« Alpha, Beta, Gamma | Main | [IPB 2.1] ACP Permissions »
Thursday, July 07, 2005
London
I feel compelled to comment on today's events.
I don't want to add speculation, or claim to know all the facts. News is still coming in and there are no hard figures on the number of fatalities and casualities and it still hasn't been confirmed, at the time of writing, exactly how many explosive devices there were.
I feel compelled to comment on the wholly British way London has responded to the cowardly and shameful attacks on an unsuspecting public. It's often in such unimaginable situations that the real strength of a nation shines through. We saw the fierce pride and resolve that America displayed after the tragic 9/11 attacks and how the world grieved with the American people.
The British stiff upper lip is being throughly tested today. Eye witness reports are coming in from those who were trapped underground after the explosions ripped through the underground carriages. For the most part, people remained calm, removed the odd window for ventilation and waited for the live track to be switched off before being led back to a platform where the local church was handing out cups of tea. Such an ironic display of our national stereotype brings some comfort in another wise horrific time.
I can't begin to make sense of today's attack. Seeing familiar places, such as King's Cross, swamped with emergency services leading out the walking wounded is as shocking as it is surreal. The fall-out from today's events is going to be far reaching.
For anyone who has family or friends in London, I hope they are safe and well.
July 7, 2005 | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83423035953ef00d834593cbc69e2
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference London:
» Explosions rock London from Mireno
Explosions rock London [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 7, 2005 4:49:52 PM
» Explosions rock London from Mireno
Explosions rock London [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 7, 2005 4:53:43 PM
Comments
I couldn't have put it better myself.
Posted by: Lewis | Jul 7, 2005 4:23:22 PM
my deepest sympathies with all good people in London... I hope all of your are well and safe.
Posted by: vee | Jul 7, 2005 4:49:18 PM
my sympathies with everyone in London... hope you are all well and you have strenght to keep up!
Posted by: vee | Jul 7, 2005 4:50:23 PM
Unfortunately the attacks were "just a matter of time" as stated by government officials...
However, the emergency services dealt very well with it - and I hope that the casualty list doesn't rise.
Posted by: Mireno | Jul 7, 2005 4:50:37 PM
it is a very sad day, and my heart goes to all those people who are affected.
Posted by: ben | Jul 7, 2005 4:52:07 PM
I remember 9/11, and how after that I would be weary of planes flying overhead, even though I was in a spot that would be a waste of effort to attack. I was able to accept that because I felt that maybe there were legit reasons to think of us as the enemy (though still not justifying the attack).
What's ironic is that somewhere else got hit, and that causes me to cry about it. Yes, there are 'cons' to everywhere, such as Americans being rude or British being snobbish (which is all a matter of opinions and other stuff), but now instead of it being a possible difference of opinion and a possible grievance with just America, people (idiots, morons, waste of human lives, etc) are attacking elsewhere. What is going to be their excuse this time? If they keep using the same excuse to make attacks everywhere, then one has to wonder if they're just saying that to pretend to justify it, or if they really are so blind and ignorant to not realize that they are the minority that is in the wrong.
As I said, it's ironic. My country takes a pounding and thousands of lives are lost, and while it's depressing, I kind of accept it. But another nations attack (and forgive me if I'm mistaken, but a much lower fatality count), and it brings me to tears.
I would say that it's perhaps related to the 2012 Olympics decision made just a day ago, but somehow I think that's only a coincidence.
Posted by: Wolfie | Jul 7, 2005 6:50:43 PM
I am sorry for double post... I was just too distracted by reading about it.. so I wrote and clicked twice in two different windows...
vee
Posted by: vee | Jul 7, 2005 6:54:49 PM
I hope this will be a message for the terrorists who have planned this: the English won't let their lives be destroyed as the terrorists liked to.
Posted by: Bas Westerbaan | Jul 7, 2005 9:15:48 PM
How sad, things like this happen.
I was quite astonished on the reaction of the common people of that area. Its astounding that in this status of emergency that their attitudes were calm and collective as they wait for emergency services to arrive. Its seems so ironic of a wash of panic arisen in the state of emergency here in America, yet in London, they wait patiently as emergency services arrive.
I am truly in sorrow for the death of innocent individuals whose lives were taken for no apparent reason. It seems like the human race is loosing its compassion for one another. It has been for years, but it seems that in this day and age, we are starting to loose sight of goals and achievement. We are letting rash decisions and personal endeavors override our logic and reasoning. It seems with every new breakthrough or achievement, devastation follows suite.
My greatest condolences for those who lost their lives or were wounded for such reckless indecisive activity. Hopefully this situation will be rectified, and the criminals who planned this will receive their justice.
Regards,
Grant
Posted by: Grant | Jul 7, 2005 11:31:16 PM
Completely agree with your comments Matt.
After travelling on the tube and the bus today, it's good to see people continuing with their lives, although the tube wasn't as busy as i've seen it at that time of day it still had a lot of people in it. Oxford street was a little quieter than usual too...
There was a security alert earlier at waterloo station though... but nothing came of it. Things seem to be getting back to normal for most of the Londoners, although it may take a bit longer for some to recover their confidence in the pulic transport system.
I'm going to a gig tonight in london and i'm sure it'll be packed as it would have been if this hadn't happened.
Terrorists can't win.
Posted by: Bob | Jul 8, 2005 3:56:04 PM
Matt,
I am sorry it has taken so long to reply to your post. Our firewall has been having issues and I have been living at work since the attack. One disadvantage of military service.
I am deeply saddened by the attacks on your Counntry. I remeber what it was like when I heard the planes had hit the WTC Towers. This is a sad time in England, but this is also a great time. The Country will come together to help the ones who were lost, injued, or just need support. Like you said the "stiff upper lip" will show the terrorists that they can kill and injure our people, but we will never succumb to them!
I have served beside The British Royal Marines in deployments and training exercises and I have nothing but EXTREMELY HIGH regard for the British. My heart aches for all British people today.
To all the families and friends who have lost someone or were injured in this attack. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that you can overcome this loss wth as little pain as possible. If anyone needs a friend to talk to or vent to please let me know. My email address is [email protected] and I would be more than willing to offer any support I can.
To all of England. You were here to support the United States when we were hurting badly and we are here for you now in your time of need.
Again I apologize for the late post.
With deepest sympathies,
Louis Markham
Posted by: Louis Markham | Jul 11, 2005 10:17:15 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.