Nervous wreck about US World Affairs

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Kathleen111

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I am a 9/11 WTC survivor. I was kept away from politics for a long time because it wasn't condusive to my recovery. I've caught up on some reading but I am concerned about the coming US election in November and our reputation in the world.

As a Christian, I know I am not *suppose* to fear anything but I am just a little person in the world and mass murder/war is something I can not bear to go through again. I have never and could never wish that on my worst enemy. I don't care what anyone has done, nobody, nobody, deserves to die like that. I can't imagine for anyone who has seen war, wanting to inflict that. I sure am pro UN resolutions if it is possible but unfortunately we, the US, have bypassed that process set out by survivors and victors of War in a prior age to prevent it. It is horrific and I can't imagine for anyone who is still alive and still sane after an attack, would want more of it.

Since all my friends are dead, save 2, and I couldn't walk for about 18 months, I sure have made some internet buddies. For my British internet friends, who are politically speaking our long time allies, it has made me nervous to listen to unaddressed concerns about American commercial imperialism and plutocracy in England. Naturally, it has made me nervous to listen to futher unaddressed concerns about our world police/miliatary dominance in the global village. I don't see our leaders here addressing our waining reputation as idealists and leaning more toward a superpolice mentality where money and might make rightful leaders. All I know is whenever the world is ticked off at us, NYC gets the guff. We are suppose to be a city of a melting pot of hope, showing the world that it is possible for people of all nations and faiths and every walk of life to live side by side in peace and prosperity. We are all real nervous here about this coming election. The UN process was bypassed and so many things have happened in such a short period of time that it will be a long process to recover world trust. I don't blame anyone who doesn't trust us. I don't hate anyone. We don't have any nation keeping us in check anymore, it used to be the Soviet Union keeping us honest, so I don't know what to say. Nothing is stopping us so I am really hoping for a miracle. That the US Gov't somehow take the hint and listen to what our neighbors are saying.

I'm scared. I know I shouldn't be but I am anyway. I still have a limp. I still have to find a way to go on and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

God bless.
 

mindlight

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Kathleen111 said:
I am a 9/11 WTC survivor. I was kept away from politics for a long time because it wasn't condusive to my recovery. I've caught up on some reading but I am concerned about the coming US election in November and our reputation in the world.

As a Christian, I know I am not *suppose* to fear anything but I am just a little person in the world and mass murder/war is something I can not bear to go through again. I have never and could never wish that on my worst enemy. I don't care what anyone has done, nobody, nobody, deserves to die like that. I can't imagine for anyone who has seen war, wanting to inflict that. I sure am pro UN resolutions if it is possible but unfortunately we, the US, have bypassed that process set out by survivors and victors of War in a prior age to prevent it. It is horrific and I can't imagine for anyone who is still alive and still sane after an attack, would want more of it.

Since all my friends are dead, save 2, and I couldn't walk for about 18 months, I sure have made some internet buddies. For my British internet friends, who are politically speaking our long time allies, it has made me nervous to listen to unaddressed concerns about American commercial imperialism and plutocracy in England. Naturally, it has made me nervous to listen to futher unaddressed concerns about our world police/miliatary dominance in the global village. I don't see our leaders here addressing our waining reputation as idealists and leaning more toward a superpolice mentality where money and might make rightful leaders. All I know is whenever the world is ticked off at us, NYC gets the guff. We are suppose to be a city of a melting pot of hope, showing the world that it is possible for people of all nations and faiths and every walk of life to live side by side in peace and prosperity. We are all real nervous here about this coming election. The UN process was bypassed and so many things have happened in such a short period of time that it will be a long process to recover world trust. I don't blame anyone who doesn't trust us. I don't hate anyone. We don't have any nation keeping us in check anymore, it used to be the Soviet Union keeping us honest, so I don't know what to say. Nothing is stopping us so I am really hoping for a miracle. That the US Gov't somehow take the hint and listen to what our neighbors are saying.

I'm scared. I know I shouldn't be but I am anyway. I still have a limp. I still have to find a way to go on and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

God bless.

What a fantastic post! It is so good to hear first hand from a survivor of that momentous event. Your thoughts and struggles are those of someone who has really felt the pains of the current world order brought so horrifically to an awful focus on 9/11. In some sense the rest of us are commentators while you have lived through this and are living through this.

However 9/11 changed me also though I was not in the WTC, I think in fact that that event changed everybody since we all watched it in hushed offices and homes around the world.

I was already aware of the simmering resentment of the Arab world and amazed at the indifference of both the American and british governments to these feelings. BUt the degree of the terrorist response was a total shock to me and everyone else I think.

Since my wife is an American it has fascinated me to watch America come to terms with this event which must rank with Pearl harbour as one of the most significant attacks on American soil ever and I have been there in the debates as America reevaluated itself following those events.

You are right that American companies with government support have pursued a commercial global dominance since the collapse of the Berlin Wall which has worried many around the world. British companies have done this also and I would not take too seriously the view of American commercial Imperialism over my own nation. British companies own significant slices of the American economy also. The Americans and British work together at that level and their alliance is a necessary symptom of a symbiotic relationship in my view. The lack of contracts going to British companies in Iraq was a little disappointing to me after all the support Britain gave America and is giving America even now however. However I think on the whole the British and Americans work together on multiple levels and their companies are trans Atlantic in scope also.

I would also question whether Iraq was a decision merely based on might is right. Iraq had defied numerous UN resolutions and 'serious consequences' had been promised for this but the UN was unprepared to deliver on these. French, Chinese and Russian interests did not coincide with the British and Americans in this scenario and so the UN was a divided forum. That the coalition of nations that removed sadam acted without a direct resolution is not historically unusual and removed a major source of instability from the Middle east not to mention a man who killed hundreds of thousands Iraqis and millions of neighbours also. The ongoing task in Iraq is a difficult one but as with Soviet Union requires the mettle to see it through to the end. The worthiest of goals often involve a degree of struggle before they can be realised and a stable and peaceful Middle east with freedom for women from oppression for instance is a worthy goal.
 
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Kathleen111

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Hi Mindlight,

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and insightful response.

I can see why I was under watch and doctor's orders not to see any news media about 9/11. Largely, I still have no idea what was happening on the outside. Most people know more about what happened to us than I do. I didn't even know it was airplanes until about December of 2001. I didn't know everyone was gone until I was out of danger. My job sent a nice man in January to tell me everyone was dead. I am one of only five others who survived from my floor. It was real good of my internet buddies not to lie to me because it gets crazy making not knowing, yet knowing something went terribly wrong. Sure, I flipped out, screamed, cried, and threw up. The beauty of the internet is nobody can see that.

Much to the dismay and disgust of the world, America and the United Kindgom have the most fruitful, long standing, and loyal of all partnerships between nations in all of history. France and Ireland have always complained about the "inbalance of power" in Europe because of the inseparable allegience between America and Great Britain. To pick on England is to pick on the US and vice versa. America will not take side against the mother country on any issue. No way. We can, we have, and we will level the whole of Europe to protect our greatest friend and ally.

Even the immigration laws between the US and the UK make exception. I just found out recently from one of my internet buddies that I am a dual citizen of the UK. Cool.

I remember back in 1993 being told that everything was fine and it was a fluke on the WTC. We've been made aware repeatedly that Islamic fundementalists hate our guts. I remember being told in 2002 that it was an unfortunate calamity of error. Uh huh. I remember that morning hearing an annoucement "There has been an accident at #1 WTC, #2 WTC is secure, please return to your offices."

I guess maybe someone could understand why I don't trust our government or the powers that be anymore? It has damn near killed me twice to listen to authorities and experts.

My advice is to get out of the building and never listen to the experts and authorities in a crisis. Heck security even told us to remain inside the building because "it is the safest place to be right now." I don't want to think about how many innocent people that decision killed. Oh, my big heroics was to punch out a fireman that got in between me and the door. Then there was that security officer who became mighty obliging about giving me the key for said door with a gun to his head. I bet you didn't hear that story? I never felt so alone and scared in my life. All I wanted was to go home. It's good to know people saw and people cared.

Thanks again.

Your friend,
Kathleen
 
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mindlight

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Kathleen111 said:
Hi Mindlight,

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and insightful response.

I can see why I was under watch and doctor's orders not to see any news media about 9/11. Largely, I still have no idea what was happening on the outside. Most people know more about what happened to us than I do. I didn't even know it was airplanes until about December of 2001. I didn't know everyone was gone until I was out of danger. My job sent a nice man in January to tell me everyone was dead. I am one of only five others who survived from my floor. It was real good of my internet buddies not to lie to me because it gets crazy making not knowing, yet knowing something went terribly wrong. Sure, I flipped out, screamed, cried, and threw up. The beauty of the internet is nobody can see that.

Much to the dismay and disgust of the world, America and the United Kindgom have the most fruitful, long standing, and loyal of all partnerships between nations in all of history. France and Ireland have always complained about the "inbalance of power" in Europe because of the inseparable allegience between America and Great Britain. To pick on England is to pick on the US and vice versa. America will not take side against the mother country on any issue. No way. We can, we have, and we will level the whole of Europe to protect our greatest friend and ally.

Even the immigration laws between the US and the UK make exception. I just found out recently from one of my internet buddies that I am a dual citizen of the UK. Cool.

I remember back in 1993 being told that everything was fine and it was a fluke on the WTC. We've been made aware repeatedly that Islamic fundementalists hate our guts. I remember being told in 2002 that it was an unfortunate calamity of error. Uh huh. I remember that morning hearing an annoucement "There has been an accident at #1 WTC, #2 WTC is secure, please return to your offices."

I guess maybe someone could understand why I don't trust our government or the powers that be anymore? It has damn near killed me twice to listen to authorities and experts.

My advice is to get out of the building and never listen to the experts and authorities in a crisis. Heck security even told us to remain inside the building because "it is the safest place to be right now." I don't want to think about how many innocent people that decision killed. Oh, my big heroics was to punch out a fireman that got in between me and the door. Then there was that security officer who became mighty obliging about giving me the key for said door with a gun to his head. I bet you didn't hear that story? I never felt so alone and scared in my life. All I wanted was to go home. It's good to know people saw and people cared.

Thanks again.

Your friend,
Kathleen

I loved your comments about the American - British relationship thats the way I see it too. We will argue as allies are bound to on occasions but not so often in public and on most things there is a coincidence of interest. My grandfather was an American and I suppose I could claim citizenship if I wanted for having married an American. But really I am British when it comes down to it and see no problem about just being British.

I understand your determination to get out of the building on that day and am a little surprised that anyone tried to stop you. I guess there is a lot of confusion in those situations I suppose the fireman and the security man were only trying to do what was right.

I think that there was a certain arrogance about the American response to the first attempt by Osama Bin laden to blow up the trade Centre. They underestimated what could be achieved with a few tanked up aircraft a plan and a few fanatically determined people. BUt now Bush especially is taking no chances and as America has repeatedly done down the ages is trying to turn a negative in to a positive. Pearl harbour and WW2 led to a democratic Western Europe that recovered with Marshall Aid. WTC may lead in the long term to a more stable and peaceful and freer Middle east. At Least that is my hope. I am not sure you have to necessarily trust politicians - what they do and what they actually achieve is enough to make an assessment of them.
 
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Kathleen111

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Hi Mindlight,

I completely agree that the US and the UK are like family. We can pick on each other but nobody else is allowed.

You should be proud to be British. I am so thrilled to find out that I am a dual citizen. Now that is my idea of a fine compliment. My father volunteered during the "Lend Lease Program" before the official American involvement to defend and aid Britain against the Axis powers in WWII. He met my mother, who is from Wales, after being shot down twice over London. He received UK citizenship for his service.

There was only one big nasty spat and realistically 80% of the colony was opposed to independence from GB. Nothing really changed, ya know? Time will tell if Iraq and Afghanistan are really in favor of change too. Since that big nasty spat, we have never allowed things to get so out of hand again by radical fundementalist groups. A free election in Afghanistan and Iraq is like that French Constitution. A nice idea that looks good on paper. We're still British. :)

Marshall aid was to prevent the spread of Communism. That's true about Churchill and Roosevelt. I wonder what they would think about us now? I am sure even they had questions about where all that chaos would lead.
 
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mindlight

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Kathleen111 said:
Hi Mindlight,

I completely agree that the US and the UK are like family. We can pick on each other but nobody else is allowed.

You should be proud to be British. I am so thrilled to find out that I am a dual citizen. Now that is my idea of a fine compliment. My father volunteered during the "Lend Lease Program" before the official American involvement to defend and aid Britain against the Axis powers in WWII. He met my mother, who is from Wales, after being shot down twice over London. He received UK citizenship for his service.

There was only one big nasty spat and realistically 80% of the colony was opposed to independence from GB. Nothing really changed, ya know? Time will tell if Iraq and Afghanistan are really in favor of change too. Since that big nasty spat, we have never allowed things to get so out of hand again by radical fundementalist groups. A free election in Afghanistan and Iraq is like that French Constitution. A nice idea that looks good on paper. We're still British. :)

Marshall aid was to prevent the spread of Communism. That's true about Churchill and Roosevelt. I wonder what they would think about us now? I am sure even they had questions about where all that chaos would lead.

Thats interesting about your father - it sounds a similar situation to my grandfather who joined the British Army in 1939 despite being American. He was in allied intelligence cause he spoke numerous languages.

Yes I am proud to be British - the history is really good and I pray we keep going on the right path. We need a Christian revival right now - I think a alot of us are living on past blessings.

Having debated the American revolution a few times I aware that feelings often run high about it in the USA and a number of features of your culture probably have their roots in that struggle e.g. the right to bear arms, and the separation of church and state. But broadly the way I see it is that Britain and America go back to the beginning in the C16/C17. Losing America was a major blow but to be honest the British ruling classes needed a kick up the back side at that time and it probably prepared them for the French revolution which was to destroy most continental governments and countries. In the end Britain built a second empire and despite squandering much of its wealth in WW1 was able to do something constructive with the help of the Americans in WW2 and beat a truly evil regime the Nazis and then the Communists and maybe now international Islamic terrorism. Maybe America would not have been so rich and powerful a friend had it stayed under British rule - so in the end it worked out better for both of us to see America break free.
 
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Talmid HaYarok

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Hey Kathleen111

As a child I survived and was present for biological attacks by the Rajneeshis in Oregon. Me and my family were fortunate enough never to have been hurt though, except with the fear that it "could have been you".

Then as during 9/11 in my opinion the government bungled everything. The cultists were under investigation by the FBI, but the cultists even had the FBI wiretapped and knew all that they were doing so that the government was blind. Members were willing to take the blame for murders and other crimes, so that the organization was never held accountable until too late.

Even now I find that the government prefers to pretend the whole series of events never happened. This country acts like terrorism never happened before 9/11, bioterrorism has never happened, etc. While 9/11 has given people a group to focus hate on, they've done so to go back to comfortable lives in my opinion. Willing to let politicians and government officials fall down on saving lives, while they scramble to save their jobs. Foreign or domestic, I agree that everything is out of check and there is even more now than then no honesty.

I think though the biggest problem isn't the politicians, but a populace that gets all its information from just a few news companies and has become apathetic about foreign relations. We need people to seek information from more than just convenient sources and care about how people all around the world see us.
 
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Kathleen111

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Hi Mindlight,

The UK still receives first dibs on just about any technology or natural resource we have available. There has always been a free exchange, and particularly with arms. England has always been and remains our middle man to the European markets. Nothing really changed in substance. We went from paying one type of tax to paying another. We continue to supply raw or refined materials and technologies because even in the throws of revolution and world war we've never screwed each other over.

We trust each other. It's an interdependence. Without England, we would have never grown as wealthy in the cotton and sugar European markets, and this relationship continues. We don't trust the French.

That's what it all boils down to, isn't it? How can we trust people who murder their own monarch whenever there is a problem/opportunity? England was the only country who behaved itself. England for all its ridiculous class system, ruling families and all that, takes care of its people. It is disreputable and comparably sickening what other countries have done to their own people. It does have a lot to do with our current foreign policies. It always does boil down to trust.
 
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Kathleen111

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Hi Talmid,

I don't know what that pick and choose selection basis is about either. I could go off for days about the newsmedia playing God too. They squash stories of bioterrorism in favor of octuplets. I have no idea why or what.

I was kept in the dark for a long time after 9/11. It was about 2003 that I started reading about it according to cnn sites and such. I was pretty sick about what I read. The Red Cross did deliver thousands of letters and cards from people around the world to me. That was shocking because I didn't know the whole world was watching. It's like in my mind I was there alone and we were on our own. The calvary wasn't coming. How it all got turned into war and religion and politics, I don't know. It's very personal to me still. I lost everybody and everything. There is no other way to say it. Who decided that the airlines was at fault and the firemen were heroes? I don't know. I guess you had to be there but everyone did everything they could and then some. There was no way to hold up the building. It happened so fast and so furious that there was nothing we could do. I was dragged into court several times because apparently people need someone to blame when there really isn't and wasn't anymore that could have been done. I don't know why I am still alive when so many others aren't. I don't have an answer for that either. Why the newsmedia decided to care, I don't know because you're right the bioterrorism in Oregon matters as much as the slave labor from Mexico, and homelessness in the cities. I don't know why the boob tube matters so much. I really didn't miss it. I haven't gotten back in the habit of tuning in. I've gotten more in the habit of listening to real people and trying to help and care. Those letters and cards are just incredibly priceless to me. It really helped me not blow my head off.
 
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mindlight

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Kathleen111 said:
Hi Mindlight,

The UK still receives first dibs on just about any technology or natural resource we have available. There has always been a free exchange, and particularly with arms. England has always been and remains our middle man to the European markets. Nothing really changed in substance. We went from paying one type of tax to paying another. We continue to supply raw or refined materials and technologies because even in the throws of revolution and world war we've never screwed each other over.

We trust each other. It's an interdependence. Without England, we would have never grown as wealthy in the cotton and sugar European markets, and this relationship continues. We don't trust the French.

That's what it all boils down to, isn't it? How can we trust people who murder their own monarch whenever there is a problem/opportunity? England was the only country who behaved itself. England for all its ridiculous class system, ruling families and all that, takes care of its people. It is disreputable and comparably sickening what other countries have done to their own people. It does have a lot to do with our current foreign policies. It always does boil down to trust.

I agree about the class system it is a little silly. I believe our monarch does a great job and a very difficult one at that. But in the end I am proud of a poltical system that was able to change government even types of government with comparatively little bloodshed. I like the continuity that the British system has with links to the past in the constitutional monarchy and links to the present in the democratic Westminster system and links to the future in the few outstanding examples of Christian people left to us.

Of course on the other hand you could say that we invented the whole idea of modern revolution for a higher cause than earthly kings under Cromwell. But then we can hardly blame the Americans and the French for copying our example.

In the end I think the real value of my nationality is that it allows me to be free to worship my only true King - the King of Kings. Great men and empires they rise and they fall but the Lord God , He is God forever.
 
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Talmid HaYarok

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Maybe that is why I've never been able to get into TV much. I've never been able to trust the government or the media to be honest. Everything they tell you and generally supports a personal agenda.

Still I'm every bit an information junkie, just not a very trusting one. The rest of the world will do whatever it does, its just up to us to decide what to do with the information we are able to make available to ourselves.

Those of us who survive terrorism carry scars on the inside, whether or not we have them on the outside. Like my physical scars they hurt sometimes, and it isn't pretty to look at. But where the scars form we're stronger. Sounds to me like you will be too.

The Lord's Peace be with you.
 
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Starcrystal

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Kathleen111,
it used to be the Soviet Union keeping us honest,

Thank you for that.
I am also glad to hear you seem to have come through your ordeal.
Unfortunately Amerika still is teaching misinformation about the Soviet Union. It was not nearly as terrible as the media and govt. painted it to be.
What is that old saying "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."?
Personally I feel the emotions and downright hatred surrounding this election may lead to civil war. If so, this is most unfortunate. Having to divert it's forces to domestic issues, it will allow terrorists to plot and plan, as well as sit back and laugh at us.
A divided house will fall. Jesus said it. A house divided cannot stand. America is divided.
We have problems. No matter who is elected, I'm afraid those problems will not go away over night. In fact, they might just be the beginning.
 
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Kathleen111,

Praise Christ for your recovery and keeping you here. You are a Holy Spirit Voice of reason in a time of "Christian" bloodlust. If you, a WTC survivor can have the compassion you do, then all of us should seek Christ all that much more.

I don't think America's post 9/11 actions have caused mistrust of the US, they have only revealed the mistrust that has long since been in place.

We do share history of tragedy as I am a combat vet from Iraq 90'-91.' By God's Grace, I am not scared for me, but for all those who do not know Christ. I will never forget the looks on the sea of faces on the subways and sidewalks after 9/11. Fear, in its most naked form, was apparent on so many people, and what scared me is that it was obvious they would support any action taken by the administration, as long as it would make them feel safe. People looked for safety in the wrong person(s), now we are definitely in the wrong place(s).

There are many many many people praying with you. Iraq is wrong, and most people know this, but patriotic hubris prevents too many from admitting it. There is this deadly illusion that America is morally superior to most (if not all) other countries, and this is part of the internalized justification for our imperialism. It's like parents who correct their children with might. The US has this "We're only doing it for your own good" attitude.

Thankfully, God is in control, and this is hard to understand because we do not see it. Maybe there are some who do see it, but personally, I don't. It is strictly through Faith by God's Grace that I am able to have a joyful life knowing God has it all in tight grip.

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony, and may the Peace of Christ be with you always.
 
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