Sir, - Like Americans everywhere, I am horrified and saddened by the events of September 11th. I want to see the criminals responsible for murdering civilians brought to justice. However, I disagree with President Bush's handling of the crisis.
Firstly, I would have brought the case before the United Nations and the World Court. Bombing Afghanistan jeopardizes the lives of too many innocents and it puts the US at odds with the wishes of relief workers in the area.
Secondly, I believe it is every bit as dangerous for us to categorize the American campaign as a conflict between the good guys and the "evildoers" as it is for the other side to deputise themselves as followers of Allah out to destroy the "infidels".
Thirdly, President Bush needs to abandon the language of empire. Nothing that he has ever said suggests that he would steer the nation in a different direction. He will preserve "our way of life" even if it takes years.
Mr Bush, however, has a reputation as a coalition builder. He needs to know what Americans are thinking. But are we thinking? It is time to move on, not to emotional jingoism but toward a thoughtful examination of what the US government through the CIA has done and continues to do in our name around the world. We need to understand why so many people hate us. We need to gather in homes and places of worship, in town halls and libraries to grapple with these questions if we ever expect to feel safe again. - Yours, etc.,
Patricia Ellen Rice, Commonwealth Avenue, Newton Centre, Massachusetts, US.