When visiting friends in Almaar, NL recently, I was asked why the U.S. is doing what we’re doing. Don’t we know that Europe doesn’t agree with us? Don’t we know that we are damaging international commerce and stock markets around the world? Don’t we know that we need allies in these disputes?

I am not an aplogist and these people are good friends. I answered as best I can. We are still a good hearted people. We still have great respect for European peoples and cultures. But we cannot be attacked and then have to ask permission of our neighbors for help. They may choose to help, or not. Our tolerance of certain irregularities (student visas, harboring terrorists, international financial chicanery, etc.) has been lowered by the attacks.

It didn’t help.

Some useful reading on guilt and on outrage, and on positive engagement and inheriting guilt. It also speaks of the abuse you might accept if you also accept the guilt.