After The Attack On America

“Where was I on the morning of September 11th 2001 and how has its occurrence affected me?"

This is a question asked numerous times and in many different ways. I cannot answer for others; however, I know many that feel much as I do. I was at work that Tuesday morning, as was much of America on the East coast. Soon the news began to trickle in from family members who were at home and called to inform their loved ones that America was under attack and began to detail this horrible tragedy. I remember feeling numb with disbelief that something of this magnitude could strike so close to home. This could not be, I thought, how this could have happened. Who was responsible for such an act and why? 

For hours that afternoon, after arriving home from work, I was fixated to the television absorbing every horrific detail. I was angry, I was in rage and I wanted revenge…but only for a moment, for the enormity of what had happened sunk in, and vengeance was not the solution to our present circumstance. Despite my bitterness, I knew that another solution other than all out war was in need. Deep down I knew that this was just the beginning of our time of sorrows, a time in which our innocence had ended. Things would never be the same again.

War On Terrorism

Despite my feelings against the action taken to counter the terrorist acts against our nation, I supported our President and his decisions. I felt that this was bigger than anything that has happened before and that we must not act with haste. Nevertheless, I supported any action that was necessary to bring justice to our shattered spirit. I watched with pride as I witnessed Americans of all ages unite in a common cause.  I also became disheartened when after only a few short months, the prayer vigils, and the patriotism of many all but came to a halt. We were being successful in our war efforts and once again, our lives began to return to normal. At least that is what we thought. Soon we were to discover in my opinion an even more frightening terror. One that is a subtle as a maidens kiss but has the bite of a serpent.

The New World  Order

Shortly after the attack, plans were being drawn and mapped out for a new defense against a new enemy. Since the attacks on America, we have discovered through many heightened alerts that we could expect a new attack any day. This kept the fear factor ever present and continued adding the necessary ingredients to justify the creation of a new government entity, who I believe will become the real enemy of the people at some point in the near future. “Homeland Security”. Born out of necessity and open for abuse, this agency has good intentions, but like someone once told me, “The Highway to hell is paved with good intentions.”

This is where life as we know it begins its silent and unseen changes. Small changes at first will lull us into a false sense of security. We might say, “Hey this is great, we have needed to do this for a long time” and then the larger snips at our freedom begin. Soon local police and state agencies will have the power to monitor all your activities such as phone conversations, the things that you do while on the internet, where you go and who you may associate with. You may think that I am suffering from some form of paranoia, or that I have something to hide. To which I can say NO to each.

 Already laws, bills, and amendments have been made or they are in the process of being made. I fear the loss of my freedom more than I fear the random acts of a few terrorist radicals. One might say that these kinds of actions are needed to ensure the safety of us all and those that speak out against such actions are being unpatriotic, however, the reverse is true . It would be unpatriotic to remain silent and allow the freedom that many have fought and died for ebb away.

Footnote: While these comments are in the most part speculative, some of this may happen if we allow ourselves to get caught up in the fear factor.

J. Allen Wilson  2/27/2002