No "Patriott" I believe the American reaction is warranted and based on Afghanistan harboring the mastermind of the 9/11 attack that killed 2,700 innocents. After giving Afghanistan adequate time to comply with a legitimate request to make bin Laden available, the United States actually demonstrated an extremely humane approach by not detonating a 50 megaton nuclear device over their most populace city as a reinforcing point to a strong argument. One hundred years from now when history for this period is written, it will come to light that all the major powers held their breath for twenty four hours waiting to see just how the US might react. I'd bet you that there were a few who worried that our response might be more biblical than it was. On the face of it, the US showed remarkable restraint in light of the nature of the attack and the casualities. Set aside for a moment the human tragedy for a second and calculate the monetary damage done on 9/11...Afghanistan earned itself a devastation, a decimation and there are more than a few who believe we haven't given them enough grief yet.

Kind Colorado. The mountain air is clouding your eyes - or perhaps too much reliance upon the media as a source of truth. No one on the planet believes these 'justifications' for invasion except gullible Americans. Exceptionalism rules from sea to shining sea and blinds the minds and hearts of citizens who would otherwise call for the heads of those who are lying to us all.

THE REAL masterminds of the 9/11 attacks were in Washington, DC and other locations in America. Purpose: to justify a growing series of international invasions and wars (23 concurrent wars at present count), to destroy the authority of the constitution, to push the post-constitutional republic into a fascist police state and to supply the ruling oligarchs with all the cash they want at the expense of ourselves and our children.

Don't believe me? Have you been to NYC-ground zero? I was there. What caused the collapse of WTC7? According to government lies, the 40 story building collapsed because it was 'nervous' - sympthetic vibrations or some such rubbish. Yet the little church/chapel across the street did not suffer so much as a cracked pane of glass. 9/11 was a very skillful demolition job. Nothing more.

but that's just me, hollering from the choir loft...

Conventional logic suggests a goal. That's how you know you've won or lost.

When goals are not established the obvious logic is that the purpose of waging war is simply to wage war. There is no goal except to make as many defense contractors as wealthy as possible and to keep the American people in line - like a herd of mindless cattle.

With the exception of Viet Nam, no place where America has fought has been completely abandoned. The military & three letter agencies ALWAYS leave a presence. The war in Iraq continues as a shadow war and the war in Afghanistan and -whatever 'stan- goes on and on.

The next step is to secure Syria - not scheduled until after the election. After that, the invasion of Iran is a possibility. When that happens, you'd better hold onto your tighty whiteys because things will get VERY dicey.

but that's just me, hollering from the choir loft...