h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I hope that by posting this message that someone may be encouraged and comforted.

The British people identify most strongly with our American cousins, because we hold dear the same values of democracy, freedom and tolerance. What unites us now are the same feelings of disbelief, sadness and anger. This event has tragically brought home the reality that we are in a very real struggle against malevolent forces; that seek to bind what is free, to replace the redoubtable spirit with trepidation and to bring division and confusion where there is unity and soundness of mind.

I pray that God will bring comfort to a mourning nation. That he will endow your leaders with clarity of thought, strength and courage. Also, that we who live in the free world will realise our personal responsiblity to protect what is right and true, the legacy of the blood of our noble and heroic forefathers, who were at this place before.

God bless America

stand strong America



we can beat this

stand strong America



we can beat this

stand strong America



we can beat this

Someone made the comment that 'all people in the western world are similar where it counts' or something to that effect. This may seem a strange thing to say, but

ALL people are incredibly similar. We must be so cautious to remember the ordeals and oppression which have led the suspected organisers to such extremism - and guard against such extremism ourselves. If the leader of this discussion meant to thank GB for offering our soldiers into a bloody and destructive battle which will only increase hostility and violence. No thanks. But by god I as a brit am with you in your shock and mourning, don't get me wrong.

We are ALL HUMAN, and ALL TOO HUMAN. This attack was planned and carried out by people very like you and me. Remember that.

Will.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in America. The horrific events of the 11th September have filled me with grief and a strong feeling of being united with the US people in there grief.

I have always considered the U.S.A as our closest allies and friends, and would like to think as i'm sure you do that Britain is yours.

We must avenge this atrocity while people like Ben Laden and Saddam Hussein are allowed to continue the world will be at risk from these fanatics, we must understand that this is war and air strikes aren't effective as was shown in the gulf, we must raise countries such as Afghanastan and Iraq to the ground. As history shows although critisised at the time, large scale bombing campaigns win wars (innocents die but that is the price of a war, they have now declared)

God Bless America

Lee

In reply to Will,

How can you say the people responsible for the bombing are like us.
The fanatical animals from the islamic terrorist organisations can not be classed as human.

They are just barbaric lowest form of life cowards, who defy democracy
and have no regard for human life.

These extremists must be hunted down and finished once and for all, not like Saddam Hussein who was allowed to slip through the net.

Lee

Lee, demonizing people will not help the situation. It will only make it easier for the US Government to launch some kind of massive and indescriminate attack against a foreign people in a foreign land.

The people who carried out this appalling attack are a small group, 100s? 1000s? If you go steaming in and bomb Kabul say, how many more innocent civilians will die?

As a Brit I am happy to support a measured retaliation with the aim of bringing the guilty to justice. But if you want to go around with an attitude of hunting "fanatical animals" who must be "finished once and for all", then frankly you're on your own sunshine

I don't think you can call this cowardly. I couldn't conceive of a plan where I would go to flight school in a foreign country in anticipation of hijacking an airplane and flying it into a building.

It's a lot of things, but it isn't cowardice.

I think we should also note the bravery of the people aboard the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. They were killed standing up to terrorists. They saved the lives of many and possibly the prestige of the United States of America.

I hope that all will recognize their bravery, and their sacrifice should be acknowledged with the Presidential Medal of Freedom [the highest award that can be given to a civilian].

Two Bit Trigger Pumping Moron
An opinion can be argued with; a conviction is best shot. - T E Lawrence

It simply goes back to previous world conflicts. The US and UK have stood as unflinching allies in all circumstances. Long may that continue.

Peace and love to my American friends.

Simon Jarvis ([email protected])

There is a great deal of animosity between the people of the US and UK at times, if not the governments. That seems to have been forgotten for now. In most countries in Western Europe, terrorism and civilian killing are something that has been experienced. There is a perception over here of America as a greedy bully but that perception sits badly with the scenes in New York. People are remembering that Americans are human too.

I agree with this. People forget that evil acts can also be brave acts.

I also think a great deal of respect should go to whoever foiled the hijackers plans on third plane in Pennsylvania before it did more damage

Hey guys, just as you've stood with us in the past we will stand by you
No need for thanks. Many British have been killed in this disaster too

I think the news reported that people from some 25 nations work at the World Trade Center. One of the tenants was the embassy office of Thailand.

Apparently there are already 100 confirmed British dead . They expect this to go up to the "mid-hundreds" and so this counts as the worst act of terrorism ever against the UK as well as the US.
This does not matter though - we should mourn all the dead wherever they come from.

Thank you UK. I have used a part of your history - our history -world history, to explain to my daughter that we must get on with our lives: My husband and I have to go to work and she has to go to school even tho such a terrible thing has happened. I told my daughter how during WWII when London was getting bombed that the people in London went on with their lives as best they could. Those Londoners are an example for us.

Researcher 184129 (who might really want to spend a few minutes personalizing his or her Space and coming up with a more "personal" identification) mentioned that "The US and UK have stood as unflinching allies in all circumstances." I very much apprciate the concern and empathy, and don't wish to demean it.

I'm American, and this week I haven't had enough chances to smile. So ONLY in an effort to do so, I'd like to suggest that Researcher 184129 may wish to consider the exceptions in 1776 and 1812.

Seriously, Blair's remarks brought feelings of brotherhood to all of us in the States. Throughout all this, I've held back my tears, or at least resisted letting them down my face. When I witnessed the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, listening to OUR national anthem being played, the tears flowed freely.

Thank you all, but especially Britain! You've given us Monty Python. You've given us Doug Adams. You've brought smiles to our faces, and great music to our ears. And now, when we are recovering from this unthinkable crime, you've got your arms over our shoulders. Thanks, and God bless you all!

-Dent

Hey! What about Blackadder!

I actually wrote this in reply to a conversation thread regarding the changing of the guards. However i feel it is relative to this conversation as i believe it conveys just how the British people feel:

It was the first time the changing of the guards had ever been 'changed' and as a British Citizen i believe rightly so. A small gesture from a deeply saddened nation. There is absolutely no justification for the terrorism inflicted upon your nation. I am not one to claim great knowledge about America and her adversaries but i dont see how this has achieved anything. Perhaps these terrorists wanted to tear your country apart, instead it has unified it with all the free and democratic nations across the world, or perhaps it wanted to destroy your symbols of greatness, instead it has evoked a greatness not visible in buildings but in the spirit of the american people. America will not go quietly into the night.

Can i say that everyone i know was terribly disturbed by the plight of the US. It is during our darkest hours as a nation that you have stood by us and now as you face yours, we too will stand by our American friends. May i state my Prime minister, and i believe he speaks for the whole of my nation when he said 'This is not a battle between the United States and terrorism but between the free and democratic world and terrorism. We therefore here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy and we, like them, will not rest until this evil is driven from our world.' I cannot speak on what action the US is likely to take, but what i can say is you do not stand alone and shall never do so. 'Their barbarism will stand as their shame for all eternity'

God bless America

A saddened British girl xxx

I couldn't agree with you more.