Justice NOT War

Justice NOT War
by Michael 23

  America has suffered a tragic loss of life and property.  Many have
died and my sincerest condolences go out to all who have suffered
loss... I have not personally lost anyone (to my knowledge) to the
tragedies at the world trade center or the pentagon, but I can relate as
my closest friend was recently killed by a drunk driver.  Loss of one
close is a horrible feeling.  Grief comes in waves and shuts down all
other emotions, but the joy of life and it's renewal does return.  I
lost my friend Kelly to a car accident just over one month ago, and I am
still sad.  Many of the stories from the tragedy in New York remind me
of my loss. Many times I have cried in these past few days.
    The events surrounding America's tragedy have me worried.  Now I
don't normally watch television... Haven't for years... But recently, I
hooked one up to see what was happening in New York and Washington.  Now
I have been watching it for days.  It's pretty mesmerizing.  All of the
footage, all of the personal accounts, all of the official reactions...
I feel like I am really in touch with what is happening in our country.
However, all of the channels seem to be presenting the same story from
the same viewpoint.  Shock, fear, hope, help, anger, retribution, hate,
war.  The story is presented as if everyone watching feels the same way
about what is happening.  There must be millions of people watching.  Do
they all feel the same way I do.  Are we all shocked? Are we all afraid?
Do we all hope? Can we all help? Are we all angry? Do we all want
revenge? Do we all hate? Do we all want war?
    I have been thinking about it.  I had to turn off the volume on the
TV to have my own opinion.  I personally do not want war.  I think if
the authorities can determine who committed these acts, they should be
brought to justice and tried in a court of law.  I may be naive but if
our standards for justice and human rights in this country are really
valid, we should use them when dealing with any humans of any country.
However, it appears that the media and the president are calling for
revenge and war.  How would American society work if we settled all of
our disputes this way?  Should we not apply our highest standards to
dealing with those who understand us the least?  Or is that justice just
for US and people of other beliefs and nationalities deserve the Old
Testament's eye for an eye?  Is this the same double standard that
blinds us to America's villany in the world, villany that can inspire
such hatred in the hearts of men that they would kill themselves in an
effort to kill thousands of us, thousands of innocent people?  Or should
this tragedy be understood as evil deeds done by evil people following
the wrong god?
    I believe that the people who have committed these crimes should be
arrested, tried and punished.  While many have died in the acts
themselves, those that are still alive should be punished.  America's
"super powers" should be potent enough to catch these people.  That
should be enough.  That would serve justice.  That would honor those who
died with our highest standards of civilization being applied to judge
even our worst of enemies.
    But instead, it appears that the fires of hatred are being fanned by
both the media and the government to develop deep racial and religious
hatred as well as a thirsty bloodlust for revenge.  It seems to me that
a war is being declared that requires death in quantities far greater
than we have received to prove once again that America is superior to
all nations of the earth.