Tag: september

Where I was on 9/11
Based on an essay of the same title, originally published September 11, 2011

I thought it was an accident. When my high school principal announced over the PA system that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. I distinctly remember hearing someone in the back of the class mutter, “terrorism.”

I was taking a quiz in my third period geometry class fifteen years ago. I was 15 years old, and a sophomore in high school.

I’ve changed a lot over these last fifteen years; we’ve all changed a lot over these last ten years. (more…)
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September 11, 2016
The eve of infamy and where I was on 9/11
Flickr Creative Commons

Originally posted September 11, 2012

As I write these words, the stresses of everyday life come to mind. I think of how busy I am between school, work, and other commitments. I’m so often short-sighted and allow myself to get frustrated. It’s getting late and I jot some thoughts down before going to sleep. On this night, my thoughts are on the past and with people I’ve never met. Thirteen years ago tonight, thousands of Americans went to bed, unaware that it was the eve of their last day on earth.

For me, that’s surreal. Monday was an ordinary start to the work week. In the evening, people played with their kids, and watched Monday Night Football, and kissed their spouses goodnight. They prepared to go on flights for work, or vacation, or just to make it home. They thought about what bill needed to be paid and the home repair which needed to be completed. They went to sleep like it was any other night and woke up to a beautiful Tuesday morning. (more…)
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September 11, 2014
Why gun restrictions are not the solution
How can we prevent more violence? How can we stop bad people from going on killing sprees?

We can’t.

That’s the stark reality.

We can blame society, we can blame guns, violent video games, how parents raise children, how the media sensationalizes these massacres, or a host of other factors. But there isn’t one reason why these things happen. There isn’t one thing that we can eliminate that will make these things impossible. For as long as there are people who have the volition to act as morally autonomous beings, these tragedies will be possible. And there is nothing that can stop that. (more…)
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December 18, 2012
The eve of infamy; and where I was on 9/11
Flickr Creative Commons

As I write these words, the stresses of everyday life come to mind. I think of how busy I am between school, work, and other commitments. I’m so often shortsighted and allow myself to get frustrated. It’s getting late and I jot some thoughts down before going to sleep. On this night, my thoughts are on the past and with people I’ve never met. Eleven years ago tonight, thousands of Americans went to bed, unaware that it was the eve of their last day on earth.

For me, that’s surreal. Monday was an ordinary start to the work week. In the evening, people played with their kids, and watched Monday Night Football, and kissed their spouses goodnight. They prepared to go on flights for work, or vacation, or just to make it home. They thought about what bill needed to be paid and the home repair which needed to be completed. They went to sleep like it was any other night and woke up to a beautiful Tuesday morning. (more…)
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September 11, 2012