IWONDERED how long it would take the apologists for terrorism to crawl out of the woodwork -- the "I in no way condone this terrible act, but" brigade, who, while America is still dragging bodies from the rubble and counting the dead, peddle vile anti-American rhetoric in the guise of reasoned debate.

I find these people despicable. Not only are their views, usually, poorly argued but totally simplistic. It is as ludicrous to blame America for all the bad in the world as it is to give them credit for all the good.

Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of this issue, such polemic is hardly appropriate so soon after this horrendous event. It is an insult to those who died, including, let us not forget, many Britons.

This demonisation of America is extremely dangerous. For, make no mistake, those terrorists were not only attacking America but the whole of the Western World and a culture and way of life which they despise. Indeed, the assertion that America somehow deserved this disaster to befall them is disgraceful.

America may not be perfect. However, it is often in a no-win situation. If there is a world crisis and it stands back, it is accused of isolationism. If it intervenes, it is an arrogant bully.

You cannot please everyone. When I think of the alternative, however, I shudder. For all its faults, the West has at least tried to bring some concept of tolerance, freedom and democracy to the world, something which is anathema to these evil terrorists and the regimes they represent.

Consequently, I give my unequivocal support to America at this time, as any sane person who values their way of life should.

Those who choose to criticise America and the West live in a society where their views, no matter how unpalatable to others, can be expressed freely. If they inhabited the world which these maniacs wish to foist upon them, they would not be afforded such privileges.

S LOVE (Mrs), Avenue Parade, Accrington.