The Best and Worst of Human Nature
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2001 2:30 am
The last few days have been truly incredible. We have borne witness to the worse depravity humanity is capable of, as armed terrorists steered hijacked planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Countless thousands have lost their lives in these vicious attacks while some individuals in Palestine have celebrated the carnage and danced in the streets.
And yet we have also seen human kind at it’s very best. Fireman and Police officers who selflessly went into the burning buildings, came out with rescued civilians, then went right back in until the Twin Towers collapsed down upon them. Millions of people have sprung into action to donate blood and offer to help in any way they can. Passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 fought the terrorists and forced the plane to crash into the Pennsylvania countryside rather than let it ram into another building or perhaps even Air Force One itself. Republicans and Democrats stand united on the steps of the Capitol and spontaneously break out into a tear-jerking rendition of God Bless America. New Yorkers lay flowers on the ruined hulks of fire trucks and scrawl the word HEROES in the dust on the vehicles. Almost all the civilized nations of the world have pledged unequivocal support and aid for the United States as their citizens put wreathes and cards in front of American Embassies.
American patriotism is at the highest it’s been since the Second World War. If the terrorists’ hoped to fracture America with this cravenly attack they’ve failed. We stand in unity; black and white, men and women, adults and children. We will not allow this to destroy the American way of life. We will win this war.
Just as much as I’m enraged at the slaughter of innocents (people I knew have died), I’m blown away by the compassion the other countries of the world have shown for us in this time of tragedy. Thanks guys, you’ve restored my faith in humanity.
And yet we have also seen human kind at it’s very best. Fireman and Police officers who selflessly went into the burning buildings, came out with rescued civilians, then went right back in until the Twin Towers collapsed down upon them. Millions of people have sprung into action to donate blood and offer to help in any way they can. Passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 fought the terrorists and forced the plane to crash into the Pennsylvania countryside rather than let it ram into another building or perhaps even Air Force One itself. Republicans and Democrats stand united on the steps of the Capitol and spontaneously break out into a tear-jerking rendition of God Bless America. New Yorkers lay flowers on the ruined hulks of fire trucks and scrawl the word HEROES in the dust on the vehicles. Almost all the civilized nations of the world have pledged unequivocal support and aid for the United States as their citizens put wreathes and cards in front of American Embassies.
American patriotism is at the highest it’s been since the Second World War. If the terrorists’ hoped to fracture America with this cravenly attack they’ve failed. We stand in unity; black and white, men and women, adults and children. We will not allow this to destroy the American way of life. We will win this war.
Just as much as I’m enraged at the slaughter of innocents (people I knew have died), I’m blown away by the compassion the other countries of the world have shown for us in this time of tragedy. Thanks guys, you’ve restored my faith in humanity.