Moving Forward from 9/11  The decade after 9/11 was dark, but
the United States must move forward.   The terrorist attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001, were not the worst thing that ever happened in
American history, but we the people let them define and darken a
devastated decade. We've seen the 21st century through a glass,
darkly (with a short streak of euphoria in 2008).  We went from
the best of our times--peace and prosperity in the Clinton years
--to the worst of times. All in a day. Just like that,
shattering, screaming steel flashes fell out of a crystal
morning sky, its unearthly blue beauty for miles seemed to taunt
us, grieving on the ground.  Now let's hope the nation makes
peace with the salt sea of tears caused by the attacks and the
wars fought in their name. We've picked up the pieces from the
smoldering wreckages and memorials shall stand sentry at the
three sites. Let's do the same within our own body politic.
Let's go forward into the future without casting haunted looks
back to that part of the past