Dear Gunnar,

For some reason I can no longer read any of your messages: my
computer just does not open them. It opens all the others. Has something
changed at your end? (I probably will not be able to read any answer
though.)

I want to second the concern, though I do not know what your message
said. And second the "peace."
Nancy


Date sent: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 21:47:31 -0400
Send reply to: [log in to unmask]
From: "Thomas Kissane" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: OT: Gunnar

Re: OT: GunnarDear Gunnar:

I am terribly sorry for the tragedy in Switzerland. I was seeking your
address to inquire if it had affected you. I am sorry that it has, but
pleased, at least, that it has not done so more directly.

I had hoped also, when appropriate, to follow up on one or two things from
our recent conversation. When it is convenient, please send me your email
(for some reason, I cannot get it off your post to the list when on my
home computer.)

Peace to you.

Tom K
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Gunnar Jauch
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 9:23 PM
  Subject: Re: OT: Gunnar


  am 29.09.2001 1:26 Uhr schrieb Thomas Kissane unter [log in to unmask]:


    I'm sorry to say I cannot find my old mails, nor locate Gunnar's email
    address. Would anyone be able to forward it to me? Thanks.

    Tom K



  Dear Tom,
  dear TSE listmembers,

  an awful event has struck Switzerland.

  On Thursday, a deranged man armed with assault rifles and grenades
  burst into the cantonal parliamentary session of the affluent small town
  of Zug (20 miles south of Zurich), killing 15 lawmakers and journalists
  before killing himself. It was by far the worst single death toll
  Switzerland has ever suffered in a shooting incident.

  My wife and I have a close friend in the Zug parliament. Like myself,
  Regula is an admirer of my wife's artistry in dressmaking
  (http://www.ewcouture.ch). The news bulletin said that among the
  butchered were three women -- the long hours of incertitude were almost
  unbearable. The relief was enormous that she wasn't on the casualty
  list. But in the hospital there were a dozen of wounded, some in
  critical condition.

  This morning, I finally could talk to her on the phone. With a voice
  still shaking she told me she was all right, that she got away. Only 5
  minutes before the rampage began she was at the lectern, proposing a
  modification of a law on education. She said she surely would have been
  among the deceased if the killer would have come in earlier. She ducked
  behind a bench. All she got was a bullethole through her handbag. She
  said she fears that the horrid noise of the four endless minutes of
  shooting and screaming would be around her for the rest of her life...

  To me it looks as though September 11 has broken down all inhibitions. A
  wholly new threshold of violence has been crossed.

  Zug was a peaceful place -- there haven't been any killings in the last
  three years. Violent crimes were relatively rare all over our nation;
  there is a relaxed attitude to security within our borders. Even some of
  the highest politicians use public transportation on the way to their
  jobs, without any security men around them. Parliamentary sessions are
  always held with public attendance, often with schoolclasses listening
  in.

  All this will change. As of today, there are entry badges and metal
  detectors in our national parliament.

  Tonight I attended a peace rally in downtown Zurich (my last rally was
  way back in '69, against the war in 'Nam). There were speakers of many
  religions talking to a crowd of about 3000 people (a Rabbi sent his best
  wishes, he couldn't take part because of shabbes). The messages of the
  Buddist, the Hindu, the Moslem and the Tibetan were similar: to refrain
  from answering violence with more violence, to try to love thy enemy.
  References to Ghandi, to Martin Luther King. Kids wearing peace symbols,
  holding hands, joining in with old gits like me singing old and new
  peace hymns.

  When I got home the street was ablaze with the eery revolving light of
  squad cars and ambulances. Police officers all over the place. Seems
  that my neighbour has killed herself.

  It is not cold, but I shiver.


  Gunnar


  It ain't dark yet, but it's getting there
  Bob Dylan