In my mind there is a distinct difference between a group setting out to deliberately murder as many innocent persons as possible to achieve a political purpose and a war conducted by a nation and fought under the international rules of war.  BTW, I'm not referring to Iraq, which is a travesty regardless of the outcome, that had nothing whatsoever to do with the events of 9/11; and I am not defending that war or the criminal actions of those in the American Government related to it or the "war on terror." My point is that terrorist actions are rightly seen as equally criminal in nature and the perpetrators should be pursued and treated as criminals.

point taken. i'm sure you speak for millions in the usa, and anyone who has been hit knows how you feel.

al quaida's perceived injustices were punished by 9/11, creating more of the same. they had declared war effectively through their corruption of the concept of jihad, and knew that there was no UN that would listen to them. they took a horrible option, just as 'we' are now in return, and so on and on, until the UN loses its israel/usa bias, and we stop treating the middle east like it's our armed personal warehouse for our energy needs. bin laden is certainly a lunatic killer, but surely it's only a fool would think he did it without some reason more than simple pathological paranoia and racial/religious hatred?

just to be clear, he was unutterably wrong to do what he did, but have our actions vis-a-vis the muslim and arab world not been maddening for centuries?

no wonder he's barking, we would be too... in fact i think we are, and no surge in afghanistan will convince me differently, unless it's a surge in genuine aid, not bombs.

'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty