I am stunned by "The Events"--we have spent hours on the phone, and on the Internet, trying to locate friends and family in both DC and NYC--no losses yet, but some very close calls. I am not sure when the shock will wear off, and the pain will begin but, I know it will come. While I am still standing, there are some things that I must say---perhaps it is a vanity that my ideas are worth started a separate thread, but then, aren't we all vain enough to believe that, even in the face of such sweeping enormity, our petty thoughts are important?

First, and most important, we, as Americans, are in great danger and have been for a long time. Bin Laden declared that it is a sacred duty for his followers to kill Americans. He has been successful on an ever expanding scale. We respond to each incident by expressing grief, rage, dropping a few bombs, and then dropping the whole issue and going back to work---It will keep getting worse until we deal him head on, with all of our committment, and all of our resources--

Second, we have got to accept, for better or worse, that, as leading economic, military, and political power in the World, we have involved ourselves in the government, politics, and economies of every other nation in the world. We are compelled to take a leadership role in every crisis, since we have have put ourselves in a position to profit when things go well, we will also suffer when they don't--

Third, we have to recognize the fundamental conflicts in our world, and how we have created our own enemies. Our "American Economy" is fueled by progress, growth, and development. Unfortunately, those things create disenfranchisement, alienation, and displacement, which create everything from trolls, and spammers to smash-and-grabbers, to Tim McVeighs, the Bin-Ladens.

Fourth,those who cherish the idea that we all are brothers and sisters forget that brutality, jealousy, abuse, and even murder are also deeply rooted in the family---