I have no problem punishing real terrorists. But what is the best way to prevent terrorism? Simple. Stop engaging in it.
Yeah, right. I can just see it now....terrorists sitting down and thinking about the US in a rational manner. Think about it. Terrorists started having a field day in the '70s when ol' Jimmy Carter was president. Regan came in, started kicking some ass (or at least put forth that image) and it stopped. Years later another weak president comes to power, Clinton, and the terrorism starts again. Bush comes to power, kicks some ass, and things have died down. Maybe there will be another 911 again, maybe not but thank God we don't have a spineless dude for president.
And regarding the US and it's action. When the hell did the US become the knight in shining armor? The US government looks out for it's own people and the interest of other nations that share the same interests. Does that such at times? Hell yeah! It sucked for those 200,000 Japanese that were blotted out by the atomic bombs. Before that it sucked for the American Indians and since then has sucked for others. But it's no differnt then other nations, esp. the super powers throughout history. But one thing is for sure. The US has done more FOR other countries then any other nation in history. Compare the heydays of Britain, Holland, France, etc and each of those countries stripped other nations of their riches, killed thousands and left them in ruin.