Reflections of 9/11
Sunday, September 10, 2006Beverly White of Blackville
Has America “forgotten” what happened on Sept. 11, 2001?
No. The tragedy of 9-11 will never be forgotten.
Is America safer today from terrorism than on Sept. 11, 2001?
No. More awareness was placed on terrorism, but I don’t feel that a great deal has really been done regarding safety.
Have the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 been memorialized in an adequate way?
No I don’t feel that there is such as thing as adequately memorializing your loved ones.
Has the war on terror been effective in punishing those responsible for 9-11?
No. Because in my opinion, the main criminal and also our president, Mr. George Bush, was overlooked.
Will the United States ever capture or kill Osama bin Laden?
No, because I am beginning to think the man has more lives than a cat.
Are you afraid of being the target of a terrorist attack?
While I feel that another attack is probable in the near future, I have taught myself not to focus so much on fear therefore, I have learned to pray and hope for peace.
Is terrorism and Middle East conflict the prelude to a third world war?
Yes. I do believe it is. It is really scary when you can look in your local newspaper and see people that were killed in the war that you personally knew. I am from the very small town of Blackville, South Carolina and it is unbelievable the number of people that were killed in these small local areas. Aˇ third world war is very close to home in my opinion.
– Reported by T&D Correspondent Lisa Stokes
Danny Rivers, Orangeburg County EMS director
Is America safer today from terrorism than on Sept. 11, 2001?
Yes, I think so. There are a lot more screenings done at airports now, for one example.
Will the United States ever capture or kill Osama bin Laden?
No, I don#,t think so. I think there are enough of his allies hiding him out that he will never be caught.
Are you afraid of being the target of a terrorist attack?
No, I don’t think so. I don’t think Orangeburg is a high-enough priority to be a target for an attack.
Is the war in Iraq making the United States more or less secure from terrorism?
I think less. The longer we are over there, the more they dislike us.
Is terrorism and the Middle East conflict the prelude to a third world war?
No. There are too many who wouldn#,t allow it get to that.
– Reported by T&D Correspondent Tamera Lank.
Frank Staley of Washington, D.C., an Orangeburg native. Staley is a Korean War veteran, life member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8166 and an American Legion Paid Up for Life member.
Is America safer today from terrorism than on Sept. 11, 2001?
In many ways, yes. One of the best security aspects of current-day travel is fellow passengers. Working in the industry, I am appalled at the amount of money that has been wasted by those charged with establishing and running the U.S. agency charged with that mission.
There are some really dedicated and professional people working for the Transportation Security Administration, but there were and still are far too many crony-istic people and aspects of that agency. We’re all human, but their charter/mission is too important for the idle waste of resources that has occurred.
Have the victims of Sept. 11 been memorialized in an adequate way?
I think so. Let them rest in peace and let their surviving family and friends’ minds be at rest, as much as that can be.
With all due respect, are the memories and lives of those who perished, for example, in Oklahoma City any less important than those of 9-11? What about those who perished in the post 9-11 terrorist attacks in Spain and Great Britain?
They are all deserving of our honor, respect and memory, just as are those we honor on Memorial Day and other similar commemorative events.
Has the war on terror been effective in punishing those responsible for 9-11?
We really don’t know and possibly never will in our lifetime.
Will the United States ever capture or kill Osama bin Laden?
That is the multi-million dollar question. Everybody talks about Osama this, Osama that, but few want to admit who trained him, who supported him (fiscally, materially, intelligence-wise, etc.): the United States of America.
As long as he was fighting the Soviet Union in Afghanistan as our proxy, we had no problems with him and his. Well, with that foe vanquished, our pit bull turned on us and mighty was his bite and that of his litter.
I ofttimes wonder whether he’s dead and that al-Qaida is not saying because the image of a living, breathing, “the mighty United States can’t find nor capture him,” bin Laden is more valuable to them and their cause than a deceased, martyred bin Laden is.
Will the United States be the target of future terror attacks and the likes of suicide bombers?
This country will continue to be a target for numerous reasons. Regrettably, in too many instances, the image of the ugly American is still true.
Additionally, we are a country with a mere few centuries’ worth of history, yet we go to other countries, countries with thousands of years of history and, like bulls in a china shop, demand that they change, accept our way of thinking, our way of life just because we say so, with almost complete and utter disregard for their history and culture.
Then we wonder why the peoples of so many countries despise and otherwise hate us?
Ever notice how successful our Special Forces were in the initial stages and phases of Afghanistan and wonder why? They at least showed some respect for the culture and heritage of those whose confidence and cooperation they were trying to garner.
In the majority of instances, even when they failed to lure them over to our side, they at least earned the respect of the native population.
The vast majority of their effort was undone and their gains unraveled when subsequent forces moved in and the Special Ops forces were pulled out.
Kayla Fogle, Orangeburg County Clemson Extension administrative specialist II
Has America forgotten what happened on September 11, 2001?
America will never forget September 11, 2001. That was a tragedy that will always remain in our minds and hearts.
Is America safer today from terrorism than on September 11, 2001?
America is safer today from terrorism because we are more aware and alert of problems in the United States.
Have the victims of September 11th been memorialized in an adequate way?
The significance that has been put on this day in history itself is a memorial to all the people who lost their lives and loved ones.
There can never be enough memorials.
Has the war on terror been effective in punishing those responsible for September 11, 2001?
No punishments will ever be sufficient or make up for the lives lost on such a dreadful day.
Is terrorism a threat to South Carolina?
I believe that terrorism can be a threat anywhere in the United States, but I do not think South Carolina would be a main target.
Are you afraid of being the target of a terrorist attack?
Yes, it will always cross my mind if I will be safe in my own homeland. I am afraid to fly or travel anywhere because of a possible attack.
Is the war in Iraq making the United States more or less secure from terrorism?
More, because this assures terrorists that we are a country that strives for freedom.
– Reported by T&D Correspondent Leigh Joyner.
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