At the moment, President George W. Bush's voter approval rating is very high. Americans are rallying behind their president in the time of difficulty. The American Congress is completely united.
The leaders of the nations of the world almost unanimously condemn the events of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center, New York City. This is the moment of decision.

We are all in pain, some are in fear, others are in confusion. How shall we proceed? What is needed is clear vision.

Right now, whatever America decides to do will determine the fate of countless people worldwide. Their futures may well be in our hands. Whether in trust or in fear, most are watching America to see what we will do. All eyes are on us now.

We must demonstrate justice. Revenge has already been demonstrated on our soil. The world will recognize true justice as opposed to revenge.

This is America's chance to do more than talk about a better life. We must lead as an example of a better life.

Do the times create the leaders, or do the leaders create the times?

Would we have felt the same way about GB43 if this act of terrorism hadn't happened? Would the mayor of New York still be seen only as a cancer victim who cheated on his wife if his city hadn't been devistated by an act of war? Clearly these leaders didn't cause this catastrophe to happen, but would Americans be united right now without their leadership?

I hope war isn't imminent, because the citizens of Afghanistan are not the enemies. Some of their self-appointed leaders definitely could be. I hope we don't let the passion of the moment control our actions. Check this out and please read carefully:
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/af.html

I hope to GOD that after this event has faded into memory we don't go back to the way we were before the event. I feel really proud to be an American, and I'm proud of the heros that have emerged from this devistation. May God have mercy on us all.

I think the important thing to remember is that wars tend not to be started by people, but by politicians. George W might not be the best politician in the world, but this is a chance for him to develop as a statesman.

I must admit, his early comments on the tragedy were very statesmanlike and he showed a human side, but over the last few days his comment seem to be more jingoistic.

I hope that any action is taken only after consideration of all the consequences, and not just those affecting the USA.

We need to keep in mind that this is a religious war(Christians v. Muslims) in which innocent people have been dying for 2000 years.

An archbishop in the UK said recently that Christianity is dead in the UK.

Bearing this in mind, a red cross on white background will no longer be relevant for the next Crusade.

So when we march on the Holy Lands in the continuation of this unending war, our battle banner will be the Nike Swoosh.

We won't offer the infidel the choice of baptism or death, instead let them choose to eat a big mac and have the sign of the swoosh marked on their foreheads with starbucks coffee.

Stew

Yikes, StewartP that's a bizarre image but probably not far off the mark.

I rode by one of those monster Expedition SUV's yesterday and I was reminded how obscenely self indulgent this country has become. No wonder we're a target.

I only hope with all this flag waiving that people remember that liberty was once the meaning of that symbol. I'm afraid many liberties will suffer as this country clamps down in terror. I suspect the flag is more like a sports banner these days - I'm not sure people remember past sacrifices.

I would suggest facing terrorism by trying to live each day with courage - this might be the best way to honor those lost. I'd say bicyclists as a group tend to be a little guttsier than your average bear...

Oh, forgot.. Stew, I've boycotted Nike products ever since they used "Revolution" (Lennon tune) as a marketing tool. Thought it was particulary bad form after Johns murder. Never regretted it.

I hate to ruin your version of history mwmw, but the Muslim religion hasn't been around for 2000 years.

Neither, for that matter, has the Christian religion.

Prior to that they were fighting over different religions

Like everyone else, I too am searching for a better understanding of last weeks events. However, I believe that it is not a religious issue. Those who profess that it is (I primarily mean politicians and media) do so to avoid taking a long, hard look at the real issues involved. It is the quick and easy answer to blame it on religious differences.

I personally believe that the problem is deeply rooted in U.S. Foreign Policy. Over the past 30 years we have managed to create some enemies within the world that they have grown to dislike our government, culture and way of life so much that they planned and executed the events we all watched with horror last Tuesday. In general, we will take the side of the non-Muslim nations whenever there is a dispute between them and their neighbors (Palastine vs. Israel, India vs. Pakistan), unless of course oil is involved. We also have tried to "plant" future political leaders within places like Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq by funding their revolutions and providing them with CIA training. When they then come to power we put them on the most wanted list.

What gave me hope by the end of last week was to see how these actions truly galvanized the world community against terrorism. All of the Arab, European and Asian countries condemned the attacks, and signed on to find those who were involved. For the first time we truly see that terrorism is independent of nation or religion, and must be put to an end. Now I only hope that the leaders in our world community will arrive at a solution which will show that we will not tolerate such acts again.

some really good, thoughtful essays on this issue over at www.commondreams.org .

one quote that stood out in my mind:

"If terror is an instrument of the weak, escalation is the mistake of power".
-Georges Sorel(?)

I suspect the terrorists who planned this act thought far enough in advance to grasp the political pressures that would be brought to bear on President Bush and the American Congress to respond in a way which would not appear "weak."

Our strength does not lie in our military power, but in our ability to rally the world around this vision: a vision of a world without lawless terrorism. But this vision depends on leading by example, not sheer power.

A wise man said, "...a man who rules his own spirit is stronger than a man who rules a city." I would add, "...a man who influences leaders to agreee, and act, with him, is stronger than a man who rules nations."

Not only that but we have only been a country for 200 years. This is the war of globalization v. Islamic fundamentalism.

They don't hate us for being a Christian country. They hate our way of life, our commercialism, our freedom of expression. They hate bikinis and naked women. They hate alcohol and drugs. They hate, exploitation and corruption. They claim we embody those things and have declared war against us for it.

I heard an interview yesterday where someone was saying there are many people in Afganistan so desperately short of food they subsist (barely) off grass and animal feed. Ouch. That could foster some intercultural friction. What a mess.