Claire, this is in line with my suggestion...
and makes good sense, as it's an excellent future deterrent for other countries harboring or helping terrorists... From the Qualcomm Board on RB...
"A New Generation; it's own day of infamy.
Steve Yee
By this time, all of us on have been innundated with many mind-numbing images; ranging from the fire on the North World Trade Center tower, to the United 767 plunging itself full throttle into the South World Trade Center tower; the crash at the Pentagon, to the aborted hijacking attempt in Pennsylvania.
Ironically, my first thought is not one of sadness, nor one of anger. The first thought through my mind is a single, powerful word that has wide ranging effects if the United States Government follows the same thought process that I have.
That word going through my mind is not retaliation; the thoughts running in my mind are not of revenge. The word that plunges constantly through my thoughts is retribution.
Yes, retribution.
The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said in the "Masque of Pandora":
Every Guilty Deed
Holds in itself the seed
Of retribution and undying pain.
This act of terrorism has finally stripped my Protestant Christian upbringing of "forgive and forget"; bringing back the desire that is more in line with the Old Testament days of "an eye for an eye". Possibly my thoughts go back to the days of ancient Greece, where the Greek goddess Nemesis was the goddess of retribution; raining down terror and punishment when the gods were displeased with the lowly humans below.
And just like when the Greek gods asked Nemesis to rain down terror and punishment when humans presumed too much about their gods, I sincerely hope that the United States will have their military, law enforcement, diplomatic, and financial might rain holy terror against all those who harbor ill will against the United States and their allies.
In the fictional "Jack Ryan" series of books by award-winning author Tom Clancy, an interesting parallel to these series of events occur in its' storyline where a fuel ladened 747 jet slams into Capitol Hill, destroying Capitol Hill and nearly destroying the entire elected government (Debt of Honor). In the book "Executive Orders", fictional United States President Jack Ryan helps orchestrate a systematic dismantling of an extremist Islamic terrorist and his organization. At the end of Executive Orders, Jack Ryan says that those who wage acts of terrorism against the United States will be met with all the rage and fury of the United States of America.
This is the type of reaction that the United States needs to have. We should not talk. We should not use words saying that we don't like what's going on. We need to wage terrible war against those who wish to do harm against our citizens, our territories, and our allies. As Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance". Unfortunately, we've just learned the ultimate price of not being vigilant.
So, to President George W. Bush (a.k.a. Number "43"). This is a message to you from one of your constituents - one who voted for you. I fully expect the United States to provide retribution for these acts. Retribution for every man, woman, and child who lost their lives in the air, and on the ground. The United States needs to send a message to the world that if the world does not present those who aided, sponsored, and harbored those who did these heinous acts of terror, we shall wage war. Wage war against those who are willing to kill those who are innocent.
For those countries who harbor these godless, spiritless animals: Our diplomats should announce to those countries that harbor or sponsor terrorism that they should be given 3 days to present those terrorists to the United States or one of their allies, and evacuate all of their cities.
If they do not present those responsible, on the fourth day, we will use our armed forces to utterly destroy the military, government, and then civilian assets in those countries who harbor terrorists. We should systematically decimate each country that harbors terrorists until they present them to go to trial. (Just like the unofficial United States Marine Corps motto....When it Absolutely, Positively Must be Destroyed Overnight !)
Financially - The United States should sieze all assets belonging to those countries that harbor terrorists. For those countries who have loans with the United States and harbor terrorists - We shall call all loans due and payable. We will bankrupt your country until you give them up. We will starve your populace until you yield. Your countries and it's critics say that the United States is a country that projects it's foreign policy improperly outside it's borders. We will show you what our foreign policy can really do, and what it is like when you anger the United States!
For those of you who are part of a terrorism cell within the United States borders - Our Law Enforcement should hunt you down. If you are involved in the planning or assistance of any terrorist act within the United States, it's assets, or it's allies, you will be brought to justice; you will be brought in front of a merciful court and given a sentence that is opposite of the lack of mercy that you showed your victims.
In paraphrasing Longfellow, this is a very guilty deed. The United States needs to sow the harvest of retribution and undying pain and deliver it, in a Nemesis-like wave upon wave, to those who wish us harm.
I just hope that our government has the balls to pull it off."
