European leaders trying to bring balance to American response.

September 16, 2001 3:47 PM

European leaders trying to bring balance to American response. "...Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has offered Mr. Bush his full support, insisted on Friday that any retaliation "must and will be based on hard evidence," and his spokesman has said that the support does not amount to a 'blank check.' "
posted by Brilliantcrank (11 comments total)

good, i was afraid this "war on terrorism" was starting to sound too much like our "war on drugs" and would be just about as effective.
posted by cheesebot at 4:01 PM on September 16, 2001

Considering that there's been no response yet, I don't think they have much to worry about.
posted by aaron at 4:04 PM on September 16, 2001

Kind of funny, they're fair-weather allies. "Oh yeah that whole terrorist thing we promised we'd do... uh I was actually planning on washing my hair... so count me out"

Nothing's happened yet, they shouldn't back out so quickly. Talk is cheap.
posted by geoff. at 4:12 PM on September 16, 2001

Thinking before you act is not such a bad thing (although maybe a change for the US of A).
posted by nonharmful at 4:15 PM on September 16, 2001

I think reserving the right to not do exactly what America says is fair enough.
posted by Summer at 4:46 PM on September 16, 2001

I think it's reasonable enough for European governments to be wary of President Bush's "good versus evil" idea of the world.
posted by girlscantell at 6:50 PM on September 16, 2001

I think it's reasonable enough for European governments to be wary of President Bush's "good versus evil" idea of the world.

I'm sure that Bush would be flattered that you just attributed something to him which is a staple ideology of the human race and has been since we were put here on this planet...

If you read the statements Islamic extremists and many fundamentalists, I think you'll see even stronger language...
posted by fooljay at 7:20 PM on September 16, 2001

I cannot say how much relief this article gives me. I believe that it would be morally wrong for America to declare war right now, with the evidence we have, and for the reasons we would be doing it. It's been an unpopular, even kinda lonely position to take lately.

There's so much chest thumping going on right now, and so much violent reaction that is along the lines of, "you fucked with America, now you're going to get it." It's almost a universal opinion. I couldn't sleep for hours last night, thinking about how much I had overestimated the propensity for wisdom at a time like this. The most advanced civilization in the world turning into a mass of foaming attack dogs in 24 hours. It's a very disappointing revelation about human nature.

But it's good to know that there are people who are still thinking about this, and who aren't just going to roll over and give in to the desire for revenge. It cheers me up, because I think the reason Europe is arriving at this conclusion is that they are more detached than America to the horror of what has happened. It gives me up that if we let ourselves cool off, maybe we won't do anything stupid. Christ, if you're not supposed to go to bed angry, what makes us think we should go to war like that?
posted by Hildago at 9:30 PM on September 16, 2001

While I respect the UK and most of the other NATO nations, I offer a pre-emptive: IGNORE FRANCE. Thank you.
posted by ParisParamus at 9:34 PM on September 16, 2001

Gee, Europe once again resorts to the weapons of hand wringing and "stern condemnation" no doubt winging its way through the UN. I'm sure the perpetrators are so afraid of that.

I'm not saying Europe should be "bomb the bastards" (notice: we have done nothing yet) but their relucatance to be tough with acts like this is their standard, sorry m.o.
posted by owillis at 9:56 PM on September 16, 2001

owillis,
Oh come on. Europe is doing nothing worse than the US did in WWII. If they want to sit out Bush's War on Drugs II Terrorism then so be it. Personally I think they are doing the right thing.

Personally I think that the companies who have bought the right influence are looking at this 'war' on Terrorism to bring them the same type of financial windfalls that the war on drugs has brought law-enforcement and correctional institutions. Their puppet president is doing the only thing that he is apparently good at, making Americans forget about logical thinking and give into emotional reactionary thinking.

Remember: Justice != Revenge.
posted by DragonBoy at 10:41 PM on September 16, 2001