An important date

Pam and I are watching a series of programs on Discovery channel about the reconstruction of Ground Zero which we assume will end on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Each of the programmes features people who were affected by the worst terrorist attack on American soil and tells the story of their eagerness to put things right.

The buildings they have created will form both a wonderful tribute to those who lost their lives and at the same time make a statement to the world that America will not be beaten.

However, it seems that the forces of evil that devastated America ten years ago are determined to remind the country that they are still there. Osama Bin Laden might have been killed, but there are plenty of others ready to take his place.

This morning I read that New York is to be put into a state of heightened alert over the 9/11 anniversary weekend, with extra bomb sweeps, dog patrols, surveillance of tunnels and bridges and even vehicle check points, following what is being described as "credible but unconfirmed" information that a terrorist attack is being planned on the city or on Washington.

Only sketchy details have been given of the nature of the threat and Michael Bloomberg, New York's mayor, emphasised in a late-night press conference held at city hall that the intelligence of the threat was uncorroborated. But with the world's eyes on New York ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, nobody is taking any chances.

"We know the terrorists regard the anniversary as an opportunity to strike again. We do live in a world where we must take these threats seriously," Bloomberg said.

Let us hope that all passes without incident, not just for the sake of the Americans involved but for the peace of the whole world.