RE: *** ADMIN: September 11th

["Mauger, Jenny" <Jenny.Mauger@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear All,

I really don't wish to tread on anyone's feelings after what was a deeply
tragic event.  September the 11th left many families broken, caused grief to
thousands of children and parents and has challenged the feeling of security
and safety of millions more.  However, for all I respect the American
constitution and it's ideals and the ideals of most decent ordinary
Americans, I would have to add that those ideals have not always been fought
for well.  America has invaded politically or militarily many countries
whose only crime was to choose (democratically) a different political system
to America's or to elect a leader that the American leadership disliked.

I don't dispute the many good things in America's history or say that
British history is any less full of things we should be ashamed of, I just
don't like sweeping comments that hold America up as a beacon for democracy
world wide.  To many oppressed people America has been seen as the land of
democracy and opportunity, 'the port in the storm'  but to many other
countries it's military and political policies have shown a despotism they
outwardly speak out against.

I'm not necessarily a pacifist and I think people should be proud of their
heritage, I just don't think we should repaint our history in a particular
light just because it suits us to believe it so.  We need to learn from our
mistakes and for that we need to be honest about them.

September the 11th was terrible.  What we need is a real United Nations that
will go to the aid of any country that is being invaded or attacked by
another, without economic or political preference, whether that country is
Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Burma, Ireland, Israel, Palestine etc etc.  Okay many
of these are historic with long complex histories but if we were to have
this world policy as of now such messes wouldn't keep occurring or current
situations worsening.  That would be a true testament to those who died on
September 11th and to democracy and peace in general.

Just my view,

Jenny M