With regard to retaliation, I am left with only one thought: How many lives will it take to prove what the lives lost were worth?
There is a world of difference between retaliation and justice. I have little doubt that retaliation and additional loss of life will occur, but have reservations as to whether or not justice will truly be served in the process. This saddens me greatly.
With regard to the consequences of these attacks, I offer the following for consideration. Loss of innocence is the most striking casualty, regardless of the actual, final body count. The realization that horrifying events such as those witnessed today can happen here, on U.S. soil, is now a part of our national consciousness. The technology we rely upon on a daily basis for benign purposes has been successfully reinvented as devastating weaponry. How we deal with this loss of innocence, however, is what I believe to be of the greatest importance. The psychological ramifications of today's events will likely be years in the making; our cultural landscape will be undeniably altered.
I am a resident of Seattle. A little less than two years ago, residents of this city experienced the declaration of martial law in response to the WTO riots. While I am uncertain as to how we will respond to the terrorist acts experienced today, I have little doubt that the civil rights of our nation's average citizeny will be impacted. I hope that the decisions that are made for the purpose of ostensibly protecting our country are sensible ones; I fear, however, that instead we will lose something precious in the balance, that the freedoms we have long celebrated will be inexorably altered. In the wake of today's events, this is what I fear the most.
A friend of mine once said "If you stay in one place too long, eventually you'll die there." At the time he was trying to be enigmatic; my impression instead was that he was simply being vapid. I've realized the truth in his statement -- there are only two real choices: grow or die. It takes wisdom and courage to make changes to ensure that your best efforts continue to thrive; they don't call 'em "growing pains" for nothing! Congratulations on finding a way to grow; my best wishes that this venture lives up to your hopes and expectations.
Kudos, also, for the thoughts about "giving back to the community." It always amazes me how the most generous folks always find more ways to give. Please don't ever lose sight of that priority during the changes ahead. Realize also that you've already given much just by creating a community as vibrant and interesting as Slashdot -- and I, for one, am grateful. It's wonderful to have a place where the cacaphony dies down to individual voices and thoughts.
(Endnote: Just let me know when I can apply for that scholarship... I'm paying for my tech education with non-profit dollars!)
While I do agree with the analysis presented in your thoughts, McCoy added a truly unique dimension through his particular role -- that of Everyman. Male or female, I believe that many could relate to his character's thoroughly human character traits: the feisty crankiness, the perpetual questioning of his own abilities/self-determination (Dammit, Jim, I'm a Doctor! Not a ___________!"), and the compassion -- in some ways, dare I say it, he was the most "feminine" of the guys. There are times when I could use the "Dammit!" line with my boss, but unlike McCoy, I'm pretty sure I'd face some sort of repercussion for "insubordination." I admired the character's complexity and humanness, and envied the straight-forward delivery more than I can begin to express!
A little hero, that one. Didn't realize the degree of my appreciation for the role he brought to life until I wandered this way...
Slashdot Mirror
There is a world of difference between retaliation and justice. I have little doubt that retaliation and additional loss of life will occur, but have reservations as to whether or not justice will truly be served in the process. This saddens me greatly.
With regard to the consequences of these attacks, I offer the following for consideration. Loss of innocence is the most striking casualty, regardless of the actual, final body count. The realization that horrifying events such as those witnessed today can happen here, on U.S. soil, is now a part of our national consciousness. The technology we rely upon on a daily basis for benign purposes has been successfully reinvented as devastating weaponry. How we deal with this loss of innocence, however, is what I believe to be of the greatest importance. The psychological ramifications of today's events will likely be years in the making; our cultural landscape will be undeniably altered.
I am a resident of Seattle. A little less than two years ago, residents of this city experienced the declaration of martial law in response to the WTO riots. While I am uncertain as to how we will respond to the terrorist acts experienced today, I have little doubt that the civil rights of our nation's average citizeny will be impacted. I hope that the decisions that are made for the purpose of ostensibly protecting our country are sensible ones; I fear, however, that instead we will lose something precious in the balance, that the freedoms we have long celebrated will be inexorably altered. In the wake of today's events, this is what I fear the most.
A friend of mine once said "If you stay in one place too long, eventually you'll die there." At the time he was trying to be enigmatic; my impression instead was that he was simply being vapid. I've realized the truth in his statement -- there are only two real choices: grow or die. It takes wisdom and courage to make changes to ensure that your best efforts continue to thrive; they don't call 'em "growing pains" for nothing! Congratulations on finding a way to grow; my best wishes that this venture lives up to your hopes and expectations.
Kudos, also, for the thoughts about "giving back to the community." It always amazes me how the most generous folks always find more ways to give. Please don't ever lose sight of that priority during the changes ahead. Realize also that you've already given much just by creating a community as vibrant and interesting as Slashdot -- and I, for one, am grateful. It's wonderful to have a place where the cacaphony dies down to individual voices and thoughts.
(Endnote: Just let me know when I can apply for that scholarship... I'm paying for my tech education with non-profit dollars!)
While I do agree with the analysis presented in your thoughts, McCoy added a truly unique dimension through his particular role -- that of Everyman. Male or female, I believe that many could relate to his character's thoroughly human character traits: the feisty crankiness, the perpetual questioning of his own abilities/self-determination (Dammit, Jim, I'm a Doctor! Not a ___________!"), and the compassion -- in some ways, dare I say it, he was the most "feminine" of the guys. There are times when I could use the "Dammit!" line with my boss, but unlike McCoy, I'm pretty sure I'd face some sort of repercussion for "insubordination." I admired the character's complexity and humanness, and envied the straight-forward delivery more than I can begin to express!
A little hero, that one. Didn't realize the degree of my appreciation for the role he brought to life until I wandered this way...