Later, hopefully, we will find out who created this disaster, and then figure out a manageble solution.

Going off in a fit of temper to get revenge is not a solution... Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Also, I hope this terrible, monstrous disaster will give us a clue about what is really important for defense in the 21st century. It wasn't caused by a nuclear device, it wasn't chemical warfare, and it didn't cost whoever did it a great deal of money. It seems to me that the time of the big stick is over, and it's now time to try more cooperation and goodwill. A little bit of infomation from someone with a kindly eye toward the US might have prevented some of this, but it doesn't seem that the USA has gone out of its way to make friends in places that might be inclined to want to see the US suffer.

LE
 

Sometimes "smiles" don't work, and the lessons are harsh.
 

In spite of airport security measures, these fanatics have managed to sieze control of domestic airliners, and use them as weapons.

My sincere condolences to the people of the United States, and prayers for the victims' families.
 

These people planned it. They knew that they were going to kill men, women, and children. They wanted to. There is no reasoning with them. Period.

The only right thing to do is to find them and execute them. They forfeited their right to live.

As for the era of the Big Stick, I believe we need it more now than ever. Again, we are not dealing with rational thinking people. There is no reasoning with them. The only thing they understand and repect if force.

I've never known a bully to back down because you are a nice person. All you succeed in doing is egg them on to do more of the same.

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]

what will happen next after we think its all over? it seems to me that that would be a perfect time for another attack of some kind. GOD HELP US ALL. you'd better take a look around and appreciate what you have. It was like something out of a movie seeing that plane crashing into the trade center. those poor people. I'm sorry for having to post this. this is the worst thing I have ever experienced.
 

loosely quoted...
"Today is a day that will live in infamy"
Franklin D. Roosevelt after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Talking is over, it is time to take action.

also my heart and prayers go out to all of the innocent victims and their families.

an angry american.
 

First things first.
We don't even know who did this.

Remember Oklahoma City, and the howls about getting back at the foreign terrorists?

Its time for leadership. Wish we had some I could feel good about.

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: Myra Grozinger ]

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: old paint ]

I can only hope that there is still a GIANT to awaken with this act of cowardice.

NOW is a poignant moment in history when America must display with prejudice that we will not be TREAD UPON.

We must awaken, and remember who we are.

All the soft bellied platitudes in the world will only ENCOURAGE this COWARDLY LOT of lowly BASTARDS.

Keep at it LE--and those who agree. These terrorists ARE COUNTING on your "REASONABLENESS".

Only they call it APATHY.

Wake UP America, and let them know WHY we are the greatest nation on the planet.....

or are we?

Barry
 

And NO, Myra. Niceties, civilities, friendly negotiation and smiles only work in OUR world. NOT in the world of Jihaad.
 

Then we need to positivly identify ALL those involved in the attack, not just the ones who commited the offence but those behind them who gave support and aid. Wether they are domestic or abroad. If this does turn out to be a group abroad, i find it hard to believe they did not have some kind of help.

We must then, and only then take strong and swift action against the remainding people involved. They need to pay for what they have done.

This is a tragady that did not have to happen, we as a people, not just the U.S., but the world need to takes steps to prevent any further action of this sort on any soil. Many countries experience attacks on a daily or weekly basis.

I do not have the answers on how to acomplish this but in my opinion it needs to be a combination of action and diplomecy. Many people in this world, only understand force, many people respond to talk, we as a world need to use the proper tactic for each. A full guns blazing random attack is not the answer, but a targeted responce is in order to those not only involved in this attack but any terrorist atack on any soil.
 

Without accountability we would live, or realisticly die in a lawless society. In raising children if they are not accountable to you for their actions they will sooner or later become accountable to the law. Ultimately they will account to God. Sorry, but that's the order of things.

And yes, we should feel anger, controlable anger. I'll even stick my neck out and state that if I had a family member who perished in today's events I would want to see the responsible parties stoned to death by the survivors. Am I violent? NO! But what happened this morning was the sort of thinking that is not changed. These people were not raised to reason or for that matter to love in any capacity.
 

I went home for an hour and watched CNN, Fox and Sky News.

I don't think we should knock each other for differing opinions today, I understand LE, Myra and Joe's thoughts, and think we should focus on today's victims, all of them rather than talk of slaughter and revenge, I understand your anger and frustration, but as yet we have no idea who is behind this. TV companies, spend hours analysing and speculating to keep us viewing. But as it was after Oklahoma, the blame was put on all sorts of "arab" nations, until Timothy McVeigh name came in the frame...we don't know.

What we do know is that 1000's have suffered in a futile waste of life, all innocent people, starting work or jetting off to LA or wherever or helping to rescue those already suffering....its a nightmare come true.

A disaster for modern society.
 

All morning, as I listened to this horror on the radio, a faint bell clanged far, far back in my head...

When I came home I went online looking for what happened on September 11. On this date in 1970, three airliners were hijacked by PLO terrorists and flown to Jordan, precipitating King Hussein to declare war on the PLO, driving them out of Jordan at the cost of 50,000 lives. It's known throughout the Arab world as Black September.

This isn't a disaster. It's a f***ing anniversary.

The United States is being attacked for its support of Israel. No matter what you think of US foreign policy (and I am NOT going to express an opinion on that!), this is what we are going to have to deal with. Lock and load, boys, it just got rough out there.
 

Barry
 

I also have trouble with the fact that our "friends", the Isrealis, didn't know about this! Their Intellegence people know about EVERYTHING going on in the Middle East! they are the ones to benefit the most from this attrocity, because whoever did this, will soon cease to exist!

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: Si Allen ]

They (the terrorists) not only killed innocent people, they killed democracy. Now it's time to prove to those that have fought for our freedom and for this country that it wasn't done in vain.
Enough smiley face talking diplomacy...it doesn't work. Force is all they understand and force reined on them with all of our capabilities, like the days of Pompeii, is warranted.
They again woke the sleeping giant and now it will be time as Tasmus said, to let them know that we are the greatest, most powerful nation on the planet. Tree hugging, smiley face, hand shaking diplomats need to just sit back and wait until this country is taken back to where it belongs. Sorry to go off so bad but I'm totally ****ed!! God bless us all!
 

Cam's last line really hit me. It did just get rough out there.

I have no connection to the people in NYC or D.C. but we live within 20 minutes drive of 5 big power plants. (they supply power to NY). We've always known if someone wanted to take out the US, our rural area would possibly be a target because of this. I've been checking the skies all day and the power plants are already under lockdown. I'm getting a little more nervous each minute.

And Rob, I totally agree, tea and crumpets will NOT fix this.
 

That's what my new bumper sticker sez!
 

These terrorists have popular support from Arab populations (I'm not talking about governments, but popular support)for the simple fact that no one pays any serious attention to their grievances - and they have a legitimate bitch about what's happening there, whether we admit it or not. Think about it. If the American Revolution were happening today, its leaders would be called "terrorists" and its supporters demonized as opponents of civilization and order. I don't compare Arafat or Bin Laden to Washington and Jefferson - far from it - but ask yourself why this country doesn't dare question a foreign policy that makes us a target for terrorist attacks. And LE, thanks for the correction - I do so hate misquotes!
 

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]

quote:

---

It seems to me that the time of the big stick is over, and it's now time to try more cooperation and goodwill. A little bit of infomation from someone with a kindly eye toward the US might have prevented some of this, but it doesn't seem that the USA has gone out of its way to make friends in places that might be inclined to want to see the US suffer.

---

I'm sorry, but we were there to support the Afgan rebels and find a "managable solution. We were there in Beruit trying to find a "managable solution." We were there in the Sudan trying to find a "managable solution." We were there in Yemen trying to find a "managable solution." We were there in Zimbabwe trying to find a "managable solution.

And what did it get us? Dead Americans who were trying to "do the right thing." We send billions upon billions of our hard earned money all over the world to try and help. All we got to show for it is their disdain and hatred.

I'm sorry, but I think its time we look out for ourselves.

Perhaps if we leave them to themselves, they'll find out that maybe we weren't so bad after all.
 

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: old paint ]

The US is not in the habit of starting a fight. But had darn well be ready to finish it.

These barbaric people commited cold calculated murder. They must be punished. We put the people responsible for the last attack on the WTC in jail. What did it accomplish? Nothing. They simply decided to up the ante. The only thing they understand and respect is force. The only way to stop them is to send them to Allah.

They are terrorists. Mass murderers. Cowards of the highest order. I'm no great white hunter searching to kill something that can't fight back. And, that is not a human being that I want to see laying at my feet - its a murderer who will never kill innocent people again. Yes, that makes me better than them. I am better than them.
 

This was an act of war, committed by people who have nothing to lose and who hate us because we have everything that they want. Making nice and singing peace songs isn't going to work.

We have downsized our military and started to depend entirely on technology for our national security and it's not working. We need people, not machines. This is disgusting and pathetic. What happened to those people today is an abomination. God help us.
 

Kill them all let God sort them out
 

The last thing I am going to do is wait in line at a gas pump. Not only the inflated prices, but we are letting these foreign countries know that we need their oil. We depend on them. We are not going to cut back, we are going to hord as much as we can in a panic. I have already looked at my scedule to see ways I can cut back on my travel. And it wouldn't hurt me to cut back on a little food intake too and I'm not going to run to the bank and withdraw all my money.

We need to all pull together and show the terrorist we can buckle down. We can conserve and go without a few things to show power on all levels, not just on a deadly force level. To see all these people hording gas today just kills me. We have to fight on several levels.

Many activities were cancelled in this area today. Notre Dame and St. Mary's cancelled many events and sports activities. Someone said that was taking things too far. I think it's a good idea for people to stay home tonight and spend time with their families.

A question: What would these foreign countries, (who feel Americans are so spoiled,) think if we all conserved our resources and cracked down on our own wasteful ways? We should prove we have the power within ourselves to be independent and not rely on them for oil or anything.

We need to use the powers of our government, but also our powers as individuals. Do you think they would be raising the gas prices and food prices if we treated this like any other day instead of panic buying?

Maybe I don't know enough about war. But I think we will have a major slow down in many areas.

Thanks for time, and listening on this awful day, I hope to never see another one like it.

Pam, Pam's Signs
 

LE
 

All you find is a global and studied grasp of some of the causes for this horrible hatred.

We must take action. But I would like for us to go off fully cocked. Half cocked is easy.

We need to count and bury our dead. Console the grieving. Clean up. And that takes a little time and nailed intelligence about who did this, really, and with whom and how. Though it was an act of war against us, we don't need to be goaded into one.

I think we're all in shock. And that's justified.
Our true anger has not even really started.
 

God Bless America and the people who were murdered by these cowards.

This is a declaration of WAR
Not only against the U.S. government but all of us.

1000's of innocent Americans died today.
We must retaliate against countries who allow these groups to exist.

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: AZBrad ]

This is a wake-up call, and like most wake-up calls, it's not welcome. We have been sleepwalking through world events for too long, buying the media image of the world without question, letting foreign governments with powerful lobbyists dictate American foreign policy, and until today there have been no real consequences, to our citizens, on our soil.

We can demonize Arabs or Bin Laden or the Ayatollah-Yasser-Khadafi til we're blue in the face, but until we wake up and hold our political leaders accountable for selling foreign policy to the highest bidder, we are going to be hated and reviled in the Muslim world.

Glenn talks about the futility of finding a "managable solution" in the Middle East. Why is it futile? The vaunted "peace process" is a joke, a rigged game, because the deck is stacked in favor of one side. We offer unconditional support - monetary and military - to one side (Israel) and lip service to the other - then we boo-hoo when the violence breaks out, and resort to macho posturing when the fecal matter finds the propeller, like it did today. Again, with a policy so cynical and subjective, is it any wonder we are coming under attack?

I don't think we as a country should hesitate, or show any mercy, to the miserable scumbags who did this. But the time has come for American citizens to demand decency, objectivity, and fairness - the things we pride ourselves on - in our foreign policy. That's the only way we can ever truly set an example to the world, and achieve the peace - and the justice - that we (claim to) hold so dear.
 

[ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: old paint ]

And you know what? It's damm scarey. That this could even happen in the first place, and now, that America may retaliate, and cause something that we will ALL regret later, even those hunting for a head to blame all this on..

My heart goes out to all of those families who were torn apart in this coldhearted murder. And that's what it was, not a disaster, it was cold blooded murder of so many innocent people. Well planned and meticulously calculated cold blooded murder. And I don't deny that someone has to pey the price for that. But not until it has been thought out. Then execute, and make sure that no WAR will come out of it...

What was done was wrong, and the people behind it should be hunted down for their crimes.. but not until after it has been well thought out.
 

Respectfully.....

There will never be peace in the Middle East. Never. It has nothing to do with the US or any other country. Its only an excuse to continue with what has been happening on that tiny piece of real estate for nearly 3000 years.

Yes, the US and Britain have supported Israel. At the same time, the USSR (and now Russia) have supported the Arab states. Its all been a game of a "balance of power."

I doubt many remember the surprise attack on Israel by Egypt back in 1973. Was it unfair for the US to not support Egypt? Or, the terrorist attack on the Israeli Olympic team the year before. Was it unfair for us not to support Arafat? I doubt anyone remembers a terrorist attack on a low level state department building in DC back in 1975. Anyone remember 1983 and Beruit? We had troops there to help maintain peace and order. Who were we being unfair to then?

The US involvement with supporting Israel has been an attempt at achieving fairness however it is defined. But I have to ask..."what defines what is fair?"I don't know what is considered fair. Is it fair that there are 13 (I think thats the right count) Arab countries and only one Israel. Is it unfair to defend an underdog, all the while trying to broker peace between the parties.

The Islamic militant leadership won't be satisfied until Israel is destroyed. Period. They even said so. The fact that we support Israel at all, makes us the enemy of the Arab states. We could give each country the exact amount of support and we would still be the bad guys. What about before 1948. Without an Israel at that time, those same Arab countries were constantly at war with each other.

I agree with LE that we need to keep a clear head. We need to help those in need. That's a given. But we had better find those responsible and obliterate them quickly. Anything less will only encourage more of what happened today. We have got to make the price of terrorism higher than they are willing or can afford to pay.
 

Airport security is easy to get past, the baggage checks make less money than the concessions employees in the airport restaurants, not to mention there is no special training for them. Get a uniform and you can have free reign of the airport terminals and the tarmac.

Plus there's the years of playin "Big Brother" to other nations that may or may not have wanted our help.

Not to mention only 3 weeks ago, Bin Laden ANNOUNCED he was going to launch an attack on the US of catastrophic magnitude. If that's not a wake-up call I dont know what is.

LE's point about the intelligence is very valid.. In an interview with Sen. John McCaine today he described the intelligence methods used - Human Intelligence and Technical Intelligence. He stated the Human Intelligence has been scaled back because it's more expensive and puts the agents at more risk.. The drawback is the Technical Intelligence (Satellites, communications, etc.) cannot see into the mind like the Human Intelligence can so we can't even prepare for something like this.

Every interview on TV today contained the line "I never thought anything like this could ever happen here." Well, why is that so impossible and why are we so inclined to believe that when America itsself has participated in these very same acts on other countries?

I think the whole thing is horrid and the responsible party needs to be dealt with - but maybe we sneak in and get him instead of obliterating half a nation!

I'd like to send bombs and nukes over there too and just get it over with but that doesn't make US any better than THAT slimeball!

Maybe from now on we just stay outta their little squabbles.. let them eventually kill each other off so we dont have to deal with it anymore.

We (Americans) have just grown too used to battles taking place in foreign lands, it's at the point we think we're invincible and we can beat down anyone that tries to pull any crap, but this event is HARD PROOF that we are TOO lax about our security and are still very vulnerable.. Just look how much these 4 plane crashes have affected us.. we're essentially incapacitated.. Is this how a "World Leading" country should be run?
 

I am with you on this. I really do not want to see everyone react out of fear, as opposed to respond with reason. I do not want to see more war, and more war, either.

Maybe, just maybe, this can somehow be resolved, before we are all (if we're lucky to survive) survivors of war torn countries. I'm not happy in a violent setting, and pushing and shoving to get basic needs met would cramp my style.

I am absolutely shocked by all I've witnessed today, and find it hard to believe that we've lost so many innocent people to this horrific catastrophe. I pray, with every fiber of my being that it does not turn into a global boom.

Keep your chin up Katydid, maybe you can have children of your own one day and not have to have this kind of thing over your head...a girl can dream, eh?

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

I can understand the feelings of anger that that most here are embracing, yet, anger is what got us here in the first place. In other words...should we continue to drink from a poisoned well?
 

There is a right way to go about this, and I am confident that we will do the right thing in dealing with this treachery.

That all said, I would like to suggest that the offending parties be dipped in pig fat before being sent to meet their warped perspective of God.

The pig essence will defile them before ALLAH, and there goes the forty virgins at their whim....

I know, I know...that is grim humour at a time like this, but i have to tell you that I can personally say that I have myself been fundamentally changed today.

I spent the entire "work" day on the verge of hysterical, maniacal laughter--and at the same time, tears.

I kept wanting to just WAKE UP and think of how unreal that DREAM was....

We have to realize that we cannot be PC in how we deal with this. We MUST retaliate with VISCIOUS vehemence.

Not for revenge, but for a RECKONING. and FOR JUSTICE.

Sometimes the solution is an open hand.

But sometimes it is a CLOSED FIST.

Barry
 

From my position I see Thousands of military personnel making a mass exodus across the pentagon lawn,each one thinking thier next step would be followed by a nuclear Bomb. This is the Nations Capital.

These were my peers.

Where do our future fears lie?

As a child of the sixties, I remember the nuclear drills cowering under my 2nd grade desk.

I never saw an act of war except on television thousands of miles away. I grew up feeling secure in this land despite a duck and cover drill. Vast blue Oceans on each side. Protected by the best hardware tax money could buy and americans could build.

I no longer feel secure. My 7 year old neice will go to bed tonite knowing a turbine powered inferno could hit her neighborhood or school any minute. Death will be instant and steal lives without detection. She will not hear a siren. Her military will not be at the door to defend. Her security has been lost.

Her fears are here now and forever.
Tonite she repeats "The Lords Prayer" with a quiver in her voice, and bitter tears on her cheeks.

This alone breaks my heart.

[ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: Mikes Mischeif ]

Glenn, you know I respect you. But to bring in the history of the "power politics" of the Cold War is a specious argument, and you know it. The Arab states no longer have a major patron supplying arms and money for the purpose of making mischief for the US. We have had an opportunity to be a real force for change in the region, but cannot do so as long as US foreign policy ignores the genuine aspirations of BOTH sides. Yes, Isreal has a right to exist. What I question is it's "right" to an unending stream of US tax dollars to prop up a socialistic regime that engages in a permanent war against the population of an occupied country. I have a lot more to say about it, and if anyone wants to debate me on it, there's my e-mail - I won't do it here. I'm not a foreign-policy analyst, I'm a sign painter. But I have eyes and a mind to see what's obvious. And now I'm numb with shock, unable to deal with the grief and anger of yesterdays events - but knowing that the causes are not as simple and world is not the good-guy/bad-guy images we see on our TV. If we are ever going to stop this, we need to wake the F*** up and deal with reality.
 

My mother, resident of Germany and a frequent visitor of the US, knows how much I love this country, and that my becoming a citizen of it at age 26 was a serious commitment and that I was proud to be accepted.
No matter what the rest of the civilized West says, my personal freedom here is unequalled in the world, and I remember with all my heart tears rolling down my face when I was sworn in as a citizen. The reason I cried then, I said, was that I knew America will not allow her citizens to be mauled and will come to their rescue no matter what or where. I felt safer as an American.
I still do.
Terrorism, which comes from hatred and creates hatred, was bound to strike here as it has all over the world. We will overcome.

I am fascinated by what Cam discovered about the “anniversary” – I keep listening for someone else to make this ( in all probability ) obvious connection.

I think Old Paint’s last post proves he’s a poet, whether he knows it or not.
 

4 cross-country flights (full tanks of gas)

All 4 flights were the first flights of the day for all of the planes (cleaning crew involved?)

NO GUNS were snuck past security. Apparently, the terrorists used "knife-like" objects and mace! Razor blades were also mentioned.

The terrorists were trained to fly these gigantic planes (no American pilot would fly their plane into the Twin Towers).

These are not HUMANS we are talking about. These are ROBOTS. These fools are going through training and planning KNOWING they are preparing for their suicide mission! Come on! Reason with them? Talk with them? Let our pathetic justice system deal with them?

BULL*&^%! I strongly believe their plan doesn't stop where it did. We need to do something to stop it NOW!

They have correspondence from Bin Laden's people stating that "some" of the targets were hit. SOME! It's obvious this isn't over.

WE NEED TO PUT AN END TO IT....NOW!!!

Just my feelings on the issue.
Randy (a New Yorker close to Albany - one of the next targets)
 

I'm sorry, but I think its time for a new foreign policy.....attack us and we will remove you from the face of this earth permenantly. Anyone protecting these murderers will be held to the same standard and face the same fate.
 

This is all about the presence and dominance of western vs. Islamic ideals. We let our women dress like whores (in their minds), we have drugs, crime and immorality in abundance. They see this as an abomination to Allah. If you do not understand this you do not understand their culture and their reason for living or dying.
 

Believe them or not, it's your God Given right:

Palestine is Israel's rightful home.
After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, the Jews were scattered over the face of the earth. The Nazis, later tried to exterminate them. They could not succeed, nor will anyone. They have been persecuted throughout antiquity by many nations. Our Nation was kind to them, helped them to be reestablished in their homeland. The Arabs will ALWAYS hate Israel. As long as we support Israel, they will hate us. Even if we turn our backs on Israel, the Jews will never be wiped out and Palestine will ALWAYS be their home, and heritage. Correct me if I'm wrong but, wasn't every annexation of more land and subsequent occupation by Israel, a direct result of attack from their surrounding enemies? It would be to our great advantage to continue to support Israel. But, if we don't, our Nation will cease to be the most blessed, most powerful on earth. God might even allow us to be invaded.

Ge:12:3: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

IF those Muslim extremists, fundamentalists, fanatics, whatever you want to call them (IF this is who is responsible) believed that they would open their eyes in a paradise filled with ecstasy and pleasure, they were abruptly surprised. They have been deceived. They are in Hell at this moment and rightfully so.

We don't need to turn our backs on Israel now. We need to pray for them, the Middle East as a whole, the families of our dead, and maimed. If we humble ourselves and pray, we WILL come through this.

Remember:

"for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" Isaac Newton

"what goes around, comes around"

Ga:6:7: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Proverb:11:21: Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Proverb:24:17: Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

Proverb:17:5: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Ro:12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

2Ch:7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

[ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]

I am willing to recognize many atrocities committed by the USA, and I'm no historian but somehow I don't think they are even close to "these very same acts"

[ September 12, 2001: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]

The US has been very fortunate up until now for the most part. But I think its fair to say that this is probably the biggest act of terrorism ever anywhere in the world.

And for anyone interested, there is an AP report out now that the Taleban has put Bin Laden under house arrest.
 

Airwise.com reports...
There are reports Afghanistan is prepared to discuss the extradition of Osama bin Laden.
According to the AFP newswire, the Taliban authorities have said they will consider requests for the extradition based on any evidence supplied.
 

This kind of US flag waving doesn't go on long before someone is the recipient of a made in the USA bomb or two. If you had plans to visit Afghanistan anytime in the near future I would put them on hold.
 

1. "I never thought it could happen here." - What, just because we're Americans that means we're better than everyone else and cannot be attacked from abroad? That's a pretty Thick-Headed attitude and it's the VERY perception many people in other countries have of the US people.

Then you quote me, and add your own response: ..."Well, why is that so impossible and why are we so inclined to believe that when America itsself has participated in these very same acts on other countries?"
I am willing to recognize many atrocities committed by the USA, and I'm no historian but somehow I don't think they are even close to "these very same acts"

This is a matter of perception. Sure, the US has never launched a terrorist attack on another nation, but the US participates in other acts that those people view as much worse than terrorism. These acts may not even be related to Military, it's as simple as them watching American TV that gets broadcast into space and watching our women walk around like whores (that's THEIR perception of our lifestyle!) Not to mention the US meddling in their affairs all the time, which to them is a disgrace to their people, essentially telling them they don't know how to handle their own problems.

Bin Laden once asked the Russians for help in a battle.
Once that battle was taken care of, Bin Laden turned his troops against the Russians to kick them out.

He just wants a fight.. I think he got one.
 

[ September 13, 2001: Message edited by: AdrienneMorgan ]