lc_story274.xml

lc_story274.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-01-22

I was at working at a speech and hearing center in Columbus, OH listening to the local NPR station when I heard a report that a plane had crashed into the first tower. I immediately thought it was a small aircraft that somehow became lost and hit the building. I went up to the 4th floor and watched the news reports when I saw the second plane hit the second tower. I knew then that we were under attack. I spent the majority of the day providing analysis of why these specific planes were used from these specific airports and why these structures were targeted as I spent 15 years doing intelligence work in the Navy.

The collapse of the towers was perhaps the strongest memory of this day or any day in my life.

The events of September 11, 2001 had a brief unifying effect and an equally brief appreciation for our Service members. Unfortunately, the unification was based on existing fear, hatred, and distrust of anyone that even resembled someone from the Middle East. The actions that the Bush Administration conducted reminded me of the terrible policies adopted by the Roosevelt Administration after Pearl Harbor was attacked. The country has returned to "normal" in many ways, but the feelings of hatred, fear, and distrust of those of Middle Eastern descent is still at an all time high and is constantly being fueled by those in policy making positions to push their agendas. For the record, I am not Middle Eastern and so I have not personally felt the backlash, but I have observed the activities that have occurred in this Nation since 9/11/01.