Proud to be British

[Cliff-UK]

Originally Posted by Aussie-Yank

I know the spirit that lives in London will come through and once again London will continue to thrive as the city she is.

kind, heart-felt words, cobber. i think we know the australian fighting spirit (and I'm thinking about the reputation of Anzac soldiers in WW1 and 2) is just as strong.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Cliff-UK

the psychological blow of an attack on home soil makes it less easy for many less hardened souls to dismiss it as insignificant.

Blair has a country to run, a European Union in crisis to lead and a massive G8 summit to preside over. One trusts that he can keep a sense of perspective... and was able to put the psychological blow behind him the moment he was informed of what was unfolding - he doesn't have the luxury of time for an excessively emotional response... any more than might the emergency services folk and every other bod with an important job to do.

[acker]

Was anyone here on London public transport yesterday ? if so how were you affected by it ( did you have to walk home or not go to work ? )

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Blair has a country to run, a European Union in crisis to lead and a massive G8 summit to preside over. One trusts that he can keep a sense of perspective.

Yes I saw him interviewed on TV, he looked upset, anoyed that this had come to Britain.

All the people of London have to keep it in perspective, when compaired to the common good of running the country, the police, hospitals ect.

Originally Posted by Rachael

Let's keep this in perspective folks: the BBC evening news mentions equally severe bombings on an almost daily basis.. and this sort of attack is almost routine in places like Iraq and Israel. Doesn't make it any more welcome... or any less terminal for those who died... but even in the annals of 2005 terrorist attacks it's pretty insignificant.

I don't for a minute think Mr Blair thought this attack was insignificant, the truth of the matter is there are reasons behind the violence in the Middle East, to do with land power ect.
We took attacks like this in our stride during the years of the NI violence that came to the mainland, but people knew about this, knew why it had happened, even though they loathed the bombers.

But the bombing yesterday, what was that about, what point was it suppose to make, against a state like Britain.

If we keep a total sence of perspective, it will happen again, if the govenment don't put it in perspective, with other countries, then they will bring out better anti terrosism measures, draconian if need be.

We can't keep this bombing in perspective by compairing it with Iarael, Iraq or whatever, nothing would get done, saying well it happens elseware, not to worry.

[Milo]

I am proud to be British almost all of the time. Today, the ordinary people of London are returning to work showing that they will not be dictated to by the evil people that have cowardly attacked our capital and took the life of so many innocent people. I admire their fortitude and have nothing but respect for their resilience. Like many other countries, when terrorists attack, the nation unites and hopefully becomes stronger. British people have reacted with the same fortitude as the Spanish, Turkish and other people of the world who suffer this outrage.

However, I abhor the hyposcrisy of many leaders who talk about terrorism not winning. Tell that to Martin McGuinness - given a position in government, and salaried in his westminster office after many years of terrorist attrocity. Did he lose??? The lives people gave in this nation's battle against the IRA have clearly been forgotten as every murderer freely walks the streets of the UK, given amnesty by this government. It would appear that we, as a nation, are only aloud to be vigilant and resilient against the 'flavour of the month' terrorist, as situations change and determine who we are told to oppose. Ken Linvinsgstone talked of his revulsion at what happened yesterday but reguarly condoned the terrorist attacks on innoncent members of the public by his friends across the Irish Sea (actually displaying IRA propaganda on the GLC headquarters).

I await (with repugnance) the day when the evil terrorist srenounce their fight and are given positions of power in my (our) country. A sickening day yesterday - and a day on which I hope the people throwing bricks through car windows and attacking houses in Scotland feel deeply ashamed of themselves.

[Richard Jenkins]

Firstly I'd like to send my thoughts and prayers to all those who were injured and to all those who had friends and family killed in the blasts.

My father works regularly at the BMA, and this was adjacent to one of the blasts. he wasn’t there that day (but he could easily have been so) and he had friends who ran out to help with the injured. The whole facade of BMA house is splattered with blood.

It strikes me that these assassins strike in the morning and near to the end of the week, when people are tired and thinking about the weekend , not switched onto possible threats. Madrid was in the Morning, 9/11 was in the morning and London was in the morning. So was the Istanbul bombing. All of them have links (or possible links ) to Al Queda or its cells.

Madrid and London were close to the end of the week, 9/11 was after the weekend on Monday, when most people are daydreaming. Most the countries targeted post Iraq 2 have been in the alliance with America, so Italy and Denmark should beware.

Here in France the security has been visibly stepped up in the last 24hrs. Algeria, a country with links to France and Al Qudia was victim to terrorist attacks. They had no liks to Iraq.

Istanbul was targetted, but here it was the British Consulate that was bombed

This means that people need to be switched onto who's doing what and why. London has CCTV everywhere, so I'm pretty sure that the perpetrators of this vile act will be captured somewhere on video. Rumour has it that one bomb was a human bomb, and if so, this is almost impossible to stop. London's security rating was lowered post election , but really it should have been raised for the G8 summit.

Africa and Global warming looked like they'd be tackled at last, but these assassins seem to have no regard for human life, be it the millions that will be saved by the talks on global warming and poverty or the thousands killed in London and in other attacks world wide.

These people see their best interest served at attacking democracy and human life, inflicting pain and suffering onto innocent victims. They want to destroy our way of life , to divide our communities, to turn black against white, Christian against Muslim ; brother against sister.

Your communities, wherever they are in the world are part of this. Get out into your community. learn about the people in your community. Become a group of people whose solidarity bewilders the hate of these assassins. Write to your representative and invite them to participate. It's only through solidarity that we can prevent people feeling so isolated that they feel their only solution is death and destruction, their only voice is pain.

These assassins need our prayers too, just as the victims of the disaster. This for me is the British way. Inclusive and accepting, forgiving and thoughtful. Britain is a multi-faith, colour and creed society. Don't isolate those from other beliefs or other creeds or other communities. The ghettoisation stops here.

It’s is tempting now to say we need Identity Cards and special anti terrorist police cells in every town to beat the threat. ID cards didn’t stop 9/11 or Madrid. Anti terrorist police cells could destroy communities unless they are carefully integrated within the commentates.

What will work best for everyone’s security is for everyone to take responsibility. If you see a bag report it straight away. If someone’s behaving strangely report it.

Al Queda have now attacked transport networks three times in three different cities. Planes , trains, subways and buses have all been targeted, as have embassies . Who knows what, where, when, who and why they’ll attack next. The tactics they use are far removed from democracy.

These assassins think the European way of life is indulgent and excessive, that we live a life far removed from justice and equality. Perhaps they are right. Perhaps they are wrong. But they shouldn’t kill people because of it. They should use peacfull means , like Martin Luther King or Ghandi.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Let's keep this in perspective folks: the BBC evening news mentions equally severe bombings on an almost daily basis.. and this sort of attack is almost routine in places like Iraq and Israel. Doesn't make it any more welcome... or any less terminal for those who died... but even in the annals of 2005 terrorist attacks it's pretty insignificant.

I understand where you are coming from, but I disagree strongly. Britain is the place where freedom of speech had it's foundation. Now, you can't even catch a train without wondering whether you'll end up at work or dead. It is significant because it happened in your own country; I cannot believe that you could say that to be honest. Today your country has been shaken by terrorists; although it is unwelcome in Israel or Iraq, it has been commonplace for a number of years. When else do 52 normal people die?

Deepest sympathy to all people of England. Mongoose, Lemming, Good on you guys; you should be proud to be British- True Soldiers of the Queen.

Originally Posted by Ernest

Blair looked annoyed, upset

Definitely. I was watching it with alot of my family, and that was the general feel. He was extremely angry. Blair has a fair bit on his plate at the moment, but I think the fact that the G8 summits are going on is testament to the fact that they won't give in to terrorists.

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Milo

...A sickening day yesterday - and a day on which I hope the people throwing bricks through car windows and attacking houses in Scotland feel deeply ashamed of themselves.

That's a really good point. The people marching on Edinburugh obviously feel they have a reason. But do we really need our own people (let me make it clear most of the protesters are peaceful) arming themselves with weapons and protective gear, preparing to take on the riot police when there are sick others looking to kill any one of us elsewhere in the country.

I'm not a fan of protesting and protestors, I think they should go to some field somewhere, taking the media, and protest there. What we don't need is police resources going to all areas of the country following around thousands of people, trying to control them, trying to organise a safe protest, when in other areas the police are needed to save lives and control chaos resulting from real fear. As it turns out the police coped really well in London. But if simultaneous attacks would have taken place in four or five major cities in Britain, we would have been heavily undermanned because loads of people are causing havoc in Scotland, just because they can, just because they have an excuse to!! Those people should be rounded up and literally stuck in prison for twenty years!

[greg]

I'm proud to be British,but i am even prouder to be ENGLISH.Tony Blair and his cronies don't want us to have an identity and that stinks.If it wasn't for the fact that this government had alienated us in the eyes of so many others round the world then the events of yesterday would never have happened.
I bet if i was to put an England flag out of the window during the Ashes tests i would be told to bring it down as it offends somebody.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Intresting you mention the IRA situation Milo. Even more interesting is that when you mention the IRA, then organisations backing terrorsts, many american politicians go all quiet.

Anyway, according to these twatty terrorsts, people in the UK are living in fear in every quarter. Actualy I'm not, angry, yes, watchful yes in faer no.

Now these tosser up in Scotland (not the scots I hasten to add). I'm an anti anti capitalist capitalist. These tree hugging soap dodging thugs need to have a long conversation with Mr truncheon, and if neccessary Mr Tear gas too. (I'm not sure if the y were "busy" yesterday - my guess not as I think the police and locals might have given them a right pasting with little provocation). So they want "fair trade". Good so do I. I want to compete with the big boys so it well everyone. But isnt trade capitalism ?

Proud to be Bristish ??? Damn right I am. Tolerent of others ?? Up until they start bombing. Can I hang a union jack outside my window without a left wing council beardy weirdy knocking on my door ?? Highly unlikely. And how come they can ask you to take it down anyway ????? I spent an hour looking for the revelevent "law" and found nothing. Greg hang your flag with pride and leave there regardless mate....