09-11-01

It is interesting how quickly Hollywood can package tradgedy. Less than 24 hours after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. I heard, on a local R&B station, a "sound collage" of quotes from the President and others on the attacks. The quotes were things like "We will find these cowards," and "The World Trade Center has collapsed," and the like, and were set to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" Suddenly all our thoughts, fears, and sense of country can be captured in one two and a half minute "song" that can, I suppose, be requested by phone. It seems to me to be in poor taste. I feel this way because in is unbearably annoying that some DJ can only express himself by creating this useless track which is supposed to conjure sentimental feelings in us, as if they weren't already present from the morning of September 11th on. Instead of help the community or send money east, this poor soul does the only thing he knows how to. Unfortunately, his trade is worth very little in a time of crisis.

Hollywood has been affected by these terrorist attacks. Readers, I'm sure, won't be overly sympathetic to the way in which it has been affected, however. An Arnold Schwartzenegger picture was set to be released soon. The plot? Something about terrorists bombing a building. There's about $70 million down the drain. "Big Trouble," starring Tim Allen and Rene Russo, also features terrorist content and has been postponed. The upcoming "Spider-Man" shows a scene in its trailer in which the title character spins a web between the "Twin Towers" of the WTC. If this scene is in the actual release as well, it may have to be cut. So terrorists and blowing up buildings will be off limits for a while in Tinseltown. Something tells me the hiring freeze just got colder.

I commend the bravery displayed by the citizens of New York City. Not only have they helped one another, but, from the things I've heard, few people are fleeing the city for good. If a similar attack had been made on L.A., I'd probably be the first Californian pushing his way into the Seattle job market. From accquaintances in L.A. I've heard many opinions of New York. While the people there are notoriously rude and tense, I have been told that they are some of the most caring folks anywhere.   Their city is THE city. It has a long and glorious history, and New Yorkers know it. I don't think a few angry Arabs are going to make the Big Apple a ghost town. New York has been at the top of my list of places I hope to visit since I was 13 or so. My desire to visit has not been deterred. It's dissappointing that one of its most impressive landmarks won't be there for me to see, but I now have a newfound respect for the people who inhabit NYC, whom I hope to experience along with the sights.

On Friday, September 14, 2001 President Bush invited people accross the country to attend their place of worship at 12:00 p.m. Many people here in L.A. did so, or at least left work. I wonder how many really went to church(temple, etc.). Prayer and worship have gone on a lot in America since the attack. It is noteworthy, I think, that when such a terrible slaughter of INNOCENT people occures, religious morale is at its peak. No one seems to be questioning God, his methods, or his existance.. Where you reckon he was?

What will become of flying in America? It will most likely be a hassle for a while. Travellers will have to get to the airport earlier, their baggage will be more thoroughly checked. In the long run, air travel will become more safe and, I think, the current hassles will be eliminated. Some form of security personnel may be required to board each aircraft. More sophisticated devices will be used to X-ray baggage. Airline employees will be more competent. Security will altogether become tightend but, in the long run, will not cause air travel to be overly time consuming or difficult.

It will be fascinating to see how the country and the world changes due to what took place in a few short hours one late summer morning. Where will increased security be necessary? Will we be able to get on a bus with a bag or back-pack? What will new immigration policies look like? Will we go to war? With whom? For how long? The next ten years could be shaped by the attacks. This will be the first real challenge for the President, for the country in the 21st century, and for my generation, who now must face the future as adults.

                                                                              Billy Six-Bears
                                                                              09/17/01