Weep for the future

[amr]

I'm terrified at what may happen in reponse to these terrorist acts. What is the most appropriate action for the US and other countries to take? Too soft a stance invites future attacks. Too strong may initiate WWIII.

I extend my sympathies to all the people who have died or are injured and their families. I weep for all those who will be sent into battle and the inevitable civillian casualties.

[~wildangel~]

I don't know either but it scares me to death. Stock up on bottled water and flashlights and batterys just in case, I heard, this is just what I heard from my friend, but Bin Laden threatened to poison our water and cause us blackouts too. I'm scared too because the terrorists got on flight at the LAX which is LA and I have a feeling that's going to be their next target and GOD I hope not. I hope the US is doing everything in their power to stop this and I hope they blow there whole **** country off the map. With our missile and fighter jets I think we should be able to handle this!
That also brings in the fear of my friends and family members that are already on call going out! My dad in law whom I love dearly already got a call, he's on call, it's just scary...it also seriously pisses everyone off that the Pakistani are parading and happy about what happened...it's sickening, almost evil!

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[Serendipity]

In terms of response, the most appropriate action to take is first to identify the culprit. Osama bin Laden seems to be the prime suspect, he enjoys the protection of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Taliban distanced themselves from the attack yesterday. Bush has said he will make no distinction between the perpetrators of the attacks and those that harbour them.

If there is proven Islamic fundamentalist involvemment, then this event will probably deepen divisions in the Middle East, states that are friendly with the US such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman facing those definitely anti-US such as Iraq. The only beneficiaries that I can forsee will be the arms manufacturers.

It's not WWIII yet, Amr, and it should never be: the US's duty is to punish those responsible for these crimes, not to take it out on all her enemies.

[ogb]

In any case it wouldn't be bad to kill Bin Laden. Rumors say that the Taliban want to negotiate with the US about delivering him to them. They know that otherwise they'll soon have bombs over their country and Afghanistan probably can't stand a war in the air. Other rumours say that international terror organisations were involved as well and now expect a war not only against Afghanistan, but also against Ghaddafi and Hussein (the biggest mistake in the Gulf War was to stop it before killing him).
On the one hand I don't want civilian population to be involved, but on the other hand we all know that the whole Islamic nations are as crazy as their leaders. I really don't see an appropriate solution.

[Ash]

I highly doubt that this will ever start WWIII. There are too many countries backing the US on this. It would be the world against the culprit. No contest...

WWIII? I doubt it. Maybe a few middle eastern nations will band together against the US, but that might be it. Anyone remember what happened to [then] #4 military power in the world, Iraq, during the Persian Gulf War? Iraqis lost 100,000+ troops it is estimated, and the US I believe lost 250ish people, most from malfunctions in their own weapons and friendly fire and such. So I definately think Afganistan is seriously doubting their backing of Bin Laden officially, but I feel that the regime will continue to finance such terrorists until action is taken against them.

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[ogb]

As long as there are blind fundamentalists there will always be such terrorist actions. You don't only have to watch Afghanistan etc, you can also see it by the ETA in Spain or simply the Catholics/Protestants in Northern Ireland. I hope that a US military action won't lead to a larger extent of terrorism, e.g. Germany is preparing high security measures in case of an air strike because they fear revenge actions.

[aclu14]

One of the TV networks got a perfect shot of the 2nd plane going into the WTC building. It was so scary, just watching the replay. The plane was flying on its side and then it crashed.
I couldn't sleep at all last night, either. I kept seeing planes crashing everywhere, I woke up at 4:45, and then I got so paranoid I couldn't fall asleep again. And then we still had to go to school today(I live in central Jersey). I hope that everyone is safe, and everyone should pray for the victims and thier families.
God Bless America

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[Idnew]

That new video of the plane by CNN was really scary as you can see the delebrate veering to hit the tower. I don't think this will bring WWIII as we have too many countries backing us on this, but someone will surly pay for this act. The really sad part was when I saw a list of the victims and on one flight....I think the 4th there was a husband and wife and their 2 yr old daughter and the same flight there was a mother and her 4 yr old daughter. Just makes me sick that there are such sickos out there.

[ogb]

There were a lot scaring videos, e.g. the several ones that showed the plane crash, the people jumping out of some hundred meters, and especially the video by the doctor who came to help after the first crash.
Don't know if you are interested or if you already know, but here are some statements of German politicians:

Chancellor Schröder: September 11th, 2001 will always be a black day for humankind. Still today we can't believe that such an attack on all the values of our world could happen... The attacks were a declaration of war to the whole civilised world. These kinds of terrorist violence question the elements of any civilisation. That's why the attacks are directed to us all.

Opposition leader Merz: These horrible attacks didn't only strike our American friends, they hit us all. It was an attack on civilisation, freedom and society... We all know where we belong. We all wouldn't be here in the German Parliament if the Americans hadn't helped us fifty years ago. Nobody in the whole world has more reasons to show solidarity than Germany.

Liberal party leader Gerhardt: We all are convinced that the human beings who want to live in freedom, who respect another, who show tolerance and try to solve the problems peacefully, will win. Otherwise we cannot live confidentially.

One readers opinion in a newspaper:
...responsible are not only the attackers and the ones who planned these mass slaughter. Responsible are also the ones who teach the hatred to the Christian America. Responsible are also the ones in our country who teach us understanding the ones who hate our western world and therefore offer them protection in the name of democracy and tolerance. We finally have to talk about borders of understanding and tolerance.

[amr]

My thinking about WWIII was this: If bin Ladin is responsible for these attacks (and it looks likely), then the purpose was to punish the US for supporting Isreal. No one in the Middle East likes Isreal and may see this as a chance to move against it--which would guarantee multi-national involvment. Or worse, now that the the US is crippled as far as economy and air travel, other anti-American factions will take the opportunity to make their move.

My greatest fear is that nuclear weapons will start to fly. Ever since the Soviet Union broke apart nuclear weapons have been available on the black markets for terrorist organizations to buy cheaply.

[Serendipity]

NATO has invoked Article 5, which means that NATO does not regard this as simply an attack on the US, but on all NATO countries (justly: civilians of many nationalities were killed in the WTC, including apparently several hundred British). This is the first time this Article has been invoked, and it could be for the very good reason that if America acts unilaterally, then America alone will be the target of reprisals. All democratic leaders have demonstated solidarity, America does not stand alone. With a coordinated NATO effort, the response will (should) be proportionate and legitimate.

Don't worry too much about escalation to nuclear weapons. Osama Bin Laden is rich, but not that powerful. It took years to plan the WTC/Pentagon attack, but the attack was achieved with low-cost, low-tech weapons - knives and so on - and US civilian planes. Why spend money on nuclear weapons?

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[ogb]

I also don't see the danger of nuclear weapons, but there still is the danger of further attacks. In the last year a kind of German FBI caught a group of four bin Laden terrorists who had plans to attack some aims in Strasbourg, and before there were some caught who planned to attack the subway in Paris. Bin Laden probably has a net of 50.000 people worldwide who are organised by him, but don't even know another. It's time to get him, but I don't see good chances in the mountains of Afghanistan.

[aclu14]

I say, drop an H-bomb on the Middle East. God may have mercy on bin laden(he doesn't deserve capital letters)'s sins, but America won't.

[Idnew]

I don't know about where ya'll live but here there are flags everywhere, even on the cars. This is so horrible and we just thought the Oklahoma bombing was bad. Hang him high whoever they are and those they just arrested fry them. Sorry for those of you who don't believe in that, but that's what I hope happens to them and not 10 years from now either.

[Serendipity]

Originally posted by aclu14:
I say, drop an H-bomb on the Middle East. God may have mercy on bin laden(he doesn't deserve capital letters)'s sins, but America won't.

Aclu, your anger and outrage is just and understood, but dropping an H-bomb won't solve anything, it won't even necessarily kill the perpetrators, but it sure as hell would kill a lot of innocent people - which is what has just happened in the US. America has many good friends in the Middle East who will help solve this crisis.

Anger is often blind. Justice sees only too clearly. So let's be guided by the will for justice to be done, despite the vast lesson in humility that requires. Everyone's in pain, I'm wiping away tears as I write this, but let's do the right thing, not simply the easiest thing.

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[ogb]

I agree with Dippy. Enough innocent people have died, it doesn't help anyone if more are killed. The ones being responsible have to be caught or killed in action.

[paulgro]

They'll be caught......

[~wildangel~]

I don't think this should be a debate. People have no right telling other people how to feel in this kind of situation and just because Aclu feels that way does not put him in the same catagory as terrorists.
Everyone right now is sad, angry, or whatever and they have every right to want to drop an H-bomb on that entire country.

Wether it's right to do or not is another story and up to the president to decide if he can use his brain and I'm hoping he is!

I would feel their were innocent people in that country if they werent parading around passing candy out to there children because they killed 10,000 innocent people!

Sorry just stating my opinion. I don't however think the American Arabs and Muslims have any part in what is going on and should not be harassed, I think they are scared enough, they have even taken the rags off there heads over here and shaved there beards!

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[amr]

Originally posted by aclu14:
I say, drop an H-bomb on the Middle East. God may have mercy on bin laden(he doesn't deserve capital letters)'s sins, but America won't.

This is what I'm afraid of. Right now we have the support of the world. If we start dropping bombs and killing indiscrimminatly, we will find out how fair-weather our allies are.

I want those responsible punished as harshly as the rest of you, but it must be done carefully.

[ogb]

Well, maybe I'll be off for four weeks now to work for the German Parliament in Berlin. I have no clue how my work will look like, so I don't know if I have the possibility to use the Internet. I hope that there won't be any further of this incidents in the next time. My working place is about 300 meters away from the US-embessady in a highly secured area these days. Hopefully everything will be alright and I'll be back in a few weeks. Take care.

[Serendipity]

Good luck with your work, Ogb, and please do come back when you can http://www.dumblaws.com/ubb/smile.gif

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[aclu14]

Sorry. That was for purpose of angry ranting. But, mark my words, Afghanistan isn't gonna be on the map much longer.

He, he, he. For the love of ranting on, I'M A FEMALE!

[Serendipity]

I know you're female, Aclu! http://www.dumblaws.com/ubb/cool.gif

I hope Afghanistan can continue with its long and colourful history. I have very little time for the Taliban, and I would shed few tears if this episode of Afghan history ended. But not by annihilation, please. There are children there who are innocent, why should they pay for others' sins? Punish the guilty, but protect the innocent. The terrorists could do what they did by dehumanizing Americans, ceasing to regard them as human beings. My experiences of war have ensured that I can never have this ability, and I will oppose it wherever I see it.

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[~wildangel~]

I knew that too Aclu just wanted to make sure you knew http://www.dumblaws.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.dumblaws.com/ubb/tongue.gif

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