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Words aren't enough.
Sep. 12th, 2001 05:16 pmToday was possibly one of the longest days of my life.
I woke up at 2am to the phone ringing. Unfortunately, the message bank picked it up before I staggered my way out of bed and to the lounge room where the phone is, so I missed it. And whoever it was didn't leave a message. I didn't really think much of it - it could have been a wrong number, maybe one of the local defendants having gotten my number somehow and playing funny buggers - until my alarm went off this morning. I caught the tail end of the news bulletin - something bad happening in the States. I didn't find out what had happened until BRM told me (he'd seen coverage last night, having fallen asleep on the couch), and we'd put on the radio for the news flashes.
We've had the news on at work all day. I've been seeing glimpses of tragedy during the court breaks.
I... I just don't have the words. I'm relieved that everyone is okay, now I've been into #subcafe and checked various boards and journals. I'm frustrated and angry, seeing this pain and not being able to do a thing to help. I'm terribly, horribly saddened by the things I've seen today, and the pain my friends are in.
And I'm afraid of what this could mean for the future. I can only hope that sanity will prevail, and justice, rather than revenge, is meted out on those respsonsible. Already I've heard talk of war, of payback, and I can understand the anger that drives those kinds of sentiments. But Dex put it far better than I can - it's important that those responsible are put on public trial, and seen to be punished according to the law. Violence perpetuates violence... and how do you declare war on an individual? On a terrorist group? You can't, not without involving innocents, people who are just as blameless as those in the World Trade Building. An eye for an eye, sure, but where does it stop?
This isn't the time for political debate, or arguments. My thoughts are with those who have been touched personally by this, and with my American friends at large. Take care, stay safe, look after yourselves. I just wish there was something more I could do than offer my support.
I woke up at 2am to the phone ringing. Unfortunately, the message bank picked it up before I staggered my way out of bed and to the lounge room where the phone is, so I missed it. And whoever it was didn't leave a message. I didn't really think much of it - it could have been a wrong number, maybe one of the local defendants having gotten my number somehow and playing funny buggers - until my alarm went off this morning. I caught the tail end of the news bulletin - something bad happening in the States. I didn't find out what had happened until BRM told me (he'd seen coverage last night, having fallen asleep on the couch), and we'd put on the radio for the news flashes.
We've had the news on at work all day. I've been seeing glimpses of tragedy during the court breaks.
I... I just don't have the words. I'm relieved that everyone is okay, now I've been into #subcafe and checked various boards and journals. I'm frustrated and angry, seeing this pain and not being able to do a thing to help. I'm terribly, horribly saddened by the things I've seen today, and the pain my friends are in.
And I'm afraid of what this could mean for the future. I can only hope that sanity will prevail, and justice, rather than revenge, is meted out on those respsonsible. Already I've heard talk of war, of payback, and I can understand the anger that drives those kinds of sentiments. But Dex put it far better than I can - it's important that those responsible are put on public trial, and seen to be punished according to the law. Violence perpetuates violence... and how do you declare war on an individual? On a terrorist group? You can't, not without involving innocents, people who are just as blameless as those in the World Trade Building. An eye for an eye, sure, but where does it stop?
This isn't the time for political debate, or arguments. My thoughts are with those who have been touched personally by this, and with my American friends at large. Take care, stay safe, look after yourselves. I just wish there was something more I could do than offer my support.
