[meteorite-list] View from home...

From: Michael Casper <Michael_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:49:01 2004
Message-ID: <001501c13edf$350f2a60$0200a8c0_at_Domain>

America's New War


by William Cooper


When I was a boy I used to read Pogo in the Sunday Comics

One day Pogo, Churchy, and all the other little male swamp creatures raided
the cupboard, got out the pots and pans, placed them upon their heads,
fashioned wooden swords, and leaving their women-folk behind, set out in a
little flat bottomed boat to find the enemy.

For several Sundays I marveled at the antics of the lady possums, skunks,
turtles, and bears as they went about their business supporting the little
war at home. Of course they endured hardships, all alone, and spent many an
hour at the water's edge peering out, watching for the return of their
little men.

On one memorable Sunday morning I rushed to my Father's chair to wait for
him to finish reading his paper. I wanted to check on the war and see how
things were going. And finally my page fell to the floor.

That morning the little ladies heard a great commotion out in the swamp and
all ran down to the shore. Their biggest fear was that the enemy would
attack while the warriors were at swamp far from home.

Eventually, from around the corner of an island, from behind the great swamp
tree, a boat appeared so full of kitchen armor clad barbarians that a great
gasp went up from the little crowd on the beach. They began to look around
for weapons with which to protect themselves... when all of a sudden!

As the boat approached the shore Little Pogo possum, 3 quart pot perched
upon his head, wooden sword held magnificently aloft, stood up in the bow of
the boat and made a great pronouncement. It was the best speech I have ever
read. I remember it to this day.

"We have found the enemy, and they are us!"

Where is Pogo when we need him?


----- Original Message -----
From: <MacovichCo_at_aol.com>
To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Cc: <hello_at_dof3.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2001 3:08 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] View from home...


>
> Manhattan
> 9/16/2001
>
> Folks-
>
> Just returned from another midnight shift at the Javits staging area. Made
it down to ground-zero twice in the last two days. Scores of men became ill
and had to be treated this morning at a triage center (and later had to be
evacuated) as a result of what they are now seeing.
>
> So much for reality.
>
> On another front, I also just took-in a bit of the saber rattling and
bible thumping on the list. Jeez. I profoundly agree with those who've
expressed that this is not a forum for "spreading the word," (regardless of
the ideology/theology that list members wish to spread).
>
> If you haven't already done so, might I suggest that you to take a look at
Geoff Notkin's post of a couple of days ago on the extraordinary civilian
efforts--and the similarly extraordinary moral support--provided by the
thousands of people who have gathered to contribute and have their spirits
felt. Geoff nailed it.
>
> While the destruction at the WTC is palpable either as a result of
proximity or from the images we've repeatedly seen on television, the forces
of the human spirit in the "relief efforts" are (obviously) much less
discernable...that is, unless you are in the midst of it. And being in the
midst of it, it's powerful. It's breathtakingly powerful...even
exhilarating. (I never expected to feel this way.)
>
> Although I can't expect anyone other than on-site volunteers to understand
this, the many thousands of people who have converged to help are creating
this "vibe." It's not just patriotism, it's as if those of us here have been
afforded a peek at the wondrous rainbow of...humanity. This is, I think,
what moved Geoff to write so enthusiastically at length, and it would be so
great if each and every one of you--particularly those that had the
opportunity to contribute in some way--could share in this sensation. It's
so unusual.
>
> Anyway, as for my personal experiences the past few days, there are far
too many to mention. Here's a little rambling dose:
>
> My girlfriend and her 11-year old daughter were at the Chelsea Piers
sporting complex loading boats that were ferrying supplies down to the WFC
(the Financial Center) pier. The work at Chelsea was great for kids as it
wasn't overly intense and they could feel they were making a contribution.
>
> The Javits Convention site, on the other hand, was much more intense and
you felt like you were in the trenches. Apart from Shea Stadium, Javits has
been the biggest depot, in addition to being a staging area for firemen,
out-of-town police/sheriffs, as well as the FBI. It was from Javits that I
was sent downtown with four NYC detectives on Friday night after filling up
their Voyager with protective suits, masks, gloves, goggles, meds, etc. I
wasn't allowed to stay long; it is still every bit as darkly surreal as some
commentators have exppressed. Once again television fails us: the enormity
of the destruction just can't be comprehended unless you're in it.
>
> The night before we off-loaded supplies. A "bucket brigade" of hundreds of
people was formed that I split into four arteries feeding four large tents
(food, medical supplies, emergency supplies/hardware and beverages). My last
assignment was to organize the segregating and loading of...dog food! (I
wonder if this as a result of my wearing my ever-present "E.T. Meteorites"
cap--which everyone wanted? Nahhhh, I suppose my true talents were finally
discerned!)
>
> I personally moved more than a thousand pounds of #$_at_# dog food.
>
> Apart from the mountains of provisions that were being stored, the on-site
catering at Javits was extensive--and there were contributions from many
great eateries. Although I was too jazzed to eat, the food looked and
smelled great (and was ridiculously plentiful). News of this feast found
it's way to the homeless community and, at 4am there were suddenly hundreds
of homeless folks on the scene. It was a bit surreal hearing a mentally
disturbed fellow cogently urge a couple of firemen "You've just gotta try
this pasta-hey, you're not listening to me, you've GOTTA try this pasta!"
And they did.and they turned to me and said "He's right.you've really gotta
try this."
>
> Let's see.a couple of droll signs I saw tonight hanging from fork lifts:
"Osama-yo momma!" and "Osama-This scuds for you" (with a giant target
attached to Osama's head).
>
> FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), which is now nearly in-place
to oversee the recovery/excavation, has been reducing civilian participation
in the relief efforts radically in the last 24 hours. People like myself are
being replaced with the National Guard and FEMA agents. On-site volunteer
steelworkers are being replaced by contracted (and salaried) steelworkers.
The Chelsea Pier center will be closed today where, a couple of days ago,
there were hundreds of ambulances in-waiting and about 500 volunteers
packing boats.
>
> This morning at about 6am I helped unload THE last truck permitted at
Javits with donated goods. The Javits site rarely dealt with "small entity"
donations, per se, (we were in a secured area dealing with mostly
requisitioned material), but as most charitable drop-off sites had been
closed, the two dudes who drove from North Carolina in a fully-packed
twenty-four foot truck with a hitched trailer loaded with medical supplies
had no-where to go, and they were directed to the depot. (Moments ago I
learned that Shea Stadium will be accepting trucks that are now in transit.
For how long.it's anyone's guess.) A spirited discussion ensued as to
whether the truck should be unloaded as it would gum-up the area where
supplies were being readied for different trucks that were going downtown.
The N.C. dudes heard that no more stuff was needed on the radio while
driving down but didn't want to turn back. In any event, the truck was
unloaded. When we were done, the guys said to me "You have no idea how good
this makes us
> feel," whereupon I responded, "I think I might."
>
> I was called to go back to Javits a couple of hours ago and had to pick up
a battery powered defibrillator on my way; I just returned to my office in
Times Square. At this moment a couple of thousand police, FBI, FEMA,
construction and steel workers, folks like me, etc., are at Javits. The
Governor is now there as a result of the bickering about the transfer of
authority from the City to the State to FEMA.
>
> I've learned today that Osama is a civil engineer as well as a respected
poet. I've also learned that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell have blamed
"Abortionists, homosexuals and the ACLU" (among others), for provoking God
into allowing Tuesday's events to occur. And during the last few days, I've
learned how to feel more alive.
>
> And, finally, Djati Pengilonan - an ellipsoidal chondrule whose maximum
dimension is 48mm...and it's an H6!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Show your support at the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund -
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-pay-page/PKAXFNQH7EKCX/058-5084202-71
56648
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>
Received on Sun 16 Sep 2001 02:41:31 PM PDT