George,

Mostly, the news media and the call-in shows talk about revenge, revenge, revenge.

Relatively little has been done to put the terrorism in context. On Thursday, UVA had a teach-in which was very helpful, and I know that PBS had a program Thursday night which was helpful.

Two things are very important. First, we need to try to understand why people would do this, and second, we need to take steps which will make the world safer, not more dangerous.

Innocent citizens died. They have paid, without asking, the supreme sacrifice. The only way their sacrifice can truly be meaningful is if our actions make the world a safer place. If, as Colin Powell said, we use many means, political, diplomatic, and possibly military, to work against terrorism, then, the sacrifice will have not been in vain. If Americans pull together, try to understand each other, accept their differences, try a little more civility and cooperation, then it will be worthwhile.

If, on the other hand, we whip up hatred for people unlike us, including persecution of Americans who are Arab, Muslim, who even look Middle-Eastern, then the sacrifice will be a basis for more violence. If we take this opportunity to bomb other countries, thus causing innocent citizens there to be sacrificed, what will we have gained? Not safety and security for us. Not peace in the world.

Nancy Damon (electronic mail, December 14, 2001).