I work for Experian (formerly TRW), the company that provides credit reports for consumers and businesses. We are owned by GUS, which is based in Nottingham, England. Today we received an e-mail that the company is conducting a fund-raiser to provide donations to the American Red Cross.
When the NATO decision came down I got a little choked up. I’ve been a follower of world news and international relations since I was in my mid-teens (or ~15 years if you want to count the rings in the log) and for so long the idea that there is an actual “world community” usually led to talking loud and doing nothing. That people are actually moved to do something, even Khadaffi says that Islamic aid organizations should pitch in, it’s just too much. Americans have long been proud that we’ve been so charitible and people often asked if the same could be expected of the rest of the world should we need help. That question is now being answered, and as an American I just want to thank everyone everywhere for concern and anything, no matter how minor it may seem, that will help us in our time of actual need. We are often cocky and obnoxious, but feeling free can lead to that. If all people everywhere could live as we do, with actual liberty and opportunity, miseries the like we have experienced may well become a thing of the past.
I am not in NY, but my cousin, his wife, and two month old son live right there in Manhattan. Another cousin has a husband who works in Washington. And of course there are many dear friends who live and/or work in NY. All of these have either checked in or are unlikely to have been in the southern part of the island. So for me personally, things could have been much worse.
But I, too, would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support, and the sentiments of sympathy we have received from around the world. Even more than the statements by political leaders, these posts are touching to us and we are all grateful.
Both English-language newspapers have run front-page stories for two days now, and most of the Thai papers as well. The US Embassy here is surrounded by extra city police and some military. According to the papers several Thai companies had offices at WTC, including the Tourism Office. However, almost all employees have been accounted for.
Overheard: “The Thai workers in NYC will be okay, I’m sure. Thais don’t go to work that early in the morning.”
The stock market here was closed for a day. People here are very concerned about economic effects, as Thailand is just starting to recover from 1997. There is generally no fear of similar terrorism here, as Thailand doesn’t have a high-profile foreign policy. But people are shocked.
People are stunned. Television, radio and papers discuss virtually nothing else but the terrorist attacks.
I heard about half an hour after the first plane crashed, there was an extra bulletin on the radio, and I immediately turned on my television. Shows have been cancelled on every channel, even the most “profit hungry” ones, new episodes of Friends and Spin City should have aired yesterday, but they were cancelled. Every show set in NY has been cancelled. They even cancelled the children’s programming on the morning shows… There were no commercial breaks at all.
Other than that, I don’t know. The American embassy in Stockholm has been fenced off, and Sweden initially evacuated our government, but I believe they’re back again. There was a memorial service yesterday, our Prime Minister and King Carl Gustaf attended.
It’s all very surreal. It’s all so sad.
People stared laying flowers by a traffic island close by the US Embassy in London yesterday.
Today they are being allowed to leave the flowers outside the embassy. There is also a Book Of Condolence which they can sign.
These citizens are by no means exclusively from the US, some of them are of course, but from all nationalities and all religions, including Islam. All walks of life are represented, I know Alan Rickman, the actor, was there this morning.
This is important. People need to express their sorrow and to show their support for the American people and this is not easy to do from so far away.
I can tell you how I feel using the medium of this board, as I have done. I am not posting as much as usual because there are many debates which I see where I feel I would be interfering if I comment. In one sense this is a US matter and in another sense the issue is worldwide, so it’s sometimes difficult to know where, or whether to contribute.
Parliament has been recalled from the summer recess to sit and discuss the events of this week.
I’ll just finish be re-iterating my own personal 100% support for the American people, and that my thoughts have been with you ever since 9am on Tuesday.
Continuing coverage on NHK and several other stations, including one carrying a fulltime US network (IIRC NBC). All English language newspapers sold out for second straight day.
21 Japanese dead - 20 at WTC and 1 on UA 93.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said “As an ally, Japan will go to the fullest possible extent permitted by the Constitution should the United States launch a retaliatory strike” and “We must do everything possible to maintain world peace.”
‘The man in the street’ feeling is shock and horror. “It’s like a movie.”
I do.
(hope I get the details right)
From the UK; the Queen is cutting short her yearly trip to Balmoral either today or tomorrow to attend a special memorial service. Prince Charles has added his support and condolences in an interview yesterday.
Also, on Radio 4 this morning, the second half of Saturday’s ‘Last night of the Proms’ is being changed from its usual medley of pomp and rowdy classics to a much more reflective program. Can’t remember the details except that it will end with the choral finale of Beethoven’s 9th. I’m sorry if this last bit sounds a bit lame, but it’s the first time in the history of the Proms that this has ever happened.
Every country in the EU has been asked to observe a minute’s silence tomorrow.
Jack Straw (our Foreign Secretary) also re-iterated that the UK has unusually close intelligence links with the US - this will continue and strengthen in order to track these scum down.
I’m just so bloody sorry there’s little else we can do to help.
At the Changing of the Guard today, the band of the Coldstream Guards played the Stars and Stripes as the US Ambassador attended the ceremony.
The Stars and Stripes replaced the traditional marching music which is normally played on these occasions.
Why does this thread make me tear up, when I’ve avoided doing so for the last couple days? 
I saw on the local news last night that specialist firefighters based in Cheshire (NW England) have offered to go to NYC as soon as airspace is open again. They just want to help.
People here (myself included) are giving to the Red Cross appeal via Amazon. We wish there was more we could do.
Me too. I think that we human beings can fight against cruelty, but have no defense against compassion.
Thank you all.
All the Oxford colleges are flying their flags at half-mast.
I second other UK posters in wishing there was more we could do.
As a NYer who witnessed the collapse first hand I just want to say Thanks for the messages- When I read about the band playing Stars and Strips - that broke me up! thank you
This trully was a world attack. I’m sorry to report that in addition to our own losses, our brother and sister nations have also lossed lives.
Almost 100 Britons had been confirmed dead in the attacks but the final tally was expected to be several hundred higher.
Some 50 Bangladeshis were among the dead, a senior foreign ministry official said in Dhaka.
Many many others are of course expected to be added to these early tolls.
As an American who has spent the last two days in a haze, I’d just like to say thinks to the members of the message board who are in other countries. Your support and compassion have been outstanding and your words are greatly appreciated.
Another American who wants to add his “thanks”. I’ve never felt like I belonged to such a global community as I do after reading this thread. All of your posts mean a lot to me, and I’m sure to many on these boards. It’s really life-affirming to hear this outpouring of compassion and support. Thanks again.
I would also like to thank everyone here and elsewhere for all their tremendous support. It is incredibly touching and comforting to read threads like these.
I’d also like to give a quick perspective from France - all my relatives have been calling me over the past two days, worried out of their minds because the news pictures initially made it seem like most of NYC had been attacked. They were very worried for all of us Americans, not just NYers. I don’t have any specific info besides that about the French reaction, but I’m sure it’s the same shock as everywhere else.
Thanks again, everyone.