Ananova :

Ananova: The BBC's switchboards were jammed by callers angry at anti-American comments during last night's Question Time programme. Do you agree with angry callers, or is criticism of US foreign policy justified?

Graham: People suggest we should try to seek resolve through negotiations. Did Mr Chamberlain not do this before the start of World War 2? 'Peace in our time' was proclaimed and a piece of paper held aloft. We all know what happened next. Unfortunately, since we never learn from our mistakes, history will repeat itself.

Iwan ap Dafydd: I thought the programme was very interesting and unfortunately not long enough. I thought the audience was balanced - we needed to hear people expressing their true feelings towards the United States rather than pack it full of pro-Americans.

If the United States is unwilling to listen to people and the reasons why it's so hated in some parts of the world, they will suffer this kind of atrocity again. Their 'honest broker' role in the Middle East is a joke because they are too pro-Israeli to achieve a just settlement in Palestine/Israel. Americans need to hear these views or they will never learn anything. Europe needs to be more assertive and try and calm America down because I'm afraid they're going to do something stupid which is going to make everything 10 times worse.

Mr Yarrow: When things happen that affect lots of people tempers fray and things are said that may not have been in a saner situation. But regardless of what was said I remain critical of America. People say they can't understand why the attacks happened. I can. America has interfered and antagonised many countries over the last 50 years. Sooner or later one of them was going to fight back with its own form of oppression. I am not condoning the killing of civilians but I will not pretend I don't understand why it happened.

David Shedden: I watched the Question Time programme last night, and what I saw quite clearly was an explosion of existing racial, religious and political tension. Many people in the UK seem to have been waiting for an excuse to begin conflict with their neighbours of different ethnic and spiritual backgrounds.

We, and the rest of the world, need to acknowledge all the sides of the debate: ie, accept both that the Twin Towers and Pentagon attacks were unacceptable, but also that America is despised across large areas of the planet. We have to ensure that justice is served with regard to the former, and that steps are taken to remedy the latter.

GJ: I watched last night's Question Time with disbelief. The programme was very anti-American with an audience obviously made up of mainly Muslim or left-wing supporters. What annoys me is these people denounce and attack the countries that they choose to live in. If the Islamic countries are so 'great' they should go back there rather than try to force their ideas on us.

Ian Bartlett: To suggest that the perceived arrogance of the United States or indeed that any dislike for that country and its way of life might prompt terrorist action against them is ridiculous. There is no justification for acts of terrorism, and to examine the provocation for such acts is pointless.

Green Lantern: A country is in mourning - it is not the time to point blame at why the attack was done. The fact is it was a cowardly, selfish attack which did nothing to further any cause. It just showed that the people that did it have no regard for human life.

Philip Ross: The response of the audience was entirely predictable as it is with most Question Time audiences. The BBC don't use impartial audiences but hand-pick them to attack many things, including the USA. It is unfortunate that we are still forced to pay for a TV licence.

Matt: I didn't see the programme as I now live in Australia, but whilst I condemn the actions of these terrorists and have the utmost sympathy for the family members of those who have died in this atrocity, the question that must be asked is: why this happened? Why does this band of followers believe that America is to blame for the atrocities in the Middle East? Has anyone ever been prepared to listen to these people? Or, as one person on here has written, are we to believe that America supports peace efforts in the Middle East by siding with, and arming, one side only.

Let's face it, with the foreign policy the States adopts, this abhorrent attack has been a long time in coming. Let's hope Americans take note of why this happened and teach their own government that they will not stand for the government's foreign policy putting its own citizens at risk in its own back yard.

Greg Heywood: Criticism of US foreign policy is completely justified. However, perhaps now is not quite the time to do it. The US have been funding and promoting terrorists for decades. Unfortunately, bin Laden is the latest US puppet to decide that he doesn't really like what the US has done to the Middle East. Believe me, my thoughts go out to all those affected by the tragedy in New York, but hopefully the US will now review its policy, and the average US citizen will take a look at the damage that it is currently doing.

Chris Thomas: Of course it is justified to criticise America's foreign policy. Every possible solution to this catastrophe needs to be looked into including this key issue. Everyone seems to be asking how this could happen without thinking why.

Richard: America has been giving money to terrorist organisations for years. How many people around the world have died because of the good old US of A? How many British citizens, both armed forces and private, have died?

Jacky DH: I saw that programme last night and, as an American in the UK, who has no bias, I was saddened by the comments. Way before that programme, I have heard, felt, seen and been the victim of American hatred. We always come to the aid of others, and at this time when we need the help, we get this sort of thing. I fear for the Muslims, as they are going to get the heat for this. I am saddened by the state of the world really, that this act of terrorism can lead to much more hatred among common citizens, and not just the fanatics. It's not a good time to be American, and it's not a good time to be a human really. I am very sad.

Pete W: I tried to call the BBC following the Question Time programme last night. I was absolutely appalled at the BBC bias and disappointed at the obviously picked audience (chosen to create tensions and divisions). I'd also say to the American on the panel that I (and millions of others) do not despise and, in fact, support and admire the USA.

Sara: Watching the scenes of terrorism on Tuesday made and still makes me shudder in fear and I feel nothing but compassion for those who lost friends and family. However, it is beyond me why the lost lives of the Americans can result in a call for war when hundreds of thousands are killed annually in other countries and we don't bat an eyelid. I don't condone but I understand how people can have so much hatred for the USA - look at their biased foreign policies: if the USA will benefit from something, it will help you, if not it will leave you to rot. American lives are no more important than the lives lost in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, etc.

Nigel English: I think the criticism of Question Time is entirely justified. The BBC argues that the Question Time audience reflects the public at large. Well the BBC must be entirely out of touch if they think the views of that audience reflect the views of the wider public. Shameful!

Andy: This is a deeply tragic event and my heart is with the victims and mourners. However, I really wish Tony Blair would cease talking about the attacks being attacks on democracy. The attacks were aimed at one country, a country which makes up less than 5% of the democratic world. It would be more beneficial to the world if its leaders accepted the real cause of the attacks - not anti-democracy but opposition to US foreign policy.

Claudette Francois: I would like to ask those criticising the USA's foreign policy if they were also critical of their intervention in World War Two, for the cancelled debt of hundreds of thousands of pounds lent to this country, and also for their assistance during the Falklands Conflict.

SL: I think it was wrong for the BBC's Question Time to hold a debate on the issues of retaliation so soon after the tragedy. Bodies remain buried, loved ones remain lost, official mourning has not even begun and yet the BBC decided it would hold a heated and very much one-sided debate before the full facts of the crime are even gathered.

Story filed: 13:17 Friday 14th September 2001

• Government to pay for families to fly to New York 14:22 Sunday 16th September 2001
• US attacks 'could affect decommissioning issue' 14:56 Saturday 15th September 2001
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