Forwarded from the bounce bin. Message is from
"Lizzy Bourgeois" <lizzybourgeois@hotmail.com>
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I'm incredibly saddened and shocked by Tuesday's attack on the WTC and everyone
who's been touched by the tragedy has my deepest sympathy.
But Mike Duane's comments must not go unchallenged.
Of course the sometimes benign and philanthropic influence of the United States
must be recognised and acknowledged but people in the USA shouldn't assume that
they're owed a debt of gratitude. I have had the unpleasant experience of being
both shot at and bombed by terrorists in Ireland. On on the occasion I was
actually shot, the bullet was manufactured in the United States, the weapon
it was fired from had been made in and probably sent from the United States and
the funds used by the terrorists to buy their weapons and conduct their
'campaign'
came mostly from 'well-wishers' in the United States.
I have, and will continue to reject violence in all its forms. Violence as
retribution
diminishes and demeans the perpetrator and believe me, whatever the motivation
violence hurts its victims just the same. The terrorist who shot me
apparently wanted retribution for the behaviour of Oliver Cromwell and others
who did unpleasant things in Ireland an awfully long time before I came on the
scene. If I'd said I was sorry, do you think it would have made any difference?
Instead of launching jingoistic polemics, maybe Mike and others who share his
views
could take this opportunity to consider the power of forgiveness. It may
not do much for the one who hurts you but if you can forgive, its incredibly
liberating. Maybe then, you can find a way to deal with the real problems
underpinning
what we choose to call 'terrorism'. After all, one man's terrorist
is another man's freedom fighter.
Jim Bourgeois
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