Did anyone read this article in The Times yesterday on the London bombings?

[oliveoil]

I think it is spot on, what do you think? It's a bit long.

here it is

and you, dino, aren't you meant to be embargoed till 4.30? MI will be back soon, you know, and I might tell

oi fish, I have emailed you. Are you not talking to me as I live in a racist hotspot? .

I didn't take offence at dino or anyone else, I know I live in a shit area, which will be sorted as soon as I win the lottery, go on the game or work full time, none of which is likely.

Sigh.

there is an old bloke in the next village to me who I met in the lane the day after 9/11. I said 'did you see the news about the Twin Towers?' He said, looking concerned, 'No, where's that then?'. I said 'Er, New York?' and he said, looking visibly relieved, 'Oh there.'

Basically if its not happening in Nether compton, its not happening

now that's sang froid

God I don't know what would happen if I broke out of my ghetto. You may laugh, but one of the unnerving things about moving out of London, was finding just how ghettoised things are around here where I live. I know that there must be a a big Sikh community quite close to me, but you wouldn't know it. I have not met any non-white adults since moving here, even though I know they're here somewhere, otherwise there wouldn't be a demand for a Gurdwara down the road - that's the only clue. But there are no sikhs in the playgroups, the schools, the nursery (I have a limited circulation!) Whereas in London, everything really was much more mixed - there was a hindu, two muslims, a jew, three catholics and our merry little band of militant atheists in the toddler group in London. I sometimes think I live in Royston Vasey!

Enid - is he local?

very local

he opposed the New Road

and the lights on it ont he basis the counrty side is darK?

windermere because they happened to be standing next to a u.s soldier,the same soldiers that throw bombs at people's weddings and then go "oops sorry,it wasn't meant for you" the same soldiers that torture iraquis and then take pictures,it isn't helping is it?

If god had meant people to see in the dark he'd have made us rabbits

Of course it is not helping. I just think it is a bit naive to state that Bush is the only culprit.

Whymummy. I am sure you didn't mean to but it almost sounds as if you are saying the terrorists can justify blowing up kids because they happen to be standing next to evil american soldiers.

well of course i didn't!!!

Some of you really do spout absolute xxxx some times. I rarely take exception to posts on this site but some of today's disgust me.

These bombs mark a new level of terrorist threat that is, frankly, pretty scary. 50 people died, 700 were injured - the highest number of casualties as a result of an act of terrorism that this country has ever seen - it would have to be some f'ing large bus crash to compete and the worry is that this is just the beginning. That is why the papers are full of it - not because it happened in London. When/If the same thing happens elsewhere in this country I suspect there will be a large amount of media coverage once again - just as there was after Guildford, Birmingham, Manchester etc etc.

As for the two minute silence being unnecessary -well, I don't know if you took part but everyone who did felt it was necessary. That two minute silence not only showed respect but, more importantly, was an act of defiance. Do you not think that people are bloody scared of travelling in London at the moment? They still do it though. That thousands of us lined our streets, up and down the country and across Europe, was good for the soul. It won't stop the next nutter blowing himself up - but we will pick ourselves up and carry on. FWIW, there was certainly more point in today's communal gatherings than in the hysteria that followed Diana's death - but I wouldn't be surprised if some of you who have put the boot in today had a good old bawl at that.

As for the notion that Londoners wouldn't have given two hoots if this had happened somewhere else in the country... well, of course, we are all self-important tossers who can't see further than the ends of our turned-up noses.

What vile tripe.

lengthy thread I can't catch up but want to comment. I observed the 2 minute silence outside the bbc today and for me I felt some of my fear lifted because there were lots of people all standing there all having felt that fear I felt.

Which leads me to the point about 'only 50' dead - yes indeed perhaps this not a huge number in comparison to other tragedies however in my mind we are also mourning other things we have lost. I no longer get on the tube without thinking about it, I stood 500 m from my home last night for 2.5hrs unable to get in because a bus was involved in a scare right outside. Peace of mind has been lost and a trust in people which could lead to huge civil unrest.

Also the hurtful comment that Londoners wouldn't care if it happened elsewhere is a general attitude increasingly commonly held. London is made up of lots of different groups of peole from all over the globe but also from all over the country. I myself am from the NW originally everybody here has links outside of London - as you all do outside your home city/town/village. So my point is not only would we care coz we are human but also because thats maybe were we come from.

On a final point I would love if we could stop this suggestion that somehow London is wingeing not getting on with things. I think it moves on fabulously especially considering the number of bomb scares we know have on a daily basis - on Monday it was 50 since Friday! Lets keep it in the news and lets fight for understanding across all our communities.

rant over!

If you have read the thread, you will have noted my change of heart on the 2 min silence.

I don't think the media coverage is due to it being in London, but I do think the coverage is way too much now, far too many horrific details and prying articles.

I have read this thread. That's why I'm so pissed off.

I think this thread has been a good discussion actually, with only one or two huffs being such an emotive subject.

have completely caught up with thread and still think it is worthy of the rant.

I think it is an interesting point about an alternative to a 2 min silence, I guess its the sort of thing you don't really plan for. I really see todays silence being more about solidarity among people who think this ind of behaviour is wrong.

I don't do huffs.

I didn't say you had huffed, said there had been some huffs.

Huff huff huff, sound like the big bad wolf.

me either - just felt I had some points to make.

There is nothing wrong with huffs or puffs if everyone is polite and no-one gets told to f off or whatever. We can all politely agree to disagree. Even if you know I am right.