America's heritage is one of diversity and understanding. An act of war was commited on us, but not by the nation of afghanistan.. it was commited by people living within this country. We've set up a new democratic government, we've killed nearly twice as many afghan soldiers as they killed american citizens, and we are now currently detaining more people at Guantanimo Bay than I can remember. These detainees are held without access to lawyers or even basis of guilt.
The reason for ousting the previous regime and implementing a new democratic government is simple. The regime that was in power, or dictatorship, supported terrorism. They harbored and funded them. They basically said go ahead and do the heinous things you do and we will allow you to hide, neigh, cover for you when someone comes looking for you.

Just because the actual Taliban weren't the one's to fly the planes into the buildings, doesn't mean they weren't involved. At least indirectly. The soldiers that were killed were from the Taliban. The body of government that was harboring the Al-Quaida. They were protecting us from finding what we wanted, and in essence just as involved in the war as we were.

I don't know how much you know about the Genieva Convention, but those PRISONERS OF WAR are being treated in accordance with the rules and articles governing their imprisonment. As a matter of fact, being an active duty Marine, I can assure you that their treatment is far better than just about any other country in the world would treat them. Having participated in several joint operations with multiple countries, I can tell you that we are more humane in these types of situations that anyone else out there. Take for example the ROK Marines or Thai Marines. Not to mention the way you would be treated if you were captured in the Middle East. If you were in their shoes and came across an American fighting man, there would be instant death. Look at the soldiers that were captured and beaten to death and dragged through the streets. Do you think that would happen to anyone the US captured? No way in hell.

I appreciate and respect the desire to question the things our government does. Please remember and take into account the bloodshed of hundreds and thousands of brave men and women who gave you that abilty to question our government. Don't be as quick to question it when we want everyone to have the same ability as us. And for God's sake, don't act like we are the world's tyrant's when someone comes to our Land and threatens our very way of life. If the Al-Quaida, Taliban, Irag, or any terrorist organization in the world had their way, every single American would be dead and demoracy wouldn't exist. There would be no one to enforce the rights of humans. There would be noone to fight for the lives of the people being slaughtered for no apparent reason. People have to pay the ultimate price for the rights of others. For you're right to sit here and question the way our government is run, I have volunteered to give my life. I will live up to that should the time arise. Please don't make that sacrifice for naught.