i kind of agree, and i too think that it is sad that we have used 9\11 as an excuse to fight Sadaam. but, i also think that removing Sadaam was important. however, if we wre going to take out Sadaam, then shouldn't we also blow up all the other dictators who are considering neuclear weapons? One question: Why haven't we attacked N.Korea? It's not that I hate N.Korea but jsut follow me here... We don't even know that they have neuclear weapons, but we do know that the chance of them developing them would be severly lessended if America wasn't so agressive towards every dictator we don't like. And we say that we "know" that Iraq had "Weapons of Mass Destruction". Okay... Anyway, well written piece, it got the point across clearly with good examples. Great spark for conversation (*Cough*argument*cough*). And I agree, fear, anger, hate. But, fear and anger are natural responses, and they're healthy... for a while. But by the time it progresses to hate and TERRORIZING Muslim citizens, it's rediculous and VERY bad and unhealthy for us. Okay, there's my two cents. Sorry. Great writing.
~LK

Interesting piece. Definatley interesting. I do agree with you to a certain extent. Yes, I agree Bush is just using the terrorist excuse to attack Sudam (I still have yet to hear if they found any weapons of mass destruction). And yes, people are acting really crazy and stupid just because of one little act. People shouldn't be attacked and lashed out at just becasue of their religion. And of course, people shouldn't have fear or anger or hate. Too bad that's just the way things are. People like that are too hard to change. But hopefully someone will come along and read this and change their mind. Good work on this!

Savin

A very wise story. And a mind-opener. I've said it before and I say it again, you have a very spescial gift. Keep writing like this, though...well, all work and no play makes a dull boy!

I get you’re point about how our government has gone over board with homeland security and am completely appalled by how Bush is using 9/11 as an excuse to start a war with Iraq. I find that insulting to the people who died that day. But I would really like to know where you live, because it’s obviously not New York. I don’t live in New York but I live with in a day’s drive of the city I have a lot of family there and I think you essay was a little insensitive. The only natural reaction to being hurt is anger, and do you have any idea the kind of fear and panic the people near where I live went through? Worrying themselves sick about their friends and relatives in the city, and I can’t imagine what the people of New York went through. For you to criticize us for being afraid and angry I find insensitive. We (North Eastern US) were all hurt by this, how can we not be angry and afraid? Of course people should control this and not let it control them or the terrorists win. What offends me is how the Bush administration has manipulated this and used it in the most perverted ways possible. We need a leader who care’s for us and understands what we are going through – this is where Gulian’s fame came from, not someone is going to use our vulnerability to their own ends.

You raise an interesting point with this article. I would be interested in seeing your idea expanded upon with the newer government concepts of "Homeland Security..." I've read many parallels between our current state of the union and the red scare in the 1950's--if you know your history anyway. At any rate, good work!

Hmmm... very interesting. You might think about expanding on this idea.

It's really sad how everyone is afraid and predjudice of Musliums now because of a certain group of people who went to the extreme. They're just people who love the country like that rest of us.

P h O e N i X

Hmm...I can't say I agree with you. The point about the Florida medical students wasn't very well-put--how could anyone who loved America joke about 9/11? It's just like if you're at an airport, you don't say "I have a bomb" even in jest. If anything, they should have been arrested for stupidity. What if they had been conspiring with those who seek to destroy us? Would taking the men into custody and questioning them extensively been unmerited in that case? I don't think so.

In order to understand the situation in the US right now, you have to understand Islam. Islam is not, and never has been, "a religion of peace." It is a religion of fear, of anger, and of hate--a religion of extreme suppresion of civil liberties. A Muslim living in the United States has so much more freedom than in any Muslim country in the world. Why do the terrorists hate us? Because we have so much freedom. In the Muslim coutries, men and women have little or no say in government or their own choice of religion.

I am in no way saying that the war on terrorism is a war on Islam. But that is exactly what the Muslims think. Days after 9/11 their newspapers proclaimed, "America versus Islam!" Religion and war are inseparable. This is a new kind of enemy.

I am also not saying that all Muslims are fanatical evildoers. Any unmerited attack on Muslim civilians in the US is wrong. Muslims who are American citizens should enjoy the same freedoms as non-Muslims.

This war is not just a ploy to increase defense department spending, as you claim. Why would we spend more money on the Department of Defense if we didn't need it?

We in America have become so lazy and complacent about war. We're too caught up in our lives of comfort to see the storm on the horizon. Totally unlike the WWII generation, when asked to make sacrifices, we cling to our luxuries, blind to the possibility of nuclear holocaust with Saddam Hussein's buildup of weapons of mass destruction. Will it take total destruction of America for our country to understand this?

The situation in the world is so complicated, it deserves a more thorough look than what you've put forth here.

{sniff}
so true....
GOD BLESS THE USA!
~Morodiel~

this is wonderful I love it