[Sca-cooks] FW: TRIBUTE TO AMERICA

[Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir]

>
> Published in 1973. Just as relevant today imo.
>
Is it? Where are those "lands that are gloating over America's troubles"?
None of the countries mentioned in this tribute is, that's for sure. Which
European newspapers are writing about "decadent, warmongering Americans"?

I've been walking around with tears in my eyes (or running down my face) for
the last three days, and my thoughts have been with you constantly.
Everywhere one goes, people are in shock, devastated, filled with sympathy,
and the same is the case all around the world. Thousands and thousands of
Icelanders have paid their respect to American victims and American heroes
by signing books in the embassy or on websites set up for the purpose. Flags
were at half-staff on every public building yesterday and prayers were held
in every church. We have offered to send our elite rescue squad (who have
also gone to help "when earthquakes hit distant cities"). We would donate
blood if you accepted it. I constantly hear people asking "what can we do to
help?" Similar things can be said for every country mentioned in this
tribute. Not all the victims were Americans; each and every one of these
countries lost people in the WTC or in the airplanes; for instance, hundreds
of British lives were lost.

Look, the world is very much different from what it was in 1973. Americans
may not have had much support or sympathy towards the end of the Vietnam war
but they do now, believe me. Don't destroy it by distributing things like
this. I fully understand why many Americans will find this tribute
appropriate or even quite wonderful, but it is a bitter and undeserved
insult for your allies in the rest of the world.

And that's the only thing I have to say about this. My American friends,
please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences for your loss.

Nanna