How America Responds University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Question: "People have different explanations for the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. What do you think are the reasons? Some answers that were volunteered: "My first thought is jealousy: America's ability to do what it does, the fact that we can be in the Middle East and spend money to help people they disagree with. Resentment is a better word, or religion. Power goes with resentment and jealousy, and religion is used as a cover in lots of cases. Not religion so much as power." "I think that they do not want us to interfere. We've been favoring Israelis over Palestinians. I don't think it has anything to do with our economy or wealth." "I think it's just ignorance of other cultures. I'm finding it really hard to understand." "I believe that part of it is different views between Americans and the terrorists we're dealing with. In times past, the U.S. has stuck their nose in business they probably shouldn't have been in. I think we're dealing with maniacs." "Just evil people." "It's a complicated problem, and there's not an easy solution. It will be years." "Boy, I think it's basically a religious war." "My analogy is that there are certain times when human nature looks for a scapegoat - similar to what the German people did to the Jews in the 1930s. Certainly in the past 30, 40 years some policies—support of the Shah of Iran and the funding of Israel—are two things the Arabs seemed not to have liked. Also, the general perception of America as arrogant in its power." "I think that these particular people hate our way of life." "I have been unable to develop a coherent reason." # # # # # # Back to the release  |  News and Information Services  |  University of Michigan