I’m not sure if this belongs in the pit, but considering it’s a bit of a rant, I’ll place it here. This is a time for empathy. A time for sympathizing with those who have lost those dear to them. If you feel frustrated that you cannot do more, get up, get out, and give blood. Or take Zette’s wonderful advice and make a donation to a group that is dedicated to the recovery effort and care of the wounded.
This is not a time to advance your bigoted fantasies of the annihilation of a nation of religious group. This is no time to critique American support of Israel on the misguided assumption that the policy is written in oil. [unless I’m mistaken, there are far better nations to befriend if oil is the motivation] I’ve seen far too many Dopers whose opinions I normally respect hurling prejudiced remarks and calling for extremist action. In the hopes that they calm down and return to rational thinking, I’ll refrain from attacking them specifically or quoting them here.
I would agree that the attacks were an act of war. I also agree that the US is justified in taking decisive action against those responsible [and those who facilitated]. Just keep in mind that the responsible parties, as of this writing, have not been identified with certainty; and even if they do prove to be religious fanatics, it should be kept in mind that they do not represent all practitioners of that religion nor all people who ‘look’ like them. I too was filled with outrage at the sight of celebrations in the middle east, and yes, there is support for the conclusion that an abnormally large number of citizens in Islamic countries have an irrational loathing for the west, but let us not mirror that unreasonable hatred. The US will persevere, and there is every reason for patriotism in the midst of the tales of tragedy, heroism, and survival; let’s not diminish it with ugly hatred.