story20663.xml

story20663.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2006-09-11

I was on line with a friend in Cuba when a call came in to turn on my TV. I told him I sensed urgency and asked if I could get back to him in 15 min. He(my Cuban friend and partner) said yes sure and I went to the living room and turned on CNN. The first tower was burning. Then out of no where a plane flew into the second. I was completely blown away. To keep it short after I heard also about the Pentagon I went back to my computer and told my friend in Cuba that a savvy ruler would make more than consolations. He would offer air space, blood, doctors, help in general in a situation which transcended old rivalry and adversity.
E-mail:Glen,
I mentioned Andrew a potential investor - he is in the financial district - he is family.
I will be off line and not available tomorrow. Please explain to Richard.
Jeff
E-Mail #2:
Glen,
We cannot get through. I cannot stay on but obviously tomorrow AM bus plan is not going to happen. Andy who I mentioned as a board member is in the district. We are trying to find out if he worked in the tower but not sure. Two other relatives work at the exchange and at Donaldson. We are in shock,worried, 10,000 + people dead. It is absurd. I wrote Richard and told him that an offering of help (blood, doctors whatever) would be appropriate to distance themselves politically.
I have seen a lot in my life. They are not talking about it much but I can tell you one thing for sure and that is there will be NO slack cut to any country that supports terrorism. The next days or weeks will tell but a full scale operation of unbelievable proportions will ensue. That is my opinion. There will not be a nice ending to the events of this day.
I am concerned about the relations in other countries who have stood by the Palestinians, Libyans etc. The overtones are not good. Gandhi is one of my idols. Passive non violence to achieve a goal is one thing.Protecting yourself and others from these kinds of acts are another. Condemnation of these acts promptly is of the highest order with our friends. Guerrilla warfare to achieve a goal is one thing. Large scale murder of innocents is another - it is Holocaust.
I am worried for loved ones and other that may suffer from these events.
sleepless also
Your Friend,
Jeff
Email # 3:
Glen,
Today I spent a quite day in complete disarray. My business stood still, phones only rang from family who were concerned, I know that Andrew is safe,I know that Ethelyn is safe, I do not know about the rest. Morgan Stanley(on many floors) in New York handles our affairs and there are several who are like family. My daughters art teacher from the NC School of the Arts was in a studio on the 95th floor. I am reminded of a read by Ken Kesey in Boulder at the Kerouac conference in 81. Kesey, Ferlingetti and Ginsberg read. Kesey read a piece about how the assassination of John Lennon had affected the whole world for the year after. These were revolutionaries of the highest order and their weapons were words. So these things are things we are up against. I am amazed at the brutality we like to refer to as humanity. I think it is dangerous for anyone to stand too close to parties that have now or in the past involvement with the people who support these tactics. Even someone who is in disagreement should condemn this action. A savvy politician would do that now, in my humble opinion. This makes me feel steadfast in my resolve on the Cultural Exchange Center aspect of the plan. Mutual ground is a good thing. had to reflect,
Jeff
E-Mail # 4:
Glen,
I spoke to Richard twice about these matters. I suppose I should not do that but it happened. He was understanding and condolences. I told him that a offer from there would help distance political suspicion. He emailed me later and said they had offered help, places for planes to land as well as condolences. he asked first of all about my family. I thanked him and shared some information of what was going on. They were not getting all the news but most. Tomorrow I wait to hear about three relatives who we have not heard from but the hectic nature of things...
I feel good about it for some reason. I hope they are OK and just feel that they are.
I will not be able to get the information as planned for tomorrow.
I have some other news but it is late, I am tired.
My best,
Thanks,
Jeff