World unites in sympathy, anger against terrorism

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STRATHYRE, SCOTLAND Fi-nancial analysts and writers use the expression "global economy" often. The ramifications of the recent atrocities committed by terrorists against the United States dramatically emphasize that. |ret||ret||tab|

But this column is not about a global economy or rational investing. It is about global compassion and unity, as evidenced by what I am seeing and hearing here in my second favorite country Scotland.|ret||ret||tab|

My last visit to this country of great hospitality, haggis, whisky, and golf was in summer 1993 the summer of the great flood in the Midwest. When Scots asked us where we lived in the states, and we told them St. Louis, they were to a person concerned with how the floods were affecting us and our friends and family. |ret||ret||tab|

I was struck by how informed they were about events in the U.S.. I remember thinking how much better informed they were about us than we were about Great Britain. |ret||ret||tab|

I also was struck by their sincere concern and compassion, and how often I was asked what they could do to help.|ret||ret||tab|

And so it is on this visit, as I expected it would be. |ret||ret||tab|

After the horrible events of Sept. 11, I received an in-box full of e-mail from my friends in Scotland. Their revulsion and anger almost equaled mine. Their support is impressive. |ret||ret||tab|

Because of my interest in golf I have made the acquaintance of Martin Vous-den, editor of the Scottish Golf Newslet-ter. He wrote:|ret||ret||tab|

"In the wake of the most appalling terrorist attack ever witnessed, golf and everything else suddenly assumes far less significance in our lives. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this shocking series of events, especially our many friends in America.|ret||ret||tab|

"The future of this year's Ryder Cup is in the balance and will no doubt be decided by the U.S. team members, some of whom have already and understandably voiced reluctance to travel to the U.K. so soon after the tragedy.|ret||ret||tab|

"We hope they come, not only to show the people who perpetrated this horrific crime that they will never win or crush democracy, but also to help us all get back a sense of perspective.|ret||ret||tab|

"The Ryder Cup is only a golf event, but staging it will give golf supporters from across the U.K. and further afield the opportunity to cheer the American team, befriend its fans and show the world that we will not be deflected from our way of life. |ret||ret||tab|

"And if the U.S. team does travel to the De Vere Belfry, and successfully defend the cup they won so memorably two years ago, let all of us in Britain cheer and applaud them every step of the way because, as has already been said, today, and for the foreseeable future, we are all Americans."|ret||ret||tab|

Perhaps because I am wearing a windbreaker on which I had an American Flag embroidered the day before I left, daily any number of Scots stop me to express their feeling about the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the flight that went down in Pennsyl-vania. |ret||ret||tab|

Scots have always been a brave (and in their history, fiercely combative against any enemy) people. Many have told me of their admiration and respect for the passengers that unselfishly gave their lives in their struggle against the terrorists whose suicide mission appears to have targeted the Capitol or White House. |ret||ret||tab|

Television has covered the attack and the aftermath to the point of having drained us of emotions. |ret||ret||tab|

It has also shown the work of our President in establishing alliances with other countries to pursue the end of terrorism. |ret||ret||tab|

But what I am seeing is the people-to-people alliance, ordinary citizens relating to ordinary citizens, Scots and Americans sharing their disbelief and anger and desire to end the madness. |ret||ret||tab|

And although it is only one person's experience, I feel certain that others traveling abroad are finding the same thing. |ret||ret||tab|

God bless America. God bless us all.|ret||ret||tab|

(Clark Davis is a 30-year investment veteran and CEO of Saint Louis In-vestment Advisors, a specialized mon-ey management company. Questions or comments can be directed to him by mail via The Springfield Business Journal, 313 Park Central West, 65806 or by e-mail at sbj@sbj.net.)[[In-content Ad]]