Bombs blast London!!

[Lollipop]

I started this thread in good faith, hoping to show the member's in England we share there pain and will always be loyal and support them in any way we can!
I hate it has gotten to other issue's!!

I know no one means any harm to another personally, but let's let them know we care more now about there needs than ours!!

Please! :apeace:

 

[TDWoj]

I started this thread in good faith, hoping to show the member's in England we share there pain and will always be loyal and support them in any way we can!
I hate it has gotten to other issue's!!

I know no one means any harm to another personally, but let's let them know we care more now about there needs than ours!!

Please! :apeace:

Yes, of course. Sorry.

 

[hofmae]

I started this thread in good faith, hoping to show the member's in England we share there pain and will always be loyal and support them in any way we can!
I hate it has gotten to other issue's!!

I know no one means any harm to another personally, but let's let them know we care more now about there needs than ours!!

Please! :apeace:

Yes you're right. Let's discuss this another time.

 

[TDWoj]

London Police Press on With Investigation

By PAISLEY DODDS

LONDON (AP) - As jittery commuters braved the Underground Friday, police continued with investigation and recovery effors, stressing they were still in the early stages of what promises to be an arduous investigation.

The police press office said the overall death toll from Thursday's four terrorist bombings was 49 but said they have not accounted for all the dead on one subway train deep underground. About 100 wounded were hospitalized overnight.

Sir Ian Blair, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said the bodies of 13 people killed on the double-decker bus that was hit Thursday had been recovered, giving the first official tally from the bus blast.

Police said investigation and recovery were hampered at a bomb site because of fears the subway tunnel was unsafe. Engineers were examining structural damage. More than 700 were injured in Thursday's attacks on London - the worst attack in the city since World War II.

Blair said that 22 were in serious or critical condition. The injured included citizens of at least five countries in addition to Britain - Sierra Leone, Australia, Portugal, Poland and China. One person died in the hospital, where 100 victims spent the night, Blair said.

Authorities have said the attacks had the signatures of the al-Qaida terror network and current and former American counterterrorism officials said they were taking seriously an Internet claim of responsibility by a group calling itself The Secret Organization of al-Qaida in Europe.

Little was known about the group, but a Web statement in the same name claimed responsibility for the last major terror attack in Europe: a string of bombs that hit commuter trains in Madrid, Spain in March 2004, killing 191 people.

Blair said there was no evidence proving that the attacks involved suicide bombers but that officials hadn't ruled out the possibility.

The blasts paralyzed the city's public transportation system, halting subway service, delaying buses and stranding thousands of residents and tourists.

Shows across London's West End theater district were canceled Thursday while shops and banks in the capital closed their doors early.

Weekend concerts by Queen and REM in Hyde Park also were postponed by a week because of safety concerns.

London's mass transit system reopened Friday, though some commuters, admitting they were afraid, opted for a taxi. Normally packed double-decker buses carried just a handful of passengers, and many Underground stations were less congested than normal. But others said they had little choice but to board the subway.

``I was scared, but what can you do?'' said Raj Varatharaj, 32, emerging from an Underground station. ``This is the fastest way for me to get to work. You just have to carry on.''

Assistant Police Commissioner Andy Hayman said officials believe the bombs were placed on the floors of the three subway cars that were hit. He said the initial investigation suggests that each bomb had less than 10 pounds of explosives. The weight of explosives was smaller than recent bombs detonated in the Middle East.

Based on evidence recovered from the rubble, investigators believe some of the bombs were on timers, a U.S. law enforcement official said. The official would not further describe the evidence.

Investigators doubt that cell phones - used in the Madrid train attacks a year ago - were used to detonate the bombs in the Underground because the phones often don't work in the system's tunnels, the official said.

Police denied that they had found any unexploded devices. Two suspicious packages in other areas were destroyed in controlled explosions, but Blair said they turned out to be harmless.

Security officials locked patrons inside the British Museum briefly Friday after guards spotted two suitcases found chained together inside the museum. Doors were unlocked after they located the bag's owners, two tourists.

Thursday's subway blasts went off within 26 minutes, starting at 8:51 a.m. An explosion ripped the roof off a double-decker bus less than an hour after the first bombing, attacks that came as world leaders were opening the G-8 summit in Scotland.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who just the day before had been basking in the glory of Britain's successful Olympics bid, condemned the attacks and blamed Islamic extremists. Foreign Minister Jack Straw said the attacks bore the hallmark of al-Qaida, the group responsible for Sept. 11.

Ten of London's 12 subway lines reopened Friday, though service on three was restricted. Bus service was running through central London, except for diversions around blast sites.

Aldona Mosjko, a 21-year-old bagel shop manager from Poland, was among those too frightened to take public transportation Friday. ``Normally, I take the bus, but today, I took a taxi. I was a bit afraid,'' she said.

Stocks were higher in Europe on Friday, with insurance and travel-related stocks regaining some of the ground they lost on Thursday.

Queen Elizabeth II, her son Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, meanwhile, made separate visits to bombing victims at hospitals in the capital.

The queen expressed her admiration for all the Londoners who ``are calmly determined to resume their normal lives.''

``Sadly we in Britain have been all too familiar with acts of terror and members of my generation, especially at this end of London, know that we have been here before,'' she said during a visit to the Royal London Hospital, referring to the Nazi air blitz of World War II.

``But those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life,'' she stressed.

Some commuters commented on what appeared to be a light police presence at some Underground stations.

``Everyone is very quiet, everybody is a bit anxious,'' said Anil Patel, 40, a banker. ``An obvious (police) presence would have settled your nerves.''

The Secret Group of al-Qaida's Jihad in Europe claimed it was behind the attacks in a posting on a Web site, saying the bombings were punishment for Britain's involvement in the war in Iraq and invasion of Afghanistan.

It threatened to attack Italy and Denmark for their support of the U.S.-led coalitions in both countries, too.

A senior U.S. counterterrorism official said Thursday that the Internet posting was considered a ``potentially very credible'' claim, in part because the message appeared soon after the attacks and didn't appeared rushed. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because investigations were ongoing.

Investigators said they would look for evidence in the debris from Thursday's attacks and in the video footage from some 1,800 cameras in London's train stations.

Charles Shoebridge, a security analyst and former counterterrorism intelligence officer, said detectives will have to watch thousands of hours of video - slowly and carefully. Investigators will try to find on tape the point at which bombs were placed, then trace back the movements of the bomber, a task he said could involve hundreds of cameras.

Much of Europe also went on alert, and Italy's airports raised alert levels to a maximum.

 

[GlimmerMan]

The 'War' has arrived...

Alright peeps.

Looks like the war has arrived in the UK. It makes me sad to say it, but an attack was inevitable, really. It wasn't a question of if, but when. We have been lulled into a false sense of security and have let our defences down, somewhat. I blame the media, to a certain extent. Every now and then, certain ignorant newspapers in the UK highlight just how easy it is to breach security systems in high profile places. Some pretentious prick got a job in Buckingham Palace and worked there for months. In his report, he spoke at length about how easy it would have been to put poison in the Queen's food. One little freak even took a fake 'bomb' to the Houses Of Parliment. What the hell is that all about? It's no surprise we were hit by terrorists when they read every day about how bad UK security measures are.

I went into town yesterday and there were police everywhere. Liverpool is a major city in the UK and is also a busy port, and subsequently, the whole city was on alert. I was picking my girlfriend up at the train station, so I drove into the car park, parked up in a space and texted her to see where she was. Next thing I know, I'm being confronted by an armed officer who asked me what I was doing! I didn't know whether to feel safe or scared! Haha!

The death toll in London is now in the mid 40's, with well over 700 people injured. As usual, the papers' milked it for all it's worth - Souvenir editions, columnists telling us that they "told us so". Yeah, you did - now fu*k off and be self-righteous somewhere else, you dick. There were pages and pages filled with pictures of fu*king ghouls taking cellphone photographs of the devastation and talking in detail about blood splattered walls and chunks of smoking, bloody flesh landing on the ground. Some disgusting sh*t, I know, and it really pisses me off, as whoever comitted these atrocities were probably sniggering with glee, praising their 'god', who tells them to kill. Yeah - some god you got there, pal. It annoyed me that I was reading all the column inches that THEY had created. Fu*king extremist twats. I'd like to see how hard they are when I fu*king chase them with an axe.

I have only one more thing to say - to be brutally honest - I am amazed the death toll is so low. We were very, very lucky.

Cookie - I'm glad Robbo is OK. I was worried about you yesterday - I tried texting you a few times, but think the cellular signal must have been down, as the texts kept failing to send. Take care & I'll speak to you soon.

GlimmerMan (going to live in a cave)

 

[Lonewolf]

Tonight We All Are Londoners!!!!!!

 

[Serena]

Thanks Serena, I read the whole thing!! I worry so! These people are crazy you don't ever know when are where they will strike!
I am scared of them!!

That's one thing that never did worry me. :indiffere With all the traveling I've done, I've never been overly concerned about being the victim of a terrorist in another country. I even traveled after September 11th almost immediately after they lifted the ban on flying.

I just believe when it's my time, that's it. Either home or abroad. I figure it's riskier driving to and from work on the Interstate expressway every night. :indiffere

 

[Amos Stevens]

Today when I found myself on a bus-first time in years-I said to myself what the heck am I doing on a bus the day after bombs hit in London Oh well,too late

 

[Littledragon]

Today when I found myself on a bus-first time in years-I said to myself what the heck am I doing on a bus the day after bombs hit in London Oh well,too late

Amos! Be quiet and get your but in the chat!!

 

[kickingbird]

Yes, I believe the original purpose of this thread was to let those in London know we care about them. Yes, we do!
If one can feel the pain and suffering of another as one's own, truly, then that would be the beginning of unity among all people.
Life is very precious. I believe only God knows our destiny. We should live each moment with gratitude and humbleness and in peace. No matter what happens.
There is still meaning in the phrase "pray for peace".

 

[TDWoj]

I just saw a post in another forum from my writer friend in London, England. Apparently, something's happened in Birmingham, though whether it was a bomb or just a threat of one is as yet undetermined.

 

[cookie]

Cookie - I'm glad Robbo is OK. I was worried about you yesterday - I tried texting you a few times, but think the cellular signal must have been down, as the texts kept failing to send. Take care & I'll speak to you soon.

Thanks Sweetie, thats really kind of you. It was a scary 15 mins till I could contact him and find out if he was ok and then waiting for him to come home.

It was worst for my sister as her husband works in Taveristock Sq. Lucky he's a lazy git and was late for work, so got caught in the traffic.

The signal for mobiles was up and down all day I think so many people must of been calling/texting loved one/friends to check they were safe.

Robbo had to go back to work on friday, he said it was really weird, very quite and people were very edgy.

You take care too Sweetie.

 

[AikiRooster]

Confirmation requested!

I recently heard on Fox there was a mass evac somewhere in England today/tonight. What's going on there now? Something about a new explosion or bomb.

 

[Serena]

I recently heard on Fox there was a mass evac somewhere in England today/tonight. What's going on there now? Something about a new explosion or bomb.

Looks to be just a threat at this point, a warning, and they've evacuated that section of the city. I just walked back in the door, but this is the latest on the internet news right now.



Last Updated: Saturday, 9 July, 2005, 23:24 GMT 00:24 UK
Police evacuate Birmingham centre

Traffic is not being allowed into the city centre. About 20,000 people have been evacuated from Birmingham city centre amid a security alert.

West Midlands Police asked people to leave Broad Street, the main entertainment hub and two other areas. Some city homes were also evacuated.

No vehicles are being allowed past the inner ring road into the city centre.

Police said they acted after receiving intelligence of an unspecified threat. They said a controlled explosion had been carried out earlier on a bus. " don't believe that the incident that we are dealing with this evening is connected with the events of 7 July in London," Assistant Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Stuart Hyde

Officers now believe that the item destroyed on the vehicle, in Corporation Street, had not posed a threat.

Police said the evacuation was a "proportionate response" to the intelligence received, but were not giving specific details.

The assistant chief constable of West Midlands Police, Stuart Hyde, said the measures were taken following information about a "substantial threat" to the area, but he said the incident was probably not connected to the London bomb attacks.

"I don't believe that the incident that we are dealing with this evening is connected with the events of 7 July in London," he said. "I want to make that pretty clear."

Birmingham resident Kenneth Kelsall told the BBC: "There is a lot of confusion, there appears to be no chance of anyone moving back into the city - but people are remaining quiet."

BBC Home Affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford believed the issuing of a public warning by police showed there must have been information of a "fairly specific and credible" threat. "It does not mean something is going to happen, it means there is a threat," he said. "It is highly unusual, if not unprecedented to evacuate a whole city centre."

The BBC's Zoe Gough said there was confusion and people were trying to find out information but there was no panic.

'Gridlocked' streets

"Everybody is just being turned round and the main roads out of the city seem to be gridlocked, although traffic does seem to be moving," she said.

"I have seen some cars just pulled up and also people walking along with suitcases away from city centre as if they have been stranded there.

Mobile phone pictures show people being moved away

"People who have come here to have a good time have been trying to carry on with their evening, but the area being evacuated seems to be widening... "The lot of roads are like ghost streets, when they normally would be packed with people. "

Mr Hyde said the decision to close such a large part of the city had not been taken lightly. "We have made this decision after careful analysis and consideration and we are very, very grateful to the public for their understanding. "We believe it is a proportionate response to the information. "Finally I would ask members of the public to stay vigilant."

West Midlands Police announced they had received intelligence of a possible threat to the area at about 2015 BST.

Initially people were told to be on their guard, and that bars and restaurants were being searched. Motorists were also told not to come into the city centre.

However, about half an hour later, police said the city was to be evacuated.

 

[Storm]

1stly i will say i don't like this thread being used to a "right to bear arms" bull. Why do you think US has highest murder rate in the world? Can no-one see the link between guns and people willing to use them? A gun may make you feel safe,but it can be taken off you and used against you. Either way,it's murder or manslaughter. I am glad weapons like that strictly controlled here.
British people are used to sacrifice. We lost 60,000 casualties in 24 hours at the Somme in WW1,more than your total in Vietnam over years.

 

[Jules]

I think when it comes to weapons and killing. If there is a will to kill, there is a way. Didn't Hitler in WWII take guns away from people only to turn on those people later?

 

[Storm]

It is my opinion that making guns available to all like the US culture is destructive,and inevitably crazy as people will use them!
If you brandish a weapon here an armed response unit will deal with you. Gun crime is rare and streets are relatively safe,besides the junkies!
This right to bear arms is all wrong,in my opinion for what it''s worth.

 

[Jules]

Your opinion is worth much, Storm.

 

[Storm]

Well thankyou Jules! You are a lady. It is just my opinion,that's all.
I really believe if the US banned firearms your murder rate would drop. That will never happen,as once people get used to having a gun in their cuphoards they will be loathe to give it up. It's human nature. We never want to give up what we take for granted.I still would love to see your great country properly.
Anyone want to show me??? Lol. Ha ha.

 

[Jules]

Sure Storm!

Well thankyou Jules! You are a lady. It is just my opinion,that's all.
I really believe if the US banned firearms your murder rate would drop. That will never happen,as once people get used to having a gun in their cuphoards they will be loathe to give it up. It's human nature. We never want to give up what we take for granted.I still would love to see your great country properly.
Anyone want to show me??? Lol. Ha ha.

Thank you for the compliment sir!!

Sure I'll show you a bit of NY.

This is what New York State looks like in the winter! Err....or my side yard anyways.

 

[AikiRooster]

Guns are good tool.

Guns don't kill people, people kill people.
If it wasn't with guns they would use something else. It is the people that need to be fixed, locked up, killed or all the above. The lack of guns just make good people even more vulnerable. Look at the states in this country that are allowed to carry firearms as long as the individual has a clean record and does not have mental issues.
For example, in the state of Virginia when they allowed citizens to carry concealed again, the murder and crime rate itself dropped drastically and it has stayed low. Clearly when the bad guys know that the next citizen they might consider victimizing that the same potential victim might also fill them with smoking holes, the bad guys will think twice and often decide not to do it. There is no better crime control then an equalizer like a firearm.
Just like in my signature, the middle character in the three kanji is to stop war. What better way to stop war then to know how to war. Nobody looking for an easy target is going to go after a person that is or might be a challenge.

Perhaps, in England, if the citizens were allowed to carry they could have killed the terrorist or stopped them before they placed the explosives if they were seen and suspected by the citizens. Then of course, the citizens could have either disarmed the terrorists or called the police to do so for them while they drawed down on them until the proper authorities arrived and take over the scene.

Nothing good comes from the Democratic, liberal point of view of taking away America's guns.