Question for our International posters

[jewels6567]

I figured that since this might turn into something a little touchy I should post in here.  I was listening to the news last night and had a thought I want to put out there.  We all know that since the 9/11 attacks numerous countries have stood up to pledge their alliance to the US and offer help and there are some that have not of course.  All we've been hearing from is the government of these countries but I'm curious about how the people are feeling about helping the US.  A lot of these countries have been involved in their own wars in the past and some haven't full recovered from those.  



So my question is...what are you hearing from your friends, family, co-workers about helping the US in this war against terrorism?  Do they agree/disagree with what their government is saying publicly?  



Julie

[kohinoor]

Here in Germany there are many people who are afraid to be involved in a war. Espeically elder people (my parents generation) who lived through WW II don't want to see war coming to our country again and most people (of all ages) are afraid that siding with the US will elicit (or is "instigate " the right word?)  the terrorists to attack Germany as well. But even though they are afraid most people think it was right to pledge our alliance to the US because in the opinion of most people the attack was on the whole free world. It was just the first strike that hit in America but it was meant for us all. We often talk about these things over here and most people I know think it is important to do something against terrorism now and to do it together.  It won't stop if we don't stop it and chances are better to do something the more people / countries stand together. With things like these terrorist attacks you cannot say "that happened in America - it's far away". These attacks are not against a certain country (or continent) they are against our freedom and our ideals. And we have to fight for our freedom and our ideals. Not only for the US but for ourselves as well.



This is my opinion and also the opinion of most people I know.



Birgitta

from Germany



 

[countrigal]

Birgitta, it is so great to hear that Germany (through you and those you've had contact with) are taking that view.  If only we could be sure that none of this will come back to bite ANY of us in the butt, but unfortunately we all know that this was only a first strike at freedom and more will come, especially in retaliation for what we've started this weekend.  I only wish that Americans had taken this viewpoint to heart as strongly before 9-11 as they have since.  Terrorist attacks are not new, they've been happening in Japan, Germany, England, Saudia Arabia, etc for years and we should have been attempting to put a complete stop to them a long time ago.  But now that America has opened her eyes, as a public, to what the terrorists are capable of doing, I just pray that we can get the terrorists with minimal retaliations to any of our Compatriots in the Cause.



Praying for everyone involved, directly or indirectly, I am...



Keena

aka CountriGal

[nici]

My experince is the same than Birgittas: most people of course are afraid of war, but nevertheless the willingnes to provide solidarity is very great. And so do I.



Nicole

[swhaley]

The majority of British people do not want war, but then I think that is true of 99.9% of human beings globally. However most Brits realise that you cannot let people get away with these acts of aggression. You only have to look back to the 1930's and the European policy of 'appeasement' towards Hitler. I think we have learnt our lessons from that.

Also the Uk is no stranger to terrorist attacks, we have been attacked by the IRA for the last 30 odd years, the government could have stopped this earlier if they had an ounce of George W Bush's conviction.

So to sum up I think most Brits reluctantly support the war effort.