It's been ten years after 9-11. There is so much to say, and yet words can't begin to describe what has happened before or since. Like Pearl Harbor, or Trinity, 9-11 has become a sort of dividing point...what happened before, and what came after. Indeed, many things have changed in part due to 9-11.
One big glaring example is our freedom of movement. We now must subject ourselves to searches every time we fly. We have to be careful of what we bring with us, as even a bottle of mouthwash could be considered an explosive device. And if you have the misfortune of fitting a stereotype (read "Muslim") you could be subject to extra searches, or even denied boarding of a flight you bought and paid for. You could also be tracked, without a warrant, to determine your activities without probable cause. Our personal feelings of security were also shattered. The illusion of it "not happening here" was laid bare. I remember back then that even movie theaters were empty...people were just so shell-shocked.
There is also the glaring split within our country...although the Big Sort probably would have happened in spite of 9-11, the terrorist attacks have probably worsened it. There seems to be very little middle ground. Agreeing to disagree has become a casualty, as an argument over politics becomes personal. If one argues for restoring civil rights, he or she is accused of being soft on terrorism. Arguing for more security leads you to be labeled as a coward or fascist sheep...unable or unwilling to take control of your own life and destiny. And this goes on in countless blogs, and is made into political hay by both parties.
But 9-11 for me, and countless others, also has made us realize what was real and important. It made us, for a while, forget petty divisions and strife. While we are divided, we still stand as a country. Real heroes were realized for the sacrifices (many ultimate) made in defense of their country and fellow man. This is in stark contrast to the Vietnam era, when many of these same heroes were vilified.
September 11 also showed something else...that people won't be broken. Even after this horrid tragedy, America has been able to move on. New York is still on the map, people are still going about their daily lives. Even the Yankees and Diamondbacks are doing well, and poised for a rematch. Al Qaeda on the other hand, isn't doing so well. Aside from the loss of Bin Ladin and its other leaders, it is finding itself less relevant in the world. The Arab Spring resulting in potentially democratic change in the Middle East saw AQ sitting on the sidelines...the revolution happened, and they missed it. Don't you love Karma.
There is still work to be done. We should honor those who made the sacrifices, not with hollow monuments and token awards, but more tangible things (like fulfilling promises to the first responders and veterans who stepped up when they stepped in). We should stand up and demand our civil rights, and stop writing blank checks for our security in that regard. We need to remember that the actions of a few should not be applied to the whole (the "guilt by association" thing). We have accomplished a lot since 9-11, but there is a lot left to be finished...we were sick, now we're better, and now there's work to be done.
