Such a Long Time to Be Gone and a Short Time to Be Here

TheStreet's headquarters were physically very close to Ground Zero.

And I will never forget the real-time reporting (the confusion and emotion) on TheStreet on that fateful day, the revelation of the extent of the tragedy and the follow-up tributes by our contributors.

Ironically or sadly, the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) quickly followed on the heels of Sept. 11, 2001. The most poignant recollection on TheStreet was the following post by Jim "El Capitan" Cramer, who recalled an incident at his Temple -- to this day, it brings me to tears:

At our synagogue last night on the eve of the Jewish New Year, our rabbi asked us to shout out the names of friends and family that we'd lost that day. There were so many names, it was frightening and I was glad we had left the kids at home. I felt honored to yell out Bill's name. And I feel honored to have gotten to meet and work with him in his short time on earth. Oops, wanted to cry as I wrote that. Could feel it coming on. Nope, no can do. Not with that picture of him in my mind wearing that funny floral shirt. He wouldn't want us to remember him in any other way than with laughter. God bless your soul, Bill. God bless the Meehan family.

-- Jim Cramer, "Remembering Bill Meehan"

Today, I will also share my fond memories of TheStreet's and Cantor Fitzgerald's Bill "Budman" Meehan with his good pals Jim Cramer, Tony Dwyer, Herbela Greenberg and others, and we will all toast him as so many subscribers did in the fall of 2001.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."

-- Edmund Burke

Fortunately, on May 2, 2011, some very good and courageous men gained revenge for Osama bin Laden's deeds 11 years ago.

I hope that Osama bin Laden rots in hell.

But revenge doesn't reverse the loss of so many.

"Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged."

-- Samuel Johnson

I suppose that living and remembering is the best form of revenge.

Thanks for reading this, and thanks for letting me wear my feelings on my sleeve.

Before the market opens and as you watch the annual tribute in downtown New York City, think about our lost loved ones and how lucky we all are.

We all miss you, Chuck.

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