I assume I'm one of the idiots Bill D refers to in his post. The intention of my post was certainly not to point fingers and stir up highly debatable points, or hate and critize, but as to a response to earlier postings denying US culpability in civilian deaths. I admit I have a tendency to go into detail, but this is sometimes necessary when debunking common mythologies. (Read 'Killing Hope', by William Blume for detailed information on dozens of US military interventions since WW2).

I agree with Bill that minds and efforts should be directed towards solving problems and easing pain and suffering. Part of this process includes understanding why these people would commit such an atrocity. These terrorist felt they had serious grievances, real or imagined, that justified their actions. Unless we can either come to terms with these grievances or convince these people that they are baseless, then we will surely see more events like yesterdays.

I'll restate. NOTHING justifies the WTC attacks, but if we are to understand and ultimately prevent anything like this from ever happening again, we'd better be ready to look long and hard at how the rest of the world (and especially the Arab world) sees us. If we don't, things could get a lot, and I mean a LOT worse.