At about a quarter to nine in the morning a colleague got a call from his wife about a jumbo jet crashing into one of the World Trade Center towers. His natural reaction was "you've gotta be kidding". Sad to say it was true. A true-to-life movie special effect, more horrifying than any movie. Those weren't extras or stunt people — just people like you and I at work in those tall towers. It still seems incredible. Did the perpetrators, other than the so-called "martyrs" on the planes, know how "successful" their mission would be? The U.S.A. has moved on but, how, how can one fight against fanaticism especially without usurping everyone's personal freedoms?

Why did it happen? I am sure there will be as many reasons as persons who senselessly died in the tragedy. According to articles I have read, 9/11 was being planned for at least a couple of years, perhaps longer. Being of a non-violent nature myself I really can't conceive how these people could plan such destruction.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families today. I'm sure the extensive news coverage is poking into some deep emotional wounds that have barely started to heal. What can anyone say to assuage this deep sorrow? Extend a hand in friendship, provide a shoulder to cry on, one can't know their pain but one can try and understand and sympathize with their feelings.