IP: Re: Prepare ...

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 09:38:59 -0400
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: David H Kaufman <kaufman () kaufmanfamily net>
> Subject: Re: IP: Prepare ...
>
> Dave,
>
> I don't know Adam Shand and I know we're all in shock today. I'm as 
> concerned as anyone about the irrational actions our leaders may take, or 
> may irrationally not take, in the aftermath. Nonetheless:
>
> > > Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 19:19:14 -0700 (PDT)
> > > From: Adam Shand <adam () spack org>
> > >
> > > "Bush did this...
>
> This is outrageous. No American leader could commit such an act against 
> our own people. Don't tell me about Montgomery, Chicago, bus riots, or any 
> other recent history - those are different and it should be obvious why. 
> Bush may be short-sighted, cynical, and a rather dim bulb, but none of 
> these could account for such monstrosity.
>
> As I watched the flames on CNN yesterday morning, and saw the second plane 
> hit, I knew immediately that this was no accident, and that it was not the 
> action of any domestic group.
>
> > > It is easy for us to ignore our responsibility as a nation for what
> > > happened today.
>
> This is unacceptable. The United States, and its citizens, bear NO 
> responsibility for what happened today, and I truly hope that the bluster 
> of the past 20 hours translates into some action that will make that clear 
> to the world.
>
> We are a powerful nation, it is true. But we have attempted over the past 
> 50-60 years to act on the world stage with some form of restraint and 
> respect for other nations and peoples. It is NOT our job to solve all 
> peoples problems, or to protect the citizens of all nations above our own. 
> There ARE some world problems that seem nearly intractable (e.g. in the 
> Middle East), which we cannot solve simply by our presence. We are 
> fallible, we may make mistakes, but we should commend ourselves, as a 
> nation, for remaining egaged and trying to help.
>
> No action, lack of action, or policy of the United States can excuse, 
> diminish, or explain what happened yesterday.
>
> We must commit ourselves as a nation to ensuring that this will never 
> happen again: by improving our internal security, by finding those 
> responsible and bringing them to account, and by leading the civilized 
> nations of the world to eradicate terrorism wherever it happens - in 
> Northern Ireland, Munich, Israel, New York, or Washington DC.
>
> David Kaufman



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