This is a gem of a piece with an ambience not often seen from psychoanalysts in the US. It is proud, confident and sees a major potential leadership role for psychoanalysts in the solution of community and social problems. Tylim's attitude suggests a major potential role for analysts in the non-governmental organization (NGO) format of the United Nations (UN) and reviews the history of the International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) committee on the UN. Although I support all he says, I will also note that psychoanalysis has been very much in the public eye long before 9/11 and that many of its potential useful applications might well be in much less dramatic areas than disasters and torture, but yet in the day-to-day functioning of organizations, for example. I would be fascinated by any reader's reaction to this piece. Remember we have a letters to the Editors section for up to 500 words.