FLIGHT 93
Re: Reid Collins’ You Broke My Heart, Marianne :

[Mr. Collins wrote:]

“Later, from Ellis Island, he would repeat his hallucinatory belief that the passengers of flight 93 committed suicide by driving their plane into the ground rather than allowing it to fly to some unspecified target in Washington, D.C. Oh well, we must all have an illusion or two to make the date bearable at all.”

You seem to be disputing the official story here. What is your version of events?
— Ted Angell

I have read the piece by Reid Collins, “You Broke My Heart, Marianne,” a number of times. The reason for my repetitive behavior is found in the paragraph that, speaking of President Bush, reads:

“… from Ellis Island, he would repeat his hallucinatory belief that the passengers of flight 93 committed suicide by driving their plane into the ground rather than allowing it to fly to some unspecified target in Washington, D.C. “

I am not sure who Mr. Collins is attempting to denigrate, the President for his “hallucinations,” or those who died on flight 93. As best I can tell he simply demonstrates that he is an unmitigated ass, unfit for civilized company.

The fact of the matter is the passengers of flight 93 did commit suicide to prevent the plane being used as a missile. The suicide was unintentional, a consequence of other actions being taken by the passengers, but all evidence shows that they were aware of the possibility, sickeningly made real.

For Mr. Collins to write in such a snide and sneering manner about those who made such a sacrifice bespeaks a meanness of soul that is breathtaking. For you to publish such demonstrates either an amazing inattentiveness to your responsibility, or a lack of propriety and decency as appalling as Mr. Collins’.
— W. Picou