Editor,
In response to those who decry the position that the U.S. may bear some blame for Tuesday's attacks as radically unpatriotic, I must strongly disagree.
These horrors occurred for a reason. We may not agree with the motivation of these terrorists, but we put ourselves in greater danger by dismissing them as wild-eyed freaks.
The organization responsible for Tuesday's assault has proven to be a collection of shrewd, calculating and disciplined operatives. Should Osama bin Laden prove to be involved, we must recognize that he is striking against the United States for perceived injustices committed against the Islamic world, primarily during the Gulf War.
I am disgusted by what has transpired and there can be no moral shelter for the murder of thousands of civilians.
However, now is the time to heed the call to re-assess our foreign policy with greater sensitivity to its perceived impact within other cultures. Sticking our head in the sand and spouting righteous indignation may cost us more dearly in the future.
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We cannot afford such luxury. I fail to see the connection between trying to understand how our own actions may have provoked this assault and a deep-seated hatred of the United States.
The "liberal left" is just as worried about further attacks as another other group in the country. Evidently, they are better suited to reasoned policy and productive action than those with knee-jerk nationalism who would defend a dangerous arrogance at any cost.
Kurt Xyst
Philosophy Student
