Old Guy, there is nothing to be afraid of. Anyone calling themselves "terrorists" are not going to seek you out. But what you really might consider being afraid of is the fear that you have been made to believe is real. FDR said it which we all know. "There is nothing to fear but fear itself".

I see Al Quaeda in the same light as any other group of organized criminals who use religion and politics as a pretext for their odious behavior. In the same way that we deal with organized crime in this country or others, they should be held accountable.

The questions are still out on 9/11. It's frustrating because we really don't know quite why it happened. A lot of assumptions have been made but they reflect political bias rather than objective analysis. I have a question as to who knew what and when. The 9/11 Report raises those questions. The Bush Administration has tried to define the "enemy" for us but has been unconvincing for those who disagree with his Iraq policy. I really believe we don't understand who really hit us. Why were most of the hi-jackers from Saudi Arabia?

I believe that we can elect to be afraid of criminals, gangsters and extremists who employ violence or we can take a positive pro-active way to deal with the problem. The first question that I believe has to be asked is why they are the way they are and what environment produces this kind of fanatic. We need not only to look to nations such as Iran, Syria, but also to North Korea, Pakistan, and yes, Israel. We have to examine what is being taught in Madrasas around the world and how that is being shaped as criticism of American values. We also have to redefine American values. Do we need a Holy Crusade by a dicatator in the White House or do we need to examine our basic principles of fairness, equality, civil rights, compassion for those less fortunate, civil liberties and democratic values which we prize, and the kind of altruism that makes us a moral country?

Frank