Guys Chill Out. Hasn't enough hatred been perpetrated today! Relax this isn't needed! There have been alot of assumptions today. Lets focus on the situation at hand. Drop the swords for a little while.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B]I too offer my condolences to all involved and enjoin you to pray to whatever diety you hold sacred.

 

shamma:
I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with prejudice. It's an unfortunate side-effect of war, because that's what we're in, declared or not. One would hope that the U.S. remembers it's lesson from WWII and not pre-judge it's citizens by race.

I do not agree with your statement about the Palestinians though. Regardless of what the media may omit about the Palestinians' plight, it DOES NOT justify their public show of celebration for innocents killed (and yes, I know they have lost many innocent lives too). By that reasoning, would it justify our celebration of the killing of innocent arabs if they are indeed responsible for this attack?
§

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RedHead
[B]

Well said.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by smccurry
[B]shamma:

 

UL, that was absolutely beautifully worded and I totally agree with everything you said. There are no pointed fingers yet, but when the justified finger points, punishment should be severe.

You said what I could only hope to say so well...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tanqueray
[B]

Did you notice that 2400 SOLDIERS were killed at Pearl Harbor and 10,000 CIVILIANS were killed in NY?

 

I don't know if there's other footage of Palestinians celebrating out there but the footage I saw had fewer than fifty people celebrating in the street. I think it's very irresponsible for the US media to represent an entire people with footage of a few idiots. Considering what these people have seen and the propaganda they've been fed in their lives, this response is not surprising. While watching the BBC coverage on The Learning Channel, however, they were quick to point out that most Palestinians were watching their televisions in disbelief and expressed empathy for the victims as they've been victims of such violence themselves.

As for the "sophistication" of the attack... I'm really surprised everyone in the news, including the "experts", keep saying this! Sorry, but I feel that a group of twenty or fewer high-schoolers would be capable of planning and carrying out this attack. Teach sixteen kids how to hold knives and give the remaining four a fundamental knowledge of flying a plane. Keep in mind the hardest part of flying a plane is taking off and landing, neither of which these terrorists were required to do. While this did require careful planning, it didn't require sophistication or money to carry out.

Having said this, I hope the US determines who truly did this and brutally punishes them for their deeds (and I don't mean a lengthy trial like previous terrorists have enjoyed).

 

My second post on the subject. I mentioned in the first that our church would be open to the community this evening for prayer. I just got back from that meeting. I was surprised to see between 200-300 come in. We didn't count, so I'm guestimating. It was one of the most memorable meetings we have had at our church in 5 years. It was a simple event. We provided two mics and let people come to pray or read scripture. Many children came (we have a school) and read. There were fire and police department representatives with their families. We have three firemen on the way to NY - I just learned that tonight.

Many people prayed not to hate. Also, a good was time spent praying for those still in the rubble - some still alive and some may not be by the time they are found. It is a sobering thought!

One of our firemen prayed for his "brothers". He could hardly speak. One of our policemen's wives prayed for the policemen - even our police are working overtime here now. People came to the mic that do not attend our weekly services. One of our pastors and another church leader are police chaplains - they both prayed for the NY departments. It was easy to feel the concern for those who serve us in NY and all over the country.

We closed by singing "God Bless America". There were few dry eyes in the building. People quietly left, some gathered in small groups outside who knew each other, but most went straight to their cars. On the way home my wife and I didn't talk much. She said, "That sure was a wonderful time." I know what she meant. It was a good way to end a bad day!

 

Thanks guys, I just write what I feel. This heinous act has pushed me into an ethical and moral corner. I don't condone the eye for an eye, but there is no choice left. If we don't respond with extreme predjudice, we encourage more madmen to strike at our way of life.

On another note, please don't let this panic you economically. This strike hurts, but it doesn't ultimately affect our fundamental way of doing business. Stock markets will dip, and many folks who work in the industry were lost, but the predictions of a full fledged recession in the news are really starting to irritate me. Self fulfilling prophecies are never any fun and speculators are worthy of nothing but loathing and condemnation (I speak of the gas prices). Buy your groceries, don't change your purchase plans, save and invest your money just like you did last week.

We are a nation of hundreds of millions. The death of 10,000 or more hurts immensely, but we will go on, and I hope become stronger for the experience and the memory.

SC