I entirely agree that it is in our best interest not 
to just sit back and twiddle our thumbs.

That is not pacifism.   

Inaction leads to submission, and pacifists do 
not like to submit.   

But that does not mean that we should try and 
use military might to make our point.

There are other options--constructive options.

We should have started helping out the 
people of Afghanistan long before Sept.11 and 
definitely long before we decided to bomb 
them and cause millions of them to flee their 
homes in fear and terror.

We should have been more aware of and 
more compassionate to all the people less 
fortunate than us, rather than always 
complaining that "it's bad for the American 
economy" to help create sustainable 
economies in developing countries.

A peaceful strategy involves civilized 
discussions, compassionate aid, and 
tolerance.  

It is through such a constructive (rather than a 
destructive) strategy that long term 
improvements can be achieved.

In the short-term, it is possible to stop further 
terrorist acts by waving our big stick, but as 
long as we ignore the true causes behind 
these desperate acts, we'll always be subject 
to a few powerful and fanatical dissidents 
who'll go to extremes to change the world in 
their favor.

Is it not true that it was the US that created 
those terrorist training camps in the first place 
to fight against the Soviet regime in the 80s?  
Are we not suffering a backlash of previous 
international policies that were rooted in 
violence and war?

Thank you all for listening to me out, because I 
believe that it is the very fact that we can say 
what we want to say (and listen to opposing 
opinions) in a civilized way that makes 
democracy so wonderful.

Have a fabtabulous, inspirational, fulfilling day 
everybody.