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My reaction to your piece, my reaction to ALL the eyewitness stories I've heard from friends, acquaintances, and strangers, my reaction to what I saw on TV Tuesday...is that our mealy-mouthed politicians whose foolish foreign policy decisions over decades sowed hatred for America around the world and whose negligence allowed Tuesday's atrocity to happen do not deserve to represent the citizens of this country. The heroes in NYC were the ordinary people who were caught in hellish chaos and the rescue workers who have tried to pick up the pieces.

The only politician who did not make me want to spit was Giuliani. He seemed real and sincere. The rest of the Congressional clowns with their prepared speeches, Bush reading from a TeleprompTer--they should all be voted out of office next election, every single one of them. THEY LET US DOWN. So did the FBI and the CIA and the NSA all the other alphabet soup bozos. So did the airlines more obsessed with packing asses in seats than with getting those asses to their destinations alive.

I would hope this Sleeping Giant will wake up to the fact that we have allowed shameless charlatans and greedhead corporations a free lunch at our expense for too long. When it was just our tax money, our schools, and other domestic problems it was bad enough. But Tuesday was what the military likes to call a CLUSTERFUCK of the first magnitude.

I'm not out for "Arab" blood--not all Middle Easterners are Arabs, not all Arabs are Muslims--only for that of the actual perpetrators and their enablers. I am FAR more angry with the betrayal from within. I pay taxes and I give my allegiance to my government and in return AT A MINIMUM I expect not to be turned into a flying bomb or incinerated at my desk at work. If the bastards in Washington can't guarantee me that they've seen the last dime of tax money from me they'll ever get, and the last vote.

And if they keep screwing up--if they carpet bomb Afghanistan, a country already in the stone age, to get to one man who may be no more dangerous than the men HE has trained and dispersed around the globe INCLUDING into our own country...if they try to deprive American citizens of civil liberties in the name of "security"...I'm going to do my damndest to emigrate. I'm almost 50 years old and I have been anything from mortified to horrified by the actions of my government since I was 10 years old and told I might not wake up the next day because of something going on in a place called Cuba.

I don't want to live in a country that tries to be the Cop of the World and does that by screwing up in one country after another. There are enough problems in this country--kids graduating from COLLEGE with skills that once wouldn't have gotten someone passed out of 8th grade!--without us presuming to tell ANYONE else how to run their lives. I just want to live mine. If I have to do it in Australia or Canada, countries that mind their own fucking business and will let me mind mine, so be it.

I'm getting too old to wait for this country to smarten up and stop electing one idiot after another. All the calls to 'back the President'--from what I've seen he's got an IQ that would embarass Chippy the Chimp. My life in his hands? NO THANKS. If he follows the course his Daddy's advisors are sure to set for him--he's not smart enough to even speak from his heart on the night of a horrible crisis, of course when he does as someone said he sounds like Sheriff Andy of Mayberry and not the leader of the free world--he's going to turn the whole country into a fuel-laden plane about to hit a solid object. Excuse me if I don't plan to be on it.

Sorry about the rant, bet you're sorry you asked for my comments :). But the entire government is not worth ONE of the firefighters who went into the WTC and never came out. America has some wonderful people--when are they going to get angry at being represented to the world by morons? I can't be the only one.

Thanks...very glad your friends and co-workers are all safe. Take care, Chris in CA

This is from a Canadian newspaper and IS worth sharing....... America: The Good Neighbor. dhughes88@sympatico.ca

I just read your article . It makes you suffering when reading, it is quite intense. Although we have seen and are still looking at these unforgettable. surreal pictures from the US, we feel so concerned as if we were living next to you.

We would like to express our grief and deep thoughs for the victims , their families, their friends. We do share with the United States of America the feelings of shock,sadness and anger- you are not alone -the world will stand behind you.

Nearly an hour ago Europe was standing still. We had stopped working for a three minutes silence break. Europe ist mourning America's dead and all the grief caused.

But we should not forget: No anxiety should reign - but everything should beat anxiety. If people will believe in freedom and love and hold together, the bad will have no chance but will vanish.

With love

Karolin, Germany
PS I hope my English is not too bad ..two other things: Today I got the news of a friend of mine about the birth of her beautiful little girl and the joy and thankfulness of her and her husband.

Also, I celebrated my 36th birthday on Wednesday. Initially I thought about cancelling everything after what had happened the day before but I had invited some good friends,. so I said to myself-it might be that we do not celebrate but I will be with friends however. Although the main issues that evening were the terrible events in the US, my friends made me smile with funny gifts, we had a nice dinner and good talks- I consider this birthday evening as a very special one this year and I will never ever forget this day.

What I want to say with this is that there will always be these little moments in life that make it worth living despite all terrible things going on in the world.

All the best Karolin

My heart is filled with pain and i just still cannot believe what man is capable of doing to another human being. My very deepest symapthy goes to all americans especially to the victims and their shattered families. How horrific and no words can ever express how one can live with such a tragic incident. May God grant eternal rest to the victims. I pray for them and their dear families. Unfortunately i cannot do much from hear in Malta but i promise to remember America in my prayers. When you are a parent, and have family, you can understand more what these poor victims went through.

I can only imagine how neverending those moments were. I cry my heart out and wish i could turn back time only to save those innocent people. God bless us all and america and its people. I personally have been to america twice and i look forward to visit again, but right now, at least i feel, thinking of america will never be the same again.

Again i want to express my heartfelt condolenses to the family victims. May God keep his hands on all of us.

Pierre, Maltese Citizen
married and a 10 month old son, and i thank God for every day he gives me to share with everyone.

Hi, Firstly l am from England.

The first l knew of the events in NY was when my daughter rang me from home to say a plane had hit the World trade Centre. I told the guys in the office and they said it was a wind up things like that dont happen. We put the TV on in the office only to see the second plane hit. Nobody spoke we looked on in disbelief No work was done that afternoon.

I have read your article and would just like to send you and all the American people our heart felt sorrow on the tragic events that have happened to your country.

There are no words that can express our feelings on this Act of War for that is how it seems to many. We are with you in our thoughts and prayers.

Love Elaine, uk

Thanks for your web site.

I am certainly happy for you that you and your friend are ok.

I am still in disbelief over what madness has happened. So many people affected, why?

Telling you what a tragedy this is may at first seem superfluous, but believe you me it is a tragedy. World war three may be the enemy's objective, but if our resolve acts swiftly and surely that catastrophe may be diverted.

I am 44 years old to put things in perspective, conservative politically. At least that's the pigeon hole my beliefs get stuck in by those who create distinctions.

I grew up in India - I was there for about 12 years from birth to 16 years old. Oh yeah - I was born in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Growing up I saw the definition of large scale destitute poverty - the likes this nation has not seen since perhaps the Great Depression. We were fortunate to travel this earth and see how lucky we are to be Americans. From having milk to drink, to TV to watch, to well equipped hospitals. This nation is the best in the world - flat out the best.

I think that in the last twenty years or so this country has grown soft and taken it's good fortune for granted. Certain types of people have permeated the government and allowed it to become weak and take on the mindset of apologist. Of course, the public keep electing those who meet their expectations.

It would be my hope and prayer that one result of this World Trade Center Horror will be that this nation takes to teaching its young the meaning of this country. To require every child to read the Founding Fathers papers, write essays on the Founding Fathers principles, and to do the arithmetic to figure out where they would be if those documents lost their meaning.

The death of those untold thousands should not be in vain or lose their meaning. We are a peace loving people and we let down our guard - the evil that destroyed so many must be vanquished.

Retribution should be certain and severe but not without mercy - I think that if the nations that beget this ask for mercy we should give them mercy so long as we remain on site for a couple of generations to remove their inbred brainwashing.

After World War Two we occupied both our foes lands, they were in complete submission. Now they are our competitors - both in products and culture.

It is ironic in a historical sense that civilization began where the insane people created their dream of harming us in our World Trade Center. Perhaps the sense in all of this will be for us Americans - and our allies - to return civilization to its cradle and nurture freedom as it grows.

I could go on for a long time about this country and what it means to me, instead let me close in giving some links that I find worth reading.

Good luck to you, spend time with family and your former Marine friend - ask him what this country means to him....

Thanks for this opportunity, you are welcome to use this letter, or parts of it, if you would please credit my name. However please omit my e-mail address and town/state. :-o )

Robert, Laurel, Maryland National Archives and Records Administration Home Page http://www.nara.gov/ Charters of Freedom Exhibit http://www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/charters.html Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights The Federalist Papers http://memory.loc.gov/const/fed/fedpapers.html

We seem so far away on our little Island in England.

But our sense of grief and utter disbelief is as great as yours. Surreal is certainly the word which has passed my lips so many times over the past few days, watching the pictures on TV one almost expects to see Bruce Willis march out of the building like a film.

This isn't a film. This is real and will certainly change the lives of us all forever!!!!!

It is so hard as a mother to try and impress on my young teenage son that not only has he watched history being made that this is no film, whilst there are many, many hero's they are real ones and not Hollywood made.

I am so glad you, and all your collegues got home safe to have that hug from your kids. Puts life into perspective doesn't it. The last thing many of those poor people in that building did was to call home and just say I LOVE YOU to the people they care about. That is one of the things that will come out of this, I will certainly remember to tell those I love just how much they do mean to me.

The whole world is in deep shock. I only hope that love and deep understanding of human suffering will overcome the evil that was committed on Tuesday 11th September 2001.

Sue from the UK

God Bless you and your friends. Our prayers are with all of you, New York and D.C... I am also awaiting word on a missing loved one from one of the Towers.

jdschmidt

Thank you for sharing your story. I live in a tiny town (pop. 300) in eastern Washington and I can only imagine what it has been like for you and other New Yorkers. I can not get the images from tv out of my mind. To have witnessed it firsthand had to have been horrific. I close my eyes and still see the bodies falling from the building. I pray for all America and especially those who have suffered.

Mary

I am just moved by your story and accounting of your friend Bill. I live in WA state and watched in horror as the 2nd plane came at the 2nd tower. It was 5:45 AM here. I just happened to not be able to sleep that morning after my husband went to work.

I feel so many emotions, as do all the Americans. Your story and web site was terrific! I have never been to NYC. And for me to be able to get linked to the site that showed the towers in all their glory was wonderful, and it put things in an even more REAL perspective for me. I also know as you stated that our country has awaken and its coming together stronger and prouder than ever before.

Thank you for your story and I am so glad to know your friend made it out alive. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Kari

Marysville WA

I was fascinated by the account you have given, and emotionally affected. I am an American working in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I am proud to be an American, and I agree with your comments about ' waking the sleeping giant '. I hope that America finds those responsible, all of them, and punishes them. As you said, we have tolerated much for many years.

This event requires action.

I just felt the need to reply to this.

Sincerely, Jerry
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

As a Canadian citizen, I've always taken comfort in the fact that if "those Americans ever started a war, we'd be safe. Because we're Canadian and no one hates Canadians". Not anymore. I'm ashamed to have even thought that.

The events of the last few days have affected us profoundly. We feel your pain and fear just the same.

I remember my world almost stopping on Tuesday when I first heard of the plane crashes on television. The entire day at work, customers came in with fear and sadness in their eyes, waiting to get home to their families. Flags are flying at half-mast, stores closing early.

We talk about it as if it happened to us. We're uncertain of the future, still paralyzed by disbelief. Everyone I know is touched by this tragedy. My uncle is president of an accounting firm in Toronto, who does (did) business with a brokerage firm in the South Tower of WTC. He lost friends and collegues. My mother runs the emergency room of one of the busiest hospitals in Canada, and had to put the contingency plan into effect, as we were expecting to treat American citizens.

I personally know of a few paramedics who went with the relief convoy to New York. Things like that make me proud to be Canadian, to jump at the chance to help. And I realize that Americans would do the same for us. I've noticed that these events have brought us (and will bring us) closer together in the years to come. No more of that "stupid Canadian-arrogant American" ideology. And with thoughts of blind, violent revenge racing over the continent like wildfire, we must keep our heads level.

Already we see images of small children burning American flags and toting machine guns in other nations, taught to hate what they don't know. I'm a strong advocate of accountability and justice, but I also recognize that this vicious cycle of hatred and terror cannot be stopped with a sky full of bombs.

My words may make me sound like a pacifist, but I see the bigger issue. I believe we should look towards the courage and heroism of the American and Canadian peoples for dealing so well with so overwhelming an event.

Hopefully, this will allow us to do justice with a steady hand. I'll leave you with something to think about, a disturbing prophecy from Nostradamus, 16th century philosopher, that has been spreading across the Internet the past few days. I'm sure you've seen it already. "In the City of God there will be a great thunder, Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the fortress endures, the great leader will succumb" , "The third big war will begin when the big city is burning"

NOTE: This "prophecy" turned out to be a hoax, written after the vents of 9/11. Also, "I know not with what weapons world war three will be fought, but world war four will be fought with sticks and stones." -Albert Einstein I would like to say that your personal recollection of the events of September 11th was well written and well read, and inspired me to write this piece here. Please feel free to respond to it, and inform me if you would like to post any part of it. Also, please pass along my sympathy and respect to any victims and their families that you may know of. Thank You.

Sincerely,

Jeff
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

thank you for a very descriptive account of your experiance on that horrible day. I am not familiar with the manhatten area yet in reading your account, I was actually able to visualize where you were and what was going on around you as if I had been there myself. I thank god that I,or any of my family or friends,were not there. My heart goes out to you and anyone who may be missing from your circle of associates.

Sincerely, Jon at pacbell.net

The stories of Arabs celebrating are very likely to be imaginary. We often get stories like that in India eg Muslims celebrating Pakistan's success in a cricket match vs India...which are more to do with the general perception rather than reality...along with the usual rumours of poisoned water supply etc.And if so many people knew beforehand how come the US govt didn't? In any case, are you sure that people in the US really know what an Arab looks like? We hear reports of Sikhs being mistaken for Muslims!

Best wishes, Ashutosh India.com

I haven't any idea who you are, but I am incredibly touched by you and your friend's first hand story. I thank you deeply for taking the time (maybe it's your way to heal) and sharing these moments with the rest of the country.

I live in the Phoenix metro area, and I have been saying thank God I work in out in the desert away from all the "rich" targets of interest. These last days have sparked to life incredible feelings in me, my family and friends out west, and I hope you know that even though you are thousands of miles distant, we are all Americans, and we are waiting for the best way to help.

Today I found a page on Amazon.com where direct donations are being taken, and I pulled out my wallet and made a contribution. I mean this in every sense, all it takes is an email, and the people of my community will rally to provide any relief supplies that maybe needed.

We have arranged a blood mobile to come to our community, and our church has held two services to pray for the families, and for more survivors to be saved. You are at ground zero as they are calling it, and all it takes is an email.......a few keystrokes and our community will start packing boxes......

Thanks again for the wonderfully written story, and please pass along to your friend, my congratulations on his successful escape.

Rick, Arizona