September 15, 2001    
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If it was up to you, what would be your response to attacks on NYC and DC?

A cautious military offensive; not taken until we had material proof of bin Laden's part in it.

Johanna, 18
OK  USA

Bleh, I don't know! I don't wnat to think about it. I want to crawl away and live in a shell and not think about it any more. Its not my decision and im glad of it.

Talia, 24
Wilton
, CT   USA

Whoever is responsible, i say war is the best response in this case. No one should get away with something that horrible. Kill those bastards.

Dianne, 16
Ontario  CANADA

Send a strong message to Afghanistan - "Track him down, bag him up and get him on a plane to the USA within the next 11 days and we'll let your country remain on the face of the earth." That, to me, would be a damn good start.

Fisch, 46
Preston
, CT   USA

I'd first concentrate on fixing ourselves and our security - making sure that nothing like this EVER happens again. I would tighten security on the borders and I'd make it maditory for an air marshel to fly on every flight. I'd care for the victims, their families and every other person in American who was devistated by this tragedy. Then I'd demend the delivery of Bin Ladin within say...72 hours. If that didn't happen I'd open such a huge can of whoop ass on Afganistan that it would never forget what happen when you awaken the sleeping giant.

Jaden, 21
Brampton, Ontario  CANADA

I'd respond with great caution, and with the minimum force needed to eliminate the terrorists. I'd avoid attacking the general population of any area.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

Kill 'em all! But I know that's not appropriate or possible. I am not much of strategist so I don't know what I'd do! I'll leave it up to the guys in charge...that's why we elected them right, because they're good at what they do!

Tracy, 24
Ocean City
, NJ  USA

Government: Investigation followed by military action.
Corporate: Spread your companies out, don't put so much in one building or even one city.
People in general: Be supportive. If you're not a big fan of politicians or the police give it a rest for a while, people are going through hell.

Alias Irrelevante

I don't know. I don't want to see civil liberties taken away. I don't want us to bomb Afganistan back to the Stone Ages. I don't want Arabs or Arab-Americans or Muslims persecuted. I do want tighter security in our country. (The whole question thing at the airport was Such A Joke!) I do want the people who helped plan the attack to be prosecuted and thrown in prison. This isn't an easy question to answer.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

To my mind, punishment should be given to all the people involved in the financing, planning and execution of terrorist plots. Innocent people should not be hurt.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

It is a hard question for me. I don't want to see anyone else killed (even those part of this terrorist group). I have never thought violence should be responded to with violence. But now it is clear that some sort of response needs to be made. I would only ensure that it was appropriate, restrained, and really would have a long term impact.

Clearly we need to have better security in place, but we should always be aware that such security could easily result in the loss of personal freedoms. It is a fine line between security and fascism.

The US government needs to be a more collaborative partner in the world. Being a big Goliath only serves to make others hate us and want to knock us down.

Americans need to educate themselves more about the Middle East, Islam, and the struggles of Arabs around the world. Same too for every other region of the world we don't understand. And the education, support and leadership needs to be there to make it very clear that lashing out and inflicting pain on our own citizens or the innocent citizens of other countries (including Afghanastan) is unacceptable.

And finally, we need to ensure that the sort of physical, mental and emotional destitution that creates terrorists are addressed. We need to acknowledge that US foreign policy has a responsibility in all of this. And that the huge inequities in this world create violence. Making sure that countries like Afghanastan and groups like the Palastinians are brought into the structures and organizations that will improve the lives of their citizens can only help. Bombing them to smithereens could only create future generations far more angry and hopeless.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

Someone asked me this question earlier, and after much deliberation, I decided that I'd resign. That's why I'm not President, I guess. I refuse to have any part in war. I suppose one thing I'd do would be to issue an executive order NOT to EVER attempt to rebuild the WTC. We've built it twice now, and enough is enough.

Kristin, 20
IA  USA

If it were up to me, there wouldn't have been attacks in the first place. But you can read my reactions at: http://www.karen.black.org/diarysep01.html

Karen, 21
Marshalltown/Ames
, IA  USA

I think our only option, once we know the terrorists, is a massive military campaign. I fully support President Bush. It is going to be a hard war to fight...because these terrorists are evil cowards who hide in the shadows...but we will smoke them out. As John McCain said, God may have mercy on them, but we won't.

Frodo
age unknown, parts unknown

Ack, I can't even begin to contemplate this. I don't want a war but whoever's responsible for this must be brought to justice - that's as much as I know.

Shanna, 16
Cardiff  ENGLAND

It was not necessary

Patty

Blow Afghanistan right off the map...sorry if that's not PC.

Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre
, PA  USA

I seriously don't know WHAT my response would be. I think Pres. Bush is doing a fabulous job and I'll leave it to him and his advisors.

Reba, 51+
Silver Spring
, MD USA

i am in no position to make any sort of call on this that would make any sense. . .

mothmc, 37
Los Angeles
, CA  USA

i would send in a a squad of hitmen to flush out the terrorists and kill them off on the quiet, of course after that an education group would have to be stationed their to re-tell the story in as many different ways as possible, to give all sides, we all have brains, just some of us use someone elses.

Maria

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