A long discussion going in many directions--let me be brief and --hopefully--succint:

The Friedman article--which I had read --is really right on.

The Israeli/Palestinian isssue was never mentioned by the Bin Laden crowd till now---so -- a red herring Their beef was us and the Saudis.

As to the U>S>. Let us remember a few thiings---Marshall Plan, Truman Doctrine,etc; We learned to rebuild our enemies because of the mistakes after WW 1 which set Germany on its horrible course leading to WW 2.

As to the Palestinians. Let us remember 1948 and the attack by the Arab nations and their promising those who left Israel(Palestinians) safe return when it was over. Well, you know what happened---Israel survived and the Arabs would not integrate their brethren---rather they ended up in camps. The Israelis had asked them to remain, but they chose to listen to their "saviours".

The bottom line to all this is that we try our best---and, yes, protect our interests. Why not? Tough to deal with people who have an agenda totally alien to the 21st century. Interestingly enough these same "terrorist" (I use the word purposely), have great wealth and are using the poor and starving as cannon fodder to kill even more innocents. The reason---as it has been throughout history---power and as Dylan said---God on Our Side. They decide who and what god is.

Damn---sure wish Ishmael had turned left and Abel had turned right. The oil would have ended up with us.

Bill H