9.11

It's been six years. Everything has changed; but not really. The world is a mightily different place since that day when commercial airplanes became weapons of mass destruction. But not really.

The lives of the families affected have changed. Six years later, they are without a son, a daughter, a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, a husband, a wife, a friend, a loved one. Their pain lies deep down inside the construction site of the future Freedom Tower.

Security has changed. Lines at the airports are longer. Random searches are more frequent. Borders and ports are supposedly tighter. Communication lines are legally tapped. There is a price to freedom.

But what else has changed? Fundamental Islam continues to gain steam in regions across the world. Osama continues to send out videotapes encouraging a caravan of martyrs against the West. Americans have, more or less, returned to their pre-9/11 way of life. Downtown New York City is vibrant again with a huge influx of new business and more money. Life has indeed gone on.

Regardless, it is the 6th anniversary of that fateful morning. And with this anniversary, I'm reminded to keep a fresh perspective on the value of life.