Broadway & Ally - I don't really even know either of you. We're mutual bloggers with mutual friends. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers for the terrible losses you and your families have experienced. If there is anything at all I can do for either of you, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will certainly be thinking of you both.

You've probably already seen this today, but I recieved this e-mail from a friend and wanted to share it with you all:

Subject: FW: Article from Canadian Newspaper.

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most
generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out
of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and
forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying
even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who
propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the
streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries
in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by
tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into
discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about
the decadent, war mongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the
erosion of the United States dollar build its ownairplane. Does any other
country in the world have a plane to equalthe Boeing Jumbo Jet, the
Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10?

If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except
Russia fly American Planes?
Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the
moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk
about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American
technocracy, and you find men on the moon-not once, but several times-and
safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs
right in the store window for everybody to look at.

Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our
streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are
getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through
age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them.
When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody
loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other
people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to
the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during
the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired
of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with
their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at
the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is
not one of those."

Stand proud, America!
This is one of the best editorials that I have ever read regarding the
United States. It is nice that one man realizes it. I only wish that the
rest of the world would realize it. We are always blamed for everything,
and never even get a thank you for the things we do.

I would hope that each of you would send this to as many people
as you can and emphasize that they should send it
to as many of their friends until this letter is sent to every
person on the web. I am just a single American that has read this, I SURE
HOPE THAT A LOT MORE READ IT SOON.

Also,
To show the terrorists that we Americans stick together, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 is "Flags Across America" day. All Americans are asked to display the American flag either in their homes or cars. Let's keep the meaning of UNITED in "United States".

Pass this onto as many people as you know.

And,
Subject: Candle Lighting

Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism. Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list. We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly.

The message: WE STAND UNITED - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM.

We need press to cover this-- we need the world to see.

**************************************************************************************************************************

We need to show solidarity, so that the world knows that we will survive, and so that we know that we're here for each other. There's strength in numbers, so join together.
Don't be afraid to hug your loved ones or tell someone you care. Don't hold back your love - give it out hard and strong so there is no doubt of the power there! Don't let a moment go by where you wonder if you've said all that you should say or done all that you can do, because recent events have taught us that we're fragile and very, very mortal.

Peace.