I was wondering if anybody had felt their lives had changed as a result of the terrible disaster that happened in New York.

I ask this becuase whenever I see people who are from the Middle East or Muslims I feel uncomfortable.

I know that this is very wrong, but I can't help it and it does make me feel bad. I suppose what makes it worse is that there were a number of bomb scares on Tuesday (about 15 mins walk from my office) and my train goes through the station nearest.

Today I went to a trade fair and saw some people from the middle east and immediately thought of a Tom Clancy book where terrorists released an airborne version of the Ebola Virus at a trade fair.

I mentioned this to a friend from Northallerton who flew back from Teeside and he said that ther were 5 muslims on his flight and he was shitting himself.

Has this effected anybody else like this?

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Answers

There's been 3 major bomb scares in the city today, stock exchange was evacuated for awhile....our office had one yesterday, it's all a bit nervy.....

My feeling is that it's going to get a LOT worse....

There's a chap who sits near me...a turkish bloke with the surname of Shah :)) he was telling me this morning that his brother is flying back from the states today and he somehow found out that there were 11 other Shah's on the same flight!! so he was shitting himself :))

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Must admit I've been finding it a bit difficult getting up any enthusiasm to get involved in the footy chit chat on here.

I know it's probably as good a distraction from the NY thing as anything else, but it's put our insurmountably trivial problems well and truly in perspective.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

There was a story on the news this morning about Northworst airlines putting 3 Arabs off a flight in Detroit(or Minneapolis??) because the other passengers made a fuss. They are residents of Salt Lake city and were flying home from Philadelphia.

I am ashamed to admit finding myself feeling a bit tense when I saw Arab/Muslim looking people on the Metro heading into DC last Sunday. I sat right amongst them anyway, while everyone else was sitting down the other end of the car. If they were planning to blow up the train, I figured 10-15ft wasn't going to make a lot of difference. ;- ) Plus I'm not letting myself give in to that fear.

Other than that, no real difference. If anything I feel far more determined to live my life normally in defiance to the fekkers who want to stop us. If only I had my former income, I'd be hopping planes every weekend. No better time than now to travel..no lines at the usual tourist destinations! And probably plenty of seats to stretch across on the planes. ;-)

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

My mates nextdoor neighbours are Hindu. A brick through the window and the two kids getting gobbed on and called names in the street since last week.
Nice people do great barbies in the Summer.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

That's disgraceful Heeds....really bad....this "war" will never be won when we've shit like that going on....

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Aye, that is really, really crap. No excuse for that level of ignorance.

But in response to Kegs - sorry, I don't feel my life has changed in the slightest. Saddened by international events, and the Tuesday night I thought twice about hearing passenger jets going overhead, but my life has remained pretty much as it was.

Sorry if that sounds heartless, but it's the truth.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Been doing a lot more thinking about non-footy issues than normal - good thing actually - and haven't been able to really concentrate on non-Toon footy games. Other than that no significant changes.

However, I don't live in London, Paris or NYC, and I am very relieved that I'm not now doing the extensive international business travel that I did for many years - I think I would find that very difficult right now.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Hey All,

I've just come back into the country this week after spending just over two weeks in the states, and I've only just found this topic on the BBS. Can I just mention that I found the security at the airports hadn't changed since I was there two years ago. I thought it was strange, considering all of the mentions the improved security was getting on the major networks. Also you could still buy a knife from the airplane in flight magazine.

As a side note I often wonder how much fate plays a part in peoples lives. This years holiday was a toss up between touring the state of Florida or paying a return visit to NYC. A last minute decision was made to choose Florida. Talk about luck. I still have a photograph on my wall at work, which was taken from the staten(spelling?) island ferry of the classic Manhattan skyline. The sun is shining and the WTC is sitting pride of place. Sad when you think what it must look like now. I'm sort of thinking of making a trip to see the place again later this year, as I still can't believe what has happened. I have this strange feeling that I will have to actually see the damage which has been done before I can fully accept it. Like many others before and after me have seen the views from the top of the towers are spectacular and have sadly been lost for ever. However they are only buildings and the loss of them doesn't even start to compare with the huge loss of life which occured. Sad day for all.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Mick G,

I am going in a month to NYC, so I spose it has effected me. I am not a great flyer at the best of times and I am dreading the flight. Might even take some of wor lasses valium. Plus we almost called the whole trip off despite the fact that the airline were not offering refunds. Wor lass thought it would be too depressing and I sort of agree with her. However I have great faith in peoples ability to recover from such a tragedy and I reckon it will be all right in a month

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

New Yorkers may even get back to being rude and pushy by then, Bake. I've some NYer commentators joking that it's almost eery how nice people are being since this happened. ;-))

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

I was on the train this morning coming to work and I happened to notice an older gentleman who was obviousley muslim, he looked very nervous, tired and just plain worn out. I've spent the rest of the day wondering what his days are now like, are they full of persecution and worry, is he afraid someone is going to say someting or throw something at him every time he leaves the house. I've got to say that the mood everyone is feeling is sombre at best.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

I've been on planes this week - two outbound and two retyrn, with a change both times in Frankfurt. I don't recall ever seeing so many armed guards at Frankfurt before. Brum had a much higher police presence than normal.

Sitting at the gate last Monday, I felt very guilty about wondering at the motives of some of the Middle Easten folks waitng to get on my plane, but to be honest, after we'd taken off and cleared the clouds, I felt little anxiety. But I did have thougts for all those poor souls who lost theur lives less than a week previous.

I was fortunate to be "up front" inthe plane, and the leg from Brum to Frankfurt had the normal "silver service" replaced by plastic. The rest of the journeys were back to metal. Coincidence or Lufthansa being cautious?

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Speaking of flights, Screach, if you plan on coming back to the US better pack a good lunch. Heard today that American is doing away with meal service in coach on all domestic flights(not sure if international as well), and nothing in first class on flights of less than 2hrs duration. It's to cut costs and reduce service personnel on the planes. I know..no more mystery meat and soggy, moldy salads, shame that.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

I have to admit I am still sick to the stomach over the whole incident. Perhaps living so close to the US and having a similar lifestyle makes it a little more personal. Now it's a case of "what happens now". Our great wishy washy Canadian Government are not standing up in outrage as much as I would like. I understand it's politics but that bothers me, it bothers me a lot. Life unfortunately is not the same as it was, I don't know if it ever will be, and that bothers me. I am truly worried about what happens next, and where and when. Sad times indeed.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Thousands have lost their lives, many more thousands have lost their jobs, an even greater number, including me, have had their savings substantially affected. I pretend like so many others that i have suffered only paper losses, and those currently unemployed will find new jobs, but we are left with only memories of the dead. Paraphrasing John Donne, and in due deference to Bobby, we are all diminished by their passing.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

I'm worried about your average Yank attitude. Talking to some over here in Hawaii. They seem to take great pleasure in saying "we're at war bro, we're at war!" Most have never heard of the UN. They seem to think bombing innocent people is fine as long as the USA doesn't look weak. Scary stuff. They get very confused when I ask 'why do other countries get to hate the USA so much that they think it neccessary to do what they did?'

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2001

Took Mum on a coach trip to Buckingham Palace this week for her birthday and to take her mind off Dad`s birthday and their Wedding Anniversary, which also would have been this week.

We were miles ahead of schedule, so the coach driver took a detour round Heathrow`s ring road. I was very eerie. I`ve never seen so many planes parked up, it was incredibly quiet and I think we only saw three planes land or take off.

It also felt very strange seeing the number of armed policemen in London.

The was a lot of activity in the air down here in the South yesterday. Several formation of fighter planes crossing overhead. Two weeks ago the spectacle would have thrilled me, yesterday it made my stomach churn and filled me with dread. I guess I was also a bit disgusted with myself for having been thrilled at their power in the past, without giving any thought to their purpose.

The attacks on innocent Muslims fill me with disgust, as does the fact that the victims of the terrorist attacks in the US are almost being treated as yesterday`s news now. Life goes on as normal, but I feel sad, introspective and powerless.

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2001

It's frightening how many complete boneheads there are in this country, Nick. Even more frightening how many of them still don't 'get it' even after this attack, and can justify their idiotic, racist, prejudiced, redneck attitudes.

There was a telethon on last night featuring words and music by an array of stars. I was skeptical about it before it started (thought it would be typical Hollywood schmaltz and glitz), but it was amazingly well done and very moving. This morning I've heard people praising the music, but not thrilled with the 'message'. There were a number of very pointed references to the need for unity and respecting Muslims living here. Mohammed Ali made a short speech about Islam's teaching of peace. Still people won't listen. That depresses and scares me far more than Bin Laden and his ilk.

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2001