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COST
Americans just commemorated the first anniversary
of the September 11th terrorist attacks. While we mourned the
loss of life, and were energized by the demonstrations of patriotism, the
cost of September 11th will be felt for a long time to come.
New York City Comptroller William Thompson says, “
While this devastating event can never be reduced to numbers, it is clear
New York City and the nation will continue to suffer its economic ramifications
for years to come.”
Estimates indicate that one Wall Street Worker in
one hundred perished on September 11th. Businesses from pushcart vendors
to clothing stores were knocked out of business. Jobs were lost and billions
of tax dollars have been lost from the destruction and from companies relocating
away from New York.
According to Thompson’s analysis, 83,000 jobs have
been lost in New York City since September 11, 2001—a figure equal to the
entire populations of West Palm Beach, Florida, or Santa Monica California.
Another 63,000 jobs will likely be lost due to lost business and other
cutbacks.
The firm Grubb and Ellis reported that 15 million
square feet of space in the six buildings around the World Trade Center
complex were lost. The area is equivalent to the entire commercial real
estate space of Atlanta, or Miami. Another 30 million square feet of office
space was damaged in the attacks.
Thompson’s estimates state it will cost $30 billion
to replace the destroyed buildings. In contrast, the total damage in Florida
and Louisiana from Hurricane Andrew was just over half that amount at $16.8
billion.
Even the local infrastructure took a heavy hit. AT&T
and Verizon lost 300,000 phone lines and five switching stations, totaling
$2.3 billion. ConEd lost two electric power substations and must replace
33 miles of feeder cables. The city budget is facing a $6 billion dollar
deficit. Half of that sum is lost tax revenue. The added police, fire,
and security overtime has cost the City over $500 million dollars in the
last year.
With the loss of life, and revenue, the attack on
the World Trade Center may make the area, the most expensive 16 acres in
history.
—CNSNews.com, Rebuilding NYC—The 16 Costliest Acres
in History, September 11, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim
Sandell.
Every action has ramifications beyond the immediate.
One thing always affects another. Beyond the economic damage, what is the
direct emotional damage this attack has on the survivors of the victims?
That damage, in my opinion, dwarfs any financial damage the nation has
suffered because of the cowardly attack on innocent lives.
Romans 6:22-23 NIV
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to
God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal
life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
COST
Faith Fippinger, a retired schoolteacher from Florida
who went to Iraq to serve as a “human shield” is now facing thousands of
dollars in fines from the United Sates Government. Fippinger returned home
in May and is being fined at least $10,000. She has refused to pay and
could face up to 12 years in prison.
The Department of the treasury sent Fippinger a letter
in March informing her that she broke the law by crossing the Iraqi border
before the war. Traveling to Iraq violated U.S. sanctions prohibiting American
citizens from engaging in “Virtually all direct or indirect commercial,
financial, or trade transactions with Iraq.” Fippinger was part of an international
group from 30 countries that spread out in Iraq in hopes of preventing
an attack on the country.
The letter asked her to detail her travels to Iraq
and document any financial transactions. In her response, Fippinger contended
the only money she spent was on food and emergency supplies.
If Fippinger does not pay her fine, it could increase,
and money might be taken from her retirement checks, her Social Security
Check, or a lien could be placed on her assets. Taylor Griffin, a Treasury
Department spokesman says, “She was (in Iraq) in violation of U.S. sanctions.
That’s what happens.”
—Associated Press, August 11, 2003, Illustration by
Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.
Luke 14:28 NIV “Suppose
one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate
the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”
COST
Research physicist Ed Lu recently returned from a
six-month stay on the International Space Station to find that his credit
cards had been deactivated, his phone disconnected, and his car registration
expired. His time away included more than two months training in Russia,
and another month debriefing when he returned to earth. All together, Lu
had been away from home for ten months.
Lu told a lecture audience in Hawaii that he got a
ticket right away, even though his car was parked. He said, "You wouldn’t
believe how much mail and e-mail piled up."
When asked if he was considering another trip into
space, Lu said he was too busy
"trying to get all my bills caught up."
—www.foxnews.com, February 11, 2004, Earthly Annoyances
Wait For Man in Space, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.
Luke 14:28 (NASB) "For
which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down
and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?
COST
According to the 2013 movie “Terms and Conditions May Apply,” it would
take the average American 180 hours per year to read all the “Terms and
Conditions” he/she agrees to on websites and other agreements. It is no
wonder that almost everyone checks the box indicating we agree with these
lengthy documents filled with legal jargon. In fact, most of us would not
understand it, even if we read it. The point of the movie is that we are
often agreeing to things that could end up costing us that which we never
expected.
http://www.kfiam640.com/onair/thompson-espinosa-53899/terms-and-conditions-may-apply-documentary-12167369/
Many people who make a decision for Christ do not read the “Terms and
Conditions” before saying “Yes!” Then when the road is difficult and Jesus
calls us to suffer, we ask ‘Why?” We must count the cost before committing
to follow Him. And follow . . . for it will be worth all you have to give
and more than He will ever ask of you. –Jim L. Wilson and Larry Blair
Mark 8:34 (ESV) And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he
said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.”
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