The steely British soul has asserted itself in the wake of the attacks this morning. National rail is running and bus and some subway service will soon be back up if not already in service.
On the BBC website, Muslim leaders have condemned the attacks almost immediately, but I honestly don't think that talking about vigilante attacks on innocent Muslims is appropriate or are likely to garner much sympathy. The Muslim Association of Britain president Ahmed Sheihk is complaining that the attacks will make the Mulims community less safe. Well, yeah, everybody is less safe. I wouldn't doubt that there havebeen many Muslims injured and possibly killed today. Mr. Sheihk should read the words of Ken Livingstone.
George Galloway does even better:
The loss of innocent lives, whether in this country or Iraq, is precisely the result of a world that has become a less safe and peaceful place in recent years.
We have worked without rest to remove the causes of such violence from our world. 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.
We urge the government to remove people in this country from harms way, as the Spanish government acted to remove its people from harm, by ending the occupation of Iraq and by turning its full attention to the development of a real solution to the wider conflicts in the Middle East.
Only then will the innocents here and abroad be able to enjoy a life free of the threat of needless violence.
The answer to this absurd statement is here. It's interesting that people like Galloway just can't get it through their heads that bombing regular people on their way to work is the enemy's technique of choice now. September 11, March 11, July 7.
On Michael Moore's site (no link, no way) he has up a picture of what lookslike a tube station with the caption, "London Calling." How droll, Michael.
Excellent commentary and links. Please keep up the good work.
Posted by: JuliaR | July 07, 2005 at 12:29 PM