This letter isn't just another Sept. 11 opinion or question; however, it was sparked by the events of that terrible day. Furthermore, I know this could open up a pretty big can of worms in debate, but it's just a question, right? I'm not defending anyone or anything, but I am defending our rights to our own opinions, and this is the opinions section of the Exponent.

Without any more buildup, my question is: How much different are the al Qaida from our own Ku Klux Klan?

Both have political motives based on religious beliefs and they even have engaged in similar exercises (such as the subjugation of other groups of people) in their own countries. They are certainly both violent groups, with fatalities and deaths to their credit.

So if the United States government is working to crack down on one of these groups (the al Qaida), how can it not also focus its energies on bringing about the end to the other one as well (the KKK)? Just because it's homegrown terrorism, does it make it okay terrorism?