After Tuesday’s horrifying attack on democracy, capitalism, freedom and everything else America stands for, most of the world condemned the acts and some even offered aid.

Some of the nations offering their condolences were our closest allies, while others were governments we have long been critical of.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel, a close friend to the United States, made Wednesday a day of mourning to “share the pain of the American people.”

He then said he would make available a highly-trained military emergency rescue team to help find survivors in the rubble and debris.

In Germany, people walked down a busy street in Berlin. They were headed to the city’s main Cathedral to mourn for their American friends.

Even the nation of Libya, whom the United States has accused of supporting international terrorism, condemned the attack. Moammar Gadhafi said Muslim aid groups should offer help “regardless of political considerations.”

Cuba has offered us the opportunity to use its medical teams if we feel the need.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat donated his own blood for the victims of the attacks.

And the list just goes on.

But, as sick as it is, there is another list.

Palestinians who live in the West Bank area and in a Lebanon refugee camp basically threw a street party. They celebrated the terror that struck our great country.

Citizens cheered, distributed candy and fired guns in the air as they danced in the streets.

All because Americans died.

It blows my mind that a nation of people that claims to be suppressed can actually celebrate the death of innocent people just because they were from America.

You don’t see us lining the streets handing out Charleston Chews firing our 12-gauges in the sky every time Israel shoots a Palestinian. We value life more than that.

And some wonder why we don’t side with Palestine when it comes to their dispute with Israel.

Should we fight for a group that dances over the worst act of terrorism the world has seen when its enemy is offering to send troops to help with the rescue mission?

It is truly disgusting that any group of people could even think of celebrating the death of innocent people.

Tom McGuiness, 42, pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, was from Portsmouth, N.H. He was married with two children. He was one of the first victims in Tuesday’s tragedy.

And to that, Palestinians danced in the streets.

David Angell, 54, was the executive producer of the sitcom “Frasier.” He was from Pasadena, Calif. His wife, Lynn, and he died when flight 11 crashed in to the World Trade Center.

To that, Palestinians passed out candy.

Daniel Lewin, 31, was from Cambridge, Mass. He worked for an Internet company in Cambridge. He too was a passengeron one of the planes that crashed into the WTC. To that, Palestinians fired guns in the air.

The Iraqi government also celebrated the deaths of what will be thousands of American citizens.

A state-run newspaper in Baghdad said “America is gaining the fruits of its worldwide crime.” A TV station also played a song that started out with the phrase “Down with America.”

Aside from a portion of Palestine and the government of Iraq, the world has embraced us.

But that is only a fragment of what’s important. What truly matters is how the people of America can come together and show strength through this act of war.

New York City is often thought of as a city of crudeness and selfishness, but the residents of the Big Apple have shown just the opposite.

People ranging from firefighters to the average Joe Blow volunteer have showed what being an American is all about. They have risked their lives for strangers because they care about their country. All deserve a tip of the hat. Thank you.

As for here at Iowa State, the community is coming together wonderfully.

We have had numerous occasions of prayer. The Student Counseling Center is working as if the tragedy happened in our front yard. It is great to see the concern the ISU community is showing.

I saw a large, white car drive by Hamilton Hall on Wilson Drive with the Stars and Stripes flown half-staff Tuesday afternoon. That’s the type of thing that sends chills down a person’s back. It makes you proud to live in such a great country.

And the same is happening throughout the home of the brave. I can’t count the number of American flags I have seen flown on TV. It is touching. It’s amazing how many people are showing they care about the victims they will never meet.

That is what truly matters in a situation like the one the nation is in right now.

Zach Calef is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication. He is an assistant news editor of the Daily.