One can only commiserate with the United States for the massive terrorist outrage visited upon it and more particularly the injured and families of the dead. All life is precious.
As for George W Bush facing his moment of truth, I would rather say that it is not even the US but all of humanity that is facing yet another moment of truth, the world wars of the last century being some of the others.
In responding to the terror will humanity, Homo sapiens, be guided by sapience for a change?
It will take power which is available in abundance to respond vengefully but it takes even more strength to exercise restraint.
Will wisdom be given a chance to guide humanity to more enduring long-term perspectives on the matter? Michael E Aken’Ova, University of Venda, Thohoyandou
Equating a nation’s interests with good, and hence anything that affects those interests adversely as evil, is a step that any leader should tremble before taking. When the nation is seen as the ultimate good, the most horrendous actions can be justified in order to maintain its sanctity.
If President Bush wishes to call on God, let him consider carefully what response the God he is speaking of would deem fitting for what has happened. Gary Cundill, Edenvale
How will the dead be remembered? Would it not be a fitting memorial if the following were the results of this tragedy:
The cancellation of Third World debt;
The immediate halving of military budgets around the world;
The increase in social security networks in countries where these have steadily been eroded;
The increase in contributions by developed countries to campaigns against Aids and poverty;
A commitment to an in situ negotiated resolution of the Palestinian question by countries which have hitherto been partisan;
An ending of the deadly embargoes in place against Iraq.
These measures will go a lot further in securing world peace than the bombing of Afghanistan. Robert Morrell, Durban
No nation that espouses democracy, freedom, human rights and peace can applaud the killing of innocent people.
Acts of terror cannot be justified, but can be analysed within the context of an arrogant foreign policy stance adopted by the US since George W Bush’s assumption of power.
US foreign policy preoccupies itself with US issues and shows insensitivity towards the aspirations of billions of people outside the US.
The proposal of building a nuclear defence shield to protect America is indicative of the unacceptable arrogance and aggression displayed by the Bush administration.
The principles of democracy, human rights and peace that we say have been attacked are the very principles that the US has compromised during the bombing of innocent Iraqi citizens in 1991 and the Balkans last year. It is only ironic that when danger hits closer to home, these principles become the US’s rhetoric.
Debates on racism, slavery and environmental degradations are all issues that concern human rights, democratic values and justice, yet the US had the audacity of pulling out of the racism conference and the Kyoto agreement.
All these have created an impression that America seeks to unilaterally draw the rules of international politics and as such has become a bully. Zanethemba Mkalipi, Rhodes University, Grahamstown
I am a US citizen in South Africa, working as a visiting lecturer for this semester. I am devastated and am mourning the loss of life in the US and appreciate the support and condolences of South Africans.
However, I want South Africa to know that there are US citizens who do understand the oppression the US executes in the world. There is growing unrest in the US concerning our government’s imperialistic, arrogant attitude (which is amplified by our President George W Bush) and the fact that the US benefits at the expense of people across the globe. I hope you know my voice represents many, many other US citizens (in the US and internationally) who are working to change the US from a patronising bully to a nation that works with other countries as equals. Anne K Mayher, via e-mail