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