Has this country changed?

"This is a different country this morning," the Globe's David Shribman writes, a nation brought to a breathless, terrified standstill. Do you feel vulnerable, afraid? Have we lost our freedom, our sense of security, our breezy confidence? Share your thoughts.

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Kelly , Quincy
i am scared,very scared. it just does not seem real. i would love this to be a bad dream or movie.i know america the beautuful is that still and will always be. we are strong and we will all get through this together.i work at a hospital and the call for blood donations are amazing. we are amazing.....

Nicole S., Manchester
I agree with almost everything that has been said. I am also proud to be an American. I believe in my country. I would like to point out my disappointment that we are not declaring a "Day of Mourning". I understand that we need to go about business as usual, but this is unusual circumstances. We have lost thousands of Americans, our brothers & sisters, mothers & fathers. If Israel can delcare a day of mourning then America should too. This will not insinuate that we have been defeated and our spirit broken, it will only be out of respect for the dead. Our loss should be are main focus and the rectification of the predator who brought this country to its knees.

Gerry P, Franklin
These are extreme times. We've never seen anything like this and quite frankly the rules have changed. What if the government allowed private citizens and businesses to establish multi-million dollar bounties on the heads of known terrorists? It would seem we have people and companies in this country that would quickly step-up. And there are undoubtedly well-heeled professionals world-wide that would act if the financial incentive was high enough.

Ryan, Newburyport
We're at war. This attack transcends the person of Osama bin Laden or any other individual. Yesterday's "bombing" was as threatening as any other danger that has posed a direct threat to this country: Nationalism, Nazism, Communism. Our new enemy is Terrorism and we must respond to such a vile pestilence with brutal, swift action.

Shawn, Boston
I am 30 years old, and speaking for this generation, this is the most horrific attack we've ever seen on our complacent state of "freedom and liberty for all", ever. For the most part, we've been children and young adults in an era in which 'liberty and freedom' has been the back drop to sex scandals in Washington, how much money we can make, what kind of cars we can drive, and what kind of neighborhoods we live in. In the world we have lived in, freedom and liberty has never been the back-drop to innocent people - family, friends and co-workers - dieing by the thousands. Like the great generations before ours that have put their country before themselves, and have stood strong and brave in the face of evil, we too need to be strong and brave. Perhaps what happened yesterday will be enough to provoke so much fear, insecurity, anger and patriotism in us that we put our country - and all that she stands for, before our own person. Senator Hatch said yesterday, "we should take careful note of the people that are celebrating in the streets of Arabic nations, because they are our enemies." We need to declare war on terrorists, and with that, cars found at logan or suspicions about who planned yesterday's attack become insignificant. We are at war with terrorism - any and all known terrorists are our enemies. This is not about bringing a handful of murderers to justice, it is about destroying all known terrorists. We are terrified, we are scared, we are angry, we want revenge, and that is good.

VFW543, Woburn
Kill them all and let god sort them out!!!!!

Nick, Malden
Does anyone know what kind of jets are potroling the skies over the Boston area? I keep hearing them/it but go to look, but there is a building in my view.

Michael, Concord
Bluer Than Blue Wednesday, September 12, 2001 Madmen struck at the heart of America yesterday, Bringing a horror so deep we know not what to say. We've created a world more dangerous than ever, And ties to a simpler day we most certainly have severed. I look at the sky right now which contains nary a cloud, Because of the madmen's acts planes fly not overhead and loud. To the east and to the west, north and south I strain, Only carefree birds fly overhead not even clouds that bring rain. As I ponder this amazing sight one we may never again see, I cannot help but think: This is how the sky was meant to be, Yes, this is exactly the way God's sky was meant to be.

Fran Kneeland, Weymouth
I think that not only is America not the same, the world is not the same...and yes I am afraid of what may follow. I believe the world needs to unite against terrorism because if it's still not understood, it needs to be. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere in the world! I fear for our world if this threat is not dealt with worldwide. I believe this horrific event brings home to everyone how much freedom we do have and are we willing to protect this freedom? This is not going to be resolved overnight and we as a nation and world need to be prepared for this. We must be patient in our resolve. We do not want to act too quickly out of fear and hatred. We need to make sure the TRUE culprits are brought to justice. Also, as an aside with regard to the media coverage of some Palestinians cheering over "America getting what it deserves", I can personally say as an American (and all Americans that I am acquainted with) have never felt that Palestinians, Israelis, Arabs or any other human being deserves to be blown up, shot, killed, etc. If anything, I believe we as Americans have prayed for Peace in the Middle East so that no one has to cry over the loss of someone they love ever again! To those who have cheered over this horrible event, I forgive you and pray for you.

Nick, Salisbury
Unbelievable. Our very freedom has been corrupted and for that I feel mostly anger. We have been the model of independence and freedom for so long, but now we know we are vulnerable. I don't want to be afraid, I don't want to give the terrorists that edge, but it's hard to swallow my fear when there are so many dead. It's thoroughly devastating.

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