Re: [metatuning] 9/11

Hello all,

I have subscribed to Metatuning because I have been reading it for some time
and I feel it is important for me to contribute. As a New Yorker, I am still
grieving. I have never before felt like this. If my ex-wife Mayumi did not
leave permanently to Japan, she would have likely been lost as she worked at
Fuji Bank in the Twin Towers.

Since the devastation I have heard from many friends all over the world.
Along with genuine concern there have been inexplicable responses from some.
Even on this list, I have been surprised. Please allow me to add to the
discussions, even if I disagree with some, even if I am too emotional to
think clearly, even though I must write this without resource of editing, or
even preparation.

I just heard President Bush's speech to the world and find myself in complete
agreement. This surprises me more than anyone could know. I did not vote
for him and have had great concerns about his father's actions.

One person on the big list quoted Qadaffi to me about thinking about "why"
this happened. I believe certain unfortunate attitudes in this country treat
this attack as if it was deserved, like Falwell. This reminds me of blaming
a rape victim for a rape, only multiplied many times over.

To pacifists on this list, you deserve to be protected even if you won't lift
a finger to defend yourself. I believe history has fairly well demonstrated
that continuation of Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of the Nazi's would
have been an unmitigated disaster for the free world. This seems no
different.

Regarding support of Israel, if we had not supported this democracy following
its creation after the destruction of so many Jews, it would not exist today.
Now, that might be cause for celebration among some, but not me. While
Israel has treated Palestinians poorly, it comes out of their trauma at being
attacked many times since the Balfour Declaration. Certainly, cultural
sensitivity in the Yom Kippur war, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar,
would make a sure enemy. And yet Israel knows that peace must be based on
mutual respect. If only it could be summoned on both sides. Yes, America
supports Israel with a lot of money. Egypt, too. The U.S. gave Afghanistan
132 million this year for humanitarian aid.

I am no Muslim, but Islamic scholars largely refute what the Taliban believe.
And yet, the Taliban believe they have set the new standard for the world.
Orphan boys from past wars are seen in a Bin Laden video released last June,
and shown on CNN this evening, training to kill. People are kept in terrible
conditions - not only because of Israel - so that this living hell will be
less preferable than a martyrdom with promises of virgin girls in "heaven."

Religion is not of any interest to me, personally. This is my choice. It is
my faith. It is sometimes a joy, and sometimes a pain, to hear differing
views on things, both musical and political. However, the important things
is each of us CAN say these things. In the Mideast and Near East countries
that produce terrorists, this is not the case. Now, we may lose civil
liberties as a result of this horror.

If you are a woman in Afghanistan you are nothing. This alone has infuriated
me. If you were to suggest sympathy for the cultural and religious views of
the Taliban, then you will be supporting their destruction of the 2 giant
Buddhas, apparently at the command of Bin Laden (married to a daughter of
Taliban religious leader Omar).
The entire world condemned the Taliban for the destruction of a world
treasure, and they cared not at all.

Some of those on this list have posted of radically different views of seeing
the world. While these views are often very interesting, they are often as
one-sided as the "corporate" views to which they object.

Finally, blaming New York for America's support of Israel, is opposite to the
hope of every single people in the world. No people, including Iraq's
people, should be held accountable to a leadership that they have little
influence with. New York has certainly not had much influence in American
political power, and often stands apart from the rest of the country. The
World Trade Center is just that...the free world.

Whether to call this "war" or not is mincing words. Are Internet magazines
really magazines? Yes, even though they don't look like magazines.
Likewise, our nation has been attacked repeatedly by the equivalent of an
international corporation of murderers, likely bent on a West versus Islam
war. I agree with the President, it appears that Islam is being hijacked.

There was not a thing that President Bush said tonight that I found myself in
disagreement with. Check the transcript. I am glad that the majority will
work proactively to protect those in America, even those in American that
disagree with that attempt at protection.

In fidelity, Johnny Reinhard

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