Former Evening Press columnist Janet Eldred, an American living in York, tells of her reaction to the attacks.

I was in shock, and still am. I watched the TV all night - I couldn't sleep - and met with my minister to talk.

I have sobbed and sobbed, and would still be sobbing now if I weren't in a room full of strangers.

I've had all kinds of reactions and emotions, but none of them is retaliatory. Quite the opposite: I dread what this may/will lead to, and I do not want America to be making revenge killings.

I fear that many innocent people here and elsewhere -- asylum seekers, Muslims, and others -- will be attacked as a result of the anger people are feeling, or as an excuse to vent whatever rage they carry.

How will we (the West) then be any more moral than Israel and Palestine?

Updated: 10:48 Saturday, September 15, 2001