Mike

I've been to New York many many times before and after Sept 11th. I'd like just to see those towers again ...

huh

so?

c

Mike-so would we.

lisa

I feel the same way, Mike. Every time I come out of the subway downtown, I look up and there is a huge hole in the sky and a bigger one in my heart.

mad as hell

you know, people, i hate to sound coldhearted (i'm not), but you really have to get a grip on this thing. they're gone and they're not coming back and instead of being maudlin you should be mad as hell. we all know you have a heart, now prove you have a spine.

x

so do I Mike

Spine

Mad as hell -- since when have NY'ers been accused of not having a spine???

In case you didn't know, people deal with grief/stress/etc differently -- who are you to tell anyone how they *should* feel. Keep your quack psychiatry to yourself, thanks.

NYauker

To Mad as Hell: One word. Compassion. How about it? For all who lost loved ones and for those who live in Manhattan that were affected by this tragedy. If you live in NY and see that empty space day after day, how could you not feel sad? Those buildings were part of our city and were taken away by hatred. Obviously you can't deal with feelings/emotions and block everything out.
To Spine: Go you!

why

Mike, I'm sure you meant well, but what exactly was your point in expressing your sentiment here? Of course, you are free to do so, but it has just invited all these unneccesarily antagonistic posts...

L

So would I Mike. I also travel a lot to NY and I'd really love to see the towers rise again.
I think rebuilding the towers as they were would represent a memorial for all those who were part of it and lost their lives.

Ellen

I live here, and miss them every time I look out my window. For many reasons. But there is also another emotion--believe it or not, denial. I just can't get my mind around the fact that this happened in my own backyard. And, I hate to use the word fear, because I have tried to suppress that one as well. If they can do it once, what is the next target? I am getting on with life, but there is alot going on under the surface that the tourists (back to travel) will never see. We are all putting on a brave face, but well, you can't really imagine the feeling unless you were here that day. Very small, insignificant, isolated, trapped & a new feeling for New Yorkers--helpless. I really don't want to have them rebuild the towers. You can replace the shell, but the guts will never be there. Putting back the towers isn't going to 'show them' that they didn't get us, being better Americans will. Please say a prayer for Daniel Pearl, another New Yorker in trouble.

Elizabeth

Thanks Ellen.
Right now near Union Square there are helicopters circling non-stop. I imagine you hear them too. I don't yet know what the story is, I haven't been out, I don't have a TV here.
But something is happening--I presume in relation to that World Economic Forum. Demonstrations or the threat of them.

c

regarding helicopters:I believe it is just the WEC.News showed all quiet,some protestors at the Gap but not rowdy at all.
I would imagine that what most of us feel (and I think this might apply to non-NYers also) is the way someone who has lost an arm or leg would feel..it was there and now it is gone, and all you can think about is - there is this space where it should be~no matter what they build there, it will still be gone, but a memorial would be the best thing for the people who grieve everyday..and small buildings..nothing so tall and in your face, something more quiet and respectful...Just my opinion.

Paul

Ellen I'll second those emotions. I have plenty of my own, I was on the 82nd floor of South Tower at 8:45 a.m. and didn't miss by very much at all not being here to write this.
It was painful for me to walk by the area two weeks later - especially the little park across the street, the one with the statue of the businessman seated on the bench with his attache case, and where I spent some peaceful times under the shade trees. That little oasis turned out to be my escape route on 9/11 as I ran..... I walked past on 9/28 and seeing that street with the little park wrenched me as much as what was behind it.
They should build something new there, lower buildings, and a beautiful memorial with them. I don't think I could personally bear go there, though.

lisa

Ellen -- you said so eloquently what we've all been thinking. Maybe that's why when I exit the subway at Wall Street I keep looking over my shoulder to see if they're there -- I'm still in denial.

Paul -- I'm so glad you're here. I watched the planes hit from my own favorite downtown oasis -- the back side of St. Paul's Episcopal church.