9/11

9/11; September 11th; doesn't need much introduction or description. I am guessing we all know where we were and how we heard the news. How we feel the world changed forever that day. The repercussions are afterall still filling the news to this very day. The situation in Afghanistan and Iraq bear witness to the West's response.

I have watched nearly all the 9/11 programmes which have been on over the past week. Channel 4 have had some interesting documentaries - especially the simply titled '9/11' - a story told by two French brothers who were making a documentary about a 'probbie' - a firefighter on probation in a downtown fire station. They were ruing the fact that all summer the probbie had been a white cloud for the station - meaning that the summer had been quiet in fire fighting terms. The documentary makers were with the fire crew who went out to investigate the gas leak earlier that morning - putting them on location to film the first plane hitting the North Tower. I watched this programme and the feeling of shock at witnessing the events was still there. Goosebumps and hairs on my neck upstanding.

'9/11 the Miracle of Stairway B'; proof that every day decisions can be the difference between living or dying. 'The Path to 9/11', an examination of all the decisions prior to the main event from a supposedly wealthy and informed government. The fact is that to avert the terrorists takes money and time. Perhaps this time and money should be directed to listening and understanding.

I wonder if so much time and effort will ever be invested into the stories of the other countries suffering from bombs and daily loss of innocent life.

When will man ever learn? Today the western world seems to think the war on terror is failing. So what are we fighting for? The world has changed so much in five years. The awareness is always there. But the problem isn't going away - where there is a will there is a way - as I am sure future events will prove. In the meantime - tell the people you love that you do and treat each other the way you would like to be treated. It's a precious commodity yet day to day we take it for granted. So don't.

For all those wherever they are who have lost their life needlessly - may your god be with you.