Thinking out loud

Seven years ago many innocent people lost their lives, and just thinking about them still makes me tear up. I still remember walking from where I'd parked to work around 7am, and seeing a group of construction workers gathered around a truck listening intently to the radio, and wondering idly what they were listening to. I remember getting to my office and turning on my radio just in time to hear the announcement about the impact of the second plane. I remember the days and weeks that followed so vividly I can't believe that it's been seven years since it happened. That is, until I think about how much this country has changed in those seven years. Then, I can believe it.

Because it seems like we're living in a completely different country than the one which existed on 9/11/01. Until I think about the freedoms we have lost, and the freedoms we have taken away from others, and all the innocent people who have died because of our response to that original loss of life. And I pray to every deity out there that the changes that have occurred in our society since then are not irrevocable, and that the United States of America's legacy does not permanently become one of fear and hatred and paranoia.

I want my country back. And I'm going to vote. I hope you're going to vote, too.

(That is, if TPTB let us! I just saw this news story linked on matociquala's LJ and am as appalled as she is! Not particularly surprised, but appalled.)