Empty Sky
Even though it's a cloudy overcast day today, unlike the one six years ago that forever changed the course of U.S. history, it's hard not to think back to where you were Sept. 11, 2001 and think about how much has changed.
It didn't seem like all that innocent a world back in 2001, but when you compare it to all the baggage we've acquired since then in trying to figure out and come to terms with Islamic jihadist inspired terrorism, it sure seems like it. Two skyscrapers, two wars, thousands of people dead or seriously maimed and the ringleader of the plot is still at large. That's a little tough to take.
I've been immersed in the literature of 9/11 recently. There's been a slew of books out about the run up to 9/11, the aftermath, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq — you could spend the rest of your lives keeping up. I'll recommend two that I've really enjoyed - "The Looming Tower," by Lawrence Wright and "The One Percent Solution," by Ron Suskind. Both give insights into the roots of Islamic fundamentalism and balanced perspectives on why we went to war and why that has turned out less than satisfactorally.
Another good one is "The End of Iraq," by Peter Galbraith, which argues for partioning Iraq into its three respective segments as at least a starting point for extricating ourselves from that troubled part of the world. Even if you don't agree with it, he makes a compelling case.
I went down to metro New Jersey over the weekend and got a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline. It still seems out of kilter without the twin towers holding up the southern end. And I saw so many vehicles with the flags and 9/11 references painted or decalled on. You don't see that so much in Vermont anymore.
I found a recent article in the New York Times interesting — how long do we make a special fuss about 9/11? When do we move on and remember it as we do other major moments in our history?
It's a good question. When does remembrance become obsession, or what is appropriate?
What do you think?