"More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: Close terrorist training camps; hand over leaders of the al-Qaeda network; and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens, unjustly detained in your country," said President George W. Bush, during his seven-minute Oct. 7 national broadcast announcing the air assault. "None of these demands were met. And now the Taliban will pay a price," he said. Mr. Bush explained the goal of the assault is to destroy "terrorist" camps, disrupt communications, and open the way for popular uprisings.

At Final Call press time, the U.S.-British-led offensive was hitting targets ranging from military installations to alleged bin Laden terrorist training camps. The Taliban initially reported at least 20 civilians dead�including women, children and the elderly. Mr. bin Laden, the Taliban reported, is alive and well.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed certainty that the U.S. is avoiding civilian deaths, while Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf insisted America enjoyed wide support in Pakistan despite anti-U.S. protests.

"The ongoing action must also be viewed in the light of the [Security] Council affirmation of the inherent right of individual and collective defense in accordance with the UN charter," added UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, whose words reflected UN resolutions passed days before the air strikes.

Mr. bin Laden was shown on international television, and according to English translators, declared the Sept. 11 attacks were from God. The Saudi exile did not claim responsibility for the attacks but said Islamic nations have suffered terrorism for 80 years.

"A million innocent children are dying at this time as we speak, killed in Iraq without any guilt. We hear no denunciation; we hear no edict from the hereditary rulers. In these days, Israeli tanks rampage across Palestine. � But when the sword fell upon America after 80 years, hypocrisy raised its head up high bemoaning those killers who toyed with the blood, honor and sanctities of Muslims," he said.

Polls showed 90 percent support for military action at home but overseas surveys by Gallup International found most people interviewed in 32 of 35 countries rejected military action and favored a criminal justice response�finding those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks and putting them on trial. Only India, Israel and the United States had majorities that favored military action.

"We strongly support the operation President Bush ordered our military forces to carry out today. The administration has properly made it clear that today�s actions and any future actions are directed against those who perpetrated the heinous attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, not against Islam or the people of Afghanistan. We stand united with the president and with our troops, and will continue to work together to do what is necessary to bring justice to these terrorists and those who harbor them," said a joint statement released Oct. 8 by House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt and other congressional leaders.

U.S. peace demonstrators hit the streets Oct. 7 as news of the attacks spread and continued the next day, during the Columbus Day observance.

"I must disagree with those who say that opposing a war in Afghanistan is somehow unpatriotic or to be against violence is to be against our young men and women in the armed services," said Martin Luther King III, son of the slain civil rights leader and peace advocate.

"On the contrary, we love America. We love our courageous men and women in the military and throughout the world. They are our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers, our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, friends and co-workers. But, we are not obligated to support policies that send them into dangerous, or unwise missions," Mr. King III, who is also president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, told The Final Call.

"We support the president�s strategic campaign to combat terrorism and to protect American citizens from attack. That support will remain firm whether or not we agree with particular tactics used to carry out that campaign," said Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR also expressed concern for the safety of innocent Afghanis.

In a statement, the group added: "This is not a conventional war between armies in uniform. It is a long-term struggle for hearts and minds that will only be won by tackling the root causes of terrorism. Now more than ever, it is imperative that our nation�s foreign policy promotes justice and human rights in all areas of the world, including the Middle East."

There are an estimated seven million Muslims in America and some 1.2 billion worldwide.

"Every American must understand the resentment in the hearts of those who have experienced oppression and injustice. This is not a conflict of religion or political points of view," said Rev. Phillip Shanker of the Family Federation for World Peace in Washington, D.C. "At the heart of this conflict is the outcry of suffering. In my mind, the man (Mr. bin Laden) is a criminal and yet the points that he raised must be understood."

"Once again, the U.S. is engaged in military action that will cause many people in America, who appear to be in support to regret it," predicted Dr. Conrad Worrill, chairman of the Chicago-based National Black United Front. "Foreign policy has obviously caused great consternation and the arrogance of America and her policy is now playing itself out in Afghanistan," he said.

The build up and military action blinds the public to an abhorrent foreign policy that all the world knows, except Americans, said the Chicago-area activist.

Some believe the timing of the assault by America incorporated a strategy to even quell immediate reaction within her own borders.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), chair of the 38-member Congressional Black Caucus, argued military efforts must be mixed strongly with diplomacy and understanding of what Taliban leaders and Mr. bin Laden are saying.

She was expressing a likely minority view in Congress, possibly even among her Black Caucus colleagues.

"It is clear that there is great hate expressed against (America). And that hate cannot be without some motivation whether it be accurate or inaccurate. And we need to know what caused it and how we can solve it," Rep. Johnson said. She learned of the bombings from television when she got home from church.

The CBC has not taken a stand for or against military strikes. Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee and "dean" of the CBC, seemed to back the military strikes, but was cautious.

"It is important that the United States limit the attacks to military targets and avoid civilian casualties at all cost," Rep. Conyers said in a carefully worded statement.

"It is also important that we continue to build support in the Arab world behind these actions. We must continue to pursue economic, diplomatic and intelligence strategies to break up these terrorist cells before they strike again," Rep. Conyers said.

Though Mr. Bush had warned strikes were pending, the bombings caught CBC members by surprise.

"I have received nothing official, no information, nothing. I was a bit surprised," Rep. Johnson said. "There certainly was time to notify us if for no other reason than for the fact that the majority of the troops will be minorities."

The "war against terrorism" is projected to be long and sustained, meaning possible massive deployment of ground troops, whose ranks are filled with Blacks and low-income Americans, the largest percentage of the volunteer military. They are lured by college grants, travel and the opportunity to obtain skills.

Rep. Johnson scoffed at the idea of America dropping bombs on military targets and food and medicine into refugee camps for people who have fled Afghanistan. "To announce that you�re going to send food and all that to the children and the mothers and that�s being delivered while you�re dropping a bomb is kind of incongruent and it breeds distrust and I don�t know that we gain anything other than revenge with this," she said.

Ray Winbush, director of the Nashville-based Race Relations Institute, expressed concern about "an orgy of patriotism," and Blacks talking of the need to racially profile Arabs. He fears America is approaching a police state and the target will easily shift from Arab Americans to Blacks and dissenters.

"This is a frightening scenario set up in America right now. If you are not for what America is doing, you are deemed unpatriotic. Look at the host of �Politically Incorrect� (Bill Mahr), he said publicly that bombing Afghanistan is cowardly and in Washington, D.C., they took him off the air," said Mr. Winbush.