For those of you expressing your blind hatred towards natio

[Wooooppppaaaaa]

This is my first time posting and I wanted to thank FMX2MD for clearing up a few Muslim related comments. On the day of the crash I was working on the upper east side of manhattan (75 and 2nd). I have one high school friend lost in building #2. One of my best friends( was at my wedding) working for the past few days on ladder company 18( he is a rookie to the NYFD,but worked 5 years earlier with the NYFDEMT's). My cousin (who is MUSLIM)is currently picking up body parts( While his wife and children are lost to his were abouts for over a day) along with other detective from China town Department. It is funny how we lost perspective here.Arent people still missing and dieing and we want more blood to be spilled. It is so easy to hate when one looks with a blind eye. The actions at the world trade were actions of MADMEN not ethnic or religous. If you wanna understand how so much hatred of the US can be developed do some research. In Palastine a force of Isreali troopers killed countless muslims while performing thier daily prayers. The pictures you see of Palastinians dancing in the streets is partial due to the lack of response by the US to act( and a long time hatred which as been seeded for many generations). I am an ALBANIAN MUSLIM we were involved with ETHNIC CLEANSING( I hope that we didnt forget the picture of the mass graves) in our home land of Kosova. I cannot tell you how many horror stories where told to me about what was going on there. America stepped in and somewhat settled Kosova ( they are still somewhat fighting to this day).America did a great deed when it step in( For the rest of our lives and our childrens serbians are learning to HATE the US for what happend some still denie killing albanians). Palastine looks at this and wonders why not help us. America is right to not get invloved( Muslims nations are being led by false leaders Arafat has no true power, radicals with there false hope chants bring a light to people that are in darkness), but Americans are wrong to single out any one group due to a few bad members( Lets get the people invloved without killing innocent people we are civilized arent we).Hated is a seed that flurish under all conditions( Someone mentioned if it means we will be safe if these actions are taking you are wrong.NY is literally on lockdown everything has changed, but it kills me when I see people in the city clothes shopping 5 blocks from where rescue workers are diein. If your so worried about your safety get out and help someone rather then hate). When members mention MUSLIMS die for the koran and then go to paradise. This like many things is takin out of context. It is easy for the hopeless to find hope with these MADMEN who make them promises bin laden or ALLAH can not deliver. Ben Laden suffers from a god complex. He uses sentences from grand writtings to back his points. It is easy to fashion hatred into whatever words he chooses when he flashes the koran and says it so that it was written, mentality. The koran does not breed hatred. Hatred infects the weak and suffering. When you get into arguements on religons I have to tell you no ones hands are clean. We all have lost due to what we BELIEVE god wants. In any religon God want us to love life and respect it. No please understand lets get to the point and remember the people in NY right now are in dire need. I did not sleep for 2 days after hearing so many Firefighters were lost. God bless the NYPD and NYFD they are making the ultimate sacrifice while we choose to play warlords. The nations greatest lose and we sit here breeding more hatred. Let not lose more then we allready have a soul is a terrible thing to waste.............
Unity is our greatest weapon. Do not cast false understandings on others. Go out and raise your flags to the sky. Show ben laden though we may be dusty and hurt we are still here. Standing proud..............

 

[davelin315]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

Weed out ALL terrorists REGARDLESS of race.

Now that's a sentiment I can agree wholeheartedly with. It selects the ones that need to be dealt with and not those that are innocent. Obviously, innocents will die, and it is unavoidable should the US take the action it needs to. I will be sorry that innocent people die, but I will not be sorry that the terrorists are killed, and that they suffer. The bone that I had to pick with some people is that they were expressing the same beliefs as the terrorists themselves. Bin Laden believes that all Americans should die because they support the government through taxes, civilians and children included. Some people here were saying that all Arabs should die because they are from the same nationality as Bin Laden and some of their brethren support him. It's like the old argument about affirmative action: doesn't it equate to discrimination against the less suspect class?

Desktopsilver, it takes a real man to say sorry, very much appreciated.

Addressing another point, none of us here are wimps. We're all dealing with the tragedy in our own ways. It's a horrible world that we live in, and it's not always fair, but we live in it and we fight for what we believe in. We help where we can, and we do what we can. If I thought going to New York and aiding in the rescue efforts would be accepted and would actually help, I would do it. But, they're not going to accept that help, and I would only be a hindrance. My brother is a doctor there, and he was turned away when he went to help on the 11th. When he went to donate blood, he was turned away because he didn't have a donor card. People all want to help, but people also need to realize that they can only help in their own individual ways. The Chicago Fire Department had 50 firefighters volunteer to drive to NY and help out, they used their personal leave and vacation time to do it. They were welcomed into the ranks of NY firefighters because they could help. We cannot all help that way, so, again, we do what we can.

To reiterate an earlier point made by someone else, sorry, don't know who it was, we are all willing to do what it takes, but it's very necessary to wait and not let our emotions cloud our judgment. The government is doing the right thing, because if it didn't go about it this way, and angered the wrong world power, the next thing that would happen would we would be in a war with Russia, or China, or Pakistan, all of which have nuclear capabilities, and then that would be a day that not a one of us wants to come to fruition. Nuclear war would eradicate us all. It would be the great equalizer, killing blindly, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, credo, nationality, etc. I support the government, and I do believe them when they say it will not be a quick airstrike, it will be a long campaign waged on foreign soils. I am sorry for this, as our soldiers will be the ones dying, as they always are, and they'll be fighting for everyone out there.

By the way, did anyone listen to the Islamic Coalition leader on the news today? He spoke about how Bin Laden has perverted the religion and used it to hide behind, and that Muslims also died in the WTC, side by side with other people, all Americans. Terrorism affects not only us, but everyone else as well, including Muslims. Just as one person before asked what infrastructure Afghanistan has, and went on about its many merits (sarcasm is dripping from my tongue right now), it seemed as if in the same words he was using to denounce Afghanistan, he was also feeling sorry for its people.

Sorry to go on and on, one more thing though. I read that link to Anne Coulter's article, and couldn't disagree more. I, myself, am atheistic, and it seems as if she would herd me together with everyone else that is not Christian and who disagrees with her views and shoot me. She eptiomizes bigotry, it's sad that someone would publish her article.

 

[davelin315]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

by SPC:First of all isn't this hear say information Mr Prosecuter?

Hearsay: an out of court statement used to prove the truth of the matter asserted.

A skillful prosecutor can get around anything out there.

The truth is, the statement wasn't proving what it was asserting, it was proving that there were other points of view.

Oh, by the way, a skillful prosecutor also talks in circles a lot, too.

 

[Snapple]

Up until an hour or two ago I had hoped that the United States of America would root out these terrorists (along with any government that might be supporting them) and quite literally blow them all to pieces.

Civilian lives would certainly be lost, but this has “worked” in the past and it seemed to me the appropriate response now. I am not a racist or a bigot, but it was just a natural fear response to the horrors I am watching on CNN. Luckily there are more levelheaded people in this world (and hopefully in our government) that think before they react.

I think we all want to find a way to stop all this violence and tragedy.

But now I sit here shaking my head. I just read several very insightful articles on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East… and this might be misconstrued as being anti-American but dammit this country was practically asking for this tragedy.

I am not at all saying that this should justify these atrocities, but for crying out loud you don’t go and throw a butterfly fish in a reef tank and then cry when your corals get eaten.

I understand that the conflicts in the Middle East are extremely complex, and that the U.S. is not the only country at fault here. But before we all get on our high horse let’s not forget what it took to become this great nation. Not too long ago we systematically eradicated the native Americans and their cultures as part of our own growth process. Nearly every other culture, country, and people throughout history are guilty of the same atrocities at one time or another. We are all human, and it is in our nature.

To sum it up, I think the U.S. needs to seriously reconsider its policies in this region of the world if our ultimate goal is to prevent another tragedy like this one. If our ultimate goal is to maintain loose control over oil prices, a massive demonstration of our military power might be more appropriate. Ridiculous as it might seem to some, that is what I believe this all comes down to. If the U.S. wants to keep its hand in the Middle Eastern cookie jar, periodic acts of terrorism are the price we all must pay. The terrorists in NYC made that terribly clear to the world last Tuesday.

For all those “you are weak, anti-American, and don’t support the military” people out there, please re-read the above paragraph. If the goal is vengeance, I’m in full support of an all out attack on Osama bin Laden and whatever nation/regime is supporting him (assuming he is to blame). Let’s face it, vengeance will, to a certain degree, tend to this nation’s wounds. But let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that this alone will solve any problems in the long run.

To all the American Muslims out there as well as anyone who looks “Middle Eastern” for that matter, I really feel for you. I can only imagine how difficult this whole situation is for you. Hopefully, ignorance and fear won’t topple the ideals our stars and stripes symbolize.

And most importantly, let’s all think about the innocent victims, their friends, and their families… including those innocent people who will be killed when we strike back.

 

[jason119]

good points snapple. All the notes i read online here and there, all of them painted a picture of the innocent Americans. The media comparing it to Pearl Harbor, the "sneak-attack". in fact, everyone knows, that the attack on the American military installation on the northern hawaiian island, was not a sneak-attack.

The Tuesday terrorist attack, i compare, not to Pearl Harbor but to the attack on purely civilian populations of nagasaki and hiroshima, where 1/4 million old men/women and children lost their lives. do you think they wanted that war? hundreds of thousands more died horrible deaths from cancer and radiation poisening. The president at the time, called the atom bomb "the best thing that ever happened to this country".

I'm not anti-american. among my fathers before me were veterans of the revolutionary war, ww2 and the korean war. not even colin powell can say that.

 

[zandar_tem]

OK Now we ( americans) cannot just go out and kill several thousand people showing that we are no better than we were in 1941 when we herded several thousand US citazens to holding camps all over the Mid-West just because they might have been sympathetic to the Japanees who were at war with us. We cannot show the fear and ignorance that causes Us ( americans ) to act like third world idiots who have no education. I am 24 a honorably discharged Marine and would love to see the bast-rds who did this fry or glow as the case may be but we cannot afford to wage total war on any country looking for several hundred people fallowing one maniac ( assuming Ben-Ladin is responsible) but keep in mind OKC we blamed arabs and it was a white Catholic from the mid west. Please think about what you wish you may get it and regret what you get. I don't want war but I do want revenge on the parties responsible not inocent people.

mike

ZT


Thank you Canada!!

TRIBUTE TO AMERICA

The following, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing. Its subject is "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!

 

[gargoyle]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mouse:
<STRONG>At the end of the day you are our brothers and sisters, whatever race, creed or religeon.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This was a crime against humanity not just us here in the united states! We are all brothers and sisters. Those that did this need to be taught that the WORLD will not stand for this type of behavior, that there are other ways to speak your peace and be heard, and we need to provide a lesson to all those that would follow in the footsteps of these terrorists. Now is not the time to take the high road, we need blood because that is the only language that these terrorists(I almost said people) understand. While I feel for the innocents that will ultimately suffer, doing nothing does not necessarily make you innocent. The people in these countries need to learn to police themselves and rid themselves of the terrorists in their populations. When the terrorists realize that they don't have a ready supply of people jumping at the bit to replace those that strap a stick of dynamite to their chests they might start looking for more peaceful ways to make their point or risk thinning out those who share their beliefs. If this goes without being adequately addressed you can guarantee that this will only be the beginning. If they can do this to the US and get away with it or only suffer only a few losses they will be successful in terrorizing the rest of the world.

 

[gargoyle]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dredawg:
<STRONG>This is REALLY frightening. What I mean is by reading these posts, the United States of America has become a country of wimps, do-gooders who aren't willing to stand up and fight for our way of life. Some of you said you fear for the future of your children. This is precisely why you should fight.

The FREEDOM that you enjoy is not FREE. You must be willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to preserve it. A person who stands for nothing will fall for anything. I have been on active duty is the US Military for 16 years. It really sickens me that I put my life on the line for YOU and your family everyday and to know that you do not appreciate it. Be that as it may, I would gladly DIE for what I believe in. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hoo-ah!

 

[Dak]

I received this letter from an mailing list I'm on, very though provoking for me, no answers but a very clear direction.


Subject: Letter from Deepak Chopra - Constructive, Evocative and Empowering


The Deeper Wound

As fate would have it, I was leaving New York on a jet flight that took off 45 minutes before the unthinkable happened. By the time we landed in Detroit, chaos had broken out. When I grasped the fact that American security had broken down so tragically, I couldn't respond at first. My
wife and son were also in the air on separate flights, one to Los Angeles,
one to San Diego. My body went absolutely rigid with fear. All I could think about was their safety, and it took several hours before I found out that their flights had been diverted and both were safe.

Strangely, when the good news came, my body still felt that it had been hit
by a truck. Of its own accord it seemed to feel a far greater trauma that
reached out to the thousands who would not survive and the tens of thousands
who would survive only to live through months and years of hell. And I
asked myself, Why didn't I feel this way last week? Why didn't my body go
stiff during the bombing of Iraq or Bosnia? Around the world my horror and
worry are experienced every day. Mothers weep over horrendous loss,
civilians are bombed mercilessly, refugees are ripped from any sense of home
or homeland. Why did I not feel their anguish enough to call a halt to it?

As we hear the calls for tightened American security and a fierce military
response to terrorism, it is obvious that none of us has any answers.
However, we feel compelled to ask some questions. Everything has a cause, so
we have to ask, What was the root cause of this evil? We must find out not
superficially but at the deepest level. There is no doubt that such evil is
alive all around the world and is even celebrated.

Does this evil grow from the suffering and anguish felt by people we don't know and therefore ignore? Have they lived in this condition for a long time?

One assumes that whoever did this attack feels implacable hatred for America. Why were we selected to be the focus of suffering around the world? All this hatred and anguish seems to have religion at its basis. Isn't something terribly wrong when jihads and wars develop in the name of
God? Isn't God invoked with hatred in Ireland, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan,
Israel, Palestine, and even among the intolerant sects of America?

Can any military response make the slightest difference in the underlying cause? Is there not a deep wound at the heart of humanity?

If there is a deep wound, doesn't it affect everyone?

When generations of suffering respond with bombs, suicidal attacks, and
biological warfare, who first developed these weapons? Who sells them? Who
gave birth to the satanic technologies now being turned against us?

If all of us are wounded, will revenge work? Will punishment in any form
toward anyone solve the wound or aggravate it? Will an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and limb for a limb, leave us all blind, toothless and crippled?

Tribal warfare has been going on for two thousand years and has now been
magnified globally. Can tribal warfare be brought to an end? Is patriotism
and nationalism even relevant anymore, or is this another form of tribalism?

What are you and I as persons going to do about what is happening? Can we
afford to let the deeper wound fester any longer?

Everyone is calling this an attack on America, but is it not a rift in our
collective soul? Isn't this an attack on civilization from without that is
also from within?

When we have secured our safety once more and cared for the wounded, after
the period of shock and mourning is over, it will be time for soul searching. I only hope that these questions are confronted with the deepest spiritual intent. None of us will feel safe again behind the shield of
military might and stockpiled arsenals. There can be no safety until the
root cause is faced. In this moment of shock I don't think anyone of us has
the answers. It is imperative that we pray and offer solace and help to
each other. But if you and I are having a single thought of violence or
hatred against anyone in the world at this moment, we are contributing to
the wounding of the world.

Love,

Deepak

 

[albee1947]

I have been informed that pearl Harbor was not a sneak attack. Ok we asked for it and knew it was comming. we forced japan into bombing us. As for the Nuc's dropped on japan, Place blame where blame is due. Their government would not stop fighting. If the only way to end the battle is with greater force, then so be it. As for hurting innocent women and children, When they are brought up with all that hatred and their only thought are to destroy the us, There is no other option. These animals cannot be taught different, Their parents are the ones that have taught them the hatred. They must be eliminted in order to stop the future generations from gaining the same twisted mentality. If they as well learn to hate us, thats Ok, You can hate us all you want but when they deceide to come here and harm our people they might think twice when they remember that their nation was destroyed the last time they tried it.

But that my opinion.
I'm entitled to it.

 

[M.E.Milz]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

As a British subject I have seen deaths over two decades as a result of the activities of the IRA a terrorist group supported both in deed and in funding for a long period by "Irish Americans"

You are referring to the criminal and deplorable acts of a small number of individuals, not the policies or actions of the US government. I, as I am sure you do, would hope that are government has prosecuted such individuals as the criminals/terrorists that they are.

 

[Giarc]

As a Christian and a New Zealander (white) recently immigrated to the USA I'd like to thank Fmx2md to setting the record straight about Islam. My heart breaks every time I think of what has happened. I am also personally infuriated by anyone who turns to racist and religious intolerance out of fear. Nuking is an evil act. It not only kills the innocent today, the radiation kills any hope in the future. Poisoning our planet will not solve our problems. Blaming a faith will not make a scintilla of difference. If I see any redneck beating up on an arab, I'll do my utmost to defend the innocent victim of their hate.

I do, however, want to see the guilty BURN in hell and I will support any efforts to get them a ticket there.

One thing that bothers me Fmx2md, why is it that the islamic faith in the middle east doesn't denounce terrorists as traitors to Islam? Or is it just not reported in the media?

It also seems you think the USA should have intervended between Israel and Palestine like they did in Kosovo? But the USA did that for Kuwait against Iraq and Bin Laden is the result. The US is in a no win situation! I do agree, however, that the USA has made some gross errors in their foreign policy. Somalia for one.

I have to say that Israeli troops really get left little option but to shoot children when children are routinely sent to throw petrol-bombs and rocks at the soldiers. I'm not anti arab at all. And I'm not pro-jew. I just see many palestinians using tactics that are deplorable and then bitching when the children they send, or happen to be in the area of an assault, are killed. In my opinion the zealots who manipulate and use children as weapons in war are just cowards too afraid to face the consequences of their blind hatred. This may be a harsh view, but once a war is over the losing side needs to try to rebuild their lives as best they can. The palestinian people had egypt, lebanon, syria etc all on their side in the early days of israel's formation. They lost the war anyway. I sympathise with their plight and personally think there ought to be a palestinian state. But they lost the war. Now it seems to me they've lost even more. They've sold their souls to the devil of terrorism. Quite honestly I wanted to reach out through my TV set and punch the living snot out of those cheering mobs. As long as they continue in that fashion they will only ever make their own situation worse. I also object to Israeli forces continuing to occupy the west bank, gaza etc. They should withdraw. They never will as long as the palestinian extremists refuse to stop their terror campaign. At least, that's my opinion. The Irish situation is equally ridiculous and I hope both sides are included in any world-wide crackdown on terrorism.

But regardless, retaliation should focus on finding and punishing those responsible, and those who provided the necessary shelter, equipment, training, and finances to enable it to happen. Losses of innocent lives should be minimized as much as possible but not so much that the retaliation is ineffective at stopping these evil subhumans.

Make the terrorist movement suffer and die. Leave the innocent lives alone as best we can. If the terrorists hide in civilian homes, behind the innocent bodies of children, it is they who have effectively killed those innocent lives even if they do not explode the bombs that kill them. If the innocent civilians value life, they should seek to root out the evil in their midst. Press their governments to refuse shelter and succour to terrorists. Expel them from their midst, or better yet, hand them over for justice. They cannot last without the support of their own people. It is time that those people seize this opportunity for life, and an end to the cycle of violence. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all have a role to play in denouncing these evil groups. It's time the arab people reclaimed their lives from terror. I truly hope that out of these bitter ashes, grows a tree of life.

My inner self quails with fear at what the future will bring if it does not.

I really mean no disrespect to Islam, or Arab people and if anything I've said is interpreted that way then I apologise. My quarrel is with the guilty and those that encourage them. I also think that the apathy that exists, in the US and the middle east, is just as guilty for allowing them to operate.

God, Allah, whoever, whatever we worship, I pray for light in this time of darkness.

 

[Anonymous]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cheese Sandwich:
<STRONG>

I work for a Lebanese guy - he seems quite trustworthy.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL

I don't have time to go through all these new posts now and double check the older ones. Apparently I offended someone. I'll get back to you later on that.

 

[Fishdude]

Dave,

I appreciate what you have said. Unfortunately, many people who have never experienced prejudice, descrimination, and persecution will not be able to empathize with innocent people who are judged based on race, religion, and other characteristics. Being tolerant of differences is a hard lesson that I'm afraid the majority of people in this world have not yet learned. It would be helpful if people remembered that nearly all ethnic groups in the U.S. immigrated to America at one time or another, and almost every group was discriminated against when they first arrived. Even European immigrants have faced prejudice and discrimination in the past.

In the time to come, we must do what we must do... namely punish those who are responsible for the suffering they have caused. However, we must not forget what we learned from WWII when German and Japanese Americans were mistreated because of their heirtage. As Americans, we must all support one another to get through these trying times.

 

[Bigflatus]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

As for hurting innocent women and children, When they are brought up with all that hatred and their only thought are to destroy the us, There is no other option. These animals cannot be taught different, Their parents are the ones that have taught them the hatred. They must be eliminted in order to stop the future generations from gaining the same twisted mentality.

from albee1947

This is by far one of the most ignorant comments I have read in a while. Based on your logic, why stop there? There are white people in the US that hate blacks and vice versa. Should we kill all them? Do all whites hate blacks, do all Christians hate Muslims? Of course not. Do you for even a second imagine that if your parents were killed because they hated a group you would not grow up hating that group? If anything you would hate them 100 times more.

 

[BCReefer]

Just to show that Canada does care!!!


OTTAWA (CP) - Canadians gathered from coast to coast Friday to send a message of sympathy and friendship to their neighbors in the United States, which was still reeling from terrorist attacks that killed thousands.

Tens of thousands of people, some waving American flags, thronged Parliament Hill for noon-hour ceremony marking a National Day of Mourning. Up to 80,000 tourists, government workers, expatriate Americans and others stood shoulder to shoulder on the Parliament building's front lawn and bowed their heads for three minutes of silence.
One man held up his hand in a peace sign. Others raised banners emblazoned with the Stars and Stripes. Many wiped away tears. The silence ended with the tolling of the Peace Tower bell. Minutes earlier, Mounties in full dress uniform, firefighters and police stood at attention with the crowd as an Ontario provincial police officer sang the Canadian and U.S. national anthems under bright blue skies.
"It was wonderful; it was just what we needed," said Kati Corsaut of Sacramento, Calif.
Prime Minister Jean Chretien expressed his condolences to the U.S. and told the sea of people that Canada will work with the U.S. to "defy and defeat terrorism."
"At a time like this, words fail us. We reel before the blunt and terrible reality of the evil we have just witnessed," he said.
"By their outpouring of concern, sympathy and help, the feelings and actions of Canadians have been clear.
"And, even as we grieve our own losses, the message they send to the American people is equally clear: Do not despair. You are not alone. We are with you. The w world is with you."
As he spoke, the flags of Eliament fluttered at half-mast in a light breeze.
Hundreds of dignitaries, including Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci, cabinet ministers, Supreme Court judges and MPs gathered for the ceremony.
A large contingent of firefighters and police officers was there to remember their New York counterparts, who were among the estimated 5,000 people who perished Tuesday when hijacked planes were deliberately crashed into the twin towers and into the Pentagon in Washington.
Many in the crowd, estimated at 80,000 by the RCMP, spoke of deep connections to the United States.
"Americans and Canadians have a special bond," said Gary Seveny, whose wife Louise is from Vermont.
"We travel to each other's , we have friends and neighbors who cross the border constantly, so it's very close to home."
Jacqueline Nolin of Quebec City said: "We have friends in the United States - our children live in the United States. It touches us a lot. They're our neighbors."
The outpouring of empathy was replayed over and over across the .
Members of Toronto's financial community, mourning the loss of many colleagues in New York, paused briefly for a memorial service in Canada's financial heart on Bay Street.
"I'm Canadian every other day of the week, but today I'm American," said Tom Vieneu of Toronto, sporting an American flag on his T-shirt.
Weary passengers at Pearson International Airport observed the silence, solemnly bowing their heads as they stood in line waiting to board planes after day of delays.
Ceremonies were held at several Canadian legislatures, and condolence books were set up for people to sign.
Stores in Ottawa, Edmonton and other cities sold out of American flags and pins.
Cellucci thanked Canadians for the thousands of cards, letters and flowers sent to the U.S. embassy.
"On behalf of President Bush and the people of the United States, I want to thank . . . the people of Canada for your overwhelming support and sympathy," Cellucci said.
"You truly are our closest friend."
Friday was the first day of mourning since 1967 when then-governor general George Vanier died.
There was still no firm word Friday on how many Canadians perished in Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
Two Canadians were aboard the planes and the Foreign Affairs Departtment said between 50 and 100 known to have been in New York are unaccounted for.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I don't really understand what I did to offend anyone, peace acecool.

 

[SPC]

Tan, I think Ace was talking about where you appeared to backing fmx2md, (I think?).
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Did I miss something while skimming fmx's posts that doesn't deserve backing?

 

[faztaz]

Giarc I thank you for you kind words and you calm head. To answer you question to the best of my knowledge these countries denounce such acts of violence and the people who commit them, be them Muslim or of another faith.

These Middle Eastern countries, that are Muslim states, practice Islam. If such terrorism is AGAINT Islam like I have previously stated how can one assume that they support such terrorists? Mercy and compassion are held as the highest virtues of Islam and those who have committed these atrocities, if they are found to be Muslim or of Arabic descent, acted outside the beliefs of the Islamic community at large.

To also clarify things Bin Laden who is from Saudi Arabia was forced out of his country and forced into exile. He was denied an inheritance of well over $250 million by the government of Saudi Arabia. The only country that it seems he can find refuge is in Afghanistan where he can hide from the government and warring parties because there is a civil war going on as we speak. It is not the fault of the Afghani people that he is there. Also this may come as a shock to you but it was the United States, after all, who poured resources into the 1980s war against the Soviet-backed regime in Kabul, at a time when girls could go to school and women to work. Bin Laden and his Mojahedin were armed and trained by the CIA and MI6, as Afghanistan was turned into a wasteland and its communist leader Najibullah left hanging from a Kabul lamp post with his genitals stuffed in his mouth. It was after this US funded victory that Afghanistan went downhill. To punish its wayward Afghan offspring, the US subsequently forced through a sanctions regime which has helped push him, but also the people of Afghanistan to the brink of starvation, according to the latest UN figures, while Afghan refugees fan out across the world.

Giarc I also would like to ask you if your son or daughter lost a loved one in a war do you expect them to sit idle as more of their brothers and sisters, aunts, and uncles, etc die?? I think it is a sad day when little boys are so caught up in emotion that they thrown stones at armed infantry fully knowing that they may be shot at. Again Im not saying its right .. but you tell me does a rock from a 10 year old warrant a bullet from a trained weapon of war. I can guarantee you that if the tables were turned and small Israeli boys were throwing rocks and getting shot we would be up in arms about it. And please do not insult me by telling me that these children are all being manipulated into risking their lives. If you find this so far fetched then why in the our very own country have there been countless cases of children entering schools with weapons and sadly killing their very own classmates and faculty?? Now I ask you if a 10 year old American boy can get a gun and kill innocent people in his own school why is it so hard to imagine a 10 year old Palestinian picking up a rock and throwing it at the “enemyâ€