'How Dare You?'

Wed Sep 18 18:21:17 2002
Name:BamH1
Email:Bamh1@mailme.com
Your Views:While watching the US open finals last week I saw that the ground zero flag was flying high over Arthur Ashe Stadium. Let us check the facts, after 9/11 the US took revenge on the Taliban by driving them out of power, killing most of their leadership and flying the same flag over Khandahar airport. Bravo! The Indian leaders sit on their collective asses and do nothing as innocent citizens are killed every day all over India. Every time an Israeli gets killed, at least 10 HAMAS millitants are wiped out by the army of Israel. What the heck do our leaders do about terrorism in our country? Absolutely nothing. See here is the problem. The gravy train in India is running too well. There are public companies to be sold with a healthy margin to be collected under the table, petrol pumps and liquor stores to be allotted, defence deals to be struck. Any real patriotic gesture such as dropping some chemical weapons on POK to kill terrorists or actually moving a finger against Chinese occupation in the North-east would jeopardise the vested interests of all politicians. Perhaps, Indians like the Americans should get a right to bear arms and protect themselves from tyranny. JAI HIND!

Tue Sep 17 14:53:46 2002
Name:sunny
Email:someone@someone.com
Your Views:Firstly let me start of by saying that 911 was an evil act those that perpetrators of those incidents were sick individuals driven by there greed of power they should be hunted down to the last person, Also let me clear the air upfront by saying I advocate democracy, Secularism, Capitalism, the notion of Free World, I also believe that the US does stand for all the above mentioned in one way or the other I may not agree with the means it employs but I agree with the principles, Now Dear BRAT (Pun intended) lets see the other side of the coin the first thing I would say is Go and read a little bit of history, The sole reason US joined the war against Hitler was because of pearl harbour, The reason US is so involved in middle east and in Indian Sub continent can be given in a two words oil, more oil, and of course jewsih votes, were it not for oil you wouldn't have put your even little finger in the middle east leave let alone your whole hand , who created bin laden ask the CIA, who armed the Taliban, ask the CIA, who armed Saddam in his war against Iran, ask the CIA, The motives in some cases might have been just, but do the means justify the Cause?

Tue Sep 17 20:20:01 2002
Name:Ratnakar
Email:ratna_69@hotmail.com
Your Views:America is a great nation in many aspects.Their respect of individual freedom, their love of justice and fairness, their hard working nature are something we can do with. Unfortunately they have a foreign policy which is the lousiest one in the world, and makes them the most hated people on earth. Its a well known fact that they kept on the sidelines during WW2 until Pearl Harbor,and then they walked in to take all the credit. No disrespect meant to the American soldiers, but when US entered the war, Hitler was already getting beaten back in Russia, and the Brits,Poles and French made far greater sacrificies in the war. Again there was no need to use the atom bomb against the Japs, as they had already lost the battle and would have surrendered. Instead they ended up creating the greatest tragedy of the 20th century which was avoidable. Bay of Pigs, Panama, Chile, Nicaragua, Laos, everything tells of the story of America propping up tin pot dictators. The fundamental problem is US believes in democracy for itself but not for others. And now they are commiting the biggest blunder by aligning with Pakistan in the war against terror.Its like aligning with Mussolini to fight the Nazis.

Tue Sep 17 20:41:06 2002
Name:Bart Perry
Email:graphxetc@neto.com
Your Views:Yes! you see, I am still not getting across to anyone, and no, I do not watch CNN, I cannot stand that news garbage. I see what is on the web, here..there...I look at paki papers, indian papers, russian papers, etc. I see our troops where they do not belong. I see your government with there hands out (all the time i might add) where they need to be cut off! I am going to say it yet again, let all these people fend for themselves for about 20 years, no money from the USA, no help, nothing! then lets see what happens. You are right, I am sure we Americans are all fed the "hipe" from our government (Ruby Ridge, Waco, Oklahoma City)-(look it up) but we are also able to look into your papers, see what you see. we have the ability to look beyond what we are taught! I see so many people who say" I was in the US for college) well if we are so bad, please...go back home. Let your own governments teach you what they want, and for gods sake tell your governments to STOP taking all the finincial aid, defend yourselves for once, and stop barking at the dog next door because his dog dish has more food! by the way, I do not care if you are muslim, christian, mormon etc. we all bleed red!!

Tue Sep 17 20:20:39 2002
Name:Ravi
Email:r_vchary@yahoo.com
Your Views:Hello everyone, thanks to rediff for giving everyone the opportunity to post their views. As an Indian who has been residing in the US for a number of years now, i love India and I'm not ashamed to say that I love the US dearly as well. I was reading through a lot of the comments posted on this site and shocked at some of the views. To the people justifying 9/11 - how dare you? Have you ever lost a loved one or a friend to terrorism or a tragedy? My cousin happened to work in one of the towers and was very lucky to get out alive. My family and I were worried sick until we knew she was safe. Whether it happens in NYC or Kashmir or Israel or Gujarat or the Balkans, how can you claim that it is okay to kill and take innocent lives to further a cause? Yes, it's true that the US always acts in its best interests, whether it's domestic or international. But isn't it true that all nations and individuals act for their own selfish ends? If the rich Middle-eastern countries really wanted to help improve the lives of their poorer brothers, why is the US still the biggest aid donor in that part of the world? Learn to love, not hate.

Tue Sep 17 20:26:23 2002
Name:Ratnakar
Email:ratna_69@hotmail.com
Your Views:It just seems the Americans dont learn from their mistakes.They created the Taliban by propping up the Mujahideen, and now they are propping up the Pakistan military regime, which is one of the biggest sponsors of terrorism worldwide. Contrary to what our liberal intellectuals might like us to believe, Mushy dear is as benign as Hitler. But what do the Americans do, they pamper Mushy dear, and then Super cowboy Bush, wants to oust Saddam Hussein, another of the CIA's poster boys during the cold war.I am not a fan of Saddam but frankly speaking, i really dont see him as a sponsor of terrorism. If Mushy is a fighter against terrorism, and Saddam is a sponsor, frankly its a theatre of the absurd. Only its not that funny for the number of Indians killed due to terrorist strikes. Where does India stand? Well for starters, we have to tell the Americans to mind their own business, which is what they are good at. The US will never help India out, since India is the only potential rival they have. Its time we be like the Chinese who act in their own manner and tell the others to fly their kite. Time we took strong action against Pakistan.

Tue Sep 17 20:39:07 2002
Name:Apurva
Email:avrupa@hotmail.com
Your Views:India also does the so called charity that US does. India has helped Afghanistan rebuild. But India does not boast about it. US holds SSN from the aliens who are legal and who do not pursue their whole career in US. They are in US because US asked them to be there. Because INS felt that the US citizen does not have the required skill sets for the job. If any other country want to solve their problems by war, then US asks them for retrain but when US wants to wage a war against small nations with zero military resistance it is COLLATERAL DAMAGE. Your words speaks volume about the minority US population who are ignorant about other worlds problem. It represents the minority population who are scared because they will lose their job to someone who deserves it and is more skilled than them. It is you who is from insecure section of US society. I am sincerely hoping that Mr. L K Advani becomes next PM of the country and then everyone will know about the wrath of meddling with India.

Tue Sep 17 20:42:38 2002
Name:s
Email:s@hotmail.com
Your Views:911 was really sad, but we need to realize that neither USA or any other country will come to help us, if we don't try to help ourselves. Its high time that India politicians show some guts. We should clean up our own house. First remove the "No First Use" of nuclear weapons. Then put the Armed Forces in Red Alert. Then go for the "Hot-Pursuit" and destroy all the Terror Camps in PoK. If Pak challenges, say we'll use the nuke Islamabad and all other cities. Reverse the Nuclear Blackmail. The world will fall behind us.

Tue Sep 17 20:48:38 2002
Name:Parth
Email:@yahoo.com
Your Views:One of our Kashmiri Friend menationed that they (READ HE) do not want to be part of India. I wanted to ask him that "How many people of Kashmir want to disasscoiate from INDIA?". Believe me, its few. We must not forget that like other places of India, Kashmir is also a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society. Religiously, kashmir have muslims, hindus, sikhs and buddhist population. And only some fraction of Muslim population wants them to be out of India, Not Buddists, Sikhs and Hindus. And For my Kashmiri Brothers who likes to go to Pakistan, I want them to know that very Pakistan has sold some part of your kashmir to China and you accepted that gracefully and still you want to go to Pakistan. What a Shame !!! And September 11th Attach on USA will never be justified. Just think, if one of your friend would have been in either of the tower !!!!!

Tue Sep 17 20:54:02 2002
Name:Rahul
Email:rahultc@hotmail.com
Your Views:Mr. Parry, who pays illeagal immigrants less than minimum wages? Who uses them in businesses?Who pays for cheap goods from 3'rd world countries made by bonded child labour? Can your president get the second term if oil prices double? Who does all the software work in US if Indian and Chinese people do not? Who justifies Saudi rulers and goes after Saddam when majority of 9/11 culprits are Saudi? So don't say America is self sufficient. Just go to Walmart and verify what percantage of goods are made in USA. True that you can make all these but can you really afford them? No. I think US Foreign policy is justified as it is in its own interest as it should be. Just don't lecture on morality and ask others to show "restraint".

Tue Sep 17 21:22:15 2002
Name:Sriram
Email:sriram1675@yahoo.co.uk
Your Views:What India needs to do is, instead of complaining to so called friendly nations, it should help itself. There should be airstrikes against the militant camps in POK and we should take back the part of Kashmir which is now under Pakistan occupation. We should also get back the territory that the scheming chinese worms have taken from us. If the world or the UN has a problem let them register a case with the International court of justice and then lets see who wins. The congress under the able(?????) leadership of Sonia Gandhi should be banned and so should the communists. Along with them the likes of Romila Thapar, N.Ram and the editors of Times of India and Indian Express should also be deported (Probably none except our very own Siniajis' Italy with her recommendation would accept them). If any one or any group has a problem or complaint against the way things are in India, arrangements should be made for their deportation to any country of their choice. Good riddance of bad rubbish. A strong advise to the Indian expatriates and workers in Europe and USA. Stop giving only your <1 Anna advise and start donating at least $1/month for upliftment of the country. Jai Hind.

Tue Sep 17 21:59:25 2002
Name:mess
Email:messupid@yahoo.com
Your Views:This one is for Mr. Viresh of(India is so messed up, especially North India ) fame. I didn't want to reply to such junk at first but something made me change my mind . This guy should come and see india , I think it is a much better place than it was when he left .(Reasons anyone here can guess hehe). I am equally disturbed by the postings supporting 9/11 and believe that it is idiotic . But then you gotta have 1% idiots among one billion . Nothing unusual about it . Only thing that hurts is the postings where people don't even want to listen where policies went wrong for USA or atlest suggestions. And I really pity people like viresh because blindly supporting anything won't help , look out for reasons. Help US and India both in their progress towards peace . Well so many postings about bad,ugly, old politicians..got a suggestion why don't you guys join politics . You 'll make good politicians or so it seems from your postings. I wonder how many of you have ever cast your votes .Well good luck!try it!

Tue Sep 17 22:06:37 2002
Name:Andy
Email:andy@hotmail.com
Your Views:Folks I don't think America is really serious about eradicating terrorism from the face of the earth. I think they have hyped up their campaign with that refrain to get the support from the other countries. Today, if pakistan assures that there will be no attack on USA if they are allowed to continue with the terrorist activities in India I am sure USA won't mind that. They are the most selfish nation in the world who tries to control every part of it to save their own butt. Unfortunately they are looking more and more vulnerable. I won't be surprised if a nuke is dropped in USA. I am not sure if Saddam has the bomb but if he really does using it on which country comes to his mind? An easy guess. Same with Bin Laden and his Al-Queda. Won't surrise me if the same goes for North Korea. The silly Americasn foreign policy of policing the world has back fired on them. Looks like the chicken has come home to roost. And US has to deal with that for a long time to come. Quite a lose lose situation for US. As far as India's fight against terrorism is concrned, they have to fight their lonely battle. I bet US will do nothing to the Pakis as that will hamper her personal goals.

Tue Sep 17 22:17:13 2002
Name:raghu
Email:raghu@yahoo.com
Your Views:I would like to respond to Ali (Alimohammed_98@yahoo.com). You have a valid point about the old politicians. But, regarding the so called hindu fantatism - dont you forget that this is entirely in reaction to the centuries of brutalities committed by the muslims on the hindu population. and what about the militant islam? while the muslims work towards destrying hinduism and india, how long do you expect the hundus to take it lying back? how come no muslim leader speaks out against the pakistani actions? most of your muslim population doesnt have any patriotic feelings and are the biggest threat india.

Tue Sep 17 22:17:57 2002
Name:ecegct
Email:ecegct@yahoo.com
Your Views:9/11 was a tragedy, when humans used violence for socio-political ends. I am sad it happened but to think that it happened in a vacum is at best ignorance. It is just part of a vicious cycle of violence . War is just another form of violence the cycle of terrorism and war will continue until the ignorant and arrogant learn or die. The US claims to be a world leader but the question is what kind of leader is the US? Is it addicted to oil/resources to run its economy and hence needs violence(War) much like a corrupt political "Leader" ?or is it a benevolent leader that helps share its resources and makes ALL people safer ? or is that safety only reserved for its "Allies" and "Democratic Dictaorships". 9/11 was a wake up call to all humanity . It was a tragic loss but even more tragic is how this tragedy is used to justify more tragedies. This cycle will change only when individuals and nations start a virtuous cycle and give up the "In violence(war/terrorism) we trust" . India and pakistan need to learn this too blaming each other and fighting only makes more peoples life miserable. We need to try and make each others life times happier. Peace to all homosapiens.

Tue Sep 17 22:53:27 2002
Name:shawn Dsouza
Email:sdsouza@hotmail.com
Your Views:It is a pity that some of us Indians are justifying 9/11. Violence and war are always tragic that only kill innocents. It is not right to justify 9/11 just because US is showing a blind-eye to India's nemesis Pakistan. Evil in all forms will one day be extinguished. Mr. Perry has finally shown his true colors. I guess he thinks that american universities are allowing foreign students here because it helps the foreign students. He should read the millions of articles that show how much foreigners are beneficial to the university research, US economy and how much they contribute to the USA. Sure, illegal aliens should be sent home, but show some respect for residents who are working hard for their companies and inturn for the prosperity of USA. How about revoking citizenship for all those beer guzzling, Jerry Springer watching, burden-on-the-system folks out there, and sending them back to the countries their ancestors came from.

Tue Sep 17 23:29:50 2002
Name:Azhar
Email:az@yahoo.com
Your Views:Any crime against innocent human beings can never be justified. As far as India is concerned, Indians need to stand up and get a grip on hindu fanatics just often as they open their mouth against jehadis. These fundamentalists will destroy humanity. Easy thing to do is work in unison and speak out against these fundamentalists. Hinduism has been hijacked by ilks like Modi just like Islam has been hijacked by ilks like Osama. Respect yourself and your fellow human beings in order to preserve humanity. Once you do this, terrorism and fundamentalism will vanish. I will bet on that. Good luck to all those who still retained their basic human values and are willing to do something to preserve them. Khudahafiz.

Tue Sep 17 23:55:59 2002
Name:Shubh K Sharma
Email:ssharma@citysearch.com
Your Views:To some of the readers my views might look bised but they are based on what i've seen, observed and read in the last few years. It's stupid for the USA to go after Bin Laden or Iraq. The real culprit they should target is Musharaff and the country they should bomb is Pakistan. That country is the breeding ground for thousands of Bin Ladens and Saddam Husseins.

Wed Sep 18 00:34:14 2002
Name:Shubh K Sharma
Email:ssharma@citysearch.com
Your Views:This is in response to Bart Perry's misguided views. The Americans have always used Asia as the killing ground for testig their new weapons, be it the atomic bomb, missiles,chemicals or guns. Why didn't the US drop the atomic bomb on Germany to finish off Hitler and put an end to WWII? Why didn't they put Germans living in America into concentration camps in staed of Japanese? Why did they turn Afghanistan into a hell in the name of rooting out Russians? Why did they went out of the way to help Reza Pehlavi of Iran who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people? It's time they start putting their house in order? There may be many home-grown McVeighs lurking around.

Wed Sep 18 00:50:03 2002
Name:Wake Up Americans
Email:sg2001@hotmail.com
Your Views:It is a known fact that US is short sighted and just looks at short term gains. Look at its policies with Taliban (Vs the Russians) & Saddam (Vs the Iranians). Now that these people have served the purpose, they are of no more of use and thus the change in US stand. Today they are siding with Pak for the short term goal of against Taliban and Osama and the oil rich Central Asia and hav turned a blind eye to the policies of Pak. The day Pak actually makes them blind they will cry foul and bomb Pak to the stone age. When will they realize the folies of their policies only they will know. To those that have embraced the US as their choice of the nation; It is easy to point the finger to all those in India. It just so happenes that you hear the censored news and are happy about it. Wake up and open your eyes, may be you will still be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. No one is accusing the US alone. What happened is not justified from any such way, but it is a warning sign to start being proactive. There are many illegals but then their are many legals who pay their taxes so you can fight the war. Like I said its easy to point but much more difficult to introspect.

Wed Sep 18 01:08:13 2002
Name:Raja
Email:raja@eth.net
Your Views:This is in response to the post by Connie Perry. You say that you are not part of the US government, but you have a vote don't you? When a US government kills people in Afganisthan or supports Israeli atrocities in Palestine, it is with the implicit support of the US people - remember, you claim to be the 'greatest' democracy in the world. If you don't like the actions and if you cared so much about other people getting killed, your president would be impeached the next day. But no! your president is in more danger for associating with Ken Lay of Enron then for killin ginnocent people in Afganistan. That speaks a lot about where the american people's conerns lie. When a 4 year old boy is handcuffed and shot in Palestine, it is your tax dollars at work. Personally, most of the problems in the world come your the american public's unbeleivable greed - you want cheap cars, cheap oil, cheap food - remember someone else has to work for all that - you need dictators in the gulf for oil, oppresive regimes everywhere so that you can fill your car with cheap gas. Don't kid us and yourself with 'I didn't do it, my govt did it'-stop enjoying the fruits of this exploitation and then speak.

Wed Sep 18 01:33:41 2002
Name:pramod
Email:najocrew@yahoo.com
Your Views:Bascially, shit happens, people die, my cousin was in the WTC when the plane hit it, but American's need a kick in the ass, once in awhile to remind them that they're not the end all...Americans are very Amero-centered, America is not a great country..what life, liberity, and happiness, its all fake, there is racism around every corner, all you have here is Money...and now everyone is laid off, they have used and abused the H1 indian's who came here and made Microsoft and other Tech companies big, but really Indian's are the one's who are making America what it is today, without us, they would not have a jack, cuz white people are dumb...The youth is wealth of a country, and american kids just smoke pot and drink, where as Indian kids work hard and are extermely intillegent, so if Indian youth helps India in (economy, technology, etc..) we would be far better of then America....Please don't make a big deal about 9/11 without knowing the facts of what the government does..there are things neither I nor you know about the government...America is just in it for Oil. "The wise grieve neither for the living nor the dead." -Bhagavad Gita.

Wed Sep 18 01:46:42 2002
Name:Prasad
Email:Prasad@hotmail.com
Your Views:First of all, we Indians have to blame ourselves. Ours is or perhaps was a country of the richest culture, best people and huge wealth. Somewhere something went wrong and most of us have become spineless. On one hand we worship female dieties and on the otherhand dowry system is rampant. We talk of the pure atman and yet there is caste discrimination. We talk of the great Indian culture and yet all we could see is half naked movie actresses posters and cutouts everywhere. We call ourselves democratic, yet we let Nehru rule until his death. We try teaching value system to our children, yet on the otherside the entire country is corrupt. We call ourselves a spiritual country, yet Sanskrit is almost dead. The lips that are supposed to chant the Vedas are sipping booze, smoking cigarettes and sing meaningless movie songs. We claim to possess swamiji's and gurus, yet these blokes are only interested in taking trips to USA and Europe. Our saints talk of renounciation, yet we can see them travelling only in Benz and BMWs. We don't hesitate choosing foreigners and movie actors to rule! What is India and who is an Indian??!! In short, we all live a hypocritic life of contradictions. Wake up!

Wed Sep 18 02:23:56 2002
Name:Prashant Joshi
Email:pbjoshi@hotmail.com
Your Views:Hi, Tod Friedman who writes in NY Times wrote "There are some people who hate us for what we stand for (democracy, freedom) but there are some who dislikes us for what we do". When he said what we do, he talked about support to non-democratic ruler's etc. I guess every Americans should understand this. At the same time we Indians should remember what Gandhiji said "On has to defend himself and should not depend on others support." If we understand this and followed it then we won't have this problem.

Wed Sep 18 02:23:56 2002
Name:Ranganathan
Email:ranga@ranga.com
Your Views:Dear Mr. AliMohammed, What do you know about our PM Vajpayee. You are sitting in US and leading a comfortable life. First be an Indian citizen and then talk about India. You might say that you are donating some amount of money to the needy in India, but I bet they are going to muslims and only muslims. I don't need any proof for this statement because thats the way you guys are. And who is responsible for 150,000 deaths in Kashmir, hindus? Its all the problems created by Pakistan and supported by millions of Muslims in India. Ranga.

Wed Sep 18 02:46:01 2002
Name:Yogi
Email:yogi74@yahoo.com
Your Views:Hi, I think that United States is taking full advantage of its position of being a Super Power. It has robbed most Middle Eastern nations off their natural resources and will continue to do so throught the world. It is for the rest of the world to understand the seriousness of the situation and unite. US attacked Afghanistan because it wanted a route for the oil in Caspean Sea through Afghanistan. Now it has discovered that it is not so easy, and Hamid Karzai(Afghan Leader, American puppet) Could be killed any day. Hence it wants to attack Iraq and then Iran to get the 9 Trillion dollars worth of Oil. My message to the fellow Indians is to come out of the Religion,Caste barrier and Unite to make our Nation the most beautifull in the whole world. Times are looking very bad for the future and we need to prepare to fight. Every Indian must understand that the real competition is going to come from outside and that United We Shall Stand and Divided We Shall Fall. Dear Indians, do whatever you can to spread the message of Unity. Vande Mataram.

Wed Sep 18 03:25:39 2002
Name:True Indian
Email:great_sindbad@hotmail.com
Your Views:9/11! 9/11! 9/11! People don't seem to stop talking about US...9/11. What has happened to so many calamities suffered by our people back home? What has happened to our patriotism which has just become a word and we use time to time to show that we are still loyal to our nation? We became free 52 years back, but our mentality is still slave. We are more interested in talking about other countries' greviences and sorrows than ours'. That is what holding India back to become a great nation. Politics, System, Infrastructure...we just criticize them, but never dare to stand up to resolve them. I hope someday we will learn. God Bless India and all!

Wed Sep 18 03:41:34 2002
Name:Dharan
Email:dharan@yahoo.com
Your Views:If there are people amongst us who think that America got what it deserved, i have no idea what to tell those people. Does anybody deserve something like 9/11? the answer should be a No, and that goes even to the terror exporting middle east and USA's partner in the war against terrorrism pakistan(So ironic that a nation that has been exporting terrorism is a front runner in the war against terror). Look at ground zero can be gut wrenching and extremely dipressing. I don't think such a thing should happen to anybody. If we do think that way and try to justify the actions of a few lunatic, there would be no difference between us and the fanatic goat herder who got a few umemployed and crazy youths to fly into WTC. I do find a few things funny and one of them is the holier than thou attitude of yanks like mr perry. There is no justification to droping an atom bomb, no justification to dropping smart bombs. No justification to supporting countries like pakistan just because it suits your needs. Why is america the upholder of human right turning a blind eye to the gross human rights voilation in china? Hell, i admire israelis but i wonder why the protector of peace and humanity (read US) is so hypocritical when it comes to dealing with Isrealis and indians? Israel does it, it is defence and india is asked to restrain. If it is so concerned what exactly are they doing about the startvation and hunger in Southern part of africa. Mr.Perry, Instead of using the so called smart bombs which you say cost 100,000/peice, how about spending the same amount on the starving children in africa. Just like one can't justify the ones who flew into WTC, you can't justify many of your actions either. It's a question of who and how is one to stop this terror and resorting to terror is certainly not the way

Wed Sep 18 03:46:44 2002
Name:Mucool
Email:elim@rediffmaill.com
Your Views:I guess more or less we should realize that we are alone in our fight against terrorsim, if we could fight the way US and Israel did then it would be different, but for whatever reasons I don't see that happening. How US justifies its action, and whether all their actions are just black and white or there is more to it ..like Afghani oil etc. is immaterial, the fact is with whatever their actions are...they are protecting their citizens against dreadful attacks from fanatics for whom loss of human life seems insignificant compared to their religious motives OR their fight against the so called EVIL. India and Indians..have to find their own solutions..for we are the worlds largest democracy ... with lots to be proud about be it diversity/technology/culture and equally lots to be ashamed of Godharas/corruption/poverty and a pain in the a** neighbouring country ! Every time I hear I hear ppl singing "God Bless America" ... I want to sing..equally loudly "Vande Mataram...."

Wed Sep 18 04:14:23 2002
Name:Phani
Email:chanakyathvam@yahoo.com
Your Views:Well, What did I learn from all this? I will not surrender. I will not give up.I will never accept defeat. I will care for the one most precious thing around me...Humanity! Are you with me?

Wed Sep 18 04:24:12 2002
Name:Amit Shah
Email:mihir98@yahoo.com
Your Views:Some people on this list have written that Terrorism has its roots in poverty, discrimination, deprivations, inferiority complex of that group/community/nation and religious bigotry and that if super powers address these problems .. then things will be okay! This is absolute nonsense .. who says, these people will stay quiet even if everything is okay .. they are different breed altogether! if America is rich and a super power, it is by its own virtues .. its very easy to criticize and downplay others, we should look within ourselves .. if we strive hard, have work-cultures like Americans, use and channelize our energies in the right direction, we can also work wonders!

Wed Sep 18 04:45:45 2002
Name:vasu
Email:vasu120@rediff.com
Your Views:what a surprise people like "RAVR789 "ravr789@hotmail.com" talking about indians cheaply and prasing uncle SAM for dollars, i am shame to tell these type of guys hailed from India, Just because uncle Sam gave this guy H1B/greencard/citizen ship this guy praising and scolding Indians, he should feel shame , he is solid example like communist pinkos in india. this guy got everything from India once he got some sort of things from uncle Sam, he is thinking like american {this guy more opportunist than preshdent mush..} jai hind.

Wed Sep 18 04:50:03 2002
Name:Calcuttakamaal
Email:clock11@rediffmail.com
Your Views:We should not blame the USA for what is happening to us. We are strong enough to root out terrorism in the country ourselves. Why prove that Pakistan is terrorist sponsor to the USA? It is as if they are the rulers, and two niggers have gone gone to the white man to ask for a judgement. Both niggers try to bribe the white man by saying, "Oh! I am so sorry for you." Who is USA? Why did we fight for independence if we finally have to report to a white man? we can root out terrorism ourselves. Look at Israel. Such a little country is doing so well. We have such a huge population, military, economic, industrial, technological superiority over Pakistan? Why do we have to wait for USA's permission to take over Pakistan? Don't we have a sovereignty? By the way, why should USA oppose a military strike in Pakistan? U think they will help Pakistan? U r wrong. This country has been a hotbed of Christian fundamentalism, at least the Republican party is one. I don't agree with it, but we must take over Pakistan. I am not anti-Islamic. I support Palestine, hate Israel. I hate Christian fundamentalism. Jai Hind. Death to Israel.

Wed Sep 18 04:59:06 2002
Name:Anil
Email:anil333@lycos.com
Your Views:To start with, let me keep it straight that no reason in this world is good enough that would justify 9/11. The people who died represent a wide variety of global community along with quite a large no. of Indians too. The other important thing that every Indian knows but hardly few Americans know is - more than 30,000 innocent people (all Indians) were killed in a decade by the same terrorism. So, having known this, I am sure no Indian will feel that 9/11 is justified. But as I see, most of the views expressed under "Is 9/11 justified", represent views on "Is US reaping what it sowed" (which I don't want to get into) but not to the point "Is killing of Innocent people justified". I sincerely hope that Bart could find this subtle but very important distinction. I am pretty sure every "mother" in this world feels the same as Connie does.

Wed Sep 18 05:22:22 2002
Name:Anil
Email:anil333@lycos.com
Your Views:To come to the point of view of Brat-If u say that America is giving out n tons of food, there will always be someone to point that it makes itself economically stronger by selling n*n tons of weapons. So,this goes on..I am proud of good ones & wish the bad ones should'nt have happened.I guess u have nothing to say about the legally staying in US who go to schools, pay fees, taxes & work for the economic growth of US.Illegal-upto your govt..In present day world,to think that any country could be self sufficient is foolish. Never has been a greater need for countries to work together than today. To take the example of US-The good economy in the last decade is also due to the many US residents who are from many countries and mutually beneficial trade relations with many a number of countries. One should remember that US fights its (when I say "its" let me be very clear-I think US would have never started war has not 9/11 happened on US soil) war on terror with the help of allies all around the world. And why allies help-cos'it's beneficially to them as well!This co-independence is true to any country.Instead of strengthing physical borders let's come together & build "Global Village".

Wed Sep 18 06:09:23 2002
Name:Kiran Kumar
Email:kiran49@mailcity.com
Your Views:India does not need to learn anything new from 9/11. We have been having 9/11s in smaller scales almost every day for the last decade. ONLY when we gather enough courage to ask the Kashmiris what they want and give it to them-be it unision with India, Pakistan or Independence, the saga will continue. We will not have learned anything till we take that initiative. We will continue to lose innocent civilians and soldiers to terrorism due to Kashmir till that day. Who the hell are we to try to run a government anywhere without asking its people if they want us to run it?

Wed Sep 18 06:44:23 2002
Name:Gopal
Email:shah_gopal@rediffmail.com
Your Views:I think our elected representatives represent what kind of a people are we? -One who can tolerate injustice, corruption etc.? A PM who can't walk properly, who may not remember who he is speaking with...... A foreign min. who shakes hands with taliban. A home min. (also deputy PM) who can only verbally attack Pak while in the Oppn. etc.

Wed Sep 18 07:11:30 2002
Name:Amlan
Email:amlan_c@yahoo.com
Your Views:I am apalled at some of the comments that's being posted here. How on earth can anyone ever justify 9/11 ??? ~4000 people died just because they were going about their lives normally on a september morning ? Despite being an Indian resident in the USA, my heart goes out to the men, women and children of the affected. I salute those in NYC fire dept. and that valiant mayor who showed what true leadership is all about. We Indians have a lot to learn from it. When the earthquake in Gujarat happened if we were 1/1000th as functional as the Americans were on 9/11, a lot of people didnt have to die. Even 2 wks after the quake there was rubble blocking roads to the villages surrounding Bhuj and the red cross was carrying medicines over bare shoulders. After 9/11, 2 people died in USA because of resulting racial violence. Which was wrong and must be condemned but had it been anywhere else in the world, the count would have had a few zeros after it. A true friend is a friend in need. As Indian foreign minister then said in simple words "We stand with the United States", I offer my humble solidarity with all americans at this moment of rememberence and pray for those fallen heroes.

Wed Sep 18 08:05:03 2002
Name:Prakash
Email:prakasheas@hotmail.com
Your Views:Why is everyone lecturing America on 9/11 ? Yes the US has it's problems but let it solve them on it's own. Don't we Indians hate it when America lectures to us about kashmir and terrorism? Let's focus on our problems. The US is more than capable of solving it's own problems

Wed Sep 18 08:11:35 2002
Name:Sanjay AK
Email:sa_25@lycos.com
Your Views:I am shocked to see the views of some of the readers. Both India and the US have suffered a lot due to terrorism, and the stupidity of their rulers. Instead of feeding on the crap that our regional media keep throwing at us, we should try and see how others view us and our problems. We can certainly learn from each others mistakes if we have the patience to filter fact from fiction. Instead of wasting bytes on your extreme pro-US/India and anti-US/India, why dont we try to think rationally and understand each other? Sure US has made somewhat selfish/stupid decisions that cost it a lot of goodwill, but does that mean ALL Americans approve of what their government does? Do Indians realize that the Indian government has done precious little to solve the basic problems plaguing us for the past 50 years and that we have a lot to blame for our problems? Sure, America spends billions funding nations around the world, but for what? weapons, favors for american multinational firms, and ofcourse humanitarian aid too. But there is little if not miniscule that India ever got from America.Indians should realize that their politicians have created most of the problems that they are facing.

Wed Sep 18 09:47:47 2002
Name:Venkat
Email:kr_venkat@rediffmail.com
Your Views:Folks, By any standards, 9/11 is the most cruel way of disagreeing with a country's foreign policy, an act of cowardice and desperation and unforgiveable. I deplore and despise the Indians who dare to say 9/11 is justified. Neither was Godhra needed nor the subsequent Violence. I would like to quote Martin Luther King who said "we cannot fight hate with hate. Hate can only be defeated through love." Have you ever seen fire extinguished through fire and wound healed by wounding it further?? I would also like to remind Americans that India is a much more diverse and multi-dimensional culture than America is. And in our short exitence as a nation and with a highly diverse population, we have achieved more than any country has achieved and am pretty sure we will continue to achieve further. NewDelhi must continue to invest in building defense infrastructre and try to become completely self-reliant in developing and deploying defense technologies. While America seems to be cozying up with Pakisthan, India and Indians US is promoting its ties with Pakistan because India has denied the US setting up of its bases in Indian Soil.

Wed Sep 18 10:41:29 2002
Name:Nagaraj
Email:pavanhans@hotmail.com
Your Views:9/11 was tragic, we all agree on that, but as far as India is concerned , a BIG NO. we have not learnt anything from 9/11. the very foundation of our democracy, the parliament was attacked, what did we do ? go to US to complain like a cry baby. we just proved to the world that our politicians are idiotic and without any nerve to take any , any strong action. it is sad but true . why will US be any way interested in helping India, if it would was then , when the kashmir issue was presented in UN long back, they would not have stepped back, nor would it have turned a blind eye towards kashmir. why expect it now ? I really don't understand why our politicians go behind US for our problem ? so what have we learnt ? did we learn we have to teach people a lesson who try to shake our foundations ? NO. then what did we learn from 9/11 . NOTHING. we have a bunch of morons who are just satisfied with some action that is no way to handle a problem and be contented with the fact that no problem we are doing something about it ? well terrorism won't wait for politicians to think about it. we are still the same and will be as is, unless we have some patriotic leaders.

Wed Sep 18 09:58:19 2002
Name:Venkat
Email:kr_venkat@rediffmail.com
Your Views:India must become self-reliant in Defense. America still is not of its cold war blues as India has this suspicious credential aligning with Communist Russia and at the same time promoting Non-Aligned Bullshit. It is a historical mistake to have trusted China and to have aligned with Russia. India must learn to align with Winners and should become a society which is first interested in Self-Development and empowerment. We must stop sympathising with Iraq and Palestine. And India should implement Uniform Civil Code. India doesn't need any external aid to develop. All Indians need to do is very simple. Our bureaucrats must deliver whatever they have been hired to deliver, our politicians must start to work for long-term goals instead of short-term gains. Trust me how muchever you swindle, you must have a healthy economy to really enjoy your loot. And of all the people, the common Indian, must change. The change must come from within. The average indian must be more courageous, more proactive and more decisive in electing his/her leader. Stop voting on communal lines and give honest people a chance.

Wed Sep 18 10:44:09 2002
Name:ankur
Email:ankuragarwal@msn.com
Your Views:what i think is that whatever happened on 9/11 was result of the US foreign policy over the past years. why does United States interfere in other peoples matter. it should stop policing others. it should help in making United nations much kore stronger rather then taking matters into its hand. Other wise more people gonna die for no fault of theirs.

Wed Sep 18 10:45:59 2002
Name:RAVI
Email:kravis4@rediffmail.com
Your Views:A Long way to travel

Wed Sep 18 10:57:50 2002
Name:Mohammed Mehboob
Email:mehboob208@hotmail.com
Your Views:MANY people in the West think that others must take the Western way of life as a model if they want to lead a happy and successful life!Moreover some of our (Indian) brothers & sisters like to change their attitude, character, and appearance just like Western. Those peoples called modern people or modern generation. Where this will lead us? Is this lead we to achieve something in this world? The reason is that the West is the most technologically and systematically advanced, the wealthiest and the strongest militarily. This is a fact that no fair-minded person can dispute. But, is this what civilisation is all about?! Is it about high rise buildings, big factories or huge wealth?Or is it rather about the human being himself?Let's analyse the human side of Western "Civilisation". In the West, we see the slow but sure destruction of the family. Divorce is at horrific rates and increasing. More than 30 per cent of babies are born outside wedlock! When they reach 18, children (whether boys or girls) are told to leave their families' homes and go and fend for themselves by any means! Parents have no one to look after them in old age and are left to beg in the clean streets.

Wed Sep 18 10:59:40 2002
Name:Arun
Email:arunnospampuri@rediffmail.com
Your Views:Just a reply to the dude saying people should not be envying US for being "first in the class". Lemme just say people will envy US that way. But that is good because that envy drives you to make your country better. What really irks people is the "first" student meddling in the affairs of others at his own pretty will. No one has given US the right to wage war against anyone whenever they want. The only country in the world to have used the "weapons of mass destruction" gets to keep them and other's can not? What kind of fairness is that. No one is saying Saddam is a saint but neither is US, Bush or Powell. They are just trying to pursue their own goals over everyone else. So stop trying to justify them as they simply be cann't.

Wed Sep 18 11:03:00 2002
Name:
Email:
Your Views:

Wed Sep 18 11:05:44 2002
Name:Mohammed Mehboob
Email:mehboob208@hotmail.com
Your Views:Externally, the resources of poor countries are exploited and wars are fought to satisfy the desires of those strong lobbies. But lay people have the illusion that they are ruled democratically! The overall result of this way of life is lack of true happiness and peace of mind. The question is: do we really want to adopt such a system of life?!Dear Indians we have our own and well cultural which can lead us to get a good life. God Almighty says in the Quran: "But whosoever turns away from My Remembrance, verily for him is a life of hardship..." (2:124)

Wed Sep 18 11:20:15 2002
Name:Jacob
Email:jeapen_va@hotmail.com
Your Views:I am amused to read about Mr. Perry's ludicrous views on economics. I am afraid that he needs a lesson or two in world economics badly. For starters, let me assure you, Mr. Perry, that it is world trade that is creating so much wealth in America. As for your xenophobic comments about students studying in America, American universities need money from overseas. So America gains wealth from these foreign students. America respects and encourages people with extraordinary skill sets and knowledge. That is why most universities including the premier ones like Stanford and MIT, have a sizable proportion of foreign students on fellowships and assistantships. Again, brilliant people like these keep America at the top. So it is always a symbiotic relationship and not unidirectional charity as you may want to believe. Now, say that America takes up your isolational policies. I am pretty confident that in a couple of decades, America would be just another third world country like India (for my jingoistic Indian friends, read 'Pakistan'). By the way, I am a very proud Indian....

Wed Sep 18 11:25:51 2002
Name:Hari
Email:hari504504@rediffmail.com
Your Views: Maybe ur overlooking certain facts.....u consider america to be some kind of super-giant .....r u...?Well...for ur information....america is not a a self-sufficient country...If America does something like u said (closing it's borders to foriegners)...it'll face such a huge brain-drain that it's economy is gonna get crippled....why ....even government organizations such as NASA has employed foriegn scientists from asian and European countries...which is indeed shameful...In my country(India)...no foriegner is allowed to occupy any government position...(not even that of a sweeper....let alone a scientist).Do u think America is funding little countries as some kind of a good gesture..?Well...in that case ur wrong cause no country in the world ever invests money on other countries without foreseeing some kind of big-time profit from their venture.....what do u think....ur administartors r drooling idiots to simply throw away money on small countries...just like that...eh..?I belive all americans r not foolish as u r so as to do the things that u suggested....Well u think without american interference...alll countries r gonna fight and perish...eh..?Well as far as I'm concerned america is the real trouble-maker.Why does it go and poke it's head into the internal issues of other countries....If u think america is a global policeman or something....well America sure is gonna be humbled if it proceeds with it's hooliganism of attacking Iran just bcos it's got some weapons (why....only america should have weapons ...or what).What 'bout chemical and Bio-weapons in america.....u remain silent 'bout the whole thing and criticize other countries for developing weapons...why...every country shuld have the right to develop weapons for it's self-defence...not only america. Wed Sep 18 11:26:57 2002
Name:Gopikrishna Devaraaj
Email:dgkrishy@hotmail.com
Your Views:It is totally outrageous of us Indians to call 9/11 justified. It is veritable that the US has acted as every smaller country's big brother. Brotherly or step-motherly, loss of innocent lives is totally unacceptable and the heads of the blood-mongers and territory-seekers should hang in shame. If at all there is one gain from 9/11, it is that the world community has sat up to these brutal killings in this part of the world, the neglected lot until then. It is true that all these perdition is the creation of America but atleast now, I beg the Americans to look at long term solutions to this lingering problem. Please recognize Pakistan's selfish attitude and realize that it will turn into a monsterous Iraq at some point, if nurtured in the same way. After the gulf war, Saddam will have been eliminated, but you will have a new rival to fight against. Instead of identifying the terrorist nations and sanctioning them, you have asked them for help, and thereby being obliged to them, I see no visible solution to terrorism in South Asian countries. To put an end to terrorism, the first step would be to improve the life conditions of people across the affected coutries. Let peace prevail.

Wed Sep 18 11:31:30 2002
Name:Gagan
Email:gagan.bajpai@churchill.com
Your Views:The comment that made me post my view is about Gujrat and incompetency of current PM. I have only 2 things to say, first whatever happened in Gujrat is as regrettable as what happens in J&K everyday. Hindu fanatics are not the cause, they are the effect of years of negligence of rule and sense of discipline.Be it a fanatic hindu,muslim or any other kind and a IAS breaking traffic rules, they all are same,and should be treated as criminals. second is of course can be summed up in one sentence.People get the leader they deserve.If AB vajpayee is incompetent so are Sonia Gandhi,Mulayam or Laloo. In my opinion, philosophy talk can achieve nothing. Infact If I need a guiding principal for India then I'ld talk about a dream.I dream of a nation that is strong but not a bully, assertive but not a attacker where people have food to eat,homes to go and cloths to wear.Where I am allowed achieve anything as long as I don't hurt anybody.Where opportunitues are not given as alms but able men and women create their own.Where I can pursue happiness,money,fame or whatever I choose.Where nobody ask me of my faith,my surname,my colour and language. What do u say guys? do we have it in us? Gagan

Wed Sep 18 11:37:46 2002
Name:ravi
Email:nr_ravishankar@hotmail.com
Your Views:Dear all i feel the WTO tragedy is result of the policies of US. After the 1971 the oil has been corner stone of US foreign policy. So it supports a puppet govenment in saudi arabia ,which utterly unpopular in the country, US suppresses all opposition with its might, so the frustrated youth is naturally looking forward to american blood.Not surprising all the people who took part in the operaton are arabs. With renegade bases created by the US in afghanistan to drive soviets out helping them we have WTO tragedy. The mistakes are repeated again and again. Democratic regimes support growth and properity not hate and genocide, which are by dictatorships. The problem for the US is democratic regimes have their own mind and not bend to the likes of US policy. It requries diplomacy and respect to deal with these popular regimes. Which the USA is not mature enough to accept and the result it aligns with dictatorships like north vietnam, saudi arabia ,pakistan. What this US support to Pakistan which is another dictatorship is beyond wild imagination. God protect US.

Wed Sep 18 11:56:14 2002
Name:Rohit
Email:rohant5@yahoo.com
Your Views:I think the message is clear in bold face.We have to fight our own battle.The problem of Pakistan/Kashmir/Gujrat/etc etc are all our own. We are responsible for all what has happened and it is incumbent on us to get rid of them. How n What is the issue.We have talked enough.Its time for all of us(Indians) to get together and act.We dont need the support of the so called developed countries. Its time we learned that they wont.Look at the reactions of people like Perry.Its through our actions and deeds that these people get the mouth to speak.Tell me an Indian who liked what he said.Its our pride at stake and its time to act.Lets together restore the glory that rightfully belongs to our nation.

Wed Sep 18 12:55:07 2002
Name:Salim
Email:salimsi@mailcity.com
Your Views:The "normal American resident" Bart Perry has missed some other things which America needs to stop before stopping all those fancy aid packages to "needy countries" and "kicking out middle eastern citizens". American firms like Pepsi, IBM, etc. should also be told to wind up their operations in other countries and feed only the peace loving normal Americans. Afterall, America doesn't need anything from anywhere, they have "oil wells, wheat and meats" and all other things to sustain themselves. A normal American is so ignorant to what is happening around him. Why America hands out "60billion dollars every year"? Basically to support those puppet regimes it has installed in many third world countries. And what does America get in exchange? A whole country and its resources at its beck and call. Please don't anyone let you believe that America is doing all these out of charity or chivalry. For every penny sent out, America expects and demands 10 back. Nothing wrong with it, though. (to be continued...)

Wed Sep 18 12:56:15 2002
Name:Salim
Email:salimsi@mailcity.com
Your Views:And by the way, before "shutting off American borders" to the world thus leaving rest the world to "fight and destroy themselves", would America consider paying its longstanding debts to the different UN organizations? According to the UN reports on credits and debits, America is its largest single debtor. And we in India don't give a damn whether America pulls out of NATO or sits on its shoulder. It is really heartening to know that America is trying to prevent "Saddam from killing his own people". The normal American residents know nothing about the money spent by CIA to overthrow Saddam by trying to fuel up Kurdish rebels and supplying them arms? And these poor residents knows nothing about why America supports Israel ? Economists have pointed out that whatever happened in social front after the 9/11 attacks, it has been a blessing in disguise for the recession stricken US economy. During the Afghan war, government spending on arms increased thus countering the reduced influx of money into the markets from stock trades. So if America use "$100,000 smart bombs" the money basically just change hands, doesn't go anywhere out of US. Please stop trying to fool us! (cont'd)

Wed Sep 18 12:56:50 2002
Name:Salim
Email:salimsi@mailcity.com
Your Views:Since dropping nuclear bombs will "save millions of human lives" to "stop wars that are going to be worse" why not try the same bright idea in Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir etc? (end)

Wed Sep 18 16:29:32 2002
Name:joe
Email:joevarghese5@rediffmail.com
Your Views:i think we should have a combined strategy of 1. appoint good PR Agents in all major countries to ensure that India is covered regularly in the foreign media from various fronts like its history, politics,culture,reform plans etc etc. This will paint a positive picture as against a few lines that are written today when there is a crisis. 2. take a clear stand on issues and more important have people who can communicate & assert the same in a language that the international community understands. 3. Develop internal framework to ensure that fanatics & communalists do not take over the democratic process.

Wed Sep 18 16:50:25 2002
Name:sudip
Email:zixenus@yahoo.com
Your Views:Its a shame to me as an Indian when an Indian staying at US calls other Indians(at India)as "frog-in-the-well" or as barking dogs. Everyone knows what is happenning outside.I offer deep sympathy towards affected innocent Americans, but their policies are the sole reason behind their own mishap.Their own startegy has resulted in creation of Bin Laden. US is not helping anybody for nothing.They helped Taliban against Russia(creating Bin Laden)which was causing a threat to US in the post 2nd world war period.They are helping different countries as they need their help.They do not want the Kashmir problem to be solved as they make billions of dollars through it.Only when they are faced against the new devil(Talibans)they have declared war against terrorism.Why,when the militants were daily killing hundreds of Indians(read hindus)up on the valley of Kashmir,did they ever say it as an act of terrorists?did they ever declare war against the terrorism then?Did they ever look upon it as an issue that requires some attention?Never!They have called other nations to join in the war against the terrorists,but has they given our side when there were everyday news of killing in kashmir?

Have you posted your views?