Two Years, 6 months later

Spain suffers the largest terrorist attack on Europe since the Lockerbie bombing on March 11, 2004. I was in Europe on 9-11-2001, and when the WTC was hit, Europeans responded with dramatic displays of emphathy, to me personally and in large groups corporately. Many countries observed moments of silence, the BBC turned all of it's attention to the U.S., and even the French, who have taken a fair share of abuse from this side of the Atlantic, expressed their condolences in simple eloquence: "We are all Americans," proclaimed Le Monde. Perhaps the most moving experience was in the Iona, Scotland monestary on Sept 11, when they held a memorial service for the American dead. Whatever you think of Europe today with all that has transpired in the last two years, they grieved with us then.

Sadly, the U.S. doesn't seem to be responding in kind. Yes, I know that the death toll in Madrid is in the hundreds, not the thousands. But our shock and horror should be no less real. I don't know that we are all Spaniards, but I am one today. Spain, our prayers are with you.