&gt; Islamic terror was directed at the US for many years before Iraq!<p>Al Qaeda had very specific grievances. They wanted US troops to leave Saudi Arabia, where they first put bases before the Persian Gulf War.<p>(Aside: Bin Laden offered his irregular forces to Saudi Arabia to help defend the kingdom from Saddam. He was rejected. That pissed him off some, but the presence of infidels in the land of Mecca pissed him off even more.)<p>Not saying terrorism is a legitimate response, but it&#x27;s much more explainable than &quot;they hates us for our freedoms.&quot;