Remembering September 11, 2001

On the 8th anniversary of the attacks on the US, it's difficult to not remember those events and what I was doing that day. I was sitting at home in California, having just moved home from a two year religious mission in Ohio. It was my first morning home. I flipped on the TV for the first time in two years and found the same stunning news on every channel. I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched people's existence change before me on national TV. Only in retrospect can I, from my perspective thousands of miles away, really consider the significance of what took place that day. The real horror experienced by millions. The first hand recount of what people felt, saw, survived, and didn't survive. It's amazing to consider what so many people went through that day.

I also remember the effect that day had on what seemed the entire world. It didn't seem like such a big place anymore. People pulled together and offered whatever they could. The guy at the stop light next to me seemed to be a little more patient. We weren't afraid to mention deity in our routine conversations. God was closer than ever to all of us. It's sad that our society has to endure such a horrific experience to return us to a religious perspective.

Someday I am sure I will be relating my thoughts of this experience to my daughter as she grows older and learns about September 11, 2001 in history books. I'm thankful for her and the family I have. I'm fortunate enough to say I didn't lose anybody close to me that day. For all those that did, my heart goes out to you. Let us not forget.

Are we really getting government health care?

I didn't watch Obama's speech last night. I have to admit, I kind of wish I would have. Turns out there was a little old school rebellion going on from inside the capital hill chamber. I think it's been a long time since a President has experienced something like Obama did last night. Rep. Wilson's lie yell sparked something of an interest with me. I don't necessarialy agree with someone interruupting the President in the middle of the speech to call him a liar, but this is a little more of what this country needs. This is what the President himself has been asking for. This is why we are a democratic society.

I don't know how many times I have been at home listening to the President speek and felt so strongly for, or against, one of his tennents that I vocalized it as if the TV would listen. How many people in America would have done something similar if they had the chance? I appreciate it because I think that one act represents what America is really about. In many countries throughout the world Rep. Wilson would have been put in prision and shot today for his contempt in the presence of the ruling authority. All he really had to do today was say he was sorry, which he did, and we are on our way. I appreciate that about our society.

So are we really getting government sponsored healthcare? I fear this. When the government regulated the airlines, or any other industry, we learned the hard way that too much government created problems that almost killed all the players in the industry. I agree some type of reform is needed, but let's not get to over zealous about it. The more hands off the better.