"Attack on America"

September 11, 2001 will forever be marked by memories of clouds. Clouds of dust and debris raining down on the streets of Manhattan. Clouds of fear in the eyes of Americans.

September 11, 2001 may also be remembered as the initiation date into the world of reality for Generation X’ers. Until that date, most have never felt the feeling of vulnerability. Most have been shielded from the tears and screams of other people in other lands who were dealt the blow of terrorism.

We have been so sheltered in this MTV world of reality that even this seems like a Spielberg production. But it’s not. We have been violated. Just like when someone breaks into our home and we never feel quite as safe. At times like these all we have to offer is prayers. We wonder how taking innocent lives could accomplish any political goal. Our thoughts are almost surreal as they turn to the massive lost of lives and incomprehensible destruction. As we strained for any bits and pieces of new information during this calamity, so many people were saying over and over,

This can not be happening! Well, it IS! Welcome to the world of reality.

You could see the fear of uncertainty in peoples’ eyes when news reports sputtered out fragments of new details. “ABC reporting that the president has landed in Shreveport and stated the government was still in control and he’s been in communication with the congress. Then he’s whisked off to some unknown location. Dascle and Trent Lott are secured in some bunker and who knows who’s left alive at the Pentagon. Are you sure this thriller is not a Tom Clancy dream and we’ll awaken soon?

Scary times with more to come. We’ve all been so complacent, reticent, lethargic: unprepared. Generations of people who felt that America WAS indestructible. Generations of people who believe we were protected because of two oceans and a big stick. Generations of people who never feared an attack in their own backyard. Now this generation has experienced that same sick, empty feeling deep in the gut of reality.

There will be plenty of time for blame to be assigned. Over the past 15 to 20 years we’ve cut the wrong budgets and funded the wrong programs. Now the politicians will be setting aside partisan rhetoric for words of unity. At least for a short while. But all the neglect of the past comes full circle to this simple statement---The chickens have come home to roost!

Paul Gallo

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