Those who carried out the attacks of 9/11 may not have directly represented a government, but overwhelming evidence suggests they certainly weren't acting alone, either materially or spiritually. There are powerful and influencial parties in the Arab world who actively support Al Qaeda. And we witnessed joyous celebrations on the "Arab street" after 9/11. Where is the American counterpart? Where are the American celebrations over the prison abuses? Where are the American celebrations even over our supposedly victorious war effort? Nowhere to be seen, because most Americans realize that underlying all these events is a horrid tragedy, and there's nothing here to be celebrated.

If you excuse the Muslim world by saying Arab society is not responsible for Al Qaeda, I'd have to disagree. We must accept responsibility for our actions, but so must they for theirs.