It's not so easy anymore. Coming up with a ramble that isn't about the terrorist attacks on American soil, I mean.

It's been one of the main topics of conversation. More so with my family and friends from New York, who still endure waves of other terrorist scares (like bomb threats, poison gas threats, second terrorist strike threats, etc).

From all these talks, I've heard alot of differing viewpoints on this situation, from anti-American to pro-American. They've given me a lot to think about.

One thing I'm impressed with is how history hasn't entirely repeated itself. The horror of the Japanese American internment during World War II seems to have taught us a lesson.

Though there have been many horrible hate crimes against people who look even remotely Middle Eastern, the United States government hasn't ordered any kind of internment. And that's a good step forward.

Another thing that impresses me is the careful seeking of understanding by many Americans. After WWII, Americans were quick to paint all people of Russian descent as the enemy.

This time, thousands are scouring the web for more information on the terrorists to try to understand how they could do this.

I think the United States as a whole has come a long way from the aggressive paranoia of our past. It's still got a long way to go, but every baby step is a step in the right direction.

One of the opinions I've heard is that the US deserved this attack. That the US is so arrogant that this terrorist attack will humble us. That many other countries in the world have so much suffering, now it's the Americans' turn to suffer.

That's a really sad opinion. At the core, that opinion is rooted in jealously. Some are jealous of the perception that Americans have a better life than they do, and therefore must be made to suffer.

I'm sorry, but that's just plain bullshit. Jealousy is a poor reason to kill thousands.

Another opinion I've heard is that this is in retaliation to US's foreign policy. That the inconsistent support the US has given to various militants and governments in the Middle East betray a lack of loyalty.

So nearly seven thousand innocent lives must be punished for what a few policy makers have decided? That's just as stupid a reason as jealousy.

Now President Bush says that we must wage a war against terrorism.

What exactly is terrorism? Terrorism is an act, a way of intimidation and coercion. How do you wage a war on that? (This coming from the same country that's waging a war on "drugs.")

We can't fight the act of terrorism. I don't think we can ever abolish it. Terrorism can come from anywhere. It's not just religious extremists that can be terrorists. As Timothy McVeigh has shown, political extremists can be just as dangerous. Not only that, terrorists don't necessarily have to be outside our borders either.

In an open society, I really don't know how we can fight "terrorism" in all its forms without remaining an open society. Heck, even closed societies face terrorism. So the issue isn't that we're an open society, as many politicians were eager to point out early on.

I don't have the answer. I have no idea how to stop terrorism. I don't even think it can ever be stopped. Like what every security expert will tell you, there's no completely foolproof lock out there. If a thief wants to break in badly enough, he'll find a way.

But I suppose we can just decrease the likelihood of it happening. And I think our country is beginning to do a good job of that with the heightened security checks everywhere.

I for one sure don't mind those extra security checks. Even if this terrorist attack never happened, I actually wouldn't mind.

Which brings me to the next opinion I've heard. That our privacy will be compromised with the heightened security, showing the terrorists that they've really won.

I think that some increase in security measures doesn't mean that the terrorists have won. But compromising our privacy definitely will show that. And that's scary.

I'm probably not the best person to be arguing about privacy, because my views on privacy and personal data for marketing are pretty lax. I use NetZero and Morpheus, knowing very well that they both sell my usage data to other companies. (I oughta write another ramble about my strange views on this one day—that way, you'll know I'm totally wacko.)

But if we start walking around, fearing that planes will fall out of the sky, then yes, the terrorists will have truly won. And I for one ain't about to let them win.

. . .

What have you been thinking about?