Comments

Thank you for posting this Dinka. It gave me a lot to think about. I was especially moved by the following:

"Para los que los querían, no hay fronteras ni hay banderas: hay vacío que duele y ya nunca se llenará."

Very true.

Oh, and someone from Europe actually told me that we had asked for 9-11. Basically, that we deserved it. Whatever anyone's thoughts may be on this and what caused it, it just hurt a lot to hear it, especially so soon after the attacks when emotions were flying high iykwim.

I think those comments are distasteful to say the least. I think people are just looking for reasons to make themselves believe it can't happen to them. I thought the article was a good illustration of that. Plus it seems to me Europeans tend to be quite more cynical.

oh and i must admit i just loved reading a colloquial spanish text with specifically spanish (as in, from spain) expressions...

You know, as I read the comments made by others to that particular blog entry, I see that both sides make very good points. There is a lot of anger and bias on both sides (it's striking to me just how little we all know of each other's cultures), but ultimately, it comes down to real people, from real families, losing their lives. It's all so very sad.

I must admit that I had to chuckle at the one guy who said that some of the Americans he met while vacationing here in the states, actually asked him where in South America Spain was! Ack! If you ever watch Jay Leno, they always do that "man on the street" bit where they ask people simple questions like, "Who is the sitting president?"...and they don't know! Unbelievable.

But back to the blog, and the premise that there was a lot of criticism over 9-11 and such, I *have* heard a lot of criticism over the recent election in Spain, but nothing distasteful with regard to the bombings. Some of the criticisms I read re: the election, I read from another Spanish blog. But that was understandable, as I believe the blogger was for el partido popular.

I really can't stomach any tasteless humor regarding tragedies like the bombing, 9-11, or anything else. :x

I agree with you about the Spanish. I wish I had as firm a grasp of it, but while I can speak it, I butcher it when I attempt to write it. But I thoroughly enjoy the colloquialisms (although most of it sounded very formal to me...of course, I speak an awful lot of Spanglish which explains it).

lol about the "where in LA is spain...". i can empathize. i have my share of stories as well... actually i think it was shannon (if you're reading this, you are welcome to join) who told me someone once asked her if there was a bridge from mexico to spain...!?!?!

i agree with you on the rest of course. somehow compassion has a hard time crossing borders.. i wonder why that is, uhm... patriotism? see this is where i see thinking in terms of nationalities is very unhelpful and detrimental, but i'm repeating myself... ;)

lol! I've heard a few doozies myself. Too funny...or is it sad? I must admit that geography is not a strong point for many...but the examples cited are just ridiculous.

If I had a blog, I'd share even more stories of the like. But I have too many to recount, so maybe it's a good thing I don't blog.

BTW, I totally agree with your take on compassion. This is particularly when we are called to be people of good faith (and buenos sentimientos) before anything else.