The Day After...

In the aftermath of yesterday's events, I'd like to say I have an insightful commentary on the situation. I'd like say I'm able to organize my thoughts. I'd like to say I could actually work today.

But after all of this... after a day of watching the events and aftermath in the news... after being able to check in on most of my friends and family in the area... after nearly a day of trying to process the images that at first came through the Internet and then television... all I can say is... fuck.

Fuck.

As I watched the ongoing coverage yesterday, the most disturbing image I saw yesterday was not the plane slamming into the second World Trade Center Tower... it wasn't the images of the Pentagon in flames... it wasn't even the image of people choosing to leap to their death... it was the sight of people from some foreign country... celebrating.

Now, granted terrorist attacks happen often overseas. (but not even close to the magnitude of yesterday's attacks) We hear about them in the news. But you know what they say, out of sight, out of mind. We hear of these overseas terrorist attacks and say, "Oh, what a shame." not really comprehending the severity of the situation. We are numb to the world's suffering. But, to my knowledge, we have never openly celebrated a terrorist attack.

I saw children waving flags around, proud of what they saw or heard. I can only imagine conversations some fathers had with their sons...

"Son, wake up. Today is a good day. The United States has been attacked."

Fuck.

I can't even begin to comprehend why anyone anywhere would commit a terrorist attack. Maybe I'm naive. I don't know what to think.

I do know what I feel. I feel sad. I feel angry. I feel confused. I feel helpless. I have this overwhelming desire to help but I don't know how. I've donated money. I plan to donate blood. But how much can that really help? Sure it'll make me feel a little better inside. But that's just a small comfort.

So, its taken me nearly a full business day from when I started this commentary to now. I'm sure there are more insightful, coherent, less rambling commentaries on the situation out there. I just felt the need to get this out there...