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In perspective
By Frank Vest
1:124/6308

It's been almost a week since the planes crashed in the USA. This week's Fidonews is, admittedly, a reflection of this. As was pointed out by Michiel van der Vlist in the Fidonews echo;

"Keep in mind that FidoNews is globally distributed. I've said it before and I'll say it again; the world is bigger than the USA."

That is very true and there are many that are less than sympathetic to the USA. Let us all remember that Fidonet is not the USA and the USA is not Fidonet. What I'm about to say may not be popular with many. It needs to be said anyway.

Yes, this last week was tragic. Yes, emotions are high. Yes, there are many things happening. None of this will, or can, be settled in the Fidonews. Filling the Fidonews publication or echo with politics and sentiments for or against this is not what is needed, desired, or anything else. As I said in the Fidonews echo and in this edition, prayers are needed.

Whatever your feelings, say a prayer to your God or whatever you believe in. This edition is mostly about last week's events. It offers help and prayers, not politics and finger pointing.

As Editor, I feel I'd be wrong to not allow articles into the Fidonews about the events of last Tuesday. As Editor, I feel that I would be wrong to allow politics to rule the Fidonews.

This edition of the Fidonews is about the events of last Tuesday. I've tried hard to make it non-political. If I've failed, it is I who have failed.

We need to get back to normal in Fidonet and in the world. To do less would be to give in to the events of last Tuesday. Let's look to the future and get back to Fidonet.

Thank you, Fidonet, for understanding this.

In this light and with these thoughts, on to the news.