My once-friend Nancy who won't get vaccinated...

[Pinback]

1. I was just reflecting this morning about how our worries evolved after 9/11.

Last edited Sat Sep 11, 2021, 11:29 AM - Edit history (1)

First, the horror and shock of the attacks. Then the fear that every plane overhead could be a threat. Every ride on public transport, every visit to a store or restaurant, every backpack — all potential lethal threats.

Then the dawning realization that we had more to fear from our fanatical fellow citizens, the pseudo-patriots who suspected every brown, bearded, or head-scarfed person in our midst and might act first and ask questions later.

And we learned to fear our government anew. They could harass anyone anywhere with impunity, even inspect our library history looking for clues.

It’s been a strange ride, and it’s not over.

Sorry you lost your friend to ideology. I’ve lost a couple the same way. But then after a while, we meet new friends who are so much more enriching. It sounds cliched, but sometimes adversity really does present opportunities.