I'd also like to point out that on Monday, an estimated 200,000 people turned out in Oslo for what was originally planned to be a "rose parade". The parade portion was canceled at the request of the police due to the huge number of people who turned out. --200,000 is more than 1/3 of the population in Oslo. Other cities also saw huge turnouts.
I am very amazed, but in many ways not surprised, at just how different the reaction has been in Norway as compared to 9/11 in the US and 7/7 in the UK.
> I am very amazed, but in many ways not surprised, at just how different the reaction has been in Norway as compared to 9/11 in the US and 7/7 in the UK.
I'm sorry, what? Given the context of your statement, this sounds awfully like a criticism. I remember quite a heart warming show of solidarity in the US after 9/11 and indeed an amazing show of solidarity with the US by the whole world after 9/11. I remember being immensely touched. It's irritating to have people using Norway's tragedy to take pot shots at the US. I don't want to get into a debate about whether there's good reason for the US and Norway to respond differently to their respective attacks--now is not the time--but it's hard to avoid when confronted with repeated digs.
Oh, I'll be quite clear: I'm criticizing the way the US reacted to 9/11. And although I don't think it should matter, I'm an American citizen, and didn't move overseas until 2006.
So yes, having been in both the US and Norway during their respective disasters, I have absolutely no problem in stating that, so far at least, Norway has handled this act of terrorism - on all levels - political and otherwise - much better, and with much more solidarity, than the US did after 9/11.
"Given the context of your statement, this sounds awfully like a criticism. I remember quite a heart warming show of solidarity in the US after 9/11 and indeed an amazing show of solidarity with the US by the whole world after 9/11."
Sidenote: I was annoyed by how Bush didn't include Canada in the list of countries he thanked after we had down medical supplies, medical practitioners, re-directed flights and helped stranded passengers... It took three years before he finally thanked the country.
I am very amazed, but in many ways not surprised, at just how different the reaction has been in Norway as compared to 9/11 in the US and 7/7 in the UK.
You can read more about it here: http://www.newsinenglish.no/2011/07/26/extraordinary-show-of...
I've been taking pictures over the last week, including at Monday's events: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tallanvor/sets/7215762713080899...