Our ONLY next step
 

After thinking about what happened at the wtc, I had to ask myself is war our only recourse. Is it the best recourse? Consider this: in our country, a person is innocent until proven guilty.
Does our government know who's responsible for the tradgedy? If so, why haven't they told us? What proof do they have?

Personally, I do not agree with going to war. I don't think that anymore innocent lives need to be sacrificed so that this country can prove how big and bad we are to the rest of the world.

George W. Bush is using this whole situation to his advantage. He is playing off of the fears and emotions of the people to help himself. If we go to war, that man will get his second term in office, what he really wants. Never has there been a change in power during a time of armed conflict and there never will be.

Also, how many times has this country committed its own acts of terrorism against other countries in the name of a cause that it holds dear, democracy? What's the difference between the US bombing a country under a dictatorship and terrorists attacking us. Innocent blood was needlessly shed on both sides. American blood is not better than that of any other nationality. Seems to me like America doesn't want to take what it's dishing out.

Original Ape,
I don't know what step we should take next. But as a strong world super power, we have to do something. War is inevitable, because all the noise that Bush is talking he has to back it up and for him THAT is WAR. No, we don't have proof of who did this horrific tragedy as a people, but I'm pretty sure that Mr. President knows something. And all that innocent until proven guilty stuff, well that's only in the movies. :( God Please Help Us All!!!!

Re: Our ONLY next step
 

I've been wondering the same thing. We have to have some sort of retaliation ~ I think that's indisputable ~ because if we don't, then we will send a message that when this happens, America is all talk.

As far as the demands that we have made, I've been thinking about them, seriously. If, and God forbid, if an American did this, or was suspected of doing this to another country, what protocol would we follow? Would we just hand over one of our millionares? If there is mounting evidence against an American, who tries him, America, the UN, or the country in which the crime was committed?

The only thing that I can do because I'm not familiar with the law as it pertains to international crimes is have faith that our President and his staff do. Therefore, if Afghanistan does not hand over bin Laden, unfortunately, yes war may be the best answer. I'm willing to bet that the US has given them some evidence ~ remember, they can't tell us everything~ if not, then why did the Taliban take away all of bin Laden's communication devices? To punish him? No, because he's shooting himself in the foot and endangering their country by using them. I think the Taliban knows he's guilty, but because he's done so much for them they are stalling. Even if they tell him to leave, to me that's just aiding him to escape. A message has to be sent in case he does flee that any country that harbors him will suffer repercussions.

In reference to telling us more about the evidence against bin Laden, personally, I think especially with war being a possiblity, the media is covering entirely too much already. Some of the things that are being shown, like soldiers in training, info about bombers, etc. is entirely TMI. We are not the only ones who watch TV.

I agree TickledPINK
 

I was just thinking the same things!

1) What happens if/when the US gets custody of bin Laden? Is he assasinated? put on trial? by whom? where?

2) Why is so much information (or is it DISinformation?) being given out in the press?

3) What about the hundreds of detainess who 'may' be associated with the attacks, esp if they are foreign nationals? are they tried here? deported?

So many questions and so many possible courses of action!

Bin Laden will not be captured and we may never know when he's killed. There is little doubt however that he will be killed and rightfully so. This war is going to go on for a long time so as Americans we need to be prepared. The detainee's if they can be linked to Bin laden and the attacks will be put on trial for at the very least conspiracy to commit murder.

the RIGHT ones
 

I'm still waiting on the most convincing evidence that the ones they say are responsible are actually responsible. I don't think we should fire upon any group/country/ persons until we have that kind of evidence; otherwise, we would be doing what was done to us-killing innocent people.

I think someone already posted this, but the evidence may never be revealed to the American public because that would put people's lives at risk. Or it could reveal information about how we collect information this could make it harder for us to gain information. I know it can be hard to believe the government especially after the historical wrongs committed against us in particular. However, even if bin laden didn't have anything to do with this(highly unlikely). He has been connected to the killing of americans and africans in the bombing of the US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya and the bombing of the USS Cole. Why do you think the Sudan kicked him out?

Also, if I'm not mistaken, CNN (I love my CNN.com) stated that Condoleeza Rice was saying that they were preparing a report concerning the evidence. However, she also stated that they would not turn over the information that the Taliban was requesting because it could jeopardize the investigation. :confused:

Now, bin Laden is missing... but yet he supposedly sends a fax. Whateva

We have plenty of evidence against Bin Laden.
 

The US should have had assasins after Bin Laden long time ago...
I've seen his little videos actually confessing to bombing the USS Cole, and the Us African Embassy. He will not stop and if the US continues to let him run free he will think that he can get away with everthing and try something even more daring.


You must see that his whole agenda is to kill us and set up his twisted Islamic way of life here in the west the way he sees it. He even had the nerve to post a Islamic religious edict (When he has no right to do so) for his bretheren to kill every American they see. This is serious business people. We may not like the concept of war but I compare it to a bully who backs off of you when you show him that your not taking his mess anymore and get him good on the lip :) compared to what the US has been doing in letting him slide. There should be no delay. The people of Israel warned the US in 95 that they would try this mess again ansd they were right. Jesus said that war is an human institution and we must bear it unfourtunately... there is no way around it :( A man that evil must die.

Additionally, I'm concerned about the possibility of repercussion from terrorists still living in the U.S. After airplanes, what's next? Football stadiums? Theaters?

Our killing Bin Laden doesn't appear to be a final solution. I'm sure there are several willing to fill his shoes. And an all out war may not be the answer. After all, there's little over there to destroy, and most of the extremists find honor in death

Oh, but did you see the coverage on the crop dusting manuals that they found? :mad: So, those nutcases were possibly planning to spray chemical warfare via crop dusters. Even if they didn't spray it over a city, would dropping it on our food supply still harm people? This is like something straight out of a nightmare. Plus, call me anal, but I'm stocking up on my bottled water. :(

From Lycos.com:



Attorney General Urges Public to Be on Alert

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General John Ashcroft said on Tuesday suspects potentially linked to Sept. 11 attacks on the United States obtained licenses to transport hazardous materials, and he urged the public to be on alert.

"Today I can report to you that our investigation has uncovered several individuals, including individuals who may have links to the hijackers, who fraudulently have obtained or attempted to obtain hazardous material transportation licenses," Ashcroft told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Given the current threat environment, the FBI has advised all law enforcement agencies to remain alert to these threats." Ashcroft said...

Although, the U.S. government lifted a two-day ban on flights by crop-duster planes on Tuesday -- imposed because of concerns the aircraft could be used in chemical or biological weapons attacks -- Ashcroft said the nation must not let its guard down on this or other fronts.

"And I urge Americans to notify immediately the FBI of any suspicious circumstances that may come to your attention regarding hazardous materials, crop-dusting aircraft or any possible terrorist threat," he said.

A senior U.S. Justice Department official told reporters about 20 individuals have been charged or arrested in the past two weeks with fraudulently obtaining a commercial license to haul hazardous materials...

assumption
 

There is no clear evidence. If there were, it would be known throughout the world by now.

maybe you're right
 

I agree with you, dirty. I think there is a much more effective approach to solving this "terrorist" thing. I think we need to show the world we are a true leader by first finding the real perpetrators, from peon to planners; and deal with them in the most just way. Then, we need to revisit our foreign policy. If we are exploiting ANY country, we need to stop, and find a way to repair the damage we've caused.

We need to address the Palestinian Question once and for all. I say every country of the world send a representative to the U.N. and comprise a world jury. Have each side present their argument, and let the jury decide. The decision of the jury would be binding forever, and enforced by a world-wide military. If that doesn't work, we give each side equal weapons and let them fight their own war-with no nuclear hardware and no other country involved. A genuine attempt to solve this problem would demonstrate leadership, and create allies for America that we never thought existed.

"Terrorism" would not be a problem for us again.

I do agree that this country needs to do something to stop the growth of terrorism but first we must execute the leader of these organizations. Then we must find a way to prevent terrorist from being created. Your right about palestine (sp?). The US foreign policy in regards to the natives in Israel is attrocious and is the main reason why many in the muslim community dislike the US. That being said the whole world recognizes that Bin Laden is a terrorist and just because we haven't seen the proof doesn't mean it is not there. What are we suppose to do compromise the lives of US spies or informants just to satisfy people who want proof. I think that would be foolish.

execute the leaders?
 

1906

If we execute the leaders, what would that make us? We educated Saddam and Bin Laden; and gave both all of the tools needed to do what WE wanted them to do. After they did our bidding, we cast them aside and paint them as terrorists. The game our leaders play with world figures is eventually gonna backfire on us. That is why I think we should change our foreign policy to a more humane, civil approach to getting what we want.

Never ending problem........
 

Everyone thinks that the US just regulates the rest of the world by itself and does what it pleases when the mood strikes them. This is not the case. When the US decides to participate in any type of activity-whether good or bad- with another country it's because the leaders ask for help. A majority of the leaders of foreign countries are at a common ground/on good terms with the US. It's the regimes within the country that may not agree with their own leaders/government and decide to do their own governing and military regulating. This clash and chaos within their own country makes the leaders ask the US to do something-cause we have the power to do so. The dissenters don't like that and therefore don't like the US. So what happens? We help and get blamed. We don't help and still get blamed. We can't win either way we go.

We are executing those extremists who have only two things on their mind- hatred and death for those that they believe oppose them. If these people went on about their business without getting the US involved, things would be a-o-k. It hard enough for the US to focus on it's own problems, let alone the problems of other countries. However, people make us part of their problem, so when we get threatened we must act. Even if that means taking out those that set out to do us harm. It's one thing to retaliate, but a whole different story to just live ones life to kill Americans.

The media doesn't cover EVERYTHING...
 

I saw this video with Bin Laden on it confessing to this in 95 and the media did not cover it. Don't be so sure that the media is giving it to you straight. We were too wrapped up in our own problems to see that Bin Laden's crew posed THIS BIG of a threat to our national security. We were sleeping basically. He and his people will not stop until they are dead themselves :( They believe this is a heavenly calling. I see things getting worse before they get better.

That would make us the executioners of justice for all those thousands of lives that were snuffed out just because they went to work or decided to take a trip on Sept. 11. Yes we funded Bin Laden and Saddaam to execute our own foreign policy aims. ONe against the Soviets (Bin Laden) and two against Iran (Sadaam). While I may disagree with american foreign policy on many issue in that region funding Bin laden years ago to fight the soviets is not one of them. We didn't cast either one of them aside; they both decided to cast themselves aside. Sadaam with his ill fated invasion of Kuwait and Bin Laden with his declaration of war on the US. Some of you may or may not know this but the US sent more money to Afghanistan for humanitarian relief this past year than any other country and now the Taliban won't give over a known terrorist. Now that's a misguided foreign policy by the Taliban.

Yes I am Aware...
 

This same money that the us sent to Afganistan has backfired. Now they are using our military weapons and they even helped them build caves for the government officials in case of war. These caves are where Bin Laden hides and thrives. Iran Contra etc. No one knows where these weapons have ended up... until now :(

Terrorism will persist indefinitely as long as we ignore or appear arrogant or insensitive to Palestine. Hunting and killing extremists will not suffice; more lie in waiting. Just check today's news:

The Iranian President backed out the US coalition today and responded directly to Bush's statement last week: "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." Ali Khamenei responded, "It is not that anyone who is with you is against terrorism and those who are against you are for it. We are neither with you nor against the terrorists. They (U.S.) expect the entire world to help them because their interests demand it. Do you ever care about others interests? These are the characteristics that make America so hated in the world."

Now I'm not justifying Sept 11, but I think what occured should not be dismissed as one-time actions by a couple of rogue outlaws. These people are exploiting our vulnerability to make their case and are prepared to continue until recognized. Bombs will not solve this problem.

Another alarming thing I heard today, is that the FBI is on alert for suicidal terrorists willing to carry contagious diseases and simply congregate in populated areas. A delayed response or lack of vaccine would mean death in the thousands!