September 11: Earthling Needs, Terror Attacks, Love and Compassion

Campbell's audience was sleepy.  It had worked hard at the syrup factory, and then it had marched a long way home in the cold.  It was skinny and hollow-eyed.  Its skins were beginning to blossom with small sores.  So were its mouths and throats and intestines.  The malt syrup it spooned at the factory contained only a few of the vitamins and minerals every Earthling needs.  

Campbell offered the Americans food now, steaks and mashed potatoes and gravy and mince pie, if they would join the Free American Corps.  "Once the Russians are defeated," he went on, "you will be repatriated through Switzerland."

There was no response.

"You're going to have to fight the Communists sooner or later," said Campbell.  "Why not get it over with now?"

The Nazi Campbell is not receiving a warm response from Billy and his fellow prisoners of war.  Of course, it could be that the men are too tired or sick or hungry to really care about Campbell's words.  Keep in mind, Campbell isn't real.  He was created by Vonnegut for his fictional story about the destruction of Dresden.  Soon, the bombs will begin to fall, and tens of thousands of innocent people will perish.  That part of Vonnegut's story is real.

On this September 11, I feel a little strange using a passage that quotes Campbell.  But I'm using Campbell's little speech to get to the crux of my post this evening.  Sixteen years ago, thousands of innocent people died in terror attacks on the United States.  A President of the United States used these attacks to go to war.  The current President of the United States was elected because of the kind of hate that the 9-11 attacks generated in some Americans.

I think that a lot of people tend to forget how united we were in this country following 9-11.  But it wasn't a unity based on bigotry and intolerance.  We came together to help each other out, make each other feel better.  I was proud of my country in the days following those attacks, because we weren't giving in to fear and anger.  We were holding hands.  Hugging strangers.  Wanting the world to see that we were better than terrorists. 

When I say better, I don't mean that the United States had more power or weapons.  I mean that we were free and open, a place where everyone could practice and express their beliefs without fear.  I'm not overlooking the anti-Muslim violence that also occurred.  That also happened, and it was shameful. 

But what I want to remember most about the weeks following September 11, 2001, is the love I saw.  The compassion.  Everywhere.

Saint Marty will light a candle and say a prayer tonight for all those who lost their lives 16 years ago.