[jyl]

The apparent inaction in the first hour or so after the fire broke out was intentional. The Pompiers de Paris were saving the irreplaceable art and artifacts inside the cathedral, because they knew it would be destroyed by water etc once they started attacking the fire. Imagine going inside a burning cathedral, flaming debris falling from hundreds of feet, risking your life to save precious thousand year old objects. The courage of firefighters. Shown by NYFD on 9/11, by PDP on 4/15, and by firefighters every day the world over.

The cathedral has been intensively documented and will be rebuilt. Won't be the first time. The cathedral was restored in the 1800s by Violet-le-Duc, including a new spire. Europe has lots of experience rebuilding its glorious cathedrals after wars. I saw a photo of Notre Dame of Reims after the Second World War, it was a bombed out hulk, but you wouldn't know it today.

I've been to Notre Dame of Paris dozens of times, starting when I was 5 years old. Pre-dawn visits to this and other cathedrals have brought me as close to God as I can be. Even this atheist is deeply moved by stone walls and illuminated windows that, over centuries, have absorbed some of the faith, passion, suffering and grace of millions of humans living and long-passed. If you stand quietly and open yourself, you can't help but feel it.

I was sad to see the fire, but not devastated. The rebuilding of Notre Dame of Paris will be one of those missions that brings a nation, and others around the world, together in spirit and deeds. Which is really the ultimate purpose of cathedrals, after all.

I will be donating to the reconstruction. My little offering will join those of millions, wealthy and poor. I will be donating to Notre Dame, to Paris, to the people of France, and maybe a little bit to the God that I feel in these sacred places.