Ex Bibliotheca

The life and times of Zack Weinberg.

Wednesday, 11 September 2002

# 7:25 PM

Here we are one year after terrorists crashed planes into New York City and Washington DC. There's a lot of sound and fury in the media right now; I won't be looking at any of it. Sound and fury, as the man said, signifies nothing.

There are, however, a number of thoughtful, constructive observations that various people are making, which I encourage you all to go read:

Patrick Nielsen Hayden's observation that all grief is local.
And Teresa's expression of what it's like to be a New Yorker after the event. I used to live there; I've been in that subway station; I know how she feels. (Haven't been back since. Something to be remedied.)
Moving from the personal to the political, the Christian Science Monitor has a special report in four articles, asking the question Is America the "good guy"?
Joshua Marshall had an excellent piece in the Washington Monthly back in June, examining the plans to attack Iraq and the political figures behind both sides.
Once again you should read the proclamation of Enough Day.

Now I'm going to get up on my soapbox: I want every one of you who reads this to go out today and create something new. It can be anything; I'm not picky. Pick up that hammer, or that pen, or whatever tool you feel most comfortable with; do it with your bare hands even. Put something into the world that wasn't there before, something bright and beautiful. Do it because you can, do it to show the world that even in the face of such catastrophe you will not be broken. And when you've done it, don't hide it away; show your friends what you have done, and make them create something too.

We did. Now it's your turn.