> Chad Cooper wrote:
> [massive snippage]
> > 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.
>
Chad (and others),
there are a number of countries that have offered help to the US in times
past, as well as now. Australia, Britain, the European Union, Japan, Canada
are just a few. In the current situation I know that Australia has offered
help, both officially and in private. Our Prime Minister was in Washington
when the attacks occurred.
On the radio the other night the Secretary of the (Victoria, Australia)
United Firefighters Union stated that he'd sent a letter of condolence to
the New York emergency services, and - like with the wildfires you had in
the West early this year - offered the services of Australian firefighters.
I recall seeing much the same offer given from Canada, Mexico and Cuba on
CNN.
You guys are not alone.
> The thing is, now a lot of other nations have offered support. I'm
> hoping that in the next few days, people realize that other countries
> *are* supporting us, and that this will be obsolete.
>
> Julia
And more to the point, the World Trade Centre included a slice of the world
in its workforce. At least 3 Germans were on one of the aircraft that was
crashed. Two Australians, possibly more, were also on some of the aircraft.
There are at least 85 Australians known to have worked in or around the WTC
that have been reported missing. At least one Australian rang home after the
first crash to say he was heading for the roof and would call later. He's
not been heard from since.
The British government believes that "hundreds" of British citizens may have
been killed. Many other European nations face similar losses - Deutschebank
was located on floors where one of the aircraft entered the building. There
were Japanese companies also located in the WTC.
You guys are not alone!
Terrorism has no borders, it is a worldwide problem. There is massive
support, worldwide, for America in combatting this problem. But it must be
done appropriately.
Richard Butler, the past UN head of mission in Iraq looking for weapons of
mass destruction, and General Schwarzkopf have both been shown here saying
that the response to these attacks must be focussed, appropriate and
proportional. On that basis you will absolutely have solid Australian
support. If that involves a military incursion to ARREST the perpetrators I
hope our SAS are included. Our air force and Navy can already work with the
US forces. Hell, we'll even use the last operational F111s to help do it.
But an unfocussed revenge attack will NOT get our support.
Emotions are still high, as you can see on this list. That is natural and
appropriate. It is part of the grieving process, something ALL of us on this
list are going through. We have all seen the news, many of us in real time.
All else I can say is, let the investigation conclude, let's then judge the
evidence and THEN work out the appropriate way to get justice. The support
available now should be used in the most positive way possible. A
retaliatory attack would cause that support to evaporate, while a calm and
firm incursion to arrest and bring to trial the perpetrators - wherever on
Earth they are trying to hide - will shout the real message that terrorists
have nowhere to hide and that they will be brought to justice.
You guys are not alone!
Brett
