American Dreams

SPECIAL SECTION:

The World Reacts - Conclusion

G21 Mailing List members, Special Commentators

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"I heard someone say on TV this morning that the eagle was selected as a symbol because the eagle wasn't afraid to fly during a storm.

"We have tears, but we're still flying!"

SPECIAL SECTION: "AMERICAN DREAMS: The World Reacts - Conclusion"What follows are the raw, unedited responses of our Mailing List members immediately following last Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.:

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FORWARDED BY G21 Columnist RON DIENER, Lizard Lick, NC, USA:

Dear All,

At these difficult times I wish to express on behalf of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) and in my name feelings of identification and sympathy with Americans who fell as a result of the terrorist acts perpetrated against innocent people. I would want also to assure the many American friends, partners and colleagues bonds of solidarity and pray that you will all have the courage to withstand the stresses of these difficult times.

Unfortunately, some TV crews have filmed Palestinians as they demonstrate in support of these despicable acts. Let me clarify that those demonstrators constitute a small and insignificant minority. I understand also that some of these "demonstrations" were staged for the benefit of the TV cameras. I feel sorry that this had happened and I want to assure all of you that Palestinian culture and values do not acquiese with this kind of terror nor with its support. I know that we are living hard and difficult times in the West Bank and Gaza but this fact should in no way turn us away from our authentic cultural values and traditions. This is why I strongly believe that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians have similar feelings to those expressed in the statement issued by DSPR that is in an attached file to this message.

As Americans overcome the consequences of these difficult days, I pray and hope that the political problem confronting all of us here would be worked out to the advantage of a just and lasting peace that would usher a new era of good neighborliness and mutual respect and acknowledgment.

Finally, I have succeeded in establishing telephone contact with Rick Santos from NYC although the line was not clear. I am relieved that he and David are doing fine. To me personally, these are particularly difficult and sad times because of the friends and partners, throughout the USA, who have stood with our Palestinian people and gave of their time and energy to lend support and to work for a just and lasting peace in our area. I am not going to mention anyone by name but want to assure all of you that you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.

With best wishes,
Sincerely yours,

Bernard Sabella
Executive Secretary
DSPR Central Office
Jerusalem

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The Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees
Middle East Council of Churches
Central Office
East Jerusalem

Statement On The Tragic Events That Befell Americans

The Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches expresses its deep shock and sadness at the tragic events that befell thousands of Americans as they went about their daily chores in New York City and Washington D. C. and as they traveled to various destinations.

In the strongest language possible, the Department condemns the acts of violence and terrorism that not only hit at the American people but also made all of us feel at a loss and rendered logical explanations of what happened impossible. As we send our condolences to those who have lost a loved one and pray for the quick recovery of those who are hospitalized, we stress that violence and terrorism cannot and will not resolve outstanding political issues.

We would like at this time to emphasize that as Palestinians we reject these abhorrent acts and we identify with the thousands who fell victims. We like also to highlight that countless Americans have always identified with the just cause of our people, including churches, NGOs and ordinary Americans of all walks of life. This makes the tragedy that befell Americans ever more painful to us. We are sure that the overwhelming majority of our Palestinian people shares the feelings we express here.

At this time of tragedy, we share with the American people and with our friends, partners and acquaintances in the USA our thoughts and prayers and we stand by them as they strive to overcome the consequences of these horrendous crimes.

East Jerusalem, September 12, 2001


FROM ANA J., (No City Provided,) SINGAPORE:

Dear friends and acquaintances,

This next email you are about to read is a long account of one man's theory with regards to the motive(s) behind the attacks in america, and who might be behind them. This email is not intended to offend. Merely speculate and inform.   I am forwarding this to everyone in my list - muslims and non-muslims alike, because to me, it isn't even a question when it comes to defending my religion.  

As we have seen from the continous news slammed in our faces every day, Islam and "its terrorists" are continually being accused of the despicable atrocities that took place in america. Why hasnt anyone come forward to present a different theory?  - A classic example of the innocent presumed guilty unless proven otherwise.

Please read it all. It does not pay at all to be ignorant in times like these.

aNa
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Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I would like all of you to consider something so audacious that no one has given a thought about it. In my 'Conspiracy Theory', the perpetrator can be none other than the State of Israel. Surah Al-Baqarah says: DO YOU NOT THINK! And I have been thinking. About history, about hadiths and about politics.

It would not take much to hijack a plane. It is after all, relatively easier to smuggle aboard a knife than a firearm. The modern Global Positioning System is so user-friendly that anyone who can read numbers and find a point on a map can use it. Isn't the modern Total Navigator System wonderful?

Visibility on a good day is approximately 10 Nautical Miles (from experience). The hijackers found the WTC and the Pentagon easily. But they did not do so well with the fourth hijacked plane. I would theorized that based on the flight path and from information gleaned from the news that it was probably heading for Capitol Hill or the White House.

It would be incomprehensible that the hijackers could attack the Pentagon and yet NOT try for the nearby White House, the seat of American sovereignty. And why did it crash in Pennsylvania? Because the Americans probably figured out the game plan for suicide plane number four and promptly shot it down. However, it would be extremely detrimental to the already devastated morale of the American public to announce such a fact and so the news says it crash. I don't think I am the only one to put two and two together on this one.

Such an attack is however, logistically complicated and to plan such a coordinated series of strikes on diverse locales using planes hijacked from different flight paths and to coordinate such a small window of opportunity requires planning on a scale that is beyond the usual Palestinian, Iranian, Fascist, Leftist or other terror organization. Detailed knowledge of flight paths, the exact plane to hijack, the time to execute the maneuver and the the actual recruitment of the right individuals.

Therefore, there had to be a significant and formidable organization behind it. For the record, HAMAS has never hit American targets, if what they claim is true. They were formed to combat Israel in Israel and are a welfare organization as well as a militant force. Their vision of an Islamic State in Palestine makes tham an enemy to the secular PLO as well as the Jews.

With regards to the Taleban, they were allegedly involved in a series of engagements with the Northern Alliance. There were explosions in Afghanistan although the United States denies any involvement. The commander of the Northern Alliance, General Masood is reported to have succumbed to injuries sustained in the fighting. In any case, the Taleban have NEVER proved to have been involved directly in any terror activities. They are under an arms embargo but are engaged in a confrontation in the north of Afghanistan with the Northern Alliance, who are armed by the United States, Israel, India, Russia and Iran. In any case, they are a bit too busy.

As for Osama bin Laden, despite his alleged billions, he is still only one man. Money does not buy you all the information you need. That's why people steal it. Besides, give him some credit for intelligence. An analysis of the situation will show that Islam has more to lose than gain from all this.

HOW DOES ISRAEL BENEFIT FROM THE CURRENT SITUATION?

1. Israel is one of only three countries which are known to have most of their reserves in gold instead of foreign exchange. In any crisis, the stock markets, the commodities index and all values that are based not on the cost price but the credit price drops. Gold prices rise as investors seek a safe haven to park their funds. When there is a threat of conflict, the price of oil rises to reflect the increased demand that occurs because war machines need fuel to run and people start hoarding it.

2. The fact that world headlines are all on the situation in the United States, has anyone really noticed that Israeli troops have moved into Jenin? There is the aftermath of a tragedy in America. There is a tragedy right now(!) in Palestine.

3. Ariel Sharon is almost under indictment in the Northern European courts for crimes against humanity. Now he can justify that the 'barbaric' Palestinians require this kind of treatment because if not for Israeli efforts, there would be another series of acts of terror. The threat of indictment is reduced significantly.

4. The US has been pressuring the Israelis of late due to some of the measures taken to pacify the Occupied Territories. The US is now more concerned with problems at home instead of the distant Palestinian problem.

5. By precipitating Huntington's Clash of Civilizations, the Jews have succeeded in demonizing Islam. The reporting is pretty biased sometimes against Muslim fundamentalists. It has basically ensured that life for our Muslim Brothers in the West just got more difficult. In the next few weeks, expect to see a rise of incidences of hate crimes against Muslims. People need a target to vent their anger. Islam is conveniently placed to become that enemy.

6. In any case, this would not be the first incidence of Israel attacking an ally. In 1965, an American warship was attacked. I have been very concise with all my points since I do not want to bore with details. The salient points have been given and for those who are interested, they can always do their homework...


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