I've already violated the ban, then. Which may make me impious/unpatriotic.

Who can deny the force of this tragedy? And what can really be said?

It took decades for America to get far enough past Vietnam that it could get some perspective on that trauma to the American psyche. This trauma will also take some time to get past. At some point, life-as-usual will resume.

Meanwhile, we will all honor our connection to our fellow human beings, our shared blood, each in his or her own way.

But now that I've come here and seen the proposed 'period of silence' in recognition of those who have died, I will honor your request.

My feeling is that it will take much longer than it did in the case of OKC for the country to recover.

Why don't we each test the waters when we're ready, as Dan suggests?