My Views on the Tragedy of September 11, 2001 As horrific as I thought the events that happened in Manhattan, D.C., and Pennsylvania were, I unfortunately can not say I am surprised they happened. My family and friends can attest to the fact that I have been saying for many years now that the United States has serious problems with its foreign policy. Since the views of special interest groups have been more or less brainwashed into the minds and souls of most Americans through television, magazines, newspapers, and even Hollywood, some of my viewpoints may appear controversial. I apologize in advance for this and can merely offer you my word that I am not prejudiced or unduly hateful of any religious or ethnic group. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict for me began as a school research project, but later developed into an issue I feel passionate about. I do believe Israel has the right to exist and that Jews have the right to a homeland. I'm just not certain that the chosen location was the best possible option. Dating at least as far back to Biblical times, Jews have lived in that region. As many people have done throughout history, they migrated. The creation of modern day Israel is basically the same as me going back to various regions of England and Scotland and claiming the land since my ancestors lived there centuries ago. What about the people who have lived there since?! It was not enough for Israelis to usurp the land from Palestinians as Israel was founded, but Israel's borders have continued to grow. Palestinians are killed in the process and their homes demolished! The U.S. gives over 3 billion dollars of financial aid every year (more than any other country in the world!)...not to mention all of the fighter planes and weapons. We have built Israel into a force that is difficult to stand up against and a force that can easily take matters into its own hands. Rock-throwing Palestinians being shot down with Israeli bullets has escalated into desperate Palestinian suicide bombers whose villages end up pummeled by fighter plane attacks. The United States has been biased in its judgments and actions of this entire conflict. From media to politicians, the U.S. has scorned Yassar Arafat for not signing the peace treaty offered at Camp David at the end of Clintons presidential term. The U.S. said that was the best offer the Palestinians could hope for and that failing to sign it only indicated Palestinians did not really want peace. How favorable could a treaty be that only offers Palestinians "social rights" to property they should fully own, including their own mosques?! Arabs around the world have been angered by U.S. foreign policy in Israel. Their feelings of animosity have only been heightened by the United States forcing itself into their countries. From what I understand from Arab friends, they do not despise Americans themselves...they just do not want Americans meddling in their own affairs or bringing American influences and culture into their countries as many aspects of American culture are found to be offensive and threatening to Arabs that are trying to do their best to be devoted Muslims. Unlike Americans, Arabs do not want to see their countries transformed into places were there are bars on every corner, drinking and drugs are commonplace, and scantily-clothed women are in every direction a Muslim man turns. We have invaded other countries, like Saudi Arabia, by opening military bases which clearly aren't there to protect any people, but rather protect our oil interests. Another reason for discontentment among Arabs that I heard on the news radio is the Arabs feel we went to far in the Gulf War in our efforts to stop Saddam Hussein. They feel the United States continued to bomb Iraq after it was no longer a threat. Apparently, the United Nations had even ordered we stop, but we went against their ruling. I am not, by any means, trying to say that what happened in America on 09/11/2001 wasn't terribly wrong. I feel awful for all of the innocent citizens that lost their lives in such a vicious and dreadful manner that day. My goal in sharing these thoughts was merely to present my view that I do not think any of this would have ever happened if the United States had better foreign policy in the Middle East. It is also sad that our whole country is forced to suffer for the needs of special interests groups.