Twenty-four years ago today, a deadline attack happened in New York City. I was at work and around 10 a.m. a friend called and said, “You will never believe what is happening in your favourite city, New York.” Read MoreThursday, Sept. 11: It’s hard to believe 24 years have passed since the attack on the twin towers, a reader says. You can write to us too, at letters@ottawacitizen.com
Thursday, Sept. 11: It’s hard to believe 24 years have passed since the attack on the twin towers, a reader says. You can write to us too, at letters@ottawacitizen.com
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Memories of 9/11 still run deep
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Twenty-four years ago today, a deadline attack happened in New York City. I was at work and around 10 a.m. a friend called and said, “You will never believe what is happening in your favourite city, New York.”
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I told my boss and a TV was set up in the lounge. People began to gather, watching in horror in dead silence. Some began to cry, some sobbed silently and asked others, “How this could happen in America?” I called my mother and told her to turn on the TV.
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My mother and I had taken the train many times from Montreal to New York — and in 1999 I took my cousin and niece to the top floor of the World Trade Center, an experience I will never forget. I went to NYC in 2000 to see the US Open tennis tournament, and again went to the top of the World Trade Center. I never imagined in a million years that the twin towers would be gone in 2001.
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Almost a decade later, I went to New York again and the first thing I wanted to see was where the towers had once majestically stood. The museum there brought tears to my eyes.
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One thing New York taught to all of us was the word “RESILIENCE.” The city gave it new meaning. I went there last year and saw the One World Trade Center and went to rooftop. Looking at all the hustle and bustle of activities in the city, you know that New York will keep thriving in the future.
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Gander, NL., on the other hand, redefined what kindness, care, decency and hospitality to strangers can be when tragedy strikes. The townspeople deserves more respect than the world can offer for what they did — not just for one day, but for many, many days. I am planning to visit Gander very soon.
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Anant Nagpur, Ottawa
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Judge the PM on what he can control in trade talks
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Tasha Kheirridin says “the government strategy has yielded squat” on navigating the trade war with the U.S. Earlier in her column, she acknowledges that whatever deal is negotiated, Trump can change his mind in five minutes.
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How can anyone be held responsible, let alone accountable, for negative outcomes in efforts to reach a trade agreement with the U.S. administration? We certainly can’t blame Prime Minister Mark Carney. Heck, we wouldn’t even be able to blame Pierre Poilievre if he were unable to strike a deal.
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Let’s reserve judgement for Carney’s performance to matters the government can improve, like clean water for all First Nations communities, environmental policy and health care, among other things.