Many of their businesses didn't open. They often fear appearing in public. Some of their children are actually terrified about going outside. Yet, they are American citizens and live in the United States. Most are also very conservative (some overly so) and were always available when we needed a large number of folks to make noise about some political problem. I consider many of them to be my friends.

They are greatly different from the American- European culture in which I grew up. Nevertheless, I enjoyed their friendship, their food, and learning about their language and culture.

Most were Muslims. All were Arabs. Many lived and worked in my old neighborhood. And, like any group, there were the good and the few who were not so friendly. Last week was a bit hard on most of them.

Really, though, it probably should have been. After all, I would also be hanging my head in shame if people from the country my grandparents were from came here and killed 10,000+ Americans. Sure, it would have not been my fault, per se. Nonetheless, I would not want to be seen around the neighborhood talking about it. I would feel some kind of shame.

Group shame is sometimes a good thing, actually. It changes outlooks, creates consensus and helps to reorient community goals. So, whereas it is quite unfair to blame all members of any religion or culture for the terrorist activities of a small faction of activist pigs, that unintentional ill of society often helps to institute positive change.

The problem is, we have no time for that foolishness right now. The United State has been attacked. This is war. Those perpetrating the acts of terrorism upon American citizens must pay -- and pay dearly. Which means, there must be a bright line drawn which separates those who are with us and those who are against us. And, anyone not completely supporting us should get the hell out of this country.

We must all remember, though, that good people come from all sectors of our society. Last week, the American Muslim Political Coordination Council(1) publicly condemned the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and offered condolences to the families of those who were killed or injured. Their statement from last Tuesday reads in part:

"American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts."

Also last Tuesday, the American Muslim Council (AMC) urged "all Muslims to come together in this time of tragedy. AMC today condemned the cowardly terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington and expressed its condolences to the families of innocent people killed. This horrific violent incident disturbs American Muslims."

It appears that all of the major American Muslim groups quickly joined in deploring these heinous and barbaric acts of terrorism against the American people.(2) Which means, we hope, that they can also all be counted on to help apprehend those residents of this country who aided and abetted those foreign terrorists in their cowardly act of war on our people.

That's the deal. The offer. We must state it clearly so everyone understands. They are either with us or against us. There is no room here for any other position. Because, there shall be stern retaliation against the terrorist groups and their supporters. As President Bush told our nation last Tuesday evening: "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them."

We, therefore, add our voice to that clarion call for war. The honor of the American People must be defended. The lives of those many thousands of American citizens must be avenged. Terrorists throughout the world, and their supporters, must learn an unmistakable lesson: If they upset the freedom and liberty of the American people, they will suffer some of the worst consequences known to man.

However, we also ask that our President take his time in this matter. He must take the time necessary to conduct a full investigation; learn who was involved; learn who did the planning; find out who financed the operation; and understand how and where these terrorists were trained. Then, make everyone involved cease to exist.

This is war. Peaceful American citizens have died. We must respond accordingly. Major retaliation is necessary. No other action is acceptable.

1. http://islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=AM0109-335

2. http://www.islamicity.org

It's not often that both the administrative and legislative branches of the federal government tell us that at least some of us may violate the law with impunity. In fact, if we do it in a politically correct sort of way, we might even get rewarded for it. Alas, in this case we must first be an illegal alien to benefit.

Last week, in one of their "unanimous consent" voice votes that does not require more than a couple Senators to be present, the Senate passed S. 778, the Senate version of H.R. 1885.

There are strange amendments to the Senate bill and differences with the House bill to be worked out yet. Essentially, though, the idea is to reward illegal aliens for sneaking into the United States and staying here by allowing them to stay permanently.

Section 245(i) permits illegal aliens who have established an employment or familial relationship while here illegally to adjust their status with the INS after payment of a $1,000 fee. Worse yet, it allows illegal aliens to avoid the State Department background checks for immigrants coming from overseas. Therefore, all the felons and terrorists can also stay.

In other words, the Senate approved yet another backdoor to amnesty for lawbreakers. That is, S. 778 allows illegal aliens who would and should not be eligible to stay here to benefit as well.(1)

The offending part of the bill says: "who, in the case of a beneficiary of a petition for classification, or an application for labor certification, described in subparagraph (B) that was filed after April 30, 2001, demonstrates that the familial relationship existed before August 15, 2001, or the application for labor certification that is the basis of such petition for classification was filed before August 15, 2001" gets to stay if they announce that intention and pay a thousand bucks. Of course, they then can bring their families here, too.

The 245(i) program would be extended through April 2002, or four months after the Immigration and Naturalization Service establishes regulations for the program, whichever. The extension would apply to all illegal aliens who meet the program's requirements by August 15 by proving they are related to a legal U.S. resident or have a job -- or the promise of a job -- in the United States.

Of course, the American people do not agree with this action at all. As we reported last week, a recent Gallup Poll found that 94% of the American people(2) do not want amnesty for illegal aliens. In fact, Gallup found that 86% of the American population does not want immigration into the United States to be increased in any way whatsoever. The administration uses the need for cheap labor as an excuse to validate violation of the law.

So, let's see if we can keep this straight: Laws are passed that apply to the general population of the country. Government officials and their campaign fund donating friends, however, do not necessarily need to obey all laws. After all, they trade big bucks and favors -- can't impede that. And, of course, some moneyed consortiums need the cheap labor the illegal aliens provide. So, they will get a pass, too. Which means, if there's a dollar or two in it for someone with political connections, violation of the law is approved.

That's not fair for all of us who have always been good American citizens, though. There needs to be something in this for us, too. So, I again renew my proposal:

It is my contention that, in order for the law to be fair to everyone, every taxpayer in the country should now petition our Compassionate Conservative President for a waver of one felony offense. After all, if millions of known lawbreakers are getting a free pass, it certainly should be no problem for the Compassionate One to grant those of us who pay the bills for this country one free felony.

If you haven't violated a law yet, that's fine. Just collect the chit and hold it until you get caught for something. Then, pass it over to the nice police or regulation officer and that will be that. Simple and fair.

Because, if only some get to violate our law at will, that tells me there really is no law. Just selective tyranny. And, that ain't very fair to those of us who were born here.

Really though, I recommend we make sure Congress squelches that obnoxious bill immediately. We already have enough lawbreakers and terrorists here.

1. http://www.fairus.org/html/07381109.htm

2. http://www.gallup.com

Last month the Russian RIA Novosti news agency reported that Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the appointment of Saudi terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime. Interesting, if true. Afghanistan, then, becomes the first target of the new war.

Watch for "incoming," Afghanistan regime. Those who may survive should see some very interesting sized balls of superheated sand littering the country. They will feel like glass, but will be black in color and will not be transparent. People shouldn't pick up too many, though. After all, they may be radioactive.

Bill Clinton lobbed useless strikes against desert aspirin factories and small (supposed) terrorists training camps. But, Clinton did these things more to get his own personal problems off the front pages for a few days rather than for honest retaliation for terrorism.

Those days are over. President George W. Bush has no such personal problems. Rather, his popularity and approval rating is at a remarkable 86% at this writing. President Bush also has a team that knows how to put a winning plan in place and keep their mouths shut about it until implemented.

Terrorists pricked the ass of the sleeping giant. Now that giant is awake, united, totally pissed off, and demanding retribution!

Can the Afghanistan regime duck? Hope so, because there may be quite a lot coming at them very soon. All indications point to their armed forces chief, Osama bin Laden, as the director of war on the United States. Which means, to Afghanistan, IN-COMING! It won't be coming until our President is ready to send it. There's no real hurry. But, be advised Afghanistan Taliban regime, it will be coming soon. And, when it does, that flash you see may be your last.

Our government asked that Afghanistan turn over Osama bin Laden for trial as a terrorist. Afghanistan did not. Well, please don't now. This is war, now. The time for long, drawn out trials is over. Now comes the time for Osama bin Laden, all his coconspirators, and his supporters, to cease to exist.

The world must know that terrorists may not come to the United States and violate the Life, Liberty and Property of the American people. We Americans are not willing to give up Liberty in trade for a little security. Instead, we prefer to declare war on all terrorists and eliminate any we find.

And find them we have. Already, various police agencies have rounded up about 50 supporters of terrorists. There are more, and they will also be found within the next few days. Then we go after the few hundred who are overseas.

The Afghanistan regime has a right to be worried. Afghanistan has been providing aide, comfort and intelligence to terrorists for many years. These terrorists have attacked many areas of Europe, as well as American facilities overseas. Therefore, it is no surprise that several of the world's governments agree that we should declare war on terrorism and take them all out, once and for all. NATO, and even Russia and China, are indicating they want in on this, too.

Which means, a bright line in the sand must be drawn. All Arab countries must pick a side. After the dust settles, those governments on the wrong side of that line will certainly be abolished and supervised provisional republics will be set up in their place.

That is our message to Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime and all other tin-pot dictatorships allowing or sponsoring terrorists. We will not allow ourselves to be a target of terrorism. The acts of last week unified the American people and brought the governments of many nations into our camp. Now we shall respond in a way terrorists never dreamed possible.

Because, we who live in free and relatively free nations have absolutely no intention of sacrificing Liberty for security against terrorism. We enjoy our freedom and want more, not less. Therefore, our options are limited.

Terrorists awoke the sleeping giant. Now that the giant is awake and angry, he is considering amassing the largest military force known to man and wiping from the face of the earth all those terrorist activists and supporters who would violate the Liberty of free people.

Then, we will no longer need worry about sacrificing Liberty for security. Most of those who would breach our Liberty will be gone. Those missed will be cowering in fear.

Arab terrorists started the war. We shall end it. And, in the process, one message will become strikingly clear to everyone in the world: Americans love their Liberty and are willing to kill anyone who violates it.

Really, there is nothing else they need know.

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