That was a pretty good spot to stop the essay. The question leaves open the warning and hopefully does actually get someone to think about the direction that events could take and deepen the tragedy.

And today, which is the 16th of September, I heard a speech by G W Bush, and what he said confirmed my fears almost to a T. To paraphrase a bit, he essentially said the "evil-doers" (that's a direct quote) 'hate us because we represent freedom and they hate freedom'. A bit simplistic there, Mr Bush. That's almost like saying the US began the whole cold war because communism is against freedom, and we hate anti-freedom. Wait a minute… wasn't that the perception too? Ouch.

Leaving that scary tangent aside, I really don't think that this is a blind attack against 'freedom'. Directed against the US, it's a statement of malcontent with some of the things that the US is doing, or something it has done.

Some more point-form blatherings.

I mean it when I say I have seen, read and heard things in recent days that have made my stomach churn. Basically advocating acts of terrorism in return for acts of terrorism. In return for acts of terrorism in return for acts of terrorism in return for… You get the idea. Northern Ireland comes to mind, and the hatred there that is perpetrated. IRA bombs, the Orange Orders march. Rinse, repeat. Revenge is taken for Revenge is taken for Revenge.

Most major religions have their extremists who have committed heinous acts. (Buddhism isn't really a religion, more of a philosophy) But extremists do not the whole society make. (Usually, at any rate) And just like there are thousands of sects of Christianity, there are sects of Islam and sects of Judaism. What they advocate, incite and sanction vary.

Another possibility is the US becoming isolationist again. That would be bad, though certainly wouldn't be the first time. Clinton really tried to open the US's role in meaningful ways (rather than bombing) across the world in many areas. The US can use its status to get the ball rolling in many areas (and also stumble and do stupid things like refusing the land mine treaty). Its when the US begins to favour one side, or simply acts to further its own interests, that's when things go awry.

And one has to think of WHY is there animosity towards the US. Where is this coming from? What are the grievances? What is the history? And what can be done to change the attitude? Striking out may only suppress things for a while, if the animosity is very widespread.

Will this get examined? Or will this be used as a blanket 'proof' that 'we are right, and they are wrong'. That is what I fear. That, and the US has already put itself on a war footing, basically saying they will use 'unconventional' methods to achieve their aims. Ie, special forces of all nature, the Rangers, SEALS, etc. Assassination anyone?

May the spirits guide us well and not rush into something that will cause something far, far, far worse than the painful tragedy of September 11th, 2001.

More to be added later…

George W spoke to the US nation (and I guess the world) on Thursday the 20th from the US congress. Surprise surprise, it was actually a half decent and relatively well-balanced speech. He must have hired really good script writers for this one. There were still some items that were stronger than they should have been, IMHO, but for the most part it assayed some of my fears of what the next step will be. At least, from what the President is saying right now, not what congress and mr Prez will do in the coming weeks.

But W did say one thing again and again that just drove me into fits. "The evildoers (he likes that word -ed) hate us because we are free. They hate us because we represent freedom. They don't like freedom. They hate us." This over simplicity is just insane. Now granted, one cannot expect him to stand there and say 'Well, the US has done many heinous things on the world stage, so this is what we've helped incite'. But boiling down the ENTIRE episode to 'We free, they hate' is not only silly, but isn't going to help the US populous in achieving greater awareness. Lets look at this statement.

An interview on NPR was relayed to me the other day, an interview with a Pakistani who said that within his nation, there was some envy of the US, envy of their wealth (or perceived wealth) as well as envy of their freedoms (financially, politically, socially). Envy is an easy emotion to turn into resentment, especially if you hear about it (what makes you envious) often. But is resentment enough to turn one to thoughts of terror?

I would argue not. The layers of hatred towards the US are just that: layers. Envy and resentment can form a good base, but without another dimension, another angle laid atop it, it seems a bit tenuous that it would create an gaggle of killers. Especially for the reasons of personal liberties (freedom). I could see a great rush to try and emigrate, or flee the country one is in, but to go 'wow, look, they can go to any job they want, lets kill them!' doesn't sound very convincing. (though I do say I write this without having spent time in any country over there, and having met any locals)

So what layers can be added?

I'm going to go for the easiest right now, and that is religion. Or, perhaps better said, religious fanaticism. Its amusing and distressing when a comedy on TV can come up with the most profound lines at times, but…

Again, let us remember how North America was 'colonized'. Europeans sailed across and took everything. (Simplistic, yes, and appropriate, non?) In the case of the Aztecs especially, we have a civilization that has a tonne of riches, including more gold than you can shake a stick at. The Spaniards look at this gold and are shocked… these heathens should not have access to these riches! So began the conquest. And so the envy of US riches and freedoms can be overlaid with religious ideals to create action. (The US is rich and their people are lazy and immoral! How dare they be allowed all these things as an affront to [god]. We must take action.)

One can go the way of more akin to the crusades, where it becomes a case of eliminating those you see as blasphemous defilers from the face of the earth. Now, its different in this case I believe, for it is unlikely that the goal (at least in the short term and likely the long term) is to take over the US, but instead remove its influence from the Middle East. US presence has been much more visible since the Gulf War, and US has been peddling influence there many times, (Iran, which was overthrown. Iraq to fight Iran, which became the enemy. Support of Israel for 50 years. Afghanistan, which may now be the enemy. Hmmm.) even if the support was sometimes unasked for. Now we have not only the religious.wrong messing around the affairs of the area (from their nice little safe haven across the world, and only acting to help bolster its interests in the area, the locals be damned), but also occupying the area and spreading their ideals, way of life and immoral ways. Either one of these, when viewed through the glasses of total religious assuredness, could cause one to action. Doubly so when the envy/resentment layer is at the foundation. (This prosperous nation of immoralists now sees fit to meddle in our land, and to occupy parts of it! We must take action.)

Even without the guise of religion (which just makes it easier for one to justify their actions), the US's various actions in the region for decades, both overtly and covertly, have made them the persona non grata. Billions of loan guarantees and military equipment have flowed into Israel, a country who has carved a nation that in some ways makes South Africa look good. (Again, possible oversimplification and sensationalism for effect) The US is not alone in the creation of Israel, for it was much of the western world after the events of WW2, but the US has been its most vocal and financial supporter. Guilt by association, if nothing else.

And then add on religion. Shake, serve.

Back to envy/resentment, what if the US is seen as flaunting its position/wealth? While not directly the same (and not even close) but maybe akin to US tourists who demand abroad that everything be exactly as it is at home, and could I have ketchup with this please? Hollywood has made it so that the US culture is seen just about everywhere in the world. Diplomats, businessmen, tourists, newscasts, etc, they all contribute to the US showing itself-and maybe this is a bit much 'in your face' for those who resent the US. Too much 'we are so great' may rub the wrong way once to often.

Bit more than we=freedom, therefore they=hate us.

Seriously, looking at that statement, how would bombing change anything for the better if its just freedom they hate? Even 50,000 dead would be little compared to the 280 million there are in the US. Now, we=freedom, we=in their territory trying to create democratic society, they no want democratic, they try to get us out of their country… that one could believe more readily. Still simplistic, but it would certainly be plausible. But W didn't say that.

What will W's statements do? Well. It certainly drives the rhetoric up - again making a case for 'we are right and perfect', an attitude and patriotism the US already had in spades. It could work to counteract what else W said in his speech, which was trying to stem the flow of hate crimes that has flared up in the US since the attack. It hides further hides foreign policy. And it opens the door for more widespread war than may be warranted.

And is it really a war? Or more of a police sting? Isn't the latter more of what is appropriate (getting the terrorists) and the aim, rather than war between sovereign states and people?

And as for democracy, its not really a free system either, seriously. Democracy is controlled by politicians, who are controlled by several things, including the will for reelection and greed. They may do what is popular, rather than right. They may create projects (like building ships the Navy doesn't want, mr Helms) to help their constituents at the expense of the greater country. Then there are lobbyists and big industry and virtual bribes, which control policy more than one really wishes to imagine or believe.

And let us not forget the religious fanatics on this side of the pond, who claim divine retribution not from Allah but from God since obviously abortion, homosexuality, pornography, divorce and a few others obviously know how to fly planes into buildings. The more two sides are different, the more they are the same.

And we still don't know just whether it was planned from that region or entirely from that region, or what, if any, more local connections exist.

And just what does it mean to be helping terrorists, according to W? If a country has a cell within it, is that aiding them? Does it have to be direct monetary aid? What? How many places will be bombed for 'aiding'?

The past two weeks have been interesting for my state of being.

Things weren't good beforehand. Workstress was really getting me down, both because of the massive amount of layoffs we've had at work, thus making me feel tenuous about my continued employment, and because of two projects that were requiring a lot of work and that were either behind schedule or going horribly wrong with the city.

And no one to lean on. I guess I picked a bad time to have problems, for most others seemed to either not care to listen, or just gave a brushoff (don't worry be happy, whee) answer, or said I was an idiot for worrying. (I'm still not sure how that last one is supposed to work) Add to that a multitude of snarky responses, and I was pretty much out of sync with everyone out there that I could get contact with. The rest weren't around enough to contact.

Enter many crashes.

And for these past weeks, I have felt more alone than I have for a long time. Maybe its because almost no one understood how much these events affect me (world events do) or worse, they ridiculed me for it. Thus maybe its because I realized I have no one to share events and occurrences with. Maybe its because I realize the fleetness of life and that it really can change or end at any point through our daily stumbles. Or all of these and more combined.

Either way, the week seemed… silent, felt silent and hollow for me. Wanting someone to be close to me, but (re)discovering that they'd all gone away. That they've taken their lives and pathed them away from mine. Or that they didn't understand or didn't want to understand me. That I had no one to be comforted by.

Self-reliance can only take one so far.