I'm not an American. I never wished to be (I just want to marry one). I am proud to be Canadian and I am proud to be a friend to quite a few American people in my life. And I sympathize with them. I can't even imagine what it would psychologically be like to learn that a plane crashed into downtown Vancouver killing many of my fellow Canadians, some who I would have known. Let alone 4 planes doing the same. There are people that I have talked to that have said that the USA had it coming for all of the sanctions they have imposed on various Middle Eastern countries and south Asian countries. This could be so and I believe that to a certain extent, what goes around, comes around. But I also remember that two wrongs do not make a right. You can not make a point by killing people. I don't care who you are and what you do. Mass murder does not do anything but enflame tempers and resentment. President Bush has many tough decisions facing him now. This is stem cell research multiplied by a billion. He has the power to start World War 3, but my gut instinct tells me this is not what he wants to do. The US wants revenge, and I know that they will act upon this desire. They want revenge on those that did this and not the innocent bystanders. But of course, as in any war, innocent bystanders will fall. I pray and hope that President Bush makes the right choice, before God and before the people of the world.

North America was not invaded in the twentieth century. We went through two World Wars and fought a battle on every land, other except that which was our own. But now many countries possess the power of military and even more importantly as witnessed by Tuesday's attacks, the will power to invade and destroy. Of course they have perhaps discounted the fact that Americans are proud and will not let terrorism take away their security. Sure it showed me how vulnerable we really are here but during the tragic aftermath, it has shown me that Americans will not be beaten.

So what's next? I know that right now 1/4 of the FBI is on the biggest criminal investigation case in US history. They want to be sure who they are fighting before they make a next move. I pray that they don't do anything before they are 100% sure. I know that right now officials in Afghanistan have got to ve very worried because they don't want the USA to bomb the hell out of them. I don't want to see Afghanistan to be bombed to hell. That won't solve anything but may in fact give rise to more terrorists who believe America is anti-Islamic countries. And those new terrorists will hit the Free World even harder with attacks not just upon the USA but upon Canada, England, and other allied countries.

Osama bin Laden has already said he was not responsible for these attacks. Honestly I believe him but I am sure that his followers in related factions are. He has even gone so far as to say that these attacks were good. For that I think he should alone be brought to justice. I don't think killing him is the way though. He must be made out as a criminal who has been responsible for thousands of deaths across the world. That will be the easiest way to weed out him and his followers. These men are not military terrorists as much as idea terrorists. And the best way to capture a flock is to capture its shepherd. I think that for Afghanistan, it would serve their best interest when it comes to sanctions that have been imposed, if they extradite bin Laden. Lock him up for the rest of his life in solitary confinement away from any communication with the outside world. Killing him now would only bring more followers out of the woodwork. In this case it would be better for this man to fade away than burn out. Remember martyrdom comes when the press coverage is at its greatest.

I'm not anti-Islam or Muslim. I am not anti-any religion or people. I think we all have the right to believe what we want. I do not agree with some of the actions Canadian people and American people are taking against some mosques and places of worship for these religious followers that live in North America. This is despicable. They are not the ones who are responsible. It reminds me of internment camps from WWII. We should not fear these people, especially since many of them have lived for two or three generations. They are innocent and some are just as enraged as Caucasian Americans and Canadians. They are our neighbors. Our friends. Our family. Stick with those that could be and will perhaps be persecuted by more narrow minded people. You will come out a better person. Just remember we are all the same color before God.

What I do hate is narrow minded people who say we should nuke them now. The redneck mentality makes me want to vomit. If you know people like this, ignore them. Maybe then they'll realize that they are being idiotic and shut up. Racism never got anyone anywhere. So if you are harboring hate towards people that are the same race or color as those that may be responsible for this, grow up and realize that a white person could have been and is most likely involved somewhere along the whole scheme of planning. We are just as responsible as the next people.

We live in a free society. Today I treasure my freedom even more. I have been on the edge of tears as I read the articles and the brave acts that were done to save people who were all but doomed. It's sad that so many people had to be lost for us to realize that we had it so good for so long but I'm glad our bubble of security has been shattered. I now know that I am not invincible in Canada. I guess for so long that I had thought I was. Wake up calls, no matter how devastating are needed. I just wish that they didn't take on the form of a tragedy of this magnitude. It's really devastating.

My thoughts and prayers are with those that are in New York City right now, still searching for survivors and not giving up hope. That is the greatest part of the human spirit. Our ability to have hope when everything else says otherwise. To my friends in the States and those that may read this and have lost loved ones, to quote Nine Inch Nails, "We're in this together now." As I said before, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care and God Bless.