An open letter to a terrorist:

Well, you hit the World Trade Center, but you missed America. You hit the Pentagon, but you missed America. You used helpless American bodies, to take out other American bodies, but like a poor marksman, you STILL missed America.

Why? Because of something you guys will never understand. America isn’t about a building or two, not about financial centers, not about military centers, America isn’t about a place, America isn’t even about a bunch of bodies. America is about an IDEA. An idea, that you can go someplace where you can earn as much as you can figure out how to, live for the most part, like you envisioned living, and pursue Happiness. (No guarantees that you’ll reach it, but you can sure try!)

Go ahead and whine your terrorist whine, and chant your terrorist litany: “If you can not see my point, then feel my pain.” This concept is alien to Americans. We live in a country where we don’t have to see your point. But you’re free to have one. We don’t have to listen to your speech. But you’re free to say one. Don’t know where you got the strange idea that everyone has to agree with you. We don’t agree with each other in this country, almost as a matter of pride. We’re a collection of guys that don’t agree, called States. We united our individual states to protect ourselves from tyranny in the world. Another idea, we made up on the spot. You CAN make it up as you go, when it’s your country.

If you’re free enough.

Yeah, we’re fat, sloppy, easy-going goofs most of the time. That’s an unfortunate image to project to the world, but it comes of feeling free and easy about the world you live in. It’s unfortunate too, because people start to forget that when you attack Americans, they tend to fight like a cornered badger. The first we knew of the War of 1812, was when England burned Washington D.C. to the ground. Didn’t turn out like England thought it was going to, and it’s not going to turn out like you think, either. Sorry, but you’re not the first bully on our shores, just the most recent.

No Marquis of Queensbury rules for Americans, either. We were the FIRST and so far, only country in the world to use nuclear weapons in anger. Horrific idea, nowadays? News for you bucko, it was back then too, but we used it anyway. Only had two of them in the whole world and we used ‘em both. Grandpa Jones worked on the Manhattan Project. Told me once, that right up until they threw the switch, the physicists were still arguing over whether the Uranium alone would fission, or whether it would start a fissioning chain reaction that would eat everything. But they threw the switch anyway, because we had a War to win. Does that tell you something about American Resolve?

So who just declared War on us? It would be nice to point to some real estate, like the good old days. Unfortunately, we’re probably at war with random camps, in far-flung places. Who think they’re safe. Just like the Barbary Pirates did, IIRC. Better start sleeping with one eye open.

There’s a spirit that tends to take over people who come to this country, looking for opportunity, looking for liberty, looking for freedom. Even if they misuse it. The Marielistas that Castro emptied
out of his prisons, were overjoyed to find out how much freedom there was. First thing they did when they hit our shores, was run out and buy guns. The ones that didn’t end up dead, ended up in prisons. It was a big PITA then (especially in south Florida), but you’re only the newest PITA, not the first.

You guys seem to be incapable of understanding that we don’t live in America, America lives in US! American Spirit is what it’s called. And killing a few thousand of us, or a few million of us, won’t change it. Most of the time, it’s a pretty happy-go-lucky kind of Spirit. Until we’re crossed in a cowardly manner, then it becomes an entirely different kind of Spirit.

Wait until you see what we do with that Spirit, this time.

If you can't see the difference, then to you there is none, so why try to explain it?

[ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: CJ Allan ]

Because , in my opinion , there is no difference . Our country was attacked and we must respond .

[ September 15, 2001: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]

The difference (or should I say "not knowing the difference") could mean the difference between life and death.

Let's not confuse murder with justice.

Justice and retribution are very much Christian based principles. I don't believe we are being
'self-righteous' (i.e., playing God) by pursuing a course for justice when our loved ones have been brutally murdered.

If a cold, calculating, self righteous (who cares!) killer stole into your home at night and quietly left your 3 children dead, would you still be asking "what is the difference?"

Both would kill, for what they believe in
Both would kill innocent people for what they believe in.. don't kid yourself, if this attack is going to be on a country, or even against just the terrorist camps, there are going to be innocents there, whether women, or children, or men...
Both believe that the other is wrong in what they have done to their country
Both believe that what they are doing, in "retaliation" of the wrongs against their country is "the right thing to do"

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: CJ Allan ]

I'm sorry, but by attacking both LE, and Steve for his views, I think that is very bad form. Take a look at yourself, and look at what you have said to both...

It seems to me that only those with the loudest voice or the "most comfortable" opinion are agreed with.

The rest are considered to be "radical" and are told to "shut their mouths". Unfortunately, Lazy Edna happens to be both a female and a person who is well read. Many men find themselves feeling inadequate when dealing with a strong intelligent woman. It is their loss!

Lazy Edna has been chastised for her opinions many times in the past..(not because of her opinions but because she is a woman and probably souldn't have opinions I guess) she is still strong enough to continue expressing her opinions and I, for one, applaude her.

It is about time that folks start waking up and realising that debating a woman is just as much of a challenge as debating a man.

P.S. I don't debate Edna because she can beat me every time! She has more free time to research things than I do!

In conclusion Katie, you could do no better than try to emulate Edna's tenacity for knowledge and her ability to convey her thoughts in a well worded statement without any malice included!

Katie,
I am going to send you a e-mail

No correct that I will send you a private message.

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Debbie Delzell ]

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time.
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death
Out out brief candle
Life is but a walking shadow
A poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more
It is a tale, told by an idiot
Full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.

He really understands what it means to be human.

Had a speech last week for english... Had to choose a character to be... I chose the witches: only decent characters in the play... anyway....

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: CJ Allan ]

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: pierre ]

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: pierre ]

I am not old enough to have been in any war, but if the time ever came, I would want to look to my left and see Pierre and I would want to look to my right and see Si. I would prefer LE to stay in her comfy home while we fight for her to keep it.

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: CJ Allan ]

First of all, I did not seek to "instruct" anyone.. If you saw it that way, then fine, I couldn't give a damn.

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You have NO idea of the intensity or depth of hatred those of us who have served in the armed forces harbour for thugs and terrorists. Not many on this board HAVE served in wartime. It's a horror you can't begin to imagine. Had YOU, miss Katie, witnessed in person, the women and men jumping to their deaths to avoid the scorching fires of the WTC, the cries fo the firemen and police officers as those buildings collapsed, you wouldn't be so glib with your comments.

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And unless you were there, looking up at the towers, as people jumped out, as firemen sifted through the rubble, then hey, you can't exactly comment on that either. I know as much as the media tells me, just like you. I may not have been in a war, or have known a time when there was war. But guess what: I don't want war. Were any of your family injured in that act of terrorism? Or anyone that you know? Then I am sorry for you, and for them. But because you are angry, does not mean that you have to take that anger out on those who disagree with you.

If you are saying there, and you DID:

quote:

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Pay close attention to these events, Katie. Pray that neither you, your family or children EVER have to live through an honest to GOd war.

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Even children can post opinions. Grundy may feel "you're wise beyond your years", but I, for one, do not. You have the same rights as anyone to post an opinion, but when a child, who has not yet paid her dues, takes it upon herself to "instruct" adults, it's time to consider sitting back, keeping quiet and LEARN from the foibles and errors of adults.

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You have said that I haven't paid my dues to this site. Maybe not. I can't afford it, and so I remain as a visitor. But I can turn that comment around also, neither has CJ. And he does have an income. Maybe no. It is his choice not to pay his dues either.. lets not turn this into a fight over THAT issue also. Sorry for trying to stop the conflict. If you want to go to a different bullitin board, go ahead. You are missing out, by leaving, over smalll dispute in the heat of the time. As for sitting back and learning from the adults mistakes, Well... I was doing that. Until I decided to lift my voice to make a comment. And then got blasted down for that too.

CJ, Edna has every right to say what she did.. just as you do. The difference, is that she did not beat you over the head for what you have said, but instead wrote back a logical question, stemming from your original post. I thought over many times, whether I should reply to this thread at all, because I knew beforehand that I would be hated by a few, or by many, for what I had written.

No-body wishes you to leave, CJ, nor you, Pierre. The reality of it is, though, that this is a discussion board, and as soon as someone says that you disagree with, you have came back, and directly dispute their views, and put them down for what they believe. Sorry for not wanting that to happen.

I choose not to take offence at what you have said. Because I can understand where you are coming from. I know that this is, for you, a horror that this has happened, and a wish to get your revenge on these people.

Go ahead, reply to this as you wish. Or don't. If you can hold up an argument against this reasoning, be my guest, because I would love to hear your input on it. Yes, even children have their right to their views. Even one who is trying to find out more about the profession she is going to go into. Even those who would like, perhaps to get to know the people here, and "sitting back, keeping quiet and LEARN from the foibles and errors of adults." As I have been doing since 1999.

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Kookaburra ]

This is clearly not a time for our nations leaders to sit on the fence unsure of what course of action should be taken. I, on the other hand, am probably not alone when I admit that this wake up call has brought to my attention that I need a good history lesson (thanks Cam) and some enlightenment on foriegn policy, & I don't have the luxury of being 100% sure of how I stand on all the implications of this multi-faceted issue.

Go Girl, Katie!

Amen, Katie!

Ditto.

Hear, hear.

==============================
You're great. You're spunky. You're not easily intimidated.
So you're young.
Wish I were (bet I'm not alone, just think how they would all go enlist if they were; frontline and center)

I suspect Pierre meant paying your dues as a human being to society, not the dues of this board. (I could be wrong)
And he was referring to your youth in this comment, and you did not yet earn the right to lecture your elders, betters and more experienced warriors.

I don't know if you lectured or not, but it beats some of the namecalling and what gets dumped on LE's head in the meanest of spirits.

You stay just like you are!
You'll be a helluva woman soon. I am writing this in admiration of your courage.

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Myra Grozinger ]

The only thing I have to say is that you may have misinterpreted Pierre's comment about "paying dues". I believe he was refering to "life experiences" rather than "paying dues" to be a "resident" on this website.

You have as much right to state your opinion on this BulletinBoard as Pierre or anyone else, as far as I am concerned. In fact, I believe you have been posting a lot longer than many of the ones that are currently "doing their thing".

I can understand the anger and frustration that all Americans feel. I live only about 2 hrs from the border and if there are retaliatory measures against anthing the USA does then I could be victim to those measures too.

quote:

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I suspect Pierre meant paying your dues as a g a human being to society, not the dues of this board. (I could be wrong) And he was referring to your youth in this comment, and you did not yet earn the right to lecture your elders, betters and more experienced warriors.

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I did not lecture. I "voiced my opinion" on the subject at hand. And as for paying my dues as a person in society, how would Pierre know? You do not know me, nor any of my history, nor what I have done in society, or in my community.Next year, I will be moving out of home, to go to Brisbane to persue a career of my choice, one that I know more about because I have more knowledge now, then I did way back when, because I joined this bb.

I was simply pointing out a few facts, as I saw them. If people disagree with them, that's fine. I don't mind. And CJ and Pierre have as much right to their opinions as I do.. or perhaps more, because they are older?

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Kookaburra ]

Oh, and in rebuttle against the comment from cj about people seeming to "want him to leave", oh what a happy little villiage, I'd just like to quote something you said earlier, CJ,

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LE's favorite move is to go from post to post on this Board, and spout off a bunch of useless crap, for the sole purpose of running her mouth,
listening to her head rattle and starting sh*t.........She say's absolutly nothing!!

LE, why don't you shut up, and quit creating more crap...?????? Or at the very least, go take another "Vocabulary" course. Only this time take a
dictionary, and learn how to use it.....!!

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Again, not lecturing, just pointing out.

[ September 16, 2001: Message edited by: Kookaburra ]

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: CJ Allan ]