Well, all I can say is take a look at your kids. Are you willing to speak out if their life is at risk? I ask because the 'crazies" would have no problem killing them if they can't get at you.
I think it will take more than asking individuals to speak. I'm not sure what the answer is but we need to find one.
I hear what you are saying, but the founding fathers of this country did what they did, knowing full well they would swing if they were captured.
Our troops go into harms way to protect our rights. Their families are at risk of losing them.
Terrorism is a threat to civilization, not just western civilization, but all civilization. Until it becomes as taboo as incest or cannibalism, we will not be able to eradicate it.
People need to step up to the plate and do what is right, and that has to start with people taking sides in this. People ridicule President Bush for his black and white "with us or against us" stance, but that is what must be done. And it cannot be done with silence, and it cannot be done with statements like "I condemn the perpetrators of terrorism, but..."
The condemnation must be loud, it must be sustained, and it must be from all quarters. I appreciate the viewpoint of the gentleman who started this thread, as sincere as he seems to be. But he is a small voice in the wilderness.
Throughout history, people have had to take risky stands on issues, no matter the danger to their families or themselves. We can sit here safely, and be comfortably silent. But in time, and make no mistake, we will see car bombs going off on OUR cities, or worse if we do not act now.
Everyone always looks back after terrible events and says "I wish I had done such and such..." after the fact. After WWII, there were so many people who said "I wish I had actually listened to the rantings of that madman Hitler, instead of dismissing him as an inconsequental politician."
We have not had a nuclear device go off in an American city yet. No matter what we do, it may still happen. And let's not kid ourselves. I am not being hyperbolic here...if the 9/11 perpetrators had the capability, THEY would have used a nuclear device. But if people of good faith loudly and vocally condemn things that deserve that condemnation, then we can chip away at the pillars of support for those terrible things, and they may not come to pass.