"My heart aches for the victims, their families, and the friends. Thank
you to all the volunteers, the rescue workers, the donations, the countries
all over the world who have aided in our time of tragedy. This is truly a sad
time. We will resolve."
- Debbie debbieq@hotmail.com
, U.S.A. 9/23/01
"I heard last night on America Coast to Coast, with Barbara hosting instead of Art Bell, from her guest who has trevelled extensively within Afghanistan and Pakistan in the last two years, the following.
The leader of the Taliban is married to a daughter of bin Laden, and bin Laden is married to a daughter of the leader of the Taliban.
Does anyone dispute this? Or that this type of practice is prevalent in middle and central eastern Islam?
It either is a prevalent practice, or it is not.
It is either the culture you would choose your daughter to live in, or it is not.
Let me know. "
- Howard hbristow@texas.net
, San Antonio, Texas, USA 9/21/01
"Fadra's comment of 19/9/01
Howard, read it again and read it carefully."
- molly lalala , Germany 9/20/01
"Howard, as Fadra, I decided not to post my e-mail adress to protect
myself from people whe were in the "without sanctuary" - chat long
before your time, and it's my decision whether I want to give anyone the chance
to find and contact me or not. Don't get me wrong. I know that no chat room
is completely safe but I wan't to do all I can to protect myself. I still got
the adress of a site that rainbird created for one of the guys who spent a lot
time in the chat. If you're interested in it, just tell. It might help you to
understand.
Read Fadra's comment again, she's right and I couldn't have said it better.
Thank you again, Fadra."
- molly lalala , Germany 9/20/01
"Howard, get a grip. Bin Laden is NOT my hero, wherever you got that
incidious idea is beyond me. He has been compared to the likes of Hitler, and
I must agree. He thinks he has the right to play God, but no one has that right
except God. His is a monster. A man with no heart. He has to be stopped..him
and his many cells. I won't cry for him...not one damn tear. "
- Fadra Fadra 9/19/01
A quote from an article in today's New York Times.
'Late in his question-answer session, Mr. Fleischer returned to the subject of whether there is adequate evidence to implicate Mr. bin Laden in last week's attacks. Mr. Fleischer said he wanted to remind his questioners of a statement Mr. bin Laden made in February 1998.
"And it reads that, `On that basis and in compliance with God's order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims: The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies, civilians and military, is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it."'
"And those are Osama bin Laden's words," Mr. Fleischer said.'
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/19/national/19CND-WASH.html
- Howard hbristow@texas.net
, San Antonio, Texas, USA 9/19/01
http://home.earthlink.net/~hankinhsd/thankyou.htm
Everyone should see this.................
- Fadra Fadra , USA 9/18/01
"It is unbelievable in the common sense of any human being on Earth what
happened on 11th September 2001 in New York and Pentagon!I feel sorrow for the
people that hate so much the freedom of others and fear of what hatred can do.The
paranoid actions of the terrorists are beyond human imagination and without
doubt I feel anger for those cowards that attacked with the most provocative
way at innocent people all of a sudden. I try to imagine how many kids are orphans
right now without notice, without a reason... I send my prayers to those who
have left this world and to those who remain and are family or friends of victims."
- Elena Papagouna epapagouna@yahoo.com
, Syros island, Greece 9/17/01
"Scarred and Scorched Soil
Lady Liberty,
with tears
in your eyes,
you mourn.
You have seen
from virgin soil—
green fields.
to snowcapped mountains, and
miles of shimmering wheat,
sandy shores with lapping waves,
corn that kisses an endless sky,
hamlets,
townships,
villages,
cities—urban and rural,
where pride
has raised
many diverse cultural families.
Yes,
within sight of your land.
you have indeed
witnessed
many horrific acts.
But never,
never
the scarring and scorching
of your much loved soil--
with ash upon your
robe and feet.
So to,
all of AMERICA,
who heeds the words,
You will never,
FORGET,
what you have seen,
and heard.
Your,
soil...hearts...minds.
may be scarred and scorched.
But,
the fabric of your soul
Is not torn.
For this,
is the land,
where FREEDOM....was born.
So, dry your eyes....
raise your voices….and
together say—
GOD.........BLESS.......AMERICA.
TAZ
Detroit
Friday, September 14, 2001
6:16 p.m.
"
- Taz Taztales@hotmail.com
, Detroit, MI USA 9/17/01
"In the words of the founders of the United States of America.
"Liberty and order will never be completely safe until a trespass on the Constitutional provisions for either, shall be felt with the same keenness that resents and invasion of the dearest rights." --James Madison
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." --Patrick Henry
"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; or to raise standing armies, unless necessary for the defense of the United States, or of some one or more of them; or to prevent the people from petitioning, in a peaceable and orderly manner, the federal legislature, for a redress of grievances; or to subject the people to unreasonable searches and seizures of their persons, papers or possessions." --Samuel Adams
"A treaty cannot be made which alters the Constitution of the country, or which infringes and express exceptions to the power of the Constitution." --Alexander Hamilton
"[T]he conception of [the Constitution] and the deliberate union of so great and various a people in such a plan is, without all partiality or prejudice, if not the greatest exertion of human understanding, the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen." --John Adams
"[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson
Howard
"
- Howard A Bristow hbristow@texas.net
, San Antonio, Texas, USA 9/17/01
"I live in the East Village and could see the towers from my living room
windows. I watched the towers collapse with my own eyes; initially from my apartment
and later from my roof. My fiancee watched with me. He's like the little boy
in The Sixth Sense- he sees dead people.
The night before the 11th I was concerned about him. He had come over and wasn't
feeling well. I saw it in his face; its planes seemed distorted as if it were
made of silly putty someone had pulled. His complexion was mottled, pink in
some areas, white in others. I didn't want to speak to him of how awful he looked
fearing he would look in the mirror and feel even more disturbed himself. My
apartment was very chilly and over air conditioned. I was happy to be going
under the covers; he said he was burning up.
After the events of the next horrible day we went to bed. He rose from our bed
again and again. He told me what he had been watching the next day. My mind's
returned to his story again and again.
My city (and apartment) were filled with lost souls. They were floating; chaotic
and confused. They couldn't find their way to the next world. There weren't
enough spirits to show them the way. They were unsure of what had happened and
where they were.
A (spirit) man in a suit was sitting in my rocking chair. He was gazing in the
direction of what had been the Trade Towers. He was shaking his head, sobbing.
He was lost. Many others were lost with him. I imagine they were in the offices
that were hit first, unwarned and swept from our world to theirs. I submit this
story swearing it is true. I apologize to any who are hurt by reading it."
- Leslie Steven lsteven@poloralphlauren.com
, New York, New York, USA 9/17/01
"Continuing my thoughts on examining which side you stand on.
Which side, in times of natural disaster throughout the
world, sends aid and assistance to those who are hurting,
and which does not. When was the last time you remember
other countries sending massive aid to the USA after
Hurricane Andrew, or any of the many tornadoes that strip
the USA of its foilage and citizens on a regular basis?
When? Who ever helped out?
Which civilization allows, no demands, a legal
representation of indigent criminals within its court
system? Which one?
Who repeatedly sends medical personnel into indigent areas
of the world to provide medical aid to the poor? Examine.
Examine who has historically physically and psychically
rebuilt their defeated enemies? Who has done that? Ask the
Japanese. Ask the Germans. Do the Japanese and the Germans
not have self respect today? They were the mortal enemies of
the USA within one generation ago. My earthly father was a
combat veteran who fought against the Japanese in World War
II. He is still alive. Examine who has treated their enemies
so.
And choose which side you believe in.
And choose in which side of the world you would prefer to
live.
But you must choose. May God be with you, and may you make
a wise choice.
Howard
"
- Howard A Bristow hbristow@texas.net
, San Antonio, Texas, USA 9/17/01
"TO: Konata Nangwaya natturner60@blackvoices.com , southfield, michigan 9.15.01
If you love africa so much what are you doing in Southfield, Mi. Do us a favor
go back to the homeland...help them out. You don't have the guts. YOu'd much
rather be Kool than good.
"
- Ed , Chicago 9/17/01
"Prayers have been said, Rain. And are being said. Not only for your friends, but for all who lost their lives. My personal prayerthis evening will include you and your friends.
These are the times that truly trie men's souls. I say that without meaning of offense to women. But, by and large, it will be the men of the world who decide the outcome. For good, or for bad, it will be the men.
This is a conflict of western civilization against those who would topple it. It is time for everyone to choose up sides. A circumstance brought upon what may arguably be the seat of Western Civilization, not by that civilization, but by its enemies. It is, again, a time for all people to decide whether they are for or against that civilization.
There are no neutral terratories anymore. Those who would tear down the icons of the western civilization have made it so. All other conversation is without meaning. It is time for everyone to decide for themselves where they stand. In my personal opinion, we all will be utimately held accountable for the choice we make, where we choose to stand.
Examine which side is tolerant of differences of opinion, and which is not.
Examine which side tortuously examines its own history, its own past failings,
and which does not. Examine which side allows the freedom of personal expression,
no matter the consequence to the 'ruling authority', and which does not. Examine
which side allows religous freedom for all, and which does not. Examine which
side abhors the loss of innocent civilian life in a conflict, and which does
not. Examine which side fights to
protect the civil rights of the 'enemy' in their midst, and
which does not. Examine which civilization has hundreds of
cultures living in relative peace within its borders, and
which does not.
Examine yourself. See which side you line up on, decide
which civilization you would rather live in.
And then choose, my friends, because the time to sit on the fence and pretend to be neutral has passed. You, I, we all must choose a side.
Howard "
- Howard A Bristow hbristow@texas.net
, San Antonio, Texas, USA 9/17/01
"WE'LL GO FORWARD FROM THIS MOMENT
by Leonard Pitts Jr. of the Miami Herald
It's my job to have something to say. They pay me to provide words that help
make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless
shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say,
the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of
this suffering. You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard. What lesson
did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center,
our Pentagon, us?
What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed.
Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together.
Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse.
We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement.
We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it.
And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God.
Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals.
IN PAIN Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before. But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain.
When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice. I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not.
What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future.
In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.
There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms.
We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined.
THE STEEL IN US You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold. As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish.
So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started.
But you're about to learn.
"
- Fadra Fadra , U.S.A. 9/16/01
"Please help -- if you have seen this person -- please call the phone number in the picture, or the below email address.
See link below:
http://spikey.hyperchat.com/eileen.jpg
Please help."
- Cheyenne cheyenne31@hotmail.com
, U.S.A. 9/15/01
"if you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
but make allowance for their doubting too,
if you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
or being hated, don't give way to hating,
and yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
if you can dream -- and not make dreams your master,
if you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim;
if you can meet with triumph and disaster
and treat those two impostors just the same;
if you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
and stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
if you can make one heap of all your winnings
and risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
and lose, and start again at your beginnings
and never breath a word about your loss;
if you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
except the will which says to them: "hold on!"
if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
or walk with kings -- nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
if all men count with you, but none too much,
if you can fill the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
yours is the earth and everything that's in it,
and -- which is more -- you'll be a man, my son!"
- rudyard kipling if@you'll.be.a.man.my.son.com
, u.s.a. 9/15/01
"i'm truly saddened for the brothers and sisters killed as well as their
families, however, amerikkka brought this on itself. all the years of playing
"schoolyard bully" has finally caught up with it; and by the smallest
kid in the yard. once again, the blood of my slain afrikans is on the hands
of this country. i'm not at all glad this happened, but i understand completely
that the innocent are lost whenever there's a conflict. i admire the sheer genius
of the entire plan and the balls to carry it out. this is no different from
native or slave uprisings in the past. and had it not been for them, we'd still
be in physical slavery instead of mental slavery we've grown so comfy with.
now, wil i see this same solidarity when one of our brothers or sisters gets
gunned down by a trigger-happy european cop? nope, just a rally and a few words
by jesse and al. wake up afrikans in amerikkka, remember the revolutionary war.
we fought for them to be released from slavery only to get right back in chains.
we're not wanted here and certainly not liked. peace."
- Konata Nangwaya natturner60@blackvoices.com
, southfield, michigan 9/15/01