War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.
The decayed and degraded state of moral and Patriotic
feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth fighting
for, is much worse. A man who has nothing for which
he is willing to fight for; nothing he cares about
more than his own personal safety; is a miserable
creature who has no chance of being Free, unless made
and kept so by the exertions of better men than
himself.

Unknown author

Plaque on barracks wall
B Co. 1/38 Infantry Division
"The Rock of the Marne"
FT. Benning GA.

I feel that we as human beings around the world, not just the polititians, should examine this problem "terrorists" and be prepared to come up with some viable solutions that would snuff out its roots. You can kill a human being, but you cannot kill the human spirit. The spirit of terrorism against the US is rooted in many parts of the world, but right now in the middle east it is in epic porportions. We need to be heard as as voice of a secular and free society , but we need to listen also to those who do not have these options. I can't help but feel maybe if we listened closer we might not be facing these threats today.

Uh, huh. Okay, let's move someone like you back in time to WWII. What would be your excuses for poor Mr. Hitler?

The defense of, or making excuses for deep evil does not wash in my book, or in that of most Americans. Terrorists are evil and must be eradicated. There is NO excuse for committing mass murder, Natalie. And when someone commits an atrocity so hideous as that of 9/11, then yes, they MUST pay for it. Retaliation is not only necessity, but also a duty.

So...what excuses would you have made for Hitler. Tell me how misunderstood he was. And what "remedy" would there have been be for Hitler other than retaliation. Then, tell me how misunderstood Bin Laden is...tell me how this miulti-millionaire is not driven by evil and hatred just like Hitler was. Tell me how he is not a terrible danger to civilization that must be destroyed.

I am sending you another email because I did not address something important that is conveyed in your statement, anger.

Here is I quote I live by and I am a Canadian and this quote was said by a famous American Women:

"Anger" is one letter short of the word "Danger"

This was said by Eleanor Roosevelt.

I feel that their is a danger when you let your anger lead you. Please think about this one.

The other fact I would like to mention is that I recently took a workshop in Conflict Resolution. One important thing that I learnt when I took this course, and I would like to share it, is that there is a difference between a problem and a confilict. I stated in my previous email that, terrorism is a problem, well I would like to retract that and say that it is a conflict. The difference between the two is that their is emmotional involvement in a conflict, and no emmotional involvement in a problem. A conflict is what arises when problems go unchecked. You want to solve your problems before they turn into a conflict, because things heat up at this point. Conflicts can also be healthy, they clear the air.

I watched the President of Iran speak on CNN. He confirmed that on Fridays in schools children say "death to America". When questioned about this, he stated that Americans have said things to damage the image of Iran, and that America has admitted to making mistakes but has never apoligized. You can see here how a problem has turned into a conflict. I cannot side with the Iranian President with his handling of their conflict with America, even though he seemed to be a well spoken and intelligent man, but unfortunately this is how people sometime handle their conflicts. It would be better if he tried to solve the conflict be purposing solutions, but he didn't, and it would be better if the American's could try handling their conflicts with solutions also. It would be more appropriate to see people and countries trying to resolve their problems before they turn into conflicts by brainstorming for the best solutions.

Again please be careful that your anger does not lead you into more danger rather than removing the danger that threatens your Country and the world.

I suppose that if some serial killer were to come in and viciously wipe out your immediate family, you would start preaching how your other relatives should not feel anger about it, and they should not retaliate. Rather, they should try to undertand the killer's motives and try to relate to the reasons he has become a demonic monster.

Of course, many of them would probably hate you for it and tell you to go take a flying leap off a cliff, but at least you would feel better, eh?

Terrorists killed thousands of Americans on our soil, and you bet we are angry. 90% of us are angry. No...I take that back...we are extremely mad.

Eleanor Roosevelt's husband led a strong military retaliation against the Japanese after they bombed Pearl Harbor. Eleanor supported him 100% in his actions just as all Americans did. At that time, someone like you would have been consedered treasonous. What Bin Laden did to us was worse. I suggest you get your head out of your ass, wake up, come down off your little cloud, and join the REAL world.

Iran is a state that supports terrorism. There is no love lost between Iran and the USA. I have friends who are Iranian who escaped the brutal regime there and now live in the USA. The current regime in Iran is not as bad as the former regime in Afghanistan, but believe me when I tell you this: the day that the current regime in Iran is removed, there will be rejoicing in the streets of Tehran that will make the recent rejoicing in the streets of Kabul look miniscule by comparison. You are speaking in support of tyrants who bring misery to their people. Again, Hitler would have loved someone like you. People like you are easy to take advantage of. There was someone similar to you that Hitler really liked. Grab your history book, if you have one, and read about a British man named Neville Chamberlain. You would have liked him.

I totally agree when reasoning cannot be achieved and ones life is at threat self defense is the only solution, and if death is the only solution so be it. Are you saying if you kill every last terrorist that will end the problem? How will you know who is one and who isnt' they already have proven to be invisble and capable. Are you going to live your life always looking over your shoulder. You are not fighting a leader with a country. You are fighting a human spirit. I am not justifiing this act of terror, I just want it to end not continue and I am sure you do. Revenge is some cases can be useful and act as deterrent no doubt Pearl Harbor proved that, but when you are fighting invisible people with unkown alliances and unknown whereabouts, this could back fire in this situation. The other thing that is known is these people are not afraid to die for their causes. That makes the situation almost impossible to deter.

Hitler was not a terrorist, he was a dictator out of control. He wanted the world in his pocket he was driven by his need for absolute power at any price. There was only one way to stop him, he could not be reasoned with, but he could be found and what he did could be seen.

I believe the terrorist if they want to can do alot more damage than we have seen and are prepared to. They are holding your country as hostage. They are demanding their causes be addressed. They have been for years. Unfortunately they do not know how to politically assemble or have a political voice. I am all for supporting the US and any free thinking society. I am just concerned because of the different nature of this attack. It is like no other attack we have seen in history, that you cannot deny, and to treat it is as we have in previous wars might not win this war but could also possibly set it in a tailspin, and winning is what it is all about. Your political leaders are already saying that they cannot smile at any dictator who looks their way anymore because they now see the danger of this. Do you know that 55% of the middle east are of the age of 18 and have no hope of democracy under their current rulers. In light of this is it wise for the US to make good friends with China? You tell me I can only wonder.

I applaud your dedication to your country and the love you have for it and applaud all Americans with their loyalty. I want you to win just as badly as you do otherwise I would not be writing you. I a can also understand your anger. I am just saying be careful with it.

As for the Talibans you cannot reason with unreasonable people they deserve everything they have coming to them and more, but I am not sure if the Talibans were responsible for the 9/11 act so that is another matter altogether.

One thing that I am confused about if the US wants to rid of terrorist and Countries that support it. How come Pakistan gets away with harboring it? Some of the angry mobs that have been seen on TV that hate Americans seem to find a save haven in Pakistan. I don't get this one. Pakistan says it is a small percentage, well it only took a dozen people to undermine the whole American system.

One word on Bin Laden, I can only wonder what drives an educated multi millionaire, who could live the life of luxury, a brilliant surgeon, and a police, (these so far have been identified by the US as the top three) to ban together and become driven by war. I am not passing any judgement here, I am stating the facts. What scares me here is that these are not desparate parasites like the taliban looking for money, that I can accept more readily. What scares me is that these sort of people would rather give up their comforts and dedicate themselves to war. Can you see how easy it must be for people with nothing to take up their war, and I have a feeling there are alot of people with nothing. There is 230 million people in the United States there are billions of people in the middle east.

One other thing are you prepare to live a life fighting terrorist like England and Ireland? Again you won't be taking on a Country like you did in world war II, you will be fighting a human spirit. Muslims vs. Christians like Protestans against Catholics. Do you think I am that far off. If I am please tell me, because I am just one of so many trying to make sense of all this chaos, saddness, and turmoil.

My mother taught me one thing , who lived through some hard times in WWII, the world can never have enough good diplomatics.

Yes, Neville Chamberlain tried diplomacy with the face of evil, too. Your history book will show you where that got him.

Hitler wanted to put the aryan race above all and either destroy or enslave those who did not believe as he did.
Bin Laden wants to put his perverted form of Islam above all and either destroy or enslave those who do not believe as he did.
Both were a cancer to humanity. There is only one way to eradicate cancer. You destroy it by whatever means available.

You are about to discover that Americans are not like you. We will do what it takes to destroy the terrorists and to protect our country. Whatever it takes. We will. Remember how we got the Japanese to surrender in WWII.

You don't seem to understand the situation from the USA's point of view. Here it is: This is war. It is past the time for diplomacy. You do not negotiate with terrorists. Period. Well, maybe you do, but we are not going to. If we have to eradicate terrorists in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria...wherever...then that is what we will do. President Bush is not President Clinton. As Bush said, this is a war of a different kind, and it will take many years to win it. But we will win it. You watch and learn.

I can see where you are coming from, and maybe because I have not had the full impact as you have felt, maybe I cannot not truly feel your feelings. I am sure if I was standing in your shoes I would feel the anger you have. I do have a brother who lives in West Palm Beach, and ya he is pissed, real pissed. But I will say I am concerned, real concerned, so concerned that I watch the news before I go to work in the morning, when I get home and when I go to bed. I watch no other TV but the news on the war. The only thing I want is for this war to end one day and for terrorist to stop. I do not want to see any innocent suffer and I do not want to see any more harm come your way. If avenging, revenging and attacking will do the job, then all the power to you and I am with you all the way, but if they are other ways to stop it then we must also be open to it. If avenging, revenging, and attacking aggrivates an already bad situation then we must have our eyes open to that also. What ever it takes to win. As your political leaders have said there is no precise solution or answer to this attack.

I thank you for taking the time and conern to write to me. I do appreciate reading your comments and think that your forum for speech on this topic is very healthy. Alot of people need to talk about this and it is sometimes difficult to talk about this person to person, without the conversation becoming heated.

Well, Natalie, like I said, you watch and learn. There are times when Americans do what needs to be done. This is one of them. We are going to do what we need to do...first, we are liberating the unfortunate people of Afghanistan from the oppressive Taliban. They are already thanking us for it, although the liberation is not complete yet. Next will be Pakistan. And Iraq. Saddam Hussein is going to be taken down. You watch.

I can understand the world's concern and trepidation about all of this. But, I think the world has had enough of terrorism. Or, let me put it this way: the USA has had enough of terrorism, and we are going to put a stop to it. The rest of the world? Well, it is simple. To quote our President: Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.

I am certain you are with us. So, sit back and get ready for the ride...it could get bumpy.

What am I thankful for? Well for people like Zilla, my Father, my
Brother-In-Laws, my Friends, my Niece
and Co-workers, who would be willing to lay their life on the line to
protect my Country so that I could live
the life that I live. Thankful for not living in fear that I may be killed
or imprisoned for speaking out on what I
feel and say on whatever subject I wish. Thankful that I can practice any
or all religions that I have a belief in.
Thankful that I can own a gun for protection of my family who I love dearly,
tho I dont own one, I have a
baseball bat, Iam a sadistic son-of-a-bitch who would like nothing better to
HURT anyone who threatened
my family. Thankful for being able to elect whom-ever I felt that I believe
that would be the best political
leader I see fit, tho it doesnt always workout that way, I can deal with it.
Thankful for the county that I
live in, were not the only country, lord knows we dont always do whats right
and sometimes I dont understand
why we do the things we do, but its still one of the best counties to live
in.

These are the things that Iam thankful for on this Thanksgiving and everyday
of the year.

Now can you say the same for yourself? I think alot of us can, some more
and some less. But what about
the billions of men, women and children who cannt. Most civilized countries
can be thankful for these rights
everyday and never think twice about them, untill we see what kind of lives
people live in other far away
countries and what they live through everyday, only then do we sit up and
see how good we have it.

The people of Afghanistan Iam sure are just the same as you and I. They
want to eat, sleep, provide for
their families and enjoy life. But under the government rule of the
Taliban, they dont seem to be do much
of this. And as long as the Taliban harbor and support a terrorist group as
the Al Qaeda , we (the civilized
counties of the world) will be forced to use force. Once Afghanistan is
liberated and some form of a new
non-oppressing, anti-terrorist government is in place....maybe, just maybe,
the Afghan people will be thnakful
for the same things we are.

God Bless FREEDOM

EZ, Florida USA

Thanks for initiating what has come to be a diverse forum on current events.
I'd like to add my two cents worth.
First of all, most Canadians support the U.S. efforts against terrorism,
despite our politician's waffling on the subject. Canadians feel very close
to Americans, as was demonstrated by 20,000 Canadians travelling to New York
City last weekend for a rally of support.
Secondly, my thoughts are often with the people of Afghanistan. In the
1970s, 40% of the doctors in that country were women. Look how far a nation
can decline in 20 years of war. The Taliban were not a government, in that
they didn't govern in the way that people in stable countries take for
granted: they didn't repair roads and sewers, they did nothing to promote
the economy or educate the children. And the Northern Alliance didn't do any
better when they were in control. They aren't the good guys either. When
we're through bombing a country that was already reduced to the stone age,
it is our moral duty as citizens of the world to help Afghans get back on
their feet and have a government that is interested in promoting the welfare
of the Afghan people. All they want is to eat, have a place to live, spend
time with family and friends, and work for a living. Like people everywhere
else. And let 40% of the doctors go back to work (how stupid can a bunch of
thugs be to prevent DOCTORS from working!)

Peace (except when we must defend ourselves),
A Canadian Woman,
Happy to be free to work and ogle porn.

I have travelled to America from Australia four times now and believe
Americans to be generally fine people who want to just be able to live their
lives in peace - much the same as we Aussies. Irregardless of the rights and
wrongs of American foriegn policy, what happened on 9/11 can never be
justified for any cause.

Out of this terror i hope the free world becomes a more friendly place where
we care for each other and protect the freedoms we take for granted in
wealthy countries such as ours. By the same standard I hope the west finds a
way to help the innocent and peace loving citizens of these rogue countries
(I'm sure they are not all lunatics) improve their lives so that they do not
hate us so much.

As an fellow adult webmaster I know so well that it is our free countries
that allow us to employ ourselves on the net like this, and that is a
freedom i'll never allow to be taken without a struggle.

All the best
(name)

265
Tonight marks the 6 month anniversary of Sept 11th. Over the last 6 months
I have had to see the devastation on a daily basis, and hear about it
endlessly in one form or another on TV, in newspapers, etc. Now before I
start my rant, I just want to say that when it happened, and for a long time
after, I was horrified, petrified, and angry. But I was heartened to see the
way many people behaved in the wake of Sept 11th, and more than happy with
our government's response and actions to date. There have been plenty of
things written in this regard. Mine will be a little different.

Now, I would like to talk a bit about some of the things that some people
may not be aware of, or just don't talk about. For starts, the area around
ground zero has been a zoo ever since they started letting people back into
the area. People are down there, even to this day, gawking from afar at what
is basically a big hole now. If you weren't familiar with what it looked
like before the tragedy, it's pretty hard to figure out how bad it really
was. But still, you will hear people gasp "can you believe the devastation?"
and tell their friends "you really can't imagine until you've be been there"
as if by visiting they were now part of some select fraternity. Please. Even
worse are the rescue workers who use their "privelege" to escort their
buddies, celebrities, or cute girls for a closer look. Just tonight I
watched this guy check with the guard at the church where they are still
dishing out relief meals and give the high sign to two girls waiting to get
in for a thrill.

Turn back the clock to the week after Sept 11th. We heard so many stories
of volunteers working tirelessly around the clock digging through rubble,
working their fingers to the bone, and doing interviews on TV. Well, I will
tell you that although it was admirable for the people who were required to
be there, there was a long line of willing, able, and rested people who were
dying to get in there and help but were turned away. I know because I was
one of them. I wasn't looking for glory, and neither were a lot of other
people who were turned away.

So I tried to help other ways. I went down to the Javitts Center to help
organize the tons of donated equipment and supplies. There was a lot of
disorganization, which is understandable since the process itself was
disorganized. We did what we could to get things organized. The thing that
struck me was yet again, people were there to be "a part of the action". I
kid you not that there were people there who literally looked like they
stepped out of the club and definitely were not there to work. As we were
moving boxes of donated goods into the fenced off compound, we actually had
to walk around groups of people hanging out, having a laugh, and eating and
drinking the donated food and drinks. Oh yes, I would have to say that
easily 10% of the stuff that was collected so diligently by schools and
churches was consumed by people with no desire to help anyone.

Lastly, I just want to relate my personal connection with the lower, lower
Manhattan area. I used to have an apartment across from Battery Park. A
beautiful building in the midst of what used to be a desolate area come
nightfall. One of the things I used to really enjoy was to go out walking at
night alone throughout the lower Manhattan area. If you had seen what it was
like you might have called it insane, because the streets were pretty much
deserted, and there was a fair share of shady characters walking around. But
it was so peaceful, especially after a stressful day at work, and it was
especially nice very late at night. I didn't feel threatened though, and
though it may sound strange I think one of the things that would put me at
ease is that I could always see the towers, seemingly standing guard over
the entire area like giant sentries. If I was in the Village, or Chinatown,
or even Midtown, if I felt like walking home I could just look up and they
would help me find the way. When I visited my family in Jersey, they were
there almost to point out, hey, this way home.

There are obviously much worse things that were taken away. But this is
just one more thing that was taken away from me.

Thanks for listening.