Psychedelic Sofa

Eight years ago the unthinkable happened. The government that was responsible for protecting the citizens of this country failed and a small group of middle eastern men, mostly Saudi Arabian in origin, overtook the crew of several planes and flew two of them into each of the towers of the World Trade Center. That day over 3000 lives ended and thousands more ruined forever, including the first responders and anyone else who inhaled the debris.

Along with those lives, America lost something else. America lost its courage and delicate cohesion. America, in general, fell victim to fear. And it is no surprise given that for the following months all of the major media channels played the video of the attacks as a permanent moving wallpaper behind the talking heads.

This fear caused people to do things against their best interest and allowed them to be easily distracted. Days after the attacks voices of such people where broadcast on CNN, saying things like "I think we can give up certain freedoms for security."

Benjamin Franklin wept.

Months after the attacks, the government that failed to protect us hastily pushed an agenda that we are still feeling the effects from. An additional 4000 plus brave Americans died from this agenda and are still dying there today despite a new presidential administration.

The attacks destroyed any sense of decency and commonality between any two people or groups who hold differing political opinions. Over the past eight years these divisions have worsened to the point that anyone who holds a centrist opinion is immediately alienated and marginalized. Rational ideas are quickly washed away with zealous support of misinformation.

My challenge to Americans, on the anniversary of this horrific act, is to cast aside the fear and hatred and try to live our lives the way we did prior to the attacks, albeit with any wisdom that can be gleaned from the experience. Regardless of your political stance, if this fundamental challenge cannot be met, then the attackers have indeed achieved their ultimate goal.