In the Jan. 7 Opinions page it was suggested that the Christmas Day "failed terrorist attack did America a favor. While our economy can't deserve to be ignored, neither can terrorism."

 Well, I couldn't agree more! I would like to shed light on some other MEMORABLE and MONUMENT OUS moments in history that "did America a favor."

  On March 3, 1991, Rodney King was brutally beat by Los Angeles police officers. The police officers involved in the lavish beatings were tried, but acquitted, which resulted in the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

  I, being a staunch civil libertarian, am glad the riots happened. The death and destruction caused by these riots launched the issue of police brutality and civil rights to the forefront of America discussion!

  Unfortunately, there hasn't been another instance of police brutality as national as the Rodney King beatings to keep the issue from losing force. Hopefully something comes along soon because I really feel this is an issue we still need to focus on.

Next, I'd like to focus our attention on Feb. 26, 1993. This is when the first World Trade Center (WTC) bombing occurred. Planned by Ramzi Yousef and carried out by Eyad Ismoil, this really brought, at least in my opinion, a big issue to the "American Table." TERRORISM.

  I am staunchly anti-communist, I mean terrorist (sorry, wrong time period), and this attack on the North Tower of the WTC helped many people understand what I have all along, that terrorism is a real threat to our way of life.

  However, I always thought it hadn't done enough! But lucky me, there came that fateful day eight years later in September that really made terrorism an issue on everyone's tongue.

You know, September ... WAIT! Am I really going to say that September 11, a day that ruined so many families and threw us all into a state of fear, "did America a favor?" Now that would be absolutely ridiculous and insensitive.

 For anyone to suggest that an action that causes or could potentially cause harm to another human being is "doing America a favor" is baffling. I understand the passion someone can feel about certain issues but when that passion causes a wish for death and destruction, it's time to take a step back and reevaluate life.

Let's instead talk about the issues we feel are important, listen to the opinions of others, and try to find solutions to the difficult questions facing America today. Yeah ... that sounds a lot better than a terrorist attack.