A Time to Remember ... and move forward

There is plenty to talk about as the calendar turns to September. My daughter starting fourth grade this week is certainly a huge milestone. Although, at 's they have half days all week, so I am a bit unsure why I came back from vacation so soon. Mental note: two weeks next year and skip the first week if it is half days again. What exactly does this prove anyway? She is in fourth grade now! If they do not understand how it works by now, they have no chance. Anyway, I pay for her to go there so that is a separate gripe.  

I am expecting big things from her and from all students starting anew this year. After all, more each year our generation and the one before us has put more of a burden on all our children.  

Which brings us to another fall tradition. Sadly, I am not talking about the NFL or World Series, although I would love to. Problem is that is not what will dominate the news this weekend. It has been 10 years since 9/11/01, and the more I look around the more I see its lasting implications.

Gas prices are still outrageous. The mortgage crisis has left a lasting impact on the economy. It is a matter of time before the unemployment rate hits 10 percent. And maybe the most disturbing thing is lower Manhattan still has an empty space in it. It took 13 years to build the Brooklyn Bridge. It took about that to build the Holland Tunnel. How long before we have viable businesses/skyscrapers in the footprints of the Twin Towers. I know Mayor Bloomberg gave a speech today stating how great NYC's comeback will be (http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/09/06/marking-911-anniversary-week-bloomberg-lauds-citys-comeback/?m). But you will excuse me if I am skeptical. He wants to make the City's rebirth about the residential community that now thrives in Battery Park and nearby areas. That is indeed a good thing, but we must not forget that thousands of people lost more than their lives that day; they lost their careers. They lost businesses. They lost everything.  

Now our greatest import is rhetoric and posturing. We talk of rebuilding and growing stronger. Yet I am not taking the PATH to see a client at the World Financial Center anytime soon.

We talk of getting out of Afghanistan and Iraq. But on the occasion I turn on the news you can be sure nine out of 10 times there is a report on one of our brave soldiers (or more commonly, several of them) losing their life.

We talk of creating jobs and taking back America. But really, do we even know where to start?

I will always remember 9/11 and praise all who gave their lives. My daughter is very much a product of that awful day. When I look into her eyes and send her off to school tomorrow I am optimistic hers is the generation that can make a difference. Perhaps one day she will make the commute to Lower Manhattan and sit comfortably on the 98th floor.  

First we must muddle through the red tape, and the union hierarchies, and grease the freight elevator operator, and pay off the city inspectors, and get some consults on color schemes, and have focus groups, and more focus groups, etc.

Bin Laden continues to terrorize us long after his death. What I wouldn't give to ignore the obvious and enjoy the Jets-Cowboys Sunday night? How could I? A stadium to house football games gets built in no time, while NYC still suffers.  

Priorities. Thinking that should be lesson 1 at school this week.

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