[11 September 2001 journal entry]
Today history radically changed. Two commercial jets were hijacked in Boston and intentionally flown into the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center (resulting in thousands of casualties after both towers collapsed). Forty minutes later, another commercial jet hijacked at Dulles airport was flown into the Pentagon (resulting in hundreds of causalities). The human, material, and symbolic consequences are beyond calculation. I was taking my youngest daughter – 12 years old -- to her riding lesson when the news began to break. During the day and at dinner, we discussed these events together with her – e.g., ‘terror’, terrorism, religious and political fundamentalism, why the United States is vilified, the core conflict re individual freedom, . . . . Before going to bed, I sent the following reflections to a physician colleague and close friend:
“Yes, today is one of those rare days about which, years from now, we will know exactly where we were and what we were doing. As for initial attempts to frame today’s terrorist actions, I think a democracy – with such high value placed on individual freedom – permits travel liberties and restricts government, with an implied willingness to risk such ‘first blows’ as happened today. I think our society has placed such a high priority on convenience and is so impatient that, as a consequence, our border security and airport security have been very minimal and very lax, again inviting such events as happened today (e.g., plane hijackings from so many different airports at the same time). I do not yet understand how an airliner can turn abruptly due south and fly for thirty minutes directly into New York City air space and the airline/security authorities be surprised (i.e., the Pearl Harbor surprise all over). Nor do I yet understand how the Pentagon can be such an easy target.”
During the days after September 11, my wife and I have had several conversations with our daughter about her questions and observations – e.g., “Why would these people hate us so much?” . . . “I have never thought of myself as someone’s enemy before.” . . . “Why did this have to happen in my generation?” . . . “Why would I wish this to happen in my children’s generation instead of mine?” . . . “This isn’t going to be over soon, is it?” . . . “Dad, will you have to fight?” . . . “Dad, if something happens to you on the way to Phoenix (October 12), I will just go to pieces.” . . . “What’s the difference between justice and revenge?”
