I am deeply disturbed by the large number of apologists writing to malaysiakini trying to justify the acts of these terrorists by saying that somehow the Americans deserved this action due to their foreign policies over the years. Some writers have even gone as far back as the War of Independence to say so.

But before more writers step into the fray and justify these terrible acts of mass murder, let's keep in mind that we really do not know what the reasons behind them are. Unlike most terrorist groups that step forward to claim responsibility, none of the cowards for these 'bombings' has done so.

We are left to guess. So if they have a point to make, other than killing Americans that is, we do not know what it is. For many of these groups, killing Americans in some sort of twisted genocide plan might have been enough reason. We can surmise and guess at the myriad of possible causes but we may never know why the terrorists did it.

Even when the Americans complete their investigation there will be many, particularly in the Arab/Muslim world, who will reject those findings. There are theories I've heard floating around that the Israelis planned and executed this and I've heard someone in all seriousness suggest that the Americans did it to themselves in order to start up their own military industrial complex!

So before we go justifying these acts of terror (despite the disclaimers of condemnation), let's all close our eyes and imagine ourselves in one of those planes desperately calling loved ones on cell phones telling them that we love them and asking for forgiveness for transgressions. Or place ourselves on the 108th floor of the WTC with no way down as the place where you work explodes into an inferno. While still imagining this, ask ourselves why we deserved this?

I, too, am using a pseudonym but not in fear of the Americans as I'm pretty sure that they will not gun me down in the streets for my opinion regardless of what the apologists might think.