KateP's musings

    The world underwent significant change twenty-four years ago.    People were killed, buildings destroyed, war broke out. The events of September 11, 2001, commonly referred to as 9/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States. On that day, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two of these planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse within hours. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. United Airlines Flight 93, intended for a Washington, D.C. target, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers confronted the hijackers. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused significant destruction and emotional trauma. After 9/11, U.S. policies changed significantly, launching the War on Terror and creating the Depa...

WTF? Two more “mass shootings”.  One in El Paso and one in Dayton OH.  I had heard about the El Paso shooting on the way to Guilford yesterday but put it out of my mind.  This morning I heard/Read about OH.  I am just reading/listening to the Ohio details. Saturday in El Paso the shooter is being called a Terrorist and racist (no fucking kidding).  Twenty people were killed there at a WalMart.  The suspect was 21 years old, and used an assault weapon and lived 650 miles away from crime scene.  The investigation is ongoing. Early this morning in Dayton a gunman/terrorist went to club and killed 9 people and injured 26 people. The gunman was killed immediately after by police.  Yet again assault weapon was used.  Need I repeat what I said earlier this week?  WTF are assault weapons being bought, sold (and yes probably stolen) to civilians?   I have read that the 45th’s latest tweets are what sparked the latest killings....

Seventeen years 52 minutes and 55 seconds ago.  I was in my office doing the mail word had spread throughout the office that the towers had been hit.    Some of us raced to the nearest computer screen to watch online, radios, and phones to call those who either worked for the government, were in government buildings to check the safety.  I know that’s what I did and of course got scolded for it by Mom. For the next several hours people were frightened, angry, mourning the loss of so many lives.  It was on TV all that day and into the night. Then the news of the pentagon and flight 96 also had been announced.  I remember being grateful that the newscast didn’t show the planes crashing into the towers repeatedly. Some may have felt differently.  Suspicion was everywhere the days to follow. Since that time there have been memorials in every city and town.  The list of names read aloud and messages the world to those left behind and to t...

Well the nightmare for Boston and its suburbs is over.   The second Bomber was captured tonight hiding in a boat in the back yard of a home in Watertown MA.   The news has been following it all night long.   The city and state and FBI have been diligently and as safely as possible got this guy.      People on Facebook and Twitter are sending messages of thanks and praise that this is over.   Some feel that this guy should be killed and others need to know if there are more people involved.   I hope that this guy realizes he needs to do the right thing and give the information and then get his ass fried.     I don’t usually condone killing for killing but this was horrible tragedy. On Much happier news my niece Diane announced that she and Rogier were engaged while in Puerto Rico.   She announced it on Facebook today and I am very happy.   I would like to think that Bob is looking down and smiling like crazy. ...

It was a short work day for me as I took the afternoon off to be at Mom’s doctor’s appointment.   It was with the same Hematologist/oncologist I have.   I wish I could tell you what the Doctor said.   For me and Liz (at least I think) we are confused and Mom is hopeful.   One thing was clear he did say that Mom needs to talk to the Gastroenterologist who found the growth.   She did when she got home today.   One doctor is calling the growth cancer and this one wasn’t.   Anyway the Gastro doc hasn’t received the surgeon’s report yet (doesn’t feel he should do surgery).   After the appointment Mom headed home and I dropped Liz off at her house.   I stayed for a short time at Liz and Nel’s because their grandchildren were there.   I love seeing them.   They had the last couple of days off from school and were spending it with them.   They hugged me when I saw them.   Audrey even jumped into my arms and let me hold he...