An open opinion to BF, CB and SI:

First, let me introduce myself. I am a bond trader for a global firm with a modest wall street presence. I
am a 28 year old single man who lost no co-workers or friends, but one business contact in Tuesday's
disaster. Like many single men my age, my thoughts before Tuesday were pretty much equally divided
between my job, sports and women. I'm writing this open letter only to express my opinion and to expose
others to the possible mindset of those in a position similar to my own. Please read it and criticize at will.

For the first time in my young life, I have questioned personal safety, and thereby the freedom that I once
assumed was assured by being an American citizen. When the two WTC towers fell, I knew instantly that
my world would never again be quite the same. I can only hope that other American citizens understand
the potential ramifications of engaging in a prolonged battle against an enemy with no regard for their own
or any other human life.

Like you, I've seen the outporing of emotion, and the demonstrations of patriotism by my fellow
Americans, and I'm deeply moved by their patriotism. My fear is that they have no idea what may be in
store for America in the coming months or years. Obviously, I am too young to have experienced the
horrors of battle fought in WWII, Korea, or Viet Nam. My fear is that these wars are too quickly
forgotten in light of the military display of American might that was the gulf"war".. What I have seen
since Tuesday, through the media and in person, is a cry of"war" by Americans, probably fueled by rage
and not well thought out. Adrenaline and testosterone do not win battles.

What I fear we are facing is a fight like none we have seen before, and my assesment is not made on media
influence but personal judgement. The foe we face is nameless and faceless, and fights in ways we can not
predict or defend confidently. Am I over-reacting? No reaction to the downing of two of the most
important buildings in the world, an assault on the military nerve enter of the most powerful nation in the
world, and the deaths of 5000 American citizens is too rash. Are Americans prepared to respond with
equal force?

The patriotic answer is"Hell Yes!". But who among you is truly ready to give your life for this country?
For the last four days, this is the question I have struggled with, and I thought it important to share my
thoughts with others and guage their reactions.

These are the questions I think need to be asked of the American populace so ready to declare war:

Who among you is ready to resort to the terrorism that our enemy has? Who can harbor the hate for them
that they have for us? Who is ready to sacrifice civil liberties and the human rights of others to protect
their own? Who among you can forget"political correctness" and fight the battle we may need to fight to
eradicate this world of the hate that has caused us so much pain? Can you generate enough hate to battle
that which has been inflicted on us? Are you ready to kill innocent citizens as the inevitable collateral
damage of a war? Are you ready to accept more killing of our own innocent?

Candles and flags and heart-wrenching stories of rescue buoy American spirits and make me proud to be
an American. But Peter Jennings and the teary lady on channel 7 and the kids wearing red white and blue
ribbons won't win this war. Neither, unfortunately, will George W. Bush, Dick Cheney or Colin Powell.
What will win the war we are facing is Americans ready to give their life in battle as readily as our enemy.

Do I fit this description? I'm still trying to decide. Do you? I can only hope enough say yes, if indeed this
war requires the call for additional troops.

After four days of thought, prayer and meditation, I believe I may be ready to make this sacrifice. Am I
scared? Hell yes, and not afraid to admit it. But I think the future of my country may depend on young, fit,
intelligent men like myself, and with no wife or family to support, I can give more freely than many.
Nothing that I have done in my life to date has warranted more importance than this decision. I think I
may be capable of helping exterminate our enemy, but who could ever know? My decision is based on the
fact that I am more able to give than most. Am I capable of ending a human life, or many? I'll never be
able to answer that question until confronted with the choice. Am I willing to die for our freedom, like our
forefathers? I can only hope so. Its not a question of bravery, because I doubt I'm brave. Its a question of
duty, and I can only hope there are enough Americans out there who have the strength to do so. Words are
empty from the first strike forward.

Please, comment.


Brian


mein kommentar: oops, s'braucht offenbar nicht irrsinnig viel um menschen dazu zu bringen, ihr leben für ein"höheres ziel" zu opfern.


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