In my view, the precise coordination and enormity of this most recent of terrorist attacks was intended to throw all peace-loving nations into confusion and cause us all to fear for everything we hold dear.

In the leveling of the WTC twin towers, terrorists would have the world cower believing that they hold the power, at their whim, to bring all the financial systems of the world to ruin. In their unobstructed attack on our Pentagon, that there is no military these can't penetrate. In their attempt at destroying our nation's Capitol, apparently aborted by enraged airplane passengers, that no representative form of government is immune from their destruction.

The Statue of Liberty - a target?

Could our Statue of Liberty - the greatest symbol of freedom, liberty, and hope of a better future - have been their next target? Specifically, these acts of aggression were aimed at American institutions on American soil because desperate terrorists know the rest of the world looks up to America and has always relied on our benevolence, and they can't help but envy the fact that we continue to prosper financially and govern democratically in spite of every adversity lobbed our way. They know that to break the resolve of Americans is to break the resolve of the rest of the world. They'd have us believe we're vulnerable, on the verge of crumbling into the dark recesses of history… that nothing is sacred anymore, and we'd do better to cave-in to the demands of ruthless scaremongers.

Desperate times -- desperate acts

Explaining what motivates terrorists to so willingly die in order to wreak carnage on others, and what the free world must understand in order to deal with terrorism, Micah D. Halpern in How? Why? What Is A Suicide Bomber?! [condensed and paraphrased] explained, "Desperate times require desperate acts. Palestinian leadership has exploited the desperation of the Palestinian masses to their maximum advantage - to the point that Palestinian people actually believe with all their heart and soul that the poverty and squalor of their everyday lives is totally the fault of Israel.

The indisputable fact, though, is that there is nearly no trickle-down funds or goods through Palestinian leadership to their own people: While their leaders live in tremendous wealth, the common people live in abject poverty. And, of course, they blame the Israelis for this. Fundamentalist Islam has had tremendous difficulty accepting the fact that other societies, religions and cultures have succeeded while Islam has waned in world dominance. It is that same reaction that fuels the terror of bin Laden, and sends shivers down the backs of Muslim radicals.

The obvious target of such radical hatred is the United States, which they view far and away as the most significant, effective deliverer of Satan's message. As we will continue to see, the U.S. itself, and any true friend of the U.S., such as Israel, will become an immediate target of all fundamental Islam, in teaching and deed… and especially in terror.

An eternity with young virgins

In the eyes, heart and soul of the Palestinian radical, Israel is doubly cursed in that she is Jewish. Martyrdom, these radicals are told, brings with it the promise of redemption, beyond imagination… that their martyrs are assured of eternity in a paradise filled with young virgins, among other things.

To a young radical who has little to nothing in this earthly life, the promise of such a paradise, plus a one-time jackpot of thousands of dollars for his impoverished family, which will be able to bask in his glory, it isn't suicide… it is martyrdom. Whereas suicide has been generally shunned by all societies and religions (including Islam), martyrdom is acceptable and honorable among most, the martyr believing he gives his life for a greater good. There are no 'suicide bombers' (a term adopted by western societies) among these terrorists; there are 'martyrs.'"

America's past isn't spotless

Though America's past isn't spotless, neither has it been without benevolence for less fortunate peoples. I believe it safe to say, considering our military might, financial backing, and political clout, there isn't a more peace-loving nation on this planet. Our history has been, after winning battles with other nations that waged aggression against us, we have been the means of rebuilding some of these to world-class powers… for which we've never been thanked, much less repaid.