From sea to shining sea!

C asablanca
pass the olive branch
then wake up little susan
ready the popcorn

Following the clerical-inspired attacks in 2001 in the United States, international cooperation gave rise to several security domains. Yet, most of the casualties and destruction of property occurred in Manhattan, consisting of office workers enmeshed in businesses. I wrote and distributed the following paper immediately after 11.09.2001. It seemed reasonable to memorialize merchants.

In the United States and other market-based economies, attacks by domestic, violent extremists and activities directed and inspired by foreign groups never increased by more than 200 deaths. The 2001 attacks increased the total deaths from 8 in 2000 to 3,015 in 2001, caused by the explosive violence in Manhattan, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Casualties in proto-inert, “Zeitführer” nations have not reduced below 3,000 yearly. Before 2001, the conditions for the sustainment of terrorism globally registered above 8,000 deaths per year. Southwest Asia remains the geopolitical nexus for the 2001 attack. Due to the influence of such leaders as Usama ben Ladin, Abdullah Yusuf Azzam, and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, Afghanistan and Iraq locate as primary areas of interest (PAI),

Their foothold in the al-Qaeda organization, while attributing defensive jihad as the purpose of al-Qaeda, has caused a form of debridement, removing tissue formed by an insult to generate new growth in healing. This strategy has concealed the value of “jihad” as only a methodology of violence. 

The external outcome of terrorism, insurrectionism, makes another reason for a decline in accepting Islamic religious traditions and has given cause to remember the recent attacks upon United States commercial interests.

Moreover, decision-makers need to actualize due process and judge the causal behaviors that military and law enforcement groups have made recognizable. In this manner, national labor groups and business organizations can sustain situational awareness as a hedge against attacks. 

The following article may have taken a short time to compose, but scaled with other serious executive actions 21 years ago, the affect of the authors remained intake.

“Merchant Marine shipping during World War II received the most sustained attacks from an enemy. These ships transported the logistical wealth allies desperately needed to continue the war in Europe, the Pacific, and other regions. Named Liberty Ships, their crews faced unending peril. 

During the early period of the Battle of the Atlantic, from 1939 through 1942, German submarines destroyed hundreds of cargo vessels bound for both Allied and American forces. Japanese craft also attacked and destroyed Liberty Ships in the Pacific.     

Standing along our eastern seaboard, witnesses willingly testified to seeing light flashes out to sea. This flash signaled that an enemy torpedo had, once again, found its victim. Menacingly, not far from New York City, German U-boats cruised the deep, just east of Long Island.  

Manhattan is within three hours from a visit to Montauk Pt., Long Island when coming in by rapid transit or automobile. Upon arrival, without any difficulty, anyone can locate New York City’s commercial hub. It rises high above the surrounding settings. The WTC had a particular profile as part of that commercial hub.

Deals made in the towers generated manifests for ships and aircraft to carry a warehouse of goods. Their transit lines extended outward like rods from a hub into the global community. 

During WW II, the enemy targeted New York City. They never reached it. Now, 56 years after our great victories in WW II, the enemy has entered our homeland, and they have struck at that hub. Two “kamikaze” jet-fueled aircraft hit the “Twin Towers,” space used by merchants. Another “kamikaze” jet-fueled aircraft struck the Pentagon, an area used by those who protect merchants. Still, a fourth crashed into our Pennsylvanian soil, soil used as a resource to develop our flora and fauna.

In WW II, Merchant Mariners suffered the highest fatality rates while serving aboard Liberty Ships and other vessels, more than any other service. Their total number of deaths exceeds 8,000 killed, with thousands of others injured. The most significant fatalities suffered in the attacks against America on 11.09.2001 have been Merchants, exceeding 3,000 killed or missing, and that estimate can increase. 

Though they were not on the ship, their efforts had substance, and they joined a conspicuous group because of their actions. They shall hear the bells, and they shall listen to the call, “All Hands. Now Hear This. Merchants On Deck. The Homeland Is Secure. Welcome Aboard!”                          

Writer’s Note:  In the work, The Merchant Of Venice, authored by William Shakespeare, the character Shylock, the money lender, was configured to expose several views. A muffled, encomium technique illustrates Shylock as a Jew. He was also a merchant. He loaned money to those who needed financial backing. Throughout the work, Shylock comes under constant criticism. Yet, at one point in the piece, he states what lay in the hearts and minds of the larger community. His wisdom was defined.

If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
If you poison us, do we not die?
And, if you wrong us, shall we not
revenge?”

Ron & Elizabeth Alexander

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