As one who has an interest in immigration matters, I am somewhat gratified to see that those refugee advocates who routinely criticized efforts to scrutinize and screen refugee claimants arriving in Canada have fallen oddly silent. Perhaps the inherent stupidity of their demands has become highlighted by recent events that demonstrate the folly of lax (national) security.
Ernie Gaspari

In seven days we've all witnessed the worst and the best that people can be.
Tim Holmes PA

After the Second World War, the Americans launched the Marshall Plan. This not only fed a good portion of the starving European population, it also provided billions of dollars to rebuild war-torn Europe. The same should be done for Afghanistan.
Keith Meagher

Canada must take the politically incorrect stand and remain clear from the battlefield. This is an attack on America, not on freedom and democracy, and Canada would be advised to define its own agenda and not forced into a shortsighted response.
Todd Falkowsky, Milan, Italy

U.S. President George W. Bush has made the statement that we want Osama bin Laden "dead or alive." Why not revert to the method of days gone by, when a bounty was placed on the head of the guilty? It would save us the great price of many more innocent lives on the battlefield.
Deborah

Regarding Defence Minister David Collenette's order to lock cockpit doors, you might ask him about the design of these doors. They are designed to be forced open.
Bill Turnbull

So far, our country's ceremonial peace-keeping contributions have been very nice. However, on Sept. 11 our priorities have changed. We, North Americans, were attacked. Our partner, whom we expect would come to our defence, needs our support. This is not the time to hide behind some massive international structures, treaties and commitments.
Voyteck Badek, Cornwall, Ont.

I am starting to wonder if we don't need to put this tragedy into perspective. Have there not been more horrible tragedies in the Third World or other nations that we are not covering nearly as well on television? Many more people perish in the Third World every year due to preventable medical problems and simple hunger, yet we do not have continuous around the clock coverage of these events.
Ray Martin

How can America consider itself blameless when American companies produce and sell landmines? Those responsible for the attacks must be brought to justice, but these issues must be addressed if we wish to live in a peaceful world.
Chris Lindberg, Vancouver

This is an opportunity for all free nations to cleanse the world of such terrorist groups. Any nation that supports this scourge on world society must be destroyed and rebuilt on a free and democratic base.
Bill Hetherington

The world is outraged. The world condemns. And the World Court is the proper place for judgment.
John M. Kennedy

It was not an attack on democracy - the terrorists couldn't care less about our political system. It was an attack on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. As such, no other countries are at risk from this particular group.
David W. Creelman

I want to say thank you to the people of Toronto. We are Americans and were in Toronto at the time of the attack. Knowing that we were so well supported by our Canadian brothers and sisters gave us hope. Thank you for welcoming us into your city.
Bess Buzzini

I have served 21 years in the Canadian Army and will return if called upon. That is duty for me. But all citizens should abide by the values and laws of their democratic nations. Only then can the claim be made that Good will triumph over Evil. Otherwise, this "war" will be just another example that might makes right.
François Bernier

If we can support the trial of former Yugoslavian leader Slobodan Milosevic at the World Court, why would we not seek to similar treatment for those responsible for the horror of Sept. 11? Let us not confuse the legitimate use of force in a preventive, policing action, with outright revenge in the heat of this moment.
Robert N. Kavanagh

I wish to express thanks to the people and government of Canada, our strong NATO partner and trusted friends, for the support expressed regarding the terrorist attack in New York City.
J. Kurzon, Massachusetts

I would like to see political leaders all be locked together in one room and have a war of words rather than one of the world.
Christina McKay RN BscN

Islam doesn't teach hate or suicide or killing innocent. Whoever did this attack is not part of any religion. As a Muslim, I pray for those who lost their lives.
Tabassum Taswir