I , for one, applaud Andre for trying. Also, if you would have read, Andre reacted with sympathy and compassion for the real victims and support for all of us. Not just American's, but all decent God loving humans. And you may ask yourself "what is my qualification to speak on this most sensitive and delicate matter?"
First, my name is Senior Airman Shannon R. Wright Formerly of the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Unit/ 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron / 35 th Tactical Fighter Wing George AFB, Victorville, CA , now a Veteran resident of McSherrsytown, PA about 10 miles East of Gettysburg . Also only 50-65 miles east of Somerset, PA where Jet#4 went down, 90 miles north of the Pentagon, and 180-200 miles SW of NYC. You might say I'm right in the middle of the triangle. In my 5 years of Honorable service I went to West Germany, Spain , Honduras- for Operation Just Cause(Panama) and 3, yes 3 trips to the Middle East. Beni Suef & Cairo West AFB, Egypt and Manama, Bahrain- The Shield & Storm.
And if I can see through Andre's words and see he is just drawing up a hypothetical version of how an Imperial citizen may feel, then all of you should. And for those of you who have taken this too seriously and written mad letters to Andre I ask this one question.
1) Where were you when the Airlines took off the Skymarshalls?? Where were you when they stopped using local police forces and went to private "Rent-a-cops" for Airport security?? Where were you when they wrote up hiring guidelines for these Security personal, baggage check people, and luggage haulers??
where were you when I was learning from 1987-1991 that 50-70% of Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East hate America and Americans? Our lifestyle, our religion, our wealth, and our Country??
Most Arabs and Muslims who have left the Middle East have done so because they fear for their lives, they do not agree with the extremist point of view , and they love our sense of Freedom and Life.
And now this happens. Were you surprised? I was not. I've been expecting this since August, 1987- my 21st birthday and my first trip to Egypt. I knew then that since we bombed Libya the year before that a terrorist attack could happen at any moment. I just prayed everyday that I was not around when it happened, or if I was that I could make a positive difference in the outcome of events.
And to see those airliners crash into the WTC, then the Pentagon, and possibly the Capitol building if not for the heroics of the 4th jets passengers, I was numb. Then enraged to see on CNN Palestinian children celebrating in the streets the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Then sick to see a Pepsi cooler in the merchants shop where they were celebrating. To think an American company would deal with people like that.
So I ask again. Where were you??
And where will you be when they want tougher laws on these crimes?? And stricter regulations on the Airlines?? And taxes to help pay for the added security?? Will you and your voices still be heard?? Or will you fade into the woodwork when they ask for these things??
I wonder how things will change in six months? A year. 5 years. Will things be changed and safer , or will we just put this in the backs of our minds until the next crisis.
I wonder??
"Laugh it up Fuzzball!"
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