[Frames] ..::|::.. [No Frames]
	I was in third period choir at school when I heard about the terrorist acts on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, over a month ago. September 11th, 2001. That date will live forever in history, but for me, I will always remember it as the day that my feeling of safety and faith in this world was challenged. It was an eye-opener to reality, as I have lived the first 15 years of my life believing that of all things I had to fear, an attack on my country and my right to live would never be one of them. I can see now that I was terribly mistaken, and sadly, with that misunderstanding went a part of me that said all people had good in them. That nobody truly believed it was right to kill others. It is as if someone has chipped off a piece of my innocense, leaving me with a less than whole self. I quote Neil Gaiman when I say, "Innocense, once lost, is never regained." I can never again cling to that oblivion where everyone is kind and loving. Where any given stranger deserves my trust. But I refuse to let a simple-minded man's cruel actions destroy what I have left. Myself as a person, the United States as a nation, and people around the world as a whole, need to look past the hatred we have recently been exposed to, so that we may see the caring and hope in the eyes of each other. Now I quote Paul McCartney in saying that "when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree, there will be an answer." Until we learn to truly agree with each other, not just our allies, but also those subjected to the teachings of our enemies, we cannot stop this cry of sorrow that is felt worldwide. This is not about plowing through the problem or going around it, this is about changing the problem until it no longer is one. The two songs below have lyrics that recently I have taken to a new light. I hope they mean something to you as much as they have to me.
Let It Be			Where's The Love
By Paul McCartney			By Hanson/M. Hudson/S. Salover
When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. And when the broken hearted people Living in the world agree, There will be an answer, let it be. For though they may be parted there is Still a chance that they will see There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. And when the night is cloudy, There is still a light that shines on me, Shine on until tomorrow, let it be. I wake up to the sound of music Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be. There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be. There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.			Something has been going on And I don't know what it is You don't mind the taking girl, But you don't know how to give You drove me crazy, but I don't know baby You're thinking that it's me you're fooling Where's the right in, all of our fighting Look at what you're doing Where's the love, It's not enough It makes the world go 'round and 'round and... Where's the love, Give it up It makes the world go 'round and 'round and 'round Can you tell me what you see Whenever you look around We're tripping all over ourselves And pulling each other down We're separating, consciousness is fading Are you thinking that it's me you're fooling Where's the right in, all of our fighting Look at, look at, look at what we're doing Where's the love, It's not enough It makes the world go 'round and 'round and... Where's the love, Give it up It makes the world go 'round and 'round and 'round Dark clouds all around, Lightning, rain pouring down Waiting for the bright light to break through Face down on the ground Pick us up at the lost and found We've got to change our point of view, If we want the sky blue We're segregating, consciences are fading You're thinking that it's me you're fooling Where's the right in, all of our fighting Look at what we're doing Where's the love, It's not enough It makes the world go 'round and 'round and... Where's the love, Give it up It makes the world go 'round and 'round and 'round Won't you, won't you give it up