| As should have been expected, after spreading | | | | blind." |
| so much methodical bloodshed all over the world, | | | | - Mahatma GandhiThe US did of course get its |
| bloodshed returned to the United States mainland | | | | vengeance, but the primary victims were the |
| on September 11, 2001. The death toll was about | | | | people of Afghanistan who had nothing to do with |
| 3,000, only 0.1% of the 3,000,000 Vietnamese | | | | the Taliban and were victims of it. An estimated |
| killed by US aggression. The number of casualties | | | | 3,767 civilians were killed in the first 9 weeks |
| from the attacks on September 11th was also | | | | alone. (The Progressive, February 2002) On |
| much lower than the over 30,000 children who | | | | October 16, 2001, US Navy planes bombed six |
| died from starvation and easily curable diseases | | | | food-filled Red Cross warehouses in Afghanistan. |
| on that exact same day. For those who only | | | | In one attack that took place on November 30 |
| value American lives, keep in mind that over | | | | and December 1, 2001, the US bombed 3 villages |
| 7,500 Americans suffered cigarette-related deaths | | | | 25 miles south of Jalalabad (a territory controlled |
| that same week. (Yet Philip Morris has never been | | | | by allies and anti-Taliban forces). On December 30, |
| the target of US bombing raids.)This is not to | | | | 2001, the US struck the village of Niazi Kala, killing |
| devalue the American lives lost on September | | | | about a hundred civilians, mostly women and |
| 11th. It was a horrible incident. All human lives are | | | | children. According to the UN, "unarmed women |
| equally precious, but it is important not to single | | | | and children" were "chased and killed by American |
| out September 11th, when so much death and | | | | helicopters," "as they fled to shelter" or "as they |
| destruction exist in this world, often brought upon | | | | tried to rescue survivors." Another publicly known |
| by the United States. It is important not to use | | | | incident occurred on July 1, 2002 when the US |
| the loss of innocent lives on September 11th to | | | | bombed a wedding party, killing 48 and injuring |
| justify the taking of many more innocent | | | | over 100.In addition to the thousands of civilians |
| lives!Some very angry people backed the | | | | who were bombed in their villages, millions were |
| retaliation on September 11th. Just read any | | | | affected by the embargo on food (which lasted 3 |
| interview with Osama Bin Laden that took place | | | | weeks) and the imposed restrictions on food and |
| before the attack. They were angry at the United | | | | supplies that followed. The "New York Times" |
| States for its support of authoritarian and brutal | | | | reported that 7.5 million people in Afghanistan |
| regimes. They were angry at America's | | | | were in great need of a loaf of bread during the |
| continuous intervention to block any movement | | | | winter of 2001-2002. As if the hunger wasn't bad |
| towards democracy and economic development, | | | | enough, many got to experience freezing |
| especially in Third World countries. They were | | | | temperatures without proper clothing or shelter.An |
| angry at America for supporting Saddam Hussein | | | | interesting obsession that developed shortly after |
| (enemy of Bin Laden and the Wahabs) through | | | | the "War on Terror" began was the anthrax |
| the worst of his atrocities, including gassing the | | | | scare. It was on the cover of magazines |
| Kurds (something Bin Laden brought up | | | | everywhere, and Americans were freaking out |
| constantly). They were very angry at the US for | | | | over the whole affair. The amazing thing is that |
| its continued genocide on Iraqi people through | | | | there were only a few anthrax related deaths |
| bombing and sanctions. They were angry at the | | | | during the period, yet so many Americans were |
| US for its relentless economic, diplomatic, and | | | | scared as hell. Over 1,000 Americans die |
| military support for Israel and its invasion and | | | | everyday from cigarette-related causes and over |
| occupation of Palestine.The people who organized | | | | 80 are killed everyday by guns. If Americans are |
| the attack on September 11, were completely | | | | going to freak out about anything, shouldn't it be |
| counterproductive in their goals. America is now | | | | over cigarettes and guns? Cigarettes killed more |
| even more paranoid, intrusive, and violent than | | | | Americans in 10 minutes than anthrax did during |
| before. The US was given a reason to destroy | | | | the one month scare.On December 11, 2001 after |
| Afghanistan that the people would cheer for | | | | seeing the Taliban's fall and the eventual capture |
| (unlike its previous Afghan interests of heroin, oil | | | | on the horizon, President Bush stated that "rogue |
| pipelines, and Soviet subversion).Even though | | | | states" would be targeted next, and said the |
| so-called "terrorists" are violent, self-destructive, | | | | following:"America's next priority in the war on |
| and counterproductive, most of them are rational | | | | terrorism is to protect against the proliferation of |
| human beings. They are concerned about social, | | | | weapons of mass destruction and the means to |
| political, or religious injustice, and are willing do | | | | deliver them... The authors of mass murder must |
| whatever it takes to battle against such injustices, | | | | be defeated and never allowed to gain or use the |
| even if it requires giving up their own lives. It's | | | | weapons of mass destruction... Rogue states are |
| good when people dedicate their lives to opposing | | | | clearly the most likely source of chemical and |
| atrocities and injustice. It's not good when they | | | | biological and nuclear weapons for terrorists... We |
| turn towards violence out of feelings of | | | | cannot accept and we will not accept states that |
| hopelessness and desperation.Now America has a | | | | harbor, finance, train or equip the agents of terror. |
| vague new "evil" to make its public fear: | | | | Those nations that violate this principal will be |
| "terrorism." This was the answer to the prayers | | | | regarded as hostile regimes."It's astonishing that |
| of many corporations with defense contracts, | | | | so few Americans see the hypocrisy. When Bush |
| military personnel, and politicians who feared that | | | | describes "rogue states," he is describing America. |
| irrational spending on military would fade after the | | | | America is most guilty of the proliferation of |
| decreased fear in the previous "evil" of | | | | weapons of mass destruction. America is the |
| communism. These warmongers can now justify | | | | number one source of weaponry for terrorists. |
| an endless, bloodthirsty, "moral" quest to wipe out | | | | America harbors, finances, trains, and equips "the |
| any human beings viewed by the US as | | | | agents of terror" more than all other nations |
| "terrorists" or those who "harbor terrorism."The | | | | combined.Shortly after his declaration against |
| behavior of the media was consistent. From the | | | | "rogue states," Bush announced that the United |
| constantly repeated videotapes of the airplanes | | | | States would violate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile |
| crashing into the World Trade Center to David | | | | Treaty. Bush made this decision, despite global |
| Letterman's formulation of opinions based on | | | | opposition to doing such, especially from China and |
| absolute ignorance, the media led the cry for | | | | Russia.The Patriot Act (the "anti-terrorism" |
| revenge. The media also refused to look into why | | | | legislation) and other repressive measures were |
| America is the target of hatred and violence. Any | | | | rapidly established following September 11th. The |
| such questions were quickly dismissed as the | | | | Patriot Act alone blatantly violates six |
| media zombies proclaimed, "Terrorists hate our | | | | amendments of the Bill of Rights addendum to |
| freedom and democracy." No one ever asked | | | | the US Constitution. The 1st Amendment's |
| why countries with more freedom (such as | | | | guarantees of freedom of speech, right to |
| Canada, Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, etc.) have | | | | assembly, and right to petition are violated. The |
| not been targeted by terrorists.During the war | | | | 4th Amendment's issue of probable cause is |
| the media blatantly ignored the countless | | | | violated, along with its prohibitions against |
| thousands of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, but | | | | unreasonable search and seizure. The Patriot Act |
| dedicated hours to the deaths of Marine pilots | | | | violates the 5th Amendment's guarantee that no |
| who died in helicopter accidents. (By the way, | | | | person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or |
| doesn't it seem like most American casualties in | | | | property without due process of law by allowing |
| recent wars primarily result from accidents or | | | | indefinite incarcerations without a trial. The 6th |
| "friendly fire," not involving "the | | | | Amendment's guaranteed right to a speedy and |
| enemy"?)"President" Bush repeatedly called the | | | | public trial is violated. The 8th Amendment's |
| September 11th attacks "cowardly." The | | | | prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment is |
| hypocrisy of this statement is quite obvious. | | | | violated. The 13th Amendment's prohibition of |
| Dropping bombs on millions of civilians in Southeast | | | | punishment without conviction is also violated. The |
| Asia, killing mostly women and children, while | | | | Patriot Act also opens the door for the FBI to |
| comfortably hovering in the sky above is truly | | | | have total access to any personal data and the |
| "cowardly." Dropping a single atomic bomb to kill | | | | CIA to target Americans for surveillance. It |
| 100,000 people in Hiroshima is certainly "cowardly." | | | | appears that the soldiers who "fought and died |
| Training, arming, and funding Central American | | | | for our freedom" did so in vain, since America's |
| contras and death squads to carry out massive | | | | own politicians are taking the "freedoms" |
| gruesome bloodshed in order to protect US | | | | away.Not only does the Patriot Act cancel out |
| economic interest is "cowardly." Using unmanned | | | | America's own Bill of Rights, it also violates |
| drone aircraft to bomb the women and children | | | | international law. The United Nations Declaration of |
| of Afghanistan is absolutely "cowardly."Nearly all | | | | Human Rights states, "No one shall be subjected |
| Americans have forgotten the fact that these | | | | to arbitrary arrests, detention, or exile," and |
| people who are called "terrorists" are the same | | | | "Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and |
| exact people that President Reagan called | | | | public hearing."After September 11th over 1,200 |
| "freedom-fighters." (see previous Afghanistan | | | | people, mostly Arabs and Muslims, were rounded |
| section) Most Americans are completely unaware | | | | up by the FBI and INS and kept in detention. |
| that the Taliban came to power with CIA funding | | | | Many of these people were detained on the basis |
| and advising.Most Americans are unaware of the | | | | of no evidence at all and without contact with a |
| advanced warnings of the attacks and the | | | | lawyer. The government refused to reveal the |
| suspicious behaviors occurring around September | | | | identities, nationalities and whereabouts of the |
| 11th. They aren't aware that in 1996, Abdul Hakim | | | | detained people. Many of them disappeared from |
| Murad confessed plans to hijack planes and crash | | | | their family and friends without a trace. |
| them into buildings. They aren't aware that shortly | | | | Mohammed Gondal was imprisoned for 125 days, |
| before September 11, 2001, FBI agents warned | | | | without being charged with any crime connected |
| their superiors that Al Qaeda was planning | | | | to terrorism. Iqbal Tihar spent over two and a |
| kamikaze style attacks on New York and | | | | half months in jail, without any charges. Nacer |
| Washington D.C. They don't realize that according | | | | Mustafa spent 67 days in the Federal Detention |
| to law, there should have been Air Force jets | | | | Center before being released. These are just |
| scrambled at 8:15 AM that morning (30 minutes | | | | three of over 1,200 human beings, many of |
| after the hijacking began) instead of launching at | | | | whom are still unaccounted."They who can give |
| 9:35 AM after the damage was done. They don't | | | | up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary |
| realize that "President" Bush personally asked | | | | safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."- |
| Democratic Leader Tom Daschle to limit | | | | Benjamin Franklin (1759)The fearful masses have |
| Congressional investigation into the events of | | | | happily surrendered their civil rights and |
| September 11.Most Americans are unaware of | | | | constitutional protections after September 11th, |
| the Bush and Bin Laden partnership. They don't | | | | thinking that their government will protect them |
| know about George W. Bush heading Arbusto, an | | | | from the "monsters" it has created, funded, and |
| oil company partly financed by the Bin Laden | | | | motivated. People are being detained without |
| family. They don't know about the Taliban's visit | | | | evidence and are found guilty until proven innocent |
| to Texas in 1995 to arrange Unocal pipeline plans | | | | (if they ever get the chance to present such |
| with Halliburton, Inc. (Vice President Dick Cheney | | | | proof). The Justice Department expanded its |
| was the CEO.) They don't know about how | | | | authority to eavesdrop on attorney-client |
| George and Barbara Bush stayed at the Bin | | | | conversation, eroding more rights. Freedom of |
| Laden palace in Saudi Arabia during visits. Most | | | | speech is also a thing of the past. Anyone |
| Americans are unaware of "President" George W. | | | | expressing discontent with America is subjecting |
| Bush sending a plane to escort Bin Laden family | | | | themselves to social scorn, government |
| members out of the US immediately after | | | | surveillance, and possible detainment. There have |
| September 11th, despite the FBI's objections.Most | | | | even been teachers chastised and suspended for |
| Americans are unaware that "President" George | | | | presenting nonviolent, alternative views in media |
| W. Bush gave the Taliban $43 million in May 2001 | | | | and political classes. Some, such as Dr. Sami |
| (announced by Secretary of State Colin Powell on | | | | Al-Arian (a computer engineering teacher fired |
| May 17), less than four months before the | | | | from the University of South Florida), have been |
| attacks in America. The $43 million was given as | | | | fired for expressing their views outside of the |
| a gift, even though Washington was completely | | | | workplace.At the beginning of 2002, "President" |
| aware of the oppression caused by the Taliban | | | | George W. Bush proposed the largest military |
| and the Taliban's links to past American attacks. | | | | increase in two decades. This increase adds $48 |
| Yes, American tax dollars funded the attacks that | | | | billion to the already astronomical annual military |
| killed 3,000 Americans. The hypocrisy of George | | | | budget. This increase alone is larger than any |
| W. Bush declaring an eternal war against those | | | | other country's military budget, with the exception |
| who "finance terror" is indisputable. If Americans | | | | of Japan. Before adding $48 billion to the amount |
| truly want to hunt down the "financers of terror" | | | | spent on military every year, Bush:- Cut $39 |
| and those responsible for 9/11, they need to | | | | million from federal spending on libraries. (This |
| target the White House and Pentagon.News | | | | happened one week after Laura Bush started a |
| coverage showed footage of Iraqis and other | | | | national campaign for libraries.)- Reduced the |
| people, many of them children, celebrating in the | | | | Community Access Program by 86%. The |
| streets after the events of September 11th. | | | | Community Access Program coordinates care for |
| Americans were disgusted by this and couldn't | | | | people without health insurance.- Cut funding for |
| understand how these people could be celebrating. | | | | the Girls and Boys Clubs of America programs in |
| Imagine that you are an Iraqi child. Your father | | | | public housing by $60 million.- Cut $15.7 million from |
| was forced at gunpoint to join Saddam's army. He | | | | programs dealing with child abuse and neglect.- Cut |
| was shot dead by US planes while surrendering. | | | | healthcare benefits for war veterans.- Attempted |
| Your mother was killed by a cluster bomb. All | | | | to eliminate "Reading Is Fundamental," which gives |
| your siblings were infected with cholera, because | | | | free books to poor children.The pro-war patriots |
| of the contaminated water that resulted from US | | | | have a hard time seeing any alternatives to |
| bombings of treatment plants. There was no way | | | | violence. The worst thing about all this is that so |
| to treat your siblings, because US sanctions | | | | many people are obsessing about the American |
| blocked out the needed medication. Your siblings all | | | | deaths on September 11th, but they aren't doing |
| die. If one day you found out that US military and | | | | a damn thing to stop the continuous deaths of |
| economic centers were attacked and damaged, | | | | more civilians. Haven't the tragic events of |
| there's a good chance that you would celebrate | | | | September 11th taught them how precious life is? |
| with others in the streets.On August 15, 2002 it | | | | Why do they demand policies that will slaughter |
| was announced that about 600 family members | | | | more innocent lives, instead of doing what they |
| of September 11th victims filed a trillion dollar | | | | can to save children dying right now, at this very |
| lawsuit against the Sudanese government, Saudi | | | | moment?As shown earlier, the US has been |
| officials, banks, and charities for supposedly | | | | supplying and empowering "terrorists" all over the |
| funding the attacks on September 11th. First of | | | | world: the Taliban, Saddam Hussein, General |
| all, it was "President" George W. Bush who gave a | | | | Suharto, Roberto D'Aubuisson, the list goes on |
| gift of $43 million to the Taliban in May of 2001. | | | | and on. The best way to reduce terrorism in this |
| Maybe this lawsuit should be made against the | | | | world is to stop participating in it. This is something |
| Bush Administration. Secondly, if family members | | | | that the US politicians have trouble |
| of the victims of American violence were to file | | | | comprehending, as they choose to escalate |
| lawsuits of equal monetary value per victim, the | | | | terrorism instead. They choose to terrorize |
| amount would be in the quadrillions. (See the tens | | | | foreign soils and continue to create, train, and |
| of millions of victims listed in "America's Greatest | | | | fund armies that will carry out acts of terrorism. |
| Hits" and Section 2) There isn't enough money in | | | | They choose destruction over construction. They |
| the entire world to pay such a settlement."An eye | | | | choose war over peace. They choose hate over |
| for an eye only ends up making the whole world | | | | love. |