The Lighter & Brighter Side

HOW TO START EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK
1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it ‘Barack Obama’.
3. Send it to the Recycle Bin.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
5. Your PC will ask you: ‘Do you really want to get rid of ‘Barack Obama?’
6. Firmly Click ‘Yes.’
7. Feel better?
GOOD! – Tomorrow we’ll do Nancy Pelosi

Always Remember

The following is my account of that day.

It was a beautiful morning in Boston and I was off on another business trip. Upon arrival to the Logan Airport I ran into many friends and colleagues – it’s a small world and it seems even smaller in airports. I remember one friend in particular, I had met him the previous year during an interview. I remember thinking he was brilliant and I pondered if I had made a mistake not taking that job. We joked and he said it wasn’t too late to change my flight and fly to San Francisco for a “power” conference. It was tempting and I’m blessed that I did not change my plans.

A great morning continued with an automatic upgrade to first class. I still remember the man who seemed overly frustrated that his friend had not shown up and that he had to sit next to me.  Our flight was second in position to take off, right behind American Airlines Flight 11 and before United Flight 175. It was a crystal clear morning as I watched the other planes out the window, instead of watching the aggravated man next to me.

Attempting to review the schedules at Networld + Interop, I began to have an uneasy feeling that I could not shake and the aggravated man next to me was making it worse. The pilot announced, “It’s a clear day and we are just passing over Manhattan. If you look out the window you will see….” His voice trailed off as I stared out my window in shock. A plane had just hit The World Trade Center Tower and smoke was starting to bellow into the air. I turned to say something to my fellow passenger only to see an odd smile and hear him say, “It’s a great day for America” as he got up and went into the bathroom. I wanted to throw up and I felt my body tense. I turned and continued to stare out the window.

What took place next is still discombobulated in my head. A series of announcements from a pilot who was clearly in shock.  “We are not quite sure what type of aircraft has hit the tower,”  “Ladies and gentleman we have just learned the tower has been hit by a commercial jet,” “Please stay calm as we attempt to find out what is happening,” “A second plane has hit The World Trade Center,” and then something happened. I tried to reflect on my life, but memories of my father’s teachings about our Country, my America, rushed into my head. I felt my core wrench in disbelief upon the realization that something was very wrong.

As we circled for hours I remember watching and listening to the attendant scrambling through the overhead bin and babbling about a potential bomb. Was I going to land? Was the bomb on our flight? Why are they not letting us land? I was stuck and felt helpless.

Upon landing, security escorted everyone off the flight and I learned we were the last plane to land that afternoon. The airport terminal was eerily quiet and I turned to watch an overhead television broadcast what I had just witnessed. It was there I learned the American Airline Flight 11 that had left Boston right before me and the United Flight 175 that had left Boston right after me, had hit the twin towers. Another plane had flown into the Pentagon and a fourth had crashed in Pennsylvania. I wept and asked a stranger why I had been spared. The realization of friends lost that I had just smiled and talked with that morning and others that worked in the towers, swept over me. Waves of anger, guilt and grief swept over me as I continued to watch. We were at war.

It took over a year for me to find the strength to visit Ground Zero and when I did, I wept. Standing at that holy ground, I made peace with myself and finally felt calm.

To our troops, our first responders and those who suffered loss on September 11, 2001 – I am at your service.

God Bless America and cast out all those who wish to destroy it.

Homeland Security Alert

Dear Secretary Janet Napolitano of Homeland Security:

You initiated an “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. Americans are being threatened by union members with the president’s approval.

I am reporting Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa who threatened the GOP at an Obama event. He said — and I quote: “President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let’s take these son of bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong.

Operator Number: 202-282-8000