Reaction Abroad

I am also curious about this. I'm leaving next Monday to travel all over Europe- and while I know I can't get to scared and back out of the trip, I am a little nervous. But, it seems like it's just as dangerous to be in the U.S. as it is anywhere else right now. Hopefully someone abroad can let us know what's going on.

Hamas has officially condemned America for the assassination. Natch. There are of course many elements within Europe that are quite sympathetic to Hamas. But I don't quite know how it might transpire that Americans traveling in Europe would be targets. Seems mighty far-fetched. As a short-term tourist, I'd personally be more worried about the dollar's demise than my own.

I don't see how this changes much. Those who wanted to kill Americans before still do. I really doubt anyone would target Americans today that didn't want to kill Americans on 4/30. Al quada will strike when they have the operational opportunity. Plus you are safer in Europe. They want to attack the USA.

The reaction seems to be mostly 'Good riddance" to a vile human being, tempered by a little bit of worry that there will be some revenge attack. If you're an independent tourist, I wouldn't worry a lick about being a victim. Terrorists try to attack predictable targets... if you're traveling over here, you don't have an established routine that they can depend on to launch an attack.

"If you're an independent tourist, I wouldn't worry a lick about being a victim. Terrorists try to attack predictable targets... if you're traveling over here, you don't have an established routine that they can depend on to launch an attack." Actually, Tom, I'm not so sure that Americans' routines are so unpredictable. Thanks to Rick, it seems like all of the ones who visit Germany are either in Rothenburg, Neuschwanstein, Baden-Baden or Bacharach, or on a Rhine cruise boat. If there is a terrorist out there with such intentions, he'd have a full ion of Americans to choose from in these places. And he could just look for the ones with the RS guidebooks.

>> Are people regularly talking about it? / Are people surprised it happened? Of course. >> Is the media covering it as much as they are in the US? I don't know how much the US media covers it, so the comparison is difficult to make ;-) But it is the top story of every news show and newspaper of today. On the other hand it did not completely replaced the normal schedule of the networks. >> Has the reaction been mostly positive? Well pretty much everyone is glad that such a dangerous and guilty man isn't at large anymore. There are no people celebrating in the streets though. He hasn't such an enormous symbolic importance here as in the US. It is more of a grim "well, it had to be done" feeling than something one celebrates. >> Is there now a concern in terms of security for the time being? Just three days ago German authorities arrested three suspected al-Qaeda members in the evaluation stage of an terrorist attack.
So most people around here don't think that al-Qaeda "held back" until now. It may be a recruitment tool in the medium run, but the existing al-Qaeda was doing its level best to hurt the west as bad as they possibly could already. There simply isn't much room for any intensification of their efforts, is there?

Yes, they are reporting it. There is some talking about it, but no celebrating, for sure. I actually got a chuckle out of one talk radio station this morning that was making a big deal about how Brian Williams was reporting it. They actually called him the most famous journalist in the US. They're making a big deal out of the celebration in front of the While House and in NYC. My husband's colleagues were surprised/disappointed he wasn't more excited/happy about it. They have this image (thanks to the reports of the celebrations) that all Americans are celebrating it. And the embassy sent out a nice message to all citizens living abroad with the new alert. They do warn that embassies may not be available with their normal hours if they need to close for security assessment. That could definitely affect a citizen traveling abroad who needs assistance (ie lost passport.)

Hi Stuart,
We are in Italy--presently in Bologna. No one we've met here mentioned a thing about the news. Perhaps it was too late for newspaper headlines this a.m. - it will be interesting to check tomorrow.

To believe that Americans are the only targets plays right into the terrorists hands. As Mark mentioned just last Friday in Düsseldorf and Bochum an Al Qaeda cell of terrorists were arrested. What they are seeking are targets of opportunity whatever nationality they may be. With these arrests in mind one can rest a little easier knowing the German authorities are not looking at it as just an American problem.

I'm wondering if anyone else felt the world briefly stop spinning on its axis today. It happened when Rush Limbaugh praised Barack Obama...

Even the Haters have to give Obama props on this one.

Thanks Karen, I was wondering what happened, thought it was an earthquake. That also explains the flock of Porky Pigs cousins that flew by my window today.

Yes, Karen I did! Just waiting for The Donald to take the credit.

No doubt that is why Bin Laden is finding it chillier than expected in Hell. Pam

Stuart, I haven't seen too much reaction from abroad yet, other than from the leaders of Britain, Australia, Canada and a few other countries. BBC was broadcasting the speech from the White House very close to "real time" (I checked on the net while I was watching CNN). Al Jazeera apparently covered it also, but I haven't seen any comments from them. I'm sure everyone is "breathing a sigh of relief". I've been out most of the day (including doing my civic duty to vote in the Federal Election today), so haven't had time to switch on the RAI Italian news or BBC. I'll try and watch it tonight.

I haven't seen much reaction from local people here or on base. However, yesterday I had to go off base for a bit and when I returned, as I was about to go back in through the gate, a well dressed young Italian gentleman came up with a big smile on his face and tried to hand something to me; I looked down and it was a drawing of an American flag with the words "Freedom 1 : Bin Laden 0...THANK YOU USA!" I was very touched.

Rik, that is a very touching story. And pam... "Just waiting for The Donald to take the credit." That's hilarious!

Front page news of the daily paper in South Australia and the rest of Oz. General feeling of unease re retalitory attacks and question being asked 'Will anything really change'. Another quote "10 years, millions of dollars for what???!!" Likened this situation to the demise of Saddam Hussein. What did this achieve????!!!

If you would like to read the views and reactions from other expats, living mostly in Germany, have a look at Toytown. This is a website for English speakers living in Germany. The news about bin laden, was announced yesterday morning and the thread already has 30 pages of posts. Some are from crack-pot conspiracy believers, some are jokes, some are very thoughtful. http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=213914&st=0

Pretty quiet here in Vienna. No one said anything to me about it. I gather the view is rather stern approval of the "sometimes these things have to be done" variety. But no celebrations for sure. That and mild apprehension that there might be an attempt at an attack somewhere in Europe again.

We are in Spain now and did not even know this happened until this morning (May 3 here). Now we will watch for reactions.

It was top of the news here yesterday- in fact when I turned the radio on at 7am, they didn't announce it, instead they played President Obama's speech. I haven't seen the newspapers today but I'm sure it'll be the main part of the news (With the time difference it happened too late for yesterdays papers).

I find the celebrations inappropriate and the very thing to rub salt into the wounds of his followers. A little decorum wouldn't go amiss. 3 children also apparantly lost their lives. Spain and Britain also suffered terrorist attacks in his name, although the death toll was not so high, and there has been no celebration as far as I am aware. I thought it a shame that the celebrations in New York were televised. In answer to your question, yes, I would say that the reaction has been mostly positive, just slightly less jubilant. As the Pakistani government says 'the world should move on', although this may just be a vain hope that the rest of the world will forget that Pakistan was harbouring the world's most wanted man.

I think the wild celebrations in NYC, although understandable, may be a little premature. This was a good result, but I'm sure that's not the end of it. And I don't think this will make any difference to travel safety.
Roger

The towers did not fall in their country. They have not lost as many sons and daughters to this war as we have. They aren't all that invested. I'm not saying they don't care, but you can't expect them to understand

Am I the only one who noticed that many (most?) of the people celebrating in NYC and D.C. appeared to be college students? I realize people that age are eager to celebrate just about anything, but I can't share their sense of jubilation; 9/11 and the many other terrorist attacks perpetuated by bin Laden were too horrific, as was the way he died (I read that he used his wife as a human shield). Most of the reactions I've read, specifically from people who were either actually survivors of the 9/11 attacks or lost loved ones, have been very subdued. This has also been the reaction I've found with my friends and co-workers.

I wish Trump would stick to his Miss Universe contests and find himself another young 'un to keep him quiet. We're travelling in two weeks and will be in Europe for 3 months. I won't change my plans because of those loonies, but yes, I am a little "concerned." Still, attacks can happen on this side of the pond too... It's good that Osama was finally smoked out. That was one helluva a long smoke though! I almost forgot who had promised to smoke him out a few years ago, LOL

"The towers did not fall in their country. They have not lost as many sons and daughters to this war as we have. They aren't all that invested. I'm not saying they don't care, but you can't expect them to understand." I heard Tony Blair say more British citizens died as a result of 9/11 than from the IRA (actually, he said Irish terrorists, but whatever).

I rmemeber broadcasts of a lot of celebrating going on in Palestine, Damascus, and multiple Arab cities after 9/11/2011, so celebration of the death of the man that caused that, is NOT INAPPROPRIATE at all, IMO.

I agree with Elaine. Celebrating the death of a mass murderer is not inappropriate - that's a bunch of crap. It's very appropriate and well deserved.

Michael, What a well written post! I suspect there are many who feel the same way. I heard on the news this morning that they have decided not to release the photos of the incident, and IMHO that's a good call. I also felt that it would probably inflame the situation even more. Cheers!

Regardless of whether you consider the street celebrations "appropriate" or not, I would characterize them as "ill-advised", since they serve to inflame the opposition. The military members I know have expressed concern that celebrations of this type, while perhaps understandable, have the potential to put them at even higher risk than they are already. I would feel more comfortable if people viewed these events more seriously, rather than as a party opportunity, and considered the ramifications.

To quote F. Scott Fitzgerald: "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." Neither did Osama received a fair trial. Additionally, he was unarmed when shot. Yet, we are not generally in favor of shooting unarmed men without a trial. But OBL was responsible for the death of 3,000 innocent men, women and children and he was encouraging more such attacks. I'm comfortable with his end. Call me a hypocrite if you wish. Each must ponder where the moral tipping point is according to his or her own heart-felt convictions. ...Or... perhaps a much respected fellow poster is just attempting to have a little fun by yanking our chain? Surely his was not an attempt to politicize the discussion. Oder?

I didn't care for the public celebrations, because they very closely resembled the celebrations one might see on television when a city wins the Super Bowl or the World Series. This isn't a game. It just seemed inappropriate when this is such serious business with so much at stake – 3000 killed on 9/11, another 6000 killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 40,000 wounded in action. Plus, tens or hundreds of thousands more killed and wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm okay with OBL dead. It had to be done, and the special forces who led the operation should be congratulated. But I don't feel like celebrating or gloating. The world is also a better place without Timothy McVeigh, but it wouldn't have been right to celebrate his execution either IMO. Both of these men waged war on the people of the United States, and both lost their lives in the end for doing it. And I don't think you can really compare killing an enemy on the battlefield with executing a condemned criminal. For the record, I am opposed to the death penalty in all cases. I suspect most people have mixed emotions about this news...I know I do. As for whether or not one should be extra cautious or avoid traveling altogether at this time, there is inherent risk in simply living your life. You could have a brain aneurism and die suddenly two minutes from now, you could be killed in an auto accident on your way home tonight, you could die in a tornado outbreak in 2 days, or you could die naturally and peacefully years from now at the age of 92. While it's possible you could fall victim to a terrorist attack while on vacation in Europe, the odds are so remote as to make it nearly impossible. But then again, you could be struck by lightning during a non-severe storm tomorrow. Go, travel, live your life, don't fear, and don't worry. Just don't go adventure hiking in the mountains near Islamabad.

What a great post Michael. Thank you.
And no, I won't be going hiking!

I saw on T.V. the celebration in some of the Arab world on 9/11. I don't think the celebration in NY was any different.

I also agree with Michael too. You expressed so well all the thoughts churning in my brain. Thank you for sharing them.

For Pam and Susan... The Donald.

Michael... very well said... I am also against the death penalty in all cases, which is what makes this such a difficult situation for many. I am relieved that he is gone and would not have wanted to see a trial here...that would have been a sideshow.
I, for one, would have been ashamed of my kids or grandkids had they celebrated the death, no matter how evil that person was. I do not think we should look to the celebrations against us as a model for how we should act.

"I saw on T.V. the celebration in some of the Arab world on 9/11. I don't think the celebration in NY was any different." The Arab world was celebrating the mass murder of over 3000 innocent people. The people in NY were celebrating the fact the the man who was responsible for the aformentioned mass murder of over 3000 innocent people was finally brought to justice. Yeah, that's the same.

I read this on a Flemish newspaper website, but I think it's a quote from the US, arguing against the killing of bin Ladin. Proper justice would have been better served by forcing him to continuously go through airport security for the rest of his life!

"The towers did not fall in their country. They have not lost as many sons and daughters to this war as we have. They aren't all that invested. I'm not saying they don't care, but you can't expect them to understand" Actually, you will find that there are MANY people in Europe who know only too well what it is like to be bombed by a madman. And the process of getting rid of the nazi version took a lot longer. People here DO understand. Roger

Of course we understand. Britain was under attack from the IRA for decades (and still is to some extent) long before terrorist attacks became more 'commonplace' in the US and long before current Islamic threats. I am talking about the stress of living with a long term threat rather than the number of dead in any one attack and what it does to the national psyche. I suppose I kind of hoped that we might be a bit more circumspect in our 'celebration' and not think 'an eye for an eye' a necessarily good way of conducting international relationships. This does not solve problems. Like Figaro I also noticed the ages of the those celebrating and wondered if they were aware of how it looked on the international stage. I cannot think of an instance when 'celebrating' the death of an individual is appropriate, and the excuse that the Arabs do it is, in my view, not an argument, we are not in the playground. From either side it is unacceptable. I hope that those that lost loved ones on 9/11 can take some comfort from the fact that Bin Laden has paid the price, but I shouldn't imagine that they are partying. For me it would be more a time for reflection. Perhaps if we could listen to eachother a little more before blasting people off the face of the earth we might learn something. Too many people believe in OBL and we may ignore them at our peril.

@Roberta - "They aren't all that invested" - you really think that?? They were, and are, targets too. It isn't all about numbers. @Elaine - so, did you think the celebrations of Sept 11 were appropriate?