IP: from a street kid: Today's Plane Crash in New York

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 13:50:20 -0500
> From: "Fred C. Smith III" <fcsmith3 () ix netcom com>
>
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> Subject: Today's Plane Crash in New York
>
> Dear Dave ...
>
> I live and work in New York, and have been watching the local, national
> and international coverage of today's crash with great interest.
> Several things are being said by the "talking heads" on the national
> full time news networks, that are deserving of comment.
>
> Bear in mind that this is my personal opinion.  Admittedly, I speak from
> a street perspective, but, nevertheless, believe that my feeling in
> these matters are pretty typical among the residents here.
>
> I was born in Queens directly under the approach air corridors for
> LaGuardia airport.  We lived about three miles from the end of the main
> runway.  I remember having to cease talking to the person next to me
> because of the noise generated by a plane overhead, either landing or
> taking off.
>
> The threat of one of these fuel laden flying bombs coming down on top of
> your house was always there.  But ... you chose to live there ... you
> dealt with it!  No big deal.  It wasn't like living in constant fear,
> casting your eyes skyward every time the whine of Pratt & Whitney's
> finest was heard, expecting a rain of death from above.
>
> C'mon ... let's get real here.
>
> In addition, should this tragedy turn out to be terrorist caused, and
> not a catastrophic mechanical failure, it will NOT deal a devastating,
> demoralizing blow to the citizens of this city.
>
> To put it bluntly, it will really piss us off!
>
> New Yorkers are tough.  We don't like being pushed around, and we don't
> run away from a fight.  If it turns out that our cave-dwelling friends
> are indeed responsible for downing this aircraft in our city, it will
> only harden our resolve to see these bums brought to justice.
>
> And I remind you, the definition of justice, to a New Yorker, is
> something that might be open to interpretation.
>
> A lot of people here would like these skulking cowards to pack up every
> piece of equipment they have, board a ship, and attempt a landing on the
> beach at Coney Island.
>
> My personal bet is that, within ten blocks of the water, they'd
> disappear completely and nobody would ever hear from them again.
>
> But ... that's just my opinion.
>
> Whatever the cause of today's tragedy, New Yorkers will get through it,
> and surprise the rest of the world with how compassionate and caring we
> can be, while, at the same time, still being the nastiest kid on the
> block.
>
> Fred Smith
> New York


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