When nightmares come true
On Sept.11 America's worst nightmare came true. Terrorists launched horrific attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon -- leaving untold deaths and anguish in their wake. Many of the wounds may be too deep to ever heal. In this time of crisis, Americans mourn the thousands of victims -- both on the ground and in the planes that were hijacked. And we pray for the injured as well as for the families who lost loved ones in this carnage.
The indelible image from this tragedy may well be the hellish scene in lower Manhattan. The World Trade Center towers were reduced to a cloud heavy with smoke and pain. The message was clear. The US, the world's sole superpower, was at the mercy of terrorists who managed to pull off a carefully orchestrated, stunning attack. Lulled into complacency through years of peace and prosperity, the US was suddenly on a war footing against an enemy it may never identify.
Through it all, Americans responded with guts and resilience. We were reminded once again of how brave and tireless emergency personnel are, often risking their lives to go into
disaster areas to rescue civil-ians. In a few heartbeats, the nation changed. Almost all of our concerns suddenly seemed trivial in the face of this monumental tragedy.
It can only be hoped that in the coming days, the nation will learn who was responsible for the cowardly acts of terrorism. May justice be swift and sure.
Han Pei-chun
Taipei
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