I remember 911 as the only win ever against the U.S. The terrorists won because we changed. We gave up some freedom for the illusion of increased security. Hardly what I'd expect from the home of the brave and land of the free. 911 made the US duty-bound to hunt down and destroy the perps. 9 years later, and where are we? Finally making the move to leave Iraq that had zero to do with the attack. Still winding around the hills of Afghanistan, altho the perps are hanging in Pakistan. Either Pakistan hands over the perps or allows us in to kill 'em, or Pakistan, who harbors our enemy, is also our enemy. What's so difficult about this? So they're a nuclear power, so was Russia in 62. Call the bluff. Take out bin Laden even if it means turning eastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan into glass. The only way you discourage Al Qaeda is to take them out, to the last man, or so devastate them that they have no choice but to give up.
Many of you know me as a pacifist, which I am. My perspective isn't so much about retribution as it's about principle. If you don't want someone to F with you, you need to let 'em know why they shouldn't F with you if they've F'd with you. Some equations are really as simple as they look.
Sg