There have been a few (very few) news reports of attacks on Arabs or Islamic mosques in the news and, coming from an American, these attacks are extremely sick and are obviously perpatrated by people who lack compassion and education. Such reactionary attacks on Arabs in the United States are vile and they make me terribly sad and ashamed of the country in which I live. America prides itself on freedom of religion and I’m certain the vast majority of Americans DO NOT condone these attacks on Arabs. I think it is important, that we as a nation, reach out to them and be even more compassionate due to the attacks (few physical, mostly verbal) on them.
What happened here was tragic and I think it is terribly sad that there were parents and spouses that did not return home to their familes last night. This event has left the nation shaken up and in shock. How insane is it that someone hijacked four commercial airlines with KNIFES then succeeded in crashing them into three major buildings killing thousands of people?! It is also unfortunate and scary that we have a trigger happy president and I can only wish that we bring these people to trial, and ultimately justice, without dropping bombs.
ahem
You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever encountered in my entire life.
Re: ahem
Why so, kiddo? 😉
Violence does not equal peace. So if you want more deaths and war, then you shouldn’t be reading this. Unless you want to kill the mastermind (Osama Bin Laden?).. because then I’ll be right there with you.
You can’t just single out people. It’s impossible. The U.S. has been looking for Osama bin Laden for 8 years, since he first tried to take down the World Trade Center.
And as our President said, roughly, we’ll make no distinction between the people who did this and the ones who harbor the same ideas. And I totally support that.
There have been a few (very few) news reports of attacks on Arabs or Islamic mosques in the news and, coming from an American, these attacks are extremely sick and are obviously perpatrated by people who lack compassion and education. Such reactionary attacks on Arabs in the United States are vile and they make me terribly sad and ashamed of the country in which I live. America prides itself on freedom of religion and I’m certain the vast majority of Americans DO NOT condone these attacks on Arabs. I think it is important, that we as a nation, reach out to them and be even more compassionate due to the attacks (few physical, mostly verbal) on them.
What happened here was tragic and I think it is terribly sad that there were parents and spouses that did not return home to their familes last night. This event has left the nation shaken up and in shock. How insane is it that someone hijacked four commercial airlines with KNIFES then succeeded in crashing them into three major buildings killing thousands of people?! It is also unfortunate and scary that we have a trigger happy president and I can only wish that we bring these people to trial, and ultimately justice, without dropping bombs.
ahem
You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever encountered in my entire life.
Re: ahem
Why so, kiddo? 😉
Oh, one more thing…
And while I agree with you on the whole violence not equaling peace, I’m going to argue that. For one, as just a citizen, I have no choice in how the government will ultimately retaliate. We have no choice. We have to put it in their hands. And, also, don’t you think a little violence has to be taken out SOMEWHERE? We lost THOUSANDS of people. And I don’t mean just a few thousand. I mean tens of thousands. So, I think our government has the right to stand up and not be pushed around.
Violence does not equal peace. So if you want more deaths and war, then you shouldn’t be reading this. Unless you want to kill the mastermind (Osama Bin Laden?).. because then I’ll be right there with you.
You can’t just single out people. It’s impossible. The U.S. has been looking for Osama bin Laden for 8 years, since he first tried to take down the World Trade Center.
And as our President said, roughly, we’ll make no distinction between the people who did this and the ones who harbor the same ideas. And I totally support that.
I understand your feelings and your right to say what you want in your journal but take this from a New Yorker: Watch what you say. Put yourself in our shoes: Your home country (where you felt so safe) has damn near been blown completely up and somebody says “Well, what do you expect? *insert home country* has been poking its nose in people’s business.” Won’t you be a bit ticked?Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said this about the US myself but not at a time like this. Makes it seem like it’s our fault, you know? I do feel you about the racism against the Arabs. It’s uneccessary and won’t solve a damn thing.
Don’t worry. I’m trying to make as much sense as I can but it’s been a hard day.
When I said “poke their nose in people’s business”, I didn’t mean for the US to sound like bullying big kids trying to play tough. It’s GOOD that they poke their nose in other countries’ affairs – because the US is constantly fighting for democracy and freedom for the people. That’s the GOOD bit. The BAD bit is that the governments/high-people in that country may not appreciate it, and will try and retaliate.
Though I must say…. I would really hate to be of Arabic descent in the US at a time like this!
Well….
Ok, well, I have barely heard of any Arab attacks here in the country. In fact, as far as I know, most people have been good about looking past race and ethnic backgrounds in this situation, no matter if you’re black, white, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Arabian, or whatnot. The problem is, we’re not ganging up on the Arabians at all! If there are attacks on Arabians, it’s not the government doing it at all. It’s the people in the country who are freakin’ scared to death about their lives. You’ve got NO earthly idea how we’re feeling in this country right now. Unfortunately it’s a situation that has hit some of us personally. Including me. I had a cousin that worked at the World Trade Center that we just now heard from last last night. We’re scared to death. But I know that I’m not against the Arabians or anything. Not all of them work for Bin Laden. Ugh, this is just a frustrating topic for everyone, I think.
Sad how discrimination is happening right now. The blame lies on the Palestinians because they hate USA and because they were celebrating it while it was happening. I don’t think it was confirmed yet though… they just think they are the most likely to launch that attack. While I don’t think they should point fingers with haste, I kind of understand their need to have someone responsible for this. Having a known enemy is better than an invisible threat. And if I’m this scared over here on the other side of the world, I can’t imagine how those in America is like now. What would you feel if your sense of security is suddenly stripped off? It’s their home that is attacked. And I doubt seeing one (or two) of the buildings you practically grew up seeing peeling off at its sides and crumbling down is such a nice mental image.
I was pretty devastated when the news reader said, “The twin towers of WTC is… no more.” It’s just a moment where my mind just screams, What the hell happened?! even though I knew what had happened (thanks to the net) before I saw the news on TV. It’s just the disbelief, I suppose.
People never learn from history. Hate goes in a circle, yes. I don’t want more blood to be shed either, but what if it had been my own country and family in danger here? I would probably scream vengence; it’s human nature to fight back when one is threatened. It’s where normally a heart would rule over a brain.
And what if they (that would be America) don’t respond… would that make the terrorists launch another attack because simply they couldn’t wait to bring down a superpower (and they don’t have anything to worry about since America isn’t striking back)?
Of course, striking back also means chaos. A pretty big one too.
Oh hell yeah – not knowing exactly WHO did it is pretty terrifying.. so it’s easiest to point fingers at the Palestinians, since it’s really likely i was them anyway. I think the biggest thing is that America is often thought of (and Americans always think of their country) as very secure, big, rich, and ‘safe’. And all that has just been stripped away in a few hours – and it must be an awful feeling to realise that even a big powerful country can be vulnerable like that. The world is such a mess, people are disgusting.
Perhaps, but I’m not going to buy that “most likely” assumption, because that’s all it is. The last time the finger was pointed at Osama bin Laden, it was… voila! A US citizen.
But here’s another thought: All the news reporters are reporting this for almost 24 hours already. Sure, there are a lot of deaths in that few hours the whole thing happened. But USA had itself milked dry a lot of the 3rd world country for its own profit… and thus sacrificing a lot of lives too for the past few decades (or more?). It’s just because it’s subtle and CNN or ABC News never talked about it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. No one gave a damn those kids are dying out there so that USA can remain the rich, wealthy country it is, and people are just plain ignorant. Everyone go “Gasp! This cannot be happening…” when America is under attack. What about those who were attacked in many other ways in the past by America itself? You can kill without bombs and airplanes too, you know. Nobody but their own country gasped. The rest of the world raises an eyebrow and moves on.
This may already be an attack born by the want for revenge, so if any Americans are yelling revenge now, it’s a revenge of a revenge, wouldn’t it? We have yet to know. But I think that this itself is already a reaction, and the cause of this happening is too vast and too old to to pinpoint exactly what the heck is the direct cause.
Maybe capitalism is at fault. While I wish all Americans well and I light a candle for those innocent lives that had been killed, I hope the giant will start thinking about the need of the world instead of only the need of its own. Selfishness doesn’t get one far. For example, look at what’s happening now.
I’m sorry if anything said here is out of line.
In light of everything you’ve written, I thought this was appropriate. It’s a forward I received today. It’s old, but applicable.
“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 5,000 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!'”
Yeah, there we are.. sticking our nose in everyone elses business.
Beverly, I’m sorry, but the main reason I checked on your journal today was because I knew you would have put down America in one way or another. I know this because I have seen you do it before in your diaryland account, but I thought that you were highly irritated with the US at the time, for whatever reason. It saddens me, because I would have thought that being a nice, well brought-up, intelligent woman like yourself, you would at least have the decency to not put down a country who is more than horrified right now. I am referring to your “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it.” comment.
Heart breaking.
I can’t even begin to express how much that comment has hurt me, along with many other American who read that. You may have not intended it to hurt this much, or to have hurt at all, but to WRITE that down says enough. I don’t think you realize that, either. Just writing it down has said enough.
I am very proud to be an American. I am proud to come from a country that has earned it’s position in the world. We did not start out this way; we have worked our way up from the bottom. Beleive it or not – many other people seem to like us also, seeing as how they come from all over the world just to live here.
I do not believe that we should go at war just to retaliate, but I do believe that whoever did this needs to be killed. An end needs to be reached, and if going to war will reach that solution, then so be it.
I feel no sympathy for who did this – a group, a single mastermind, a country, whatever, and obviously other countries feel the same way. We will get justice even if that means taking down an entire country. I wouldn’t even consider the countries’ citizens as ‘innocent,’ seeing as how they were celebrating on national television.
That is surely no sign of innocence.
After I posted the news reported that a few NYC cab drivers had been attacked. Cab drivers are infamous for being from middle eastern/forigen countries.
I do agree that the comments about america where a bit biased..but I guess there hardly is an “opinon” that isn’t baised…thats what opinions are. :/ I think due to the circumstances everyone is just edgy and nervous.
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I’m quite amazed you said that – because a ton of people here in Australia missed University today. Everyone’s totally shocked and horrified, and just glued to their TVs! That’s really cool of you though – and you’re right that those people probably wanted to disrupt and hurt Americans, so the best thing to do is to fix everything up asap and get back to normal living. The Pentagon is going to be back up and running today anyway – woo!
Oh, one more thing…
And while I agree with you on the whole violence not equaling peace, I’m going to argue that. For one, as just a citizen, I have no choice in how the government will ultimately retaliate. We have no choice. We have to put it in their hands. And, also, don’t you think a little violence has to be taken out SOMEWHERE? We lost THOUSANDS of people. And I don’t mean just a few thousand. I mean tens of thousands. So, I think our government has the right to stand up and not be pushed around.
🙁
yeah, i was a little hurt by your statement too. i know you’re entitled to your own opinion, which is a bit less biased than americans, of course.
but … the abc news anchorman on television was obviously choking back tears–tears of anger, tears of sadness–when he sad he HATED to report that there have been a FEW attacks on arabs in florida. america, perhaps the nucleus of modern and civilized society, understands that racism is intolerable. …
… especially at a time like this. one good thing about this is that our country is pulling together: shopping centers have been closed even across the country in my own state of california, and there are hour-long waits at blood drives.
it’s good to read your opinion on this. i also appreciate the fact that you appreciate living in australia.
Re: 🙁
I really agree with the biased comment you made. If I was American, I would probably start swearing like a sailer and declare “Kill the bastards! Destroy their country!” Because then i’tll be MY country that just got hurt and I’d hate that.
But being non-American, I have a more neutral/impartial view. I think it’s despicable what those terrorists did, but I also don’t want to condemn the ENTIRE country because not every single citizen there is against the US.
Still, I can’t believe blood is actually running out. That’s terrifying.
The news channels have not mentioned any cases of anti-Arab sentiment. I searched on Yahoo! and found one story of an alleged beating in Michigan. Where did you hear of the rest?
A disclaimer: yes, this is your journal, and yes you are free to put whatever you darn well please in it. But please forgive your American readers for being a bit taken aback when they see things like “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it” or find out that our attackers were “pretty damn brave.” What you write may be true, and I know you’re not a journalist, I know you’re entitled to your opinion. But when I read that, I felt like I was punched in the gut. It’s like how the PM of Egypt expresses sympathy, then adds that it’s basically our own fault for not making a suitable peace accord for the middle east. It’s like being in a catastrophic car accident, only to be told that we shouldn’t have been driving so fast. Bad analogy, but I hope you get my drift.
And no, I don’t hate Arabs or Muslims. I’m not racist I do hate the government of Afghanistan for harboring these “people” (and I use the term loosely), I do hate those who live for jihad, and even if they are ignorant and uneducated, I hate the people who are dancing in the street.
Mmm.. read below: there are news reports about anti-arab sentiment. I don’t blame the people though – after all, when you’re faced with such a sudden wide-spread destruction, it’s easiest to quickly take your anger out on something/someone. So I think everyone expected a backlash against these Arabic (or those that look) people.
Oh, when I mentioned that America “pokes it’s nose” in other countrie’s business, I didn’t mean it in a derogatoroy fashion – I meant it well. America, Australia, Europe are democratic countries and take pride in that. And America is always pushing other countries to give their people rights and not kill, etc. And the thing is – it’s wonderful that they’re doing that, but the people who don’t agree get real pissed off – and I suppose this is how the retaliate.
Those reports are probably just sensationalism. I’ve been glued to the news all day, (minus the few breaks where I couldn’t take it anymore) and there have been no reports of outword violence, yet.
They did say that a few threating call/emails had been sent to some Arabic (temples? I forgot what they’re called.) but no actual abuse.
The Los Angeles poice cheif and everyone else her is stressing that this should not be taken out on anyone at all. No matter what they’re race/orgin is. I feel really bad for the people of whichever race gets pegged for this crime on humanity…they are going to pay hell for a few idiots…
I don’t think America will ever be the same. 🙁
I really hope they’re just sensationalism too, like you said! I know that some racist attacks already are happening though, because a friend in the US told me it’s happening on her streets and at school 🙁 I’d hate to be Arab-looking and in the US right now! After all, if you’re there, obviously you LIKE the country – yet some American’s won’t care about that and attack you anyway. Eek.
I hope they find the leader and group ASAP and put them infront of the world. I can’t believe any normal thinking human would do something like that?! Australia’s gone crazy too – we have close ties with America so everyone’s really shocked and worried. I think everyone skipped Uni today because of it!
I understand your feelings and your right to say what you want in your journal but take this from a New Yorker: Watch what you say. Put yourself in our shoes: Your home country (where you felt so safe) has damn near been blown completely up and somebody says “Well, what do you expect? *insert home country* has been poking its nose in people’s business.” Won’t you be a bit ticked?Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said this about the US myself but not at a time like this. Makes it seem like it’s our fault, you know? I do feel you about the racism against the Arabs. It’s uneccessary and won’t solve a damn thing.
Don’t worry. I’m trying to make as much sense as I can but it’s been a hard day.
When I said “poke their nose in people’s business”, I didn’t mean for the US to sound like bullying big kids trying to play tough. It’s GOOD that they poke their nose in other countries’ affairs – because the US is constantly fighting for democracy and freedom for the people. That’s the GOOD bit. The BAD bit is that the governments/high-people in that country may not appreciate it, and will try and retaliate.
Though I must say…. I would really hate to be of Arabic descent in the US at a time like this!
Well….
Ok, well, I have barely heard of any Arab attacks here in the country. In fact, as far as I know, most people have been good about looking past race and ethnic backgrounds in this situation, no matter if you’re black, white, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Arabian, or whatnot. The problem is, we’re not ganging up on the Arabians at all! If there are attacks on Arabians, it’s not the government doing it at all. It’s the people in the country who are freakin’ scared to death about their lives. You’ve got NO earthly idea how we’re feeling in this country right now. Unfortunately it’s a situation that has hit some of us personally. Including me. I had a cousin that worked at the World Trade Center that we just now heard from last last night. We’re scared to death. But I know that I’m not against the Arabians or anything. Not all of them work for Bin Laden. Ugh, this is just a frustrating topic for everyone, I think.
Sad how discrimination is happening right now. The blame lies on the Palestinians because they hate USA and because they were celebrating it while it was happening. I don’t think it was confirmed yet though… they just think they are the most likely to launch that attack. While I don’t think they should point fingers with haste, I kind of understand their need to have someone responsible for this. Having a known enemy is better than an invisible threat. And if I’m this scared over here on the other side of the world, I can’t imagine how those in America is like now. What would you feel if your sense of security is suddenly stripped off? It’s their home that is attacked. And I doubt seeing one (or two) of the buildings you practically grew up seeing peeling off at its sides and crumbling down is such a nice mental image.
I was pretty devastated when the news reader said, “The twin towers of WTC is… no more.” It’s just a moment where my mind just screams, What the hell happened?! even though I knew what had happened (thanks to the net) before I saw the news on TV. It’s just the disbelief, I suppose.
People never learn from history. Hate goes in a circle, yes. I don’t want more blood to be shed either, but what if it had been my own country and family in danger here? I would probably scream vengence; it’s human nature to fight back when one is threatened. It’s where normally a heart would rule over a brain.
And what if they (that would be America) don’t respond… would that make the terrorists launch another attack because simply they couldn’t wait to bring down a superpower (and they don’t have anything to worry about since America isn’t striking back)?
Of course, striking back also means chaos. A pretty big one too.
Oh hell yeah – not knowing exactly WHO did it is pretty terrifying.. so it’s easiest to point fingers at the Palestinians, since it’s really likely i was them anyway. I think the biggest thing is that America is often thought of (and Americans always think of their country) as very secure, big, rich, and ‘safe’. And all that has just been stripped away in a few hours – and it must be an awful feeling to realise that even a big powerful country can be vulnerable like that. The world is such a mess, people are disgusting.
Perhaps, but I’m not going to buy that “most likely” assumption, because that’s all it is. The last time the finger was pointed at Osama bin Laden, it was… voila! A US citizen.
But here’s another thought: All the news reporters are reporting this for almost 24 hours already. Sure, there are a lot of deaths in that few hours the whole thing happened. But USA had itself milked dry a lot of the 3rd world country for its own profit… and thus sacrificing a lot of lives too for the past few decades (or more?). It’s just because it’s subtle and CNN or ABC News never talked about it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. No one gave a damn those kids are dying out there so that USA can remain the rich, wealthy country it is, and people are just plain ignorant. Everyone go “Gasp! This cannot be happening…” when America is under attack. What about those who were attacked in many other ways in the past by America itself? You can kill without bombs and airplanes too, you know. Nobody but their own country gasped. The rest of the world raises an eyebrow and moves on.
This may already be an attack born by the want for revenge, so if any Americans are yelling revenge now, it’s a revenge of a revenge, wouldn’t it? We have yet to know. But I think that this itself is already a reaction, and the cause of this happening is too vast and too old to to pinpoint exactly what the heck is the direct cause.
Maybe capitalism is at fault. While I wish all Americans well and I light a candle for those innocent lives that had been killed, I hope the giant will start thinking about the need of the world instead of only the need of its own. Selfishness doesn’t get one far. For example, look at what’s happening now.
I’m sorry if anything said here is out of line.
In light of everything you’ve written, I thought this was appropriate. It’s a forward I received today. It’s old, but applicable.
“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 5,000 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!'”
Yeah, there we are.. sticking our nose in everyone elses business.
Beverly, I’m sorry, but the main reason I checked on your journal today was because I knew you would have put down America in one way or another. I know this because I have seen you do it before in your diaryland account, but I thought that you were highly irritated with the US at the time, for whatever reason. It saddens me, because I would have thought that being a nice, well brought-up, intelligent woman like yourself, you would at least have the decency to not put down a country who is more than horrified right now. I am referring to your “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it.” comment.
Heart breaking.
I can’t even begin to express how much that comment has hurt me, along with many other American who read that. You may have not intended it to hurt this much, or to have hurt at all, but to WRITE that down says enough. I don’t think you realize that, either. Just writing it down has said enough.
I am very proud to be an American. I am proud to come from a country that has earned it’s position in the world. We did not start out this way; we have worked our way up from the bottom. Beleive it or not – many other people seem to like us also, seeing as how they come from all over the world just to live here.
I do not believe that we should go at war just to retaliate, but I do believe that whoever did this needs to be killed. An end needs to be reached, and if going to war will reach that solution, then so be it.
I feel no sympathy for who did this – a group, a single mastermind, a country, whatever, and obviously other countries feel the same way. We will get justice even if that means taking down an entire country. I wouldn’t even consider the countries’ citizens as ‘innocent,’ seeing as how they were celebrating on national television.
That is surely no sign of innocence.
After I posted the news reported that a few NYC cab drivers had been attacked. Cab drivers are infamous for being from middle eastern/forigen countries.
I do agree that the comments about america where a bit biased..but I guess there hardly is an “opinon” that isn’t baised…thats what opinions are. :/ I think due to the circumstances everyone is just edgy and nervous.
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I’m quite amazed you said that – because a ton of people here in Australia missed University today. Everyone’s totally shocked and horrified, and just glued to their TVs! That’s really cool of you though – and you’re right that those people probably wanted to disrupt and hurt Americans, so the best thing to do is to fix everything up asap and get back to normal living. The Pentagon is going to be back up and running today anyway – woo!
🙁
yeah, i was a little hurt by your statement too. i know you’re entitled to your own opinion, which is a bit less biased than americans, of course.
but … the abc news anchorman on television was obviously choking back tears–tears of anger, tears of sadness–when he sad he HATED to report that there have been a FEW attacks on arabs in florida. america, perhaps the nucleus of modern and civilized society, understands that racism is intolerable. …
… especially at a time like this. one good thing about this is that our country is pulling together: shopping centers have been closed even across the country in my own state of california, and there are hour-long waits at blood drives.
it’s good to read your opinion on this. i also appreciate the fact that you appreciate living in australia.
Re: 🙁
I really agree with the biased comment you made. If I was American, I would probably start swearing like a sailer and declare “Kill the bastards! Destroy their country!” Because then i’tll be MY country that just got hurt and I’d hate that.
But being non-American, I have a more neutral/impartial view. I think it’s despicable what those terrorists did, but I also don’t want to condemn the ENTIRE country because not every single citizen there is against the US.
Still, I can’t believe blood is actually running out. That’s terrifying.
The news channels have not mentioned any cases of anti-Arab sentiment. I searched on Yahoo! and found one story of an alleged beating in Michigan. Where did you hear of the rest?
A disclaimer: yes, this is your journal, and yes you are free to put whatever you darn well please in it. But please forgive your American readers for being a bit taken aback when they see things like “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it” or find out that our attackers were “pretty damn brave.” What you write may be true, and I know you’re not a journalist, I know you’re entitled to your opinion. But when I read that, I felt like I was punched in the gut. It’s like how the PM of Egypt expresses sympathy, then adds that it’s basically our own fault for not making a suitable peace accord for the middle east. It’s like being in a catastrophic car accident, only to be told that we shouldn’t have been driving so fast. Bad analogy, but I hope you get my drift.
And no, I don’t hate Arabs or Muslims. I’m not racist I do hate the government of Afghanistan for harboring these “people” (and I use the term loosely), I do hate those who live for jihad, and even if they are ignorant and uneducated, I hate the people who are dancing in the street.
Mmm.. read below: there are news reports about anti-arab sentiment. I don’t blame the people though – after all, when you’re faced with such a sudden wide-spread destruction, it’s easiest to quickly take your anger out on something/someone. So I think everyone expected a backlash against these Arabic (or those that look) people.
Oh, when I mentioned that America “pokes it’s nose” in other countrie’s business, I didn’t mean it in a derogatoroy fashion – I meant it well. America, Australia, Europe are democratic countries and take pride in that. And America is always pushing other countries to give their people rights and not kill, etc. And the thing is – it’s wonderful that they’re doing that, but the people who don’t agree get real pissed off – and I suppose this is how the retaliate.
Those reports are probably just sensationalism. I’ve been glued to the news all day, (minus the few breaks where I couldn’t take it anymore) and there have been no reports of outword violence, yet.
They did say that a few threating call/emails had been sent to some Arabic (temples? I forgot what they’re called.) but no actual abuse.
The Los Angeles poice cheif and everyone else her is stressing that this should not be taken out on anyone at all. No matter what they’re race/orgin is. I feel really bad for the people of whichever race gets pegged for this crime on humanity…they are going to pay hell for a few idiots…
I don’t think America will ever be the same. 🙁
I really hope they’re just sensationalism too, like you said! I know that some racist attacks already are happening though, because a friend in the US told me it’s happening on her streets and at school 🙁 I’d hate to be Arab-looking and in the US right now! After all, if you’re there, obviously you LIKE the country – yet some American’s won’t care about that and attack you anyway. Eek.
I hope they find the leader and group ASAP and put them infront of the world. I can’t believe any normal thinking human would do something like that?! Australia’s gone crazy too – we have close ties with America so everyone’s really shocked and worried. I think everyone skipped Uni today because of it!
There have been a few (very few) news reports of attacks on Arabs or Islamic mosques in the news and, coming from an American, these attacks are extremely sick and are obviously perpatrated by people who lack compassion and education. Such reactionary attacks on Arabs in the United States are vile and they make me terribly sad and ashamed of the country in which I live. America prides itself on freedom of religion and I’m certain the vast majority of Americans DO NOT condone these attacks on Arabs. I think it is important, that we as a nation, reach out to them and be even more compassionate due to the attacks (few physical, mostly verbal) on them.
What happened here was tragic and I think it is terribly sad that there were parents and spouses that did not return home to their familes last night. This event has left the nation shaken up and in shock. How insane is it that someone hijacked four commercial airlines with KNIFES then succeeded in crashing them into three major buildings killing thousands of people?! It is also unfortunate and scary that we have a trigger happy president and I can only wish that we bring these people to trial, and ultimately justice, without dropping bombs.
ahem
You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever encountered in my entire life.
Re: ahem
Why so, kiddo? 😉
Violence does not equal peace. So if you want more deaths and war, then you shouldn’t be reading this. Unless you want to kill the mastermind (Osama Bin Laden?).. because then I’ll be right there with you.
You can’t just single out people. It’s impossible. The U.S. has been looking for Osama bin Laden for 8 years, since he first tried to take down the World Trade Center.
And as our President said, roughly, we’ll make no distinction between the people who did this and the ones who harbor the same ideas. And I totally support that.
There have been a few (very few) news reports of attacks on Arabs or Islamic mosques in the news and, coming from an American, these attacks are extremely sick and are obviously perpatrated by people who lack compassion and education. Such reactionary attacks on Arabs in the United States are vile and they make me terribly sad and ashamed of the country in which I live. America prides itself on freedom of religion and I’m certain the vast majority of Americans DO NOT condone these attacks on Arabs. I think it is important, that we as a nation, reach out to them and be even more compassionate due to the attacks (few physical, mostly verbal) on them.
What happened here was tragic and I think it is terribly sad that there were parents and spouses that did not return home to their familes last night. This event has left the nation shaken up and in shock. How insane is it that someone hijacked four commercial airlines with KNIFES then succeeded in crashing them into three major buildings killing thousands of people?! It is also unfortunate and scary that we have a trigger happy president and I can only wish that we bring these people to trial, and ultimately justice, without dropping bombs.
ahem
You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever encountered in my entire life.
Re: ahem
Why so, kiddo? 😉
Oh, one more thing…
And while I agree with you on the whole violence not equaling peace, I’m going to argue that. For one, as just a citizen, I have no choice in how the government will ultimately retaliate. We have no choice. We have to put it in their hands. And, also, don’t you think a little violence has to be taken out SOMEWHERE? We lost THOUSANDS of people. And I don’t mean just a few thousand. I mean tens of thousands. So, I think our government has the right to stand up and not be pushed around.
Violence does not equal peace. So if you want more deaths and war, then you shouldn’t be reading this. Unless you want to kill the mastermind (Osama Bin Laden?).. because then I’ll be right there with you.
You can’t just single out people. It’s impossible. The U.S. has been looking for Osama bin Laden for 8 years, since he first tried to take down the World Trade Center.
And as our President said, roughly, we’ll make no distinction between the people who did this and the ones who harbor the same ideas. And I totally support that.
I understand your feelings and your right to say what you want in your journal but take this from a New Yorker: Watch what you say. Put yourself in our shoes: Your home country (where you felt so safe) has damn near been blown completely up and somebody says “Well, what do you expect? *insert home country* has been poking its nose in people’s business.” Won’t you be a bit ticked?Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said this about the US myself but not at a time like this. Makes it seem like it’s our fault, you know? I do feel you about the racism against the Arabs. It’s uneccessary and won’t solve a damn thing.
Don’t worry. I’m trying to make as much sense as I can but it’s been a hard day.
When I said “poke their nose in people’s business”, I didn’t mean for the US to sound like bullying big kids trying to play tough. It’s GOOD that they poke their nose in other countries’ affairs – because the US is constantly fighting for democracy and freedom for the people. That’s the GOOD bit. The BAD bit is that the governments/high-people in that country may not appreciate it, and will try and retaliate.
Though I must say…. I would really hate to be of Arabic descent in the US at a time like this!
Well….
Ok, well, I have barely heard of any Arab attacks here in the country. In fact, as far as I know, most people have been good about looking past race and ethnic backgrounds in this situation, no matter if you’re black, white, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Arabian, or whatnot. The problem is, we’re not ganging up on the Arabians at all! If there are attacks on Arabians, it’s not the government doing it at all. It’s the people in the country who are freakin’ scared to death about their lives. You’ve got NO earthly idea how we’re feeling in this country right now. Unfortunately it’s a situation that has hit some of us personally. Including me. I had a cousin that worked at the World Trade Center that we just now heard from last last night. We’re scared to death. But I know that I’m not against the Arabians or anything. Not all of them work for Bin Laden. Ugh, this is just a frustrating topic for everyone, I think.
Sad how discrimination is happening right now. The blame lies on the Palestinians because they hate USA and because they were celebrating it while it was happening. I don’t think it was confirmed yet though… they just think they are the most likely to launch that attack. While I don’t think they should point fingers with haste, I kind of understand their need to have someone responsible for this. Having a known enemy is better than an invisible threat. And if I’m this scared over here on the other side of the world, I can’t imagine how those in America is like now. What would you feel if your sense of security is suddenly stripped off? It’s their home that is attacked. And I doubt seeing one (or two) of the buildings you practically grew up seeing peeling off at its sides and crumbling down is such a nice mental image.
I was pretty devastated when the news reader said, “The twin towers of WTC is… no more.” It’s just a moment where my mind just screams, What the hell happened?! even though I knew what had happened (thanks to the net) before I saw the news on TV. It’s just the disbelief, I suppose.
People never learn from history. Hate goes in a circle, yes. I don’t want more blood to be shed either, but what if it had been my own country and family in danger here? I would probably scream vengence; it’s human nature to fight back when one is threatened. It’s where normally a heart would rule over a brain.
And what if they (that would be America) don’t respond… would that make the terrorists launch another attack because simply they couldn’t wait to bring down a superpower (and they don’t have anything to worry about since America isn’t striking back)?
Of course, striking back also means chaos. A pretty big one too.
Oh hell yeah – not knowing exactly WHO did it is pretty terrifying.. so it’s easiest to point fingers at the Palestinians, since it’s really likely i was them anyway. I think the biggest thing is that America is often thought of (and Americans always think of their country) as very secure, big, rich, and ‘safe’. And all that has just been stripped away in a few hours – and it must be an awful feeling to realise that even a big powerful country can be vulnerable like that. The world is such a mess, people are disgusting.
Perhaps, but I’m not going to buy that “most likely” assumption, because that’s all it is. The last time the finger was pointed at Osama bin Laden, it was… voila! A US citizen.
But here’s another thought: All the news reporters are reporting this for almost 24 hours already. Sure, there are a lot of deaths in that few hours the whole thing happened. But USA had itself milked dry a lot of the 3rd world country for its own profit… and thus sacrificing a lot of lives too for the past few decades (or more?). It’s just because it’s subtle and CNN or ABC News never talked about it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. No one gave a damn those kids are dying out there so that USA can remain the rich, wealthy country it is, and people are just plain ignorant. Everyone go “Gasp! This cannot be happening…” when America is under attack. What about those who were attacked in many other ways in the past by America itself? You can kill without bombs and airplanes too, you know. Nobody but their own country gasped. The rest of the world raises an eyebrow and moves on.
This may already be an attack born by the want for revenge, so if any Americans are yelling revenge now, it’s a revenge of a revenge, wouldn’t it? We have yet to know. But I think that this itself is already a reaction, and the cause of this happening is too vast and too old to to pinpoint exactly what the heck is the direct cause.
Maybe capitalism is at fault. While I wish all Americans well and I light a candle for those innocent lives that had been killed, I hope the giant will start thinking about the need of the world instead of only the need of its own. Selfishness doesn’t get one far. For example, look at what’s happening now.
I’m sorry if anything said here is out of line.
In light of everything you’ve written, I thought this was appropriate. It’s a forward I received today. It’s old, but applicable.
“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 5,000 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!'”
Yeah, there we are.. sticking our nose in everyone elses business.
Beverly, I’m sorry, but the main reason I checked on your journal today was because I knew you would have put down America in one way or another. I know this because I have seen you do it before in your diaryland account, but I thought that you were highly irritated with the US at the time, for whatever reason. It saddens me, because I would have thought that being a nice, well brought-up, intelligent woman like yourself, you would at least have the decency to not put down a country who is more than horrified right now. I am referring to your “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it.” comment.
Heart breaking.
I can’t even begin to express how much that comment has hurt me, along with many other American who read that. You may have not intended it to hurt this much, or to have hurt at all, but to WRITE that down says enough. I don’t think you realize that, either. Just writing it down has said enough.
I am very proud to be an American. I am proud to come from a country that has earned it’s position in the world. We did not start out this way; we have worked our way up from the bottom. Beleive it or not – many other people seem to like us also, seeing as how they come from all over the world just to live here.
I do not believe that we should go at war just to retaliate, but I do believe that whoever did this needs to be killed. An end needs to be reached, and if going to war will reach that solution, then so be it.
I feel no sympathy for who did this – a group, a single mastermind, a country, whatever, and obviously other countries feel the same way. We will get justice even if that means taking down an entire country. I wouldn’t even consider the countries’ citizens as ‘innocent,’ seeing as how they were celebrating on national television.
That is surely no sign of innocence.
After I posted the news reported that a few NYC cab drivers had been attacked. Cab drivers are infamous for being from middle eastern/forigen countries.
I do agree that the comments about america where a bit biased..but I guess there hardly is an “opinon” that isn’t baised…thats what opinions are. :/ I think due to the circumstances everyone is just edgy and nervous.
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I’m quite amazed you said that – because a ton of people here in Australia missed University today. Everyone’s totally shocked and horrified, and just glued to their TVs! That’s really cool of you though – and you’re right that those people probably wanted to disrupt and hurt Americans, so the best thing to do is to fix everything up asap and get back to normal living. The Pentagon is going to be back up and running today anyway – woo!
Oh, one more thing…
And while I agree with you on the whole violence not equaling peace, I’m going to argue that. For one, as just a citizen, I have no choice in how the government will ultimately retaliate. We have no choice. We have to put it in their hands. And, also, don’t you think a little violence has to be taken out SOMEWHERE? We lost THOUSANDS of people. And I don’t mean just a few thousand. I mean tens of thousands. So, I think our government has the right to stand up and not be pushed around.
🙁
yeah, i was a little hurt by your statement too. i know you’re entitled to your own opinion, which is a bit less biased than americans, of course.
but … the abc news anchorman on television was obviously choking back tears–tears of anger, tears of sadness–when he sad he HATED to report that there have been a FEW attacks on arabs in florida. america, perhaps the nucleus of modern and civilized society, understands that racism is intolerable. …
… especially at a time like this. one good thing about this is that our country is pulling together: shopping centers have been closed even across the country in my own state of california, and there are hour-long waits at blood drives.
it’s good to read your opinion on this. i also appreciate the fact that you appreciate living in australia.
Re: 🙁
I really agree with the biased comment you made. If I was American, I would probably start swearing like a sailer and declare “Kill the bastards! Destroy their country!” Because then i’tll be MY country that just got hurt and I’d hate that.
But being non-American, I have a more neutral/impartial view. I think it’s despicable what those terrorists did, but I also don’t want to condemn the ENTIRE country because not every single citizen there is against the US.
Still, I can’t believe blood is actually running out. That’s terrifying.
The news channels have not mentioned any cases of anti-Arab sentiment. I searched on Yahoo! and found one story of an alleged beating in Michigan. Where did you hear of the rest?
A disclaimer: yes, this is your journal, and yes you are free to put whatever you darn well please in it. But please forgive your American readers for being a bit taken aback when they see things like “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it” or find out that our attackers were “pretty damn brave.” What you write may be true, and I know you’re not a journalist, I know you’re entitled to your opinion. But when I read that, I felt like I was punched in the gut. It’s like how the PM of Egypt expresses sympathy, then adds that it’s basically our own fault for not making a suitable peace accord for the middle east. It’s like being in a catastrophic car accident, only to be told that we shouldn’t have been driving so fast. Bad analogy, but I hope you get my drift.
And no, I don’t hate Arabs or Muslims. I’m not racist I do hate the government of Afghanistan for harboring these “people” (and I use the term loosely), I do hate those who live for jihad, and even if they are ignorant and uneducated, I hate the people who are dancing in the street.
Mmm.. read below: there are news reports about anti-arab sentiment. I don’t blame the people though – after all, when you’re faced with such a sudden wide-spread destruction, it’s easiest to quickly take your anger out on something/someone. So I think everyone expected a backlash against these Arabic (or those that look) people.
Oh, when I mentioned that America “pokes it’s nose” in other countrie’s business, I didn’t mean it in a derogatoroy fashion – I meant it well. America, Australia, Europe are democratic countries and take pride in that. And America is always pushing other countries to give their people rights and not kill, etc. And the thing is – it’s wonderful that they’re doing that, but the people who don’t agree get real pissed off – and I suppose this is how the retaliate.
Those reports are probably just sensationalism. I’ve been glued to the news all day, (minus the few breaks where I couldn’t take it anymore) and there have been no reports of outword violence, yet.
They did say that a few threating call/emails had been sent to some Arabic (temples? I forgot what they’re called.) but no actual abuse.
The Los Angeles poice cheif and everyone else her is stressing that this should not be taken out on anyone at all. No matter what they’re race/orgin is. I feel really bad for the people of whichever race gets pegged for this crime on humanity…they are going to pay hell for a few idiots…
I don’t think America will ever be the same. 🙁
I really hope they’re just sensationalism too, like you said! I know that some racist attacks already are happening though, because a friend in the US told me it’s happening on her streets and at school 🙁 I’d hate to be Arab-looking and in the US right now! After all, if you’re there, obviously you LIKE the country – yet some American’s won’t care about that and attack you anyway. Eek.
I hope they find the leader and group ASAP and put them infront of the world. I can’t believe any normal thinking human would do something like that?! Australia’s gone crazy too – we have close ties with America so everyone’s really shocked and worried. I think everyone skipped Uni today because of it!
I understand your feelings and your right to say what you want in your journal but take this from a New Yorker: Watch what you say. Put yourself in our shoes: Your home country (where you felt so safe) has damn near been blown completely up and somebody says “Well, what do you expect? *insert home country* has been poking its nose in people’s business.” Won’t you be a bit ticked?Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said this about the US myself but not at a time like this. Makes it seem like it’s our fault, you know? I do feel you about the racism against the Arabs. It’s uneccessary and won’t solve a damn thing.
Don’t worry. I’m trying to make as much sense as I can but it’s been a hard day.
When I said “poke their nose in people’s business”, I didn’t mean for the US to sound like bullying big kids trying to play tough. It’s GOOD that they poke their nose in other countries’ affairs – because the US is constantly fighting for democracy and freedom for the people. That’s the GOOD bit. The BAD bit is that the governments/high-people in that country may not appreciate it, and will try and retaliate.
Though I must say…. I would really hate to be of Arabic descent in the US at a time like this!
Well….
Ok, well, I have barely heard of any Arab attacks here in the country. In fact, as far as I know, most people have been good about looking past race and ethnic backgrounds in this situation, no matter if you’re black, white, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Arabian, or whatnot. The problem is, we’re not ganging up on the Arabians at all! If there are attacks on Arabians, it’s not the government doing it at all. It’s the people in the country who are freakin’ scared to death about their lives. You’ve got NO earthly idea how we’re feeling in this country right now. Unfortunately it’s a situation that has hit some of us personally. Including me. I had a cousin that worked at the World Trade Center that we just now heard from last last night. We’re scared to death. But I know that I’m not against the Arabians or anything. Not all of them work for Bin Laden. Ugh, this is just a frustrating topic for everyone, I think.
Sad how discrimination is happening right now. The blame lies on the Palestinians because they hate USA and because they were celebrating it while it was happening. I don’t think it was confirmed yet though… they just think they are the most likely to launch that attack. While I don’t think they should point fingers with haste, I kind of understand their need to have someone responsible for this. Having a known enemy is better than an invisible threat. And if I’m this scared over here on the other side of the world, I can’t imagine how those in America is like now. What would you feel if your sense of security is suddenly stripped off? It’s their home that is attacked. And I doubt seeing one (or two) of the buildings you practically grew up seeing peeling off at its sides and crumbling down is such a nice mental image.
I was pretty devastated when the news reader said, “The twin towers of WTC is… no more.” It’s just a moment where my mind just screams, What the hell happened?! even though I knew what had happened (thanks to the net) before I saw the news on TV. It’s just the disbelief, I suppose.
People never learn from history. Hate goes in a circle, yes. I don’t want more blood to be shed either, but what if it had been my own country and family in danger here? I would probably scream vengence; it’s human nature to fight back when one is threatened. It’s where normally a heart would rule over a brain.
And what if they (that would be America) don’t respond… would that make the terrorists launch another attack because simply they couldn’t wait to bring down a superpower (and they don’t have anything to worry about since America isn’t striking back)?
Of course, striking back also means chaos. A pretty big one too.
Oh hell yeah – not knowing exactly WHO did it is pretty terrifying.. so it’s easiest to point fingers at the Palestinians, since it’s really likely i was them anyway. I think the biggest thing is that America is often thought of (and Americans always think of their country) as very secure, big, rich, and ‘safe’. And all that has just been stripped away in a few hours – and it must be an awful feeling to realise that even a big powerful country can be vulnerable like that. The world is such a mess, people are disgusting.
Perhaps, but I’m not going to buy that “most likely” assumption, because that’s all it is. The last time the finger was pointed at Osama bin Laden, it was… voila! A US citizen.
But here’s another thought: All the news reporters are reporting this for almost 24 hours already. Sure, there are a lot of deaths in that few hours the whole thing happened. But USA had itself milked dry a lot of the 3rd world country for its own profit… and thus sacrificing a lot of lives too for the past few decades (or more?). It’s just because it’s subtle and CNN or ABC News never talked about it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. No one gave a damn those kids are dying out there so that USA can remain the rich, wealthy country it is, and people are just plain ignorant. Everyone go “Gasp! This cannot be happening…” when America is under attack. What about those who were attacked in many other ways in the past by America itself? You can kill without bombs and airplanes too, you know. Nobody but their own country gasped. The rest of the world raises an eyebrow and moves on.
This may already be an attack born by the want for revenge, so if any Americans are yelling revenge now, it’s a revenge of a revenge, wouldn’t it? We have yet to know. But I think that this itself is already a reaction, and the cause of this happening is too vast and too old to to pinpoint exactly what the heck is the direct cause.
Maybe capitalism is at fault. While I wish all Americans well and I light a candle for those innocent lives that had been killed, I hope the giant will start thinking about the need of the world instead of only the need of its own. Selfishness doesn’t get one far. For example, look at what’s happening now.
I’m sorry if anything said here is out of line.
In light of everything you’ve written, I thought this was appropriate. It’s a forward I received today. It’s old, but applicable.
“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 5,000 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!'”
Yeah, there we are.. sticking our nose in everyone elses business.
Beverly, I’m sorry, but the main reason I checked on your journal today was because I knew you would have put down America in one way or another. I know this because I have seen you do it before in your diaryland account, but I thought that you were highly irritated with the US at the time, for whatever reason. It saddens me, because I would have thought that being a nice, well brought-up, intelligent woman like yourself, you would at least have the decency to not put down a country who is more than horrified right now. I am referring to your “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it.” comment.
Heart breaking.
I can’t even begin to express how much that comment has hurt me, along with many other American who read that. You may have not intended it to hurt this much, or to have hurt at all, but to WRITE that down says enough. I don’t think you realize that, either. Just writing it down has said enough.
I am very proud to be an American. I am proud to come from a country that has earned it’s position in the world. We did not start out this way; we have worked our way up from the bottom. Beleive it or not – many other people seem to like us also, seeing as how they come from all over the world just to live here.
I do not believe that we should go at war just to retaliate, but I do believe that whoever did this needs to be killed. An end needs to be reached, and if going to war will reach that solution, then so be it.
I feel no sympathy for who did this – a group, a single mastermind, a country, whatever, and obviously other countries feel the same way. We will get justice even if that means taking down an entire country. I wouldn’t even consider the countries’ citizens as ‘innocent,’ seeing as how they were celebrating on national television.
That is surely no sign of innocence.
After I posted the news reported that a few NYC cab drivers had been attacked. Cab drivers are infamous for being from middle eastern/forigen countries.
I do agree that the comments about america where a bit biased..but I guess there hardly is an “opinon” that isn’t baised…thats what opinions are. :/ I think due to the circumstances everyone is just edgy and nervous.
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I don’t want to go to classes tomorrow but I’m going to go because what the terrorist wanted to do was disrupt our lives. I’m not going to let them disrupt mine..
I’m quite amazed you said that – because a ton of people here in Australia missed University today. Everyone’s totally shocked and horrified, and just glued to their TVs! That’s really cool of you though – and you’re right that those people probably wanted to disrupt and hurt Americans, so the best thing to do is to fix everything up asap and get back to normal living. The Pentagon is going to be back up and running today anyway – woo!
🙁
yeah, i was a little hurt by your statement too. i know you’re entitled to your own opinion, which is a bit less biased than americans, of course.
but … the abc news anchorman on television was obviously choking back tears–tears of anger, tears of sadness–when he sad he HATED to report that there have been a FEW attacks on arabs in florida. america, perhaps the nucleus of modern and civilized society, understands that racism is intolerable. …
… especially at a time like this. one good thing about this is that our country is pulling together: shopping centers have been closed even across the country in my own state of california, and there are hour-long waits at blood drives.
it’s good to read your opinion on this. i also appreciate the fact that you appreciate living in australia.
Re: 🙁
I really agree with the biased comment you made. If I was American, I would probably start swearing like a sailer and declare “Kill the bastards! Destroy their country!” Because then i’tll be MY country that just got hurt and I’d hate that.
But being non-American, I have a more neutral/impartial view. I think it’s despicable what those terrorists did, but I also don’t want to condemn the ENTIRE country because not every single citizen there is against the US.
Still, I can’t believe blood is actually running out. That’s terrifying.
The news channels have not mentioned any cases of anti-Arab sentiment. I searched on Yahoo! and found one story of an alleged beating in Michigan. Where did you hear of the rest?
A disclaimer: yes, this is your journal, and yes you are free to put whatever you darn well please in it. But please forgive your American readers for being a bit taken aback when they see things like “AMERICA – the country that forever pokes it’s nose in other countries’ business (for better or for worse), and yet gets away with it” or find out that our attackers were “pretty damn brave.” What you write may be true, and I know you’re not a journalist, I know you’re entitled to your opinion. But when I read that, I felt like I was punched in the gut. It’s like how the PM of Egypt expresses sympathy, then adds that it’s basically our own fault for not making a suitable peace accord for the middle east. It’s like being in a catastrophic car accident, only to be told that we shouldn’t have been driving so fast. Bad analogy, but I hope you get my drift.
And no, I don’t hate Arabs or Muslims. I’m not racist I do hate the government of Afghanistan for harboring these “people” (and I use the term loosely), I do hate those who live for jihad, and even if they are ignorant and uneducated, I hate the people who are dancing in the street.
Mmm.. read below: there are news reports about anti-arab sentiment. I don’t blame the people though – after all, when you’re faced with such a sudden wide-spread destruction, it’s easiest to quickly take your anger out on something/someone. So I think everyone expected a backlash against these Arabic (or those that look) people.
Oh, when I mentioned that America “pokes it’s nose” in other countrie’s business, I didn’t mean it in a derogatoroy fashion – I meant it well. America, Australia, Europe are democratic countries and take pride in that. And America is always pushing other countries to give their people rights and not kill, etc. And the thing is – it’s wonderful that they’re doing that, but the people who don’t agree get real pissed off – and I suppose this is how the retaliate.
Those reports are probably just sensationalism. I’ve been glued to the news all day, (minus the few breaks where I couldn’t take it anymore) and there have been no reports of outword violence, yet.
They did say that a few threating call/emails had been sent to some Arabic (temples? I forgot what they’re called.) but no actual abuse.
The Los Angeles poice cheif and everyone else her is stressing that this should not be taken out on anyone at all. No matter what they’re race/orgin is. I feel really bad for the people of whichever race gets pegged for this crime on humanity…they are going to pay hell for a few idiots…
I don’t think America will ever be the same. 🙁
I really hope they’re just sensationalism too, like you said! I know that some racist attacks already are happening though, because a friend in the US told me it’s happening on her streets and at school 🙁 I’d hate to be Arab-looking and in the US right now! After all, if you’re there, obviously you LIKE the country – yet some American’s won’t care about that and attack you anyway. Eek.
I hope they find the leader and group ASAP and put them infront of the world. I can’t believe any normal thinking human would do something like that?! Australia’s gone crazy too – we have close ties with America so everyone’s really shocked and worried. I think everyone skipped Uni today because of it!