September 11th, 2009

I have mixed feelings about this topic, many of them indescribable. I am sad, awed, frustrated, hopeful, optimistic, cynical, and many other emotional states, over the events and repercussions of that day of disaster, a startling eight years ago already. Rather than go on, I'll just link a few pieces that have moved me today.

The Big Picture, as always, rises to a momentous occasion with a photogallery from 9/11/01 to 9/11/09.

Sheril Kirshenbaum lets a single picture poignantly speak for her at The Intersection.

Jill at Brilliant at Breakfast asks a profoundly important question that I hadn't considered before: what should we be teaching students about 9/11? Given the differences in perspective in this country, and the fact that this year's high school seniors were just beginning fourth grade that year, this is a fascinating idea to ponder. It will be only a few years before we have young adults who were too young to remember the day.

And finally, BrianR at Clastic Detritus sharply reminded me that no matter how remote one was, and how set on a schedule, the immediacy of communications brought the whole country to a halt that day.

So whatever your own personal reactions to that or this day may be, I hope this is one issue over which we can set aside our differences, take a moment to reflect and offer our quiet wishes for the lost souls, our sympathy and condolences to their loved ones, and renew the feelings— universal in the aftermath— that we could and would work together to strengthen our country, and ensure that such an event might never happen again.