We received an e-mail this morning from a European colleague with the above as its subject line. I should probably add that this colleague is NOT leftwing. The world looks upon George Bush and despairs and this does not depend on where anyone stands on the political spectrum. Many people will sympathize, but many more will conclude that we are simply mad.

. . .

Dear --,

As I heard it in the news this morning, it is almost certain that Dubya will run for another 4 years . . . It’s a sad day indeed and I wanted to express all my sympathy with the millions of American people who, like you, expressed a different vision of their/our future together.

I’m sorry for America, for peace in the world, for moral integrity, for environmental issues the planet has to face, for the European/US relationship . . . I am sorry for you.

As a devoted European, it makes me realize how necessary it has become to achieve European unity quickly so that we can offer another vision of our common western values, of our Christian heritage. Not the one of the crusaders, but the one of Voltaire.

Please accept all my sympathy again.

Best regards,

. . .