Words matter — and on this day, words matter more than ever.  It’s September 11, 2008. Seven years since terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center in New York City.  Terrorists. That’s what I call them and there’s not much argument there. Most everyone agrees they were terrorists.

Sure, you can call today the seventh anniversary of 9/11. Like Bloomberg News, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times have. I’m not sure I like to use the word anniversary for such a serious, solemn, and meaningful occasion. Seven years is not a long time. Memories are still fresh. (more…)

Here’s an account from an eyewitness to the attack on the World Trade Center. This person was just a few blocks from the horrible scene.

I heard a second extremely loud crash . . . the scene was unimaginable. The World Trade Center building had collapsed into itself, shooting a large black cloud of smoke into the sky. I watched while bodies fell from the windows, as the building came down in a giant plume of smoke.

Then someone yelled to look out the front window — and a sight met my eyes that put the first thought in my mind that I might die. Smoke was slowly moving down the street toward us as people ran screaming away from it.

The account is absolutely terrifying.

It was written by a 13 year old child.

Where have Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Lois Farrakhan been these past few days?

What struck me last night, watching the president’s speech, was the call to war. At no time did the president say when the war would end. The first thing I thought was: Are we forgetting the other war without end, Vietnam?”

I’m foursquare behind the president in his call for military action. However, a war whose only goal is to “win” leaves out a key component. What do we mean by “win”? When will the war be over?

One phrase often repeated during the Gulf War was, “We have learned the lessons of Vietnam.” Meaning we set a distinct goal and timetable for the war, we fight it, we achieve the goal, then we go home. That’s how the Gulf war was prosecuted. Some complain about not removing Saddam Hussein, but that was not part of the UN resolution.

I’m afraid we will call an end to the war on terrorism and then get a false sense of security or the war on terrorism will still have to be waged 100 years from now.

I’m normally a peaceful guy, but this war has to be fought. If not, the next terrorist attack will be with nuclear weapons.

I have watched Aaron Brown’s CNN anchoring since the disaster. I’m sure he’s a caring individual and he seems to be a competent anchor, but I just can’t seem to get past his higher-pitched, nasally voice. It’s just a matter of taste.

Moreover, while I’m at it, I’ve never warmed to Jeff Greenfield. His attitude and delivery prevents me from figuring out if he’s being serious or sarcastic. I expect a punchline to come at the end of his every sentence.

Does the war on terrorism now mean the US is going to start bombing IRA headquarters in Northern Ireland? Are we serious about rooting out the terrorists here in the USA? Will we now arrest all Christian fundamentalist groups that call for violence against abortion clinics? Will we arrest members of anti-government groups in the American west?

Will we ever find out what happened to Chandra Levy now?