The security in London is second to none but, it is acknowledged that it is only a matter of time before such an attack gets through.
The timing is significant, i.e. it being exactly a year (to the day) of the Brussels attack. Of course the deaths are regrettable (apart from that of the assailant). How sad it is that French schoolgirls were there and affected by it, i.e. some injured - given what happened in their country.
It could have been worse I suppose.
Indeed such an attack was inevitable. I agree the timing may be significant although at this stage we have no idea what the motivation was.
It's been a whole 12 years since 7/7 - we have a lot to be grateful to our security forces for, but what can you do about an attacker armed with a car and a kitchen knife?
I've been cheered today by the reports of the candlelit vigil and the solidarity being shown by Londoners and visitors alike. these have been my favourite sites so far.
(this last one I include for the made-up Underground info board at the bottom)
"All terrorists are politely
reminded that
THIS IS LONDON
And whatever you do to us
We will drink tea
And jolly well carry on.
Thank you"
Just about sums it up! :p
Love and prayers for everyone who was affected and everyone who is being so brave and defiant.
Judy
The irony of the attack was that those who suffered were far from being all British, e.g. an American man died (tragically celebrating his 25th anniversary), French schoolchildren were injured, Asian tourists, Italians etc.
Ultimately what could prepare security for a random vehicle mowing down pedestrians? How could it have been prevented?
I agree with Principled that the candlelit vigil was a supportive and positive response to that day.
It's been a whole 12 years since 7/7 - we have a lot to be grateful to our security forces for, but what can you do about an attacker armed with a car and a kitchen knife?
Yes, but of course it's less than a year since Jo Cox's murder so I guess the numbers depend on what we term 'a terrorist attack'.
Yes, but of course it's less than a year since Jo Cox's murder so I guess the numbers depend on what we term 'a terrorist attack'.
I would regard that more as a hate crime perpetrated by a far right terrorist. A terrorist attack involves multiple deaths.
I would regard that more as a hate crime perpetrated by a far right terrorist. A terrorist attack involves multiple deaths.
terrorism
ˈtɛrərɪzəm/
noun
noun: terrorism
[LIST=1]
"the fight against terrorism"
terrorism
ˈtɛrərɪzəm/
noun
noun: terrorism
[LIST=1]the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. "the fight against terrorism"
I don't care about the original meaning. Most people would understand a terrorist attack as involving people rather than one person.
I know it is best that this person is no longer on our earth but if I was one of the police who had to shoot him, I would have been so tempted to make it his knee caps, his elbows, his shoulders and see him squirm.
I know it is best that this person is no longer on our earth but if I was one of the police who had to shoot him, I would have been so tempted to make it his knee caps, his elbows, his shoulders and see him squirm.
I was a bit puzzled by the fact they tried to save him, i.e. keep him alive but then the cynical part of me thought it might be for questioning him!
I don't care about the original meaning. Most people would understand a terrorist attack as involving people rather than one person.
Actually, most people I've talked with understand a terrorist act to be one motivated by belief (including political belief) that endeavours to cause death and mayhem.
I was a bit puzzled by the fact they tried to save him, i.e. keep him alive but then the cynical part of me thought it might be for questioning him!
Paramedics tried to save him. It's what paramedics do. Thank goodness.
Actually, most people I've talked with understand a terrorist act to be one motivated by belief (including political belief) that endeavours to cause death and mayhem.
Yes I wasn't disputing that part of it - just that it is normally associated with directly affecting people, i.e. not just one person.
A one on one situation is more a hate crime.
The murder of Lee Rigby is generally classified as a 'terror attack'. That being so, the only reason that leaps out at me for the murder of Jo Cox not to be is that Thomas Mair was not Muslim. I'd hate to think that was the reason.
The murder of Lee Rigby is generally classified as a 'terror attack'. That being so, the only reason that leaps out at me for the murder of Jo Cox not to be is that Thomas Mair was not Muslim. I'd hate to think that was the reason.
Terrorists are not conventional Muslims anyway.
Terrorists are not conventional Muslims anyway.
Of course. I didn't mean to imply they were. Rather, that the media and the increasingly vocal 'far right' will constantly link the two, and - sadly and because American and European (inc. UK) politics are dominated by such - this will influence the popular view point. Trump junior's twitter attack on Sadiq Khan and everything Farage has said in the last couple of days illustrate this.