Yes, the initial action against terrorism is to exact punishment on those in the Middle East responsible for the atrocities carried out by terrorists at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.

In the name of all of the innocent victims of these terrorist acts of senseless violence, this revenge must be carried out with a vengeance and vindictiveness the likes of which the world community has never seen.

Four images stand out in my mind. The first and most obvious is the destruction and loss of life at the World Trade Center. This New York City landmark symbolizes the heart of the United States economic system. The second is the destruction and loss of life at the Pentagon, the embodiment of the United States defense system.

The third and forever the most frightening is the picture in USA Today of the 8- and 9-year-old boys celebrating these atrocities and flashing the “V” for victory sign in the streets of Palestine. Do these young boys represent the next wave of terrorism aimed at the United States and the Western World? Will these future terrorists attack the United States with nuclear weapons or germ warfare?

What appears to be middle class men (perhaps some were husbands and fathers) flew these airliners full of innocent U.S. citizens directed at the heart of the United States. No one can comprehend these acts of violence and terror against the United States and its innocent citizens. If these acts of violence can be justified by anyone in this world, then the world as we know it today is doomed.

This world must rid itself of these senseless acts of terrorism. Arab terrorism against people in the Arab world is just as atrocious an act as if aimed at the Western World.

These terrorist enemies of the world and those who harbor them must be eradicated. Hate and evil have no place in today’s societies, whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim.

Wishing to end this on a positive image, I must say, I became teary-eyed and proud to be an American, a United States citizen, when I saw the flag of the United States being unfurled over the wall of the Pentagon while listening to those in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol singing “God Bless America.”

Arlington