Nor do I particularly want to understand a mind that operates on such a base, selfish, cruel and evil line. I do not believe that in understanding, we, the citizens of the world, can prevent such acts of terrorism. And I think we are missing a fundamental point.
If we could comprehend the suffering and anger behind such acts of terrorism and attempt to fix, in our American way, the pain inflicted upon these terrorists, we have to assume that the terrorists would be open to such understanding. However, in the very act of destroying an untold number of lives, the terrorists are, in effect, indicating that the American way of doing things is not attractive.
The terrorist does not think in an American way. The terrorists saw the World Trade Center as a symbol of the American ideal. They also saw the opportunity to cause the maximum pain and suffering and achieve the maximum notoriety -- the opportunity to vividly proclaim and protest whatever grievances were held against America. If it were possible to understand this thinking, it would be possible for the terrorists to proceed in a typical American fashion: protests, rallies, etc.
The only way the terrorist thinks is in destruction, revenge and pain. The terrorist sees mass destruction as a necessary means of reprisal. The terrorist sees the killing of innocent children as "collateral damage." How can we presume to be able to understand? Why would we want to?
What we do need to understand is that by such terrorist acts, America is placed in the awful position of being forced to respond. A lack of response would show that our spirit has been beaten and would ultimately leave America open to other opportunistic attacks. It is unfortunate, but still a fact, that when abuse becomes unbearable, a response is necessary. We, the people, have just been abused with unspeakable savagery. The United States Government is 100% correct in choosing to respond in the quickest, most direct and most easily understood (in the terrorist's mind) manner. Decisive action is often necessary to keep the peace.
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