What a great article ! My observations and feelings totally. I'm a European from Finland living in New England region in States. What a great potential this country would have, but selfishness and ignorance rules. I so long to be back in Europe among like-minded educated people! Americans back here (media is not objective and broad) need all Americans who are out of the country to help to figure this out and spread the word. Unfortunately, mistakes made by this government, will effect everybody globally not only locals. So, we all have to try to work hard together. Well informed people are able to make educated decisions. As far as the terrorism goes desperate people do desperate things. The writer is right, the government here is feeding the subjects with fear to reach there sick goals. That is a form of terror also.

- Anu Godfrey-Fogg and Russell Fogg

I'm curious as to why only leftists insist on leaving the United States when an election is lost. I can't recall that sentiment even being discussed through the long years that Bill Clinton occupied and disgraced the White House. Perhaps it is because they believe only they have wisdom and knowledge and cannot accept the fact that lesser mortals disagree with them. In any event, it is their choice and they are the lesser for it.

- David Rothfuss

Hello from America (Land of the semi-free and always afraid),

Thanks so much for Jody Biehl's thoughtful article, "Why I Can't Go Home." It was a treat to read and provided a much-needed view from outside "the loony bin." As an American progressive, all I can say to the many American ex-patriots and thoughtful and concerned world citizens is this: Please remember the current American government doesn't speak for all of us. There are tens of millions of caring, sober-minded people from the middle and left of the political spectrum raising our voices here. We are wounded but not defeated. We are stunned, but only for a short while. Soon we'll be back. Raise your voices to support us. Rational thought and peace must prevail in the end. There is no advantage in believing otherwise.

- John Forest

I really loved Jody Biehl's article because it resonated with my feelings about this last election. I wish that I could leave this country and come back in four years when this nightmare is over, but I can't so I am forced to sit here and just shake my head at the ignorance of this country. The article gave me a lift to know that I am not alone in my distain for what's happened here. Best wishes to you abroad and I look forward to reading more of you commentaries.

- Victor Hudson

The word is "ex-patriate," not "ex-patriot," which is how the Bush and his followers wish to paint those of us who do not share Bush's views. I understand this person's feelings.

- Terry

Like so many clear-thinking Americans, Jody Biehl is a coward. She should come to America to fight rather than run away and feel sorry for herself. Of course fascists will seize power if no one is willing to make sacrifices to offer an effective opposition. At least they go to Afghanistan to fight their enemies. Remember the Spanish Civil War?

- Charles Shire

Dear Jody, there's no need to ever come back. Please, enjoy Europe forever.

- Tom

I really miss the opportunity to receive information about how the rest of Europe thinks about special issues like the US elections and would appreciate if DER SPIEGEL would become a more European voice. In my mind, despite the fact that Europe is becoming bigger and more important, there's hardly any media coverage on reactions and positions from Europe as whole. The almost sole concentration on German reactions to Bush II miss a bit of relevance. Furthermore to read about reactions from other parts of the world like editorials from Israel, Pakistan or Iraq would be of great value.

- Ebi Fleck

Jody Biehl's recent opinion piece deeply troubled me. As a fellow American, I was profoundly bothered that she collapsed the 59 million people who voted for Bush with the 56 million people who did not. I am one of those 56 million and my family, friends, and colleagues are also part of it. All over the country, even in the sea of red states, there were people who were among the 56 million who vehemently opposed Bush's policies. Just because he won the election, does not mean that he is widely supported. Three percent of the vote is a small margin to win by. We went to the polls on Nov. 2 in record numbers and were outnumbered. Right now democrats are facing a crisis. Everyone I know is in mourning. We are also very scared. You don't have to be an expat in Germany to feel the same way.

- Katie Hornstein

As an American, I am proud to say that Ms. Biehl is free to voice her opinion of the Bush Administration. She is equally free to come home again, should she ever want to do so. Our friends in Germany and in other democracies are free to disagree with America. The point is that we all have a viewpoint that has to be respected. For whatever reason, Biehl's analysis fails to comment upon anything that our friends and neighbors around the world will do to help America in the war against terrorism. It is misleading for anyone to assume that eliminating Osama bin Laden would end the terrorist threat. The problems go back hundreds of years and they represent deep and distinct cultural differences between Islamic fundamentalists and Western civilization. This is a cultural war where the Islamic fundamentalists have demonstrated that they are willing to take any action, no matter how heinous, in the pursuit of their stated goals-the end of Western influence in world affairs. I would suggest that even a cursory review of the Web sites from the Islamic fundamentalist groups ignores the treatment of fellow Muslims who happen to be "sacrificed" and martyred due to their own terrorist activities. I say terrorist because "freedom fighters" do not sacrifice the innocent in order to accomplish their goals.

Americans were faced with a clear choice in the last Presidential election with respect to foreign policy. Sen. Kerry was proposing a "world view." Kerry was proposing a more collaborative approach to our friends and allies throughout the world. On the surface, this sounds great. However, Americans have demonstrated that they have a different view of the world and Biehl should take note. President Bush espouses a more pragmatic approach. He sees the world as most Americans do. We have to deal with Islamic fundamentalists now and on a level that they will understand. It is also apparent that the United Nations appears to have lost all credibility in dealing with matters of genocide (see the Sudan). It is evident from the last election that most Americans share this view. If you are gardening and you come across a poisonous snake do you call your neighbors or your city governments before you take action? Do you wait until the snake strikes with its poisonous venom before you deal with the problem that it creates? Or do you take a hoe and kill the snake and remove the poisonous head so that it cannot do any harm to you, your family or friends. We are no longer in a position to accept or tolerate even a potential threat posed by a Saddam Hussein, or any other leader, country or movement who potentially threatens our country.

Biehl's comments regarding "American values" trivialize the overriding discussion regarding American security. I ask Biehl and our European friends to tell me who will protect Americans if we do not take steps to protect ourselves. We have seen the corrupt approach led by the United Nations. Americans can no longer accept the argument that sanctions would have worked with Saddam. Saddam obviously stored a good deal of weaponry during the sanctions and he was obviously willing to upgrade.

- Mitch Powlas

I'm an American currently living in New York who has spent much time overseas including Germany and Spain and Jody K. Biehl has expressed my sentiments, exactly. I'm not a very patriotic person, nor have I ever been, but being here in America at this present time and knowing that Bush will be ruling our country for the next four years makes me a bit sick to my stomach. As Jody stated, "The biggest problem I have with America isn't Bush, per se. It's that people no longer seem to care what their leaders tell them -- or how many untruths they are fed". That is the truth. I find it so hard to believe that there are so many people in this country who actually believe all that he says and feel comforted in some way. It is extremely disheartening to feel so disconnected with the politics that govern our country. Being proud of where I come from is becoming harder and harder with each passing day. With plans to go back to Europe over the next few years, I might also be as Jody and make Europe my home.