Those who hate democracy, those who hate what America stands for have struck. They committed an act of war against the United States of America. They have launched a terrorist act against unarmed civilians, succeeding in killing over 100 including over 10 small children in a day care center. The cowards who did this may have acted alone, but they have a strong network of support in the extreme reaches of the Right wing.

Among those who have given aid and comfort to the Oklahoma City bombers are the fringe movements...so-called "militias" consisting of middle-aged men prancing around with assault rifles and planning rebellion...extremists such as Bo Gritz, who hide out in remote mountain strongholds and preach armed revolution over a loose network of shortwave radio stations and the Internet...even a few right wing radio hosts such as G. Gordon Liddy occasionally lapse into the rhetoric of violent overthrow of our democratically elected government. Mind you, for the most part, prominent right wingers such as Rush Limbaugh, Bob Dole, and Newt Gingrich have condemed violence unequivocally. They are to be commended for their stand against terror. It is desireable in a strong democracy to have vigorous debate between the right and the left, and to defend freedom of speech in all its forms.

However, freedom of speech does not include the right to shout "fire" in a crowded theater, and those who advocate violence against our government do just that. It is when speech begins to incite action that steps must be taken. To those who have declared war on America, war on democracy, the United States should respond with all due force. After all, if you must fight a war (and this one has been thrust upon us) you fight to win.

I encourage the government to act quickly to root out those who strike at American democracy. I congratulate the F.B.I. on its excellent job of tracking the suspects of the Oklahahoma bombing.

What can we do to make sure that there are no more Oklahoma Cities? Speak out against the extreme right wing's rhetoric. Urge your member of Congress to fight against the repeal of sensible assault weapon laws. Respect legitamate opposing points of view, and do not tar all conservatives with this brush, for nearly all of them are aghast at what occured. This is one issue where all Americans can stand as one voice against terror. Above all, don't give up!

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