Clearly, this is not the perception of Osama bin Laden and his followers. Seeking to understand another's point of view is not the same thing as agreement with them. It simply doesn't matter if the U.S. sees itself as neutral. As long as the terrorists don't, they will continue to attack.
Terrorism is a last resort to feeling unheard.
While eradicating terrorism is immediately important, we must also look at the long-term results we hope to accomplish. For lasting peace, we must find the courage to ask the questions and the strength to listen until all feel heard. Not to like what we hear, not even to agree, but when we respect first the right of another to see things differently, then and only then have we earned the right to explain our intention and gain the ultimate goal of shifting their perception toward a peaceful solution. And no one opposes them more than the vast majority of animal rights supporters. Just as we would be entirely unjustified in blaming Islam for the atrocities of Sept. 11, rather than recognizing they were evil and heinous acts committed by extremists in the name of Islam and opposed vehemently by all decent Muslims, it would be equally unjustified to castigate animal rights for the behaviour of a very few people who use a reputable name for their own nefarious ends.