How is 9/11 viewed internationally?

[Doc Theta Sigma]

Well let me put it this way. On 9/11 roughly 3,000 Americans were killed. However since the 2003 invasion of Iraq over 100,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed.

Take a wild guess which number has more impact to me.

 

[mitchell271]

Canada. We feel bad for those affected but we kinda feel you guys should just move on. It has been 10 years.

 

[Thaluikhain]

That doesn't even mention the fact that the whole American political, cultural, and societal landscape was literally forever changed by the course of the war. Not since the Vietnam War has there ever been a single event that altered the course of American, and arguably the world's, history.

Er...dissolution of the USSR?

 

[superslyngel]

From Denmark

Most of my friends and family remember "9/11" quite clear.
I believe what shocked us the most about it, was 2 things.

1) That people who would perform such a horrific act could go undetected.

and

2) How it made a nation most of us held in high regard, transform into somthing, that we can barely recognize anymore.

 

[CJ1145]

It's one thing to not care, but I have a special piece of hate in my heart for people who think of it as meaningless. It really doesn't matter what country they were from, three thousand people died at once because a couple of sick fucks decided to get them involved in a conflict they had nothing to do with beyond being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyone who felt nothing towards that can come and claim a little piece of "Fuck you" from me in person. Tragedy is tragedy.

My only problem is that they made a damn holiday out of it.

 

[Kuroneko97]

Its overuse in U.S. politics as almost a catchphrase is sickening.

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I have to agree with you on that. Sure, it was a tragic event, but it's not the only tragic event in our history.

Then again, it may be hard for me to connect with this event, seeing as I was three, almost four, when it happened. Yet life will continue on. There's nothing we can do. It's in the past. We can mourn, sure, but acting as if this was the worst thing that happened to the WORLD is just...illogical.

I won't debate whether or not it changed many things in our country (Such as airports *RAGE*) but I can debate whether or not it's the worst thing to have ever happened.

 

[MikeOfThunder]

Anyone who cannot see the massive political and cultural implications of a terrorist attack on that scale, which prime purpose was the destroying of the 'West' is obviously an idiot.

Thankyou sir! I completely agree with you here. It isn't only about the loss of life that makes it important but what the attack on the 11th September 2001 respresents to our way of life.

I have come to accept that on this website many people tend to enjoy being 'different', so I half expected that a fair ammount of people on here would go on about how 9/11 wasn't that bad or that they didn't give a shit about it. Strangely enough half the people on the first page have proven that to be the case. I don't believe that people need to be crying their eye's out or waving flags or anything like that, I just think that its important to remember such an event and to be respectful.

In Britain, 9/11 (No one in Britain refers to it as 11/9, even though thats the correct way in this country) is pretty well respected as far as I'm aware. I always get the feeling, atleast in my area, that it's an attack not only on America but on Britain aswell. I know the 7/7 bombings are 'our thing' but I believe 9/11 has affected us as a country a great deal.

 

[GigaHz]

I'm not American, but I viewed the September 11th attacks as a wake up call. When the bombings happened in London, I hoped the rest of the world opened their eyes too.

You can look at the event a few ways. It's a devastating attack that killed many innocent civilians in a country that is known for its security and military prowess. It's a sign that no matter how reputable a country is, every one is equally vulnerable. Whether people want to accept it or not, there are people out there with an aggressive hatred of the west. These same people would have no problems killing you or your family in cold blood if it meant furthering their extremist agenda.

So while some of you can say "Oh, it's no big deal" or "Get over it", the threat is still relevant. I only hope that these extremists don't blow up a building, public transportation, or anything that you or your family might use in your country. Just because your nation may not be a target now, doesn't mean your nation is safe in the future.

 

[TheFinalFantasyWolf]

It is tragic that 2000+ civilians died and that many families had lost loved ones, but it has been 10 years already. Why do people still remember it like a WW memorial day?

There have been worse tragedies in the world caused by either nature or war, which have caused more civilian deaths than 9/11. Frankly I'm actually sick of hearing about it. I think families who lost loved ones are the only ones who should mourn on that day.

I don't know about any other country, but hear in Australia we've got entire news stations reminding us 5 days prior that it would soon be the aniversary (again) for 9/11. -_-
I had sympathy for the families 10 freaking years ago, I just don't care anymore.

 

[Treefingers]

NZ. Not cared about in the slightest. In fact[footnote]Though to be fair this is just from people I have spoken to about it.[/footnote] people find it distasteful that americans still go on and on about it like it was such a big thing. And the whole "They attacked us!" is disgusting.

Simple fact is this, unless you actually lost a family member in the attack then you really need to stfu about it and stop acting as if it had anything to do with you.

Oh and internationally its viewed 11/9. <.<

So because people don't know any of the 3000+ people killed, they shouldn't care and feel bad for those that lost their lives? I find it pretty distasteful that you don't think it wasn't a big deal considering it was a LOT of civilian deaths. Not trying to give you "This is 'Merica!" speech but seriously dude.

A lot of people were affected by it in a lot of emotional ways regardless of knowing any of the victims just like how Pearl Harbor affected the people that were alive when that happened. I'm sure other people feel the same for tragic attacks in their country as well.

On the topic of civilian deaths, this is how it's remembered by plenty of people i know:

Sad for the innocent lives lost... but there's also a lot of fucked up controversy that it comes with.

Many statistics that come up with these numbers, however, do not take into account two things: One, they do not seperate civilian casualities caused by coalition forces and insurgents.

Two: They do not compare or contrast the number of deaths under previous regimes (think millions), the estimated deaths had these regimes stayed in power (think, about the same as if not more than that bar), and the economic boom that has followed since the US invasion (hint: Iraq is quickly becoming a center for economic power in the middle east, already about twice as rich as it was under Saddam, and the same goes for Afghanistan).)

So to me, these statistics are a moot point.

Yeah of course, the situation for everyone all round could have been worse, but you're side-stepping the issue here, which is one about attitudes and viewpoints.

The point is, USA go on and on and on about being victims. Which they were, of course, but disproportionate to the suffering they've inflicted while using the 'victim' thing as an excuse.

 

[Gothtasical]

Im american and although i do care i see the need to get over it. I personally believe one of the major reasons we celebrated it as often as we did. Is because people didn't wanna keep up the war of terror. I know that sounds blunt however you need something to spark the fire in peoples hearts so that they will keep going. As well as the high threat of another attack seeing as we were still fighting them. So there's that, the fact that it happened so recently. It has happened pretty recently considering most things. Everything considering though i do see the politeness (even if you don't care when someone dies you pay a little respect) yes it was a while ago but it was a massive attack on the US and played a major event in the world. Seeing as to what happened afterwards. So basically i think we do need to get over it, yet still never forget such as we should never forget what happens to other countries. So... yea

 

[Kathinka]

am i by the way the only one to feel old when reading about all the kids who said they were 3 or 5 or whatever when it happened?^^

 

[Captain Bobbossa]

you mean the 11th of September 2001? when Antonio da Costa Santos, mayor of Campinas, Brazil was assassinated? Also the thousands of others that were killed in a military coup at the hands of General Pinochet which by the way was backed by the UK and the US?

Or did you mean something else? Point is, people die in war all the time, why the U.S still hasn't shut-up about it after 10 years I have no idea. We don't really care over in UK to answer your question.

Also it's 11/9 not 9/11, the U.S date system is wrong.

 

[manic_depressive13]

As a not very valid reason for bombing an entire country into the ground.

 

[Avalanche91]

It was a disaster and it happened 10 years ago.

If not for all the major political ramifications it caused, starting wars in the middle east and whatnot, as well as 'mericans CONSTANTLY REMINDING US, the majority of west Europe would have probably forgotten it in a few yours.

I'm all for paying respects, but really.....You people just go on and on with it.

You killed the badguy, destroyed the questionably 'evil' nation. You can move on now.


I would make a stab at how America itself probably caused more civilian casualties in the wars in the middle east, but I'm trying to stay civil

our regards

Holland

 

[Weaver]

While America had one terrible day on 9/11 the middle east has suffered 10 years of constant war and death, yet no Americans pause to remember the innocents that died there. I'd imagine the rest of the world sees your tragedy exactly as you see the tragedy that is the middle east; with a distant indifference.

 

[Takolin]

Even though there's obligatory media attention in Belgium, no one I know actually cares or cared about the whole ordeal.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

In Britain, 9/11 (No one in Britain refers to it as 11/9, even though thats the correct way in this country) is pretty well respected as far as I'm aware. I always get the feeling, atleast in my area, that it's an attack not only on America but on Britain aswell. I know the 7/7 bombings are 'our thing' but I believe 9/11 has affected us as a country a great deal.

Im British, and i view it as a big deal.

I wasn't affected personally by it, so now, ten years on, i see it more as an important historical marker.

The media says that its "the day the world changed", and while I wouldnt say that's quite true, i would agree that its the day "the west changed", at least in our mindset towards security and Islam.

I would say these opinions are true. Just to add to it;

I thought it was world war 3 when the towers got hit. I really did, especially since Bush was in...The fact that someone had attacked America was horrifying becuase no one knew how Bush was going to react.

As a 19 year old I actually thought the nukes were going to start dropping. I was that scared.

Afterwards you couldn't travel anywhere easily anymore in the western world and everyone was on tenterhooks for a really long time. It really did effect people, in the UK at least.

 

[Lord_Nemesis]

Over here it's 11/9. Why America does dates month/day/year is totally beyond me. Its just illogical!

Any to the question. I wouldn't even know it was the aniversary if it wasnt for all these 10 year ani. programmes cloggin up the telly.

 

[adrakonis]

NZ. Not cared about in the slightest. In fact[footnote]Though to be fair this is just from people I have spoken to about it.[/footnote] people find it distasteful that americans still go on and on about it like it was such a big thing. And the whole "They attacked us!" is disgusting.

Simple fact is this, unless you actually lost a family member in the attack then you really need to stfu about it and stop acting as if it had anything to do with you.

Oh and internationally its viewed 11/9. <.<

So because people don't know any of the 3000+ people killed, they shouldn't care and feel bad for those that lost their lives? I find it pretty distasteful that you don't think it wasn't a big deal considering it was a LOT of civilian deaths. Not trying to give you "This is 'Merica!" speech but seriously dude.

A lot of people were affected by it in a lot of emotional ways regardless of knowing any of the victims just like how Pearl Harbor affected the people that were alive when that happened. I'm sure other people feel the same for tragic attacks in their country as well.

On the topic of civilian deaths, this is how it's remembered by plenty of people i know:

Sad for the innocent lives lost... but there's also a lot of fucked up controversy that it comes with.

Many statistics that come up with these numbers, however, do not take into account two things: One, they do not seperate civilian casualities caused by coalition forces and insurgents.

Two: They do not compare or contrast the number of deaths under previous regimes (think millions), the estimated deaths had these regimes stayed in power (think, about the same as if not more than that bar), and the economic boom that has followed since the US invasion (hint: Iraq is quickly becoming a center for economic power in the middle east, already about twice as rich as it was under Saddam, and the same goes for Afghanistan).)

So to me, these statistics are a moot point.

I didn't really like your answer.

For one, it is okay to kill people so long as the economy is booming because of it?

Second the seperation of party's to blame aren't really relavent. It happend because they were invaded and are now trying to fight back. Which now causes more deaths then normal.
Also on the topic of speculation, who is to say that the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan will have any positive effects in the long run? Once the coalition forces have left people will see the possibility for them to grab power in a violent way?

It's arrogance to think that our ways are always the better ones. There are so many actions that could have been taken. Why war against these people? Why should you try and kill at least 10 people for every 1 they have killed of your own?