This is a reprint from a post by Charles Brennen from South Florida on the Trailer Sailor BB. It pretty much says it all: "Hit The Buildings, Missed America" An open letter to a terrorist: Well, you hit the World Trade Center, but you missed America. You hit the Pentagon, but you missed America. You used helpless American bodies, to take out other American bodies, but like a poor marksman, you STILL missed America. Why? Because of something you guys will never understand. America isn’t about a building or two, not about financial centers, not about military centers, America isn’t about a place, America isn’t even about a bunch of bodies. America is about an IDEA. An idea, that you can go someplace where you can earn as much as you can figure out how to, live for the most part, like you envisioned living, and pursue Happiness. (No guarantees that you’ll reach it, but you can sure try!) Go ahead and whine your terrorist whine, and chant your terrorist litany: “If you can not see my point, then feel my pain.” This concept is alien to Americans. We live in a country where we don’t have to see your point. But you’re free to have one. We don’t have to listen to your speech. But you’re free to say one. Don’t know where you got the strange idea that everyone has to agree with you. We don’t agree with each other in this country, almost as a matter of pride. We’re a collection of guys that don’t agree, called States. We united our individual states to protect ourselves from tyranny in the world. Another idea, we made up on the spot. You CAN make it up as you go, when it’s your country. If you’re free enough. Yeah, we’re fat, sloppy, easy-going goofs most of the time. That’s an unfortunate image to project to the world, but it comes of feeling free and easy about the world you live in. It’s unfortunate too, because people start to forget that when you attack Americans, they tend to fight like a cornered badger. The first we knew of the War of 1812, was when England burned Washington D.C. to the ground. Didn’t turn out like England thought it was going to, and it’s not going to turn out like you think, either. Sorry, but you’re not the first bully on our shores, just the most recent. No Marquis of Queensbury rules for Americans, either. We were the FIRST and so far, only country in the world to use nuclear weapons in anger. Horrific idea, nowadays? News for you bucko, it was back then too, but we used it anyway. Only had two of them in the whole world and we used ‘em both. Grandpa Jones worked on the Manhattan Project. Told me once, that right up until they threw the switch, the physicists were still arguing over whether the Uranium alone would fission, or whether it would start a fissioning chain reaction that would eat everything. But they threw the switch anyway, because we had a War to win. Does that tell you something about American Resolve? So who just declared War on us? It would be nice to point to some real estate, like the good old days. Unfortunately, we’re probably at war with random camps, in far-flung places. Who think they’re safe. Just like the Barbary Pirates did, IIRC. Better start sleeping with one eye open. There’s a spirit that tends to take over people who come to this country, looking for opportunity, looking for liberty, looking for freedom. Even if they misuse it. The Marielistas that Castro emptied out of his prisons, were overjoyed to find out how much freedom there was. First thing they did when they hit our shores, was run out and buy guns. The ones that didn’t end up dead, ended up in prisons. It was a big PITA then (especially in south Florida), but you’re only the newest PITA, not the first. You guys seem to be incapable of understanding that we don’t live in America, America lives in US! American Spirit is what it’s called. And killing a few thousand of us, or a few million of us, won’t change it. Most of the time, it’s a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of Spirit. Until we’re crossed in a cowardly manner, then it becomes an entirely different kind of Spirit. Wait until you see what we do with that Spirit, this time. Sleep tight, if you can. We’re coming. Charles Brennan
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S
Sean
N
Nancy Stevens
Proof That We Love To Disagree, Shoulder To Should
I too feel like a cornered badger. I have a hard time grasping what has happened to the country I love, and to be honest, the only one I know. I pride myself on trying to see things from all points of view. But I don't understand the thoughts behind this one. One of the things I am proud of the U.S. for is that when we do go to war, we use our high technology to avoid "collateral" damage whenever feasible. These cowards aimed for as much damage as they could possibly muster, especially at the innocents! I have no clue what their point was
I too feel like a cornered badger. I have a hard time grasping what has happened to the country I love, and to be honest, the only one I know. I pride myself on trying to see things from all points of view. But I don't understand the thoughts behind this one. One of the things I am proud of the U.S. for is that when we do go to war, we use our high technology to avoid "collateral" damage whenever feasible. These cowards aimed for as much damage as they could possibly muster, especially at the innocents! I have no clue what their point was
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Bill Hendrick
Sign me up
I'm with you Charles. Let's go get the bastards. You're point is perfect, America is a way of life, it is a feeling we have, no one else can ever understand it. I don't usually mention this but I am a Vietnam veteran and once again I know why I was so proud in 1966!!!
I'm with you Charles. Let's go get the bastards. You're point is perfect, America is a way of life, it is a feeling we have, no one else can ever understand it. I don't usually mention this but I am a Vietnam veteran and once again I know why I was so proud in 1966!!!
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Bob Knott
Thank You
Brilliant writing! you know how we all hate those chain letters we receive in our e-mail. Well I'm finally joining the spam crowd and sending this to everyone I know. Bob Knott H380
Brilliant writing! you know how we all hate those chain letters we receive in our e-mail. Well I'm finally joining the spam crowd and sending this to everyone I know. Bob Knott H380
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Bob Greenfield
On the mark
I will be emailing this post to as many people as I can. Let our response be severe. They are fanatics and must be dealt with in a manner that shows our resolve. Give no mercy, hit them over and over and over again. If their salvation is in dying for Allah, lets help them on their way for as long as it takes. This is a war and we must fight them with this in mind.
I will be emailing this post to as many people as I can. Let our response be severe. They are fanatics and must be dealt with in a manner that shows our resolve. Give no mercy, hit them over and over and over again. If their salvation is in dying for Allah, lets help them on their way for as long as it takes. This is a war and we must fight them with this in mind.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Another, From yesterday's Miami Herald
I can't seem to copy a link that will work, so I've copied the editorial by Leonard Pitts Jr. Miami Herald, Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001 We'll go forward from this moment It's my job to have something to say. They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering. You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard. What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed. Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together. Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God. Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals. IN PAIN Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before. But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice. I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future. In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined. THE STEEL IN US You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold. As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish. So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started. But you're about to learn.
I can't seem to copy a link that will work, so I've copied the editorial by Leonard Pitts Jr. Miami Herald, Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001 We'll go forward from this moment It's my job to have something to say. They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering. You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard. What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed. Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together. Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God. Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals. IN PAIN Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before. But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice. I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future. In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined. THE STEEL IN US You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold. As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish. So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started. But you're about to learn.
E
Ed Schenck
And another. . .
TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing. America: The Good Neighbor Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television Commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record: "This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon -not once, but several times - and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those." Stand proud, America! Your truly one of a kind!!"
TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing. America: The Good Neighbor Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television Commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record: "This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon -not once, but several times - and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those." Stand proud, America! Your truly one of a kind!!"
H
Henryv
Re Gordon Sinclair Commentary
While the sentiments are still valid some of the references are out of date - Gordon Siclair made his comments over 20 years ago.
While the sentiments are still valid some of the references are out of date - Gordon Siclair made his comments over 20 years ago.
O
OBX Sailor
R
Rick Webb
My Resonse
As a Member of the Military with many of my neighbors already moved forward to help, and his wife's bags packed waiting on the next flight to go lend further medical help. I want the bastards to know for us it has changed nothing for you it has changed everything. I and all of my brothers and sisters in uniform are pissed off. We are on your tail. Maybe not today or even next week but shortly we will find you and where you came from and we will get or pound of flesh and then some. Not out of hate or pity for you but out of love admiration for those you took from us. We told you once "You can run but you can't hide." Keep looking over your shoulder because we are there somewhere. There, I feel better now
As a Member of the Military with many of my neighbors already moved forward to help, and his wife's bags packed waiting on the next flight to go lend further medical help. I want the bastards to know for us it has changed nothing for you it has changed everything. I and all of my brothers and sisters in uniform are pissed off. We are on your tail. Maybe not today or even next week but shortly we will find you and where you came from and we will get or pound of flesh and then some. Not out of hate or pity for you but out of love admiration for those you took from us. We told you once "You can run but you can't hide." Keep looking over your shoulder because we are there somewhere. There, I feel better now
D
Dick Carey
T
ted
upset
they upset the most important - the lady holding the torch in the middle of t' hudson - god 'elp 'em now. ted
they upset the most important - the lady holding the torch in the middle of t' hudson - god 'elp 'em now. ted
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Re the Lady with the Torch...
Thank God they didn't get her...if they had, I don't think the country could bear it. I've posted a photo in the photo forum that just about says it all.
Thank God they didn't get her...if they had, I don't think the country could bear it. I've posted a photo in the photo forum that just about says it all.
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Mark
Stay calm
We all feel so deeply sorry for America and all it stands for, however to pay back would never, never stop these people.
We all feel so deeply sorry for America and all it stands for, however to pay back would never, never stop these people.
R
Ray Bowles
C
Chris Hyland
Lady Liberty
The statue of liberty was a gift from France to the American people. She is visited every year by millions of people, many of which are not Americans. While we have to privilege of having her on our soil, I honestly believe she holds the torch of liberty not just for American's but also for the whole world. We find it very difficult to understand a thought process that can justify the deeds done on Tuesday. They on the other hand can't understand the concept of freedom and liberty. It's like their brains are wired wrong! Just like a rabid animal, you feel bad about it, but for the safety of the rest it must be euthanized.
The statue of liberty was a gift from France to the American people. She is visited every year by millions of people, many of which are not Americans. While we have to privilege of having her on our soil, I honestly believe she holds the torch of liberty not just for American's but also for the whole world. We find it very difficult to understand a thought process that can justify the deeds done on Tuesday. They on the other hand can't understand the concept of freedom and liberty. It's like their brains are wired wrong! Just like a rabid animal, you feel bad about it, but for the safety of the rest it must be euthanized.
T
ted
T
Tom
Mark, from Australia. You say to stay calm
and that " pay back would never, never stop these people"... But I am very sorry.....You are very, VERY wrong !... To do nothing would do just the opposite and encourage these evil minded people. If we do nothing they will continue to do more and who knows whats next --- Biological warfare using "anthrax" or something even more evil and instead of 5387 people there might be 100,000 people??? We have been relatively "tolerate" of terrorism in the past (US embassy in Somalia) etc, etc....it just emcourages them more. What the *world* needs to do is find ALL (or as many as humanly possible) of these people and eradicate their DNA from the planet. The only thing evil sinister factions in the history of this world know is one thing, FORCE....Do you think the Nazi's would have just stopped what they were doing if it wasn't for the good people of this world standing up and stopping them? ... Make no mistake we know it won't be easy, but if it takes 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years or 50 years we won't let it go. Trust Me. Do not be naive.....remember Chamberlain *stayed calm*....how many people died because he did?...... I just sailed over to Oyster Bay LI on a beautiful weekend here on Long Island Sound.....I visited Sagamore Hill, which happened to be Teddy Roosevelts home.....I think I know how he would have responded to this situation....It reminds me of one of his famous sayings....."Speak softly and carry a Big Stick"...... While I sailed back home on this crisp Sept. afternoon, I could see Manhattan in the distance (20- 30 miles?), which is not as easy to see during most hot, hazy, humid summer days, but today it was exceptions clear. As the sun was settings in the beautiful multicolored evening I noticed the outline of NY and it was conspicuously missing the two towers.....very odd.....but the thing that really stick in my mind was the only cloud in the sky. It was the smoke still drifting out of rubble on the southern tip of NY City.......
and that " pay back would never, never stop these people"... But I am very sorry.....You are very, VERY wrong !... To do nothing would do just the opposite and encourage these evil minded people. If we do nothing they will continue to do more and who knows whats next --- Biological warfare using "anthrax" or something even more evil and instead of 5387 people there might be 100,000 people??? We have been relatively "tolerate" of terrorism in the past (US embassy in Somalia) etc, etc....it just emcourages them more. What the *world* needs to do is find ALL (or as many as humanly possible) of these people and eradicate their DNA from the planet. The only thing evil sinister factions in the history of this world know is one thing, FORCE....Do you think the Nazi's would have just stopped what they were doing if it wasn't for the good people of this world standing up and stopping them? ... Make no mistake we know it won't be easy, but if it takes 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years or 50 years we won't let it go. Trust Me. Do not be naive.....remember Chamberlain *stayed calm*....how many people died because he did?...... I just sailed over to Oyster Bay LI on a beautiful weekend here on Long Island Sound.....I visited Sagamore Hill, which happened to be Teddy Roosevelts home.....I think I know how he would have responded to this situation....It reminds me of one of his famous sayings....."Speak softly and carry a Big Stick"...... While I sailed back home on this crisp Sept. afternoon, I could see Manhattan in the distance (20- 30 miles?), which is not as easy to see during most hot, hazy, humid summer days, but today it was exceptions clear. As the sun was settings in the beautiful multicolored evening I noticed the outline of NY and it was conspicuously missing the two towers.....very odd.....but the thing that really stick in my mind was the only cloud in the sky. It was the smoke still drifting out of rubble on the southern tip of NY City.......
W
Warren
Mark in Australia...
Mark, I would guess your a very nice fellow...However, to "Stay Calm" will do nothing but encourage more attacks. We must strike back, and we will...with or without the help of the rest of the world. I am a member of the the National Rifle Association, we have been following the disarming of your law abiding citizens. Your government has turned your population into sheep ready for the slaughter! I wish you Good Luck! Don't be calm! Warren
Mark, I would guess your a very nice fellow...However, to "Stay Calm" will do nothing but encourage more attacks. We must strike back, and we will...with or without the help of the rest of the world. I am a member of the the National Rifle Association, we have been following the disarming of your law abiding citizens. Your government has turned your population into sheep ready for the slaughter! I wish you Good Luck! Don't be calm! Warren
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