A Great Sadness

[Superfish]

It has been especially hard for those of us who are so close to the tragedies. I am only an hour from the city and many people commute there, so it will take a while for things to get back to normal. I must say that all my pets, my rats in particular, have been trying extra-heard these past 2 days to make things feel better around the hoouse. I hope all other New Yorkers, Bostonians, and DCers are as lucky as me right now.

[aly]

I heard inspiring words on the radio this morning that eased a small bit of the pain I am feeling. The DJ said that we aren't seeing in colors anymore. People aren't black, white, hispanic, etc. People are people. And we are standing and uniting to conquer the evil. What was important 36 hours ago is so unimportant and minuscule today. Stay strong, America, it is our best defense against further attacks.

[4 feline house]

Dixie - I know what you meant, so please don't think I'm picking on you, because I'm not, but I think justice would be a better way to express what we seek than retaliation.

[Daisy's Mom]

Dixie your husband is an angel. I am so sorry he has to go through this, but he is so heroic to do it. Souraya, I am glad your family will be safe. My heart goes out to you; you must be so worried.

Many people from MA were killed. One from my town, actually. My aunt knew and went to school with her mother, who lives right up the street. It just makes it hit closer to home. One of my teachers says that she wouldn't be surprised if we see some of the smoke and ash from NY wind up here because of wind patterns. I can only hope to stay as far away from this nightmare as I can.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I agree that the correct word is Justice and not Retaliation. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. May God be with our leaders as decisions are made.

[Gio]

What happened has affected everyone so badly over here as well. I don't know how much has been on your news I just wanted to let you all know that you're not alone in your grief. I have enver seen people from opposite parties so united in condemning what happened. There has been a number of marches all over Italy and flags on official buildings are all flying at half mast. In most churches there have been special services and the response has been overwhelming. In Milan, this morning public transport has stopped for 5 minutes in rememberance of the victims.
People have been donating blood and there naer rescue teams specialised in dealing with earthquakes (of which we have had quite a few) are willing to travel anytime to help out.
In Europe all cup matches have been postponed. Also some fashion and cultural events and even some television shows have been suspended for a couple of days.

I know it's not much but we all hope that this can give you at least a little bit of comfort.

[Snowy's Mommy]

Hi All,

I work in mid-town Manhattan and as I was coming into the city I saw the towers on fire...then I was stopped by the police in traffic and told I couldn't go any further....then everyone started backing up on the highway and drove backwards to the nearest exit.....I sped over the bridge as the first tower fell..I never have had such a sense of panic......to all fellow Pettalkers who are in the affected areas....I hope you are okay..

Jordan

[cr7clark]

Gio, thanks a million for your post...it's truly heartening to know that folks in Europe are showing such sympathy and unity with the US in this time of crisis.
Most of the news here is local and centered on the terrorist attacks and their aftermath, so we get very little input on how the rest of the world is reacting. Please keep us posted, your insights and observations are valuable and much appreciated.
We here in the US need to realize that Gio and others in Europe have been dealing with terrorist acts of violence on their soil for some time. They may well understand what we are going through far more than we realize.
Again, thanks Gio, and thank your countrymen for us. This means a lot!

[aly]

Snowy's Mommy - I am SO glad you are okay. Please stay safe. I didn't know you worked there, thank God you weren't at work any earlier.

[thelmalu99]

Hi Jordan,
I work at 18th Street in Manhattan. I was still on the train above ground in Queens when the second plane hit. I didn't actually see the crash; I was reading my magazine when I heard everyone on the train yell and scream. When I looked up, all I saw was smoke churning out of the towers. They said that there was an explosion. A lady called her son on her cell phone and told us that he was watching TV and a plane had crashed into the towers. At that point, I thought that it had been a terribly unfortunate accident. I only found out what had really happened when I arrived at work and everyone was glued to the TV.
What a horrible, horrible day.
I'm glad to hear that you're ok.

[Logan]

Jordan, Thelma and anyone else who we love and care for, I am so glad you are ok! And that you were not involved in the mayhem that erupted after the airplanes crashed into those buildings.
Please know that the hearts of every American are with you and your fellow New Yorkers.

Logan

[Cougie Wechsler]

Gio, thank you for your wonderful message of support from Europe. God Bless all of our Allies during this time.

[Daisy's Mom]

Gio, thank you. The support pouring in from all over the world really does help. You are all wonderful, and I am glad that the world is pulling together to put an end to this nightmare and others to come. Jordan and Thelma, thank God you are okay. We can get through this everyone. Chin up.

[4 feline house]

I go this email earlier from the SPCA (nothing to do with pets, just a coincidence - I'm on the list because I'm a donor):

SPCA of Texas
362 S. Industrial Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75207
214-651-9611 ext. 128
214-651-9244 fax

----- Original Message -----
Subject: FW: article from Canada
Subject: FW: worth the read

TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES

This, from a Canadian newspaper, no less, is worth sharing.

America: The Good Neighbor.
Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional
Record:

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its
remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the
Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German
technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an
old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."

Stand proud, America!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the rest of the world would realize it. We are always blamed for everything, and never even get a thank you for the things we do.

Maybe each of you can send this to at least one person and they might send it to one of their friends until this letter is sent to every person on the web. I am just a single
American that has read this, I SURE HOPE THAT A LOT MORE READ IT SOON.

Our posts from our international friends to a great extent belies this essay, but in essence it is true.

Of course, right now any assistance other countries may want to give is hindered by the flight prohibition.

But the point I want to make is this: one of the reasons this is true is simply because American is the richest and most powerful nation on earth, and many would argue that obliges us to take care of the rest of the world.

We are blessed.

[KayAnn]

I wonder if the people who dont care for dogs, are takeing a different look at them now that they are on the news 24\7 helping the firfighters search for epople.. i wonder what they think...