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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I have debated whether to respond to Pat Kraut’s
allegations or not, and decided that for the record a correction of an
erroneous statement must be made.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>As one of the Panelists, I guarantee you that NO ONE on the panel ever
said that “we deserved the attacks on 9/11 and what ever else is coming.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On the contrary, the panelists from
their diverse perspectives collectively echoed three basic
principles:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">1.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hate and
violence begets hate and violence, no one--regardless of who or where-- deserves
the atrocities of 9/11, or any other atrocities that happened prior or after
that.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">2.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We do not
know why someone does something, when someone breaks into my house for example
(not that it happened, but just as a far analogy), I am not the one to be blamed
for that person’s behavior; however, it is irresponsible of me to put my head in
the sand and blame all on fate, the others, and whatever else and not do
anything about how to protect my home.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>I can initiate a neighborhood watch, I can work toward creating
alternatives to crime and violence,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>or be active in responsible and meaningful endeavors that bring my
community together in combating such acts and the underlying issues that may
fostered them—poverty, ignorance, alienation, imbalance of power,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>…etc.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The panelists in their collective
responses did just that; what a responsible person would do when faced with a
horrendous act.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">3.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Disenfranchised, powerless, and alienated individuals who are hopeless
sometimes commit reprehensible acts that to them may be the only way to be
heard.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This does not justify or
condone these acts but gives us pause on the need to create a place where people
are empowered; researchers who conduct work with gangs for example cite similar
reasons why some youth join gangs and cites ways to provide alternatives for
those youth so they feel that they have alternatives, and that their voices are
heard.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">For vision2020 listserve members: I invite you all to
listen to the panel discussion on Radio Free Moscow which should be linked
shortly, and decide for yourself what the panelists did or did not say.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On the other hand, Ms. Kraut; we all
have our opinions, perceptions, and experiences.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Truth” is a relative term, divergent
narratives of the same “story” do co-exist, and that co-existence is the
backbone of a democracy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As I
respect your right to state your opinion, I believe an apology for making these
false allegations and disinformation in your posted message is in order
here.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
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size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Thank You<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Rula
Awwad-Rafferty<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>