Thoughts From Baltimore
Created | Updated Jul 11, 2003
Have you ever seen those pictures of New York right after the end of World
War II was announced? Jubilant New Yorkers filling the streets, headline of
their newspapers clearly visible: WE WIN! Yesterday, the streets of New York
were again filled with people, not jubilant, but terrified. The headline on
the front page of this mornings Baltimore Sun: DEVASTATION.
Yesterday, after the airplane strikes, people evacuating the second tower
cheered firefighters as they raced up the stairs to attempt to rescue those
in need, little knowing that it would soon be those same firefighters who
would be in need of rescue. At the time of this writing it is believed that
there are approximately 205 New York City firefighters missing.
Early yesterday morning, in California, a mother received a phone call from
her son, who was travelling on business. His conversation consisted of two
points: my flight has been hijacked, and I love you very much. It would be
the last that she heard from him.
On my way to work this morning, I passed Baltimore harbor. There, with
steam up, lay the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship; readying for
deployment to New York. Here, directly in between the two locations
attacked, we have resources going to both. In down town Baltimore itself
yesterday and today, city dumptrucks filled with sand blocked roads around
the Federal courthouse, City hall and the police station downtown, guarding
against car bombs. Heavily armed police officers are to be seen in sensative
areas. Terrorism has come to American soil.
As much as we could say that terrorism has now shown itself in force here
from abroad, I would not go so far as to say that terror has. Government
offices and services are running today, seemingly to send the message that
we will not be intimidated as a nation by cowards. This seemed to be our
leader's message, and also seems to be the attitude here.
What next? On more than one occasion yesterday I heard the phrase
'Where do I sign up?'
out of the mouths of young men, succesful men, students, peers.
They were not referring to the Red Cross blood drives.
America is a nation grieving, but a nation that is also prepared to take
action. I just hope that we are able to find the correct parties to take
action against.
