September 11, 2001 will live forever as Black Tuesday.
Much has been written about Bin Laden, his suspected associates, their mission, the conspiracy theories, and the international co-operation and concern about this tragedy. But what have we learned, and what lessons can we take from this time of mourning and unprecedented public outcry?
As a Canadian, I believe that we have a slightly more objective view of this attack.
If we boil this down to it's basics. It is this.
Bin Laden and his associates, after a year or so of planning, complete an attack on the World Trade Tower and the Pentagon using the least suspected weapon possible. 200 die in Washington, and who knows how many in New York. The international community, now polarized by the atrocity, vows to fight terrorism together. The financial community, loses many world headquarters and many key personnel, is stopped for a while, then starts up again.
From a Canadian viewpoint, I make the following observations.
1. The price of peace is eternal vigilance. Bin Laden has shown that. The cost of complacency can be incalculable.
2. When faced with savage atrocity, the world community does pull together to mourn, and to seek retribution.
3. Death does not stop the financial world.
4. Even major league sports can show respect.
5. Restraint can be the media's best friend.
We are all connected in this world, whether by employment, friendship, or professional association. The final cost of this loss in terms of human life is stunning, and the financial cost is huge (but insignificant taken in context). The value of those who served the injured, lost, hurt or the dead can never be underestimated. The real heroes of this event are the fire fighters, the police, the emergency workers, and the volunteers who sought to help the victims and to counsel the survivors. Without them, this could have been far worse. May God be with us all in this time.
For the Lone Ranger fan in us, check out todays Dennis the Menace. It's great! (Saturday or Sunday September 15/16)
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