Well, it seems that it could not get worse.  The WTC Bombing of 1993, the Oklahoma Bombings. But this one is surely the most devastating attack on US soil in it's history.  What is the most devastating thing is that over 6,400 people are missing. That means tens of thousands have lost an opportunity to establish closure on this terrible matter.

On 7/4, I performed at the WTC with Buddy Williams, Blake Gaines, Emedin Rivera and Tony Clarke. We entered the stage area around 10:00am. It was a holiday and a beautiful day. It was raining early, but we were able to still attract a beautiful crowd.  That was the last time I saw the place.

As I look at the pictures of the bombing, I see remnants of the stage locations, the window trimming on the base of the building. I've performed there 3x over the last 10 years, so the fact that I stood in the area is very eerie.  The television images of celebrating in the Middle East angers me terribly.  And the jerks in the Midwest and in NJ that are Gas-price gouging need to be put UNDER the jail cell.

My sister devastated by the event, took her son down to the scene of the crime in downtown NY on 9/15 and brought her camera and will be sending me some pics of some of the memorials set up all over the city.  It proved to be an afternoon of solace and healing for she felt like she had to do something.

I have one friend who walked the FDR Drive in the afternoon when she witnessed the crumbling of the building. Another actually saw the plane fly right into the building and thought it was a nightmare.  What a devastating experience.

So far, I know no-one who has suffered from this tragedy directly, but I'm sure before long, there will be many.  5 Firefighters have survived 9/13/01.

As I write, my sister reminded me of the young lady at the door who assisted us in the dressing room. A young lady in her 30's, very friendly. I gave her a copy of the CD. I hope she survived. Maybe she was off that day, or even better, she escaped the crumbling of that large building.

I only hope and pray that God heals the broken heart that we have suffered today. He is bigger than this disaster.  I'm afraid what type of military response will occur as a result of this mess.

I've received many an email about this topic and will include some of them in this page. I hope it serves as a healing place for those who view it.  There is a lot of content below. In your spare time, please print this page and read it in your spare time.

And don't ever forget to pray for the victims and thier families!!
God is MUCH bigger than even this massive tragedy.

Feel free to email me with your vent. It will make us all feel a little better. It already has!

Sincerely,
 

Bob Baldwin

Subj: The Pentagon Pilot/ Interesting note of news]
Date: 9/25/01 8:38:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Bluejaypro

Sonja sent this to me. Wow I didn't know this. But I think you should.  Jay

 An African-American Pilot
 

This is not to detract from the horrible disaster that has affected all of
us, however, this is a fact that should be known.
 

     Did you know that the pilot of the plane that crashed
     in Pennsylvania was an African-American!!
     1st Captain Leroy Homer was a true hero! As a pilot,
     he refused to let his plan be used a a terrorist
     weapon! This act saved the U.S. Capitol, which was in
     full session! Both the U.S. Senate and House of
     Representatives were in session!
     Not only did Captain Leroy Homer foil the assault on
     Capitol Hill, no one on Pennsylvania ground was
     injured! Now that is a heroic and outstanding act!
     The Commercial Bank of New Jersey has set up a fund
     for Captain Leroy Homer's family.
     So, as we mourn the results of this tragic event,
     remember we also have an African American Hero:
     1st Captain Leroy Homer.

Date: 9/17/01 6:34:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: walijazz@hotmail.com (Wali Muhammad)
Subject: War, what is it good for?
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 10:33:48 +0000

The media is beating the war drums and soon the missiles will fly and the bombs shall fall.  We all will be swept up further in destruction and killing.  I feel as though in our anger and our desire to react, we may, ourselves, become the enemy.   Along with the patriotism and flag waving, we must look deep into ourselves and ask what we have done to deserve this. What was done last Tuesday was done specifically to start a war, and the innocent are always the victims of war.  It was not just an 'Attack on America', but rather an attack on civilization, human rights, and peace.

You know, Islam is a beautiful way of life.  A true Muslim is similar to a monk- one who prays and keeps their modesty. These murderers are as much Muslims as the Nazis were Christians.  Yet all Muslims are being scapegoated for this act.  This scapegoating is pure prejudice and hate-just the feelings that turn a man into a terrorist.  When Timothy McVeigh blew up the government building in Oklahoma you didn't see every white boy with a pickup truck getting stoned, cursed, and accosted.

My one and only brother was in Tower One on the 78th floor when the first plane hit.  He was there for a one-day seminar.  A one-day seminar!  He evacuated down 78 flights of stairs, got 2 blocks away, and Tower Two collapsed.  That's close, very close!  But what am I able to do to prevent this from happening again?  These terrorists may themselves have had family killed in the bombings of Iraq or killed on the West Bank.  I don't know.  That may have been what drove them to their madness.  I don't know.

But, should people who are wronged, as we, they, all of us, have been at some time in history, seek justice or seek revenge?  As a black man, I have been forced to answer that question long ago.  A terrorist wants only to cause destruction, evil, and hatred.  They are not interested in bringing people over to their cause.  Terrorists (and they are on all sides of every issue) only want to inflame. Yes, they must be stopped.  But, to defuse this situation, for the sake of peace, we must seek justice not revenge.

This horror has touched all of us.  It can become a transforming event for all of humanity, if intelligent analysis, dialog, and action surface.  It is the responsibility of thinking, caring people to do this.  I hope you understand.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Subj: Fwd: For those of you who have or knows someone that has a website
Date: 9/16/01 1:08:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: DMusicinc1

HELLO PEEPS
I GOT THIS FROM A FRIEND WHO'S ASSISTING THE FAMILY IN TRYING
TO FIND THIS THIS YOUNG LADY -- I ASK THAT IF IT IS POSSBLE, YOU
FORWARD THIS - PRAYERFULLY,  I AM HOPING THAT SHE MAY BE FOUND.

GOD BLESS YOU

TONNI
-----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj:  For those of you who have or knows someone that has a website
Date: 9/15/01 3:55:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: keyvocal.1@att.net (Don Blackman)

Hey Everybody,
    For those of you who have a web site or knows anyone who has a web
site, could you please paste this link
http://vopchoir.8m.com/Tonyell.html on your site. We're trying to find
Tonyell McDay. I play for the Voice Of Praise Ensemble which she is a
member. If you have any information on Tonyell and/or would like in
return for me to paste a link on my site trying to find a family member
and/or loved one, I'll be more than happy to do so. Email me at
Don_Blackman@att.net. Thanks

Words fail us at times like this. They can mislead us as well. In
the wake of Tuesday's tragedy, I received a few copies of a
horrific piece of e-mail: a verse attributed to 16th century
prophet Nostradamus. The eight lines seem to predict the World
Trade Center attack and the subsequent start of World War III. If
you've received this e-mail, please don't forward it: it's a
malicious hoax. Some of the words do indeed come from Nostradamus
(though they've been spliced, diced, and rearranged to form a
coherent prediction). But the most worrisome specifics--lines
such as "In the city of York there will be a great collapse, two
twin brothers torn apart by chaos" and "The third big war will
begin when the big city is burning"--are fabricated whole cloth.
Shame on those who would spend their energies spreading fear
while we're all so vulnerable.

--Steve Fox, editor in chief, CNET.com

By Geert De Clercq

SINGAPORE, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Internet chat rooms are abuzz with talk that 16th century French astrologer Nostradamus forecast
the attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

Thousands of people have received e-mails containing this prophecy, often with a second part forecasting that the attack on the twin
towers will mark the beginning of World War III.

Several versions are doing the rounds. This is one of them:

"In the year of the new century and nine months
From the sky will come a great King of Terror
The sky will burn at forty-five degrees
Fire approaches the new city."

The text corresponds roughly to a verse in Nostradamus's Century (section) Six, Quatrain 97. Several books on Nostradamus have speculated that this quatrain's first line refers to September 2001, the ninth month in the first year of the new century, while the 45
degrees is interpreted as the latitude of the city of New York.

But New York lies just below 41 degrees latitude and Nostradamus's verse does not mention a great war, contrary to what several e-mails say. In many e-mails, the verse comes with a second part, which seems harder to link to Nostradamus:

"In the city of York there will be a great collapse Two twin brothers torn apart by chaos
While the fortress falls the great leader will succumb Third big war will begin when the big city is burning."

HOAXSTRADAMUS?

"(This second quatrain) is NOT by Nostradamus," read a statement on www.nostradamus-repository.org, a Web site for Nostradamus study.  Hoax or not, various versions of the verse are being forwarded by the thousands every day.

"Initially, I was really sceptical, but I went to the web to look up something on (Nostradamus). Some prophecies have come true,"  Agnes Ng, a 23-year old Singaporean accountancy student, told Reuters on Thursday.

She received one of the prophecies in an e-mail from a friend. Before forwarding the message to her contacts, she posted a copy on Usenet newsgroup alt.prophecies.nostradamus. The e-mail she received was even more specific, forecasting that:

"The big war will begin when the big city is burning on the 11th day of the 9th month that...
two metal birds would crash into two tall statues in the new city and the world will end soon after."

One of the newsgroup contributors who goes by the e-mail moniker of "Justaguy" said this was a fake. "It has been posted ad nauseam," he said.

Nostradamus prophecies surface after nearly every major news event. False or real, they struck a chord in Singapore.  Bookstore salespeople told Reuters there had been strong demand for books on Nostradamus since Tuesday's attacks.

03:16 09-13-01

Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.  All rights reserved.  Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.  Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

In memory of all those who perished this morning; the passengers and the pilots on the United Air and AA flights, the workers in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders. Our prayers go out to the friends and families of the
deceased. Send this to at least 10 people to show your support. DONT BREAK IT

Bob:
      Thanks for including me in your thoughts...As I e-mailed Albert Khalis Pride yesterday, I have a cousin who is a fire-fighter in NYC and was on the scene at the time of first explosion..He has yet to be heard from...I was born in Bronx, NY, raised in Chicago,
and now reside in Las Vegas...I enjoy your music very much and am honored that you would include me (us) in your thoughts and prayers

Patrick G. Fornuto

  From:   Fran Maiers [fmaiers@aol.com]
  Sent:    Wednesday, September 12, 2001 8:27 PM
    Subject:    911

 "A 911 Call to God"

 As the World Trade Centers crumbled, our lives were crumbled too,
 So God, We're dialing 911 - "We need to talk to you!"

 We tried to see your face today, but God we could not see,
 The smoke and fire engulfed us, we scream, "How can this be?"

 We're watching now with horror, God, as thousands lose their lives,
 At the hands of cold blooded killers, using planes that fly our skies.

 We're weeping, praying, crying God, our faith in You now wanes,
 Where were you, God, this morning?  Who piloted those planes?

 We know you love America, you've blessed us many ways,
 But God, this scene is so surreal, the world is in a daze.

 This Nation's "Under God," you know, so will you please come near,
 We need to feel your presence, Lord, our lives are filled with fear.

 We need your guidance now, Oh Lord, we simply cannot cope,
 This tragedy has ripped away our life, our love, our hope.
 And God, these loved ones left behind, need strength beyond compare,
 Their lives are shattered, all is gone, please show them that you care.

  Please put your arms around them, draw them close unto your breast,
 Heal their wounds and mend their hearts, hold them high above the rest.

 As you summon Heavens angels, to prepare them for the day,
 And you wait at Heaven's portal for our loved ones on their way,

 Will you please be sure to tell them that their lives were not in vain,
 That freedom's bells though silenced, will surely ring again.

 We know your heart is heavy too, as you stand at Heaven's door,
 And watch these deadly scenes unfold, through hate we so deplore.

Yes...  Though freedom's bells were silenced for a moment on this date,
They will ring out loudly once again, as love outweighs the hate.
  Author,   Fran Maiers

Once again as the nation is brought to its knees - this time with such
force, we question whether or not we will ever be able to get up again -
as tears stream down my face, the only solace I can find is in a pen as I
ask God to give me a few words that might touch even one person whose life
has  been changed forever this morning.  These words came to me as I prayed
 and cried for fellow Americans I do not even know - but for whom my heart aches
 today...Fran Maiers

~(;-){<

From: Marco Marini [mailto:hfd4mxm@ups.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 1:59 PM
To: 'Debra Cipkala'; 'Geoff Strevens'; 'Rosanne Palmieri'; 'Tony Santos'
Subject: FW: Prayer for the Country

Dear Heavenly Father,

We are moved by the alarming news and crisis that our country is facing.

This, the greatest nation, founded in the belief that "In God We
Trust" & the "Land of the Free". Please have mercy on those suffering, hurting
and in fear, and give wisdom & strength to those who are assisting.
May the forces of evil be broken by your power and may we humble before
thee, our strength and refuge.

Give wisdom to our President & our leaders and bring your comforting
peace through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us here to reach to
those that have been affected by this tragedy.

In the name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. AMEN

Please send this to all your friends and create a prayer chain throughout this nation.

  I sit here with my hands trembling as I type.  I have just been
  watching the terrorist attacks that occurred today in the United States.  The
  pictures look like a war zone.  It is scary; it is unfair; it is so horrible.
  A big feeling of helplessness has set in, I feel the overwhelming need to do
  something, so I am starting a "prayer chain."

  Dear Lord, Hear us as we pray:
  For the victims of the attack.
  For the friends and families of the victims.
  For all the lives lost.
  For all those helping to rescue, save, and treat the trapped and injured.
  For all of us who sit and watch the attacks of the television and
  listen to it on the news.

  We pray for understanding as to how and why this happened.
  For the strength to deal with the loss.
  For the courage to eventually pick up the pieces and move on with life.
  For the ability to one day forgive those responsible for this great
  loss.  May God fill our hearts with love.  Help take away the sorrow.  Help
  heal the wounds.  May the laughter of the children help us to remember that
  there is   still good in this world.  And, may the warmth of the sun, shine down upon us
  and warm our saddened hearts.

We Pray for world peace------Amen

  Strength in numbers. Please forward; Prayer is very
  powerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subj: Re: Yesterday's Acts
Date: 9/13/01 2:24:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:    RKAPLAN@dtswl1.dtstech.com (RORY KAPLAN)

Dear Carlos:

You are a very sincere man, and your friendship has touched many
around me. It must be difficult to look at this tragedy from another
point of view and country. This has touched me greater than I even
thought possible. There is so much to consider now, as many of us
have children, and it appears there are still many terrorist not accounted for.

Friends like you and your love are the backbone that will keep us all strong.
This event does make you more aware of what we have to fight for. Thank
you Carlos for your love and friendship, it means a lot to me personally. My
love to your family.

Much Love,

Rory

Dear Friends:
I am writing to you all to express my indignation with the terrorist acts
against the USA. That was not an act of war but of cowardice against inocent
people. I want to extend my condolences to you and your families.
May you all be safe and if I can ever be of assistance let me know.
May god be with you all.

Carlos de Andrade
Visom Digital / Brasil

  -----Original Message-----
  From:    Flood, Pat (OWNER/HOMEBANC)
  Sent:    Wednesday, September 12, 2001 3:16 PM
  To:    All HomeBanc
  Subject:    God in Business

  The time is right......the time is right for me to advance communication
  around the grand question "Spirituality in the Workplace."  Many of you
  have wondered aloud, some silently, and some have openly expressed their
  support regarding our boldness having to do with my personal faith and the
  attachment of that faith to the mission of our organization.  The time is
  now to communicate more boldly around the purpose of that mission.

  I've attached an article that came out several months ago in Fortune
  Magazine entitled "God in Business."  Obviously, we are not alone in
  walking a path that includes God and His principles in the building and
  management of the business.  I wanted to share this article with you....

  Over the last 24 hours, all that we counted on, all that was
  secure.......our personal security......our nation's security......has
  been breeched.  We have learned that we are vulnerable.  What will happen
  next.....who knows what will happen to the financial marketplace that we
  all so depend on.  For me personally, I share many of those
  anxieties.....but I have a place to go where I ultimately find peace with
  the circumstances....the place I go is to our Father in Heaven, for the
  purpose of having His shelter and love.....that is the ultimate peace and
  satisfaction.

  America was founded several hundred years ago based on certain beliefs
  that were clearly part of God's grand plan.  As a result of those early
  founders honoring God's principles, we have grown to become the world's
  leader and the most influential people in the history of mankind.  We have
  faced many challenges as Americans.....fighting with each other around
  issues such as racism and ultimately deciding that God's way was
  best......equality for all men and women.  We faced Adolph Hitler.....and
  while we were under-matched to start, we did the right thing and
  challenged....ultimately God's intervention brought victory for all those
  who were with God.  We have faced many other challenges in the
  past.....many more that we will face in the future.....  In the past,
  America has maintained its alliance with God and with it early founders in
  having God be the ultimate legislator......have God write the laws and
  they will ultimately lead to great things.

  Over the last 30 to 40 years in America, we have allowed additional voices
  to claim rights that are in defiance of God.....and those rights have
  impaired what America ultimately stands for.   At this time, the perfect
  opportunity exists for America to reclaim its position.  Make no mistake
  about it, there are 2 sides to this conflict.  There is God's
  perspective......and there is man's perspective.  The issues of the world
  clearly fall in the wrong camp.  There are no two ways about it.

  Like you, I am not perfect.  I am a sinner.  However, I am reconciled to
  my Father in Heaven and am completely confident in His grace and in my
  salvation.  As a leader at home and in this organization, I am and have
  become over time, bolder in helping to use the platform of leadership I
  have to communicate God's purpose and message to each and every one of you
  in the workplace.  Ultimately, each and every one of you has to decide
  your own personal fate.  What I can do is create a climate where the
  connection between God's word and actions can be identified.  There are
  many hypocrites in the world; I can assure you that it is my interest and
  motivation to create a God-like image for HomeBanc to each and every one
  of you as associates, to our customers and to the communities in which we
  serve.

  I felt compelled to share......be sure that if you are a Christian, you
  will be held accountable here at HomeBanc.  Be sure that if you are not a
  Christian, you will have the same opportunity and privileges as
  Christians.  Also be sure that HomeBanc will continue to choose God in
  writing its own laws as an organization.  I only hope for America's sake
  that we reflect on the laws that we have written and decide firmly that
  God's laws are in fact, the only laws that will allow for America's
  influence and greatness to survive and continue to grow.

  I ask each and every one of you to join me in praying for President Bush,
  that he chooses God now.....not anger.....but God.....for His wisdom and
  the courage to do the right thing.  As part of that, he should help the
  world see that those who have hurt others should be put on account and
  disciplined.  Additionally, I hope and pray and ask you to join me in
  prayer that President Bush will ask Congress, while it is on the steps of
  America claiming God and singing "God bless American" that they consider
  another activity.....re-looking at some of the laws that exist on the
  books of America that don't honor God.....consider this as a time to
  reclaim what it was that started this great nation.....and that is
  following God's principles in creating what has been the world's greatest
  nation ever know to mankind.

  Life is short.....as we found out yesterday, there are no guarantees when
  we wake up in the morning.  Think about it.....I'll do everything in my
  power to create an atmosphere where you can connect the dots.......

  I pray for each and every one of you, your families and I pray for the
  President and the world leaders.....that America do the right thing.....

  God bless you all.
 

  HomeBanc.....is Being Built to Last

Hi, everyone, "Nation" members, friends,
supporters...I won't take up very much of your time,
hopefully, in light of what has taken place in New
York, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC, I know that our
hearts and minds are focused elsewhere, and I just
wanted to go on record as expressing sincere sorrow
for the victims of this terrible tragedy, and support
for the families and friends of those affected by this
outrageous event.

I am amazed, even though I've never been to New York,
where most of the focus has been set on by the media
at least, at how many encounters I've had with others
here in my homeland that have a friend or relative
that resides in the "Big Apple", and that we all were
commonly worried and concerned about them as well as
everyone else involved, and that they're okay, but,
that doesn't alter the impact of this tragedy one
iota...It is my sincere desire to reach out in any way
that we can collectively, and if anyone is interested
in participating, either as an organization or
individual, for the bottom line is reaching out to our
fellow brothers and sisters in need, I am open to
suggestions,  please if interested, email myself and
the names in the "Bcc" field collectively, and we will
take it from there.

I would definitely desire to dedicate our Autumn issue
in memory of the victims of this attack in New York,
as well as those victimized in Pittsburgh and
Washington DC.

And in closing, if you haven't done so already, if
you've gotten your Summer issue in the mail, please
let me know by this medium, and God willing, when/if I
go on the air tommorow night (8 p.m eastern), I will
be dedicating that particular broadcast to the victims
and their families/friends, so if you are afforded the
time and are up to it, please tune in at
www.uab.edu/blazeradio, and feel free to email your
perspectives at this email address or
jazzisoutthere@hotmail.com....

I cannot emphasize my sincere concerns for the safety
and well being of each and every one of you, please be
careful in your travels, and may God watch over each
and every one of you in this very dark time in our
lives...Take care...Sincerely, Albert...