9/11 – 10 years later

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The Tribute in Light shines over the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in New York on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The memorial was first presented on March 11, 2002, the six-month anniversary of the attacks, and has been presented by the Municipal Art Society every year since. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks, when terrorists flew commercial aircraft into the World Trade Centers, Pentagon, and a field in western Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price, File)

Message from the Editor

Ten years ago, when for many the world was changed forever, we ran the following on our front page of the Pattaya Mail Newspaper.  On this, the 10th anniversary of the tragic event, we feel the sentiments still hold true today:

The Pattaya Mail staff, as well as everyone we have been in contact with, are deeply saddened, shocked and horrified by the brutal, sub-human attacks reigned down upon America on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the victims and their families.

The Tribute in Light shines over the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in New York on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The memorial was first presented on March 11, 2002, the six-month anniversary of the attacks, and has been presented by the Municipal Art Society every year since. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks, when terrorists flew commercial aircraft into the World Trade Centers, Pentagon, and a field in western Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price, File)The Tribute in Light shines over the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in New York on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The memorial was first presented on March 11, 2002, the six-month anniversary of the attacks, and has been presented by the Municipal Art Society every year since. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks, when terrorists flew commercial aircraft into the World Trade Centers, Pentagon, and a field in western Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price, File)

There are no words we could convey that would soften the horror. We can only wish it never happened, that it was a nightmare we will wake from, but the tragic reality is that the world actually contains people so mentally warped they are willing to sacrifice their lives to create mass destruction and steal away so many others’ lives in the twisted belief that others might feel their pain.

With the grief so unbearable, the pain so deep, the reality so horrifying, the emotion of vengeance is of course understandable. We, too, believe the perpetrators of such heinous acts, not only against America, but also against innocent victims throughout the world, should be stopped and brought to justice.

But we also ask that this feeling of vengeance not be painted with a broad brush. The perpetrators of such acts of violence are, thankfully, only a minute minority of the world’s population, tiny and isolated even within their own stated ethnic and religious affiliations. Senseless acts of vigilante violence based solely upon ethnicity or religious belief is ludicrous. Love thy brother. Together we will get through this and see in a new tomorrow.

Freedom will prevail.

Chief of Staff Andy Card whispers into the ear of President George W. Bush to give him word of the plane crashes into the World Trade Center, during a visit to the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)Chief of Staff Andy Card whispers into the ear of President George W. Bush to give him word of the plane crashes into the World Trade Center, during a visit to the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

United Airlines Flight 175 approaches the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York shortly before collision as smoke billows from the north tower. (AP Photo/Carmen Taylor)United Airlines Flight 175 approaches the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York shortly before collision as smoke billows from the north tower. (AP Photo/Carmen Taylor)

The south tower of the World Trade Center begins to collapse after a terrorist attack on the New York landmark. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)The south tower of the World Trade Center begins to collapse after a terrorist attack on the New York landmark. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

United Airlines Flight 175 collides into the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York as smoke billows from the north tower. (AP Photo/Chao Soi Cheong)United Airlines Flight 175 collides into the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York as smoke billows from the north tower. (AP Photo/Chao Soi Cheong)

People covered in dust walk over debris near the World Trade Center in New York. (AP Photo/Gulnara Samoilova)People covered in dust walk over debris near the World Trade Center in New York. (AP Photo/Gulnara Samoilova)

A priest prays over a wounded man outside the west entrance of the Pentagon as emergency workers from all services help the wounded after a terrorist attack on the Department of Defense building in Washington. (AP Photo/Navy Times, Mark Faram)A priest prays over a wounded man outside the west entrance of the Pentagon as emergency workers from all services help the wounded after a terrorist attack on the Department of Defense building in Washington. (AP Photo/Navy Times, Mark Faram)

Emergency workers look at the crater created when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)Emergency workers look at the crater created when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The twin towers of the World Trade Center burn behind the Empire State Building in New York. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)The twin towers of the World Trade Center burn behind the Empire State Building in New York. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)

United Airlines Flight 175 approaches the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York moments before collision, seen from the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/ William Kratzke)United Airlines Flight 175 approaches the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York moments before collision, seen from the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/ William Kratzke)

People run from a cloud of debris from the collapse of a World Trade Center tower in New York. (AP Photo/Suzanne Plunkett)People run from a cloud of debris from the collapse of a World Trade Center tower in New York. (AP Photo/Suzanne Plunkett)