What is "My Two Bits?"

My Two Bits is the official editorial page for the "editor" of Techtite.com. We also accept reader submissions, and will publish any editorials deemed well written and pertaining to a worthy current topic of interest.

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The latest "Two Bits" are titled :

September 11th, 2001

"Where were you when you first heard...?"

It's hard to write an editorial about what will be, inevitably, one of the darker moments of American History. It's even harder to write enough praise, in just one editorial, for the brave men and women --particularly NYC police and fire rescue workers-- who entered the World Trade Center Towers, at risk of their own lives, getting as many people out as they could. Similar praise should be given to the men and women afterwards, who helped search for survivors. As for an editorial that could say enough against the hideous, immoral, mindless aberrations who call themselves "terrorists"; that would be an editorial the size of a full length novel, at least.

However, it does still help to talk about it. Equally common, is the frequent question asked to one another in such times; "Where were you when you first heard...?" It seems a bit selfish to talk about myself in a time like this, though I do have to admit it; I was in California, thousands of miles from my east-coast home, and just about to go on a flight from LAX to New York State. Essentially, my type of flight was the exact same type of flights the terrorists used for their massacre; a continental flight with the most fuel possible, for a coast-to-coast flight. I'll always wonder if my flight, had it taken off, would've reached its destination. I guess everyone with a cancelled flight that day wonders the exact same thing.

The problem is: people about to go on an early morning plane trip aren't likely to sit and watch TV. When we woke up a little after 6:00 AM (Pacific Time), we had no idea what was happening at around that same time --9:00, Eastern-- in NYC and Washington. In fact, people working during a hotel's "early shift" are even less likely to turn on a TV, so they didn't know yet, either. My brother was the one to call, at just a little after 7:00 am , to tell me what had happened. I turned on CNN immediately, and couldn't believe what I was seeing. The initial shots of the huge passenger plane crashing into the second tower, was almost too horrific to sink in. I will never forget the shock of seeing the first of the two WTC buildings crumble, leaving a billowing cloud, until nothing was there anymore. When the second building collapsed, I was totally speechless.

If there's one good thing that could be seen that day --even in the wake of disaster- it's how strong the American Spirit truly is. This goes particularly for the brave rescue workers, firemen, and police officers, though also for many other Americans, who were surprisingly selfless and caring during such a dark moment in history. While many people nationwide had to sleep in cots in high schools until their planes could take off, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel let all current hotel guests (even ones supposed to be checking out on Tuesday) stay for that night, totally free of charge. Children at our hotel were treated even more kindly, to keep them from going to bed with nightmares. Arts and crafts were offered in the lobby, as well as Disney cartoons on TVs set up on the first floor, which kids could watch while Mom and Dad watched CNN elsewhere. I was well aware how much harder the people of New York City and Washington had it that day, though I must thank all the selfless people that helped, in any way they could, all those who were stuck thousands of miles from home, with no sign of getting home anytime soon.

In the aftermath, one unanswered question seemed to loom over everyone's heads; why? Few knew why the terrorists did what they did; the morons forgot to tell us. If the message was aimed at our government's involvement with their country, they had a truly stupid way of sending that message. Although the Pentagon was attacked, the worst damage was to the WTC buildings. The attack, therefore, seemed aimed at civilians as much as the government; regular people, as much as any military force. With such psychotics right at our front door, no chances were taken. Even at Disneyland, when the parks re-opened on Wednesday, guards at the entranceway checked all packages, backpacks, and bags. It slowed things down, though few families with kids minded a little added security. Until such sub-moronic pond scum can decide exactly why they're performing unprovoked massacres of innocent civilians, it's best to remain cautious for the time being.

As of Thursday, however, it was apparent that America was wounded, yet not beaten. Airports began delivering diverted planes back to their intended locations. Suspects were beginning to be put under custody. It was especially nice to see a small handful of people --even if not everyone-- get pulled from the Trade Center wreckage, still alive. Fire Fighters erected a flag, in a photo now compared to one of the classic symbols of our victory in WW2. America was hit hard, though payback will be harder.

As for the rest of my "Where were you...?" story, I would not be able to return home until Saturday. LAX by then was still with air tight security, though not so bad that a law-abiding American couldn't return home where he belongs. The line was long, yet "doable." It was even nice to pause, and see so many Americans in the same place, from so many backgrounds. My connecting flight to my home town was cancelled, though a larger city nearby could fit me in a flight there. My brother drove all the way to the neighboring city --a two hour drive, both to get there and return home-- just to pick us up. Nothing is quite like family, at a time like this.

As for anything else I can say, I've just returned home, and am still trying to get settled...if indeed that word is still possible. I'll leave any other news for the far more capable sources at CNN and the like. As for me, I'll leave any additional comments for my next editorial. I can only say for now how much my heart goes out to all the NYC and Washington families affected by this tragedy, as well as those who have worked so hard to help them in their time of need. May God Bless them all.

I'm Techtite, and these are My Two Bits...