Editor,
Perhaps the only good thing that could result from Tuesday's mass murder in New York and Washington, D.C., is the uncommon dialogue that is taking place among students as they discuss the bombing and what should be done about it. Such discussion is regrettably rare on our campus and should be encouraged whenever and wherever it takes place.
However, there has been a disturbing common thread running through the class discussions I have witnessed. Several students and a couple of instructors of mine have routinely stated the opinion that while the carnage in New York and Washington, D.C., was not deserved, it was most definitely provoked.
This argument is advanced in several ways. It notes the United States' support of Israel, referring to United States actions during the Gulf War, protesting the promotion of U.S. values abroad and in near obligatory references to the "symbolism" of terrorists striking the World Trade Center (a symbol of US economic might) and the Pentagon (symbol of US military might).
Almost universally, these same individuals state that instead of focusing on bringing justice to the culprits, we should instead enter into a period of introspection about the arrogance of the American fat and happy lifestyle and acknowledge the grievances of those that carried out these attacks.
I am aghast at how mistaken these individuals are. The actions of these craven terrorists should not ever be considered the moral equivalents of our nation's actions. These are people that hide behind anonymity, target only civilians and seek no political result for whatever "legitimate grievances" they claim to have.
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They understand only violence, seek only terror and are immune to any civilized standard of ethics. They dehumanize their victims and their own people as they selfishly and maliciously murder. They are the forces of unabashed barbarism.
Now that I look at it, it's no wonder they oppose us. They hate us for insistence on the rule of law, our commitment in supporting free peoples and our disdain for aggression. They understand that with the political and economic stability America's leadership brings, comes the end of their reign - for no free people would ever support them.
This nation stands as humanity's best hope for a peaceful and free world, a world that would see the end of their brand of corrupt, violent and intolerant rule.
A fellow student in one of my classes remarked that, "Our system is just as good as anybody else's," and that, "We shouldn't believe our way is superior." I was struck with disappointment at her words, because they play directly into the terrorist's hands.
Our system is better. Their system is one of ignorance, intolerance and unimaginable brutality. Ours is one of personal freedom, equality under the law and of a civilized morality.
Osama bin Laden, or whoever ends up being the perpetrator, is an agent of evil - a force against all that civilization represents.
All civilized peoples must stand against and ruthlessly destroy this evil. It does not deserve careful consideration of whatever "reasons" might have resulted in this specific attack.
It is wrong, it has wronged our nation and it should pay.
Michael Carrasco,
Political Science and Philosophy Undergraduate Student
