First we were angry because we thought he was involved
with terrorism, then we were angry because we were wrong.
We had photographs. There he was, in broad daylight,
drinking coffee with a suspected terrorist. You’d be wrong
to think we had nothing to go on. Do your friends
have names like Maher Arat? Do they drink coffee with the wrong
sort of people? Yes, he was an engineer, but if you think
being evil also means being stupid, you’re wrong.
He needed encouragement, so we gave him some. If you think
these people will talk because we ask politely, you’re wrong.
We’d still have him if not for the damn Canadians
and their damn diplomats. Don’t get me wrong,
their intentions are good. They’re just naïve. They think
if we’re nice, the bad guys will be, too. They’re wrong
to think we can always play by the rules – that’s exactly
what the terrorists count on. It’s exactly how the wrong
team wins. Think of what they did to us. You’ll be angry, too,
if it’s right to suspect him, and just as angry if it’s wrong.
© H.L. Hix (from American Anger)
Illustration Nick Victor