(name) ( in italy)

(name) Tampa, FL

While your country meddles in everyone elses business, expect the dues
earned from your labours.

I too am sorry about the events, there is no excuse.

I dont recall voting America as the world's policeman. You are not
wanted as such, so stop playing the bully on the block
(British)

Respectfully,
(name)

Essay Test, History and Politics 101

Students: G.W. Bush, Noam Chomsky

Question 1: Why do they hate us?

Bush: They hate what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically
elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our
freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to
vote and assemble and disagree with each other.

They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries such
as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the
Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of
Asia and Africa.

These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a
way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful,
retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us
because we stand in their way.

Chomsky: Like others in the region, he (Bin Laden) is also outraged by
long-standing US support for Israel's brutal military occupation, now in
its 35th year: Washington's decisive diplomatic, military, and economic
intervention in support of the killings, the harsh and destructive siege
over many years, the daily humiliation to which Palestinians are
subjected, the expanding settlements designed to break the occupied
territories into Bantustan-like cantons and take control of the resources,
the gross violation of the Geneva Conventions, and other actions that are
recognized as crimes throughout most of the world, apart from the US,
which has prime responsibility for them. And like others, he contrasts
Washington's dedicated support for these crimes with the decade-long
US-British assault against the civilian population of Iraq, which has
devastated the society and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths while
strengthening Saddam Hussein -- who was a favored friend and ally of the
US and Britain right through his worst atrocities, including the gassing
of the Kurds, as people of the region also remember well, even if
Westerners prefer to forget the facts.

These sentiments are very widely shared. The Wall Street Journal (Sept.
14) published a survey of opinions of wealthy and privileged Muslims in
the Gulf region (bankers, professionals, businessmen with close links to
the U.S.). They expressed much the same views: resentment of the U.S.
policies of supporting Israeli crimes and blocking the international
consensus on a diplomatic settlement for many years while devastating
Iraqi civilian society, supporting harsh and repressive anti-democratic
regimes throughout the region, and imposing barriers against economic
development by "propping up oppressive regimes." Among the great majority
of people suffering deep poverty and oppression, similar sentiments are
far more bitter, and are the source of the fury and despair that has led
to suicide bombings, as commonly understood by those who are interested in
the facts.

Question: How will we fight and win this war?

Bush: We will direct every resource at our command - every means of
diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law
enforcement, every financial influence and every necessary weapon of war -
to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network.

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated
strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign
unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes
visible on TV and covert operations secret even in success.

Chomsky: The initial response was to call for intensifying the policies
that led to the fury and resentment that provides the background of
support for the terrorist attack, and to pursue more intensively the
agenda of the most hard line elements of the leadership: increased
militarization, domestic regimentation, attack on social programs. That is
all to be expected. Again, terror attacks, and the escalating cycle of
violence they often engender, tend to reinforce the authority and prestige
of the most harsh and repressive elements of a society.

Every sane person should be afraid of the likely reaction -- the one that
has already been announced, the one that probably answers Bin Laden's
prayers.

Even if he (Bin Laden) is killed, it will make little difference. His
voice will be heard on cassettes that are distributed throughout the
Islamic world, and he is likely to be revered as a martyr, inspiring
others. It is worth bearing in mind that one suicide bombing -- a truck
driven into a U.S. military base -- drove the world's major military force
out of Lebanon 20 years ago. The opportunities for such attacks are
endless. And suicide attacks are very hard to prevent.

What's the Big Picture here:

Bush: This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight. This is
the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and
freedom.

We ask every nation to join us.

Chomsky: The horrendous terrorist attacks are something quite new in
world affairs, not in their scale and character, but in the target. For
the US, this is the first time since the War of 1812 that its national
territory has been under attack, even threat. It's colonies have been
attacked, but not the national territory itself. During these years the US
virtually exterminated the indigenous population, conquered half of
Mexico, intervened violently in the surrounding region, conquered Hawaii
and the Philippines (killing hundreds of thousands of Filipinos), and in
the past half century particularly, extended its resort to force
throughout much of the world. The number of victims is colossal. For the
first time, the guns have been directed the other way.

It is correct to say that this is a novel event in world history, not
because of the scale of the atrocity -- regrettably -- but because of the
target. How the West chooses to react is a matter of supreme importance.
If the rich and powerful choose to keep to their traditions of hundreds of
years and resort to extreme violence, they will contribute to the
escalation of a cycle of violence, in a familiar dynamic, with long-term
consequences that could be awesome.

BONUS QUESTION:

From which ideology (Western or Islamic Fundamentalist) does the following
piece of rhetoric originate, and is it valid?

"We have seen their kind before. They're the heirs of all the murderous
ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their
radical visions, by abandoning every value except the will to power, they
follow in the path of fascism, Nazism and totalitarianism. And they will
follow that path all the way to where it ends in history's unmarked grave
of discarded lies. "

Note from Zilla: the author of the above email #068 (he told me he is an Amereican) is attempting to strike a contrast between the words of Noam Chomsky and President Bush...this is an easy thing to do because Chomsky is a liberal, and Bush is a conservative :-) Many readers may not know who Noam Chomsky is, so I will attempt to enlighten you :-) In a nutshell, he is a world reknowned linguist from Pennsylvania and is a professor at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology. He is an outspoken social critic. His political ideology derives directly, as he puts it, from "classical liberalism". I will give you two links that will provide you with more information: A Conversation With Noam Chomsky, and Jerry Brown's Interview With Noam Chomsky (Jerry Brown is a liberal political figure in the USA, and is currently the mayor of Oakland, California)

Second.

In any war the immediate strategy is to secure positions at the enemy's
border with help of neighbouring countries.
America surrounds Afghanistan - Terrorists surround America.

Bet your asses that they are here, in Canada and filing in by the horde
in preparation to unleash holy hell.

Third

Keep a close eye on Premier Cretien. He has no sense of patritism or
unity and has managed to isolate our regions from eachother. We have no
idea what our government is doing to quash these terrorists and there is
no effort to involve Canada's last viable resource - its citizens.

I am scared shitless that I don't see our military and/or police in the
streets with watchfull eyes.- Like we're so loved we could never be
targets.

For whatever it is worth, we ( the citizens ) are with you. I hear it in
the streets and homes and places of work - an attack against one......
Canadian Parlaiment may have their heads so far up their asses that they
can read the serials on their pacemakers but, the people will fight for
peace.

Imagine a world with no war, no starvation, no repression........

World Unite!

(name)
Vancouver BC

THE EAGLE

Lord knows I am peaceful when left alone.
I've always been an eagle, been awhile since
I have flown.

My claws are sharp as ever, so's my eagle
eye. Something's gonna go to ground, when
the eagle flies.

Latley I've heard rumors that the eagle may
be lame. Just because I've been idle don't mean
that I'm tame.

You've jeopardized my freedom, my natural place
to roost. I can fly if I have to, They've turn the
eagle loose.

So lay all your doubts aside, when you go to bed
tonight. My feathers are all ruffled and I'm ready
for a fight.

Just because I took a while to fly don't mean I
don't
care. When you feel the shadow crossing....

The Eagle's In The Air!

Let's Roll!

From Germany with respect
(name)
Note from Zilla: if you click on the link in this email #080 from our German friends, it will open in a new browser window for your convenience. There you will see a small graphic of a ribbon with the words "Stop Terrorism". If you right click on the image, as with any image on the internet, you will be able to save it to your computer if it is something you would want.

Thank you also for this web sight you do a great job!

God bless America....and watch out fuckers we are coming for you!!!

I hope the world show that this sort of terrorism is not accepted and that
we strike with such force that none will try to do it again anywhere in the
known world! I have just found a new favorite song called "let the hammer
fall" with Hammerfall.
The text goes something like:
"There aint no place to hide, this is your point of NO return, now we are
ready to strike again, its getting far to late my friend, LET THE HAMMER
FALL!"

(name)

With regards to the US "imperial" policies: After WWI it was determined that
the security of the US was best served by promoting democracy throughout the
world. In the history of the world, democracy has proven to be the most
benevolent, tolerant, and productive form of government. Many countries owe
their freedoms to the efforts of american "imperial" policy. Ultimately,
each country looks after its own best interest.

With regards to the US support for Israel: It is a democracy in a region of
dictatorships, kingdoms, and religious governments. It is in our interest to
support democracy and the freedom it entails.

With regards to our history of oppression: How many countries in the world
today have no history they could be ashamed of. At least we have grown and
constantly try to improve ourselves. We cannot change our past, we can only
strive to be better.

Those of you who disagree are closed minded and unable to look objectively
at truth.

Can I get a comment on this Zilla?
Note from Zilla: makes sense to me :-)

089
I don't read French and you probably don't either
(assuming it was French) but letter #050 comes through
loud and clear: I respect your great patriotism.
Your courage and patriotism is legendary, and my heart
goes out to the loss of innocent lives...feel free to
correct me if I'm wrong.
An open letter to the writers of letter #062: It
is not our intention to bomb the shit out of a
helpless country, (especially when Britain and the
USSR, have already done so) but to bring down the
terrorist regime responsible for this tragedy.
An open letter to the writer of
letter #066: Check your own history books before you
talk about America forcing their views on other
countries, or being bullies of the world.
An open letter to the people of
Great Britain: I mean no offense or ill will upon
your great Country, or its people. You have and
always will remain our greatest allies. I just felt I
needed to respond the assholes who wrote #'s 062,
and 066, and understand fully that their remarks are
not the general feeling of the people of Great
Britain.
GOD BLESS AMERICA; GOD BLESS
THE UK; GOD BLESS FREEDOM AND ALL OF ITS DEFENDERS;
AND GOD HELP THE TERRORISTS AND THEIR PROTECTORS
REALIZE THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS BEFORE TOO MANY
INNOCENT LIVES ARE LOST. MAY GOD ALSO
BLESS AND PROTECT THE MILLIONS OF INNOCENT, AND
SYMPATHETIC, MUSLIMS AND ARABS OF THE WORLD. I don't
know the destiction between the two since I am
neither. But I realize, unlike many Americans, that
a persons political beliefs, or nation of origin does
not make them evil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Note from Zilla: the word "Islam" is a derivative of the the word "salaam" which means "peace". True Islam is a very peaceful religion. The terrorists have take Islam, twisted it to fit their idea of how things should be, and perverted it into what we saw happen on September 11, 2001. Millions of muslims throughout the world are peaceful, honorable, loving people who abhor what was done to America, to Peace, and to Freedom. .

But anyway, this is not the place to give a history lesson. I just beg
anyone who reads this to this think calmly about what should happen. Anybody
can shoot anyone. The question is : Does it make anything better in the
end???

"An eye for an eye only leaves the world blind."(M. Ghandi)

NOTE FROM ZILLA: In response to this email #092 above. It is not any statement of mine or anyone else's here that will get us into another unholy war, as you said. It may have slipped by you, but on September 11th a bunch of terrorists got us into this war. They will disagree with your term "unholy" war. They consider it a "holy" war. Oh...something else that may not have caught your attention. The President of the United States has already declared war on the terrorists. He also said something that you may not want to hear, but I'll toss the quote to you, and you can run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. He said, "Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EVEN HEROES SUFFER

A TRAGIC ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND, USUAL, IN NO TIME. THE SCENE IS CLEANED UP.
THE INJURED TENDED TO, THE DEAD BURIED. THEN THE AREA LOOKS AS IF NOTHING
HAPPENED.
PERHAPS A LONELY CROSS BY THE ROADSIDE OR SOME FLOWERS MARK THE
SPOT. THERE AFTER ONLY MEMORIES REMAIN.

UNBELIEVABLE, THE TRAGEDY ON SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH. FOR DAYS AND WEEKS THE
SCENE UNCHANGED. THE HEROES SUFFER DAY AFTER DAY, SIFTING THROUGH THE RUBBLE
OF SMOLDERING ASHES. SMOKE DUST, THE SMELL OF BURNING FLESH IN THE AIR
LINGER. HEROES FIGHT FOR BREATH, WIPING TEARS OF SORROW FROM BURNING EYES.
WORKING METHODICALLY WITHOUT PAUSING, THEY ARE THERE.
HOW CAN THEY HOLD UP UNDER THE PRESSURE, KNOWING THERE ARE THOUSANDS YET
WAITING TO BE UNEARTHED. LOVED ONES HOPING FOR THEIR ONE AND ONLY, TO CLAIM
A BODY OR A SHATTERED PART. THE MOURNING UNENDING FOR THOUSANDS.
WHAT ABOUT THE HEROES, WHO'S DAILY CHORES REMAIN SADLY UNCHANGED? HOPE, NOW
DEAD AND BURIED. GOD HELP THOSE ON DAILY DUTY. EASE THEIR DEEP DEPRESSION,
THEIR MINDS TOUCHING ON SHEER MADNESS
EACH DAY, EACH HOUR SINCERE PRAYERS ARE WELCOME...

(name) Council Bluffs, Iowa