Here is an e-mail I got from a friend of mine. I think some of you guys/gals can try to give them a better point of view. I know I have tried.[mad] E-mail follows:



Dear Friend of MoveOn,

Thousands of you participated in our online discussion this weekend.
The heartfelt and clear-headed suggestions are a real breath of
fresh air from the drumbeat for war we hear on TV.

It's important to let our leaders know that Americans won't support
playing into the terrorists' hands by responding with escalating
violence.  

  [url]http://www.moveon.org/justice/[/url]

One of the top-rated suggestions was to send the following letter
to the President and Congressional Representatives:

  To combat terrorism, we must act in accordance with a high
  standard that does not disregard the lives of people in other
  countries.  If we retaliate by bombing Kabul and kill people
  oppressed by the Taliban dictatorship who have no part in
  deciding whether terrorists are harbored, we become like the
  terrorists we oppose.  We perpetuate the cycle of retribution
  and recruit more terrorists by creating martyrs.  Please do
  everything you can to counsel patience as we search for those
  responsible.  Please ensure that our actions reflect the
  sanctity of human life everywhere.  Thank you.

We’ve mounted a petition campaign, called "Justice, not Terror",
that delivers exactly this message.  Please add your voice at:

  http://www.moveon.org/justice/

Your participation is extremely important in breaking the myth
that Americans support senseless bloodletting.  Send an instant
message to Washington and tell your friends at:

  http://www.moveon.org/justice/

If you haven't participated in our discussion forum, go to:

  [url]http://www.actionforum.com/forum/index.html?forum_id=220[/url]

The thoughts posted are really wonderful.  It gives me renewed
hope for our future.

Sincerely,

- Wes Boyd
 MoveOn.org
 September 17, 2001

while i agree with the premise on the moral issue, i also know the logistics of searching for the needle in the haystack and no justice will come to those who deserve it if we don't burn the haystack.

besides, i believe that this will be much like vietnam in the sense that the civilians will very likely be the enemy.  best case scenario we won't be able to distinguish which civilian is "innocent" and which is hiding behind the mask of civilian life to kill our soldiers.  as such, they are all the enemy.  unfortunately, it does have to be a "shoot first, ask questions later" action.