February 12, 2003 - 10:56 p.m.
Dear Mom,
The front page of tomorrow's State News will have a banner story on how colleges and universities are new targets for terrorists. Below that, we're running a story on the news that North Korea now has a missile that can reach the west coast of the United States. Next to those two stories is an article on a report that says terrorist attacks are likely as early as this week.
We're reporting these stories because in the past day, government officials have confirmed them to be true.
It's a scary time.
I'm in the newsroom late, doing re-writes on my work for Bill McWhirter's class. There's a story I wrote for him that I just *hate* and I have to find a way to redo it. I don't know where to begin.
Today was unnerving. So much news, so little space ... and the news is so frightening. The U.S. just installed surface-to-air missiles along the east coast. We have no idea what's coming next and we're not sure what to do if it does. Officials say "prepare," but there's nothing we can do. The last time something happened, 3,000 people died and experts say it was a miracle more weren't killed. How high will the death toll be the next time? There will be a next time, too... on sheer probability alone...
And in the middle of all of this, I can't stop thinking about the U.S. Army's 82nd Chemical Batallion, Foxtrot Company --- Andy's unit. He's done with basic in May and then who knows where he'll be. My friend. Someone younger than me, who I went to high school with. We sat in classes, we played our instruments, we spent time together... and he could be fighting this war.
I'm frustrated with school, exhausted by my job, and terrified of the world.
There is a sobering storm cloud looming on the horizon --- one that makes me appreciate that which I love, because I'm not sure how long I'm going to have it.
I think when I go home tonight, I'll leave the news off.
-Ed
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