Decent News, September 2001

Current News

Some of the more decent news in the world: hopeful, courageous, funny, or just cool. A few are not pleasant, but are stories I think need to be heard. The following are all LINKS to external sites. Some links (e.g., many boston.com) stop working after a few days; some do not. Responses to September 11th, 2001 at top; General News is the second half of this page.

Responses to Terrorism

  • Their own fear still fresh, Kosovo's children send drawings to American peers at Boston.com 9/30/01 Read this while you still can....
  • Two September days - 100 years apart by Stephen Jay Gould, at the Boston Globe, 9/30/01
  • U.S-Russia forge new alliance out of terrorist strikes at Boston.com, 9/29/01
  • Las Vegas Muslims open mosques to educate community at CNN.com 9/29/01
  • Web a valuable tool for education, research at the Boston Globe, 9/27/01 "let's arm ourselves with a little knowledge, too"
  • Degrees of discomfort at the Boston Globe, 9/27/01
  • 20,000 gather at City Hall for memorial to airline employees at Boston.com, 9/26/01
  • The man behind the badge Bush held up at CNN.com 9/24/01
  • 'Where were you?' In N.Y., artists preserve accounts of attacks at the Boston Globe, 9/25/01
  • Recovery Lab: New York & America want to know how to feel good again at Boston.com. 9/24/01
  • Cardinal repeats call to be tolerant at the Boston Globe, 9/24/01 ''We want to draw good out of that terrible evil of Sept. 11,'' said Law .... ''May our defense of the common good never betray the very principles that are constitutive of that common good.''
  • 'Jihad' often misinterpreted at the Boston Globe, 9/24/01
  • Grieving N.Y. finds healing in faith at the Boston Globe. 9/24/01
  • In examples small and brief, Giuliani sees normalcy return at the Boston Globe. 9/23/01
  • Prayers 'flowed from the heart' at morgue at the Boston Globe. 9/22/01
  • K-9 rescuers feeling stress at the Boston Globe. 9/22/01
  • Celebrities share talents to honor the lost 'Heroes' at the Boston Globe. 9/22/01
  • Hero of Flight 11 recalled by family members at the Boston globe, 9/22/01
  • Funds blessed, besieged by flood of cash at the Boston Globe, 9/22/01
  • 11-year-old donates birthday money to Red Cross after terrorist attacks at Boston.com 9/21/01
  • American Muslims gain national support after threats, harassment at Boston.com 9/22/01
  • New York officials sort through deluge of food, clothes, other donations sent after attacks at Boston.com, 9/22/01
  • Stars turn out in unprecedented televised pitch for victims of terrorist attacks at Boston.com, 9/21/01 '"We are not healers," Hanks said. "We are not protectors of this great nation. We are merely artists, entertainers, here to raise spirits and, we hope, a great deal of money."'
  • Ribbon on WTC facade, Giuliani, star singers at Shea at Boston.com 9/21/01
  • American pilot's widow flies flag for first time in 27 years at Boston.com. 9/21/01
  • Wall Street hotel adapts to help rescuers at CNN.com. 9/21/01
  • Movie theater chains to donate ticket and concession sales to aid terrorism relief (on Sept. 25th) at Boston.com, 9/21/01
  • Stars of every stripe join show of patriotism TV networks, cable unite in fund-raiser for attack relief effort. Boston Globe. 9/21/01
  • Jews, Muslims find healing of rifts at the Boston Globe. 9/20/01
  • Downsized firm houses the displaced at the Boston Globe. 9/19/01 A great story, IMHO. ''They gave us everything we needed.''
  • Against the odds, stem cells survived at the Boston Globe. 9/19/01 Refusing to say "no."
  • $200m donated for terror victims at the Boston Globe 9/19/01
  • Interfaith ceremony offers note of hope at the Boston Globe. 9/19/01
  • Kerry says danger not just in the air at the Boston Globe 9/19/01... not-so-positive, but Kerry is asking good questions about Muslim culture. About time.
  • From left and right, a call for caution on new laws at the Boston Globe 9/19/01 ... not great news, but when was the last time the ACLU and Phyllis Schlafly were on the same side? Protecting our legal freedom.
  • Let's not sink to their level at the Boson Globe 9/19/01 ... not great news, but there is courage needed to voice dissent these days.
  • Facing the End; "Heroes": Time.com
  • Victims from around the world... MSNBC.com 9/18/01 ...showing just how many nations have been affected by tragedy.
  • An old test for a new generation at the Boston Globe 9/18/01 "[In a WWII battlefield] I realize that someone is helping me carry a wounded GI .... It is a German...."
  • During Traumatic Times, Small Acts Can Bring a Measure of Comfort at NYTimes.com 9/18/01
  • Heroic Stories Reader Comments on September 11th. at Heroicstories.com
  • Muslim-American family mourns loss of loved one at CNN.com 9/18/01
  • All His Office Mates Gone at Time.com ... "We've got to make our company be able to take care of my 700 families." This is painful to read, but a testament to determination.
  • Letter From Afghanistan A land of endless tears. Time.com.
  • An unofficial collection of pictures from around the world -- sites that have these pictures tend to get overloaded from the popularity.
  • Military reservists prepare for call-up at MSNBC.com. 9/18/01
  • Patriotism drives some to buy, hold at the Boston Globe, 9/18/01
  • The Proper Respect at Time.com 9/17/01
  • Mosque opens its doors to the public at the Boston Globe. 9/17/01
  • Daniel M. Lewin, co-founded Akamai at Boston Globe. 9/17/01. Mr. Lewin may be gone, but his technology passed the test!
  • Pilot's land of opportunity at Boston Globe. 9/17/01
  • A more civil N.Y. emerges, at the Boston Globe. 9/17/01 This is a great article.
  • What can you do? at the Boston Globe. 9/17/01
  • American Flag, a tribute by MIT students. At the IHTFP Hack (Prank) Gallery. 9/17/01
  • 'The harm done to innocents' at The Boston Globe. It is NOT a hopeful piece, but it is something everyone should know about the roots of this, and perhaps it will increase understanding. 9/16/01
  • At 'the pile,' searchers leave no stone unturned at Boston Globe 9/15/01
  • A moment's encounter lingers on at the Boston Globe 9/15/01
  • Amid tragedy, a symbol of hope: Two Red Cross volunteers marry at Boston.com 9/15/01
  • At 8:48, Two 'Normal Guys' Are Transformed at NYTimes.com 9/16/01
  • Nations join US in prayer at the Boston Globe 9/15/01
  • Freedom to choose comes with a price at the Boston Globe 9/15/01
  • Area Muslims join other faiths in prayer at the Boston Globe 9/15/01
  • In synagogues, words from the heart at the Boston Globe 9/15/01
  • Castro offers help at Boston Globe 9/15/01 ... hope it lasts....
  • 200,000 Berliners go to Brandenburg Gate in show of solidarity with Americans at Boston.com 9/14/01... 200,000!!
  • New citizens welcomed to America in the aftermath of terror attack at Boston.com 9/14/01
  • Arab Americans Gratified by Support at Boston.com 9/14/01
  • 'We just want to be back': Americans overseas face chaos and weeklong waits to get home -- see the last few paragraphs. Boston.com 9/14/01
  • The Flag is Still There Photoessay at Time.com
  • Americans hold prayer services after Bush proclaims national day of remembrance at Boston Globe, 9/14/01
  • In the face of darkness, shows go on: A sense of social duty keeps the arts, entertainment in play at the Boston Globe, 9/14/01
  • Europe joins Americans in grief, anger at the Boston Globe, 9/14/01
  • Bush, four former presidents take part in prayer services at Washington's National Cathedral at Boston.com 9/14/01
  • Boston vigil a time of prayer and reflection at Boston.com 9/13/01
  • Jets Were Ready to Stage Boycott at nytimes.com 9/14/01
  • Airline employees intentionally breach security at CNN.com 9/14/01 -- IMHO they're taking responsibility; I hope their jobs are OK! I think they deserve raises.
  • NY Times slideshow of international response at nytimes.com 9/13/01
  • The World Reacts photo essay at Time.com. Includes Japan, Russia, Australia, Belgium.
  • Kenyan bomb survivor advises 'togetherness' at BBC.co.uk 9/12/01
  • Silence as Europe mourns dead at CNN.com 9/14/01
  • In pictures: UK falls silent at BBC.co.uk 9/14/01
  • Nations unite in mourning and Europe commemorates US dead at BBC.co.uk 9/13/01
  • Britain mourns attack victims at BBC.co.uk 9/13/01 ... "In an unprecedented move, the US National Anthem was played at the [changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace]." See: UK pays its respects.
  • HeroicStories Special Editions at www.heroicstories.com
  • Flight Attendants Show Support at Blood Drive at redcross.org 9/13/01
  • The first page of Time's report and the last 1/3 of this page
  • Passengers voted to attack hijackers at CNN.com 9/13/01
  • 'Heroic effort' by jet passengers may have prevented further disasters at globe.com 9/12/01 and Passengers on Flight 93 May Have Struggled with Hijackers at Yahoo.com 9/12/01
  • In the aftermath, going on with work at CNN.com 9/12/01
  • Nationwide, Blood Donors Heed the Call at redcross.org 9/11/01
  • Firefighters Dash Into Towers; Many Do Not Return ... NY Times ... not very hopeful, but a testament to the courage of many. 9/12/01
  • Put the finger away, Rev. Falwell at WorldNetDaily.com. I wasn't planning to list this at all, but as news of Rev. Falwell's words spreads, I thought I would point to a counter view. Rev. Falwell has since apologized.
    Ways to Help
    (Note: New York is having to turn away people who show up to help -- don't go unless it's been arranged through a relief organization. Donate money through legitimate agencies instead. And watch out for scams.)
  • Be prepared: Lesson from Oklahoma City widow: Learn about family finances now. CNN.com 10/1/01
  • How to Help at Boston Globe, 9/13/01
  • Red Cross donations at Amazon.com
  • Donate to the Red Cross. redcross.org 9/11/01
  • How to turn your tech skills into help for disaster victims at zdnet.com, 9/18/01
  • In Memory of 9/11/2001, a site with lists of how to help.
  • Helping.org
  • ASPCA is making appeals on behalf of pets, esp. pets of owners who were victims of the tragedy.
  • HOW YOU CAN HELP at fema.gov.

    General

  • When Branes Collide ... theoretical physics at Science News, week of 9/22/01. A change of pace, even if the theory fails to float my boat.
  • Social cats ... a look at housecat behavior. Science News, week of 9/15/01
  • Neandertals show ancient signs of caring Science News, week of 9/15/01... well, at least the neandertals were on the level of sperm whales ;)
  • Grandmothers bare all for new curtains at Boston.com, 9/25/01 ... OK, normally I don't go for this stuff, but after all the terrorist news, this one made me crack a smile.
  • Study links brain reaction to music, sex, food (mostly about music) at CNN.com 9/25/01
  • Isaac Stern remembered for more than his virtuosity at CNN.com 9/25/01
  • Family faces new challenges as Wis. Quintuplets turn 4 at the Boston Globe. 9/19/01
  • Koreas to hold new family reunion at the Boston Globe. 9/19/01
  • Scientists think roadside berries could be cancer fighter at boston.com 9/14/01
  • Acts of bravery and kindness amid Nigeria's religious slaughter at boston.com 9/10/01
  • Exhibit seeks to capture the life of Latinos in the United States at boston.com 9/9/01
  • Allowed to govern itself, Iranian farm town thrives at the Boston Globe. 9/9/01
  • In Vt. Town, laid-off workers eye takeover: Factory employees dream of startup at the Boston Globe. 9/9/01
  • How they do it: Researchers study people who lost weight and keep it off at boston.com 9/9/01
  • Second half of this Ann Lander's column at the Boston Globe, 9/8/01
  • Bill's excellent adventure: Around the world in 61 hours at boston.com 9/8/01
  • Westerners look to windmills as possible saviors of a way of life at boston.com 9/8/01
  • Revere couple marries at McDonald's restaurant where they met boston.com 9/8/01
  • Venus beats kid sister for Open title ... last 2 paragraphs. Globe.com 9/8/01
  • Greenfield couple gets disabled animals rolling with new sets of wheels at boston.com 9/8/01
  • Artificial heart man is out of intensive care in Louisville, Ky. at boston.com 9/7/01
  • Georgia mom returns $120,000 she found at CNN.com ... it might be an easy decision for those of us who've never had to pawn a TV set to pay off a bill, but we're all weak in different ways. 9/7/01.
  • (Obituary) Leader of liberation theology movement dead at 81 at boston.com 9/7/01
  • Delegates at racism conference debate compromise language over Middle East and slavery -- the topic itself is not hopeful, but it is amazing that South Africa, once home of apartheid, is the country trying to salvage things. boston.com 9/6/01
  • Drug-coated artery-widening device hailed as potential breakthrough at Boston.com 9/4/01
  • The first story in Ann Landers' 9/4/01 column at the Boston Globe.
  • Inexpensive text messaging lets overseas Filipinos stay in touch at Boston.com 9/2/01
  • Who Wants to Be a Gazillionaire? at netbusiness.netscape.com 2001.
  • PT boat enthusiast wants to preserve war stories with video at boston.com 9/2/01
  • Group says best hope for schools lies in sharing experiences and the related Educator says excellent schools are those with connections at Boston.com 9/2/01
  • Once-paralyzed football player leads Penn State onto the field in opening game at boston.com 9/1/01
  • Boy tends site of fatal bus crash because 'no one else was doing it' at boston.com 9/2/01
  • Medical team shares stories about first human recipient of self-contained artificial heart at boston.com 9/1/01
  • Can laughter relieve pain and help us heal? Researchers seek an answer at boston.com 9/1/01
  • Rabbi uses crisis to teach, and to learn at the Boston Globe 9/1/01
  • Current Decent News
  • Decent News for August 2001
    Some spiritual up-links