Thursday, July 7, 2005

London bombings

by Suw on July 7, 2005

My heart goes out to all those caught up in the bombs in London. I can only imagine how terrifying and awful it must have been, and must still be for some. My condolences to all those affected, to those who have lost family or friends, to those injured. I wish all those wounded a speedy recovery, especially those whose wounds are not physical.
I remember when the IRA were bombing London, in the mid-90s. At work we had our windows rattled by a couple of explosions, although the IRA never managed to pull off anything like this. The atmosphere in London at that time was a sort of resigned vigilance. Bomb scares became an accepted fact of life and everyone's mental map of the transport system included alternative ways to get home when stations were closed (as they invariably were). We all kept an eye out – half an eye, perhaps, but still – for suspicious packages, vehicles and people, but we usually didn't spot anything. When we did, it usually turned out to be nothing. But no one really let it affect their lives. You couldn't sit around worrying that the IRA might bomb you, because the chances were still dramatically higher than you'd be taken out by a bicycle courier or taxi before the terrorists got anywhere near you.
Then the IRA stopped bombing London and we all got used to stations being closed because of signal failures instead of bomb scares.
The bombings in London today are dreadful acts of cowardice and evil. But we must not let the terrorists change us, or change the way we live. As soon as we start living in fear, they have won. Instead we must hold our heads up high, and stick up a finger in their general direction. Be vigilant, but don't be fearful. Be aware, but don't let them cramp our style.
Above all, we must resist the threats to our civil liberties and freedoms that have been coming ever since 9/11. These most recent terrorist acts must not be used by our government to push through ill-concieved 'security' plans, and we must not let anyone use them as an excuse to erode our rights.
The terrorists will lose. They will lose because we – you and I – will make sure that they lose. We will be the ones who stand up to the terrorists and say 'You don't scare me, and you're not going to stop me living my life in freedom'; we will be the ones who stand up to the government and say 'You don't scare me, and you're not going to take away my civil liberties in the name of “security”'. We will be the ones who fight for what is good and right and proper, and we will be the ones who defend our country and compatriots against the scourge of any and all extremism by always being honourable, fair and true. We will win, because we will live every day by the principles these barbarians want us to sacrifice through fear.
My deepest compassion and sympathy remains with the victims of these, and all atrocities, and my thanks and admiration to the men and women of the emergency services who have worked so hard to help rescue and treat everyone. I may be in San Francisco right now, but I'm very aware that it is only luck that has me here at this time. It could so easily have been me on that bus or on the Underground.

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I'm here!

by Suw on July 7, 2005

Long journey, but as pleasant as these things can be. Sat next to a lovely woman called Lisa on the plane, and we watched Shaun of the Dead on my laptop. I love showing that film to people who haven't seen it yet, and that's so much more fun at 40,000 ft. Have now been awake 24 hours or thereabouts, but safely at Maciej's where at least I feel at home.
It's really odd to be back in San Francisco so quickly. I had mentally prepared myself, when I left last time, for the fact that I wouldn't be coming back for a while, so being here is a bit discombobulating. No doubt I'll settle in quickly though.
(Oh, and the hangover was nowhere near as bad as anticipated. Lucky escape.)

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