It's been nearly 5 years since 9/11 - Anyone else think it's sad we've gone right back to where we were.....

Question

pre-9/11. Now we're whining, crying, pissing, moaning, b*tching, arguing, and yelling at each other just like we were, probably worse.

What the heck is wrong with this country anyway? For a brief moment after 9/11, I actually got to see what this country could be like if we were actually united, and it was pretty cool. Now, back to the same old same old. What's your take?

And PLEASE don't just say, "It's all Bush's fault!" as an answer. Use a little more insight.

OK, point taken, but why does it take a horrible event such as 9/11 to bring this coutry together?

Answer 1

I know what you're saying. The country needs something to keep it united. From World War 2 up to the end of the Soviet Union, we had that. Democrats and Reuplicans would snipe at each other, but were ultimately united in a common cause. After the collapse of the USSR, we had plenty of free time to focus on each other. Now it's become a rivalry, like sports. Us against them. Dems vs. GOP. And the thing is, it isn't Democrats vs. Replicans, well, it shouldn't be. We had a huge opportunity after the end of the USSR to make a positive difference in the world and we squandered it because the political parties emphasized their rivalry and their differences instead of trying to work together. For too many people, especially politicians, it's all about having the most power. Their mentality too often seems to be, "Who cares if the nation is going to hell in a handbasket as long I've got power than the next guy."

Answer 2

You are right People cared. Once again, people have become complacent. If we suffer another major terrorist attack, it is Bush's fault for not protecting the country. If we don't have an attack it is because Bush was part of the whole thing (No, I don't believe in the conspiracy theories).

All we can do is wine. Every want to be safe, but no one want to take responsibility for it and stand up and do what needs to be done. My son was impacted by what happened on 9/11. He was a freshmen in HS at the time, it bothered him enough that 4 years later he joined the military. He understands andknows more then most of the importance of standing together and going to the Middle East to try and end this mess.

I wish everyone could hear the things he has told me, maybe attitudes would change.

Answer 3

I know, it's sad. A week after 9/11 it felt like the world could never go back to the way it was. Like it was somehow changed. In a way I'm kind of glad that it is, only for the selfish reason that I don't want to be depressed about it anymore. I think a lot of things have to change in American culture to get ppl to have a more positive sense of identity. Television, politics, education and community pride. These things are the foundation to developing a sense of unity and a better attitude towards your neighbour. I think America has something like this according to certain States or areas (like the South) but something has to be done to actually "unite" the States! Things that really have to be fought with tooth and nail: racism, xenophobism, and handguns. Americans tend to live inside a bubble without a clue or a care for what's happening outside that bubble. That boils down to education ~ if ppl learned more about the outside world, tried new things, learned a new language, they'd be more likely to respect not only other cultures, but themselves as well.

Answer 4

You know, the popular concept is that people were united after 9/11, but I don't think that's really true, in the sense that the average American cared more for other Americans than usual. I think we were united in fear and anger, but that was directed at the attackers and had nothing to do with more positive relationships between each other.

There was a lot of media hype about Americans "pulling together" etc., and I think that was probably true in New York City where people were actually suffering, but I think everywhere else in America, it was business as usual. I certainly didn't perceive my experience in public places, immediately after 9/11, to be any different. In traffic, people were still cutting me off, driving too aggressively, giving each other the finger, etc. People still had that "I barely tolerate your presence" attitude in stores. Neighbors didn't talk to each other more than they used to. The Republicans still bitched at the Democrats, and vice-versa. Race relations didn't improve.

So I think this whole "we were united" thing was mainly a media myth, or people saw what was going on in NYC and mistakenly thought it was going on all over the country.

Answer 5

I think that big events like 9/11 forces everyone to have to pull together. But the U.S., as well as the rest of the world, needed that sense of normalcy to get back on track. We all can't spend each day in fear of the unknown or life would suck. There are things being done to make life better. But really what can we or our governments do to change things 100%? The answer is nothing but baby steps. Even the war is not the answer. It's the fanatical people taking advantage of a fragile society. And how easy is it to find every fanatic out there to be rid of or change?

Answer 6

I think its plenty sad that the United States people only pull together in times of terrorable acts but thats the way life is most people only pull together when there scared now they feel secure again and care less about whatever else is happening. The United States will never truly be united though they will always be somewhat divided but you cant do anything about it. The President is not the problem with the united states its the people and their lack of knowledge on the problems are the real problem.

Answer 7

I see it as a media blitz that has begun earlier to try and turn people against this President with hopes of putting who ever it is they are wanting on the left. I don't feel I can gage public opinion from this site. Most on here are very young and don't understand the world and what's happening and what has happened. There are quite a few very knowledgeable people on this site, but I don't see them in the majority.
I believe that Americans do have a short memory (the politician count on that), and what happened on 9/11 is set in stone in most of our minds. Many on here just read about it or heard about it. The invasion of Kuwait which has led us to Iraq is so far gone from memory, many on here weren't even born.
It's a election year and we have a major election coming in two years, and its going to get a lot uglier before it's through.

Answer 8

It is sad indeed, how quickly we forget. May I vent a little? Thank you: I think after all this time, we as a society are letting fear take control of our lives. Also, I think all branches of the military: The Air Force, The Marines, The Army, The Navy, and The U.S. Coast Guard as well as N.A.S.A. should be merged together into one massive organization.This way, we could have protection on the land, on the sea, in the air, and in space. And, I have to wonder.....Why can't we stand together, UNITED?

Answer 9

Well I agree with you. It is a shame that for a brief time it was OK to pray in public, in school and to thank God for all of the blessings that we have. Now, we are back to the left wing idiotic talk of no prayer, gay loving/same sex marriage, no guns, pro choice, Bush bashing ways. What a shame.

It is still true today as Lincoln said so many years ago. "United we stand and divided we fall". How pathetic that everyone who can't simply treat each other like they would like to be treated.

Answer 10

Well then you must have your home paid off and a lot of money retirement wise cause everyone I talk to say we were fine til Bush got in and it's been downhill since. I'd say when min. wage is under $6 per hour and gas is $3.09 and up there is something to piss and moan about. You might also live at home still with Mom and Dad as a lot of people are doing to make it.