UPDATE: Three Americans killed in attack; Bush responds by vowing anew to fight terror

Jerusalem Post ^ | Aug. 1, 2002 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Conagher]

WASHINGTON - Three Americans were killed and four were injured in the terrorist attack on Jerusalem's Hebrew University Wednesday, State Department spokeswoman Lynn Cassel said. Their names were wtihheld [sic] pending notification of their families.

President George W. Bush responded angrily Wednesday to the deadly bombing, renewing his pledge to fight terror and demanding that the Palestinian Authority get rid of "officials who haven't been able to deliver."

With Arab and European leaders insisting he step up his timetable for a Palestinian state in three years and pressure Israel to quit the West Bank and Gaza, Bush focused on the need for "a security force that exists to fight terror."

At the end of a meeting with his Cabinet, the president condemned the attack at Hebrew University "in the strongest possible terms" and said those who were involved in the bombing were "clearly killers who hate the thought of peace."

Bush said his message to them was "they won't stop us from rallying the world to fight this kind of terror, nor will they stop us from having a vision of peace."

Asked about a possible Israeli retaliation, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the country had a right to defend itself. But, he said, "The president always advises to be mindful of the consequences for peace down the road."

But there was no call at the White House and the State Department for Israel to exercise restraint. Nor was there any immediate reaction to word from U.S. diplomats in Israel that a U.S. citizen was among the victims.

[Conagher]

Talk is cheap. We'll see what kind of action he takes.

[eclectic]

But there was no call at the White House and the State Department for Israel to exercise restraint

Gee. I am waiting for a call to eradicate the terrorists with extreme prejudice. I am not holding my breath though...

[gcraig]

...exercise restraint...

Why? Exactly why, Mr. President? Americans died today, killed by Hamas. This terrorist group is on our State Departments terrorist list. Yassir Arafat has invited them into his cabinet. DECLARE WAR NOW!

[Benrand]

I was thinking todya what the ramifications would be if we sent troops to this area...it would most likely scare the shit out of the PA and the other thugs...maybe play up the cowboy image...

Then again, maybe it'd be alright to let the IDF take care of it, they're more than capable.

[WhiteGuy]

...exercise restraint... Why? Exactly why, Mr. President?

There is nothing to gain personally or politically.

Therefore nothing will be done.

The US president should simply announce that no more money will be sent to the ME until there is peace, and then butt-out. We can deal with who ever wins.

[GVnana]

Three Americans were killed and four were injured in the terrorist attack on Jerusalem's Hebrew University Wednesday

I think Hamas knew exactly what it was doing in killing these people.

[Mark17]

the president condemned the attack at Hebrew University "in the strongest possible terms" and said those who were involved in the bombing were "clearly killers who hate the thought of peace."

Yes, that is a strong term. Yawn. I don't care what he says, I want to see what he does.

[Crazymonarch]

3000 died last September and were still best friends of the Saudi's theres a lot at stake here if we over-react like Saudi campaign contributions,Boards of Directors positions for ambassadors,Congress and the Senate actually having to make a decision,petrol share prices and probably derivates financed at 600 to 1...you know all sorts of stuff

[Glock17]

Put 5 Puffs in orbit over Gaza Strip and unload on anything that moves.

[Jonathon Spectre]

We shall see in the next day or two if the "Bush Doctrine" was worth the air used to say it.

God help us if it was not. Weakness gives our enemies strength. The mask is off. It's time.

[TLBSHOW]

and Mr. President do something about Jesse Jackson, he reminds me of the terrorist Guy!

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

My stepdaughter worked on the 100th floor of tower 2 at the WTC in 1993. She called me the day of the car bombing and I relayed to her what I knew. Thank God she moved and changed jobs shortly after that day.

My next door neighbor, a Cantor - Fitzgerald broker, was murdered on Sept 11.

Today my other next door neighbor told me that her niece, who was on an educational tour of Israel missed by 5 minutes being blown up at the Hebrew University. Her group's leader was seriously injured.

I have seen the terror up close and personal. I demand that my president strike Hamas immediately.

I have zero sensitivity for those people. I have zero tolerance for those people. It's them or me. I never thought that I would be blood-thirsty.

If they want a war, let's give them a war. The casket-makers and undertakers of the middle east will have a very busy next few years I HOPE!!!

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

We shall see in the next day or two if the "Bush Doctrine" was worth the air used to say it.

Reagan would know what to do.

Just ask Khadafy

[rwfromkansas]

It said there was NO call from Bush to exercise restraint.

[SJackson]

If they want a war, let's give them a war.

Amazingly, the carnage seem not to have reached that level yet. Your perspective is squewed by your personal loss and your political sophistication. Most of America knows nothing of the American's killed today, and, as a threat, 9/11 is fading in the recesses of our collective memory.

My greatest fear is that it will take another 9/ll to give America the will to act.

[P-Marlowe]

When the Soviet Union was in its prime no one ever tried any of this crap against the USSR. Why? ecause they were RUTHLESS. Everyone knew that if they messed with the Russians, they would die slow and painful deaths.

Machiavelli said it right. It is better to be feared than loved. Unfortunately for the US we have been trying too hard to make friends with our enemies. We need to make examples of our enemies.

[hchutch]

"But there was no call at the White House and the State Department for Israel to exercise restraint."

Let me repeat this, but emphasize a word here: "But there was NO call at the White House and the State Department for Israel to exercise restraint."

Hamas crossed a big line with this one. Three Americans dead, four wounded. And no call for restraint. I think Bush probably wouldn't object to seeing every one of the tangos in Hamas DEAD after this point.

[Vermont Lt]

When I see our reactions to these (perhaps not THIS) attack I am reminded of the SNL skit back in the 80's. The one where Kadahaffi was saying, "cross this line you die." Then we'd cross the line. He'd back up and say, "Cross THIS line you die,....."

On and on it goes.

I am also reminded of the statement that insanity is doing the same thing over and over--getting the same result--and expecting it to change.

[DoughtyOne]

Asked about a possible Israeli retaliation, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the country had a right to defend itself. But, he said, "The president always advises to be mindful of the consequences for peace down the road."

Yes America, your Twin Towers have been taken out, please oh please, "Be mindful of the consequences for peace down the road."

You know, I'm getting a little sick and tired of the inuendo that always accompanies each expression of sorrow for Israel's losses.  Just what concern for consequences down the road are the Palestinians and Hamas showing?

If you can't give unqualified support for a nation that was just bombed again, shut the F up!