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Journal Space cowboy's Journal: The measure of a man 8

Journal by Space cowboy

So, I don't write many journal entries any more, but the cowardly attack (let's face it, any terrorist attack is that of cowards) on London this morning merits mention, I think.

The terrorist announcement mentioned the Brits being in fear from North to South, East to West. Whereas that may have described some countries' reactions, it didn't come close to ours. Let's just look at some of the reaction...

There was an interview of a woman who was on one of the bombed trains, 2 carriages down. She was calm and concise in how she described the events. She was confident that they would be caught. She said others around had a similar disposition.

The Mayor of London released what I thought was a pretty good statement. Let me just pick out the part he addressed to the cowards:

Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life.

I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail.

In the days that follow look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential.

They choose to come to London, as so many have come before because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail.

And finally, a piece I found on a football forum:

No-one in Britain has over-reacted, it's not in our nature to do so. There'll be many dark, scared days ahead for everyone who lives or works in London or any of the major cities in the UK, and there will be overwhelming feelings of sympathy for those who have lost friends, family or loved ones in these cowardly attacks today.

But it won't change anything. There will be no sudden feelings of "these people have a genuine issue", no hands of friendship offered, no olive branches extended. There will be no immediate "Let's invade " or severing of diplomatic links with any countries. There will simply be a very through, in depth, but quiet investigation.

And when we find out who did this they will pay.

Rest in peace those thirty people who died today. Their lives have meant nothing to their killers, but their deaths have brought tragedy to those who loved them.

From those who were attacked, to those in power, to the common man, the theme is the same: complete disdain for the cowards; controlled anger that will focus the effort to find them; and an unshakeable determination that above all, the cowards must not win.

What does that mean ? It means that life will go on, and that (apart from the personal tragedy of the victims families) nothing will change. There's no magic bullet for terrorism, but ignoring the effects of the cowards actions whilst seeking them out and (I suspect) simply eliminating them, quietly, would appear to be the best option.

I'm actually in two minds about that last sentence. There is a lot of good PR to be had from publically arresting, trying, convicting, and treating a terrorist like any other murderer. The IRA members jailed in the H blocks long tried to argue they were political prisoners rather than murderous cowards...

On the other hand it could create a martyr. The other option is simply to quietly kill the coward and claim (perhaps even accurately) that there was no other way, if it ever got out to the public. I can't imagine many things more terrifying to a terrorist than to have colleagues just turning up dead. "Am I next ?" is a real problem for a coward...

Simon

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The measure of a man

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  • I saw the footage of London's mayor giving that statement and was very impressed. He spoke deliberately and calmly. He's got a very "I'll roll up my sleeves and work with you" vibe to him. I like him. And I have a deep respect for him.

    I agree completely on the dual minds regarding the last sentence. I'd probably be inclined to go with the stealth missions and simply let their confidence fail from within. "Holy CRAP! John's dead too!"**

    I've apparently missed several of your journals. I'd like to

    • ...was/has/is gone/going smooth(ly)

      er,
      ...went/has/is (gone/going) smoothly.

    • Thanks for the welcome :-) I have to say I've had an absolutely fantastic time. Once I'd adjusted to the "can only drink one beer early on in a night" when driving, it was wonderful :-)

      Every day, as I drive home (which is only about 10 mins away on the freeway), a grin slowly appears on my face - the warm sunny weather, top-down convertible car, open roads (relative to London) and relaxed working environment (relative to owning your own business) just make my day. Every day.

      The brown sauce is being import
  • I suppose the modern term is "Who's troll account are you?"
    • Hmm. "Who is troll account are you?". I suppose you mean 'whose'.

      If you look over my posting history, I think you'll find far more in the '4' or '5' category than in the '-1' or '0' category. Even then I don't necessarily agree that they're trollish.

      It's people (like your good self) who assume that anyone with a different opinion is trolling (and presumably wrong, rather than just differing) that prevent a decent discourse from taking place.

      I'm sorry you think I'm "trolling" when I'm writing about the re

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