Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
One of my co-workers is a programmer from Switzerland. He has lived in the US for about 12 years. Tuesday night his parents and brother called him from Switzerland, all of them almost in tears. Not out of concern for him, but out of shock and utter disbelief at what had happened. They told him that every church bell in Switzerland rang at high noon, and most of the country shut down.
I didn't quite understand, I mean, Yeah it's a horrible thing for the US, but why are people in other countries taking this as hard or harder than we are?
(This guy's used to work for compaq and then sun micro in Switzerland, Germany, and some other places in Europe before finally coming to the US and gaining dual citizenship)...
He explained to me that "native" Americans have no understanding on how their country is viewed abroad. He described that the United States is viewed as a Giant among Men, a land with no equal, and the epitomy of power and justice.
We somtimes complain of having to be the world's "police"... yet until recently I never understood (and still have a hard time) how much reverence and respect the US has all over the world, and how we are looked at as everyone's "big brother".
He told me that the sentiment in his parent's town was that the US should obliterate the entire middle east, level it.
The civilized world wants, expects, and demands retribution. After talking to him, I have no doubt the US will have little trouble with gaining any assistance or cooperation we ask for.
Soon, gentlemen, it will be our turn to "dance in the streets" .
ps. . if your sick of the lightweight reporting we're getting, TLC (the learning channel) is broadcasting the BBC 24x7 (so far)... a lot less fluff and a lot more pure information.
I didn't quite understand, I mean, Yeah it's a horrible thing for the US, but why are people in other countries taking this as hard or harder than we are?
(This guy's used to work for compaq and then sun micro in Switzerland, Germany, and some other places in Europe before finally coming to the US and gaining dual citizenship)...
He explained to me that "native" Americans have no understanding on how their country is viewed abroad. He described that the United States is viewed as a Giant among Men, a land with no equal, and the epitomy of power and justice.
We somtimes complain of having to be the world's "police"... yet until recently I never understood (and still have a hard time) how much reverence and respect the US has all over the world, and how we are looked at as everyone's "big brother".
He told me that the sentiment in his parent's town was that the US should obliterate the entire middle east, level it.
The civilized world wants, expects, and demands retribution. After talking to him, I have no doubt the US will have little trouble with gaining any assistance or cooperation we ask for.
Soon, gentlemen, it will be our turn to "dance in the streets" .
ps. . if your sick of the lightweight reporting we're getting, TLC (the learning channel) is broadcasting the BBC 24x7 (so far)... a lot less fluff and a lot more pure information.
