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OpinionSUNDAY NIGHT - For the sake of all that is goodSUNDAY NIGHT by MaryHelen Swanson, editor There was no need to enhance the drama of the event. Reality was its own ugly actor. Watching once again the events of Sept. 11 reminded me that it was not a bad dream. It could have been easy to believe it was since the tragedy struck over 1,000 miles away and weíre not witness every day to a gaping hole where once stood two magnificent buildings. The visions fade week by week as our everyday problems keep inching the memories of the horror farther away. And the war that ensued, likewise is not a dream, although it is waged many more than a thousand miles away. With new-age rules dictating that secrecy be kept in the war zones, we hardly know the truth about what is happening over there. New-age empathy kept the pictures from Ground Zero at a different level than those we saw growing up of the masses of dead bodies in Nazi concentration camps. For those of us who were not there, the real impact of that fateful day last fall will probably never be fully understood. How grateful we should be that we donít have to relive the horror every day like those who were huddled under the ashes of the falling towers, fleeing the burning gash in the side of the Pentagon, or speeding out to the grassy field in Pennsylvania in an emergency vehicle only to find a mass burial site where a plane crash should have been. In all of this, the hearts of the men and women who were there seems to have been softened, even as they remain determined to back our nationsí leaders in our fight against terrorism. As our president set tight his jaw and moved forward to declare war, the tears of compassion glistened in the corners of his eye and his voice cracked when he spoke of the fallen. Likewise, tough New Yorkers, gripped with agony over the loss of fellow firefighters, friends and family members, are making new promises -to be a better father, to be a better husband, a better son, friend, brother . . . These are solemn vows emerging out of their anguish. As for the rest of us? We flew flags, collected food, money and clothing. Blood flowed - for the good, by the gallon. Tears fell, prayers rose. We made our own vows to be nicer to others, to appreciate our freedoms, to give more, whine less, listen harder, and work together for the good of the country. Well, friends, North Branch, Stacy, Harris, Rush City, Almelund, Chisago County - are all part of that country. We have our own issues and pains, nothing in comparison to the Sept. 11 tragedies, to be sure, but issues none-the-less. You know them - hunger, growth, school crowding, needed road improvements, low wages, lost jobs - they are all here. But as we try to deal with these issues, weíre not being very nice to each other. While it is good to have opinions, attacking one another is nonproductive. Itís obvious that not everyone can be happy, no matter which side prevails. But thatís the problem, as I see it, I mean, taking sides and dividing ourselves. In the aftermath of 9/1l, it seems to me that we should stop sparring over the issues and come together. Weíve all seen what such conflict can do to countries in the Middle East. Please remember, this is East Central Minnesota in the United States of America. For the sake of all that is good in our country, letís give unity a try. ©ECM Post Review |