On September 20, 2001 - nine days after the Twin Towers were destroyed - Valencia College hosted a forum on terrorism that was filmed. On this 12th anniversary of the day that changed everything I thought you might want to watch what people were saying only nine days after "the day".
Your comments, as always, are encouraged.
Here is the link:
http://websflash.valenciacollege.edu/videoPlayer.html?appl=ValenciaProductions&inst=Videos&vid=mp4%3A010920-04FORU
Thanks for posting this. It's great to watch this now, with the benefit of knowing what happened next.
ReplyDeleteThe pace at which liberty has eroded over the past 12 years has been shocking. Even more so is the apathy that has accompanied it.
Sandwiched between statements aimed at shock (your government will take more from you than the terrorists) and doom (we're facing a recession of liberty), you also offered some real challenging encouragement. Clearly, public speaking is your thing, and it was a joy to see you in action.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that this all happened 12 years ago--it feels much closer. (except for the fact that you do look a bit younger!!!)
I was glad to watch this earlier this week and reflect on all that has changed since that time, particularly inside of me.
Nine days afterward, I was still in New York City, trying to make sense of what and how my organization was going to respond to these attacks, and I was starting to spiral into abject fear and discouragement. "Death is the smelling salts of life," one man said to me that week.
May I never forget some of the lessons I learned about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness during those dark days. Bottom line for me: this is all going to pass, sooner or later, and eternity deserves my attention way more than I'm willing to give it.