What a day for the UK!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I really didn't want to believe what I was hearing on the news this morning as I was driving to work. How awful.

I hope that all of the TE gals in the UK (and their loved ones) are OK. My thoughts are with all of you in the UK.

--- Denise

[Trek420]

I hope everyone is ok, glad you're ok MM. I'm e-mailing family and friends, my neice's BF (sisters kid) is English but I think he's in Wales right now, we have family friends in Oxford.

I just read that a group linked to al Qaeda has claimed responsibility--they call themselves something like the SuperTop Secret Organisation al Qaeda in Europe.

What a lame name.

Sorry but humor is my favored coping mechanism.

OK, running late for work now but just heard from my sister in Norway who writes:

"Hi, I just heard too. No reason to believe that Richard was in downtown
London. Nor the Dowkers, for that matter. But no way to check fast since
the phone system is down. Probably just as you explained in connection
with the CA quakes recently -- too many people trying to phone in and out.
With the phone down, the email system may also be suffering even though
it is more robust. Richard's new email address is ....

On the up side of this, I gather it's pretty definitely not the
French, upset over Olympics 2012 going to London instead of Paris. On the
down side, the whole notion of terrorism against civilians is still
unfathomable, and therefore still unsolvable. What do they think they'll
achieve? How can we get through to them? Wars obviously aren't the way, but how do we get through to our own leaders with that message? And what do we get them to do? What do we do ourselves? Suggestions are more than
welcome! Love, Ann"

Just heard further from the UK branch of the fambly, all are fine though one member usually takes the train, but did not today. I'm reflecting that with the relief I feel that they are all ok comes responsibility for others who are not.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the injured and deceased.

[Lynne]

The whole thing's so aweful...I felt like a dork when I was so upset seeing the second plane hit on 9/11 because I didn't know anyone involved. Feel like a dork now, since it's not even in the U.S., but it doesn't change how sad I feel.

I agree with Trek's sister, this whole "defending the country against terrorism" bit by Bush was thin to begin with and obviously hasn't solved jack sh*t. Sorry, I guess I'm a closet democrat. SO not right that all those people die with absolutely no point. Unless we are being held in the dark, I don't see that Al Queda gained ANYTHING from the 9/11 blasts, what's the point of continuing the tactic??

[RoadRaven]

The whole thing's so aweful...I felt like a dork when I was so upset seeing the second plane hit on 9/11 because I didn't know anyone involved. Feel like a dork now, since it's not even in the U.S., but it doesn't change how sad I feel.

Never feel like a dork for feeling other's pain, Lynne
This is what makes you not just human, but also humane
I truly believe in thoughts having healing powers, so keep sending positive thoughts to London, even if you have no one to focus on

I agree with Trek's sister, this whole "defending the country against terrorism" bit by Bush was thin to begin with and obviously hasn't solved jack sh*t. Sorry, I guess I'm a closet democrat. SO not right that all those people die with absolutely no point. Unless we are being held in the dark, I don't see that Al Queda gained ANYTHING from the 9/11 blasts, what's the point of continuing the tactic??

Ah, they gained alot from 9/11 - airport security around the world was affected, travel was affected - remember the purpose of terrorism is to terrorise, to make people unsure and live in fear. To use bully tactics to have yourself noticed. Terrorism does not always have a tangible goal like money, or releasing prisoners. Terrorism is about affecting the lives of the terrorised on a daily basis.
These bombs in London have achieved that. International unending coverage on TV and speculation which is in some ways more dangerous than the terrorist act itself.
People want to blame and once they find the person/group to blame, rightly or wrongly, they will be unrelenting and create terrorism themselves in their own community
Example; after 9/11 Muslim communities in NZ were targetted by bullies and cowards - these are good NZ citizens, some who have been here for generations
The London bombs have already had an effect on administration and security in other countries life Germany and the US, costing dollars and time
They have ground an internationally important city to a semi-hault, tied up emergency services and have people around the Western world wondering in fear
Oh yes, these terrorists have achieved something... terror