America

Attack on America	September 11, 2001	God Bless America
I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one! I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped� I am saluted. I am loved. I am revered. I am respected -- and I am feared. I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,� Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa. The people of Korea, Vietnam and Kuwait know me as a banner of freedom. I was there. I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me And I was proud. I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, �for I am invincible. I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hours are yet to come. When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, When I am flown at half-mast to honor my countryman, when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, or in the arms of a child or spouse who will have to go on without one who gave their life in a national disaster to save the life of another, as so many did at the Pentagon or the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11/01. MY NAME IS OLD GLORY, LONG MAY I WAVE. *Rainbow* If I could catch a rainbow I would do it Just for you And� share with you Its beauty On the days You're feeling blue. If I could� build a mountain You could call Your very own A place to find� serenity A place to be alone If I could Take your troubles I� would toss them In the sea But all these things I'm finding Are� impossible for me I cannot build a mountain Or catch a rainbow� fair But let me be What I know best A friend That's always� there A Tribute to Firefighters God Bless America Lycos Network Information Page Thank you Terrorists Will Not Succeed USA Remembrance WTC Remembrance Pentagon Remembrance Pennsylvania One World United I One World United II One World United III World Trade Center (View From the top of the World Trade Center) Statue Of Liberty (View of NYC skyline from Statue Of Liberty) Newport Center (View of NYC skyline from Newport Center in NJ) Faith in God - America! God Bless America! Time of Need Special Hero "United" "United We Stand" "911" "Star Spangled Banner"	Dear Heavenly Father, We are moved by the alarming news and crisis that our country is facing. This, the greatest nation, founded in the belief that � �� "In God We Trust" & the "Land of the Free". Please have mercy on those suffering, hurting and in fear, and give wisdom & strength to those who are assisting. May the forces of evil be broken by your power and may we humble before thee, our strength and refuge.Give wisdom to our President & all our leaders and bring your comforting peace through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us here to reach to those that have been affected by this tragedy. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. AMEN Please send this to all your friends and create a prayer chain throughout this nation. Lord, I pray for our country right now, that even as this email goes to all I have sent it to, that each of them would feel your presence and your comfort and that they would know that even in the chaos and the unknown, that you are in control of each of our lives and that you love us all. We are all in so much shock, Lord, and our lives have been shaken though we are not actually physically at the places that have been devastated. Help us each to find comfort in you and help us to feel your presence as we learn more and more details as the hours and days go by. Be with the victims, the emergency personnel, and our leaders in government. Guide them, strengthen them, and comfort them as they continue to face the horror of this tragedy. I pray this all in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen. Please pass this prayer on...at a time like this when we all feel so helpless, the best thing we can all do is PRAY! ******************************************** A good friend forwarded this to me ....it was written by one of her friends and asked that her name be removed. I found it so moving that I wanted to forward it to all my love ones.� My heart is so heavy tonight as we continue to watch with more reports of suffering.�May we remember these people in our hearts for a very long time. Love,��Leigh Ann ****************************************** Dear Family and Friends, I so desperately want to join hands with each of you and fall to our knees in prayer for those who lost family members, friends, and acquaintances today.� I know it is awkward since we are not together, but please pray with me....(even if you say your own prayer) Oh Heavenly Father, We thank you so much for being in our lives. Thank you for the comfort you offer. Father we know you are the King over all and we want to lay this awful event at your feet.We cannot understand it. We are lost even for words. Lord, please lift up those who are hurting, those who have lost loved ones, friends and co-workers today.� Give them peace beyond understanding.� Let them draw only on your strength now and in the days to come. We have none without you! We also want to pray that you'll guide the leaders of this country and the world that they will make decisions based on your will.� Protect the nations.Oh, we pray, Lord, that they will open Bibles, seek your word, pray for help. Hallelujah. And Lord, right now our hearts are heavy and angry at the people who are responsible for this evil.�� Help us to forgive them.� We know you love your children and want to forgive them.� Make them see the error of their ways, make them seek You, Father, and beg for forgiveness. We love you, Lord and can only imagine seeing your Glorious Holiness. Thank you for dying for us so that we might have eternal life with you in heaven. In Your Most Precious Name, Jesus, Amen ******************************************** Father Thank You for the freedom of choice. The freedom to choose where to live, when to work, what to do. What a gift to choose to do, or not to do, to be or not to be. I pray that my choosing today will be with your wisdom. So guide and direct that I may not neglect or abuse this FREEDOM. AMEN Wear Red White and Blue Thursday pass it along To honor the men and women who died and those who risk their lives to save lives...let's wear red, white and� blue on Thursday to work and drive with your lights on...God Bless America and� all of you who care.� Please send this to as many people as possible.� An� American � To show those terrorists that we Americans stick together, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2001 is "Flags Across America." All Americans are asked to display the American flag either in their homes or cars. Let's keep the meaning of UNITED in "United States". Pass this onto as many people as you know. THANK YOU. We are keeping this candle burning for all the people & their families who were in the planes, buildings and anywhere near the explosions today. May God be with them and help them through this terrible time. God Bless Keep The Candle Going I asked God for water, he gave me an ocean. I asked God for a flower, he gave me a garden. I asked God for a tree, he gave me a forest. I asked God for a friend, he gave me YOU. "There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle." The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship ��() ��\| \| ��\| \| ��\| \| ��\| \| ��\| \| ��-------- This candle was lit on the 11th of September, 2001. Someone who loves you has helped keep it alive by sending it to you. "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle" � I think these comments by Charles Brennan really sums up who we Americans really are.� I thought you would appreciate what he had to say about yesterday's terrorist attack on our country. Hit the Buildings, Missed America .. Posted by Charles Brennan Date: 9/11/2001 An open letter to a terrorist: �� Well, you hit the World Trade Center, but you missed America.� You hit the Pentagon, but you missed America.� You used helpless American bodies, to take out other American bodies, but like a poor marksman, you STILL missed America. �� Why?� Because of something you guys will never understand. � America isn't about a building or two, not about financial centers, not about military centers, America isn't about a place, America isn't even about a bunch of bodies.� America is about an IDEA.� An idea, that you can go someplace where you can earn as much as you can figure out how to, live for the most part, like you envisioned living, and pursue Happiness.� (No guarantees that you'll reach it, but you can sure try!) �� Go ahead and whine your terrorist whine, and chant your terrorist litany: "If you can not see my point, then feel my pain." This concept is alien to Americans.� We live in a country where we don't have to see your point.� But you're free to have one.� We don't have to listen to your speech.� But you're free to say one.� Don't know where you got the strange idea that everyone has to agree with you.� We don't agree with each other in this country, almost as a matter of pride.� We're a collection of guys that don't agree, called States.� We united our individual states to protect ourselves from tyranny in the world.� Another idea, we made up on the spot.� You CAN make it up as you go, when it's your country, if you're free enough. �� Yeah, we're fat, sloppy,easy-going goofs most of the time.� That's an unfortunate image to project to the world, but it comes of feeling free and easy about the world you live in.� It's unfortunate too, because people start to forget that when you attack Americans, they tend to fight like a cornered badger.� The first we knew of the War of 1812, was when England burned Washington D.C. to the ground.� Didn't turn out like England thought it was going to, and it's not going to turn out like you think, either.� Sorry, but you're not the first bully on our shores, just the most recent. �� No Marquis of Queensbury rules for Americans, either.� We were the FIRST and so far, only country in the world to use nuclear weapons in anger.�Horrific idea, nowadays?� News for you, bucko, it was back then, too, but we used it anyway. Only had two of them in the whole world and we used 'em both. Grandpa Jones worked on the Manhattan Project.� Told me once, that right up until they threw the switch, the physicists were still arguing over whether the Uranium alone would fission, or whether it would start a fissioning chain reaction that would eat everything.� But they threw the switch anyway, because we had a War to win.� Does that tell you something about American Resolve? �� So who just declared War on us? It would be nice to point to some real estate, like the good old days. Unfortunately, we're probably at war with random camps, in far-flung places.� Who think they're safe.� Just like the Barbary Pirates did, IIRC.� Better start sleeping with one eye open. �� There's a spirit that tends to take over people who come to this country,looking for opportunity, looking for liberty, looking for freedom.� Even if they misuse it.� The Marielistas that Castro emptied out of his prisons, were overjoyed to find out how much freedom there was.� First thing they did when they hit our shores, was run out and buy guns.� The ones that didn't end up dead, ended up in prisons.� It was a big PITA then (especially in south Florida), but you're only the newest PITA, not the first.�� You guys seem to be incapable of understanding that we don't live in America, America lives in US!� American Spirit is what it's called.� And killing a few thousand of us, or a few million of us, won't change it.� Most of the time, it's a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of Spirit.� Until we're crossed in a cowardly manner, then it becomes an entirely different kind of Spirit. Wait until you see what we do with that Spirit, this time.� Sleep tight, if you can. We're coming. Charles Brennan I thought this was an interesting take on the last couple of weeks.� Four thousand gathered for mid-day prayer in a downtown cathedral. A New York City church, filled and emptied six times last Tuesday.� The owner of a Manhattan tennis shoe store threw open his doors and gave running shoes to those fleeing the towers. People stood in lines to give blood, in hospitals to treat the sick, in sanctuaries to pray for the wounded. America was different this week. We wept for people we did not know. We sent money to families we've never seen. Talk-show hosts read Scriptures, journalists printed prayers.� Our focus shifted from fashion hemlines and box scores to orphans and widows and the future of the world. We were different this week. Republicans stood next to Democrats. Catholics prayed with Jews. Skin color was covered by the ash of burning towers. This is a different country than it was a week ago. We're not as self-centered as we were. We're not as self-reliant as we were. Hands are out. Knees are bent. This is not normal. And I have to ask the question, "Do we want to go back to normal?" Are we being given a glimpse of a new way of life?� Are we, as a nation, being reminded that the enemy is not each other and the power is not in ourselves and the future is not in our bank accounts?� Could this unselfish prayerfulness be the way God intended for us to live all along? Maybe this, in his eyes, is the way we are called to live.� And perhaps the best response to this tragedy is to refuse to go back to normal. Perhaps the best response is to follow the example of Tom Burnet. He was a passenger of flight 93. Minutes before the plane crashed in the fields of Pennsylvania he reached his wife by cell phone. "We're all going to die," he told her, "but there are three of us who are going to do something about it." We can do something about it as well. We can resolve to care more. We can resolve to pray more. And we can resolve that, God being our helper, we'll never go back to normal again. I HAD YOU ON MY HEART TODAY!!! I asked the Lord to bless you As I prayed for you today To guide you and protect you As you go along your way.... His love is always with you, His promises are true, And when we give Him all our cares You know He will see us through So when the road you're traveling �on Seems difficult at best Just remember I'm here praying And God will do the rest.	A sign of our times! CALLING HEAVEN Thank you for calling Heaven, For English, Press 1. For Spanish, press 2. For all other languages, press 0. Please select one of the following options: Press 1 for Requests. Press 2 for Thanksgiving. Press 3 for Complaints. Press 4 for all other inquiries. I am sorry; all of our angels and saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us, and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay�on the line. If you would like to speak to: God, press 1. Jesus, press 2. Holy Spirit, press 3. If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you are holding, press 4. To find a loved one that has been assigned to Heaven, press 5, then enter his or her social security number, followed by the "pound" sign. (If you receive a negative response, please hang up and try area code 666). For reservations at Heaven, please enter J-O-H-N, followed by the numbers 3-1-6. For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth, life on other planets, and where Noah's Ark is, please wait until you arrive. Our computers show that you have already prayed today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow. The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday. Please pray again on Monday after 9:30 am. If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your local pastor. Thank you, and have a heavenly day. Nostradamus Makes you think, doesn't it........... Nostradamus' prediction on WW3: "In the year of the new century and nine months, From the sky will come a great King of Terror... The sky will burn at forty-five degrees. Fire approaches the great new city..." "In the city of York there will be a great collapse, 2 twin brothers torn apart by chaos while the fortress falls the great leader will succumb third big war will begin when the big city is burning" * NOSTRADAMUS He said this will be bigger than the previous two. 2001 is the first year of the new century and this is the 9th month. New York is located at the 41st degree Latitude. Miss Liberty Weeps The eleventh day in the month September. A day this AMERICA will long remember. For it was on that day, Edge of New York Bay, in the city that never sleeps...... In horror... Miss Liberty weeps. As we watch our own, feeling all alone, Brothers and sisters one and all. Are taken 'gainst their will, all their blood would spill, In the towers so mighty and tall. Strong shoulders to the city they keep.... All the while... Miss Liberty weeps.... Our eyes in total disbelief, In a battle with our grief. We can't watch, yet we CAN NOT turn our heads! So we bow our heads instead, �Almighty GOD !!�, was all we said. So many hurt ...and so many more are dead!! Concrete piled high in heaps.... Looking on Miss Liberty weeps. In our eyes each one a hero, right up until the very end. In their gravesite called Ground Zero, a hidden message they would send. Aside the aircrafts that were used, Inscribed an irony we would choose� AMERICAN all are we !!!, UNITED always, we stand TALL!!! However wounded, ..OUR true spirit will transcend!! Our price for freedom way too steep... Ever PROUD... Miss Liberty weeps. written by... Lauretta Mazauskas Evans Miami,Fl �USA American Airlines, 1-800-245-0999 United Airlines, 1-800-932-8555, The American Red Cross, 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, United Way FBI tip Web site Information on helping victims Community Faith in God - America! O' Great Spirit Here is my new definition of justice... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Killing him will only create a martyr. Holding him prisoner will inspire his comrades to take hostages to demand his release. Therefore, I suggest we do neither. Let the Special Forces, Seals or whatever covertly capture him, fly him to an undisclosed hospital and have surgeons quickly perform a complete sex change operation. Then we return HER to Afghanistan to live as a woman under the Taliban.
Heavens Grocery Store As I was walking down life's highway many years ago I came upon a sign that read Heavens Grocery Store. When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide And when I came to myself I was standing inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, "My child shop with care." Everything a human needed was in that grocery store. And what you could not carry, you could come back for more. First I got some Patience. Love was in that same row. Further down was Understanding. You need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two. And Charity of course I would need some of that too. I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost. It was all over the place. And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race. My basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed Grace. And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free. So I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me. Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill. For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will. As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in. For I knew when I stepped out side I would run into sin. Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf. Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?" He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?" "My child "He said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."This poem has been sent to you with love for good luck. It originated in the Netherlands and has been around the world 9 times. Rosemary ***************** DR. SEUSS EXPLAINS THE TRAGEDY Every U down in Uville liked U.S. a lot, But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not. The Binch hated U.S! the whole U.S. way! Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say, It could be his turban was screwed on too tight. Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright But I think that the most likely reason of all May have been that his heart was two sizes too small. But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his turban, He stood facing Uville, the part that was urban. "They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch. "They're raising their families! They're going to church! They're leading the world, and their empire is thriving, I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!" Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's, Would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses, They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools, And abide by their U and S values and rules, And then they'd do something he liked least of all, Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small, Would stand all united, each U and each S, And they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God bless!" All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand, and their voices would drown every sound in the land. "I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk, And he had an idea--an idea that might work! The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours, And crashed them right into the Uville Twin Towers. "They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour, "And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?" The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping, All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping, Instead he heard something that started quite low, And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow-- And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing... And he couldn't believe it--they started to sing! He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes, What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise! Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any towers at all! He HADN'T stopped U-Ville from singing! It sung! For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young, Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride, And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside. So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall, With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small, And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope, For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope. For America means a bit more than tall towers, It means more than wealth or political powers, It's more than our enemies ever could guess, So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless! "Mom" "Joni's Web Design" Tuffy" "Pappyspage" USA United We Stand	America: The Good Neighbor. Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his broadcast. "This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurriesin to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes.Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over theerosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any othercountry in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times - and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at hometo spend here. When the railways of France,* Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those." Stand proud, America! This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the rest of the world would realize it. We are always blamed for everything, and never even get a thank you for the things we do. I would hope that each of you would send this to as many people as you can and emphasize that they should send it to as many of their friends until this letter is sent to every person on the web. I am just a single American that has read this, I SURE HOPE THAT A LOT MORE READ IT SOON. Stand proud, America � Sharing Thoughts and prayers for our tomorrows �by Leonard Pitts from Miami Tribune.� LEONARD PITTS It�s my job to have something to say By Leonard Pitts Jr. Tribune Media Services They pay me to tease shades of meaning from social and cultural issues, to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul.� But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering.� You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard.� What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward�s attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn?� Whatever it was, please know that you failed. Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together.�� Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, cultural, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We�re frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae a singer�s revealing dress, a ball team�s misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We�re wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though - peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God. Some of you, perhaps, think that any or all of this makes us weak. You�re mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals. Yes, we�re in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We�re still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn�t a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn�t the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel.� Both in terms of the awful scope of its ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and indeed, the history of the world. You�ve bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before.� But there�s a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice.� I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future. In days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We�ll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined.� You see, there is steel beneath this velvet. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don�t know us well. On this day, the family�s bickering is put on hold. As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish. Still, I keep wondering what it was you hoped to teach us. It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred.� If that�s the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don�t know my people. You don�t know what we�re about. You don�t know what you just started. But you�re about to learn. X X X (Leonard Pitts is a columnist for the Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla., 33132. Readers may contact him at (888) 251-4407 or via e-mail at leonardpitts(at)mindspring.com.) Two Thousand One, Nine Eleven Two thousand one, nine eleven Five thousand plus arrive in heaven As they pass through the gate, Thousands more appear in wait A bearded man with stovepipe hat Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat" They settle down in seats of clouds A man named Martin shouts out proud "I have a dream!" and once he did The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives." Groups of soldiers in blue and gray Others in khaki, and green then say "We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine" The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain." From a man on sticks one could hear "The only thing we have to fear...... The Newcomer said, "We know the rest, trust us sir, we've passed that test." "Courage doesn't hide in caves You can't bury freedom, in a grave," The Newcomers had heard this voice before A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannis port shores A silence fell within the mist Somehow the Newcomer knew that this Meant time had come for her to say What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day "Back on Earth, we wrote reports, Watched our children play in sports Worked our gardens, sang our songs Went to church and clipped coupons We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought Unlike you, great we're not" The tall man in the stovepipe hat Stood and said, "don't talk like that! Look at your country, look and see You died for freedom, just like me" Then, before them all appeared a scene Of rubbled streets and twisted beams Death, destruction, smoke and dust And people working just 'cause they must Hauling ash, lifting stones, Knee deep in hell But not alone "Look! Black man, white man, brown man, yellow man Side by side helping their fellow man!" So said Martin, as he watched the scene "Even from nightmares, can be born a dream." Down below three firemen raised The colors high into ashen haze The soldiers above had seen it before On Iwo Jima back in '44 The man on sticks studied everything closely Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly "I see pain, I see tears, I see sorrow - but I don't see fear. "You left behind husbands and wives Daughters and sons and so many lives are suffering now because of this wrong But look very closely. You're not really gone All of those people, even those who've never met you All of their lives, they'll never forget you Don't you see what has happened? Don't you see what you've done? You've brought them together, together as one. With that the man in the stovepipe hat said "Take my hand," and from there he led five thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven. A MESSAGE FOR BIN LADEN Osama Bin Laden, your time is short; We'd rather you die, than come to court. Why are you hiding if it was in God's name? Your just a punk with a turban; a pathetic shame. I have a question, about your theory and laws; "How come you never die for the cause?" Is it because you're a coward who counts on others? Well here in America, we stand by our brothers. As is usual, you failed in your mission; If you expected pure chaos, you can keep on wishin' Americans are now focused and stronger than ever; Your death has become our next endeavor. What you tried to kill, doesn't live in our walls; It's not in buildings or shopping malls. If all of our structures came crashing down; It would still be there, safe and sound. Because pride and courage can't be destroyed; Even if the towers leave a deep void. We'll band together and fill the holes We'll bury our dead and bless their souls. But then our energy will focus on you; And you'll feel the wrath of the Red, White and Blue. So slither and hide like a snake in the grass; Because America's coming to kick your ass!!!	By now everyone has been hearing the death toll rise and reports of the destruction from the terrorist attacks on the US. These were deplorable acts that we will never forget. But now is a time to look at the other side of the numbers coming out of New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The sad but somewhat uplifting side that the mainstream media has not reported yet - the SURVIVAL rates and some positive news about the attacks. * The Buildings * The World Trade Center - The twin towers of the World Trade Center were places of employment for some 50,000 people. With the missing list of just over 5,000 people, that means 90% of the people targeted survived the attack. A 90% on a test is an 'A'. * The Pentagon - Some 23,000 people were the target of a third plane aimed at the Pentagon. The latest count shows that only 123 lost their lives. That is an amazing 99.5% survival rate. in addition, the plane seems to have come in too low, too early to affect a large portion of the building. On top of that, the section that was hit was the first of five sections to undergo renovations that would help protect the Pentagon from terrorist attacks. It had recently completed straightening and blastproofing, saving untold lives. This attack was sad, but a statistical failure. * The Planes * * American Airlines Flight 77* This Boeing 757 that was flown into the outside of the Pentagon could have carried up to 289 people, yet only 64 were aboard. Luckily 78% of the seats were empty. * American Airlines Flight 11* This Boeing 767 could have had up to 351 people aboard, but only carried 92. Thankfully 74% of the seats were unfilled. * United Airlines Flight 175* Another Boeing 767 that could have sat 351 people only had 65 people on board. Fortunately it was 81% empty. * United Airlines Flight 93* This Boeing 757 was one of the most uplifting stories yet. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard out of a possible 289 had 84% of its capacity unused. Yet these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process. * In Summary * Out of potentially 74,280 Americans directly targeted by these inept cowards, 93% survived or avoided the attacks. That's a higher survival rate than heart attacks, breast cancer, kidney transplants and liver transplants - all common, survivable illnesses. The Hijacked planes were mostly empty, the Pentagon was hit at it's strongest point, the overwhelming majority of people in the World Trade Center buildings escaped, and a handful of passengers gave the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives. Pass this information on to those in fear and the media. Don't fear these terrorists. The odds are against them. Many of us have heard that question "Where was your GOD when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was attacked?"� Well, I know where my GOD was the morning of September 11, 2001, and He was very busy! He was trying to discourage anyone from taking these flights. Those four flights together held over 1000 passengers and there were only 266 aboard. He was on 4 commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who were called by a loved one on one of the high-jacked planes said that passengers were screaming in the background.� On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the highjackers. He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all, only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings held over 50,000 workers, this was a Miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the World Trade Center told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays. He was holding up 2-110 story buildings so that 2/3 of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted.� And when they did fall, they fell inward.� GOD didn't allow them to topple over, as many more lives would have been lost. And when the buildings went down, my GOD picked up almost 6,000 of his children and carried them home with him.� Reassuring his frighten children that the worst was over and the best was yet to come. He sat down and cried that 19 of his children could have so much hate in their hearts.� That they didn't choose him, and now they are lost forever. He sent his children that are best trained for this disaster and had them save the few that were still alive, but unable to help themselves.� And then sent many others to help in anyway they were needed. He still isn't finished though, he held the love ones that were left behind in his arms.� He comforts them daily.� His other children are given the strength to reach out to them and help them in any way they can. And I believe he will continue to help us in what is to come.� He will give the people in charge of this great nation the strength and the wisdom to do the right thing.� He would never leave us in our time of need. So when anyone asks, "Where was your GOD on September 11", you can say "everywhere"!� And yes, although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I see God's miracles in every bit of it. I keep praying for those who don't believe in GOD, every chance I have. I can't imagine going through such a difficult time and not believing in GOD. Life would be hopeless. THE GREAT WALL --An American Dream !!!!!... Three guys, a Canadian, Osama Bin Ladin and Uncle Sam are out walking together one day. They come across a lantern and a Genie pops out of it."I will give each of you each one wish, that's three wishes total," says the Genie .The Canadian says, "I am a farmer, my dad was a farmer, and my son will also farm. I want the land to be forever fertile in Canada." With a blink of the Genie's eye, 'POOF' the land in Canada was forever madefertile for farming. Osama Bin Ladin was amazed, so he said, "I want a wall around Afganistan, so that no infidels, Jews or Americans can come into our precious state." Again, with a blink of the Genie's eye, 'POOF' there was a huge wall around Afganistan. "Uncle Sam" (A former civil engineer), asks, "I'm very curious. Please tell me more about this wall." The Genie explains, "Well, it's about 15,000 feet high, 500 feet thick and completely surrounds the country; nothing can get in or out---virtually impenetrable." "UncleSam" says, "Fill it with water." USA United We Stand
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