This is a kind of "editorial" part of our webzine. We have our "monthly ramblings" here, short essays about tendencies of the music industry, our reflections on news/rumors that raised our eyebrows or about issues that got us interested. We try to keep this place an open discussion forum for our readers so that they can reflect on the thoughts presented here or have their own ones posted here. So feel free to use this place for your own little essays. Email us your thoughts/reflections to feedback@rockunited.com

Just like the rest of the world, we are in a state of shock due to what happened in the USA on tuesday. Here are some messages from our friends..

First, our contributor Mark Allen Lanoue...

Hello All,

I was on the 20th floor of the CBS building in New York City (Manhattan)when the devastation of the historical Twin Towers occurred. I was there on business related to both my day job and for the purpose of writing new material with fellow musicians from New Jersey and I was in complete shock by what happened. People flooded the streets while the New York police department and local fire and rescue workers blocked street entrances and guided people to safety. You could see the utter horror and disbelief in the eyes of everyone standing on the streets and in front of grand central station. It took sometime to contact family to let them know that I was not one of the victims. All I can say is that I thank many of my fellow men/women around the world that have offered their support to America and the victims of this absolute tragedy.

My fellow friends and musicians, take this as an example of how important it is to resolve differences to appreciate all those that you love. Those victims of the attacks were probably drinking coffee and getting ready for their normal daily routine when the attacks occurred. One minute its business as usual and the next its time to face eternity while leaving loved ones behind. Thanks so much to all of you at AOR-EUROPE for your support and condolences. Although, I have not heard whether any of my friends were in the towers, I have friends from the north east USA that have lost friends and colleagues.

Lastly, I would like to say that it is important that we not judge the race or creed of the people that committed this crime. I have already seen this coming to fruition and such anger/frustration driven actions are not warranted. We need to find those who want to see the demise of innocent people and remove them from the world so that all of us can live in peace. I don't care what background, race or creed these individuals and groups come from, I just want to see them caught and dealt with.

Here is a letter from one of our friends, Brandy, who was there...

"I work in Rock Center and they closed our entire office complex about 10am, once it became apparent this was no accident. Even though I work miles from the WTC the whole city was in lockdown so it was a real... interesting day, to say the least. After a major multi mile walk all the way uptown to a friend's apartment I sat it out until 3pm and then heard they were running ferries to NJ so I decided to try and get home.

It only took about 4 hours to get out from that point. They were using every single vehicle that floated to get people home - cruise liners, tug boats and regular ferries. Once out on the water you could see the smoke hanging in the air where the two towers used to be. It was the quietest boat ride you can imagine.

So far everyone I know is ok but I have a few close call stories from friends of mine - friend #1 had a meeting on the 87th floor of the WTC this afternoon, friend #2 works for IBM and had a service call there that he was running late for, friend #3 was due to be on that plane from Boston that was hijacked but missed it, friend #4 was on a place going to LA and is now spending the night in Indianapolis becuase they were grounded.

I'm incredibly proud to be a New Yorker right now... people were helpful to strangers, polite and not once did I see anyone push or shove or run. The police, fire departments and other emergency crew were incredible - as prepared as they could be. Things were not easy but it all went smoother than you can imagine in such a situation, and certainly better than I'd feared they would be. My prayers are with everyone who lost loved ones around the country and the globe in this tragic time. I'm going to find out where the nearest place to me is that I can give blood. It's not much but its needed, and its what I am able to do. "

Finally, we want to end this with something of musical nature. Many of us were reminded of this song this week...

GODS OF WAR
(Clark/Collen/Elliott/Lange/Savage)

Feelin' like it's all over, feelin' like there's no love
Feelin' like it's not easy, breathin' life in the dust
On a countdown to zero take a ride on the nightmare machine
There ain't gonna be heroes, there ain't gonna be anything

Here it comes, here comes the night
Here it comes, hell in the night
Here it comes, here comes the night
When we all fall down

When we walk into silence, when we shadow the sun
When we surrender to violence, then the damage is done
Put away that gun

I don't wanna be there, I don't wanna be anywhere

Here it comes, here comes the night
Here it comes, hell in the night
Here it comes, here comes the night
That's right

We're fightin' for the gods of war but what the hell we fightin' for
We're fightin' with the gods of war but I'm a rebel
And I ain't gonna fight no more, no way

On a countdown to zero, take a ride on the nightmare machine
There ain't gonna be heroes, there ain't gonna be anything

Here it comes, here comes the night
Here it comes, hell in the night
Here it comes, here comes the night
Don't ya know that's right

We're fightin' for the gods of war but what the hell we fightin' for
We're fightin' with the gods of war
And I ain't gonna fight no more
Stop fightin' for the gods of war
Yeah what the hell we fightin' for
What in the hell we fightin' for
We're fightin' with the gods of war