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From: Dave Williams <dave_at_paddleasia.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] The reaction from Thailand
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 10:03:52 +0700
Hello from Thailand,

I would like to let everyone know that expats here in Thailand as well as
the citizens of this great nation grieve.

I just got back from a visa run to Kota Bharu, Malaysia.  The Muslim people
down there were very friendly and helpful.  I hope that Muslims everywhere
don't get attacked just because of a few madmen.  That would solve
nothing... even though I don't care for their choice of religion, I
certainly don't believe in killing them over it.  I have many Muslim friends
here.  They are appalled by this event.  It doesn't represent their idea of
what Islam is about.

I turned on the TV as soon as I got home.  The Queen of England ordered the
playing of the US National Anthem during the Changing of the Guards.  I
couldn't handle it....  I've broke down to tears many times in the past few
days.

This is making the free world stronger than ever before.  It is truly
unfortunate that the free world couldn't unite like this for peaceful
reasons. I'm reading newspapers and watching TV and everyone in the free
world seems to be supporting severe retaliatory action against terrorists
worldwide.  I hope that our government thinks of all of the consequences
before charging off.

I am very much against the concept of war.  It's a failure of foreign
policy.  Terrorism on the other hand, is an act of war and it's the most
difficult type to deal effectively with.  We really don't know for sure who
is behind this as no terrorists have the courage to claim that they did it.
To attack an entire country, to attack and kill Muslims everywhere would
only make us terrorists as well, but something must be done... and soon.

My heart goes out to all of those who were directly affected and I certainly
can't claim to fully understand how they must feel, but again, I hope from
the bottom of my heart that innocent people in the Middle East don't have to
die for the murderous action of a handful of fanatics.

For those of you who have lost family or friends, my deepest sympathy goes
out to you.

Sincerely,
Dave

Phuket, Thailand


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