Introduction
by Flak Staff

In the days that have followed the indescribable horror of September 11, 2001, many people — from the president, to news broadcasters, to friends and neighbors — have attempted to put their impressions and feelings into words. But words cannot grasp the enormity of the event, because to do so requires us to reach so deep into our selves, to see and contemplate so many horrible and saddening things at once that our minds shut down.

Ultimately, we fail to comprehend, and no one, no matter how wise a commentator or seasoned a politician, should have the hubris to think he or she could do otherwise. Nevertheless, we must speak. We must talk, opine, relate and discuss, if only because in doing so we also release. And while we may never come to grips with what happened, perhaps, in discussing, we will come to understand a little more about ourselves as human beings.

What follows, then, is Flak Magazine's contribution to the discussion. A collection of pieces, some opinions, others impressions. They are, like all else that will be said in the coming times, incomplete. But if nothing else, we offer them up with the hope that they will drive the national conversation further, and in so doing bring us a little closer to national healing.

Pictures of New York
by Will Leitch

The View from Andersonville
by Stephanie Kuenn

Beware the Backlash
by James Norton

Where Now?
by Clay Risen

Lessons Learned
by Michael Risen

Games Can Wait
by Andy Stilp

Part of Thousands
by Ben Welch

I Will Never See the World Trade Center
by Eric Wittmershaus

The Swiss Cheese Defense
by Eric Wittmershaus

Between the Witch and the Eagle
by Heather Wokusch

Against Machiavellianism
by Barton Wong

The Opportunists
by Barton Wong

My Generation
by Claire Zulkey

E-mail Flak at letters at flakmag dot com.