How to counter anti-U.S. views

The State Department was wrong to oppose creation of a Radio Free Afghanistan to get our version of events out to people who dwell in darkness and are fed lies. The cost is minimal -- US$10 million, or the price of a few seconds worth of ordnance poured onto the Taliban -- while the potential for benefit possibly could be large.

Radio is the best vehicle in those nations, and we need to have a greater presence, including a beefed up Voice of America committed to our war aims. Allies such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia should educate their people about the evils of Islamist terror. After all, it's these countries that are most threatened by fundamentalist upheaval.

While we are stepping up our efforts to explain ourselves to other countries, we should not fail to continue explaining our purpose to our own citizens, whose support for the war is strong, but always targeted by naysayers.

We must never forget that we have been attacked, unjustly, that thousands of innocent Americans were killed going about their business, and more will die unless we vigorously defend ourselves. There is no other way to view it.

-- Chicago Sun-Times