There will be many letters about the tragedy in America. And it is an enormous tragedy. But it would be even more of a tragedy if the United States was to learn nothing from it. President George W. Bush, in his speech to the nation, spoke of America as an inextinguishable beacon of freedom and justice. He described the attack as a battle between good and evil. But the truth is more complex. No one has really asked why. Why do some groups hate America so much? Why would they kill themselves along with innocent civilians for their cause? Is it because America is a beacon of freedom and justice in the world? To the terrorists, it is a beacon of injustice and privilege; a wealthy country that organises world trade for its own enrichment. And a bully that imposes its will selectively, particularly in the Middle East. It is a nation that acts only in its own self-interest and props up feudalism in Saudi Arabia to ensure oil supplies. It armed Iraq until it got too cocky and then allowed its ruler to stay in power as a counterbalance to Iran, while Shi'ites and Kurds died. And, above all, it is a country that supports Israel regardless of the justice of that country's position. Because of the injustice of Hitler, Israel was rightly compensated with a homeland. Now it wants more and won't accept Palestine as a partner. No real pressure is exerted by the US to end Israeli settlements. Are these reasons a justification for terror? No. But what other option is open to people who have tried to talk, only to find America blindly supporting Israel? They are desperate, so they act like desperate men. If America really represented justice and ensured fairness between nations, this latest attack would be incomprehensible, or it might never have happened. As it is, it is terrible, tragic and heinous but not incomprehensible. America is not a beacon of freedom for everyone. Now it must try and understand why. R. S. WOOLLEY Happy Valley
