Sept. 13, 2001 – The U.S. Postal Service plans to start moving first-class, priority and express mail in and out of the Virgin Islands on Friday using chartered airplanes, Postmaster Louis A. Jackson said Thursday night in a turn-around from a status report issued just hours earlier.
The plan covers mail between St. Thomas and St. Croix, mail between those islands and Puerto Rico, and mail to and from the mainland.
Jackson said he expected the first plane would leave St. Thomas at 4:30 a.m. Friday.
Mail service between St. Thomas and St. Croix, between the territory and Puerto Rico, and between the islands and mainland came to a standstill Tuesday when the Federal Aviation Administration closed the nation's airports following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. The FAA then announced a ban on transporting first-class mail and packages on commercial flights once they resumed.
On Thursday afternoon, Jackson said the Postal Service would charter a barge to transport mail from St. Thomas to St. Croix and on to Fajardo, P.R., and then back. He commented then that he could not say when the ban on commercial flights carrying mail would be lifted. He announced the new plan around 8:30 p.m.
First-class mail from the mainland that had arrived in Puerto Rico before the airport shut down on Tuesday should reach the territory Friday, Jackson said, and other shipments will follow.
Mail between St. Thomas and St. John was not affected by the federal actions because it regularly goes via barge. And fourth-class mail, which includes packages, was not affected by the FAA mandate because it is transported to and from the territory by ship.
Businesses and individuals in the territory had expressed concern in the last two days about problems that would arise if they were not able to receive or dispatch mail. The resumption of mail service into and out of the territory on Friday is expected to put an end to those concerns.
VIRGIN ISLANDER AMONG THE DEAD AT PENTAGON
Sept. 14, 2001 – On Thursday, the territory received the first official word of the loss of a Virgin Islands life as a result of the terrorist attacks Tuesday on the mainland.
Army Sgt. Maudlyn White of St. Thomas was killed in the assault on the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., government officials said.
White, the daughter of St. Thomas resident Priscilla Irish and the mother of a 5-year-old daughter, was assigned to duty at the Pentagon.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made a public announcement Thursday afternoon to say he had received word of White's death from the Army through V.I. National Guard Adjutant General Cleave McBean. On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, the governor extended condolences to her family members, friends and comrades.
He further called upon the territory's residents to "continue to pray for God's blessings on America and on the souls of the lost, for the injured and for their family and loved ones."
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen also expressed her condolences. "Words cannot express my sadness and that of my family and staff upon learning that the tragedy that has so hurt our nation has now extended through the death of Sgt. White to the Virgin Islands," she said.
No details were immediately available concerning White's background, her current assignment or the circumstances of her death.
The governor in his release also asked all Virgin Islanders "to comply with President George W. Bush's declaration" of Friday as a day of prayer "by particpating in services at their houses of worship and faith at noon."
Also in the same release, he spoke out against reported threats made against Arab and Muslim residents of the territory in what was apparently intended as retaliation for Tuesday's attacks. "No religion," he said, "preaches in favor of terrorism against humanity." The Virgin Islands' Muslim and Arab residents, he said, "are as outraged as the rest of us at this vicious terrorist attack upon America."
Army Sgt. Maudlyn White of St. Thomas was killed in the assault on the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., government officials said.
White, the daughter of St. Thomas resident Priscilla Irish and the mother of a 5-year-old daughter, was assigned to duty at the Pentagon.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made a public announcement Thursday afternoon to say he had received word of White's death from the Army through V.I. National Guard Adjutant General Cleave McBean. On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, the governor extended condolences to her family members, friends and comrades.
He further called upon the territory's residents to "continue to pray for God's blessings on America and on the souls of the lost, for the injured and for their family and loved ones."
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen also expressed her condolences. "Words cannot express my sadness and that of my family and staff upon learning that the tragedy that has so hurt our nation has now extended through the death of Sgt. White to the Virgin Islands," she said.
No details were immediately available concerning White's background, her current assignment or the circumstances of her death.
The governor in his release also asked all Virgin Islanders "to comply with President George W. Bush's declaration" of Friday as a day of prayer "by particpating in services at their houses of worship and faith at noon."
Also in the same release, he spoke out against reported threats made against Arab and Muslim residents of the territory in what was apparently intended as retaliation for Tuesday's attacks. "No religion," he said, "preaches in favor of terrorism against humanity." The Virgin Islands' Muslim and Arab residents, he said, "are as outraged as the rest of us at this vicious terrorist attack upon America."
VIRGIN ISLANDER AMONG THE DEAD AT PENTAGON
Sept. 14, 2001 – On Thursday, the territory received the first official word of the loss of a Virgin Islands life as a result of the terrorist attacks Tuesday on the mainland.
Army Sgt. Maudlyn White of St. Thomas was killed in the assault on the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., government officials said.
White, the daughter of St. Thomas resident Priscilla Irish and the mother of a 5-year-old daughter, was assigned to duty at the Pentagon.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made a public announcement Thursday afternoon to say he had received word of White's death from the Army through V.I. National Guard Adjutant General Cleave McBean. On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, the governor extended condolences to her family members, friends and comrades.
He further called upon the territory's residents to "continue to pray for God's blessings on America and on the souls of the lost, for the injured and for their family and loved ones."
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen also expressed her condolences. "Words cannot express my sadness and that of my family and staff upon learning that the tragedy that has so hurt our nation has now extended through the death of Sgt. White to the Virgin Islands," she said.
No details were immediately available concerning White's background, her current assignment or the circumstances of her death.
The governor in his release also asked all Virgin Islanders "to comply with President George W. Bush's declaration" of Friday as a day of prayer "by particpating in services at their houses of worship and faith at noon."
Also in the same release, he spoke out against reported threats made against Arab and Muslim residents of the territory in what was apparently intended as retaliation for Tuesday's attacks. "No religion," he said, "preaches in favor of terrorism against humanity." The Virgin Islands' Muslim and Arab residents, he said, "are as outraged as the rest of us at this vicious terrorist attack upon America."
Army Sgt. Maudlyn White of St. Thomas was killed in the assault on the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., government officials said.
White, the daughter of St. Thomas resident Priscilla Irish and the mother of a 5-year-old daughter, was assigned to duty at the Pentagon.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull made a public announcement Thursday afternoon to say he had received word of White's death from the Army through V.I. National Guard Adjutant General Cleave McBean. On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, the governor extended condolences to her family members, friends and comrades.
He further called upon the territory's residents to "continue to pray for God's blessings on America and on the souls of the lost, for the injured and for their family and loved ones."
Delegate Donna Christian Christensen also expressed her condolences. "Words cannot express my sadness and that of my family and staff upon learning that the tragedy that has so hurt our nation has now extended through the death of Sgt. White to the Virgin Islands," she said.
No details were immediately available concerning White's background, her current assignment or the circumstances of her death.
The governor in his release also asked all Virgin Islanders "to comply with President George W. Bush's declaration" of Friday as a day of prayer "by particpating in services at their houses of worship and faith at noon."
Also in the same release, he spoke out against reported threats made against Arab and Muslim residents of the territory in what was apparently intended as retaliation for Tuesday's attacks. "No religion," he said, "preaches in favor of terrorism against humanity." The Virgin Islands' Muslim and Arab residents, he said, "are as outraged as the rest of us at this vicious terrorist attack upon America."
AMERICAN FLIGHT DOESN'T DEPART ST. THOMAS
Sept. 13, 2001 – An American Airlines flight that was to have taken off from St. Thomas at 5 p.m. Thursday for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport didn't do so.
The plane had been grounded at the Cyril E. King Airport since Tuesday, when the federal government halted all civilian air travel in the United States following terrorist attacks on the mainland. The 172-passenger jet had departed from JFK about 45 minutes before the first commercial airliner smashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.
The federal government had authorized airports around the country to reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday. After federally mandated security measures were approved at the St. Thomas airport, authorities confirmed what hospitality industry personnel had said earlier: that the American plane would depart at 5 p.m. to return to Kennedy.
However, before the plane could take off, a "ground stop" was issued to the control tower at the airport because all three Metropolitan New York area airports — JFK, La Guardia and Newark — had been closed again.
On Thursday night, it was reported by network media that federal law-enforcement authorities had apprehended five individuals at Kennedy Airport in the late afternoon and five others at La Guardia in the evening who were described as suspected terrorists attempting to board planes. All three New York-area airports remained closed Thursday night.
A source at the Cyril E. King control tower said Thursday evening that he couldn't say whether all three airports were still closed. But he said the American plane would remain on the tarmac at the airport overnight.
There was no answer to telephone calls to the St. Thomas American Airlines office Thursday night.
The plane had been grounded at the Cyril E. King Airport since Tuesday, when the federal government halted all civilian air travel in the United States following terrorist attacks on the mainland. The 172-passenger jet had departed from JFK about 45 minutes before the first commercial airliner smashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.
The federal government had authorized airports around the country to reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday. After federally mandated security measures were approved at the St. Thomas airport, authorities confirmed what hospitality industry personnel had said earlier: that the American plane would depart at 5 p.m. to return to Kennedy.
However, before the plane could take off, a "ground stop" was issued to the control tower at the airport because all three Metropolitan New York area airports — JFK, La Guardia and Newark — had been closed again.
On Thursday night, it was reported by network media that federal law-enforcement authorities had apprehended five individuals at Kennedy Airport in the late afternoon and five others at La Guardia in the evening who were described as suspected terrorists attempting to board planes. All three New York-area airports remained closed Thursday night.
A source at the Cyril E. King control tower said Thursday evening that he couldn't say whether all three airports were still closed. But he said the American plane would remain on the tarmac at the airport overnight.
There was no answer to telephone calls to the St. Thomas American Airlines office Thursday night.
SOME STRIKE OUT DESPITE PLEAS FOR TOLERANCE
Sept. 13, 2001 – Expressions of anger and outright threats against members of the local Arab community have led several of the territory’s leaders speak out against any idea of making scapegoats of Arab people living in the Virgin Islands.
But in some cases, their pleas appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
On Thursday afternoon, someone put up a sign near the Friendly Grocery on the North Side of St. Thomas that read: "Arabs go home: murderers all." The hand-written sign leaned against a post on one side of a residential driveway; an American flag flew beside the post on the opposite side.
Andy Garcia, a Puerto Rican-born worker at the grocery who is the grandson of Palestinian immigrants, said he contacted police about the sign. He said an officer told him there was nothing she could do about it. About 6 p.m. Thursday, the sign remained in place for anyone driving past to see.
Several people of Palestinian descent have expressed their frustration that some people are blaming them for attacks that they themselves find reprehensible. Many of them have said they stand with other Americans who feel the terrorist strikes were an attack against their home.
"They say Arab go home. We are home. This is our home," said Nisren Abusoud, who with her husband, Ali Abusoud, owns the Friendly Grocery.
She said her children were born on St. Thomas, where she has lived for 13 years after emigrating from her native Jerusalem. "This," she said, gesturing to the sign, "creates more problems, you know. It’s calling for hateness, for war. We need to live in peace in the Virgin Islands."
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull issued a statement Thursday that he said was in response to reports of threats against members of the Arab community. Urging people to stand together and not vent their anger against any ethnic group, he said he had heard from reliable sources that there had been threats against people of Arab descent. He did not give any details.
He did say, "This must cease. We cannot condone acts or threats of hate or intolerance. The Arab or Muslim residents of the United States Virgin Islands are law-abiding and contributing members of Virgin Islands society."
Sen. Lorraine Berry had issued a release on Wednesday urging that others in the community not blame the local Arab community for the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
In the aftermath of the attacks on Tuesday, there have been reports from the mainland of damage to mosques and other violence directed toward Arab Americans.
Garcia noted that non-ethnic Americans were responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing in 1993. But that does not mean that all such Americans are murderers, he said.
By the same token, he continued, even if an Arab group is shown to have been responsible for this week’s attacks, it does not make Arabs in the Virgin Islands responsible.
"America is many, many people, from every part of the world," he said, and Arab-Americans make up a part of that patchwork.
But in some cases, their pleas appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
On Thursday afternoon, someone put up a sign near the Friendly Grocery on the North Side of St. Thomas that read: "Arabs go home: murderers all." The hand-written sign leaned against a post on one side of a residential driveway; an American flag flew beside the post on the opposite side.
Andy Garcia, a Puerto Rican-born worker at the grocery who is the grandson of Palestinian immigrants, said he contacted police about the sign. He said an officer told him there was nothing she could do about it. About 6 p.m. Thursday, the sign remained in place for anyone driving past to see.
Several people of Palestinian descent have expressed their frustration that some people are blaming them for attacks that they themselves find reprehensible. Many of them have said they stand with other Americans who feel the terrorist strikes were an attack against their home.
"They say Arab go home. We are home. This is our home," said Nisren Abusoud, who with her husband, Ali Abusoud, owns the Friendly Grocery.
She said her children were born on St. Thomas, where she has lived for 13 years after emigrating from her native Jerusalem. "This," she said, gesturing to the sign, "creates more problems, you know. It’s calling for hateness, for war. We need to live in peace in the Virgin Islands."
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull issued a statement Thursday that he said was in response to reports of threats against members of the Arab community. Urging people to stand together and not vent their anger against any ethnic group, he said he had heard from reliable sources that there had been threats against people of Arab descent. He did not give any details.
He did say, "This must cease. We cannot condone acts or threats of hate or intolerance. The Arab or Muslim residents of the United States Virgin Islands are law-abiding and contributing members of Virgin Islands society."
Sen. Lorraine Berry had issued a release on Wednesday urging that others in the community not blame the local Arab community for the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
In the aftermath of the attacks on Tuesday, there have been reports from the mainland of damage to mosques and other violence directed toward Arab Americans.
Garcia noted that non-ethnic Americans were responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing in 1993. But that does not mean that all such Americans are murderers, he said.
By the same token, he continued, even if an Arab group is shown to have been responsible for this week’s attacks, it does not make Arabs in the Virgin Islands responsible.
"America is many, many people, from every part of the world," he said, and Arab-Americans make up a part of that patchwork.
CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN – A GREEK MELODY
Sept. 13, 2002 — It's World War II and the Italians have just captured Greece. Capt. Antonio Corelli (Nicholas Cage) is probably the handsomest fascist ever, if not the most musical, as he strums along in "Captain Corelli's Mandolin."
Music notwithstanding, Corelli is in charge of Pagliacci Company. which occupies a small and charming Greek island where there lives a comely lass, Pelagia (Penelope Cruz). But, alas, the lass is engaged to another.
Pelagia, the educated and strong-willed daughter of the village doctor, is at first offended by the good captain but soon weakens under his abundant charms. (Any lass who would do less in the face of Cage's charms must have misplaced hormones.)
Critics seem very amused by Cage's Italian accent, which apparently runs to adding an "A" to assorted nouns and the occasional verb.
But what about Palagia's young fiancé (Christian Bale)? Well, he gets sent off to fight the Germans for openers. But that's hardly all. The ensuing yarn takes about two and a half hours to unfold under a warm and exotic Greek sun.
The movie is directed by John Madden of "Shakespeare in Love." It is rated R for some violence, sexuality and language.
It is playing at Market Square East.
Music notwithstanding, Corelli is in charge of Pagliacci Company. which occupies a small and charming Greek island where there lives a comely lass, Pelagia (Penelope Cruz). But, alas, the lass is engaged to another.
Pelagia, the educated and strong-willed daughter of the village doctor, is at first offended by the good captain but soon weakens under his abundant charms. (Any lass who would do less in the face of Cage's charms must have misplaced hormones.)
Critics seem very amused by Cage's Italian accent, which apparently runs to adding an "A" to assorted nouns and the occasional verb.
But what about Palagia's young fiancé (Christian Bale)? Well, he gets sent off to fight the Germans for openers. But that's hardly all. The ensuing yarn takes about two and a half hours to unfold under a warm and exotic Greek sun.
The movie is directed by John Madden of "Shakespeare in Love." It is rated R for some violence, sexuality and language.
It is playing at Market Square East.
PRAY FOR THE MOTHERS, FATHERS AND CHILDREN
Dear Source,
Since Tuesday night, Sept. 11, my children have been asking questions that are hard to answer. I have a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old who are afraid of sleeping in their beds and hop into my bed to sleep.
Every night since Tuesday, my kids say a prayer for those unknown friends who are gone forever. Every night, they ask me to sing a lullaby for those children whose mommy and/or daddy will not be able to sing or tuck them in their beds. Every night, I cry doing so.
My heart goes out to all those families that in one way or another are united in one with this horrible tragedy. May God have mercy on their souls.
Maribel Hernandez
St. Croix
Since Tuesday night, Sept. 11, my children have been asking questions that are hard to answer. I have a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old who are afraid of sleeping in their beds and hop into my bed to sleep.
Every night since Tuesday, my kids say a prayer for those unknown friends who are gone forever. Every night, they ask me to sing a lullaby for those children whose mommy and/or daddy will not be able to sing or tuck them in their beds. Every night, I cry doing so.
My heart goes out to all those families that in one way or another are united in one with this horrible tragedy. May God have mercy on their souls.
Maribel Hernandez
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
PRAY FOR THE MOTHERS, FATHERS AND CHILDREN
Dear Source,
Since Tuesday night, Sept. 11, my children have been asking questions that are hard to answer. I have a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old who are afraid of sleeping in their beds and hop into my bed to sleep.
Every night since Tuesday, my kids say a prayer for those unknown friends who are gone forever. Every night, they ask me to sing a lullaby for those children whose mommy and/or daddy will not be able to sing or tuck them in their beds. Every night, I cry doing so.
My heart goes out to all those families that in one way or another are united in one with this horrible tragedy. May God have mercy on their souls.
Maribel Hernandez
St. Croix
Since Tuesday night, Sept. 11, my children have been asking questions that are hard to answer. I have a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old who are afraid of sleeping in their beds and hop into my bed to sleep.
Every night since Tuesday, my kids say a prayer for those unknown friends who are gone forever. Every night, they ask me to sing a lullaby for those children whose mommy and/or daddy will not be able to sing or tuck them in their beds. Every night, I cry doing so.
My heart goes out to all those families that in one way or another are united in one with this horrible tragedy. May God have mercy on their souls.
Maribel Hernandez
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
WHY 'SEND A MESSAGE' THAT WON'T WORK?
Dear Source,
Many Virgin Islanders were touched in the most personal of ways by the horrendous attacks in New York City and Washington. Many Virgin Islanders know people in the Middle East who will be affected, again in the most basic of ways, by the possibilities that lie before the United States and the world. Let us remember that the repercussions of Sept. 11 will live with us throughout our lives.
Locally, there has been an emotional swirl of talk in the newspapers and on the radio talk shows about whether or not the United States is the cause of its own problems. Well, maybe, maybe not.
I have to ask myself whether this particular set of terrorists really is concerned about social injustice, or are they like the Irish Republican Army and assorted rebel groups, those who like dressing up in uniforms, forming street gangs and other cells of disaffected men who simply enjoy the power and thrill of combat — and who in my opinion simply don't have the guts to hold down a job, raise a family and make simple, but meaningful contributions to their communities?
Still, it wouldn't hurt for all of us to pause, take a long, deep breath and think about the root causes and broad issues related to terrorism, ethnic slaughter, and the ever-increasing divide between the "haves" and "have nots."
The United States has tried in the past to "send a message" to terrorists, with obviously little impact. I still believe that some sort of forceful and long-term response is necessary. But as "average citizens," let's not take our cues from the federal politicians, the military, and national television. We are being bombarded with messages of "retaliation" and "we'll show 'em!" This perpetuation of the cycle of violence has proved most ineffective over the past several decades and has resulted in the death of millions. When we have "sent messages" before, why haven't they worked?
If we are going to send a message, wouldn't it be prudent for us to encourage the messenger to decide just what the message is intended to accomplish? What is the specific message we want to send? Can we control the message? Whatever our messenger/leaders decide to do, all of us need to remind them — and ourselves — that the fight against terrorism worldwide must recognize that terrorism has no religion, no race and no nationality. A terrorist attack, no matter in what part of the world it occurs, is against the whole of humanity.
Deborah Stevens Hamilton
St. Thomas
Many Virgin Islanders were touched in the most personal of ways by the horrendous attacks in New York City and Washington. Many Virgin Islanders know people in the Middle East who will be affected, again in the most basic of ways, by the possibilities that lie before the United States and the world. Let us remember that the repercussions of Sept. 11 will live with us throughout our lives.
Locally, there has been an emotional swirl of talk in the newspapers and on the radio talk shows about whether or not the United States is the cause of its own problems. Well, maybe, maybe not.
I have to ask myself whether this particular set of terrorists really is concerned about social injustice, or are they like the Irish Republican Army and assorted rebel groups, those who like dressing up in uniforms, forming street gangs and other cells of disaffected men who simply enjoy the power and thrill of combat — and who in my opinion simply don't have the guts to hold down a job, raise a family and make simple, but meaningful contributions to their communities?
Still, it wouldn't hurt for all of us to pause, take a long, deep breath and think about the root causes and broad issues related to terrorism, ethnic slaughter, and the ever-increasing divide between the "haves" and "have nots."
The United States has tried in the past to "send a message" to terrorists, with obviously little impact. I still believe that some sort of forceful and long-term response is necessary. But as "average citizens," let's not take our cues from the federal politicians, the military, and national television. We are being bombarded with messages of "retaliation" and "we'll show 'em!" This perpetuation of the cycle of violence has proved most ineffective over the past several decades and has resulted in the death of millions. When we have "sent messages" before, why haven't they worked?
If we are going to send a message, wouldn't it be prudent for us to encourage the messenger to decide just what the message is intended to accomplish? What is the specific message we want to send? Can we control the message? Whatever our messenger/leaders decide to do, all of us need to remind them — and ourselves — that the fight against terrorism worldwide must recognize that terrorism has no religion, no race and no nationality. A terrorist attack, no matter in what part of the world it occurs, is against the whole of humanity.
Deborah Stevens Hamilton
St. Thomas
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
THOSE WHO WAGE WAR CANNOT SEE THE FUTURE
Dear Source:
Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with each one of us.
Thoughts on the wanton destruction of life caused by the thoughtless value placed on existence and extinction: When bodies of children, mothers, daughters and fathers whose lives have been exterminated because of a difference in ideology are piled like endless stacks of firewood, whose purpose does this serve? Warfare does nothing but take the innocent along with those who propose to bring a change for the better. Where is the justice, and who will speak for those who are no more?
Abandoned dreams and hopes are smashed by oppression, hate and intolerance brought on by the judgments formed on the foundation of ignorance, fear and the lack of respect for those who are different and usually have the most to lose. Why can we always find money to support a war, but there's never enough to feed the poor?
Radical leaders who demonstrate peace do not quiver under the threat of death but take a stand when they are most criticized for not participating in mute regimes. They know that to keep their silence is giving open consent to wrongdoing which will affect the future of those held close their hearts.
We go into this century fooled by power and greed, yet we have not learned the lessons of the past. Devastations of war such as famine, orphans, homelessness, hopelessness, plague and disease, just to name a few, have rendered us vulnerable to those we have wreaked havoc on. Revelation is revealed, but do we take heed? No, we who cause and fuel war bring these apocalypses on ourselves and cannot see the future because we only focus on the present.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with each one of us.
Thoughts on the wanton destruction of life caused by the thoughtless value placed on existence and extinction: When bodies of children, mothers, daughters and fathers whose lives have been exterminated because of a difference in ideology are piled like endless stacks of firewood, whose purpose does this serve? Warfare does nothing but take the innocent along with those who propose to bring a change for the better. Where is the justice, and who will speak for those who are no more?
Abandoned dreams and hopes are smashed by oppression, hate and intolerance brought on by the judgments formed on the foundation of ignorance, fear and the lack of respect for those who are different and usually have the most to lose. Why can we always find money to support a war, but there's never enough to feed the poor?
Radical leaders who demonstrate peace do not quiver under the threat of death but take a stand when they are most criticized for not participating in mute regimes. They know that to keep their silence is giving open consent to wrongdoing which will affect the future of those held close their hearts.
We go into this century fooled by power and greed, yet we have not learned the lessons of the past. Devastations of war such as famine, orphans, homelessness, hopelessness, plague and disease, just to name a few, have rendered us vulnerable to those we have wreaked havoc on. Revelation is revealed, but do we take heed? No, we who cause and fuel war bring these apocalypses on ourselves and cannot see the future because we only focus on the present.
Caroline A. Browne
St. Thomas
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
