几篇普通美国大学生关于9/11的“感想”

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Didion
Posted on August 18, 2010 by lucasja6

The last reading, Fixed Opinions or The Hinge of History by Joan Didion was certainly interesting. The short essay goes over the immediate American response on the September 11th incident in New York. The author basically talks about how the government starts using the fear of 9/11 as a smoke screen for their hidden agendas. For example, putting religion back in school or making people say the “under God” portion in the pledge of allegiance even though it wasn’t in the original version to begin with. As Didion implies, American’s slowly start losing their freedom of speech, not being able to even debate the real happenings of the attack. People start becoming anti-Islamic and such. The word terrorist inspires the image of people from the Middle East and people start blaming the entire Middle East for not having a democratic government and for letting evil spread so far. Anything that causes people to really think about the attack is labeled as insensitive or out of line.

For me, 9/11 happened when I was in the sixth grade and so I had no idea of the political happenings and had very little insight on the social backlash that came from the event. Reading the essay did not necessarily open my eyes to the reality of the situation because by the time I reached my mid teenage years I had realized that we as Americans had lost our freedom of speech on all things terrorist because Americans had developed this sense of if you’re not with us then you’re against us attitude. It is scary to realize that after 9/11 the U.S. went through another McCarthy era of “witch hunts.” The racism towards people of Islamic or Middle Eastern origin was and still is disturbing. In my opinion, September 11, set us back a decade or so in social equality and tolerance. If there is one thing I truly lament about, it is the how people were stonewalled from reasoning about the attack and how the event escalated into a war. If anything, the time after September 11th should have been a time where we as Americans should have turned the looking glass on ourselves and tried to truly understand the happenings of the world outside of our continent.

Even now, there is debate about Muslims building an Islamic church near ground zero; it shouldn’t even be a debate, there are polygamy camps all over but no one does much about them so why should we bat an eyelash at someone building a church for their religion? The essay basically summed up my feelings about the terrorist attack. It was tragic, but was even more tragic was the injustice done to my civil rights and others civil rights by the government after the attack.

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Didion on 9/11 Blog
Posted on August 18, 2010 by kthelen24
Kyle Thelen
ISS 320
Blog 3: Fixed Opinions, or The Hinge of History

I thought both articles were very interesting articles about September 11th. In the second article it was interesting to read about the feelings of someone who was in New York for it seeing as I was in Michigan and did not even know anyone living in New York at the time. In my life this was one of the first major historical events that took place in my life time, so I’m interested to learn as much as I can about it.

I thought it was interesting how Didion made reference to how people would almost pretending like it didn’t even happen; ““Taste” and “sensitivity,” it was repeatedly suggested, demanded that we not examine what happened.” (Didion, 3) It was hard for me to relate to that because I never really saw any advertising about the Twin Towers, or really even have a good idea of what they were at that age. I never realized how Taboo the subjected appeared to be to New Yorkers. I thought this was kind of a strange reaction by the people, I would have expected them to dwell on the issue and use it as a sort of motivation to make it through the rough times.

I also liked how the author talked about the political aspects both beforehand and after the events. I was at too young of an age to really understand all of the press conferences and speeches in the days after. I was unaware about our enemies in the Middle East even before September 11th. Being a Political Science major it was interesting to me to learn about the political aspects. I enjoyed reading about the various announcements made by previous Presidents about terrorism and nuclear warfare. I was particularly interested when the author was discussing the press conference that was held by President Bush about Saddam Hussein. This caught my attention because I remember the capture of Saddam Hussein and but was unaware that this had been a goal of our country for years before he was actually apprehended.

I can distinctly remember what I was doing on September 11th, 2001; watching from my desk in my 5th grade classroom, shocked. Little did I know I was witnessing something that would go down in history and would change the way we live today. Nearly 10 years later we are still are feeling the repercussions of September 11th. I have personally witnessed airports extremely tightened security. I did fly before 2001 but I was young and don’t really remember the security aspects, however I have been victim to the excessive searching and screening that takes place in airports in my older years. I have also been witness to airport security stereotyping of people of Middle Eastern decent.

The author of this article has a much stronger personal relation to the events than I seeing they were in New York; however, I felt the effects all the way in Michigan. My parents were fearful of flying after the attacks and as a result we were very hesitant to take vacations to places too far away because of transportation. As a young kid, getting these vacations taken away was devastating. My hometown is right outside of one of the only places in the United States that prepares the vaccine for Anthrax. There was a wide spread paranoia throughout cities in the area that terrorists were going to strike right near our homes.

I thought the author had a wonderful ending to her article. I enjoyed her explanation of the nuclear war standoff that took place and made mention to the President reserved the right to retaliate with nuclear force. I was interested to learn about nuclear policy both domestic and foreign. I thought the authors personal experience was the perfect ending to his fascinating article.

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Short Reflections on 9/11
Posted on August 18, 2010 by Lisa K

I was in 5th grade when 9/11 happened, and honestly, at the time I didn’t understand what exactly it meant for the United States or for the rest of the world, but I understood enough to be scared that the same evil people could do something bad to my friends and family next. I remember being confused who exactly did this to us and why would they want to, let alone why they would hate us so much that they were ready and willing to kill themselves – just to make a point to America and kill people who had done absolutely nothing wrong. I honestly never saw that much media coverage on the attacks because I was too young for such scary and, frankly, disturbing images. But from the reading, I’m re-shocked about everything that happened.

After reading these letters from people all over the world, I was actually slightly surprised that for the most part, people felt for Americans, because a lot of other places in the world have also had terrorist attacks of some kind happen to them. According to Stephen Holmes, from New York, “Those who committed this savage act against generic Americans see the United States as a giant who walks unthinkingly across the earth, barely noticing the small peoples it crushes.” I could see why foreign countries almost expected this coming. America, for the most part, has stuck its metaphorical nose into a lot of other countries’ business, and I’m sure some countries still hold grudges against us. Like in life, some people might need help but don’t want it, they want to achieve whatever their obstacle is on their own. There can be the same thing in war, people might need help, but they don’t want anyone interfering.

In reflection, I think that America is still expecting more suicide bombers and pilots. We’re still ‘fighting terror’ but I think that we’re starting to come back and realize terrorists are bound to happen but also to essentially get bored and go back home. I think that we will slowly slide back into the rhythm that America was in before the “war on terror.” Hopefully, America will learn from its mistakes and take this as a lesson, to not play preacher or police and thrust our beliefs on others, because some people will take it upon themselves to prove a point, no matter how many innocent people it hurts.

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Letters about 9/11
Posted on August 18, 2010 by kemennup

As shock and awe goes I am rarely surprised by anything that happens in this world, but the attacks on September 11th brought me to utter silence. I couldn’t believe that people hated America so much that they would wreak havoc and slaughter innocent lives. At the same time I was oddly aware of why someone would do such a thing, just as the way anyone would attack a big “bully” it takes an outrageous and public event for it to normally stick. I just didn’t understand why they would attack innocent people, and even at a young age was scared of war, worried what it would mean to be at war. At that young of an age I wondered how you would stop a group of terrorist that hated you so much that they would kill themselves just to see you suffer. Now in this reflective period I wonder if this is what I really thought than or just what I have come to understand. The only feelings I am certain I had that day are worry and shock. I was worried about all of those people and shocked at the tragic events that had occurred.

In reflection on that period it is unforgiveable that the U.S. government supported the president in starting a war on Afghanistan. Whose terrorist led regime hates America because of its need to forcibly spread “democracy,” the very action that America is doing to Afghanistan presently. Young grade-school students ask their teachers “Why do we study history?” An intelligent teacher answers “so we can learn from the success and mistakes of our ancestors.” It seems our political leaders were not given this lesson because the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have most likely rekindled the hatred for America not destroyed it.

I still have an optimistic soul, and believe that someday we will see that instead of this militaristic mindset, the U.S. should have a more diplomatic and service mindset. We will help build up the slums and economies of poorer countries and raise the standards of living and not start wars that will merely continue the never ending hatred circle.

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Joan Didion-9/11
Posted on August 17, 2010 by blackb34

As this class comes to an end, I was extremely excited and curious to have it end with readings done on September 11th, 2001. Although through this course we have learned about things that have directly affected me it seems as if I can finally talk about something that I truly know something about and has been a part of me. A number of years ago, well about 12 years ago my older sister moved out to Long Island New York to be with her boyfriend of the time. It was the coolest thing that has ever happened to me, I loved visiting the city. New York City will always be my first pick for a vacation spot.

I was sitting in my 5th grade science class with Mrs. Pelto when I heard about 9/11. My heart stopped. My sister, working in an architecture agency, often took day trips into the city to work onsite at buildings. Who knows if she was in the city when it happened or safe at work on Long Island? It turns out she was safe at work. Her best friend was not so lucky. She worked in one of the buildings in the surrounding areas of the towers that happened to have collapsed. If it was not for a close co-worker of hers, she would have stayed under her desk that day and probably died.

Visiting New York yearly, the improvements happening upon the trade center are amazing. It took 9 long years for the change, but it has been much anticipated. I could not imagine what it would have been like to have been in the city and to look up and see the plane strike the towers. Throughout Joan Didions passage we read upon her thoughts during her life following the terrorist attacks. The thousands of flags hanging from every corner, the new definition of the word, “hero,” the war on terror had arrived. The way people so vigorously attacked the Middle East somewhat astounded me. Yes, their ways of life are different than ours, including their beliefs and morals. But this was done by a single group of people led by a single man, Osama bin Laden. And for people who had grown up in the United States their entire life just to be convicted of being just as immoral because they look like bin Laden or dress like him is absurd in my eyes! And for our country to sit there and turn our backs on a country like Israel that we have had a partnership with and an understanding with for the last 60 years just because one person turned out to be evil seems a little dramatic to me.

The fact that it took an event like September 11th to bring together our country should have been unnecessary. The law forbidding the burning of flags should have always been passed, not just now, you should always respect your country and the things it stands for. With the “under God” aspect in the schools prayer, I can see where people can be judgmental and not necessarily want to abide by reciting it, whether you believe in God or not, it’s an act of acting as one, for our country, united we stand.

When the issue of Iraq comes about, I think we were going out of our way to yes, you could say maybe help some people, like the women and children, but I’m a firm believer in minding your own business. The only reason we really invaded Iraq is because we were threatened, which is I guess a somewhat reasonable excuse, I wouldn’t want another 9/11 happening, but at the same time, it has been how many years now? I still have yet to see an attack from Saddam Hussein and his millions of powerful weapons. The fact that we believed that a new Iraq would help provide greater energy security for Americans is kind of greedy I think. As it is, we over use the energy and power we have! We may be on the hinge of history, but it’s a path that I don’t think America was ready for, or at least should have taken more time to make a logical decision and plan on.

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9/11 Reflection
Posted on August 17, 2010 by aschensky

I thoroughly enjoyed this in-depth reflection of the bombings of 9/11. Just as everyone else can recall an exact time and place when hearing or seeing these devastating events take place….I can remember exactly where I was: sitting in math class my senior year of high school, waiting for the bell to ring. As soon as the news shook through the school and rendered us all silent, I remember being pasted to the TV screens witnessing live feed of smoke and fire erupting from crumbling towers. I felt like I was daydreaming, and my mind could not begin to process the prospects that these images and events were actually taking place. We are raised on American soil to feel empowered, powerful, strong and protected. It was the first time I felt vulnerable and questioned my safety in the land I was raised.

As noted in this reflection, fixed opinions began to shift and new rhetoric developed in regards to “heroes” and “terrorism.” I remember going to lunch that day with my girlfriends and eating at subway. I was shook by how deeply connected and close I felt to everyone around me. The strangest of strangers seemed to share the same sense of kinship and violation as I felt. We were mourning and outraged as a whole and it was evident through every pair of eyes I met.

I remember driving home that evening, anxious to watch the news and any new developments. I will never forget how the streets I drove through every day of my life were now saturated with red,white and blue flags hung proudly on almost every house I past. The author reflected on this as well, and what a strange and welcoming site it was. The events of 9/11 will forever be burned in each of our memory. What we have learned from it, and how we move forward from such events will be the ultimate test of fate for our country and world to come.

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每一篇都根红苗正～
下面这篇是对我说了“是否应对美国反恐动机重新思考”之后的回复(美国式的八股文：标准电视演讲体）：

1.
hellebu5 says:
August 19, 2010 at 8:45 pm (Edit)

First off I appreciate your honesty in this blog post. I think that it’s very respectable. Second I can see that the whole September 11 issue doesn’t quite hit home with you. Just imagine for a second an ordinary day when suddenly you receive breaking news of an attack on your country. Hundreds of innocent people lost their lives on 9/11. Terrorists aren’t just a group of people who do evil things, they are a group of people who share an extreme hatred for America (or another country). One can guess why a group of people can hate a country so much and where the issue rooted, but unfortunately an honest answer probably isn’t a realistic hope or desire. People are who they are, and eventually the “why question” needs to stop being asked. The U.S. took action instead of digging for answers. I can’t say that I agree with killing killers (it all seems to hypocritical to me) but when someone knocks you down you have two options; get back up and quietly walk away, or get up with fire in your eyes and show people that you won’t stand for getting pushed around. We all know which option the U.S. chose.

[yolanda]

8年前都是孩子, 能不跟正苗红? 宣传教育的力量在哪里都是伟大的!

[yijun]

普通美国人对于克林顿夫妇的女儿出嫁花700万美元办婚礼一事，不知有何观感哈哈。。。
中国如果有某中央领导女儿出嫁花700万人民币，肯定早闹翻天了。。。尽管中国也开始有红色名媛，倒也还不至于敢过分嚣张。
很好奇克林顿夫妇女儿女婿都不是商人，哪里来的这种奢华的资本。如果是小布什，还可以理解，是石油商人家族。