The situation is becoming somewhat clearer. The hijackers are now all known, and the investigation is progressing apace. At the same time, there is no sense of certainty in the general public. Who is responsible? Why was it done? How many perished? When will we know, if ever? What will the response be?

The population is outraged. Although polls suggest that 90% of the population approve of retaliation, there is very, very little outward expression of hostility. The President and his cohort are very hawkish. He appears poised for action, but the parameters are unclear. GW and Rumsfield appear to be planning for long-term, expansive action to wipe out terrorism. It sounds like we will be taking action against a nation.

I believe that I am among the 90% who want some action. I don’t know what should happen, but I don’t want ineffectual, remote-controlled retaliation. Of course, we should proceed correctly, legally, morally, and righteously. We should find out who is responsible and try to bring them to legal justice. But if they will not be given over, we — the US, NATO, and UN — should go in to take them by force.

I do not share the President’s belief, thogh, that we can “wipe out” terrorism from the world. Terrorists . . . are soldiers in an ideological war. As long as they have supporters with a like mind, they are not simply criminals. Wiping out terrorism is effectively a war of conquest. Such imperialism is, of course, how we partially got ourselves involved in this mess.

Time will tell whether the doves will appear. For now the Congress is incredibly nonpartisan. Patriotism is almost universal: Support for our troops is high, young people are signing up for military service, and love of country is ubiquitous. The first divisions will probably reappear later, but now the nation seems unified.

The President is in a tough spot, though. He hasn’t yet visited New York. To my mind his appearance has been less sympathetic to the human loss and more focused on vengeance.

We talked for a bit at work about the implications of these events, but I am tired now so I will wait for tomorrow. On that note Gephardt just said [on Charlie Rose, probably] “we must find a new balance between freedom and safety.” If I were in Wyoming, I might be paranoid. . . .