Thom, and Nabeel, are right on this point. The larger Arab and Muslim world has greivances w/ the U.S., the most extreme or radical factions are the terrorists. Does this mean that anyone w/ the same grievances is a terrorist or supports their actions? No, definitely not. Not in Ireland, not in Mexico, not in Saudi Arabia.
Why is this important? Because it goes directly to the issue of our government lying to us, using a tragedy such as Sept. 11th for the most cynical reasons imaginable, or could the president really be that stupid?? The CIA certainly knew that 9/11 did not happen because, "they hate us for our freedom".
As Nabeel correctly pointed out, they, (Arabs), could give a rat's ass about "our freedom". Do they send suicide bombers to Amsterdam? Ever been there? Talk about freedom! Additionally, many people in Saudi Arabia, (where the 9/11 highjackers came from), enjoy a standard of living way above the U.S. average.
No, the president stood before us and lied in the days after 9/11 in order to lay the groundwork for support of current policies. Remember, it is not the children of Senators or Halburton executives who will die in Iraq or other wars. It's the "heartland" people, good "salt of the earth" Americans who trust their Republican leaders. But having an informed public does not bode well for current policy makers, that's for sure.
