Friday 5

Remembrance

1. How often are you reminded of the events of September 11, 2001?

Lately, every time I turn on the TV. We do love our anniversaries, don't we?
OK, really? Not all that often, though when I really think about Iraq, 9/11 always comes to mind; we wouldn't have gone in there so soon without that happening.

2. In what ways has your own life changed as a result of the events of September 11, 2001?

"As a result?" It really hasn't, except that we now have the fookin' US Patriot Act, which is Big Brother on Speed. And Soviet-style airport security, which drains the joy even further from traveling, further than the airlines alone could have taken it.
In personal ways, I'm just in a different place in my live from where I was 5 years ago.

3. Did the world become more dangerous that day, or did we just become aware of the danger?

We woke up as children and became adults before noon.

4. What is your attitude toward safety and caution in these post-9/11 days?

Partially because of where I live, security isn't such a big concern of mine. And, like Beast, I believe that whatever precautions I can take I should, bearing in mind that when my time comes, it comes. Not to say I wouldn't fight back, but if I allowed myself to start down the road of "what if..." in this area, I would go off the deep end in about 5 minutes.

5. Is September 11, 2001 a bigger deal now, five years later, or is it less of a big deal?

I think it should be recognized as an anniversary. I suspect I will do more reflecting on what we've missed in our understanding of it over the past 5 years, how we squandered the good will of the world with the subsequent foreign policy fiascos, and how easily it could happen again becuase we've fallen back into the same Big Bully ways.
The problem I see is that the people with their hands in a strangle-hold on the power don't get it, won't get it, refuse to get it....and so we continue spiraling downwards.

Well. This was cheery.