A number of other reports that morning reported that several buildings in Washington DC, including The White House and State Department, had been bombed.  Rumors of explosions at Navy Yards along the East Coast were being reported along with the news.  Just over two months later, we know that America lost four planes, one building, had another building damaged, lost thousands of lives, and is still vulnerable.   

    When one considers the early reports, America was lucky.  Washington was not decimated, and the casualty count has been revised mercifully downward from preliminary estimates that were upwards of 25,000.    But, the dead are still dead. 

    Many Americans were shocked, and spent the remainder of the September 11th in a daze.  Others however were not phased at all.  They were more annoyed that their favorite television programs were pre-empted with news coverage.   The logic of these people continues to escape me, even now.  

     Some examples of this behavior were found on The All Spark message board.  (Note:  This is not the only place such foolishness was to be found.  A colleague of mine tutors at a local community college and had a student who was “sick of” the coverage.)  A number of people on All Spark complained that Robots In Disguise was cancelled.  

     Kalidor, the administrator of All Spark notes that many of All Spark’s users are children.  However, Kalidor concedes that the average user’s age is between the high teens and lower twenties.  Anyone above the age of 13 or 14 (arguably younger) should have enough understanding of the difference between real life and cartoons to comprehend that a massive attack on the American mainland just might warrant being concerned about something other than the misadventures of Prime and Megatron (GI or otherwise).  

    To be fair, the amount of complaint posts were small, and were outnumbered by more reasonable “Have you seen”, or “Is everyone okay?”, type posts.  However, the fact that somebody felt the need to complain at all is pathetic.   

    Real life does not stop at the doorway to the proverbial mother’s basement that many fans of sci-fi and toy collectors inhabit.  If the economy drops, you may lose your job.  If you lose your job, you cannot buy  toys.   

     As of this writing, someone (or several someone’s) is (are) sending anthrax through the mail.   Anyone who gets mail, such as bills or goods ordered through the mail is vulnerable possible cross contamination.  (Remember, postal workers may not have been specifically targeted, but two who worked at the faciltiy that handled the letter addressed to Senator Tom Daschle died as a result of anthrax.) 

   Airport security is still a joke.  Every week or so, a new report surfaces about massive (and potentially catastrophic) security breaches.  Many of these are at Boston’s Logan Airport, but that should surprise nobody given Massachusetts’ national reputation for producing politicians who are either a)inept (Mike Dukakis, Paul Tsongas), b) corrupt (James Michael Curly, William Weld,  Jane Swift). or c) drunkards (Ted Kennedy and William Weld).   

     However, that does not matter in mom’s basement.  What does it matter if the country in which one lives is vulnerable?  As long as Transformers, (or whatever your hobby is), are available who cares?

    Unfortunately for the mom’s basement population, continued attacks on America could harm their hobbies.  Usama bin Laden (as spelled on The FBI web-page) has made no secret of his hatred of Western Civilization.  Western Civilization gives people indoor plumbing, electricity, and technology.  By extension, the computer that you are using to read this article is a benefit of civilization.  Western civilization is why the capacity, infrastructure and markets to produce, distribute and sell goods (essential and otherwise) exists.   

    In other words, no civilization means no hobbies and no television.  Hasbro (or any other company) does not will its product into existence, (though many dotcom companies tried).  They need resources to design, produce and sell their products.  This takes a sophisticated network of communication and shipping.  It requires real and practical efforts by civilized people.   Television broadcasts do not materialize out of thin air.  They require civilized people using the technological benefits of present day society.    

    All things considered, I suppose the lack of interest by much of the mom’s basement crowd is preferable to the interest shown by the overly paranoid and idealistic elements of society.  A small group of people (some of whom live the proverbial mother’s basement) seem to have watched too many episodes of The X-Files.   They argue, quiet seriously, that John Ashcroft is behind the anthrax. Failing that, they argue that he is plotting to take away every last freedom we have.   To them, John Ashcroft is more frightening that bin Laden.   (An example of this can be found in early November issue of Editorial Humor, and the 11/14 issue of The Weekly Dig.)   They seem to prefer monsters that they conjured up themselves.  Most likely because monsters that prowl one’s imagination are preferable to real dangers.    

     Even more troubling are the many “enlightened” protestors who think that the best course of action is to do nothing.  Their logic would be funny if they did not expect to be taken seriously.   One need only look at any number of college/university campuses to see this logic proudly displayed.  It is amazing to see people whose way of life so relies on civilization running smoothly advocate against a defense of civilization, without offering any viable alternatives.   

    In any case, I am tired, have several other things to write and am frankly burned out on this whole sorry business.    In closing let me say thank you to all of the firefighters, police officers, rescue workers and soldiers whose work and sacrifice to maintain the society, (the one that lets me write this article), puts them in constantly at risk.   

Agree?  Disagree?  Terrified by the prospect of another attack?  Calm yet cautious?  Contact me at njf000@yahoo.com.  

Transformers fan, freelance writer, and sufferer of mental illness, Nick Forgione’s work can be found on-line at www.yellowmonster.com.

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