The numbers raise questions

	THE PROCESS OF HEALING: ASKING QUESTIONS
	*As we begin to heal from wounds, and as we begin to offer healing as healers, we face puzzling questions.* In the aftermath of 9-11, our nation has been undergoing a massive soul-searching. How could this have happened to US, a nation that has prided itself on being a leader and a generous helper to the rest of the world? Why did this happen to us? There are as many answers to these questions as there are people asking them. Here are a few observations to suggest new perspectives. STATISTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE TERRORIST ATTACKS *The World Trade Center -*
	The twin towers of the World Trade Center were places of employment forsome 50,000 people. With the missing list of just over 5,000 people, that means 90% of the people targeted survived the attack.		Later figures show that only 3,500 perished, making the percent of survivors even higher
	*The Pentagon -* Some 23,000 people were the target of a third plane aimed at the Pentagon. The latest count shows that only 123 lost their lives. That is an amazing 99.5% survival rate. in addition, the plane seems to have come in too low, too early to affect a large portion of the building. On top of that, the section that was hit was the first of five sections to undergo renovations that would help protect the Pentagon from terrorist attacks. It had recently completed straightening and blastproofing, saving untold lives. This attack was sad, but a statistical failure.		Was it just coincidence that this section was repaired first, and/or that this was the chosen point of attack?
	*The Planes* American Airlines Flight 77 This Boeing 757 that was flown into the outside of the Pentagon could have carried up to 289 people, yet only 64 were aboard. Luckily 78% of the seats were empty. American Airlines Flight 11 This Boeing 767 could have had up to 351 people aboard, but only carried 92. Thankfully, 74% of the seats were unfilled. United Airlines Flight 175 Another Boeing 767 that could have seated 351 people only had 65 people on board. Fortunately it was 81% empty. United Airlines Flight 93 This Boeing 757 was one of the most uplifting stories yet. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard out of a possible 289 had 84% of its capacity unused. Yet these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process.
	*In Summary* Out of potentially 74,280 Americans directly targeted by these inept cowards, 93% survived or avoided the attacks. That's a higher survival rate than heart attacks, breast cancer, kidney transplants and liver transplant - all common, survivable illnesses. The Hijacked planes were mostly empty, the Pentagon was hit at it's strongest point, the overwhelming majority of people in the World Trade Center buildings escaped, and a handful of passengers gave the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives.		Research showed significantly lower numbers of passengers on trains that have accidents.
	*To the above anonymous internet observations, we must of course add the symbolism of the date 9-11, suggesting a planetary emergency call.* *There are powerful lessons here.* *How were so many people spared in these attacks?* **It is hard to believe that the terrorists were seeking to minimize casualties. It appears that these attacks were planned years in advance. Whatever the reasons behind the relatively small numbers of casualties, it seems like a positive force must have been at play to prevent many more deaths.** Some have suggested that people intuitively stayed away from these planes. I have heard of several people who stayed away (intuitively, in ways totally odd to their ordinary habits) from the towers on that day.		Asking questions about the tragedy of 9-11 wakens us to cther tragedies. These are tragedies that we tend to ignore because they occur one person at a time, or at such distances from where we live that we are not moved by them. 9-11 has made us more alert to preventing tragedies of all sorts.
	*As we begin to heal from wounds, and as we begin to offer healing as healers, we face puzzling questions.* In the aftermath of 9-11, our nation has been undergoing a massive soul-searching. How could this have happened to US, a nation that has prided itself on being a leader and a generous helper to the rest of the world? Why did this happen to us? There are as many answers to these questions as there are people asking them.
	*Some suggest that a higher power must have intervened.* Here are a few observations to suggest new perspectives. Next - Looking for the roots		9-11 wakens us to ask personal and spiritual questions about our relationships to the cosmos.