I solicited input from a friend I worked with in Saudi Arabia. He is a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, his family fled from Palestine because they were uprooted. Here’s what he had to say:
I’m sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, but did anyobdy happen to watch BBC America last night (The Learning Channel was showing it here in the States)?
They had a pro-Islamic apologist on from London that just made my blood boil.
His basic view was that although the WTC might have been a poor choice, the Pentagon was a valid target.
He also added that after all is said and done, the lesson America should learn is that it was America’s fault and that we had it coming for our support of Israel and our presence in the Middle East. He hoped that we would then re-evaluate our relationship with Islamic states. When the moderator reminded him that America is on relativley good diplomatic terms with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc., the mouthpiece kept going on about how these were “tyrant regimes” that were only in power because of American support and that the “real” rulers were the fundamentalist Islamic leaders.
Ugh. I’m getting worked up just typing this.
Yesterday afternoon my workplace basically shut down. Everybody was just looking at tv or the net to try and find out any info. A few people had family in NY and one girl said her parents had been to the WTC only the day before.
Today, it’s all people are talking about. We’ve still got blanket TV coverage and the country as a whole is in shock.
America is not alone on this one.
My thoughts are with you all.
Peace.
Estonians sending their condolences.
We heard pretty much immediately.
I personally couldnt believe it.
A part of me still refuses to accept the madness and cruelty of this act, refuses to believe that people would actually do something like this to oneanother.
This is a tragedy for the whole mankind.
From the Toronto Star (tried to link, but it kept failing):
"I was stricken by news and television pictures coming from the United States this morning. It is impossible to fully comprehend the evil that would have conjured up such a cowardly and depraved assault upon thousands of innocent people.
"There can be no cause or grievance that could ever justify such unspeakable violence. Indeed, such an attack is an assault not only on the targets but an offense against the freedom and rights of all civilized nations.
"All Canadians are praying that the brave firefighters and rescue crews who are currently on the scene will be successful in limiting the casualties. We stand ready to provide any assistance that our American friends may need at this very, very difficult hour and in the subsequent investigation.
“Aline joins me in offering, on behalf of all Canadians, our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the American people.”
As I type this, it’s exactly twenty four hours after this dreadful thing began. I heard about it soon after the second plane had hit (11:45pm last night here), and I saw the first tower fall live. All free to air channels were carrying non-stop coverage through the night. I must admit I was scared and I felt sick. My girlfriend was working, and there was no way I could sleep alone. I was up all night.
Bill Clinton is here under extremely tight security. Terrorism contingency plans have been activated. The US embassy, consulates, and other interests are locked down and have been given an extreme level of security.
The Australian people are feeling the same sickening wave of gut emotions felt by our American brothers and sisters. Our Prime Minister is in Washington, and was several blocks away from the Pentagon when it was struck. Memorial services have been held here. Some people have already received grief counselling. It was surprising to discover how many people here have friends and relatives in the buildings and in Lower Manhattan. Six Australians have been confirmed dead, and another sixty or seventy are missing. We are in this with you, and are feeling your pain. There is grief, anger, and determination here. Australia is a friend of the United States, and we will be sure to offer what assistance we can in whatever comes.
Tonight, I am an American.
I can’t read the responses from the Dutch Dopers without thinking of Coldie’s May 5, 1945 thread.
A national day of morning has just been announced for Friday.
From http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2001/0912/breaking71.htm
… that I am very grateful for the words of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, yesterday and this morning.
They are such an important ally to us, and they are proving it once again.
Just got back from picking up flodjunior after school. Now, it’s unusual to see flags flying in Norway - usually people only fly the actual flag on specific holidays, and make due with a pennant on other days if they don’t like the look of the bare flagpole. But I wasn’t surprised to see the flag flying at half-staff in front of the International School. There are after all a number of American pupils, and teachers, there.
And then there was the flag at half-staff in front of the old people’s home. Okay, doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with yesterday’s tragedy. Maybe one of their residents has passed away.
And then there was the flag at half-staff in front of the library. I can’t think of any other reason for it to be there.
And then there was the flag at half-staff in front of the fire station. Oh god. It was all I could do not to lose it right there behind the wheel. Three hundred of their colleagues across the ocean may be among the dead… 
More from Japan: all of my classes started by asking “are you ok?” followed by questions about familty and friends. 1 student had a friend who was on the 1st floor of the WTC and survived. Newspapers all carrying huge headlines. English language papers sold out. Even random people asked if I was ok today. students comments: “terrible”, “horrible”, and “outrageous”.
Well, several Dutch posters already explained what the reactions in my country were like. Utter shock. I heard the news of the first plane at work, and made my way to the company restaurant (where a lot of TV’s are mounted) just in time to watch the second plane hit.
Bear in mind that I work for a large (albeit Dutch) bank. Out of the 3,500 employees here, I’d say at least 500 are American. I don’t think I need to describe the atmosphere: suffice it to say it was very emotional.
News coverage continues on a wide scale. The American Embassy in The Hague and the Consulate in Amsterdam are guarded. People are bringing flowers and lighting candles.
Somewhat related: the UEFA has canceled all Champions League and UEFA cup football matches until further notice. The ones that were scheduled for last night were played because it was too late to cancel them (the first plane hit around 1500 CET, with the matches starting at 20:00 or so). Two minutes of silence were observed before the matches.
Johnny LA: I’ve been thinking about it too. As you know, the Commemoration of the Dead means a lot to me. In its current form, we don’t just commemorate those that fell for our country during WWII. We commemorate all that have fallen victim to wars or terrorism since WWII.
Trust me: on May 4, 2002, the Dam Square in Amsterdam will be quieter than ever before.
I would like to point out something rather un-Dutch, if I may.
Dude, I work right next to the A’dam WTC. Yes, the thought has certainly entered my head, and it scares the living crap out of me. It doesn’t scare me enough to start using terms like “those towelheads” just yet, though. C’mon, we’re a people known for their levelheadedness, even in times of sorrow. Act like it. We don’t know who did this.
I think I know where they got it from. There were a number of planes still up in the air for a while after the airports were closed. Some of them (like the one diverted to Yellowknife) were suspected of having been hijacked. Last night we had very little information to go on… I can easily understand the confusion.
Today several people who don’t really know me well came up and asked if I was an American. I think they wanted to offer sympathy.
My boss’s cousin is studying in New York right now- he wasn’t anywhere near Manhattan, fortunately; I think he may be somewhere in New York state rather than New York city. I didn’t catch the entire story. Anyhow, everyone was terrified last night until they could get a hold of him.
I don’t think my students really know what to make of this. The older students were talking about it today. Death is an alien concept to a ten-year-old kid. The scale of this tragedy is almost impossible for an adult to comprehend.
I send my deepest condolences to all Americans living at home or abroad. I want to say something, but I don’t have any words. I pray for us all.
Also the foreign comunity here has been shocked - I commented to a friend 30 minutes ago that it was so strange to greet people with the question “is every one OK?”. As a side note, 1 friend from Pakistan was in NYC and hasn’t been heard from. Also some Iranian and Arab frien ds are missing brothers at the WTC. Another friend hasn’t heard from his girlfriend of 4 years who was vacationing in NYC.
As an American, I would like to thank all of you for your kind words and condolences (sp?). It is comforting to me, and the rest of the country I’m sure, that so many people all over the world are reacting with the same horror that we feel. I suppose that is unusual to be comforted by that idea, but I am.
It’s always been easy (this is my opinion here) for Americans to discount the thoughts, concerns, and interests of other countries. Thank you for demonstrating that there really isn’t that much of a difference between you and us.
I would also like to thank the international community for the support they’ve shown.
We Americans can be brassy, loud and xenophobic at times and we too often hear about our shortfalls. Those words are generally deserved.
However, it is comforting to know that when we get down to brass tacks, we still have friends in the international community. Thank you.
I’ve been fielding emails all morning from friends and colleagues in Australia, Germany, Brazil and India. Several listservs that I belong to have posted messages from members in New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Mexico, as well. The sentiment was universal - horror at what happened, grief for lives lost and concern for those left behind.
I personally can’t begin to express just how much it has meant to know that so many people all over are offering their support and kind thoughts and prayers. My family was very lucky - my sister was in a neighboring building and made it out without harm - but we are learning now about friends and colleagues who didn’t make it home last night. I went today to a lookout on the Palisades across the Hudson from Manhattan, hoping that what I saw on TV yesterday was a weird nightmare… but there’s a hole in the skyline where the towers once stood, and the thought of the people that are gone now is almost too much to bear.
Thank you again to everyone who has expressed sympathy and solidarity. It really means more than you could know.
This American would also like to say thanks. I admit that these worldwide reactions get me more choked up than anything else. It is extremely unfortunate that it is incidents like these that are needed to remind all of us of our commonality and humanity that connects all of us are far stronger than the lines on the map which seem to separate us in less desparate moments.
Thank you.
And another American thanking you all – and your countries.
One of the worst things about this, aside from it just being so horrifying that you can’t really even take it in, is the feeling over being alone on the world stage, singled out – not for something no one else has experienced, but certainly on a scale no one else has experienced.
It has been very comforting to read this thread and realize that others throughout the world share our grief and shock. It’s been just one of a thousand things to bring tears to my eyes in the last day.
http://www.rediff.com/news/reeta.htm
We dont need your thoughts!!! Just shut the fuck up!!!