.
Of course, this vision did not happen, and disaster after disaster has since enveloped our world with continual violence that seems to know no end. The lines between friend and foe have now become blurred, as both attempt to bring 'shock and awe' upon each other, while in the process a fleshy, bloody mountain of 'collateral damage' continues to rise.
How many more innocent children, women and men must die? What will come of all of this death? Why is the world ruled by leaders of below average ability, who seem to have no vision for humanity beyond destruction and death? Where are the inspirational men and women who will lead us out of this nightmare?
When the crisis began, it was the late evening in Tokyo. I was busy surfing my usual sites on the internet, when I was alerted that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre. Immediately, I turned on my television to follow events. As I watched horrified, and already supposing that it was a terrorist attack, I saw the live footage of the second plane crashing.
Within minutes, friends all over Tokyo, who did not have cable television, were contacting me to find out what was going on. My dear friend, Brett, who was my neighbour at the time, came to join me and watch the coverage. I had CNN on the television and the BBC streaming through on my computer.
We both sat watching the news dazed and shocked at what was occuring. This was so clearly an event that would have massive repercussions on our lives. You could just feel immediately the impact of what was happening.
It is sad to see how the events that have since followed, such as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, have done nothing to return a sense of security. In fact, the world now seems more dangerous, with the media continually fuelling fear and terror like cheap pedlars of drugs: The boogeyman, who used to wear red and goose-stepped, now wears a turban, has bird flu and is lingering under our beds, waiting to wreak havoc with a sniper rifle at our malls!
When I was in Thailand, a few years after 9/11, I met a very wise American gentleman. He surprised me with his description of what he believed would have been the correct response to the events of 9/11. He said: 'Bush should have come on television and said, "We forgive you."'
I was blown-away by the ramifications that such a noble, simple statement would have made upon the world. It would have instantly neutralised the poison of all terrorist acts, as well as presented the US as a fine role model for all in the world.
Of course, this vision did not happen, and disaster after disaster has since enveloped our world with continual violence that seems to know no end. The lines between friend and foe have now become blurred, as both attempt to bring 'shock and awe' upon each other, while in the process a fleshy, bloody mountain of 'collateral damage' continues to rise.
How many more innocent children, women and men must die? What will come of all of this death? Why is the world ruled by leaders of below average ability, who seem to have no vision for humanity beyond destruction and death? Where are the inspirational men and women who will lead us out of this nightmare?
14 comments:
Well written reflections and good questions.
'We forgive you', much stronger and more powerful words than we will hunt you down and get revenge. Forgiveness is so much harder than anger and retaliation. I wish more people could hear that voice.
Yes, it would have been an incredible response to the horrors of 9/11. However, I am not surprised that the US reaction had been to retaliate. Most countries would have done the same; that is human nature, sadly. It is just a shame that the retaliation has been tainted by corrupt politics, big business interests and self-serving ideology.
Sometimes, when life stoops into the darkness, the light that is always there becomes more dazzling in response. I know that inspiring people will step forward as the stomach of suffering becomes too unbearable for all of us to continue.
Let's hope so. I found the response of your American friend so striking, I will certainly be quoting it many times!
I was in Camden last week, and walked through a small public garden that had a statue of Ghandi in the centre, it was right next to there that the London bus was blown up on 7/7/2005.
Those that forgive, and LIVE peace, will stand out in history for longer and effect lives more positively than any great warriors will.
We're certainly due another leader for peace, but the problem is he who fights for leadership is probably not the best leader-chances are they are corrupted with the power bug to get so far.
I suppose we can only make our own choices. Islam is a peaceful religion based on love, as is Christianity. All religion is open to corruption and power battles. I refuse to take sides, and I will try to always forgive.
Couldn't agree more. Thank you for your comments, Samsarajade.
Best wishes,
El-Branden
We forgive you.
With the greatest respect and admiration for aspects of Islam (and I really mean that), the statement "Islam is a peaceful religion based on love" is only 'semi' right. Islam is much more complex than that. Historically,and within the very ideological fabric of the Qur'an itself. Islam is (and has been) a political religion from its conception. Even during the lifetime of Muhammad himself.
I am disturbed by recent events in response to the Pope's comments. It seems impossible to have any opinion without someone taking it out of comtext and manipulating it to cause social unrest. The Pope should have perhaps been more careful, but the response in the Muslim world has been truly over the top. Indeed, Alexander, the response has most certainly been more political than religious in context.
There really needs to be more dialogue and mutual respect.
True, the life of Muhammad included the first 'holy war' in re-claiming Mecca. But that was a case of reclaiming the holy land. I see this as a huge problem in the causes of eastern unrest. That certain places are considered sacred, and so the arguments become political in the fact there is dispute over land linked to religion.
But the motives of the religion are not aggressive. And the claims of fighting a holy war by bombing and terrorising people, they are not in line with the religion at all.My knowledge is not deep on the subject, but in general I see islam as a peaceful religion.
And it seems to me the pope has been very foolish and insensitive, but how that justifies murder is beyond me. The news claiming an italian nun was murdered as a result of his comments, well, that is still murder, and I do wish people would stop using religion to justify such terribl;e actions.
Seems the pope is not quite the leader of peace we were hoping for branden! Not that it surprises me, it'll more likely be someone who is not a part of any structured 'religion'
Yes, Samsarajade, the Pope was foolish. This contagion of hate is really manifesting the nightmare scenario for a "clash of civilisations".
I'm a Buddhist, so I request those warring folks, whose religions are not mine, to leave me in peace! having said that, we should all encourage as much dialogue as possible between faiths.
I was disappointed, but not surprised, that Bush and Amahdinejad will not be meeting at all at the UN Annual conference. What harm would it cause Bush to invite both Kim Jung Il and Amahdinejad to his ranch in Crawford, where they could have a chat about the current crises? Surely, more would be achieved doing so, than the current diplomatic stalemate?
While I agree that forgiveness is a fine ideal, I think it's a little naive to believe that it would have really made a difference. The terrorists would probably have just regarded it as weakness, and seen it as a carte blanche to commit further such acts. And what about the thousands of relatives of the victims - would they have shared in this forgiveness? Although I profoundly disagree with Bush's policies, I can't see that he had much choice at that point in time. He had to put on a show of strength or he would have simply lost all credibility with his own people. Nevertheless, that said, as individuals I certainly think we should all practice forgiveness.
Personally, I don't trust either side. Neither our Governments or Religious leaders. Nor the Governments and Religious leaders of Islam living outside the west or living right within the heart of the west now trying to portray themselves as a passive new age thing, while they push for more political power through the opportunist backdoor of 'multi culturism' and 'political correctness'.
In short, I'm a cynical bastard. Because there are too many contradictions, to trust either the 'Project for the new american century' ideology that Blair also seems to have embraced. Nor Islam. Because although it isn't a bloodthirsty barbaric demon, is it not an enlightened progressive faith of liberalism either. Both our 'far right' nutters and our 'far left' liberals could prove to be the fall of our western civlization between them (IMO).
The former is inviting hell to our countries, by going around the world all gung ho thinking it can install foreign systems of culture and government on cultures that often aren't ready for them. And many of the later are being fooled by so called 'moderate' Islamic organizations and councils in the west insisting they "only" want to live in peacefull co-existence in their own little pocket, and have no interest whatsoever in changing the host politics/culture to satisfy Islamic principals.
Where is the 'Middle way' when you need it? LOL
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"We forive you."
Simply perfect. Nothing more to add.
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