an anniversary of sorts

Who can forget the stunning, unbelievable pictures broadcast on that bright September morning six years ago? We watched in horrid fascination as the twin towers crumbled amid thick billows of smoke and dust. Then we listened to and read the passionate, tearful pleas of parents and spouses and friends looking for their loved ones who had simply disappeared. A poll taken this morning says that 81% of those asked said that this was the most important event of their lives. It represents the end of a national innocence, a rather smug acceptance of our invulnerability and superiority. For me, however, I think the defining moment was the assassination of JFK; that was the end of innocence.