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

Willem, Mr. Pillow, this is Phil. We spoke a lot some months back on the Colonel's board about and around atheism. Sorry for being away for so bloody long, but the change to BBC just soured me on the Guide. I hope this finds you well and in good health.

We Americans have had a very weird week. I don't know how to describe how I feel, how my neighbors and family feel. Certainly, we want to strike someone, almost anyone. There are American flags everywhere, lots of people trying to tempor their initial reaction with some measure of understanding, lots of people spouting thier willingness to act without understanding.

We've cried alot the past week, not so much about the death, the destruction and suffering, but much more from the tokens of friendship and respect from other nations. It is as if we are at a funeral, and our neighbors and friends have visited to pay their respects. We cannot express our gratitude to Canada. The ground-hold on air traffic and the denial of landing to all international flights forced some 30,000 unexpected visitors on Canada, and the risk of accepting flights which may also have been hijacked. Canada unflinchingly and without question accepted the risk, and her citizens extended every hospitality they could to our, yes, American refugees. No nation has ever had a better neighbor.

Aircraft are in the air again now. We had two days without any commercial traffic, no contrails in the sky and no jet sounds for this culture which has become so used to them.

We are beginning to accept it now. I was fortunate to be off that Tuesday, watching television with many millions of others. I think we were touched by the face of Chaos. It has scarred us. What follows will be very dirty, very costly and very long. And we, none of us, have any idea what changes we will force upon the rest of the planet. Whatever these changes are, I don't think we are in any mood to ask anyone's forgiveness

[email protected]

Captain Phil

Sorry it's taken so long for anyone to get back to you. I'm Fenny, one of the Pillowcase's other friends, and I'm thinking you haven't been around for a while, or you might have seen him more recently with a different handle. I'm pleased I surfed back to this page, to find you; if not you may have waited a while longer.

Willem (following certain episodes in the Summer, he has been known as Grief, Terror, Torment, and Despair, and has used a different userpage: http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U168712) has been very vocal about those certain issues. He's stood up for his beliefs and rights, and has worked very hard to try to change attitudes. Unfortuantely, that has been hard on him. He's currently taking some time out, but I know he'll be anxious to talk to you when he returns. I invite you to go to the site of "Grief, Terror, Torment and Despair" in order to see why he's taking time off. As a medicine to that page, though, I suggest a page with potential for so much more happiness. Many many people felt as you did, that he is a soul with much to give, and have gathered together to create something to welcome him back. I give you a link to that page, too: http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U185434.

In the meantime I hope you will accept my support. I have cried, from England. The Case certainly grieved, from South Africa. This is not only an American tragedy, but a world-wide one. I have posted a link from my Zero Intolerance site to a graphic done by a British Newspaper, to show just how devastating it was even at first report - the numbers have grown since then.

It's a scary time. Most people in England haven't lived through a war on a grand scale like this (there have been wars, yes, but not World Wars) and this is one without an enemy. But the good side of people begins to show. Across the nations, the technology of the internet has been a bridge to allow people to share their fears. I don't discount the influence of the opinions that have been shared by bytes and nibbles on the policies of the Governments ready to go to war.

Before I go, I add my hope that you have healed somewhat since you left the message. Healing is a necessary part of the process, and it makes life easier.

All best wishes

x x Fenny (Hoping for Zero Intolerance)