Read other letters about this article

• Saturday, September 9, 2006 05:18 PM

  The Man Without A 9/11

  You know, I may be nearly unique; I didn't experience 9/11.

  I was having surgery that day, and was literally just going under the knife when the first plane hit the first tower. By the time I was conscious (barely), both towers were down and the whole thing was over. I spent the next week or two in a fairly heavily medicated state, which may also have had an impact.

  Maybe that's why I've never really understood the effect that 9/11 had on America. It's not that the towers had no meaning for me. I'd been up in them, several times, and one of the strongest memories I have as a teenager is standing at the base of one of the towers and looking straight up. It made me dizzy; it looked as if the tower was going to fall over on top of me.

  But... why did so many Americans somehow feel that it made sense to turn this country into the opposite of all its ideals? Why is it suddenly fine to torture, spy on other Americans without a warrant, kidnap and hold people secretly, even for life, on the say-so of a man who has so clearly proved that he's not even trustworthy (or competent) enough to be a town dogcatcher?

  I have to believe that this was always in us. Or rather, not us - them. Because there's no way I'm taking responsibility for this. Even if I'd been conscious on 9/11, I still wouldn't accept what's happened to this country.

  I guess that there's a deep streak of stupidity - or evil, call it whatever you want - in a large percentage of the human race, just waiting for an excuse to toss out all the rules which allow for a sane and safe society, and simply worship a strongman. Ultimately, that racial tendency may doom us all.

  —Peter Maranci Read Peter Maranci's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel