I have to respectfully disagree, Tiptup. The 9/11 attacks, though they dastardly killed over 3,000 innocent civilians, primarily had a very disruptive effect on the entire U.S. economy. Thus, this particular act of terrorism was not merely the type of extortion we usually ascribe to these acts (i.e., attempting to coerce political change).

I don't know if bin Laden was really that saavy, but the 9/11 attack was not merely symbolic or extortionist ... it had a true and significant detremental effect on an entire nation via attack on civilian targets.

Tiptup, are you in any way suggesting that attacks on civilians which actually cause a nation to sustain damage are legitimate acts of war? Please clarify, if you wouldn't mind. As the only person participating in a civil discussion on an adult basis, I would hate to put words into your mouth.

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