Open thread for reflections on crime and punishment a decade after 9/11/01

I am inclined to call the terror attacks of 9/11 the worst and most horrible of crimes in US history.  And yet I know it remains somewhat controversial to call the mass murder conspiracy that was carried out 10 years ago today merely a “crime” rather than something else.  However, other than a “terror attack,” I am not sure what label provides an accurate description of the mass murder that too place other than horrific crime.

Whatever one’s opinion on this issue of semantics, I know that many readers surely have thoughts today about US crime and punishment. These thoughts may be a reaction to, and/or are informed by, what happened 10 years ago and also US and international responses to this mass murder over the last decade.  

My thoughts are too scattered and sad to justify a useful post on this topic or really on other topics on his day of remembrance.  But if others have fitting thoughts to share, or perhaps just want a place to express their grief or their optimism, this post is intended to open a thread for discussion of these and related topics.