U.S. needs help in war on terrorism

    Finally, almost a month after the attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, the United States has finally responded ... and responded with force.

    The U.S. military has begun bombing attacks on Afghanistan.

These attacks are designed to cripple the illegitimate Taliban government, which rules the area with an iron and backwards fist.

    Punishing the Taliban for offering sanctuary to Osama bin Laden, the main suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks, is a secondary goal.

    The capture and punishment of bin Laden remains the primary goal for the United States. That goal is not unattainable, but it will be difficult and will take some time before it is completed.

    The big question is what do we do when bin Laden is captured?

Is a trial going to be enough to punish bin Laden?

    In our country we place great emphasis on fair trials. It is reasonable to say that bin Laden would probably not receive one here.

    Even if bin Laden did get some semblance of a fair trial, imprisonment would not be a very viable option either.

    An imprisoned bin Laden would give other terrorist zealots cause to take hostages and demand his freedom.

    The only other option is the death of bin Laden. In the grand scheme of things, the world would probably be a better place without bin Laden.

    He has proved himself evil and full of hatred. He is nothing more than a thug and is already getting more media attention than he deserves.

    Bin Laden’s death would possibly make him a martyr, but is there any other option?

    Bin Laden cannot be allowed to roam free after what he has possibly done. He must answer for his crimes against the United States and against other countries.

    But the sad truth is that he cannot be punished enough for what he has done.

    This would be the paradox that the United States finds itself in. No matter what we do, we have lost. We are in a no-win situation.

    Capturing bin Laden makes our country a target for retaliation; putting him on trial also makes us a target, and killing him makes him a martyr and still makes us a target.

    The only real answer seems to be to strike back harshly and with the support of the rest of the world to deter other zealots from attempting action on America or any other nation or group.

    The rest of the world must learn that terrorists are not freedom fighters and that there is no excuse for such an attack on the United States.

    Our neighbors in this world must understand that standing idly by also contributes to terrorism.

    Without worldwide support in eradicating terrorism, the United States will find itself fighting alone in a battle that cannot be won.

    If that happens, the world will have lost also.