No matter how slow, bureaucratic, and wasteful it is during normal day-to-day operations, the government can haul ass in a time of crisis.

I see this as proof that, despite its excess, the principles of American government are not only sound, but have endured since our inception.

I've never seen the country go on emergency lockdown as quick as they did today. No flights, no borders, mass evacuations. There's speculation that more would've happened had the government not responded so quickly and massively.

Then, making me feel even better, the US Department of Health and Human Services has activated a list of over 7000 volunteer medical personnel across the country, asking them to converge on NYC immediately.

If there's one thing the government's good at, its mobilizing resources into one particular area in a favor short time span. Let's see them do that anywhere else in the world

9/11/2001 6:35:36 PM

Alright TGD. I'll grant you that one. However, I'd prefer a gov't that didn't put itself in situations like this that warrant quick responses to crises.

9/11/2001 8:44:16 PM

Very true TGD. I'd also prefer a country who didn't put itself in these postions. And I think the only way to effectively do this is to make sure terrorists are dealt with before they strike. We should have done away with Bin Laden (sp?) long before this. And I don't care if he's innocent of this, he has a guilty past, and should be dealt with.

9/11/2001 8:54:27 PM

Thought I'd write a letter to the N&O on the subject:

Quote :

"Dear Editor, As our prayers go out to the thousands who have suffered immeasurable loss in the wake of Tuesday's horrific attacks, I hope our citizens find some solace in the response of our federal and state governments. These terrorist attacks have been compared to two past American tragedies: the unannounced bombing of Pearl Harbor Hawaii immediately prior to World War II; and the Battle at Antietem Creek during the Civil War, the single largest loss of life on United States soil in our nation's history. At Antietem, we faced the difficult task of transcending "brother-vs-brother" and moving forward in creating a stronger Union; at Pearl Harbor, that task became mobilizing against our enemies despite being caught off guard, demonstrating that wanton attacks on liberty would not fundamentally alter the American way of life. Following these attacks the country has demonstrated it can still come together and mobilize its people and resources. Despite the bureaucracy and waste that cause so many to lose faith in "The Government" on any "average" day, the immediate, uncompromising, and effective response of our elected officials should be a source of reassurance. It signifies not only the soundness of the principles upon which our government was founded, but also that those principles continue to endure and provide a foundation for every single American. President Lincoln delivered his most powerful speech following a battle that began soon after Antietem ended. Despite its age, the words of his Gettysburg Address still hold true: "...it is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Sincerely, T. Greg Doucette"

9/12/2001 12:44:25 AM

very good letter TGD

9/12/2001 12:52:19 AM