There was a different feeling one friend of mine said. “When I heard about 9/11 I was shocked and had mixed emotions. I felt remorse for the victims and families and anger toward those who caused this… however no fear.” He went on to say, “But when I heard about London today my personal feelings were different. I still felt remorse for those effected, but now I was scared. I had not been scared after 9/11.”
Pieces of CNN and FoxNews coverage of the events of the ‘yet to be named’ London bombings:
8:51 Liverpool Street Station a bomb goes off killing 7, injuring many others
8:56 Kings Crossing, Russell Square, bomb two kills 21
9:17 Three trains cars involved in third bomb blast killing 5
Then shortly after a Double Decker Bus blows up on the city streets.
Per the British law enforcement, there was “no warning”.
CNN- recorded speech of Prime Minister, Tony Blair from the G8 summit;
“We will not be intimidated.”
At Queen Elizabeth’s encouragement the Union Jack was being flown at half staff on top Buckingham Palace.
Blair gave a speech from the G8 podium. In just three minutes, Tony Blair gave what appeared to be a completely off-the-cuff speech. His speech was very emotional at times and seemed to take what happened as very personal.
“It is reasonably clear there have been a series of terrorist attacks in London. There are obviously casualties both people that have died and those injured. Thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Each of the countries around the table have some experience with the effects of terrorism…all countries share resolution to defeat terrorism.
It is particularly barbaric on a day when people are meeting to help the problem of poverty in Africa and climate change.
Also reasonably clear it is designed and aimed to coincide with the opening of G8. There will be time to talk later about this. It’s important however that hose engaged in terrorism realize… that our determination to defend our values and way of life is greater then their determination to cause death and destruction on innocent people and to pose extremism on the world.
Whatever they do it is our determination they will not succeed in destroying what we hold dear…”
The Prime Minister's speech was doubly strong as leaders stood behind him stalwart and straight faced; President Bush, Chirac, Schroeder, Kofi Annan.
My friend also said, he feels a connection with the British people. MoreThanCorn agrees and this is contrary to what CNN was reporting the evening of 07/07. Statistics flashed on the screen showing those over 50 years old feel close to the British while the younger generations do not feel the same connection.
This patriotic plurality may be far beyond the ability for a few questions by a reporter to gauge the public feeling. CNN also seemed to make an attempt to politicize what happened. Statistics were also flashed on the screen showing half of the population of the US thinks the British were targeted because of their cooperation with the US in Iraq.
The fact is those killing innocents are “barbaric” as Prime Minister Blair said. They have no qualms with killing in one country or another, one day or a holiday, a church or a school. No small band of villains can hope to, by themselves, effect a countries policy or the world’s views. However, if they change the views or change the minds of a few people at a time, a neighborhood or eventually one country… into believing they would be better off with not fighting terrorism as we are today… example; Spain and their last election….this is how the few terrorists can methodically win.
The US under President Bush and the UK under Tony Blair will not change their views or ideals, tactics or opinions of the murderous people Al Qaeda has grown to be. Australia appears to be a strong ally. However, with much of the rest of the world, I do not have such confidence. Perhaps the London bombings will begin to change minds. Hopefully change to placing blame on terrorists and their acts and not the US in Iraq or Afganistan.
These speeches will forthcoming. Possibly they have started already, prior to MoreThanCorn turning on the news this evening. “Who really is responsible for 37 (X 2 or 3) Brithish dealths and 700 (X 2 or 3) maimed and injured? Is it the terrorists or is it the US?” The nerve of those who we will hear raising these questions. They are actually accusations framed as a question.
This was truly a day the world changed. The Prime Minister’s speech will undoubtedly make it into the books for history in our schools. I think his speech was testament and a representation of the strength of Britian. Tony Blair represents those on the street who watched and those who died.
I truly feel we are becoming like the Israelis during their war with Palestine, like the British and the Irish Republican Army... With each additional part fear, two parts strength and resolve. The
God be with Britian!
"Business as usual!"
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