Optimism

This weeks atrocities have affected us all with reprecussions felt throughout the entire world. Quite rightly, this board has been silenced for days as a true and genuine sign of solidarity and mutual respect.

Personally, I cannot put into words the disgusting acts witnessed over the last days - and digest the terror and pain felt by the thousands of victims across the attacks.

As a small method of therapy, is it possible to begin talking once more - I would personally like to here that Jeff White, April, Patrick and the entire United States Orderline population are okay - This Orderline family discussion group owes it to each other to talk as a matter of open therapy.

Its been a sick week... but terrorism musn't prevent our optimism for the future. It can be overcome.

Huntsy, thanks for your message and all of your heartfelt thoughts. As a matter of fact, I work very near the White House, so that when we heard that a plane had hit the Pentagon Tuesday morning after the crashes in New York, there was the element of personal fear added to the horror that everyone was already feeling after seeing what had happened in New York. Everyone evacuated my office building at around 10 a.m. Tuesday and all of downtown D.C. in fact. Today the streets near the White House are closed to vehicles and we had to show picture ID's to be admitted to walk in the street where I work. Obviously the situation here is nothing near that in New York, but it may well be we have the passengers on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania to thank for our lives. Loving wishes from all of us here to all of our friends at this forum.

... so it could be said Patrick, that, its feasible, you may have been killed on Tuesday?

I'd like you to know that being in the UK thousands of miles from the points of impact does not in any way dilute the travesty and gut-wrenching feeling of utter disbelief. Everybody I know has put this incident before any other during everyday life. What sick bastards alive in this world... it really is unbelievable.

On a far lesser note, I was planning (and had planned) a trip to New York in early November - amongst the places I was headed was the World Trade Centre. Well I guess that's not possible now. Whole trip cancelled.

My business partner has just headed off for a meeting about a catalogue for use in the States. A few people from the States were meant to be at this meeting. Due to the events, they are unable to attend. They were not killed - it must be said - but how the wave of devastation ripples everywhere.

Yes, Huntsy, if one of those planes had seriously tried to hit the White House, it could well have taken the building where I was Tuesday morning. I don't think anybody here is looking forward with pleasure to the time when planes are flying again. The airport close to downtown D.C. is closed indefinitely, but that is not where the plane that hit the Pentagon took off from.

First of all I would like to thank you Huntsman for your words... Also Patrick I am very glad you are ok!

I have earlier posted of my fears of being in Los Angeles and that where I live is one of the largest cities in the United States. I am very grateful to be alive and know easily that this now can happen to anyone at any time, the reality has hit.

I agree with Nicolas' statement on the hard part of this whole situation. I see the plane crashes over and over again and I have to say that they don't come close to the horror of the aftermath. I also saw the news when a reporter was interviewing people that were looking for lost loved ones. I have to admit I was crying uncontrolably at their pain. The reporter was even crying. To see these people in so much pain over not knowing if their loved ones are alive or dead is so sad. They can't even grieve.

I was reading the Wednesday edition of the LA Times for the first time today and saw they had the nerve to put a half page picture of people almost jumping out of the building after it was struck. I am just sickened by the media and the way they are showing this information that we don't need to see. It is sad, but that is what sells!

I have mixed feelings on what should be done next and hearing all of the things that they find out day after day makes me even more worried. When they arrest new people thinking they could have done the same thing but got caught early or just the thought that some of these hateful people are still here in the country is frightening...

I came home Tuesday afternoon not fearing the "gangsters" in my neighborhood...that is strong...even since a young man was killed on the corner of my street just 2 weeks ago, something that doesn't happen often in my little city..

Personally to answer your question Huntsman, I am not doing ok, but with the love of my friends and family I know that things will get better.

Sorry if this doesn't make much sense but it is very emotional...

One more note, this is the time to forgive and remember who your friends are, visit them and talk to them... don't forget about your friends or family!!!

April - I've been to LA in my time and thought it was one of the scariest places on earth. I was more pre-occupied with not getting shot than taking time to look around. So many arse holes with shooters wanting to 'smoke' anyone that gets in their path. I felt like getting a giant banana and poking them in the eye... but you can't, most of them leg it round the place in massive old cars that look like small buses. In the UK April, a typical American car is comparable in size to a small town.

Its interesting to see that even these 'gangsters' that you must fear every day of your life have gone out of mind - in place of the recent horrific tragedies. It is a world-wide monumental atrocity of amazing proportions... it really isn't possible to comprehend.

If its any help April - your not alone in your worry.

Try to 'not' let it disrupt your life any further - instead, focus your energy on how to bring the demise of the imbeciles who could cause as much chaos in the future.

Here's hoping Bush and the rest of us can really 'hurt' the culprits now, like now, not tomorrow. What is really required is an end to the heart of the terrorists. Cut off ALL of their supplies, and most of their heads.

April, thanks very much for your good wishes. I certainly can't tell you that there's no reason to be afraid. Obviously there is. Who knows what sort of thing they might do next. Most likely something completely different. I also agree it's a time to focus on your genuine friends, and I definitely include people here in that category.

By the way, Huntsy, I may not have been clear enough about what I meant about the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. It has been reported that plane was targeted for Washington, probably the White House. It has also been reported that several of the passengers made cell phone calls to family, and that at least one was told by his wife about the WTC crashes. He told her he was going to do something about it, and apparently he and others succeeded. That for me is really one of the brightest spots in this whole thing, what those people did, regardless of whether I am one of the people who would have suffered if they hadn't done it.

Originally posted by Patrick April, thanks very much for your good wishes. I certainly can't tell you that there's no reason to be afraid. Obviously there is. Who knows what sort of thing they might do next. Most likely something completely different. I also agree it's a time to focus on your genuine friends, and I definitely include people here in that category.

I am very glad that I have people on my side. I think I will just wait and help out however I can. Times like this are for friends and family and to remember the ones that you didn't find time for before. There are some people on this board that I consider really true friends like you, Huntsman, and Liv to name a couple. I have been posting on Moby's site a little lately and that is really helping, there are really good people on there. I just would like to thank all of those that have helped me :)

It sounds like you may be feeling a little better, April. I hope so! Thanks again for your kind words and good wishes!

Originally posted by Patrick It sounds like you may be feeling a little better, April. I hope so! Thanks again for your kind words and good wishes!

:)