What more is to be said about 9/11? I had more than a casual association with it. I walked through the World Trade Center for 15 years on my daily commute and worked in it for two years. It was a part of my NYC "home" -- and it was if my home were struck by a meteor.
Three business colleagues of mine perished there, and the devastation blew out my television studio in the World Financial Center across the street and forever scarred the psyche of friends who were witnesses to the devastation. My neighbor two doors over left behind two young children, a wife, and a faithful Siberian husky who howled constantly for a week with no food and no water before the vets and family reluctantly put him down before he died. The dog literally grieved itself to death.
For a long time, staring down into the hole in the ground at ground zero, my emotions ranged from anger, sadness to a sense of vengeance and resolve for justice. There was a "phantom limb" phenomenon -- something you knew was gone but felt still existed. I think I'm pretty typical in that regard.
So the best I can do now -- other than observe the moments of silence -- is to honor the fallen and those who have volunteered to protect our country, and suggest we mark the tenth anniversary as a time when our national mourning stops and closure comes.
I'm not suggesting we forget. Anything. The sacrifice, the loss, the bravery, all should be honored. What may be less obvious is that we should not forget our mistakes, made on both sides of the political spectrum. We need to understand that for that dreadful day, we were indeed victims of a particularly evil and cynical hatred. And there were true victims.
What bothers me is that in the time since 9/11 both the left and the right seem to see power in being fulltime victims and blame assessors. The debates seem not geared to what is best for the country but who will be voted America's Biggest Victim.
There is a power to victimhood, but only when it is authentic and compelling.
We are a powerful nation, not a nation of victims. Politicians of any stripe would serve us far better by not pointing fingers across the aisle, but extending a hand of compromise, compassion and pragmatism. What made this country great is pragmatic compromise, not pure idealogy. We do what works.
If we are to honor the roots of this nation, it's time for Congress and the President to stop pointing fingers at each other and collectively point toward a pragmatic future.
It's time to go to work. Or elect people who will.
Three business colleagues of mine perished there, and the devastation blew out my television studio in the World Financial Center across the street and forever scarred the psyche of friends who were witnesses to the devastation. My neighbor two doors over left behind two young children, a wife, and a faithful Siberian husky who howled constantly for a week with no food and no water before the vets and family reluctantly put him down before he died. The dog literally grieved itself to death.
For a long time, staring down into the hole in the ground at ground zero, my emotions ranged from anger, sadness to a sense of vengeance and resolve for justice. There was a "phantom limb" phenomenon -- something you knew was gone but felt still existed. I think I'm pretty typical in that regard.
So the best I can do now -- other than observe the moments of silence -- is to honor the fallen and those who have volunteered to protect our country, and suggest we mark the tenth anniversary as a time when our national mourning stops and closure comes.
I'm not suggesting we forget. Anything. The sacrifice, the loss, the bravery, all should be honored. What may be less obvious is that we should not forget our mistakes, made on both sides of the political spectrum. We need to understand that for that dreadful day, we were indeed victims of a particularly evil and cynical hatred. And there were true victims.
What bothers me is that in the time since 9/11 both the left and the right seem to see power in being fulltime victims and blame assessors. The debates seem not geared to what is best for the country but who will be voted America's Biggest Victim.
There is a power to victimhood, but only when it is authentic and compelling.
We are a powerful nation, not a nation of victims. Politicians of any stripe would serve us far better by not pointing fingers across the aisle, but extending a hand of compromise, compassion and pragmatism. What made this country great is pragmatic compromise, not pure idealogy. We do what works.
If we are to honor the roots of this nation, it's time for Congress and the President to stop pointing fingers at each other and collectively point toward a pragmatic future.
It's time to go to work. Or elect people who will.
Ten years ago today, in the evening, I finally got an active phone line to the east coast. I called my dear friend Bob Frump, and his wife Suzanne answered the phone. After a few short pleasantries, I asked, "How's our boy Bob?" Her answer remains some of the best words I have heard in my life, right up their with, "I do," and "daddy." She said, "He's right here. Do you want to talk to him?" When Bob came on the line, all I could do was sob, and with effort say, "It's so good to hear your voice." Bob, in his usual understated way said, "It was a good day to work in New Jersey." I am so grateful for my friendship with Bob Frump, and eternally thankful to God for the friendship that Bob and I have continued to grow this past decade.
ReplyDeleteWell, this brings me great joy, Leland. I have been blessed by your friendship. It is comforting above all to know that there are great spirits out there such as yours. Thank you for taking the time to post.
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