September 11th — A Different Perspective

Of course, I like others, can vividly remember where I was when the news came in on that fateful day on the 11th of September in 2001. I don’t think anyone can wipe away the horror, the anger, and the (let’s say it) “terror” we all felt, not only watching those planes crash into buildings in New York City, but thinking to ourselves, “Who’s next?!”

Years later and even more lives lost, we are still at-war with those across the ocean who would seek to do us and our nation harm, but let’s not forget yet another very important point and perspective.

Every day in this country — literally — Americans kill other Americans. In any given month more Americans will be killed at the hands of other Americans than killed on that fateful day in September of 2001. “But Jeff, we (as a nation) were ‘attacked’ — that’s different!” Agreed in principle, but not in net result.

We have a government and a military sworn to protect us from those “threats foreign”, but who protects us from those “threats domestic”? Who walks with us to our car in the Walmart or Target or similar parking lot? Who is looking over us as we leave the movie theater, or (remembering Aurora, CO) while SITTING in the theater? Who guards our children at schools from the crazed gunman walking in for reasons unknown? At the end of the day, no one but you and me — period. And by the way, who were the culprits of these other atrocities, foreign terrorists? No, our “fellow Americans”.

It is very easy to let fear and paranoia take hold, but that is wasted energy and a distraction from living the lives we were meant to live. It is not fear that will save or protect us, but simple (yet consistent) personal awareness. Thomas Jefferson is often credited with the statement, “Eternal vigilance is the cost of freedom.” That is also the cost of personal safety, but where do we begin?

TroubleSpotters.com was created for the purpose of training professionals in communities who could communicate basic principles of personal safety and awareness. The goal is to have localized resources available in communities all across the country to heighten everyone’s sense of awareness, observation, and intuitive response. This is our response to a world fearful of not only a foreign threat, but a more close-to-home very REAL threat.

We remember and honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. But let’s not forget the lives of those lost every year at the hands of those who reside WITHIN OUR COUNTRY, those with evil in their hearts and minds as well. And how do we honor the lives of those latter victims? We learn from their stories so as not to repeat those same unfortunate vulnerabilities or opportunities. Simply put, we honor them by learning how to spot trouble “BEFORE” trouble spots us.

Yes, this is a different perspective of 9/11, but certainly a relevant one. Let’s not forget it either.

Jeff McKissack, Founder
TroubleSpotters.com