What The Holy Hell Is Going On?

[Kieron]

Ritt,

There are no words to convey how I feel after reading your account. I am very glad to hear that you are safe. Thank you so very much for all you have done and for sharing it with us, a bunch of people whom you know as a bunch of text on a screen. Hopefully, someday, I will meet you in person and shake your hand. It's a little gesture, I know, but it's a start. It is the volunteers like you whose sacrifice, along with the dedication and hard work of the police, firefighters, and rescue teams, which has been an indication of the determination and true nature of the United States. It has not gone unnoticed, both at home and around the world.

[Handyman]

You ever felt the need for someone...anyone...to just grab you and hug you and make you feel secure in the knowledge that everything will be ok? Take that feeling and multiply it by 100 and you are where I am :(

[Bobo]

Roy,

We're on the same side and want the same thing. And I apologize for being insulting. I pray we never go through a tougher time than this.


The national anthemn at Buckingham Palace, the stories of the calls from the planes, the pictures of missing friends and relatives posted on signposts...tear my heart out. I think a slow, burning rage describes it.

[walrus]

Ritt
First off, glad to hear you are ok. Your post moved me to tears. You can bet the people of Maine are ready, willing and able to step up for our country. Thanks for your help and words that put a face(even if I have never seen or met you) to the disaster.

[Husky Fan Roy]

Bobo,

We are definitally on the same side and most of us do have a slow burning rage inside of us. I think a lot of mine comes from the huge feeling of helplessness. I think from watching all the TV coverage and listening to the radio coverage rehash the events over and over make it worse. I think I need to step back and reflect over the weekend. These events definitally have helped put things in perspective to me on who or what matters to me.

[Section96]

I lost it when I watched the interview with the CEO from Cantor Fitzgerald last night. 700 people gone! He would have been one of them, had he not went with his 5 year old son to his first day of kindergarten. Unbelievable.

[Jon]

Thank God Ritt is still with us. ;)

[Scott Murphy]

Originally posted by Got 6, Want More
VicB,

That is a very original thought, and a good idea. Does anyone know if you have to be in the military to be honored in such a way as this?

I noted this on another thread. The Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded only to those military personnel who demonstrated extraordinary heroism during combat. Most of its recipients are awarded it posthumously. A higher ranking officer is required to salute lower ranking wearer, even a private, first rather than the other way around, as is tradition.

While I certainly appreciate Vic's sentiments and share them. I would be opposed to the CMH being awarded to non-combatants. There are other awards/medals that can be and have been issued to civilians who demonstrate that degree of heroism. My .02.

[vicb]

Originally posted by Got 6, Want More
VicB,

That is a very original thought, and a good idea. Does anyone know if you have to be in the military to be honored in such a way as this?

I looked this up. The Congressional Medal of Honor is meant for active Military. I still wrote (emailed) my Congressman and both Senators form Maryland asking that some honor be bestowed on the passengers of United filght 93. I hope others will follow me.

[Handyman]

Some may find this inappropiate, but I find the lyrics to the song quite helpful and such...

We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment,
We are choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside
This holy reality, this holy experience.
Choosing to be here in

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal
All this pain is an illusion.

Alive, I

In this holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal
All this pain is an illusion.

Twirling round with this familiar parable.
Spinning, weaving round each new experience.
Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing.

This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality.
Embrace this moment. Remember. We are eternal.
All this pain is an illusion.

If any of you can name the band I would be quite surprised...or maybe not I guess. I guess nothing shocks me anymore :(

[Greyeagle]

Great idea Vic. Check out this column from todays St. Paul paper.

http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/mtc_docs/134112.htm


I also was moved by the interview with the Cantor CEO. Truely a moving interview and the tears were flowing when my wife and watched it.


Bobo - What do you think the timing will be for a retalitory strike of somesort. My gut tells me this weekend will be interesting, but iI'd be curious to hear your opinion as you were a professional
:cool: in this field. Thanks.

Everyone - remember what Ferris Bueller said - "I don't really like any isms. I suscribe to being human." I know it's not an accurate quote (and someone will probably know it) but the point remains. Don't get caught up in labeling others or yourself.

[Randy May]

Originally posted by Scott Murphy



While I certainly appreciate Vic's sentiments and share them. I would be opposed to the CMH being awarded to non-combatants.

Poor choice of words IMO.

[Handyman]

I saw that interview like 3 times...I still cant believe it!! Didnt he lose his brother also?

[Husky Fan Roy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Handyman
I saw that interview like 3 times...I still cant believe it!! Didnt he lose his brother also? [/QUOTE

Yes he did.

[vicb]

Now that our "Friends" in Europe have had a day to mull over things it appears they may not be backing us 100%.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1729

[Got 6, Want More]

VicB,

Check this out:

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010914/pl/attack_pennsylvania_dc_1.html

Looks like this is in progress. The highest Civilian Honor is the Presidential Medal of Freedom!

[Todd Patten]

Originally posted by vicb
I just wish that all the name calling and rancor on this post would stop. I plan on doing the following and I would hope some of you would take the time to also do this.

While this is a tragic time in our countries history, there are many heroic acts of bravery that have occurred. I'd like to focus on those brave passengers and crew of United Flight 93. One of the passengers had been communicating with their loved ones on a cell phone and knew about the tragedies at the WTC and Pentagon. Some of them, God bless their souls, decided that they would not go down without a fight and decided to try to over power the hijackers. Unfortunately, we all know the results of their bravery. While losing their own lives they probably saved countless other lives on the ground. I would think that a Congressional Medal of Honor should be awarded to those on that plane. I plan to write my congressman asking that they be so honored. I would hope each and everyone of you who have the time to snipe at one another on this board will forget about the bickering and take some time to do likewise.

It was said on the news today that they will receive a medal of honor -- not military -- but they will receive a medal. It's a small token, but I guess it's the best that can be done at this point.

[Alton]

The appropriate award in this case, I believe, is the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is the highest civilian award.

http://sites.netscape.net/presmedoffreed/award

Something in me agrees with the Congressional Medal of Honor idea, though.

[jen]

I don't think words can express what anyone is feeling right now. I've kind of stepped back from expressing any opinions here, because words don't seem to be enough for the level and array of emotions most people are dealing with.

There is a guy that works next to me.. he seems completely untouched by all of this. It was one day of "oh, that's sad" to back to normal, joking with co-workers and being a general annoyance. Everyone else is subdued - in all ways. I can't imagine it ever being the same again. I feel more like dan, I suppose - I heard God Bless the USA on the radio on the way home from work and cried... God Bless America on the steps of the Capitol, etc.

However, I don't feel any anger - mostly fear of what will happen next. I know that's exactly what the terrorists want, but I can't help thinking it's not over, and what comes next may be even worse - or how the US responds will make it worse. We are not invincible, and I don't think we need to be reminded again.

[Craig P.]

There's no question that medals are appropriate for the passengers on Flight 93 if they resisted the hijackers. However, having read the stories of at least a couple of Congressional Medal of Honor winners, I'm not sure that medal is appropriate for the actions that were taken by those passengers. I'm all for honoring those passengers, and certainly I don't want to diminish their actions, but neither do I want to diminish the actions of the other heroes who were awarded such medals as these passengers may receive.

Having read the description of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, I think that is the most appropriate award.