Like the assassination of President Kennedy, you know where you were and what you were doing when you first heard the news of 9/11.
In spite of the massive media exposure which has already been printed, televised and broadcast, and in the certainty that there is much more of the same to come, I still find myself fascinated by aspects of it.
The previously unseen film footage from the police helicopter showing New York and the attacks on the Twin Towers made impact even after ten years. So too did a programme in which twins who had lost their twin sibling in the attacks talked about the impact of the loss on their lives and families.
Charles Moore, the former editor of the Daily Telegraph in an assessment of the consequences of this attack reminded his readers that this was also the single largest loss of UK citizens in a terrorist attack – more than at Lockerbie or in any of the horrors of Ireland. Some 67 British citizens died at the Twin Towers.
The results have affected the world since. In Afghanistan the USA is still engaged in the longest war in it’s history. I agree with Moore’s assessment that whilst there is not a neat solution there, that life in the West and other places including some parts of the Arab/Islamic world are somewhat more safe in a world without Osama Bin Laden and some of his close associates.
Last night’s extensive television documentary and re-construction of the attack on Bin Laden’s headquarters in Pakistan, to which President Obama contributed, underscored this. I found it remarkable that a President of Mr Obama’s political outlook and orientation towards peace, was nevertheless resolute in sanctioning this action. The possibility of a repeat of President Carter’s similar style of mission which failed must surely have weighed heavily upon the current incumbent of the Oval Office.
Northern Ireland was one of the few areas to benefit directly from 9/11. On that day New Yorkers in particular and Americans generally saw up close and personal the effects of terrorism. In the green mist bars and clubs of New York and in similar establishments nationwide, the collection boxes had been passed round for some thirty years to enable the purchase of the Semtex and the Armalites. 9/11 was a critique of such behaviour. And Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein knew it. 9/11 was formative in the move toward the peace process. 9/11 was a seismic change in both US and Irish politics.
Some good did come out of evil. Some peace came out of violence. Some prayers were answered. The prayers in PRAY2DAY on this site for the remainer of this week centre on the consequences of 9/11. They are a gentle reminder that for some it is the 10th anniversary of immense loss, and a radical change in their life and family circumstances as well as a vastly changed world.
Houston McKelvey