In her introduction for HuffPost's "9/11: A Decade After" feature page, Arianna Huffington writes that, "Practically every facet of our society was altered by 9/11 in some way, either by the attacks themselves, or, especially, by our response to the attacks -- a response that continues to evolve. Looking back ten years later we can finally begin to get a sense of just how the country was changed, and what elements of our society we'd previously taken for granted."
Indeed, much has changed in the past decade, and to commemorate this tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Huffington Post bloggers have shared their reflections and remembrances of that tragedy and its aftermath. From survivor stories to taking on religious, political and global ramifications, here is our collection of the very best opinion, analysis and heartfelt expression from our valued contributors. Please join us as we remember where we were ten years ago, share where we are right now, and discern how we may continue forward while never forgetting those whom we loved and lost. And check back for updates, as we'll be adding new commentary through Sunday.
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| @ Drudge_Report : 100 protesters burn American flag outside U.S. embassy in London... http://t.co/O1zExBY |
| @ HuffPostMedia : The cover of the Plain Dealer's 9/11 section is stunning and powerful. http://t.co/kbr1oAZ |
HuffPost's Matt Sledge reports on the heavily policed area around Ground Zero:
On Sunday, for one day at least, the many layers of protection between the outside world and the 9/11 Memorial Plaza seemed less like a burden and more like a blanket. The day after Bin Laden died, the police officers in this neighborhood walked the streets with a swagger. But today the NYPD, the Port Authority police, the state police, the park rangers, the Secret Service -- all walked with a bearing that seemed to say they knew this shift was more than just a job.
| @ NBCDFW : Update: Discovery Channel "Son of Guns" crew left Ryder rental truck unattended at the curb of Terminal B. bit.ly/rpxe5E #breakingnews |
Military jets escorted an American Airlines plane to a safe landing at New York City's JFK Airport on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.NBC LA reports that the two F-16 fighter jets were called into action after three passengers refused to come out of a bathroom on a flight originating in Los Angeles.
There was initially some confusion as to whether the jets had been called, with NBC New York noting that a security official first said fighter jets had been launched and then another security official said they had been set to launch.
A law enforcement official told the AP that the incident isn't thought to be terrorism.
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| @ NBCDFW : DFW Airport Terminal B closed because of security scare involving an unattended truck http://t.co/LU343WI #breakingnews |
| @ NBCLA : Passengers Cause Scare on Flight from LAX to JFK http://t.co/JASlTr0 #tenyearslater |
NEW YORK -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a group of 9/11 family members on Sunday she was glad they finally had a memorial to call their own, and doubly satisfied that Osama Bin Laden was dead in time for the commemoration.
"As we commemorate the opening of the memorial, we know that we still have work to do to bring all those who were part of attacking us to justice," Clinton told scores at a luncheon hosted by Voices of September 11, a non-profit advocacy group for 9/11 family members.
"But I can tell you it was a particular satisfaction for me, as a former senator of New York, to be in the team in the Obama administration that made sure Bin Laden was brought to justice."
That line received a loud round of applause.
In line with the Obama administration's guidelines for commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Clinton also sought to show that the attacks did not stop with America.
"Our diplomats are out in the field and in cyberspace exposing al Qaeda's hypocrisy and brutality, and the enormous toll it has inflicted, above all on Muslims," Clinton said.
"Even though the United States, thankfully, has not experienced another attack since 9/11, London has, Madrid has, Mumbai has, Islamabad has, Jakarta, Bali -- other places continue to be attacked."
"We don't want to just capture and kill terrorist leaders, we want to make them irrelevant," she noted.
| @ BuzzFeed : The Greatest Wall Street Comeback Story From 9/11 http://t.co/u0rhFe8 #neverforget #CantorFitzgerald |
The Secret Service is investigating three threatening messages that were posted on the White House's Facebook page.
The messages included a picture of Osama bin Laden. One said, "We'll come back 11/9/2011 to kill u all." Another showed small plane icons and said, "Today we'll come 11/9/2011."
For more, click here.
George W. Bush made a heartfelt observations in his address at the memorial for Flight 93.
"With the distance of a decade, 9/11 can feel like a part of a different era. For the families of the men and women stolen, some of whom join us today, that day will never feel like history. the memory that morning is fresh and so is the pain."
| @ nytjim : In #Sept11 ceremony, Bush read letter from Lincoln to mother who lost 5 sons in Civil War. Text of letter: http://t.co/Ar41R2W |
| @ SenGillibrand : The 9/11 remembrance ceremony was a moving tribute to those we lost & a reminder of the strength & unity we displayed as a nation 10 yrs ago |
On September 11, 2001, Americans gathered around television sets in shock and horror as the nation came under attack.
Ten years later, the iconic images of the tragic day remain as powerful and as poignant as when they first appeared.
Click here to see iconic images from September 11th.
Warning: some pictures are graphic.
I love you for loving the idea of having me. You gave me the gift of life and I wish you could be here to enjoy having it with me."-Nicholas Gorki, whose father Sebastian Gorki died while his mother was still pregnant with him.
Read more reactions of those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
"Mom, I'm proud to be your daughter, you will always be a hero and the pride of New York City."-Patricia Smith, who was 2 years old when her mother, Police Officer Moira Smith, died helping survivors flee the World Trade Center.
Read more reactions of those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
| @ AJEnglish : The extraordinary thing about counter-terrorism work post-9/11 has been international cooperation, says CIA vet http://t.co/ZPxYDfy |
| @ AP : A mournful trumpet plays the military funeral standard "taps" at the 9/11 memorial, signifying the last names have been read. -EF |
"On this 10th anniversary we can help redefine 9/11 for a new decade as a symbol of resilience and dedication to helping our neighbors and one another. By committing a day or even an hour to serving others we can transform the memory of grief into a hopeful future. We can create a living memorial to all the brave men and women who showed the world the best that America has to offer."
For the rest, click here.
| @ NYCMayorsOffice : Photos from this morning's #Sept11 ceremony at the WTC site: http://t.co/B2BjVny |
Watch his speech here:
| @ AntDeRosa : Bill Clinton's Flight 93 Memorial Dedication speech might be the best of the day http://t.co/zEupBwK |
From HuffPost's Eleanor Goldberg:
"Ten years later, 9/11’s survivors and victims’ family members still need you. Children who lost parents rely on scholarship funds to get them to college. Memorial sites commemorate the tragedies and honor those who died with the help of donations. First responders grappling with catastrophic illnesses and injuries look to organizations to advocate on their behalf and ease their financial burdens."
To find out how to help 9/11 charities, click here.
From the AP:
SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — President Barack Obama is paying his respects at the Pennsylvania site where a hijacked jet crashed during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.Obama and his wife, Michelle, visited the Wall of Names. Each of the 40 marble slabs is inscribed with the name of someone killed in the crash of United Flight 93.
For more on the President's visit to the Flight 93 memorial, click here.
| @ BreakingNews : Threatening messages posted on White House Facebook page - NBCNewYork http://t.co/lCcLlRm |
John Tsilimparis: A Decade After, Facing Our Collective Anxiety
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September 11… I will never forget feeling scared and vulnerable… I will never forget feeling the deep sad loss of so many lives… I will never forget the smell of the smoke that reached across the water and delivered a deep feeling of doom into my gut… I will never forget feeling the boosted sense of unity and pride… I will never forget seeing the courageous actions of so many men and women… I will never forget seeing people of all backgrounds working together in community… I will never forget seeing what hate can destroy… I will never forget seeing what love can heal… - Steve Maraboli
I see another America which is in constant fear, wages never ending wars and cheers at the deaths of as many humans possible. I see the two Americas in constant war with each other and not helping the nation lift itself out of the economic morass created by those who KNEW Americans would not be interested enough to understand and even acquiesce to the vicious banksters who have created an economic monster this nation seems NOT to have a clue how to agree to fix. I see this America returning to its hateful past by trying to take down America's first attempt at equalizing the nation by electing a part African American president. Which America will win? I hope the first but if I suspect it is not.
I’m born 1948 in post war Germany, remembering the aftermath and distraction such a war can cause. I thought my legs will give away under me…at that moment I realized a fear that I had never experienced before; sadness overcame me for these people trapped in these buildings. Sadness for their loved ones, sadness for the people trying to rescue them. A profound sadness for humanity…days later I would drive in my car and when I could get eye contact with other drivers on the road, I seen that same fear…and a recognition that we’re all in this together. I truly believe that that day our Democracy was attacked and we had a horrible decade after that…hurricanes, flooding, crimes committed to our economy, the finality of the eradication of the US labor force realized, and while all these terrible things are not directly consequences of 9/11, but have you ever been down and out, and nothing goes right and things just start to pile up and you don’t pay attention to what is in front of you. Well that is what happened to us...it is time to get up dust our self’s off and show them who we are. I hope this weekend’s memorial and celebration will do just that.
Here are my immediate, albeit confused, reactions two days after ten long/short years ago.
http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/reflections-september-13-2001/