Posted by PS on September 13, 2001 at 00:19:52:
From Australia
I send all Americans my deepest sympathies on this unspeakable terrorist attack to your country. To those of you who have friends and family missing or injured, I sincerely hope you have good news soon. I cannot comprehend the pain and shock you must be feeling. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
For the last 11 hours, all our TV stations have been broadcasting live, the same things you are seeing and I am sure the rest of the world is the same. As I understand it, Europe, Australia and Israel to name just a few, have pledged their support in completely stamping out this terrorism.
Our Australian Prime Minister is in Washington and was a few hundred metres from the Pentagon attack at the time, so we Aussies are well aware of the incredible extent of the tragedy and our hearts go out to you all. Ironically, Bill Clinton is here in Queensland, Australia, under heavy personal and Australian defence security and is anxious to return to America as soon as he can.
I urge Americans *not* to retaliate personally against the Moslem people who may be in your community. *They* are not the terrorists and most probably do not even come from the country that is hosting the terrorists or even follow the same religious sect. They are the very people who have fled the horrors of their own country and intelligently chosen your country to live in for the democratic freedom it offers. Please treat them like fellow Americans.
Gerry Barnes-Hampton