First entry in a while---I apologize for any egregious grammar mistakes.

[look_like_a_jew]

I was just looking at a chart called the "Real Threat to Americans." It is a standard bar graph, with it's legitimate sources listed underneath. It shows how many deaths in the United States occurred from 2000-2005 due to various causes. At the very lowest is terrorism, with 3,000 deaths, essentially all caused by the 9/11 attacks. Next is

Comments

[man_with_sticks]

I like what you're saying, but the war on terrorism and the Iraq occupation didn't blow up until after 9/11, so it's not really fair to say those people were voluntarily in harm's way. Also, they could have easily been people who wanted nothing to do with the war on terrorism, but I know you said only some people

[look_like_a_jew]

1) 9/11 was the critical point when terrorism blew up to a great extent. Ideas of terrorism and hatred towards the USA had been brewing for a long time. In fact, ever since Einsenhower coined the term military-industrial complex, it has been alive and well, truly asking for it.

2) No one deserves to die. Churchill's essay is not focused on blaming 9-11 victims for their own death, it is stating tha American foreign policy causes BLOWBACK. People working the World Trade Center symbolized something, rightfully or not. I understand that there are circumstantial issues, but my metaphor still stands true---standing in harms way is standing in harms way no matter how you cut the cake.

-All in all, I would never say that the 9-11 victims "deserved" to die any more than a solider, or a fireman deserves to die. However, there is a margin of risk that goes with certain professions, and I think Americans are overly sensitive about issues regarding our failed foreign policy.