"From the Mailbox" below includes letters from readers concerning the
events of September 11. ~ Steve
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AMERICA GRIEVES
All members of our Life Support family are affected by the terrorist attacks in
the United States today, September 11. Some of our readers may have actually
been present at the scenes of the attacks; others may have lost their lives and
many lost loved ones. Most of us watched and listened from afar as these
horrific events unfolded.
General Omar Bradley wrote this several decades ago: "Ours is a world of
nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about
peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the
mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount." Today's attack
on American civilians demonstrates again our world's intimate relationship with
killing.
Good and decent people around the globe feel shocked and helpless in the face
of such indiscriminant violence. We are in shock, but not completely helpless.
Here are some suggestions on what you can do:
1. Remember, most persons of particular nationalities and religious or ethnic
backgrounds are NOT in favor of attacks upon innocent men, women and children.
Such atrocities come from extremist and radical groups. Our anger, though
justified, should not broadly target innocent civilians of nation or persons
who simply happen to represent a certain religion or ethnicity.
2. This is a time to stick together, as a nation and as a world. All nations
must work together to ensure that such atrocities never be allowed to occur
again. This incident should usher in an unprecedented time of cooperation as we
fight side by side against a common evil. We can dedicate ourselves to the
cause of ridding the world of terrorism.
3. We can turn our anger and helplessness into constructive action. Give blood
at a donation center close to you. Generously support disaster response groups
with material donations and money. Some churches, synagogues, mosques and other
religious communities have disaster relief funds that are set up to receive
donations for this emergency. Those of faith should also pray for those who
lost loved ones, those who are missing and wounded and those who labor to rescue
and comfort victims. Pray also for victims and perpetrators of violence
throughout the world.
4. All Americans (and others) who are stunned by today's attack should find
time to grieve. Consider attending a service at your community of faith to help
put the day's events and aftermath in perspective as you grieve for and with
families and friends of victims.
5. War, whether it be a conventional war or act of terrorism, is abhorrent
to the human family. In the long term, you can channel your anger and concern
into constructive support of organizations dedicated to global peace, including
the eradication of terrorism, and to groups that give aid to victims of
violence and war.
6. Rededicate yourself to loving others. Life is short – cherish every moment
of it. America will never be the same again. September 11, 2001 will forever be
remembered as a defining moment in our history. But let the history books
record it also as a time of unparalleled cohesiveness as nations unite to
comfort a country in grief and to commit together to rid our planet of the
scourge of terrorism. May God grant us wisdom this pivotal day, comfort as we
grieve and healing as we move ahead together.
Steve Goodier, September 11, 2001
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WE ARE SO MUCH ALIKE
I work with a lot of foreign people from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia,
India, Egypt, etc. and after the bombing this morning, I didn't know how
I would feel in talking with these people. The very first one I talked to asked
me if I had heard or seen the devastation. When I said yes, he told me how
horrible he felt for all the innocent people that were hurt or killed. He said
that he knew pretty much how they felt because he had some of the same hurt and
death back home. It made me realize how sorry I felt for him, that he had come
over here hoping to get away from that kind of life. I realized we were so much
alike; as I, too, felt such sorrow for the innocents that were at the wrong
place and the wrong time.
I hope people don't go off half-cocked and take their
disgust out on someone they don't know. It probably could be someone trying to
live a better life, with their families, away from the horror they came
from. ~ Anne
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LOVE INSTEAD OF HATE
...Your site offers such warmth and love, after a day like today
can it ever be we will all feel love for one another instead of hate?
Warmly ~ Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I am dedicated to doing my small part to make our world a place
we want to leave to our children. How we as a nation and a world respond to the
events of today will shape our common future. Thank you for writing. ~
Steve