I think the public grief is more over the former pampered, ensconced-in-a-bubble carefree existence that the US led prior to 9/11 (which also coincided with the last fun bull market).

Sure 9/11 was terrible and traumatizing. Traumatizing to people who watched it from the living rooms thousands of miles away. Then again, there are far, far worse things happening today and every day. War, famine, oppression, massive poverty. Child soldiers. Machete rapes.

If you lost sommeone you know or was close to in 9/11 (not one very close, but an acquaintance for me, yes), then of course I wouldn't say to you what I just did. You are entitled to your grief. Just as you would be if your father died of a heart attack or in a car crash 10 years ago. But on a scale of global tragedies, what happened on 9/11 just doesn't rank. If anything, it's tragic because it led to our involvement in Iraq, where we created some real misery and trauma. It's tragic for our soldiers, for the veterans suffering from PSTD.

I don't think the US needs healing. I think we need a little more compassion and awareness for the rest of the world.

P.S. Let me add that out of everyone on this board, I believe I was the closest personally involved to the actual events. (I think TVOLT lost some friends.) I was there, as in, I stood 300 feet away from the South Tower when the second plane approached, heard the little whiney noise, thought it was going to crash into the ground, said my goodbyes, felt the ground shake, and then breathed the ashes of 3,000 for the next several months. WTC was a lovely public space that we lost. The plaza between the buildings was always dotted with people eating lunch outside, there were potted plants, trees, and concerts in the summer. Nice Borders store.

So to go back to what I said in the beginning - it was our innocence we lost, to which I say, well, how nice for us that we had an innocence to start with. We are all incredibly lucky people to live in a prosperous, democratic, non-religious, powerful nation.