Mike, I also regard the terrorists as cowards. Courage is more than willingness to die. Courage was exhibited by the passengers over Pennsylvania, who chose to rush the hi-jackers and try take the plane back. The risk was high, and it was fatal. They did it to protect the rest of us, after finding out by cell phone what had happened in New York.
As a child, I lived across the street from Lowery AFB, then on the edge of Denver. Back then, the Air Force used the base to train pilots, and there were crashes. Pilots were taught that if they could not safely land a plane, their first duty was to point it away from population.
To me, protecting others at the cost of one's life is courageous. Killing non-combatant others at the cost of one's life is cowardly.
One more thing. It is a good thing to express how we feel, but this is a very poor time to say what one may _think_. Conjectures about details may help the guilty to escape as they find out by what means they are being sought. If you know that "unnamed senior US official", please generously coat his tongue with super-glue.
Best to you and your family and to all the civilized peoples. |
