All of us here remember
exactly where we were when we got the news of September 11, 2001.
Here on the
west coast, some people were still in bed and were awaken to phone
calls from
loved ones telling them to turn on the news.
But, others, like my
kids, didn’t know what was happening or had happened on
that day, they were either not born or way too young to
even understand what
was going on. My oldest daughter, 2 at the time, knew mommy was upset,
but
didn’t know why.
To me, that was sad day for those families, but even more sad for our country as a whole. Our country lost a lot of freedoms and innocence that day that our kids will never know about.
What
will kids of today never get to enjoy?
- The fun of just
taking a day trip over the boarder to Canada or Mexico without
having to take six weeks to get a passport.
- The joy of
waiting for loved ones at the end of the exit gate at the airport
after they had just watched their plane land and taxi to the gate.
- Realizing what it was like to drive across town without seeing a camera sitting on top of every traffic light.
There are many more freedoms that have been stripped since September 11, 2001, and though not all can be attributed to 9/11, many were taken away over the past 8 years and my children will never realize the freedoms they have lost.
Please help me create a list of all the freedoms we used to enjoy, so I can give this list to my kids and maybe, just maybe, they will have the time and energy to fight and get their freedoms back and take our government back and make it “For the people” again.
Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
©2009 Todd Clark - To never have known what the world was like before 9/11/2001 (Innocence Lost)
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Todd: I think many of the freedoms we have lost... were lost when the so-called Patriot Act was passed. One of the many losses that come to mind... is the knowledge that the government can listen in to virtually any telephone conversation it wants to... without a warrant. So... we've lost the freedom to simply make a phone call... and not have to wonder if anyone is listening. It may sound like a little thing, but to me, and to many others... it isn't.
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Todd...
I have often said that our reaction to the events on that day was an act of surrender to the terrorists. They won.
How about the joy of taking a plane ride without seeing a glass display of items at the airport that are considered wweapons and will be confiscated?
Hi Todd, I had the Today Show on and so I heard about it and saw it as it was happening. The first thing I did was to call my daughter in Oregon.
Travel was so simple before 911. You just checked your luggage, went to your gate, and handed the attendant your ticket. You didn't have to show an ID, have your luggage searched, go through a metal detector, remove your shoes, or have any liquid over 3 ounces thrown out. You didn't have to be at the airport 2 hours early.
I don't say anything over the phone that would cause the government to take notice of me so that doesn't bother me but I can see where people would be uncomfortable with the thought of it.
Just the fact that we have to be concerned about the places we go and the things we do is a loss for me. along with the men and women that are losing their lives everyday since 9-11 in the continued fight .
Todd - Our government seems to be bent on closing the barn door with a clang after the horse is long gone.
I find it completely disgusting that a passport is needed for me to get back into my country if I cross over into Mexico or Canada.
The people who passed the passport provision were simply NUTS.
I find it equally galling that the inspections for airline passengers are so dumb.
So: some bad guys high-jacked airplanes with tiny tools. But on Flight 93 they did not succeed in making the plane into a missile. Why? Because in a matter of minutes after the twin towers were struck, passengers on Flight 93 had gotten word about what happened in NYC from cell phone calls and text messages. They then resisted the hijackers, saying "Let's roll!"
Then Congress and TSA roll out restrictions to keep the same thing from happening again -- as if the world had not lived through 9/11.
What would happen if someone tried to high-jack a plane using those same tiny "weapons"?
Answer: A quick counterattack by passengers who would simply refuse to be intimidated.
Inspecting for those items is therefore completely unnecessary -- a giant overreaction and take-away of freedom -- for no gain in real security.
Congress's Motto: Be seen doing something -- even if it's dumber than an iron post.
I have no problem with inspections at airports, even if they do confiscate my little shampoo bottles.
Israel has always had long waits. They are vigialant and we need to be too. We were attacked on own soil...by terriorists.
Heck Todd, I use to as a child play out at night late in my neighborhood, walk to the drug store, charge clothes just based on my dad's name, drink pop from a counter.
I would focus on the positives we have been completely safe for 8 years. Everywhere, other attacks were prevented.
..and your kids are growing up with computers and cell phones. Heck I remember when color TV was new.
Todd-Lut us not forget them.
Thank you everyone for your feedback. Missy, I just remember when the world was a lot more innocent, but I don't like giving up freedoms just because it may make me safer. (That is a very slippery slope)
Todd --- another thoughtful post --- I think the largest freedom that we have lost is that of privacy ---
Mama Liz
How it has changed our lives but who knows maybe for the better. We have to careful not to forget and vigilante at all times. Kids are so innocent and a lot will never realize or even think twice about that day.