September 11th, three years and two days later

Steve of I Like to Write has a post up titled 3 Years: Where were you three years ago today?

I didn't read the comments till today, but there were a lot of them. Reading them got me to thinking about the lingering aftershocks of September 11 on the rest of us. Those of us who didn't lose a family member or close friend. So many people suffered such horrific losses on that day that the rest of us may be loathe to mention our personal memories.

One commenter said this, in reference to presidential activity on that day:

I was not comforted.

This had resonance for me. I was not comforted either. I honestly wonder how many of us were.

What I remember most vividly is how absolutely gorgeous the day was - one of those dry clear Boston fall days with an unbelievably blue sky. I also remember the feeling of intense vulnerability. I remember the feeling that no one was in charge.

For me, this looms large for the upcoming election. Though I was fortunate that day, like all of us I am aware that this could happen again. I fail to understand how anyone could have felt comforted by the thought that George Bush was president on that day. I fail to understand how anyone could feel protected by George Bush now.