Monday 7 September 2009

Hmmm …

Hmmm …

Can I be honest, here?

¿Can I?

I had been given some thought to writing about “Star Wars” — the real “Star Wars” — as Movie Night Kevin had popped into say Hello, and loaned me his copies of the various movies in the franchise.

But …

Well …

Hmmm …

Have you ever heard a variation of the phrase “I can remember where I was, when …” Big World Shaking Event “… happened”.

My mother swears blind she can remember where she was, when she heard about Kennedy being shot, for example.

I can remember where I was, when I heard about Princess Diana’s death, as another.

But — and I know this is a couple of days earlier than the actual anniversary — Channel 4 has been showing a documentary.

About — as you’ve probably guessed from the first photo — the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, in New York.

I can remember where I was, I know that …

BOY, can I ever remember … !

2001 wasn’t a vintage year, for me.

So, while I heard about the attack, I didn’t actually see any news footage, ’til the afternoon.

And, my lord, it was shocking stuff.

It was …

I can still, even now, remember how shocked I was to see what had happened.

I can still remember what I thought, as well, when I saw the news footage of those two planes hitting the Towers.

Dear God, I hope that’s local … ”.

Seriously, that was my first thought.

Followed, almost immediately, by words to the effect of “… because if that’s some bunch of religious fanatics in the Middle East, there’ll be hell to pay.”.

I hate being right, sometimes.

Believe it or not.

But I think it didn’t take the brains of Einstein to realise that the USA would make someone pay dearly for what had been done.

Which I’m thinking has put us — collectively — where we are now.

I know I’ve got an old friend who’s joined that army, and is in Afghanistan, as a result of those attacks.

I also know something else, as well.

That, if ever the USA catches Osama bin Laden, I’d quite understand both the people and government of America would want to string him up.

Understanding that, and agreeing with it, are two very different things, though.

I think if ever the USA ever caught the man who’s ideology was responsible for those lives lost, and executed him, they would be handing Al-Qaeda the biggest recruitment poster and its biggest martyr in one fell swoop.


No comments: