A postscript to 9/11

Americans have, rightly, mourned those whose died as a consequence of the attack on the World Trade Centre 5 years ago. It was a terrifying and barbaric act of terrorism and deserves condemnation in the strongest terms.

It will be recalled that within a month of 9/11 the US "invaded" Afghanistan to root out the terrorists said to have been responsible for the attack in New York. Then, in March 2003, the US, together with its Coalition of the Willing, invaded Iraq in its War of "Shock and Awe".

It is now beyond question that the justification and basis for invading both Afghanistan and Iraq was totally wrong! Meanwhile, thousands upon thousands of "innocent" people in both countries have been killed, maimed or displaced in some way or other. Both countries are experiencing harsh conditions. As one commentator noted the other day, even in the darkest days of Saddam, people could still safely go out on the streets of Baghdad and do their shopping.

As people remember 9/11 has anyone turned their thoughts to the countless thousands - many, many more than those killed in New York - killed in Afghanistan and Iraq? Sadly - no! Double standards at play? Yet again?

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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