Saturday, January 10, 2009

Aftermath (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



Before anything else: This is not a joke. Also, this Photo Hunt entry is neither meant to offend nor upset. Rather, it's intended to make a few salient points; including it being in so that in the aftermath of the events in 2001 that has come to be known as 9/11, it's hard for people to see or hear the words World Trade Center (or -- in British English -- Centre) without thinking of the twin towers that no longer exist in New York along with the shocking events that took place on American soil on September 11, 2001.

This even though there actually are numerous World Trade Centers/Centres in other parts of the world, including Dubai, London (whose original building, more than incidentally, was heavily damaged by an Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb in 1996), Mumbai and Hong Kong (which recently has been having renovations done to it -- hence the erection of the sign in the photo -- and on a lower floor of which is located a favorite sushi restaurant of mine).

I think this is particularly true of Americans but also those of us non-Americans who were living in the USA at that time. (As a reminder, 235 non-Americans -- excluding the perpetuators of the international crime -- died as a result of the events of 9/11.) Alternatively put: They are tragedies we will never forget and that have most definitely impacted -- changed in irrevocable ways -- our lives. And whose aftermath and welter of psychological scars it inflicted on individuals along with governments and whole communities of people we still are having to deal and come to terms with more than seven years on.

43 comments:

CRIZ LAI said...

That's something people ought to be aware that a human life is a precious thing to treasure always. That incident was very inhumane.

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

A reminder.

Yup, there are WTC's around the world. Singapore used to have a building called the WTC, but hence changed it's name to HarbourFront.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

interesting thoughts

PowersTwinB said...

What a wonderful tribute to those we lost on 9/11 in your photo hunt! I found your post very informative and reflective! Thanks for visiting my hunt tonight!

Leslie said...

Very good post for this week. I am watching a TV show right now which referred to it. :)

http://lesliesmyers.blogspot.com/2009/01/whats-my-favorite-thing.html

RJ Flamingo said...

Quite true on every point. In fact, there are numerous World Trade Centers in the U.S., as well. We have one right here in Miami.

I like this post very much. :-)

jams o donnell said...

It was a terrible day indeed. One that hit families arond the world. A person I went to school with died in WTC that day

stan said...

yes...the troubles of the world are truly started by the insane agendas of a few radicals, tarnishing many people groups and leaders along the way.

YTSL said...

Hi Criz Lai --

Inhumane -- and inhuman. It's sad and amazing how inhumane and inhuman some humans can be. On a more positive note: I'm also frequently amazed by how resilient humans can be as well.

Hi Napaboaniya --

Are you saying Singapore changed the name of its World Trade Centre in the aftermath of 9/11? If so, have to say that I wish it hadn't done so. As it stands, must say that I like seeing other World Trade Centres standing - it's like a retort to the terrorists that world trade, etc. WILL continue.

Hi Marcia --

I'm glad you think so.

Hi PowerTwinsB --

Thank you for your comments. Was a bit afraid as to the reaction to this entry. Reading your words, I got more assured that people will take it the right way. :)

Hi Leslie --

Thanks -- and what a coincidence re your were watching a TV show which referred to it!

Hi RJ Flamingo --

Didn't know about the World Trade Center in Miami. Interesting!

Hi Jams O Donnell --

So sorry to read about your schoolmate. It serves to re-emphasize my point though that 9/11 was far from a tragedy that affected Americans.

Hi Stan --

Hear, hear re your comments.

Anonymous said...

That day changed many things and it also changed how people view the words World Trade Center. I like how you used the sign to portray aftermath.

If you have time check out my aftermath at http://moderatesuburbanchick.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

A sobering post but a good example of the Aftermath - my personal Aftermath was the effect of being a child in the Swansea blitz.

SASSY MOM said...

That's really sad, what there. But there are a lot of WTCs around the world and I wish these people will just realize that what their doing is wrong.

Nice take. Happy weekend.

Hootin Anni said...

Excellent writing to go with the photo.

Mine's aftermath of after math. Come on over to see it if you have some time today.

Anonymous said...

The aftermath of 9/11 will be felt for a very long time - I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the whole world changed on that day, and became a much scarier place. Thanks for sharing your thoughts - I'm afraid my PhotoHunt is frivolous by comparison. Have a lovely weekend!

Anonymous said...

Good thoughts - and a point for these people to understand. No matter what terrorists do, we, the people, carry on. The people they scare are themselves!

Dragonstar said...

A powerful post YTSL. An event like that has a long-reaching aftermath.

Anonymous said...

9/11 is something that should never have happened. period. a stain on mankind

Anonymous said...

Good job with theme. Happy weekend. Mine is up also.

Bengbeng said...

i sometimes wish we live in a more perfect world :(

Anonymous said...

Very good post...thank you...

Brita said...

Great take on the theme.

Anonymous said...

Great post and very thoughtful and thought-provoking. I hope that another aftermath of horrible tragedies is that it makes more people value and work for peace.

Anonymous said...

Indeed we are, still trying to come to terms with the aftermath of that particular event. A very thought-provoking post.

Debbie@Like a Rose said...

Thanks for a very thoughtful post. You're right that the aftermath of this act was and is still being felt worldwide.

YTSL said...

Hi JyLnC --

That day changed lives and perspectives on so many things. What a different -- and, alas, I think better -- world it would have been if it hadn't happened. :S

Hi Aileni --

There are several events that seem to shake the world. 9/11 was one of them -- "a day of infamy", to use the words for another bad day in history. On a positive note: amazingly, life does go on. After this and such as the blitz too.

Hi Sassy Mom --

Their names may give people a jolt but I actually like that there are other World Trade Centres out there. It's like their very existence helps to emphasize that life goes on, you know?

Hi Hootin' Anni --

Thanks for your appreciation of my blog entry -- and for giving me a laugh re your Photo Hunt entry for this week. :)

Hi Siani --

I don't want for us to be scared. Otherwise, I'll feel that the terrorists have won. :S

Hi archiearchive --

Hear, hear. Re the terrorists: I too do feel they must be so scared of something -- often irrationally so, in fact -- to be willing to commit acts of violence in reaction.

Hi Dragonstar --

Thank you for reading and appreciating.

Hi Isaiah --

Hear, hear!

Hi gen/entry --

Thanks and happy weekend to you too. :)

Hi Bengbeng --

Me too! But this world is the only one we have...

Hi June --

And thank you for appreciating. :)

Hi Brita --

Am glad you 'get' and like the post.

Hi Annie --

I too wish that in the aftermath of tragedies, people would learn to treasure peace more.

Hi A. --

Thanks for reading and 'getting' it. :)

Hi Debbie --

I just wish that the aftermath of that tragedy would be to bring about more peace as opposed to further tragedy in this world.

Anonymous said...

it's a delicate balancing act between living life, as usual, to prove to the evildoers that freedom will not be curtailed, while giving the due respect to the affected families by pausing from "business as usual"...

may the new year prove to be a time of moving further forward while bringing the evildoers to justice...

Anonymous said...

this is one event that will be forever etched in everyone's minds.

My entry is Aftermath

Carver said...

Excellent take on the theme. Thought provoking.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post! People, and governments, should always remain diligent... though I don't believe they are in many areas.

Anonymous said...

Very good and thoughtful post.

Happy Weekend.

Anonymous said...

This was a horrific event that affected the whole world :(

Powerful post!

 gmirage said...

I totally agree, whatever happened sad as it may, we have to move on...but never forgetting and hoping it wont happen again.

Happy PH on the sidenote!

dianasfaria.com said...

so very true, the words "World Trade Center" aren't said or even read without some trepidation-life has never been the same since.

Biker Betty said...

9/11 was horrible and the aftermath has changed the world for good. Your post is very informative.Great choice for this theme.

Have a great weekend!

Becky said...

Very thought provoking aftermath. I like the way you used the sign for this theme.

If you get a chance, check out my aftermath:
http://decolady-randommusings.blogspot.com/2009/01/photo-hunt-aftermath.html

jmb said...

Good post YTSL, we should remember not only the Americans but also those of other nations who were in the wrong place at the wrong time and which had such an aftermath on their lives.

A Scattering said...

Serious but valid and interesting take on the topic.

YTSL said...

Hi Ian --

Hear, hear. Well said/written! :)

Hi Cookie --

I'm not sure about everyone -- the world is so large (and some parts of it still in worlds of their own), after all. But those of us who know of it sure find it hard to not remember.

Hi Carver --

Thank you and hope you have a good weekend too! :)

Hi JC --

Diligent -- but not paranoid and overly-fearful. Life must go on and if it's too scared a life, then I feel the terrorists will have won.

Hi Pat --

Thanks, and happy weekend to you too! :)

Hi Kissedalotatoads --

Thanks! :)

Hi Sue --

Thing is, things have dominoed so it's by no means just one event that has impacted the world...

Hi mirage2g --

Most definitely re hoping things like this will not happen again.

Hi Lily Hydrangea --

Ditto visiting or even just plain looking at super tall buildings... :S

Hi Biker Betty --

Thank you.

Hi Becky --

Thanks! :)

Hi jmb --

Thanks and exactly re the comments!

Hi Elaine Dale --

Thank you and I'm so glad that all of you have taken it in the right spirit.

Marites said...

we have WTC too in Manila but of course, the WTC in NY, USA is the most well-known.

YTSL said...

Hi Marites --

Didn't know about there also being a World Trade Centre (or is it Center?) in Manila! Thanks for the info! :)

SabineM said...

Interesting! I think you have a great take on the theme!

Anonymous said...

Found you through Photohunt.

I like the "open for business" sign... was this photograph taken very soon after 9/11, or is it a recent photograph of a permanent sign?

We even have a World Trade Center in New Orleans -- with a jazz club at the top.

YTSL said...

Hi SabineM --

Thanks!

Hi "Cold Spaghetti" --

The photo was taken a few months back, when much of the World Trade Centre here in Hong Kong was undergoing renovation. Renovation over, the sign's come down. (To be honest, I don't think those who put it up made much, if any, connection to it and New York's World Trade Centre...)