In the days since Tuesday's horrific terrorist attacks on the United States, we have been asking north Pinellas County residents to share their thoughts. Here is a sample.

By Times staff writer

"I'm mad because somebody had the nerve to kill my countrymen. Americans need to stand together, go back and take care of business -- revenge or justice, whatever you want to call it."

Andrew Beckmann, Largo

* * *

"I live in this country. As a citizen of this country, I feel violated."

Terry Travis, Clearwater

* * *

"It was a shock, and you can't do anything about it. We're not as safe as we think."

Mike Brown, a studentat Clearwater High School

* * *

"This just sickens me."

Administrator Gay Lancaster

* * *

"It's very important we be very calm and deliberate. We've got to be an example. This is an attack on all of us."

Pinellas County Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd

* * *

"When you read about the stories, the people who got out, it's devastating. It made me cry. ... When you see people celebrating, that's when you get angry."

Natalie Moyles, Largo

* * *

"When you work in emergency management, this is your worst nightmare."

Chuck Kearns, Pinellas County EMS and Fire Administration Director

* * *

"Revenge is absolutely necessary. However, let us remember that these attacks transcend all racial and religious boundaries. The Muslim community of America and much of the world is just as appalled as anyone, and any attacks on their community should be condemned."

Xan Romanov, Dunedin

* * *

"If it is established that the Islamic states were involved in this terrorism, I would propose to drop several atomic bombs, without warning, on all such countries, directly or indirectly connected. They declared war on civilians, and we should respond."

Max Gittler, Dunedin

* * *

"To the White House: Get the best possible advice on a response. Don't expect everyone, especially in Florida, to rally around Bush. ... Admit that poor policies on aviation security helped the terrorists succeed. And don't use their attacks as an excuse to weaken citizens' constitutional rights."

Mary Moore Boulay, Clearwater

* * *

"I grew up on Long Island. Many young men I went to school with are now policemen and firemen in NYC. Right now, one of my classmates for 12 years and the brother of another classmate are confirmed missing. ... My heart goes out to those I know."

Tom Frain, Tarpon Springs

* * *

"America has always been blessed when in times of great need. Ordinary men step forward and perform extraordinary deeds. Hopefully that will recur and God will make statesmen out of politicians."

George C. Byrnes, a World War II veteran from Clearwater

* * *

"This is revenge on George Bush Sr. from Saddam Hussein for attacking Iraq in 1989. George W. Bush is going to bite and attack. We will be at war again, and Saddam will be using chemical warfare on us, so the death total will much more. ..."

J.M. Rego, Tarpon Spring

* * *

"As a patriotic Christian American, I long to communicate with all the innocent, peace loving Muslims in America to tell them I am glad they are here and to stand firm against the prejudiced people who abuse them with words or actions. They DO NOT represent the majority of Americans."

Suzanne Trudell, Palm Harbor

* * *

"It is scary to know that there are people that can hurt our country so bad. You never know where and when they are going to attack. These people seemed to plan it well. The world can change a lot from people like that."

Lisa Trudell, a fifth-grade homeschooler

* * *

"I would propose the repatriation of all Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. to their homelands, the barring of entry of any to our country in the future, and punitive strikes against the villages or cities where the terrorists' parents live."

Joseph George Caldwell, Clearwater

* * *

"It makes me sick to see the children dancing in the street over our pain. What kind of animals are they raising? We are all suffering."

Sue Jennings, Largo

* * *

"It is wonderful and yet tearful to see the public's show of patriotism by flying the U.S. flag. Shame on any American who does not have Old Glory displayed."

Toni Gross, Oldsmar

* * *

"One day we will be rejoined in another life,

Where there is no hurt, no terror, no strife.

So, as the dawn breaks as our hearts still ache,

We look to the heavens from whence they have come and gone,

And we keep them in our hearts and spirit, so we can carry on."

Janie Hirsch, Palm Harbor

* * *

"For too long we have allowed our borders to be porous, and have allowed all manner of aliens to live here, legal and illegal. These people will not assimilate into our culture nor even respect our laws."

Sam Lasley, Clearwater

* * *

"The object of any retaliation must be in a way that will eradicate terrorism forever. ... We should deliver to Kabul, Tehran and Baghdad a gift from another Manhattan. Namely the Manhattan Project. For those who are too young to remember, and those who may have forgotten, the Manhattan Project was the code name for the atomic bomb development. Ergo, a Manhattan from Manhattan to these cowardly purveyors of evil."

John J. McAuley, Dunedin

* * *

"The crowning blow was to see a picture, in the Times on Wednesday, Sept. 12, of Palestinian children in Nablus, gleefully singing: "Down with America.' Is this what they are taught to think about us?"

Jack Keller Sr., Belleair Bluffs

* * *

"My children asked me, "Mommy, are they going to bomb our house?' I said the only thing I could think of to say, which is, "No, they're done with us for now, and the sun is going to come up tomorrow.' "

Clearwater City Commissioner Whitney Gray

* * *

"I'm all for retaliation. It's ridiculous. So many innocent lives are gone, just because they went to work."

Jim Durda, Clearwater

* * *

"All hell's breaking loose and I want her here with me."

Susan Tadi, as she picked up her daughter Alex, 8, early from Cypress Woods Elementary School in East Lake on Tuesday

* * *

"The firefighting work force is a passionate group of people, and there's no doubt in my mind that they would set aside their personal time to help their fallen comrades. But as much as we want to go, they're not ready yet to have us."

Clearwater Fire Chief Rowland Herald

* * *

"I called at least 16 times last night, and couldn't get an answer. Today, I'm going to do the hospitals, particularly the ones close to that area. I feel terrible. All I want to do is hear her English accent on the phone."

Jean Smith, Clearwater, speakingof her missing best friend

* * *

"I think you could find that five out of 10 people down here know someone in New York. It's such a big city, such a large melting pot there. A lot of people will be affected."

Dan Nelligan, Clearwater

* * *

"What do we do and where will we go if we are attacked?"

Leah Pappas, Tarpon Springs

* * *

"The fire service in the United States is the first line of defense. Usually no one gets there sooner. They were doing their jobs, just like we would have been."

Oldsmar Fire Chief Scott McGuff

* * *

"We're trying to order more stuff, and many of the manufacturers are not even answering their phones. It's sad that we had to have an occasion like this to become more patriotic than normal."

Peter Nehr, of the American Spiritflag store in Tarpon Springs

* * *

"We canceled our camp-out this weekend, but it was for weather, not for the tragedy. One of the goals of terror is to cripple, and we're not crippled."

David Iverson, Oldsmar, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 407

* * *

"Now, with this second "day of infamy,' my great-granddaughter in her teens, as I was on Pearl Harbor Day, will remember forever Sept. 11, 2001. Although tragic, it brought forth a new wave of patriotism to our youngsters, the same as we grew upon. KEEP IT GOING KIDS."

Raymond Anderson, Dunedin

* * *

"I'm all for payback. However. Whatever."

Parris Manning of Carrollwood, executive chef at Coral Oaks, a Marriott senior living community in Palm Harbor

* * *

"America will be mourning for weeks. ... This is a new order of things. The world will never be the same."

Tom Gerodimos of Hudson, in Tarpon Springs on Tuesday

* * *

In the art of war, you must first know yourself, and you must know your enemy. These terrorists were wrong on both accounts. They can not see the world or America, and its people, as it is. They only saw things as they were, hateful, twisted men, who are an insult to the teachings of Islam. These were men who lashed out irrationally, in pursuit of their twisted glory. These men are not victors, they are losers seeking to create their own personal brand of hell on earth. They are men who sought martyrdom, and achieved only destruction, and eternal damnation through selfish motives, and self glorification.

They were wrong about the people of America, dead wrong. Yes, they can shake us, knock us down, strike at our hearts and minds, but our resolve will not be touched. We will pick ourselves up, and as we rise up in unity of purpose, will reach out and join hands with those who are willing to extend them. We will unite and be stronger than before. We shall rise out of the abyss as a nation united, and in partnership with the free world.

We are a nation of believers. We believe in life, freedom, liberty, unity of purpose. We believe in the power of loving kindness and compassion to transform the world for the greater good. It is through diversity that our great nation was born, and in our diversity that we shall rise above every evil and wicked act of hateful, destructive men. We can see by the depth of the tragedy and destruction in New York and Washington how anger and hatred transforms the world. Hatred is destructive and deadly.

We are Americans, we believe we can turn tragedy into triumph. we work hard and play hard. We embrace healthy competition, the kind that causes mankind to aspire to the higher things, and to overcome every obstacle. We voluntarily submit our individual will to the cause of greater good. We reflect God's nature in our love, respect, and generosity toward each other.

We are a successful and strong nation not in spite of our diversity but because of it. We will fight to defend every thing and every one that we love -- our families, our communities and our nation.

We can not condone nor support any cause that destroys the life, liberty and progress of mankind. We will stand firmly on the high ground, but will relentlessly pursue men who behave like devious weasels and prey upon the innocent. We will seek justice, not revenge. We will show our resolve, not hatred. We will reflect God's goodness in man, not the evil and destructive thoughts of the beast.

Our flag still stands as a symbol of our unity, and we shall not let it fall.

Leanne Doerner, Safety Harbor

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