My London

A couple of good posts by Casino Avenue:

On London:

"Britain ain't London, and London ain't Britain - was wildly different.

Because people just got on with life, and either did what they had to do, went home, or went to the pub. On Wednesday, I went to the World War II commemoration in St James's Park, and I'll post the pictures up at another time. What struck me there was the stoicism and determination of those who lived through the war, right up to the chap who picked up an old rifle and immediately started telling his companion - and the young soldier on duty at the exhibit - just how his shooter should be handled. A little bit of that was on show on Thursday.

[...]

Others will take advantage too. The terrorists struck because they're scared of us in London. Scared of a city where we all mingle together, an old trading town where a good deal beats the colour of someone's skin or the identity of someone's God. The unthinking unity in our city - one we don't boast about, because it's part of all of our lives, is something that terrifies those who'd seek to rule us by racial or religious dogma.

The small-minded and the stupid will see this as some kind of Islamic attack on us - those who choose to believe this are as despicable and are as scared of the diversity of London as the cunts who bombed us are. I still can't help worrying some stupid act of revenge will take place soon - I've read some right old crap on messageboards from people whose sympathies are, deep down, probably closer to the terrorists' than they'd dare to admit. The racists, the religious bigots, the fanatics, the warmongers, and the apologists should not be allowed to speak for any of us, or divide us.

Oh, and the last person to set off a bomb and kill people in London was Nazi David Copeland - someone who'd no doubt have common cause with the shitbags behind Thursday's bombs, and those who think taking out anger on Muslims is somehow acceptable.

I'm sure there'll be a chance for us all to show our anger at what's happened, and to mourn those lost on Thursday. Let's make sure it's not hi-jacked by those who are scared of us, whichever cracked ideology they spout. American tourists will squeal and go home for the next five years, all the mobile networks will be counting that juicy cash from those 20 extra text messages you sent today. But London goes on - and, together, we'll never be defeated."

On crocodile tears:

"Three people whose condolences can be shoved where the sun doesn't shine.

The terrorist: "I condemn the bomb attacks in London this morning. I have sent a message of sympathy and solidarity to Mr. Blair and the London Mayor Ken Livingstone. On behalf of Sinn Féin I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured and to the people of London." Gerry Adams. The IRA's last London bomb was 9 years ago - on a bus.

The warmonger: "I spent some time recently with the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and had an opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to the people of London, people who lost lives. And the contrast couldn't be clearer between the intentions and the hearts of those of us who care deeply about human rights and human liberty, and those who kill - those who have got such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks. The war on terror goes on." George Bush.

The egotist: "No one can condone acts of violence aimed at working people going about their daily lives. They have not been a party to, nor are they responsible for, the decisions of their government. They are entirely innocent and we condemn those who have killed or injured them. We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the government ignoring such warnings." George Galloway, Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow.

Perhaps a lengthy period of silence from all three men would be most appropriate
thing at this time, instead of these hollow words."

Extra:
Transpontine: London belongs to me (a historian's view on the blitz spirit)
From Daniel: A dissident view on London's finest and a requiem for a victim
Tags: London bombings, london
London Blast, London Explosions, London Bomb, terrorism