[Griff]

I don't agree with everything tw said but I agree with his sentiment, if not his predictable response. My view is what the mainstream press likes to misrepresent as isolationist. If anyone here has read Blowback by Chalmers Johnson or simply pays attention to our foreign policy this attack was inevitable. Our constant political and military meddling overseas has created a huge constituency for extremists in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, South America, the Balkans, Africa, and yes the Middle East. Now Bush has been backed into a corner by the terrorists and the revenge minded here in the states. If he, Clinton, or Pappy Bush had done the sensible thing and ratcheted down our overseas exposure earlier Jr would be in a position to make some choices. Unfortunately he can't change course now or he'll be giving terrorists a green light and opening himself up for attacks from the full width of our tiny political spectrum.

I pray we don't pick a convenient scapegoat and create a larger constituency of haters.

Mind your civil liberties folks, given the choice between pulling in our overseas horns (and the profits attendent to that posture) and turning up the police state our empty headed political leaders will attempt to trade freedom for security.

I have relatives, who I haven't heard from, in the fire department down there so don't give me any crap about not being passionate about this.