Excerpts of editorials from Indiana newspapers on the topic of the attacks Tuesday in New York and Washington:
The Indianapolis Star:\nThe cowardly attack on U.S. institutions in New York and Washington is an act of war.\nIt was the worst single one-day attack launched against U.S. domestic targets since Pearl Harbor. Calculated terrorist attacks against civilian targets are horrific enough, but when military installations become targets, an immediate response is required. Every available resource of our country must be used to identify, hunt down and retaliate against those responsible.\nThis was a well-organized major attack on U.S. institutions. The organizers have declared war against the United States. President Bush must lead us with confidence and courage.\nThe News-Sentinel, \nFort Wayne:\nMake no mistake -- war was declared. And a nation at war must exercise different options than a nation at peace. President Bush said exactly the right thing when he said the U.S. would "hunt down" the people who did this. If they are found, we presume they will be the targets of a military strike, not a court of law.\nThis will be a supreme test of America's intelligence-gathering agencies as well as its military capabilities. We need to show the world that we can, measure for measure, defend ourselves without losing all standards of decency -- no bombings of aspirin factories or huge civilian populations, but no rest for the war criminals, either.\nIn the long run, it will be the ideas of America -- liberty, equality, opportunity -- that win the world. Let no one ever think we won't fight for those ideas.\nChronicle-Tribune, \nMarion:\nIt was another Pearl Harbor, clearly financed by someone with money, intelligence and, above all, a surplus of hate.\nBut unlike 1941, when our soldiers, sailors and Marines saw the Rising Sun on the wings of the planes and knew the enemy was Japan, today's attacks came on the wings of innocent civilian planes, and it is not clear who the enemy is.\nAs a nation, we resolve to find out who did this, and we resolve to answer this act of war with the same kind of courage and commitment the nation displayed after Pearl Harbor. It has to be clear that we will not tolerate such things in this country.\nJournal and Courier, \nLafayette:\nUnbelievable can't cover Sept. 11, 2001.\nAs Americans, we've been peppered for years with cautionary tales of a festering global hatred waiting to land on our shores with its suitcase bombs. And there it was, before our very eyes on live TV, in a sickeningly coordinated attack that kept coming Tuesday morning and, for all we know, could still be coming.\nThey must pay.\nBut before retribution begins, let's take a measured breath to hold back the anger and retaliatory urge that comes next. Instead of giving into impulses to round up the usual suspects and risk fingering equally innocent bystanders, including some who live in our own community, take time to trace the true culprits.\nDaily Journal, \nFranklin:\nThis is war.\nThis is the worst attack ever on American soil -- beyond Pearl Harbor, beyond Oklahoma City. The terrorists deliberately targeted the symbols of American military power and capitalism.\nThe level of coordination necessary to carry out these attacks suggests the handiwork of billionaire terror overload Osama bin Laden. Such ghastly acts require overwhelming retaliation.\nIf bin Laden is responsible, then his lair in Afghanistan -- and the radical Taliban rulers who shelter him -- should be targeted for annihilation. We have full confidence that President Bush will bring the full power of the U.S. military to bear in punishing the perpetrators, whomever they are.\nHerald-Press, \nHuntington:\nDec. 7, 1941; Nov. 22, 1963; Sept. 11, 2001. On each of those dates, American institutions were attacked and our national resolve was tested.\nPresident George W. Bush immediately vowed that the United States will track down and punish those responsible for the attacks. At a time when so many Americans feel so vulnerable, those words seem barely adequate to deal with the pain and fear.\nJust who we are at war with is not yet clear, but it soon will be. Once our adversary has a name, a face, a location, the counter offensive will begin.\nPalladium-Item, \nRichmond:\nWithin a few minutes Tuesday morning, America's sense of security and invincibility was shattered by coordinated terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.\nWe are, and have been for a long time, vulnerable to attack from political extremists throughout the world, including here at home. But warning of security experts inside and outside government that terrorists likely would someday strike the United States have been ignored by the public.\nOur nation must regroup and get serious about taking steps to prevent terrorism, but we must not forget that as long as some people in the world are willing to do anything to prevent us from standing up for freedom and justice in the world, we will be targeted.\nThe Herald Times, \nBloomington:\nIn days -- and, indeed, years -- to come, Americans will seek answers and try to come to grips with this brutal and unjustifiable attack. But first it must treat its wounded, comfort its aggrieved and proceed with compassion. And determined boldness.\nOur nation must and will seek justice. The perpetrators of this crime against humanity and civilized government must and will be brought to justice.\nThe day's events will irrevocably change our nation. But no terrorist attack can destroy it. Slowly but surely, Americans will rebuild their buildings and institutions and, as much as possible, their lives, their faith and their confidence in their land.\nToday, as always when challenged, these States stand United.
