September 11, 2001
One wonders how to write about an event that shakes not only the city of its setting, but the surrounding country and world. Considering the events that took place in my home state, it's something that really hits hard.
This morning, around 08:45 eastern time, a commercial passenger jet slammed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Shortly thereafter, a second airliner flew into the adjacent tower, exploding into the upper floors of the building. While billows of smoke poured from New York's twin towers, a third airline jet smashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Airports were shut down, cities were evacuated, and people scrambled amongst the confusion. Then, shortly after 10:00, New York City was irrevocably changed as the south WTC tower collapsed in on itself, killing a countless number of people, and destroying the city's familiar skyline. The most severely damaged portion of the Pentagon collapsed as well, at the same time a fourth passenger jet was crashing just southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The remaining tower of the World Trade Center fell to the ground at 10:28.
When such horrible acts of destruction happen in rapid succession, it's hard not to be overcome with a sense of wonder as to how fast things can just totally go apeshit. It's also difficult to comprehend how such actions serve to prove the point of any group expressing their beliefs. Knowing that people are capable of such horrible acts of destruction, and watching children and adults alike in countries overseas actually celebrating the innumerable number of deaths and the total demolition of portions of our country is sickening. For people to be bred with this kind of hatred in this day in age is a reminder of how far humanity has to go, as well as an unfortunate demonstration of how unbelievably insensitive and uncaring some people can be.
I introduced a new Accipiter.org header image a few days ago, but I have decided to implement the one you see today in its place. May it serve as a remembrance to the unfortunate victims of these tragedies, as well as a dedication to the people involved with rescue and control operations.
(17:35)
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