lot, I was stopped by a security guard just after turning off of the road and into the parking area where I was told to “slow down”. I did not believe myself to be speeding but further slowed my vehicle to a few miles per hour. To digress a bit, at a later date while retrieving one of my children from the school, security was voraciously waving the people on who were driving vehicles to move faster within the area close to the school that was infiltrated with young people standing outside of the school and crossing parking lot roadways. I was annoyed at this procedure and was reminded of the earlier security chastisement of September 11, 2001. I reported this abuse of security forces to a school official where I was asked to identify the culprit(s). I gave a physical description of one security employee, but mentioned to the school official that all of the security guards in that area at that time were involved, so the description given of one person was meaningless. The school official stated that she would investigate the incident. Shortly thereafter, the school official informed me that security was reprimanded for this affront and breech of their own policy. But to return to the events of September 11, 2001, upon driving to the front doors of the school, I observed daughter, upset and sitting on a wall in the front of the school being comforted by a teacher. There were no other students in the vicinity. I retrieved daughter and proceeded to drive home when I noticed that there were no other parents coming to retrieve or inquire of their children in the parking lot at that time. Upon arriving home with daughter, I believe that I telephoned the school inquiring of son’s health where I was informed that he was in class. Especially this day, and the months following this catastrophe a sense of surrealism became part of my everyday life.
Shortly after the September 11 catastrophe I erected large anti-abortion signs on the front lawn of our property. I was given some flack by town officials for the erection of these signs but after investigation by town attorneys and other officials it was determined that these signs were legal under law. Further explanation is given of these incidences in a 2003 letter written to those involved in the World Trade Center catastrophe in New York City.
During the winter, it was required by my employer that I attend a job seminar presented in a conference room at a local hotel where other employees from throughout the area would also be attending. Prior to beginning the seminar, employees were invited to procure a beverage and continental breakfast that was provided on a buffet table in a section of the room. Shortly after sitting at tables with our pastries and beverages and listening to the presentation, blood curdling screams and crying were heard emanating from the catering room next door. These screams of terror were followed with the loud applause and laughter of many people. Employees attending the seminar just glanced at each other some in a confused way and others in a disgusted way. Feeling sickened and upset with this occurrence I decided to investigate during a short seminar recess what was occurring in the room next door only to find out that this “celebration” was a Bris Milah. I thought that the laughter and applause following such a painful and solemn ceremony was completely inappropriate and lacked compassion for the tiny infant.
At the end of the year, an opportunity presented itself through my job where spouse, daughter, son, and I could relatively inexpensively, vacation aboard a cruise ship with ports of call including Jamaica, Colombia, and Panama. In Jamaica, after visiting a renowned waterfall, we once again found ourselves in