So thanks then, terrorists. You’ve just succeeded in bringing the families of millions of Londoners that bit closer together, giving them an increased love of their city and an enhanced appreciation of their way of life. You might have destroyed the lives of several hundred people, but – and this is stating the bloody obvious you fuckwits – you’ve achieved nothing.
My train goes through Kings Cross and my office is less than half a mile from three of the bombs, and how did it affect me and thousands like me? I had a longer walk to the station on the way home; it was an otherwise beautiful evening and I needed the exercise anyway, so big deal. Oh, and I got a bit angry, a mood tempered by St Paul’s Cathedral, still a symbol of London’s resilience, gleaming proudly in the evening sun with a huge Make Poverty History banner wrapped around its dome.
Get it into your thick skulls that this kind of shit just doesn’t work. Never did and never will. Right now, my thoughts go out to those who’ve been more directly affected by this morning.
Andy Hume wrote:
Spot on mate. Absolutely fucking spot on.
Matt Wilcox wrote:
My thoughts exactly. I’m proud of the British publics reation to todays events.
I am significantly less impressed with the media coverage, which was doing it’s best to sensationalise things. Don’t sensationalise – it plays into the terrorists hands and pisses me right off. Just give me the news.
Martin Smith wrote:
They will never understand that the British resolve is only strengthened in the face of adversity. Its a trait that runs deep into the British psyche. It is inherent, inexplicable and can never be broken.
Daniel wrote:
100% with ya. It will never work.
Biggest Apple wrote:
As a native New Yorker who’s been living in the London area for the past 7 years I agree that this shit does fuck all to further their “cause”. I have a feeling that over the next few days we’ll be hearing stories of tremendous generosity and kindness of spirit along with the sad news that’s sure to persist. Point is there’s simply too much good for this shit to take over. Might not seem like it – especially in times like these, but it’s there and will overcome. So stick it you bastards.
David C wrote:
They will never achieve anything with their bombs, and neither will the Americans and the British in Iraq. Isn’t it time to get out of there?
Rob wrote:
Well said. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
JP wrote:
I was shocked and saddened when I woke up this morning to my alarm clock (I’m in California) telling me about the bombings, it is a tragedy.
But please Rich, what is this all about…
> Get it into your thick skulls that this kind of shit just doesnt work
It doesn’t work where, in first world countries where there isn’t supposed to be bombs or are we talking about bombs in general? What are the differences between bombs in Iraq and bombs in London?
Alex Cabrera wrote:
As an American let me just say that we remember the resolve and friendship of the English after 9–11 and that to rest assured that the full might of the United States stands behind you.
That being said, I want to say a little something about the bombings today that echoes some of what you’ve said. When I first read what happened I honestly had a moment of laughter out of disbelief (I mean no disrespect to those that were killed or injured). I think it’s incredibly funny that the cocksuckers that did this today seriously think it’s going to make a dent. Do they think that the British, who lived with Hitler raining down V2 rockets on London, are just going to curl into a ball because they placed a few bombs with timers around the city?
It’s almost the same reaction to 9–11 I had – What in the blue fuck are these people thinking? Don’t they realize that this is just going to backfire into a giant bitchslap?
Alex Cabrera wrote:
> What are the differences between bombs in Iraq and bombs in London?
The targets and the intention.
No matter how much some are going to make it seem in the coming days, as they did after Sept. 11th, The US and GB are not responsible for what happened.
JP wrote:
> The targets and the intention.
Bullshit. Innocent people are killed everyday in Iraq, just like every other war. Even so, could you explain what the “intention” of the war in Iraq is?
Rustin Jessen wrote:
Amen.
Rustin Jessen wrote:
Thats Amen to the post… not JPs comment
Trevor Garrett wrote:
Who committed the terrorist acts? What are the justifications? What are the specific aims of the bombing measures?
I have no idea!
What I do know, is that the London response to the terror acts was swift and efficient. Amazing feats were achieved in light of these events, and presumably the response protocols have been further honed for future efforts.
Im proud to be English.
Rachel in California wrote:
Right. On.
Bravo to you for telling it like it is, and bravo to all the Londoners who are holding up so well right now. All the Yanks (and I do mean all) are in admiration and full support of you.
I like that you call them ‘fuckwits.’ It’s exactly what those barbaric cowards are. And they will never, never, ever get anywhere with these pathetic tactics.
Carry on – United We Stand.
Alex Cabrera wrote:
>Bullshit. Innocent people are killed everyday in Iraq, just like every other war. Even so, could you explain what the intention of the war in Iraq is?
Listen, I’m not going to get into this with you on this blog; half because this is not the time nor the place, and half because you and your ilk refuse to accept the reality of the world you live in.
If you’d like an honest answer email me at acabrera at makesubclip dot com
Ms. Jen wrote:
Martin : “They will never understand that the British resolve is only strengthened in the face of adversity. Its a trait that runs deep into the British psyche. It is inherent, inexplicable and can never be broken.”
Thankfully.
I helped a friend move today and spent over 4 hours in LA traffic, which means too much time to listen to the radio with tears dripping most of the ride.
A quote I saw today on Making Light’s Commonplaces : “Hope has two daughters, anger and courage. They are both lovely.” (attributed to St. Augustine)
Richard & Martin – good on ya for having a fighting spirit.
Jason M wrote:
I understand where you’re coming from with the “never did and never will” stuff – that’s how I felt when terrorists attacked my city on 9/11, obstinately unaffected. But the fact is that the 9/11 attacks we wildly successful, probably beyond the wildest dreams of those behind them. Successful to the tune of a multi-billion dollar effect on the American economy, to the extent that Americans bought into Bush’s fear-based re-election campaign, as well as the constitution-shredding Patriot Act and the trillion dollar invasion and occupation of Iraq. Mind you, this was America, who thought she was untouchable, not England, who does not share such illusions. Good for you for not cowering in fear… but I only hope that your nation does not react to this attack the way mine did.
Chip wrote:
Joshua Marshall wrote:
Nicely said, sir.
Glad you survived unscathed.
Rich wrote:
Jason M – you’re right about the effect 9/11 had on the American legal system and new laws and powers were introduced here too, although not so Draconian.
I would think that there won’t be too much of a reaction from a legal standpoint because much has been in place to deal with existing terror threats from the likes of the IRA. I wouldn’t be surprised if the wretched ID cards get pushed through on the back of this, though.
JP – please don’t talk about this bombing and the Iraq war as if they are the same thing. Both were despicable and unwarranted but please accept that they are also very different.
Alex Cabera – thanks for nipping the Iraq thread in the bud. As you say this is neither the time nor the place for such arguments.
ginny wrote:
Glad that you’re all right. And I was glad to hear about that banner, too, let’s not lose sight of that.
Rich wrote:
Thanks Ginny. Sorry you can’t pick out the banner in the photo. My phone (S-E T630) does not have the best camera in the world (I think the lense is made out of an old Tupperware lid).
Claire wrote:
I think it is spot on.
And I also think an Iraqi life is no different from a British life AND vice versa.
I feel just as sick when I hear about the atrocities going on in Iraq, and everywhere else in the world for that matter. I know how affected people are by much of what is going on in our name. But I feel no less sympathy for the Londoners who lost their lives – how if we’re all equal are they somehow more deserving?
I was disgusted that this attitude was taken against the Americans that lost their lives after 911, and would never let my political views dilute my empathy for these people and their families.
Whatever your politics or nationality it is clear that this sort of violence is incomprehensible.
JP wrote:
Thanks Rich and Alex, I do agree that this is not the place to discuss Iraq. Nor is this the place to invoke old WWII terrors (Alex).
I have the uptmost respect for all the people affected by the tragedy and have meant no offense.
Justin wrote:
Could not have said it any better.
Martin wrote:
My thoughts are to the people affected by the London bombings.
The Australian people has close ties with the UK with many of our brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents living and working up there.
There was an Australian guy there who was lucky to be alive as he was also lucky to be alive after the Bali bombings. Yes, he was in both, and despite in being in the wrong time and the wrong place, he was lucky.
Anyway, with the September 11, Bali bombings, Madrid bombings and the London bombings, the people’s resolve will never be broken.
Terrorists and anti-terrorists would need to sort it out, while the rest of us return back to normalcy and focus on serious issues like world poverty as was the case in the G8 summit.
Tim wrote:
Thanks, Rich. I work at St.Mary’s hospital in Paddington, a few hundred metres from one of the bombs. I take a train on that line every weekday. We spent that day at work in Major Incident mode, dealing with the casualties from that site and the sense of calm resolve was inspirational. At the end of the day, I walked across Hyde Park and caught a bus home. Up your’s fuckers.
mikulla wrote:
Remember everyone. The radical extreme part of the muslim population declared war on all non believers. If you are an “infidel” or non believer they seek to convert or kill you. They also seek to establish world wide muslim theocracy.
In Afhanistan, when the taliban ruled, music, art, photography, and all the beautiful things in life we, the free, take for granted, were illegal and punishable by death.
So remember that they, the islamo facists, declared war on us, the free. This is not a result of action by the U.S. or U.K.. That does not matter according to their beliefs or goals. They have declared war on our way of life and seek to destroy it.
To all the men and women serving in the armed forces against the radical forces of islam, good hunting.
Johnny Hall wrote:
“Get it into your thick skulls that this kind of shit just doesnt work”
Unfortunately, that’s just not true.
What do they want? Well, their stated aim is to start a holy war.
What happened after 9/11? I’ll give you a hint – it wasn’t a “bitch slap”.
They only way it won’t work, is if we do nothing. And that just isn’t going to be the case.
mikulla wrote:
Johnny Hall. Are you recommending we do nothing to punish, prevent, and destroy this problem?
Johnny Hall wrote:
I’m not recommending any particular course of action. Who here is knowledgeable enough to know which course will be “successful” ?
I was only pointing out that just because we don’t think blowing people up is working – the bombers might not necessarily see it that way.
Johnny Hall wrote:
Mr. Simpson says it better than I:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4671577.stm
kL wrote:
True. They can’t win.
No matter how hard they push, they won’t win. If they push too hard Bush will make whole muslim world a glowing slab of glass, and that isn’t good for anybody.
Peter wrote:
The only course of action I know that will not fail, is for each of us to find real love in our hearts, be grateful for being alive, enjoy our lives and feel compassion, not hatred, for all those who are not as happy as we are.
becca wrote:
It’s amazing, this is a feeling so similar to what I felt after we were attacked here in the States. I live in Pennsylvania quite near where one plane came down. What has changed for us here really by these senseless acts, outside of the press having a lot more on their plates? I, too, am thinking, well thanks then, terrorists, for I have learned to LIVE BOLDLY. As for all of those directly affected in your country and in mine, my heart breaks. Pray for your friends, pray harder for your enemies, but PRAY. And live BOLDLY!
Gary H wrote:
> “Innocent people are killed everyday in Iraq…”
Indeed – by the Jihadis themselves.
JP wrote:
>> Indeed by the Jihadis themselves.
Ignorance is the ugliest of all qualities a person can have.
Gary H wrote:
> Ignorance is the ugliest of all qualities a person can have.
Which is exactly why these Jihadis are the ugliest people imaginable.
> Ignorance is the ugliest of all qualities a person can have.
And Ad-hominum arguments are the cheapest a person can make.
Please explain my ignorance – I seem to be ignorant of it?
Back on topic. These people will never win, we will carry on in quiet defiance – going about our day to day business, enjoying the air, enjoying, sometimes sometimes not, our jobs, our morning coffees, our spouses/partners, our children, our families, a beer with the lads – most of all we will carry on enjoying being free.
Anyone who thinks our freedom can be bullied out of us better think again.
Thoughts and condolences to the murdered and their families.
JP wrote:
Jihadis aren’t the only ones brother, that’s all I’m saying. I don’t want to derail this discussion any further than it’s already become though.
JP wrote:
> And Ad-hominum arguments are the cheapest a person can make.
I’d suggest consulting a spell checker when trying to use fancy latin terms, especially when we are talking about ignorance.
Gary H wrote:
> I don’t want to derail this discussion any further than it’s already become though.
Well stop trying to then, and say something usefull – instead of making snidey comments based on a simple typo.
Rich wrote:
JP and Gary H please can you take your argument elsewhere, it’s no longer proving particularly constructive. Thanks.
Gary H wrote:
Of course Rich.
Apologies.
chris foreman wrote:
Fuck these people who do this bullshit! And they are dead! Good!I wish they would all fucking die!I always wanted to go to England,you folks are awesome! Have a nice day and Peace through music!!
Gary H wrote:
Ok, finally I’m starting to see some positives coming out of this whole thing.
Prime Minister Blair’s completely unequivical, nettle grasping speech today for one.
I think these Jihadis have done us a favour in a way: now the UK Muslim community, many of whom came here to escape religious tyranny, are realising that they, their children, their grandparents etc are also the targets of these attacks.
Nothing more than the global imposition of Talibanesque Sharia law will assuage these misguided holy warriors, muslims in the UK have to realise this, and understand what it means for them.
I think we will see a sea change in the UK where sympathy for the Jihadis turns to anger and defiance against them, within the Muslim community itself.
Just a gut feeling, and hopefully a true one :-)