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October 2001
NEWS
Students unite to form one voice of hope
WAC gives audience better understanding
IMPRESSIONS
Editorial: We need to
set higher standards
Letters to the
editor:
Da playas gonna play
Men are from the "O" and
women are from "Starbucks"
Court approves peaceful minute
SPECIAL FEATURE
Americans face their
toughest challenge
Proud beyond words to be an American
Rude awakening just the
beginning
People wait for shock to settle
Students react to attacks
FEATURE
Finding the sweetest pad
in Pittsburgh
ENTERTAINMENT
Review of Slaughterhouse by Gail A.
Eisnitz
Street musician is on
prowl in Pittsburgh
EXPRESSIONS
Evangelistic dorm talk with Thomas B. Grosh IV
regarding the events of September 11,01
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October online edition
SPECIAL FEATURE
Proud beyond words to be an American
Connor Flaherty
Pittsburgh Standard
Where do we go from here? Yesterday, September 11th, the United
States was reminded in the most horrific of manners that even a superpower is
penetrable. What I as an American citizen take for granted on a daily basis --
relative safety, security, and confidence of character -- was nearly shaken down
to its very core as 4 commercial airliners were hijacked and taken on voyages of
terror and carnage, smashing gaping, smoldering holes in not only our military
nerve center, the Pentagon, but also our largest symbol of prosperity and
wealth, the World Trade Center in New York City. Two were flown into the WTC,
which ultimately collapsed as its steel structures buckled under temperatures
exceeding 14,000 degrees. A fourth plane crashed in rural western Pennsylvania,
80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It will take weeks, maybe months, to
calculate the death toll (numbers reaching the thousands already from the World
Trade Center alone); it’s brutally obvious that these figures will soar. It’s
simply unfathomable to me.
My initial
reactions fluctuated like a basketball as I went from sorrow and pain, to
unyielding rage and hostility. Knowing both my brother and sister live and work
in Washington D.C., I scrambled to receive confirmation of their safety.
Thankfully, they were indeed safe. Although I felt an unparalleled sense of
calm upon hearing of my families good health, I began to wonder about the other
brothers and sisters who have found out and will continue to find out that the
fates of their loved ones differ greatly than that of mine, because they’re
certainly out there. They’re right here at the University of Pittsburgh with
me. As the casualties increase, there will undoubtedly be lives on this campus
altered forever. It is now that I find myself overcome with a rage that is
unyielding and unwilling to compromise. What human being could orchestrate and
carry out an act as unspeakable as this? What cause is so just and worthy that
not only do you take your own life, but also the lives of tens upon thousands of
innocent civilians? It’s awfully difficult to keep a cool head at times like
these. I in my lifetime have never seen an action so callous and sickening.
Although
immediate and stalwart retaliation is a byproduct of human nature, will it solve
the problem? For the time being, I don’t believe it will. Taking care of our
family members, friends and fellow citizens, as well as assisting anyone who
needs help in any manner as a result of this nightmare should be our
priorities. These courses of action will not only make a significant difference
in the lives of individuals, but also reaffirm the strength of the American
spirit and put on display for the world what we already know as an unparalleled
solidarity. I’m entirely confident that not only extended security measures
will be taken, but that our military stands stronger than ever, ready and
prepared to carry out its duty. Policy for years to come may be reformed, but,
nevertheless, this is a country that we as Americans will continually strive to
maintain as the greatest on earth. We shall succeed with flying colors in
doing so.
I
am proud beyond words to be an American and although this disgusting act could
temporarily alter my mindset into one driven by frustration and anger, I will
make every attempt to turn it into one that further augments my understanding as
to why acts like what occurred this month are committed and how they can be
prevented in the future. Although a small world made these tragedies easier,
this same small world should make communication, reconciliation and toleration
even more plausible. Every human being deserves as much.
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