It’s the weekend before Christmas and all through the house, only the TV was stirring, with a dose of potential CHAOS. Especially for holiday travelers and those who commute to work via the rails.
On the eve of one of the biggest travel weekends of the year, The New York Times breaks the story of a potential terror saga. PATH train tunnels linking New Jersey to New York City (which serve more than 230,000 daily) might be more vulnerable than first thought to a potential terror attack, according to a study given to the Port Authority of NY and New Jersey, the Times reports.
Depending on the newssource, the media stories went from reporting the NY Times story with statistics and quotes from the report – to coming out of the gate and scaring the begeezus out of everyone. I understand the need to release the warning, and yes it is absolutely a frightening scenario to envision a bomb triggering the flooding of major transportation hubs. But I wonder about the timing of such a report being leaked. Well, with talk of troop strength being increased in Iraq and news resurfacing of thwarted terrorist plots to the rail system.
Just wondering. The scenario reported, is the worst case scenario. Certainly, the details of this report are disturbing. One wonders whether there truly is enough security to thwart future terrorist plots. Clearly, it appears there is a problem. But I’m even more curious about why we are hearing about this now.
One thing I’m sure of is that it strikes a cord of fear in us all. That external fear manifests in our consciousness. And particularly for commuters, adds to the already stressful ride to work. But fear can be rendered somewhat powerless in the mere acknowledgement of it. Looking at it, but not allowing it to steal your power, or your thoughts.
External fear can indeed feed the chaos that already exists within, causing an internal spirial into the abyss. It’s so important to somehow grab a center of gravity and peace in such times. Just for our personal emotional survival. Even if it means facing that fear, acknowleding it and somehow letting it go. I leave you with this quote to ponder from Scottish author Sir Walter Scott:
"A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Command them to stand and show themselves, and you presently assert the power of reason over imagination."
Peace.
