Wow Julie. To some I am abrasive. You are a brillo pad.
My BB love-list for today:
heidi
DMK
Becca–we may disagree on things aside from Armani suits but I luv ya!
JAIR
ClipClop–shhh I agree with you on a few points, which we won’t discuss now because there’s been enough fighting 
and it seems like you could use some hugs
My BB ‘let’s have some more constructive criticism’ list fo rthe day:
JumpHigh–if you’re still around here–you may not like it but I’d rather be called a “snivelling peace-lover” anyday than a “bitter, nationalistic, overzealous, etc. etc. war-lover” Maybe it’s just me but war is not something I’d like to encourage, call me unpatriotic if you will. Trust me, I love America, it does have its shortcomings, all countries do, but it’s a great place. We try to help out, we try to stop fighting, we try to be good. When bad things happen, no one wants a war. If we have one, so be it, I’ll support our cause, maybe not gladly, but I’ll do it. OK, done.
and to pt–that ‘indefensible attitude’ comment you made was rude and uncalled for. You may not agree with ClipClop, but tolerate his/her opinions. Intolerant attitudes caused this whole tragic situation, let’s not fuel another one.
OK, now I’m really done
Can we all try to get along, PLEASE? 
~KBird
People saw it.
What a horrible horrible day. They have closed down all Monroe County offices here as well as most of the schools and afterschool activities.
Whoever did this will be punished.
My uncle works in WAshington and he is OK, heading home to VA. It will probably take him several hours to get there, if he even can get home. 
My prayers go out to all in NYC.
Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group of North America
Hi Barb,
I am glad your husband is OK.
Thank You, Jair.
While patriotism and love for your country is a powerful tool, and necessary in a time of such crisis, arrogance and belittling other nations, most especially those who have offered their condolences and undying support to us, is unacceptable and treasonous to the cause and intent that all of the patriotism and unity is striving to obtain. We are a great nation, but because we are a part of a great world mad eup of many other great nations. We would be no where without the support and care of those other great countries and states. We need every friend that we have at this moment, because that is one of the few thigns we truly do have. Do not go so far on your love for your own country as to destroy that.
Coming back with
> IF THIS IS A TRUE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE ON AMERICA, I AM IN
AWE…
This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing.
America: The Good Neighbor.
Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a
remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a
Canadian television commentator.
What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the
Congressional Record:
“This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the
most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the
earth.
Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted
out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of
dollars and forgave other billions in debts.
None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its
remaining debts to the United States.
When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans
; who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on
the streets of Paris. I was there.
I saw it.
When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that
hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened
by tornadoes. Nobody helped.
The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into
discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing
about the decadent, warmongering Americans.
I’d like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the
erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane.
Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing
Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10?
If so, why don’t they fly them?
Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?
Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on
the moon?
You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios.
You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.
You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon-not
once, but several times-and safely home again.
You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store
window for everybody to look at.
Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on
our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws,
are getting American dollars
from ma and pa at home to spend here.
When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down
through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them.
When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke,
nobody loaned them an old caboose.
Both are still broke.
I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other
people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced
to the Americans in
trouble?
I don’t think there was outside help even during the San Francisco
earthquake.
Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I’m one Canadian who is damned
tired of hearing them get kicked
around.
They will come out of this thing with their flag high.
And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands
that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one
of those.”
Stand proud, America!
I would hope that each of you would send this to as many people as you
can and emphasize that they should send it to as many of their friends
until this letter is sent to every person on the web.
a copy and paste…
Betsy
Lead, follow, or get out of the way…
and is being evacuated!
I just got home from Midtown NYC (I work in a landmark building which was evacuated as a precaution). I haven’t read the posts but if you all don’t know, all transportation out of Manhattan is suspended and cell phone traffic is severely limited if you are trying to reach someone (my cell phone didn’t work until I reached the Bronx).
The trains are suspended and all of the bridges and tunnels are closed except for emergency transport (and I think the 59th Street and Queensboro bridges are still open to ordinary traffic).
I was lucky catch a cab driver almost immediately after the explosions and who didn’t have a radio on and had no idea about the tradegy. It still took me 3 hours to go the 18 miles home. :-(( It cost me a fortune but I feel so lucky to be out of NYC. I think I can stop shaking now.
I have been able to get in touch with most of my friends who work in lower Manhattan. Some I still can’t contact. :-(( I could see the smoke and fire from my offices. This is so incredibly tragic.
Velvet:
Wow, give the guy a break! First of all, President Bush was at a school when he learned of this terrible tragedy. It only makes sense that his first comments would be made from there.
Second, I thought his speech was very well presented last night. This is a time when all Americans need to come together and support our leader and not pick apart his every word. How trivial of you to be offended. Just think of the thousands of innocent Americans who lost their lives yesterday. Makes our little problems not quite as important.
On the contrary, our pride is one of the strongest most powerful things we have. It is, however, of necessity to recognize the diversity that thrives within many mediums- our community on the bulletin board, our communtiy nation wide, our community world wide- you have every right to your opinion, and pride, and nationalism, but do not let it me a fault to you, or those who surround you.
Pride comes with many responsibilities, inclusive in those being able to control how you express that, and respecting those who may be have a varying opinion but have had the decency to recognize you for your passions as well.
People from Canada, etc. do not need to leave because they too have a national pride. They need to be able to share that with us so our sense of national unity can extend to a sense of world wide unity so we can refute the actions against us, and so that we may continue to have our pride and our passion in freedom.
Please remember that “We” may not refer to only you, me, and him who are all Americans, but also a greater “We,” and a powerful “We” that we should all be proud to be a part of, and do our part to embrace the others who are a part of that rather than top push them away with so called pride. There is a great distinction between pride and elitism.
Retaliate or not? I’m horrified and furious.
This is hearsay, but there was a report that passengers with cell phones were able to communicate some bits of what was going on one of the planes.
I sudder for the future of our country. You can NOT reason with, be “nice” too, or negotiate with TERRORISTS!!! They HATE us…their WOMEN MEN AND CHILDREN HATE us…we cannot stand for them coming into our country and threatening our way of life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness! I say, YES this IS a declaration of war. Why is it so hard to call a spade a spade? Those who take offense at the president speaking with “children” behind him…GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE…those are the same children that will be blasted out of their schools, playgrounds and churches by TERRORISTS! The president was NOT 'using" them…He happened to be there when he heard of the attacks. With “citizens” like you guys standing in judgement this country doesn’t need enemies. YOU are the enemy and your incidious undermining of the unity of this great country is treasonous. GO ahead…flame me…Truth hurts.
Betsy
Lead, follow, or get out of the way…
JumpHigh83, I won’t even bother to correct you on the “America is the best country in the world” statement. You’re entitled to your opinion on that, just as the UN is entitled to theirs.
I think we could ALL use some counselling, we were(and are) living through a catastrophic event that none of us will ever forget. I’m trying to deal with it the best I can, and I’m sure you are doing the same.
I would like to echo your sentiments “that comment was not just stupid but ignorant too”… exactly what I was thinking about your post earlier. Something tells me we aren’t going to come to an agreement on this one. Please do me a favour though, and refrain from derogatory comments directed at anyone who is hoping and praying for peace. You seem to be fond of the desription “snivelling peace lovers”… I cried a lot yesterday, and I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t think it makes me any less strong or courageous than anyone else. It is people who hide their fear behind unprovoked agression that I find to be cowardly- up to and including terrorists.
around the White House as well. They evacuated that. They’re evacuating EVERYTHING!
I want heads.
–My most accommodating strength is my willingness to humiliate myself
I didn’t vote for Bush, and don’t really care for the man at all… but AS PRESIDENT he deserves our respect and support. The absolute worst thing we can do as a country is to further divide our resources and energy.
If Dressage is a Symphony… Eventing is Rock & Roll!
but what purpose does your criticizing President Bush serve. There are many who did not vote for him who are not using this opportunity to denounce his every action and word. In your last post, you inidicate that he was “using” the children at the school and in the same sentence that “they served no purpose.” So if they served no purpose, how were they used? I don’t understand your reasoning and don’t understand what it is that Bush could do right now that would make you feel more satisfied.
My thoughts are with all who have experienced loss in this nightmare and for those who continue to endure not knowing.
Thanks, Becca and Louise - although I will let you in on a secret… I plaguarized Patrick Henry
I dunno, VT - Becca’s way up in the BAY nag contest 
Worthy - I doubt Americans feel too invincible today… But yes, a nation is little more than it’s people, and people are just chock full of humanity. Humanity has faults as well as good points.
However, I would not assume that because CNN showed 10, 100 or 1000 Palestinian children dancing in the streets that this in any way represented the thoughts, beliefs and convictions of ALL Palestinians. Conversely when one sees a level of arrogance conveyed by 10, 100 or 1000 Americans (in person or in the media), it might not be appropriate to think that this represents the thoughts, beliefs or convictions of ALL Americans.
However, if an action by this Nation’s government is viewed as arrogant by one, I accept that the government that represents me has acted arrogantly in one’s eyes. But even then, one cannot know how I, as an individual felt about that action.
please keep us updated thankyou so much to all of you for updating us it is impossible to get any info the internet is backed up…I am shaking and horrified … my prayers go out to all of you.
