We shall overcome

THE EDITOR, Sir:

'WE SHALL Overcome'. In line with the tragic events which unfolded in the United States of America, I send my condolences to the family and friends in Jamaica of those who had loved ones lost or injured in the assault on the World Trade Center Twin Towers, an American landmark in lower Manhattan, the Pentagon and the hijacked planes.

Responding to an article in the Friday Gleaner entitled 'The Unthinkable Can Happen', the writer claims that despite the United States' large defence budget the American Government's response to the attacks was "confused and chaotic". Not only does our budget have nothing to do with the response of the Government towards the unsuspecting assaults that took place, but it is incredible and ill-profound to make such a statement. It is neither confusing nor chaotic that in the interest of American citizens and residents, at home and abroad, and also in the interest of other countries that the US Government is timely, carefully and tactically coming to their resolve and not jumping to conclusions nor pointing figures in wake of the attacks. Neither was it confusing nor chaotic to constantly move our Commander In Chief, President Bush, over the span of the continental US given that the White House and Air Force One were themselves targets of attack placing him in imminent danger.

The statement that the gathering of Congress on Capitol Hill shaking hands and singing God Bless America showed them to be "curiously weak and human" is quite the contrary. They are indeed human. However, that only goes to show the non-partisan attitude and unity of our government in the period of the terrible attacks brought upon our nation. The implication that the words "America is strong", used in several speeches by our leaders since Tuesday, "rudely exposed our weakness" is erroneous. It only shows the strength and willingness of our leaders to work together to combat these tragic events. It is also imprecise to say that "Americans have been humiliated and the pressure for swift retaliation is and will be tremendous."

Yes, their will be immense pressure on our Government to take swift actions against terrorism and terrorists. Who is to tell if there won't be another surprise attack tomorrow? There was immense pressure on our Government when we were attacked by Japan in World War II. We did not respond until seven months after the attack. The same can be said when we had the first bombing of the World Trade Towers in 1993. Pressure from the public does not mean that the US Government is not going to be careful and tactical in carrying out a counter-attack of any sort, be it political, or militaristic.

Surely, the Jamaicans who have lost loved ones in these appalling events would also like to see swift actions taken. Terrorists aim at changing what America stands for, which is Democracy and Freedom. It is not only America but Western Civilisation which is the target of many terrorist, not excluding Jamaica or any other country. It is definitely time for the civilised world to come together and try to rid our world of terrorism and not the time to be critical of the US government nor any other government and the actions they should take in trying to bring justice after these unprecedented and horrifying attacks upon innocent and unsuspecting men, women and children.

I am, etc.,

A. LINDSAY

dre_lin4@hotmail.com

Bronx, New York

Via Go-Jamaica

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