"Talk of the Town"

I found the essays within "Talk of the Town" interesting. Particularly the opposites of which the write-ups possess.
Sontag expresses disdain and skepticism of her own country in the face of America's greatest tragedy. She even goes as far as to say that Americans are the cowardly ones in the war against terrorism. It seems as though Sontag is more pressing the American public to look at both sides--although extremely hard to do after what she describes is an event that we see as "a "cowardly" attack on "civilization"...or "humanity"." Instead, however, Sontag opts to mention the United States continual bombing of Iraq. Her main message, I suppose, is that perhaps 9/11 wasn't a demonic attack with no basis... Could it be that the terrorists, of course not officially representative of the Iraqi nation or of the entire Muslim faith, were just trying to protect their nation and way of life, just as we try to protect ours?
She goes on to mention what she sees as ghastly leadership in the face of this event. It sort of reminds one of the 50s: the constant repition of "America is the greatest," and the aggressive attack on anything within our lines that isn't "American" enough for the frightened public. Within her essay, she scoffs at what public office has become shortly after September 11th: a tool to build American's confidence in their great country once again.
Sontag brings up a fresh opinion on the matter. I appreciate her not taking solace in the words she, like everyone else in America following 9/11 wanted to hear: Everything is O.K. I also appreciate her ability to see both sides of the spectrum on this. Just like any conflict, there is right and wrong on each side. Even in a conflict as close to our hearts as the one between our own hurt nation and a strange and dangerous enemy.

John Updike takes a more traditional look at the matter, but still an important and valid one. In his essay, he describes the feelings and unified nation after such a horrific event. He recalls familiar thoughts, sights, and emotions that passed through everyone old enough to understand what was happening. Like it wasn't real, like it was fixable. I recall that feeling, even as young as I was. My insistent question "but everything is okay now though, right Mom? Right, Dad?" probably haunted them. No one really knew. We all wanted to believe it was an easy fix, nothing too serious. But of course, the weight of the situation fell upon Americans as the south tower fell. In his essay, Updike walks through the never-ending media cover of the event, more and more information, images, stories that almost seem to turn into lore after being repeated so much, and the stream of despressing details. He concludes with a few paragraphs touching on the resiliance of the United States and our ability to come together against this tragedy--the main idea behind his essay.
I can also appreciate Updike's more common view. Although it doesn't spark as many thoughts and questions as Sontag's, it allows us to reflect upon the tragedy and reminds us of the lessons it taught us. We must have faith in our country. We must go on living, go on picking up the pieces. We cannot lose faith in our leaders, cerainly not at a time like this. We must come together. We are still us. We are still the U.S.

Both essays represent a very different viewpoint. Both are quite valid. I enjoyed reading this essay and the thoughts and questions that were raised while doing so.