A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
|
|
|
A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
|
July 21, 2005More London BombingsReports of more attempted bombings in London today. The Guardian has a newsblog with running updates. I was at Heathrow the day before last, on a layover between flights coming back from Greece. I also read a lot of British papers in Greece, as the only American paper available was USA Today. One of the things that impressed me was the stoicism of the British, and how they were proud of exiting bombing sites areas in good order, without panic and screaming. There is such a thing as national character, and growing up, one learns how to behave by watching one's fellow citizens. Our thoughts are with the British people, and prayers that they can put an end to the campaign of violence against them. Posted by rickheller at July 21, 2005 10:08 AMComments
Dear God: Speculation suggests the detonators on these devices went off, but the bombs themselves did not. Should this be the case, there are clearly going to be huge risks in disarming the devices. But in the bombs there is the potential for clues as to who, exactly, is behind this. How terrible. Welcome back and hope you had a great time, Rick. Posted by: Tully at July 21, 2005 12:28 PMThis is really troubling to me, because I've felt all along that the more reasonable danger was from a sustained series of small terrorist attacks. spread out geographically over time. Such a strategy is easier to implement than a 9/11 big bang. And IMO it's more disruptive to the daily conduct of individuals. So it's potentially just as demoralizing as a big bang (depending on scope and frequency), only in a different way. My heart goes out to our British allies, even as I admit that as an American I wonder how likely such conduct is to ocur in the US. I pray recent events are not a sign of the coming frequency of such events. Posted by: bk at July 21, 2005 01:12 PMThis guardian also had this interesting article today about the bombings: http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5243795-117079,00.html Posted by: Susan at July 21, 2005 03:29 PMRegarding the Norm Geras column, one can certainly debate the wisdom of the Iraq War on its merits, but those who criticize British participation because "it makes us a target" remind one of the townspeople who abandoned Gary Cooper in High Noon. The best way to confront evil is for civilized people to join together in solidarity. The alternative also reminds me of the joke about the guy, who when confronted by a bear, starting running. His friend said, you can't outrun a bear, and he replied, "I don't need to outrun the bear. I just need to outrun you." Posted by: rickheller at July 21, 2005 05:00 PMExactly. Which is kind of like the joke about the Park Service notice on avoiding bears...but that's another story. As of now, there are ZERO reported casualties from the latest round of London bombings. Posted by: Tully at July 21, 2005 11:14 PMNow the other question to be raised is "Is there any relationship between London's mayor Ken Livingston friendly relationship with extremist muslims and their views and these bombings". I don't believe there is but I'm surprised if haven't heard anyone raise that question. As an aside this just kills me: Livingstone had told BBC radio that Western intervention in the Middle East since the end of World War I had been motivated by a desire to control the flow of oil. While condemning suicide bombings, Livingstone indicated he recognized the conditions that had led Palestinians to take that route in Israel.Boy if I lived in London that would sure get my vote!!! At the very least one would conclude, it doesn't pay to be their friend. Posted by: c3 at July 22, 2005 06:47 PM |
Archives
March 2006
February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003
Recent Entries
Dubai Out
Why So Long Between Democracies? Round One, Centrism Rock Lobster? Blackwell Releases "Worst-Treated" List "IRV" used in Burl., VT for mayor election. Great idea! Random Thread Election 2006: Round One A Proper Multiculturalism Bush proposes line item veto act - what's changed?
|
