Ed,



>>Do you think a roll-tack would work in the narrow confines of Dresden's main street? Or would you have to get help from a passing half-submerged BMW?





Ed, you know the Netherlands have been right in the eye of the storm until now. We are one of the rare countries in the EU that have notnhad any major problems with water and rains yet. It is unbelievable. And it is also unbelievable sad with regards to all that architectual heritage, however bare in mind that these have been around for several 100 years and have probably seens this before and were repaired time and time again.





>>Seriously, Wouter, sorry to hear you and your neighbors have such awfull disaster.



THanks !



>>There's already talk over here of supplies, food, tents, meds., etc.



THanks again, that will be much appreciated as a mental support. For now however most floods are just a nuissance and a discomfort; our own supplies are sufficient. The financial damage in lost revenue and such is much higher, but these people will get back on their feet again with a few well directed support programs.





>>Regardless of your honestly held views on geopolitics, it's never in question that you're all people we care about, and on the "American street" we get all sniffly over other's misfortunes rather easily. So little local charitable organizations and big ones like Red Cross will hold canned-food drives, and contributions will flow in for medical supplies etc.





You know, I have never found American people in the streets to be uncaring or even unkind. Like always it is not the people that can't make compromises or build bridges but rather the powers higher up.



And I'm also very aware that my personal take on federal policies with regard to the US isn't tranposable to the individual US citizen.



You may witness me frown on the speeches daclaring in a warlike manner "to get rid of Wapons of Mass destruction" when knowning that the same administration "nuked" a convention aimed at doing just that a few months before.



But I'm totally convinced that every individual American and European or world citizen sees eye to eye on this matter.



It is the system that is the object of grievences and not the individual citizen. So this "negative image" is a more complex thing than is apparent from the first glance but more importantly it is certainly not something that can't be done away with by simple means and in a short time. However : "educating (improved public communciation) the rest of the world that the US is right" is not it.



I mean (in a joking manner), I'm pretty anxious to see the administration "communicate" the rights and benefits of the "Lets invade The Hague act" to me a (international) law biding citizen of the county around The Hague.



I mean; it is not really that surprising that relations have degraded a bit.



Anyways, I would welcome you in my home, just to show you the small differences.





>>Nothing can bring your dead neighbors back to life; nothing will undo damage to 500 yr old buildings.





Hey, my dead neighbour if I have one was taken from us by nature and nature will take more of us in the times to come. This is not good nor wrong it just is. It has been the way of world since the beginning of time. We celebrate the good times he had during his life and wish him the best in the afterlife at which he is arriving before us. Acceptance without complacentcy (apathacy?) is the key. It is the struggle without hate and the disagreements without emotions.



This have been the way all along and will remain to be just that for centuries to come.



You love nature in her good moments and fight her with honour and respect her when she's upset.



You show your resiliance by rebuilding lost structures and by not losing faith. And faith encloses all human rights like democracy, fair and accountable justice for everyone (no eceptions) and a safe childhood with eduation and free of fair. About last comment; each child must learn to respect nature and the waters but not learn to fear it. The only true thing we must fear is losing our faith in faith itself. And that is not just a pretty phrase.





>>But we do what we can, y'know...



Yes, I'm sure that I can say that "we are very aware of that. " and that that is very appreciated.





>>>Maybe the next "Kyoto treaty" shouldn't exempt the nations contributing to that 5km thick "brown cloud", eh?





Well, you know the stance of the other parties on that. Let me reply to this with the following quote that seems very applicable as advice to the current times :



"All for One ! and One for all !"



Wouter







Ed Norris