Steve, first of all, I have very vivid memories of your calm and measured leadership on that day, and I wanted to say how excellent of a job you did handling everything. I think we were all as calm as we could be, given the circumstances, because in large part to how you handled that day.
Secondly, I think you absolutely hit the nail on the head here. I think 9/11 started something in this country that I do not think that can be undone, in this lifetime, at least. It changed all of us for the worse, in many ways. For some of us, like myself, and you (I would imagine) it was just straight up trauma. For others, it was giving into humanity's worst impulses, or worse, taking using it as an opportunity to take advantage of the raw state that people were in. I think it's left an everlasting mark on us, as a country.
I will say, though, I think the plateau of that damage was 2016. I think we are now slowly working out way back from what caused us to cut off our nose to spite our collective faces. Maybe, slowly but surely, we can fight our way back from the scars left in 2001.
Love your blogs, by the way. I wouldn't be the me I am today without your guidance and patience with me as a teenager, so a big "thank you" for the grace you showed a deeply troubled, lost teenager 20-25 years ago!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful note. I have such vivid memories too. I remember that teenager with affection. It gives me great pleasure watching your personal and professional journey on Facebook. That's about all that Facebook is good for!
Right on.
Every. Fucking. Word.
Steve, first of all, I have very vivid memories of your calm and measured leadership on that day, and I wanted to say how excellent of a job you did handling everything. I think we were all as calm as we could be, given the circumstances, because in large part to how you handled that day.
Secondly, I think you absolutely hit the nail on the head here. I think 9/11 started something in this country that I do not think that can be undone, in this lifetime, at least. It changed all of us for the worse, in many ways. For some of us, like myself, and you (I would imagine) it was just straight up trauma. For others, it was giving into humanity's worst impulses, or worse, taking using it as an opportunity to take advantage of the raw state that people were in. I think it's left an everlasting mark on us, as a country.
I will say, though, I think the plateau of that damage was 2016. I think we are now slowly working out way back from what caused us to cut off our nose to spite our collective faces. Maybe, slowly but surely, we can fight our way back from the scars left in 2001.
Love your blogs, by the way. I wouldn't be the me I am today without your guidance and patience with me as a teenager, so a big "thank you" for the grace you showed a deeply troubled, lost teenager 20-25 years ago!
Todd!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful note. I have such vivid memories too. I remember that teenager with affection. It gives me great pleasure watching your personal and professional journey on Facebook. That's about all that Facebook is good for!
Indeed, who cares if it's causing the downfall of society, at least we get to keep up with old friends :)