Who's the bad guy?

Let me ask any readers who still don't have a clue as to why the U.S. is angry after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, in which an estimated 6,500 people lost their lives.

Every day as I watch the TV I see demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy. Do these people know anything about Afghanistan? Do these people know about the Taliban? Do they know anything about Osama bin Laden? If the answer is no, then I suggest they engage in more productive activities.

It's strange. When people in Aceh are slaughtered, when the military-backed militias looted and murdered innocent Timorese, or when the Jakarta Stock Exchange building was bombed, I felt sad and angry. Most of my Indonesian friends didn't care. Where was the protesting then?

The conclusion I have reached is that, once again, ignorant people are being manipulated by wealthy politicians who are only trying to further their own agenda. I know the people who are demonstrating are only a small minority, but I have spoken to numerous people from all walks of life and the ones who are really tired of all this are the lower income groups.

Terrorism is designed to spread fear. The U.S. and the world are tired and want this senseless violence to stop. However, a few wealthy politicians in Indonesia just don't see it that way. Could it be that they are trying to deflect criticism away from themselves?

ROLAND HANKS

Tangerang, Banten