MGG Pillai could bring on his elaborate analysis of history and civilisation, but one thing he has to realise is that the way society thinks and acts are very different today. We simply cannot compare the excessiveness of the Middle ages (i.e. the Crusades) with this present age because society today is more rational, informed and egalitarian.

The bottom line is, regardless of whoever this unknown enemy may be as MGG Pillai is trying to speculate, any acts of barbarism which involves the loss of lives and damage to livelihood should be utterly condemned by any rational person.

So, it is wrong to say that America should sit back and accept this so-called 'retaliation' on innocent American lives. Rather, action needs to be taken to bring those involved to justice.