We thought that over 6000 people had been killed. It turned out it was less than 3000. In a city of 8 million, with ten million commuters, such a loss did not stop life from going on. In a week the stock market was up and running, and as the months passed, the city stood, too tough to die.
The loss is felt, though. Many, many people lost friends and relatives in the attack. The families of the victims are forming a significant demographic in local and national issues, especially regarding the future development (or not) of the area, commonly called "Ground Zero," where the World Trade Center once stood. The economy, which had already shown weaknesses with the tech stock crash, took a dive for the worse. Many businesses went under, and many people lost their jobs and are still unemployed. Controversial laws were enacted in the name of National Security. American servicemen have been sent overseas to fight and die, and two regimes have fallen.
Where will it end? When will this be considered "ancient history?" Will the effects of this attack permanently change America and the world the way it has changed downtown Manhattan?
