A tense prospect, but not an entirely negative development. Facing the reality of Ground Zero will be a big part of this event for the out-of-towners. Try looking at the peaceful elements involved as traditionalists, Fred. They don't want the new freedom, the freedom to be *envied* by the rest of the world. They want our traditional Four Freedoms, the vision of FDR that brought us through WWII, the freedom of an America whose Lady Liberty stands in encouragement and support of the world's wretched and oppressed ...
Posted by contrapuntal_harmonies 1/29/2002 1:27:08 AM

But traditionalism degenerates to a combintion of blind reaction and ideological silliness. The logical outcome of the Four Freedoms is the world we live in now, because they've enabled us to build it. It's a world full of good things, and it's a world that's growing. Being "envied" by the rest of the world is a side effect.

The ones who really bother me are the black mask brigades, the kiddies who are there precisely for the "armed struggle" aspect of it. The line dividing them from the people we're fighting against - who are responsible for Ground Zero - is very fine, not in ideology but in world view.
Posted by Fred 2/3/2002 7:13:38 PM