London Bombings (Originally: Tube warning after 'bang' heard)

[daibach]

Everyone,

I work 200 yards from Liverpool Street. I got to work early today and the first we knew of what was happening was when we heard all the police sirens. Everyone I work with and all my friends are okay, but this has been a terrible, terrible day for this wonderful city of ours.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's posted a message of support on this site. Londoner's are a pretty resiliant group but reading your messages of sympathy has meant a lot.

I also want to say a big thank you to all the emergency services personnel who have done a fantastic job under the most difficult of situations.

They closed our office this afternoon and said we could work from home tomorrow - but I'm going to go in. I'm not going to let the b*stards get me down or stop me getting on with my life.

Once again, thanks.

Dai

[MacsRgr8]

Everyone,

I work 200 yards from Liverpool Street. I got to work early today and the first we knew of what was happening was when we heard all the police sirens. Everyone I work with and all my friends are okay, but this has been a terrible, terrible day for this wonderful city of ours.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's posted a message of support on this site. Londoner's are a pretty resiliant group but reading your messages of sympathy has meant a lot.

I also want to say a big thank you to all the emergency services personnel who have done a fantastic job under the most difficult of situations.

They closed our office this afternoon and said we could work from home tomorrow - but I'm going to go in. I'm not going to let the b*stards get me down or stop me getting on with my life.

Once again, thanks.

Dai

That's the spirit! Keep the stiff upper lip!

I speak for everyone here that we would be very happy to have the slightest of positive input for those who have experienced this tragedy.

[iGav]

but I'm going to go in. I'm not going to let the b*stards get me down or stop me getting on with my life.

Rock on fella!!! I'm with ya!!! ;)

[mactastic]

Just as the world were all American on 9/11/01, today we are all Britons. Cheesy, but as close to the truth as I can find words for. We all feel for the victims of this tragedy.

[skunk]

Just as the world were all American on 9/11/01, today we are all Britons.Except for the teeth, right? But thanks, guys!

[zap2]

u guys were here for us on 911, so we are always were for u

god bless

[skunk]

u guys were here for us on 911, so we are always were for u
Thanks. I think.
:confused: :rolleyes:

[me_94501]

Just as the world were all American on 9/11/01, today we are all Britons. Cheesy, but as close to the truth as I can find words for. We all feel for the victims of this tragedy.
Seconded. Hang in there and stand strong, guys. We're all behind you.

[leekohler]

Except for the teeth, right? But thanks, guys!

Ha-ha! Yes. :)

You all take care over there. I hope all of you are safe.

[aswitcher]

The actual London local timings of the four attacks...are they almost the same times as the 911 plane crashes?

From BBC website
Blast timeline
0851 Seven people die in a blast on a train 100 yards from Liverpool Street station
0856 21 people die in a blast on a train between Russell Square and King's Cross stations
0917 Seven people die in blast on a train at Edgware Road station
0947 Two people die in a blast on a number 30 bus at Tavistock Place

[mac-er]

The actual London local timings of the four attacks...are they almost the same times as the 911 plane crashes?

There abouts.
But, I think it just has to do more with rush hour timing....they are hoping to get as many as possible.

Little did they know, people in NY are pretty relaxed and don't all show up at 9 AM sharp.

From CNN:

8:45 a.m. A hijacked passenger jet, American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, Massachusetts, crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center, tearing a gaping hole in the building and setting it afire.

9:03 a.m.: A second hijacked airliner, United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston, crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes. Both buildings are burning.

9:43 a.m.: American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon, sending up a huge plume of smoke. Evacuation begins immediately.

10:10 a.m.: United Airlines Flight 93, also hijacked, crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh.

[asif786]

wow, i was just taking a look on the bbc website and noticed a link to this site:

http://www.liftshare.com/

that's kinda cool. i've never noticed anything like that..sorta like hitchhiking in the 21st century :)

[~Shard~]

I know I'm coming late to this thread but I just wanted to extend my condolences to the families who have lost loved ones today, and to extend sincere wishes to all those injured/affected by today's events. Truly tragic, but everyone has to remain strong in such times. And although it is little solace, it could have been far worse.

[topicolo]

I would like to second ~Shard~'s extension of condolences. I am as equally appalled by these barbaric acts as anyone else on this forum and I hope that justice will be served on the perpetrators of these crimes.

Stand tall Britons! We've got your back :)

[CubaTBird]

could these attacks been in retaliation against the g8 meeting? so as to disrupt it? its just a theory... heinous crime all in all however... :(

[puckhead193]

i couldn't believe it when i woke up this morning and heard the news. I haven't watched the news yet but did they say what the motive was for this terrible accident? I hope it wasn't olympic related. My heart goes out to the victims.

[Sabbath]

I haven't been able to read through the whole thread, but I'd like to thank all those with kind messages for us Londoners.

I've been really impressed with how everyone in London, as well as our media, has kept this in proportion and not gone into the whole sensationalism and climate of fear. I walked home tonight and the travel situation isn't too bad, I think tomorrow morning and next week are going to be a struggle though.

The last two days have shown why London is such a great place to live, although from horribly different perspectives. I just want London to stay that way.

[Applespider]

Very relieved that our MR London members are checking in safely (so figured I should do the same). I'm in Scotland this week; my mother insisted I take this week to visit her since she couldn't go to work because of the G8 but, as she told me when I arrived, because she was worried that with the security focus being on Gleneagles/Edinburgh, London might be a target. If she'd told me that was the reason, I probably wouldn't have come up but once again, it proves that mothers are never wrong!

I have a couple of friends who had close calls but all are OK and safely home tonight.

Has there ever been a situation in London where there were no Tubes or buses before outside of WWII? Usually at least one stays running...

[Peterkro]

General strike 1926 though the hooray henris keep a few buses on the road.

[eva01]

I'm sure that's a huge part of the reason they pulled this kind of attack: we're good at defending other kinds of targets, but what can you do with subways and buses? You can't inspect every single bag -- it's just not feasible. And even if you did, they could still have suicide bombers with strap-on explosives accomplish the same thing.

I don't know. The only thing I can think of is similar to the "air marshall" idea -- have cops with bomb-sniffing dogs riding on random subways and buses.

Even if that were to deter the terrorists from another attack of this kind, though, they'd just find another kind of soft target that's hard to protect, like schools. That's the problem with these guys -- trying to beat them is like playing Whack-a-Mole. You knock 'em down in one place and they pop up somewhere else.

Possibly schools, but what would really impact a city would be a hospital. Where do you take the injured if the hospital is what was attacked. Especially if there isn't another hospital for 20-30 miles.

I work in a hospital that is at least that far away from the nearest other one. it would be devastating if the hospital was attacked

[fitinferno]

They closed our office this afternoon and said we could work from home tomorrow - but I'm going to go in. I'm not going to let the b*stards get me down or stop me getting on with my life.


Good to see this attitude! That's exactly what they don't want you to do...so it's awesome you're doing it.

I for one will definitely be riding the buses tomorrow all over the place! I am a bit behind on stuff that needed to be done today as my school basically shut down and went on lockdown. I'll never stop using the brilliance that is TFL.

[Militar]

I never thought I'd see a thread labeled "London Bombings". :eek:

The news is reporting this to be the worst attack since WWII.

[fitinferno]

Possibly schools, but what would really impact a city would be a hospital. Where do you take the injured if the hospital is what was attacked. Especially if there isn't another hospital for 20-30 miles.

I work in a hospital that is at least that far away from the nearest other one. it would be devastating if the hospital was attacked

Hopefully nothing like that ever happens.

I am always concerned about biological attacks when it comes to transport systems. With so many people using the Underground within a day, a biological attack could cause so many deaths and injuries it would be a very big catastrophy.

[eva01]

Hopefully nothing like that ever happens.

I am always concerned about biological attacks when it comes to transport systems. With so many people using the Underground within a day, a biological attack could cause so many deaths and injuries it would be a very big catastrophy.

Sarin gas in japan....

[fitinferno]

Sarin gas in japan....

Exactly :(

[psycho bob]

This is a truly awful day for any Briton, I have family and friends in London. My deepest sympathy goes out to all those effected by todays events. As a frequent train user to and from London (including the stations and streets where todays events took place) it just shows how time can be so very cruel, a second here or there could have made todays events very different for some of the families involved. Had todays events taken place a week or so earlier I could have been a name in a paper. The sad fact is the world just isn't a safe place anymore with or without acts like this, it is unfortunate that innocent people of all races and religions get caught up in other people's power plays. History shows this has always been the case and I'm sure it will continue to be.

Although of little comfort, and I don't mean this to sound calous, today could have been a lot worse in terms of fatalities. Bombs seen in America, Spain, Africa have been suicide or precision attacks where someone has used their judgment to cause maximum casualties. If we leave the bus bomb out of the equation (we don't know whether that went off as planned or accidentally, was it meant for another train?) the others went off while the trains were either in tunnels or on relatively quiet sections of track. If one had gone off in the main terminal at King's X or Victoria, or even a place like Trafalgar Square the number of fatalities could easily have been in the 100's for each site. Although Islamic millitant groups have supposedly claimed responsibility for the attacks this has none of the self sacrificing martyr overtones previous attacks have had; this was a case of outright murder, committed by cowards who didn't even believe enough in what they were doing to show themselves.

As a country, but also a united free world, we must take this as yet another warning. The sad thing is there is no reason for this to stop because the people that commit these acts have no clear demands. 9/11 was not a response to a specific American act. It is sad that an ancient and beautiful religion such as Islam continues to be blackened by people who murder in its name even though there own religious leaders condemn the action. Even if we take no 'eye for an eye' (which I don't think would be the right response) action I feel it is only a question of time before something like this happens in a country again, what do you do about it? These people don't want to talk. They won't listen to there own people or even the true nature of their own holy writings as taught by their religious leaders.

Holy wars are nothing new but technology and communication have reached such a level that even a single person can reap terrible carnage if he so chooses. I'm not a religious person, I've never known where to place my trust or what to put my faith in. I've suffered from depression my whole life and events such as this serve only to reinforce my deminishing view of humanity as a whole. Have we really come to the point where we can hate each other so much we make it our lifes work to force our ideology upon others or destroy the things others strive to build. The world won't change because everyone feels their way is right, while people think like that they will never see that their actions serve only to perpetutate and accentuate the hate and desperation in others :(

I'm only young but I genuinely fear for what the furure holds.

[fitinferno]

This is a truly awful day for any Briton, I have family and friends in London. My deepest sympathy goes out to all those effected by todays events. As a frequent train user to and from London (including the stations and streets where todays events took place) it just shows how time can be so very cruel, a second here or there could have made todays events very different for some of the families involved. Had todays events taken place a week or so earlier I could have been a name in a paper. The sad fact is the world just isn't a safe place anymore with or without acts like this, it is unfortunate that innocent people of all races and religions get caught up in other people's power plays. History shows this has always been the case and I'm sure it will continue to be.

Although of little comfort, and I don't mean this to sound calous, today could have been a lot worse in terms of fatalities. Bombs seen in America, Spain, Africa have been suicide or precision attacks where someone has used their judgment to cause maximum casualties. If we leave the bus bomb out of the equation (we don't know whether that went off as planned or accidentally, was it meant for another train?) the others went off while the trains were either in tunnels or on relatively quiet sections of track. If one had gone off in the main terminal at King's X or Victoria, or even a place like Trafalgar Square the number of fatalities could easily have been in the 100's for each site. Although Islamic millitant groups have supposedly claimed responsibility for the attacks this has none of the self sacrificing martyr overtones previous attacks have had; this was a case of outright murder, committed by cowards who didn't even believe enough in what they were doing to show themselves.

As a country, but also a united free world, we must take this as yet another warning. The sad thing is there is no reason for this to stop because the people that commit these acts have no clear demands. 9/11 was not a response to a specific American act. It is sad that an ancient and beautiful religion such as Islam continues to be blackened by people who murder in its name even though there own religious leaders condemn the action. Even if we take no 'eye for an eye' (which I don't think would be the right response) action I feel it is only a question of time before something like this happens in a country again, what do you do about it? These people don't want to talk. They won't listen to there own people or even the true nature of their own holy writings as taught by their religious leaders.

Holy wars are nothing new but technology and communication have reached such a level that even a single person can reap terrible carnage if he so chooses. I'm not a religious person, I've never known where to place my trust or what to put my faith in. I've suffered from depression my whole life and events such as this serve only to reinforce my deminishing view of humanity as a whole. Have we really come to the point where we can hate each other so much we make it our lifes work to force our ideology upon others or destroy the things others strive to build. The world won't change because everyone feels their way is right, while people think like that they will never see that their actions serve only to perpetutate and accentuate the hate and desperation in others :(

I'm only young but I genuinely fear for what the furure holds.

Very good post. I for one feel the world has never been a safe place. If it's not one thing, it's another thing. It is never good to play with "what ifs" like you seem to have implied with the post. Things happened the way they happened today and no thoughts about "what if" will ever change that. I know the whole "what if" from tragic experiences all too well...and I hope none of the victims' families fall prey to this very hurtful proces of blaming oneself for the loss of a loved one.

Today's events have made me think of that movie the Village. Say some of us ran off to be old style isolationists...is that really the best thing? Tragedy will find you no matter where you are unfortunately...and society will always have its X-factor.

But do feel positive. Don't be depressed. Despite the terrible things that have happened today, London has shown the world how much of an awesome place it is to be. Some of our best attributes as Londoners have had the spotlight shown on them today. For example, people in distress asking for directions. I can't remember a time in London when I have not gotten an attempt at help with directions, even if the person doesn't really know where I need to go, they still do try to help their best. That isn't something that happens only during times of terror, but EVERYDAY. All around London.

And that's just one example I can think of offhand--there are many more around. Humanity is good overall...it's just that our X-factor has been made even more powerful than ever with today's technology unfortunately.

[Lau]

I'm only young but I genuinely fear for what the furure holds.

Me too, man, me too.

Can anyone who is a wee bit older comment on this? Stuff like this, 9/11, scenes from recent wars etc just seems so terrifying, and I do genuinely fear for what the future holds. I'm 25, and figure I could, in theory live for another 50 years or so, and who knows what could happen in that time? Those of you who are older and wiser - what do you think when you see stuff like this? There have been other incidents, other wars, do you think, well here's another one, it sucks but we've survived the others, or do you really fear for what the future holds?

Hope that makes sense. It's been a long say, and I can't sleep, and I may have inadvertently drank a beer....

[2jaded2care]

First, condolences to our friends in England. You are all in our prayers.

Second, cut Music_Producer some slack, he or she is reacting emotionally to a senseless tragedy, as are we all. Perhaps biometric passports are a good idea in general (if laptops can be, why not those?); perhaps they are a crappy idea. Either way, it's too early to tell whether this would have made a difference in this circumstance, and I'm sure Music_Producer realizes that. However, it's natural to seize on a proposed "fix", especially in the heat of the moment.

I agree that obviously more can be done and should be done to help prevent this sort of thing in the future, but let's keep the blame where it belongs -- on the perpetrators, whoever they may be.

And psycho bob -- anarchists have been doing this sort of stuff for decades if not centuries, so it's not like humanity's going downhill all of a sudden... Am I cheering you up, or what? :o

Sorry, didn't mean to make light of things. Seriously, all we can do is try on our own, individual scale to be kind and make the world a better place.

[fitinferno]

Me too, man, me too.

Can anyone who is a wee bit older comment on this? Stuff like this, 9/11, scenes from recent wars etc just seems so terrifying, and I do genuinely fear for what the future holds. I'm 25, and figure I could, in theory live for another 50 years or so, and who knows what could happen in that time? Those of you who are older and wiser - what do you think when you see stuff like this? There have been other incidents, other wars, do you think, well here's another one, it sucks but we've survived the others, or do you really fear for what the future holds?

Hope that makes sense. It's been a long say, and I can't sleep, and I may have inadvertently drank a beer....

I know I'm nowhere near the wee bit older...and, in fact, am a wee bit younger, but I know what you mean. In a defeatist mood earlier today, I told my mum while I was talking to her that if people want to destroy the world, I wish they'd just get it over with instead of making everyone watch as they slowly do.

And my mum, much older and wiser than me had nothing to say to me about that. She said she fears for me and my future as she is concerned we may be upon the last of our days as a species. It is very scary to think about the future when you don't know whether you'll have one or not because of what's going on in the world.

I think things like this just reinforce the idea that time is precious. War, contagion, asteroids hitting us out of the sky, Yellowstone blowing us all up, all could cause us to be on the edge of the end times. I think it is important just to remember to take everyday as something that is a gift...from whatever you believe...god or biology or what-not...it truly is a gift.

[Lau]

Humanity is good overall...it's just that our X-factor has been made even more powerful than ever with today's technology unfortunately.

Good point, by the way. I think that is the problem. WWI was awful, but it was the soldiers that were affected. WWII meant that the 'new' technology started to affect civilians directly. (I know that's over simplified, BTW).

But you are right on 2 counts. Humanity is good overall, and you have to think of that. And what happened today shows a few people doing very bad things, and hundreds of people doing very good things in reaction.

And you are also right that we have to enjoy every day. Life is good, and we have to be thankful for that.

[Music_Producer]

First, condolences to our friends in England. You are all in our prayers.

Second, cut Music_Producer some slack, he or she is reacting emotionally to a senseless tragedy, as are we all. Perhaps biometric passports are a good idea in general (if laptops can be, why not those?); perhaps they are a crappy idea. Either way, it's too early to tell whether this would have made a difference in this circumstance, and I'm sure Music_Producer realizes that. However, it's natural to seize on a proposed "fix", especially in the heat of the moment.


Thank you!

[psycho bob]

And psycho bob -- anarchists have been doing this sort of stuff for decades if not centuries, so it's not like humanity's going downhill all of a sudden... Am I cheering you up, or what? :o

Sorry, didn't mean to make light of things. Seriously, all we can do is try on our own, individual scale to be kind and make the world a better place.

Your quite right and we do need people to try and make light of the situation. Following 9/11 people couldn't have imagied that within in a few weeks it would be the subject of stand-up comedy routines. Now that doesn't mean to say we should forget about it but these things are out of our control we can only use it to influence the lives we live and make the bonds with the people around us stronger. I'm afraid the depressed side of me has a tendancy to take over especially as this has come on top of an already bad period but all that is for another time.

Looking back over history events like this were common place albeit limited in scale by the technology and resources of the time. In the history of the lawn that is our world man and all his actions will make up only a single blade of grass. Even in my life time events have occurred locally which provided as much cause for social unrest as these although on a smaller scale. I was brought up in Doncaster, a mining and working class city in the north of England where under Maggie Thatcher the very life was sucked out as trade moved abroad all of which lead to riots and crime. Even where I live now on the outskirts of Leeds in an area that was once low in crime you feel victimised just stepping out of your front door.

The world isn't going to hell but it is changing, maybe we just wish as we look through rose tinted glasses it was more like it was in the past because we long for the security we no longer see down the road. If the future was all written down like a history book would we find more solace in it?

[psycho bob]

Very good post. I for one feel the world has never been a safe place. If it's not one thing, it's another thing. It is never good to play with "what ifs" like you seem to have implied with the post. Things happened the way they happened today and no thoughts about "what if" will ever change that. I know the whole "what if" from tragic experiences all too well...and I hope none of the victims' families fall prey to this very hurtful proces of blaming oneself for the loss of a loved one.


It's very true, the 'what if' syndrome is more a relation of my mindset than anything else. That's what the illness does to you. An event like this though does make you realise just how randam these things can be which in a perculiar kind of way is quite comforting. Fail to set your alarm clock you might miss a car crash outside your house but then you could be struck down with a heart attack, the ony certain thing in life is you'll die.

I supose what I'm saying is; the 'what if' effect can work both ways, on one hand it can be a timely reminder of how precious life is but if you have a negative mindset it can be a real burden and prove to be an almost positive reinforcement of the beliefs one holds.

[fitinferno]

The world isn't going to hell but it is changing, maybe we just wish as we look through rose tinted glasses it was more like it was in the past because we long for the security we no longer see down the road. If the future was all written down like a history book would we find more solace in it?

Nicely said...I find this part of your post very interesting. It mirrors what many others have said too...what happened to our safety? And, as I've said in other posts, I think we have never had safety. But your talks of history and the such make it seem like maybe the case of back in the day when we felt safe was just that we were less informed. We didn't have internet to pop the news stories right onto our computer desktops, we didn't necessarily have reporters in other countries who could easily send their reports straight into our TVs as much, etc. In the same way that technology has changed to increase the severity of events like this, it has also changed to increase the advertisement of such events. The more stories we see lining up about it and the more stories we share with each other about it, the more fear that can build up from it and thus a higher sense of unsafety.

I remember one of my coaches talking about when he was young during the Cold War and always worrying if the end of the world could be right around the corner. It was very discomforting to listen to his story and I feel for the anyone that go through things like this.

[iBlue]

http://img278.echo.cx/img278/5287/london77e4zx.gif


(something really simple I put together for a forum I help run, no one poke fun, it's the thought that counts, I didn't have time to put a masterpiece together so quickly)

this is just awful, not at all something I ever would have expected. I feel awful. sickening, now american allies are being bullied by these ratty bearded wankers. :confused:

[Lord Blackadder]

This is terrible. I recall the 9/11 attacks and today I feel the same shock, sadness and smoldering hatred. These cowardly attacks will never achieve the bizarre, twisted reality that the perpetrators - perverters of religion and murderers - claim to be "fighting" for. But in their failure they will cause so much death and ruin....I grow sick at the thought.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims.

[EJBasile]

I'm very to sorry to hear about the bombings today. I feel very bad for you guys over in England. Its just horrible what the world is comming to.

It is intresting though, that these types of bombings happen quite offen in the middle east and it seems that we just think "just another car bomb or suicide bombing", but when it happens to one of our countries its then that it really hits you how horrible of things that these extremists are doing.

I must say it is discomforting it that the terrorists attack you on your own soil and to see the damage that was done. I was in New York on 9/11 a block away from the Word Trade Center. I did not see the plane hit the building but I certainly heard it. When I had seen what happened I went to help all of the hurt people being a doctor. And when you see hundreds of wounded people its just so horrible.

I saw on the news all of the hurt people from the bombing and there injuries are just so horrible. Cuts and bruises are nothing compaired to burns. Burns are one of the most painful injuries you can get. These are injuries that will scar the people for the rest of there lives.

Again, my heart goes out to London. I just don't understand how a human can do these horrible acts to other humans with out shame.

[Plymouthbreezer]

The first three pages of this thread gave me chills.

Be safe and on alert London folks. My prayers are with you.

[absolut_mac]

My heartfelt condolences to all our UK friends.

My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

Please G-d they will catch the perpetrators in short order.

[pinto32]

The thoughts of America are with all Brits tonight, just as yours were with us 4 years ago. I have complete faith that the citizens of London will bounce back from this, because if there is any city that can match the resolve of NYC, it is undoubtedly London. My only fear is that this is certainly not going to be the last of these attacks. I am 20, and I have little doubt that this conflict will continue to be fought by my children, and possibly thier children.

On a more optomisic note, I hope that the extension of the jihad to Europe will bring more sensibility to this conflict. Hopefully you will not be as easily swayed by emotion and "patriotism" as we Americans have been since 9/11. Perhaps your response will better address the root of the problem...that being the perversion of Islam by a small group of reactionaries (as was mentioned much more eloquently earlier). I hope that 7/7, though tragic, will be the beginning of the very slow end to this idio-flict.

[me_94501]

And my mum, much older and wiser than me had nothing to say to me about that. She said she fears for me and my future as she is concerned we may be upon the last of our days as a species. It is very scary to think about the future when you don't know whether you'll have one or not because of what's going on in the world.
I know the feeling quite well. I experienced it one day four years ago when I woke up in time to see the second plane hit the World Trade Center on TV. But somehow, we as a race--the human race--find a way to pull through, pick up the pieces, and carry on. And I genuinely feel that as long as there are several billion good people on this Earth, we will find a way to not completely destroy ourselves. There is quite a bit of evil in the world, but the good outweighs it tenfold. It may be hard now being everything that has happened the last 24 hours, but keep positive. Don't be defeatist. You have almost the entire world standing with you.

[daibach]

http://img278.echo.cx/img278/5287/london77e4zx.gif


(something really simple I put together for a forum I help run, no one poke fun, it's the thought that counts, I didn't have time to put a masterpiece together so quickly)




iBlue, it's absolutely the thought that counts. As a Londoner, thank you. I'm amazed at all the messages of support and sympathy posted here and on other forums from all over the World. We really are a global village.

[Music_Producer]

London's Euston Station being evacuated currently after a suspicious parcel was found..God make this end already!

[zimv20]

link (http://nytimes.com/2005/07/08/international/europe/08intel.html?hp&ex=1120795200&en=85d10dbe5af4774c&ei=5094&partner=homepage)


Timers Used in Blasts, Police Say; Parallels to Madrid Are Found

LONDON, July 7 - Investigators searching for clues in the attacks here said Thursday that the three bombs used in the subway apparently were detonated by timers, not suicide bombers, and that a fourth device may have been intended for a target other than the city bus that it destroyed.

Senior police officials said they had not received a message claiming responsibility for the attacks from any group, and had made no arrests. But officials immediately drew parallels between the London bombings and the ones that struck commuter trains in Madrid 16 months ago, which were carried out by a Qaeda-inspired cell.

By Thursday night, there were far more questions than answers confronting Scotland Yard. One official said none of the scores of suspected terrorists being watched closely in England appeared to be involved.

Police and intelligence officials acknowledged that they were taken completely by surprise by the coordinated bombings, even though they had been anticipating a terrorist attack for years.

The officials said there was no warning or even a hint that an attack was imminent among the blizzard of intelligence accumulated in recent days by the Metropolitan Police and by MI5, the domestic intelligence services.

"There was no intelligence in our possession that these attacks were going to take place today," said Brian Paddick, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. "We were given no warning from any organization that this was going to happen."


Counterterrorism officials in London said they were still trying to determine the type of explosives that were used. One official speculated that the No. 30 bus whose roof was blown off at 9:47 a.m. in Bloomsbury was demolished accidentally by a suicide bomber. But another theory gaining momentum was that the bomb exploded prematurely as a bomber was carrying it to an intended target, several American and British counterterrorism officials said.

The officials said that the three subway bombs appeared to have been detonated by timers, not cellphones or other remote triggers. The bombs on the trains were believed to be package bombs and are believed to have been left by the attackers who fled before they went off.

Officials refused to confirm or deny reports that two unexploded package bombs were recovered from trains. A senior American intelligence official said the British had conducted "at least one controlled explosion" of a suspicious package found after the attacks, but he said he could not confirm that the package was another bomb.

[Music_Producer]

Its amazing how much courage and patience the English have displayed. Their ability to absorb such a dastardly act and go on with their lives should and must be admired. After 9/11 air travel in America was down..and never picked up.. for atleast a year! :eek: People in London are back on the subway and buses.. cheers!!!

[WinterMute]

Whilst I understand the need to discuss this in depth, please keep the politics out of this thread and in the thread specifically for the arguments in the political forum.

I've moved some posts over there if your wondering where they went.

(No, I'll just delete them by accident.... knob)

[zimv20]

London's Euston Station being evacuated currently after a suspicious parcel was found..God make this end already!
on bbc tv just now...

euston and charing cross both closed and reopened for one suspicious package each. liverpool street station currently closed for two suspicious packages, one dealt with already.

sounds to me like passengers accidentally left things behind.

[Music_Producer]

Oh ok.. phew! And WinterMute..my apologies for the political bit..but I didn't know there was a political sub-forum in here too. (I usually look at the main page and the rumors posted up there)

[WinterMute]

Oh ok.. phew! And WinterMute..my apologies for the political bit..but I didn't know there was a political sub-forum in here too. (I usually look at the main page and the rumors posted up there)

No problems, and I'm afraid I owe you and Zim and a couple of others an apology as I was moving your comments to the political thread and deleted them instead of moving them.... (doh!)

If anyone else is wondering where their posts went that's the reason.

If you'd like to make your points about biometrics again feel free...

[kiwi_the_iwik]

Well - it's been 24 hours since the terrorist activities in Central London, and it seems that things are returning to some semblance of normality.

I initially had the day off roster, but that quickly changed as the news became clearer as to what had happened, and I was called in to town about an hour after it all kicked off.

The emergency services were brilliant - it was if they were dealing with an exercise, and they were extremely efficient and competent. The people affected were incredibly resolute and determined to continue as best they could with their daily activities.

We all can't help but think that it could have been a hell of a lot worse, but it seems the bastards who attempted to disrupt the lives of Londoners didn't really do their homework - they'd picked the wrong city if they thought they'd break their spirit. After years of the IRA threat, and their suffering during the Blitz of WWII, this was quite simply an inconvenience.

However, it was awful to see that in this day and age there is an element of society who are intent on killing and maiming innocent people to prove that THEIR way of life is the best.

Quite a paradox, really.

[Lau]

London's Euston Station being evacuated currently after a suspicious parcel was found..God make this end already!

You'd think people would keep hold of their stuff on today of all days. It's not that hard to do, and the people who were evacuated must be pretty shaken up.

[bartelby]

My place of work is on Amber alert, the security are checking underneath cars, in the boots (trunks), random bag searches etc.

It's all a bit un-nerving really.

[Applespider]

You'd think people would keep hold of their stuff on today of all days.

Never underestimate the stupidity of the average tourist on the Underground (however bright in normal circumstances).

The Sunday after 9/11, I reported an abandoned suitcase on the Northern Line platform at Bank. The guy shrugged and said it happened all the time, people left cases there while they nipped upstairs to get tickets etc. He wasn't concerned and they didn't even send anyone down to check... I left the station asap.

[Lau]

The Sunday after 9/11, I reported an abandoned suitcase on the Northern Line platform at Bank. The guy shrugged and said it happened all the time, people left cases there while they nipped upstairs to get tickets etc. He wasn't concerned and they didn't even send anyone down to check... I left the station asap.



:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Music_Producer]

Never underestimate the stupidity of the average tourist on the Underground (however bright in normal circumstances).

The Sunday after 9/11, I reported an abandoned suitcase on the Northern Line platform at Bank. The guy shrugged and said it happened all the time, people left cases there while they nipped upstairs to get tickets etc. He wasn't concerned and they didn't even send anyone down to check... I left the station asap.

Well you were in the UK, I was in New York a few weeks after 9/11. I took my wife to the Empire State Building (she had never been there before and that was..or rather, is my fav skyscraper) We were a bit afraid that it might be the next target so we wanted to ..you know.. go there and look at it and all that.

On the 1st floor (where the tickets can be purchased) I saw a backpack..pretty stuffed and lying in a corner. I kept looking at it and looked around to see if anyone was observing it, or looking for it. After a few minutes I was a little nervous and approached a security guard and told her about this and she was so nonchalant about it ..like it was nothing. She didn't call her colleagues or anyone and was busy chatting with a ticket person.. hello!!!! Finally after a few nerve wrecking minutes (for me) some moron finally came and picked up the backpack with his wife and kids. I swear I could have hit him in the head with it.

[Badradio]

I'm trying not to succumb to fear and loathing, as that's what the terrorists want, but this crap (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4662809.stm) really winds me up.

[Jaffa Cake]

I'm trying not to succumb to fear and loathing, as that's what the terrorists want, but this crap (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4662809.stm) really winds me up.I saw this on the news this morning – it's absolutely disgusting. The hotels doing this should be named and shamed.

[Music_Producer]

I'm trying not to succumb to fear and loathing, as that's what the terrorists want, but this crap (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4662809.stm) really winds me up.

That is absolutely deplorable. The hotels that have done this should be boycotted..that will teach them a lesson. Thats sickening..its like..selling bottles of water at a disaster location for $50 a bottle instead of giving them out for free!! :mad:

[iGary]

I'm not a religious person, but my every thought and feeling go out to those involved.

Very sad indeed.

[MongoTheGeek]

On the 1st floor (where the tickets can be purchased) I saw a backpack..pretty stuffed and lying in a corner. I kept looking at it and looked around to see if anyone was observing it, or looking for it. After a few minutes I was a little nervous and approached a security guard and told her about this and she was so nonchalant about it ..like it was nothing. She didn't call her colleagues or anyone and was busy chatting with a ticket person.. hello!!!! Finally after a few nerve wrecking minutes (for me) some moron finally came and picked up the backpack with his wife and kids. I swear I could have hit him in the head with it.

They say the person who looses a war did the best job refighting the previous one. We look for things that bit us before. The unattended bomb wasn't really popular in the US as a means of killing people. They only check for it in airports and then only out of fear its going up in a plane. Only one actual unattended bomb comes to mind and I can think of 2 car bombings in the same time span. In Israel I have heard they are fanatic about unattended packages because they were a common tool of the PLO (less so now because of vigilance)

I am surprised that this worked in London after all of the IRA attacks back in the 80s. I guess memory is a bit to shallow.

[crap freakboy]

BBC quote-"But some US tourists have now cancelled bookings for the coming week following Thursday's bomb attacks, which killed at least 37 people and left 700 injured."

Go USA!! Bless 'em! :(

[mac-er]

I saw this on the news this morning – it's absolutely disgusting. The hotels doing this should be named and shamed.

Is that not illegal there? In the US, those hotels would be sued by the state for everything they have for price gouging.

[Warbrain]

Is that not illegal there? In the US, those hotels would be sued by the state for everything they have for price gouging.

They wouldn't be sued by the state. They would be sued by consumers and then possibly fined by the government.

And is it a surprise that people take advantage of this? No. That's also part of human nature. Same thing happened here in the U.S. on 9/11. Anyone else remember Starbucks making people pay for water, specifically paramedics who needed it for injured people?

[Applespider]

Anyone else remember Starbucks making people pay for water, specifically paramedics who needed it for injured people?

I thought that had been tied down to a specific store with a moronic manager who wasn't 'empowered' to make sensible decisions and thought that it would come out of his/her bottomline for the month. I've seen several cases where someone without the common sense to react as circumstances demand instead of following standard operating procedure create these situations.

In this instance, hotel management put the prices up after the initial panic/kneejerk kicked in which is entirely wrong. i suspect they'll argue that their systems are set up so that they only have x rooms at each price band.

[EJBasile]

Its amazing how much courage and patience the English have displayed. Their ability to absorb such a dastardly act and go on with their lives should and must be admired. After 9/11 air travel in America was down..and never picked up.. for atleast a year! :eek: People in London are back on the subway and buses.. cheers!!!


Keep in mind the death toll on 9/11 was 60 times larger plus part of a city was completely destoryed. In London last time I checked 50 dead people, 3 blown up subways, and a bus. Not exactly the same.

Both of these events though were horrible and very sad though.

[psycho bob]

Keep in mind the death toll on 9/11 was 60 times larger plus part of a city was completely destoryed. In London last time I checked 50 dead people, 3 blown up subways, and a bus. Not exactly the same.

Both of these events though were horrible and very sad though.

I don't think any attack on England be it with planes or conventional means could be as devastating as 9/11 was. We don't have cities like you do, even our largest population centres are dwarfed by yours. I think this is more shocking on a subcontious level because the US has always been a target due to its size and standing in the world, the UK has always been a force in the world (less now than a century ago) but attacks on its soil have been limited to civil conflict (the IRA bomb in Canary Wharfe etc) world wars asside.

I still feel that the Muslim terrorist links are unlikely or even if that was the case show a lack of commitment compared to 9/11. These bombing were crude and poorly planned compared to how they could have been. We were lucky although I'm sure the victims famalies will not see it like that. These bombs for the most part seem to have just been left on the tubes and fortunately detonated in tunnels or quiet areas, they were not suicide attacks committed by would be religious martyrs.

Also remember in any comparisson to the scope of 9/11 that the UK is over 60 times smaller than the US and since the September 11 security has made it hard for such large scale attacks to occur. In politcal terms this attack was more senseless, carried out by faceless people of unknown origin, but deserves just the same united response. The British people have never given in, in many ways as a country I think we are more united in our resolve than Amercia was before 9/11. We will not let this destroy our way of life. People may knock Tony Blair but his speech yesterday was spot on, thoughtful, composed and with the right message.

[MacsRgr8]

This morning I made myself some coffee, and poured it into a cup I blindly grabed out of a cupboard.

It was a white cup with the London Underground map on it.... And a slogan: "You can't beat the system"

Indeed. You can't. And nobody will. NOBODY. :cool:

[evil_santa]

London was very quiet today, the Central Line hardly had anyone on it, it was like traveling on a weekend. The office was also very quiet, a lot of people opting to 'work from home' There was quite a big police presence on the street, particularly near train stations.

[asif786]

London was very quiet today, the Central Line hardly had anyone on it, it was like traveling on a weekend. The office was also very quiet, a lot of people opting to 'work from home' There was quite a big police presence on the street, particularly near train stations.

yeah, i kinda expected that - i think it's because suspicious packages were still being found so people didn't want to take risks.

hopefully everything should be back to normal by tomorrow or monday.

[garybUK]

I don't think any attack on England be it with planes or conventional means could be as devastating as 9/11 was. We don't have cities like you do, even our largest population centres are dwarfed by yours. I think this is more shocking on a subcontious level because the US has always been a target due to its size and standing in the world, the UK has always been a force in the world (less now than a century ago) but attacks on its soil have been limited to civil conflict (the IRA bomb in Canary Wharfe etc) world wars asside.

I still feel that the Muslim terrorist links are unlikely or even if that was the case show a lack of commitment compared to 9/11. These bombing were crude and poorly planned compared to how they could have been. We were lucky although I'm sure the victims famalies will not see it like that. These bombs for the most part seem to have just been left on the tubes and fortunately detonated in tunnels or quiet areas, they were not suicide attacks committed by would be religious martyrs.

Also remember in any comparisson to the scope of 9/11 that the UK is over 60 times smaller than the US and since the September 11 security has made it hard for such large scale attacks to occur. In politcal terms this attack was more senseless, carried out by faceless people of unknown origin, but deserves just the same united response. The British people have never given in, in many ways as a country I think we are more united in our resolve than Amercia was before 9/11. We will not let this destroy our way of life. People may knock Tony Blair but his speech yesterday was spot on, thoughtful, composed and with the right message.


But 11th September was what ???? a 1000th of what happened during WWII in many cities over England and Germany, I know different circumstances but the people didn't give up then either.

Edit: I admired how George Bush dealt with 11th Sept and how the American People dealt with it, remember the Word Trade Center had many people from around the world. It was very Surreal event, extremely moving. Equally what happened in Madrid & London was bad but not on that scale.

[Ugg]

Keep in mind the death toll on 9/11 was 60 times larger plus part of a city was completely destoryed. In London last time I checked 50 dead people, 3 blown up subways, and a bus. Not exactly the same.

Both of these events though were horrible and very sad though.

Yeah, but the US' was more horrible is sadder according to you. Why is it that people need to say, "we had it worse"? I find it sickening that anyone could belittle the UK at a time like this. After 9 11 everyone was a New Yorker, now it seems that nobody could care less about the UK. Brit Hume was more concerned about making money on the stock market, Rush said this was nothing to worry about, phelps wished more people had died, etc.

I guess Americans' true colors really come out when somebody's disaster isn't as disatrous as ours was. That is very sad.

[eva01]

I guess Americans' true colors really come out when somebody's disaster isn't as disatrous as ours was. That is very sad.

Might want to put down "I guess some Americans'" because not everyone feels this way, i bet there were other people in other countries that said the same thing about 9/11, assholes are assholes no matter what nationailty

[asif786]

Might want to put down "I guess some Americans'" because not everyone feels this way, i bet there were other people in other countries that said the same thing about 9/11, assholes are assholes no matter what nationailty

exactly..this isn't about who had more people killed. every londoner and people that have visit london know that this attack was not designed to kill mass amounts of people. if it was, it would've been done in a different manner..they could've flown a plane into canary wharf (which has been done before). they could have dropped a bomb on oxford street. they didnt.

this attack was to put fear in londoner's minds. and i dont think they've succeeded. 9/11 was planned to kill as many people as possible.

whatever the case, we're all together. what's more important than how many people are killed is how countries support each other. so far, i think the US has done a damned-good job of supporting us while we go through our share of terrorism. it kinda makes me feel bad that i didn't give madrid much thought when they had their terror attack last year. that's a lesson to be learned.

pheew, deep breath now :)

[Applespider]

I find it sickening that anyone could belittle the UK at a time like this. After 9 11 everyone was a New Yorker, now it seems that nobody could care less about the UK.

Ugg - have you read this thread all the way through? There are many, many messages from Americans expressing their sorrow about the London bombings, including many saying 'everyone is a Londoner at a time like this'

While this has had a major impact on London, I personally found 9/11 more shocking due to the sheer magnitude of the crime. Bombs, sad to say, are commonplace - we've seen them all across the world and London has had its fair share of them. Even now watching that second jet crash into the WTC and those people jumping from the top floors makes me shudder - it's more like a movie than real life. And it has had a far bigger impact upon the world than the London bombing will have.

Saying that doesn't belittle either event. I have equal compassion and respect for those who were killed or injured in them. And I'll get back on the Tube on Monday morning and thank my lucky stars I wasn't one of them.

[mactastic]

God, Fred Phelps is an ass... I mean, I knew that already, but he managed to top himself again.

Methinks there's a special place in his hell reserved just for him.

[absolut_mac]

I saw this on the news this morning – it's absolutely disgusting. The hotels doing this should be named and shamed.

I agree. TV reporters should try and corner the hotel managers in their offices and ask them why they're exploiting other peoples - their own countrymen - misery and unfortunate circumstances :(

[zimv20]

London was very quiet today, the Central Line hardly had anyone on it, it was like traveling on a weekend.
i took the 55 bus twice today, it and the central london streets were a lot less crowded than they were at this time last week.

[psycho bob]

But 11th September was what ???? a 1000th of what happened during WWII in many cities over England and Germany, I know different circumstances but the people didn't give up then either.


Before you misunderstand me can I just clarrify I was only talking about terrorist acts not those under war time conditions (and yes I realise someone in some advisory role clarrified 9/11 as an act of war but you know what I mean). Germany got, ironically, blitzed during the war by British, American, Canadian etc forces. Britain, especially London also had it bad during the war hopefully we will never have to discuss events like that ever again.

When I mentioned attack by planes I meant solely in the way they were used on the World Trade Centres and the Pentagon not in the way they were primarily used over London and cities during the first and second world wars to drop munitions.

[Platform]

I just want to say: Don't give in, continue your fight.

[homerjward]

My place of work is on Amber alert, the security are checking underneath cars, in the boots (trunks), random bag searches etc.

It's all a bit un-nerving really.
sorry, what's amber alert? :o over here it's an alert for a missing child...
http://www.amberalert.gov/

[Lacero]

He probably means code Orange alert, or a High state of danger.

[bartelby]

He probably means code Orange alert, or a High state of danger.

No, I mean AMBER, that's why I typed it.

It is basically what most people would call orange alert, but the UK Gov aren't most people.

It's one step down from a confirmed direct threat apparently.

It was strange that they waited 24 hours to up the security status.

[skunk]

I just want to say: Don't give in, continue your fight.What fight? We're just minding our own business.

[~Shard~]

What fight? We're just minding our own business.

Yah, I wondered about that comment too. What fight? That almost sounded like some token, canned inspirational phrase or something... ah well, I guess the thought was there... ;)

[asif786]

I've found some really great quotes about the londoners dealing with the terror attacks over the past few days.

some of them contain some mild profanities..but dont sound the same with them blanked out, so i've posted them on my blog:

http://www.asif786.com/?p=38

they're all kinda comedic..nothing political :)

[mac-er]

Yeah, but the US' was more horrible is sadder according to you. Why is it that people need to say, "we had it worse"? I find it sickening that anyone could belittle the UK at a time like this. After 9 11 everyone was a New Yorker, now it seems that nobody could care less about the UK. Brit Hume was more concerned about making money on the stock market, Rush said this was nothing to worry about, phelps wished more people had died, etc.

I guess Americans' true colors really come out when somebody's disaster isn't as disatrous as ours was. That is very sad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4664317.stm

[mac-er]

They wouldn't be sued by the state. They would be sued by consumers and then possibly fined by the government.


In North Carolina, the Attorney General has routinely sued and shut down businesses that gouge consumers after disasters like hurricanes

[Jaffa Cake]

The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4668313.stm) is reporting this evening that Birmingham city centre is being evacuated, following intelligence suggesting a 'threat to the area'. Hopefully it's just another false alarm. :(

[asif786]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4664317.stm

wow, that really is touching..i'm sure a lot of brits will agree.. :)

[psycho bob]

More bombs, well controlled explosions in Birmingham now. This is just going to get worse. The whole city centre has been evacuated :(

[MacsRgr8]

I've found some really great quotes about the londoners dealing with the terror attacks over the past few days.

some of them contain some mild profanities..but dont sound the same with them blanked out, so i've posted them on my blog:

http://www.asif786.com/?p=38

they're all kinda comedic..nothing political :)

I love the fact that tea solves everything. :cool:

Keep a stiff upper lip, drink some tea, and dismiss these cavemen with good ol' British humor. :)

[MacsRgr8]

More bombs, well controlled explosions in Birmingham now. This is just going to get worse. The whole city centre has been evacuated :(

Let's hope this is purely as a precaution.

Nothing on BBC World right now.....

[asif786]

wow, there was a fire at the hard rock café in london today too..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4668157.stm

i know it's not related directly to this, but hey..what a week for london, eh?

that place is a rather large tourist attraction..

[WinterMute]

BBC news 24 have it on the banner, I suspect the police will be blowing a lot of stationary objects up for a while, bombs or not. They used to blow abandoned cars up for fun in London during the IRA campaigns...

If it's a bomb, then intel is doing it's job or we got lucky, if it's not, then someone's shopping is toast.

Did someone mention tea? 2 sugars please.

(Yes, it's a British thing, the world might be in meltdown, but: Get the kettle on...)

edit: The police received a threat warning in Birmingham.

[Jaffa Cake]

Let's hope this is purely as a precaution.

Nothing on BBC World right now.....Well, after the events in London they certainly won't be taking any chances. Fingers crossed it is precautionary and nothing more sinister.

[MacsRgr8]

wow, there was a fire at the hard rock café in london today too..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4668157.stm

i know it's not related directly to this, but hey..what a week for london, eh?

that place is a rather large tourist attraction..

:(
Murphy's law....

[MacsRgr8]

Did someone mention tea? 2 sugars please.

(Yes, it's a British thing, the world might be in meltdown, but: Get the kettle on...)


:D

Great thing about the tea is that it can be found all over British society:
From cricket to football, from the Queen to Bottom.

[asif786]

Bottom.

my god, pleeeease tell me you're talking about the tv show..right?

i thought i was the only person to ever watch that.. :D it was so stupidly funny hehe :)

[MacsRgr8]

my god, pleeeease tell me you're talking about the tv show..right?

i thought i was the only person to ever watch that.. :D it was so stupidly funny hehe :)

Ofcourse I'm talking about the tv show. :)

One of the few comedies which will actually get me ROTFLOL!! :D
Great stuff!

[skunk]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article298101.ece
Another patient being treated at UCH, 52-year-old Tadeuz Gryglewiecz from Cricklewood, north London, had been sitting at the back of the No 30 bus but had moved to a seat in the middle shortly before the explosion.

His friend Harriette Spierings, 44, from Tooting, said she was convinced that decision had saved his life.

"Initially he was at the back of the bus then a seat came free in the middle and he moved," said Ms Spierings. "That was a very lucky move."

Mr Gryglewiecz, a civil engineer originally from Poland, also escaped from the perforated eardrums suffered by many of those who had been sitting near him, thanks to the iPod he was listening to when the detonation occurred.

"A consultant said he was also very lucky to have been using an iPod," said Ms Spierings. "Some people suffer from perforated eardrums in explosions but he did not lose his hearing because he was wearing his iPod headphones."What an advertising opportunity! :D

[Lacero]

Not sure you want to associate the iPod with terrorist bombings. :rolleyes: And to think the EU was concerned iPods damaged hearing.

[~Shard~]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article298101.ece
[/indent]What an advertising opportunity! :D

I don't want to make light of the tragedy of the situation, but that still is pretty cool. :o

[Jaffa Cake]

It looks like the virus writers are taking advantage already. The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4671111.stm) is reporting that an email is doing the rounds claiming to show amateur video footage of the aftermath of one of the tube bombs – however, opening the attached file installs a Trojan.

[~Shard~]

It looks like the virus writers are taking advantage already. The BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4671111.stm) is reporting that an email is doing the rounds claiming to show amateur video footage of the aftermath of one of the tube bombs – however, opening the attached file installs a Trojan.

Evidently one attack wasn't good enough for some people.... :rolleyes:

[garybUK]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4673987.stm

Guess they didn't mind when we sent people over to New York.

[MongoTheGeek]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4673987.stm

Guess they didn't mind when we sent people over to New York.

It was probably someone at the base commander level who wanted to never be promoted again ;) and was looking for a new way to screw the pooch.

Look for a quiet transfer to a weather station somewhere north of the arctic circle.

[Applespider]

It was probably someone at the base commander level who wanted to never be promoted again ;) and was looking for a new way to screw the pooch.

I believe this was the initial command from Thursday when the advice given to everyone was not to come to London. 'Area Closed' said the signs on the motorways.

The command has now been officially rescinded. The link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4673987.stm) also agrees with you, Mongo, that it was made by a risk-averse mid-level commander!

[Dave00]

Well, hooray for British Intelligence. Looks like they're closing in on identifying the ratbastards that did this. If it turns out they aren't all dead, I hope they force them to go to the bomb sites and experience the sights and smell of the horror. There's obviously no punishment that could possibly fit the crime, but that'd be a start.

Not sure I understand all these controlled detonations. I thought the idea was, you find a suspicious package and blow it up in order to prevent it from accidentally blowing up on you. But conducting a controlled explosion so you can go into a house? That I'm unclear on.

[psycho bob]

Not sure I understand all these controlled detonations. I thought the idea was, you find a suspicious package and blow it up in order to prevent it from accidentally blowing up on you. But conducting a controlled explosion so you can go into a house? That I'm unclear on.

In a controlled explosion it is not the explosives (if any) in the package that are set off. The robots or people usually use either; a shotgun, high pressure water or a small explosive device to detroy the trigger mechanism, fuse and explsoive bundle in the package.

by using force they control they prevent the bomb from going off making it safe to enter. The controlled explosion is usually much smaller than the bomb itself. In the case of some of the IRA car bombs the area has been evacuated and the bomb itself set off. This would also been considered controlled because the timing and surrounding were decided by the bomb squad

[Jaffa Cake]

But conducting a controlled explosion so you can go into a house? That I'm unclear on.It's now been revealed that the bombers actually died in the attacks, and knew they wouldn't be coming back – maybe the house was booby trapped?

[MongoTheGeek]

Well, hooray for British Intelligence. Looks like they're closing in on identifying the ratbastards that did this. If it turns out they aren't all dead, I hope they force them to go to the bomb sites and experience the sights and smell of the horror. There's obviously no punishment that could possibly fit the crime, but that'd be a start.

I've been thinking about this. The punishment needs to be something that will set an example. While it is tempting to go after these peoples families, that would be wrong to punish people who unknowingly let it happen. I figure anyone involved in perpetrating this should be sentenced to 20-30 years of hard labor. The hard labor would be in a South Carolina pig farm. :D

[skunk]

I've been thinking about this. The punishment needs to be something that will set an example. While it is tempting to go after these peoples families, that would be wrong to punish people who unknowingly let it happen. I figure anyone involved in perpetrating this should be sentenced to 20-30 years of hard labor. The hard labor would be in a South Carolina pig farm. :DThat's inhuman. You vicious bastard! :D

[Dave00]

[...]While it is tempting to go after these peoples families, that would be wrong to punish people who unknowingly let it happen.
Not only is it unfair to the innocent, it has been tried and (not surprisingly) has the opposite of the intended effect. (See the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.)

This might not be a bad time to bring back the stockades. At any rate, here's to hoping there's a nice domino effect to roll up those responsible. There's already been one arrest.

Dave

[absolut_mac]

I've been thinking about this. The punishment needs to be something that will set an example. While it is tempting to go after these peoples families, that would be wrong to punish people who unknowingly let it happen. I figure anyone involved in perpetrating this should be sentenced to 20-30 years of hard labor. The hard labor would be in a South Carolina pig farm. :D

Never going to happen.

The ACLU will be screaming blue murder about cruel and unusual punishment, ignoring of course the carnage that such inhuman acts have caused thousands of innocent families.

Of course it would also help if the world condemned - in absolutely no uncertain terms - that murderers are not martyrs, 72 virgins or not, and glorifying them and naming streets after them is not acceptable under any circumstances.

[MongoTheGeek]

Never going to happen.

The ACLU will be screaming blue murder about cruel and unusual punishment, ignoring of course the carnage that such inhuman acts have caused thousands of innocent families.

Of course it would also help if the world condemned - in absolutely no uncertain terms - that murderers are not martyrs, 72 virgins or not, and glorifying them and naming streets after them is not acceptable under any circumstances.

That reminds me. PsyOps has been the major down fall of the war in Iraq. If we controlled the airwaves better each of these suicide bombers would be reported in Arabic as heretics fighting the spread of Islam. Osama would be a pretender to the throne of the Prophet and eventually the news would say that he was claiming to be the Prophet.

Yes I know they would never be sent to a pig farm. Just a fantasy.