Like millions of others these past few weeks, I've been intensely watching all news following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

My immediate reactions to the terrorist actions are not uncommon: shock, horror, grief, sadness, and stunned disbelief.

The aftermath left my mind in a sea of conflicting emotions. In my heart I abhor violence. It is the root of all evil. Evil uses violence to control, abuse, and destroy... and yet, I believe violence is the only language evil understands.

Evil doesn't listen to reason. It isn't a rational entity. Evil has no respect for life.

As a rational thinking human being, I always try to see all sides to a "situation" or "subject" before forming a personal opinion about it.

Even though I avoid violence as a solution to any conflict, I am not a pacifist. I consider myself a realist. As a realist, I believe the terrorist acts against the USA on Sept. 11, 2001 were pure evil. By their acts the terrorists showed a total contempt for human life - their own and the lives of others. Am I going to sit and make excuses for them and their actions? Absolutely not!

Do I care why they did what they did? NO I DO NOT! Regardless of what their reasons were for their actions, the actions were evil - period. I don't believe for one minute that I (or anyone else) could have convinced them not to carry out their plans of destruction. Evil does not listen to "reason".

The question is, were they the source of the evil that resulted in their actions on that fateful day, or were they "under the influence" of evil? Did they even know they had a "choice" between good and evil that day? Oh, yes, they had a choice... and we all know which path they chose.

So here we are then, responding to evil with violence --- the only language (IMHO) evil understands.

Yet, some people (IMHO) just don't get it! Some people actually think you can negotiate with evil. (Sign a deal with the devil??)

Worse yet, others think the USA actually deserved the terrorist actions of Sept. 11/01. They actually believe in the slaughter of thousands of innocent unsuspecting lives!?! In fact these people continue on their rampage of evil even now, plotting and planning more acts of terror on innocent lives all over the world.

Bottom line, there are only two sides to this new war --- good vs. evil --- and I know on which side I stand. In my heart I know my God does not reward evil.