Reflections on Perilous Times
by Darren Ashby

I spent a lot of time trying to come up with an article for this week. But after last Tuesday, it was just too difficult to string words together on subjects that just didn’t seem that important. I guess the way a writer deals with this type of tragedy is to put pen to paper and let it all out. So at the risk of repeating too much what you may have already heard, bear with me as I get on my soapbox for a while.

The freedom we enjoy is a very important thing to me as I am sure it is important to you. No other country fosters the type of creative atmosphere that we thrive in like this one. I know, I been to places where knowledge is suppressed, and you are guilty until proven innocent. Right or wrong doesn’t matter, only how big a bribe you have in your pocket does. I spent some time in a hospital there, sharing a room with a man that had been in a car wreck. He was staying there even though he was fine. All this because his lawyers hadn’t proven his innocence yet. If he left, he would go to jail no questions asked. I didn’t really get the import of this until I left our room the first time and saw the armed guard in soldier fatigues. We really are free, no question about it.

We are a society that believes in the fundamental goodness of men and women throughout the world. We are like the mother that believes the child could do no wrong. We extend trust as easily as we extend our hands. This is a good thing. It is a great thing. Sadly though, it can allow calamities like these to happen. But mark these words, we are a better nation for it.

We as whole nation believe in a divine being, one that loves us, and will bless us for our devotion. Our nation was founded on this precept, and look at how blessed we are. Do not blame God for this disaster, he has to let us fall on difficult times so that we appreciate that which is so precious, and learn from our mistakes. Not unlike the father as he lovingly watches his son learn from the school of hard knocks. And like a good Father, we only need turn to him in our time of need. He will always be there with inspired advice, and words of comfort.

As I tried to explain what had happened to my 8-year-old son he wanted to know why men would do this. I told him that there are people that hate us for what we are. The questioning look on his face prodded me to continue. I said that we have a lot of nice things that they don’t have. That makes them jealous. He said, "so why don’t send them some of our things." The wisdom of a child could change the world for the better. Maybe we as a nation are too caught up in the getting of things.

I stand amazed at the way our citizens are pulling together to help our fellow countrymen in this their time of need. But the thought comes to mind, does it take this type of disaster to remember patriotism, do people have to suffer so that we might pray to the Almighty for help? Ask yourself, would you be as patriotic and helpful today to your fellow man if not for recent events? I believe that the best thing that can come from this is a renewed dedication to God and our country, one such as our forefathers had. Let the light that has been lit shine long after these events are past, the perpetrators are punished and the ache in our hearts has faded into memory.

My heart sank, as I am sure that yours did, as I watched the North tower of the World Trade Center collapse the morning of September 11^th on television. In a terrible way, it is a blessing that our media technology allows us to share the pain of our country right in our own homes. It drives the point home. I found out just yesterday that my father, a veteran, would have gladly give his blood again for the freedom we enjoy, but what really struck me was his willingness to send his sons (i.e. me) to war as well. As a recent father of four boys, I think I can better understand true patriotism now.

We live in perilous times, why these things happen I truly do not know. But the best we can do, is to pick up the pieces and move on. Show these evil men that our resolve will not be broken, our freedom will not be lost, and justice will be served. Use the memory of this experience to make the world a better place. And when you think of a plane called United, remember...

United we Stand, One Nation under God, with Liberty and Justice for All.

Footnote

The next article was supposed to be engineers = pyros part 3. Somehow though it just doesn’t seem appropriate right now. While I assert that engineers are pyros at heart, I have never met one that would wish on any person the type of pain and anguish that the world has so recently undergone. In short we love explosions, but we never want anyone hurt. So part 3 will simply have to wait a while.

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