lc_story100.xml

lc_story100.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-12-17

I was at a conference in Washington, D.C., having traveled to D.C. the day before from New Orleans.

My strongest memories of that day are the throngs of people pouring into the streets of D.C. as government buildings were evacuated; the Hummer military vehicles that were parked on every other city block; the message announced over loudspeakers telling us to stay away from the buildings and walk in the center of the street, and; the smoke rising from the Pentagon.

Since 9/11, our government has taken from its own citizens many basic freedoms that were once taken for granted. Neighbors have grown less tolerant of those who have views other than their own. I fear nationalistic fervor is on the rise.