The Quality of Mersey

Steyn Online ^ | October 11, 2004 | Mark Steyn

[Gritty]

Steyn nails it once again.

Some would rather sobbingly place mounds of flowers and teddy bears than do what is necessary to end this horror forever!

[aculeus]

Shamefully, The Telegraph pulls a brilliant Steyn column.

[nmh]

What they have done is appeared to be weak.

Terrorist may actually seek out the BIRITISH because of the waffling. God only knows the terror and torment Mr. Bigley felt as he waited and waited ... false hope ... got caught escaping ... and then experienced what he saw his colleagues get - beheaded.

[nmh]

What they have done is appeared to be weak.

Terrorist may actually seek out the BRITISH because of the waffling. God only knows the terror and torment Mr. Bigley felt as he waited and waited ... false hope ... got caught escaping ... and then experienced what he saw his colleagues get - beheaded.

[maryz]

And, if you don’t want to wind up in that situation, you need to pack heat and be prepared to resist at the point of abduction. I didn’t give much thought to decapitation when I was mooching round the Sunni Triangle last year, but my one rule was that I was determined not to get into a car with any of the locals and I was willing to shoot anyone who tried to force me. If you’re not, you shouldn't be there.

So, I ask again, why isn't every foreign worker there armed?

[satchmodog9]

Me too.

[gridlock]

He Fell Among Thieves

'Ye have robb'd,' said he, 'ye have slaughter'd and made an end,
Take your ill-got plunder, and bury the dead:

What will ye more of your guest and sometime friend?'
'Blood for our blood,' they said.

He laugh'd: 'If one may settle the score for five,
I am ready; but let the reckoning stand til day:

I have loved the sunlight as dearly as any alive.'
'You shall die at dawn,' said they.

He flung his empty revolver down the slope,
He climb'd alone to the Eastward edge of the trees;

All night long in a dream untroubled of hope
He brooded, clasping his knees.

He did not hear the monotonous roar that fills
The ravine where the Yassin river sullenly flows;

He did not see the starlight on the Laspur hills,
Or the far Afghan snows.

He saw the April noon on his books aglow,
The wistaria trailing in at the window wide;

He heard his father's voice from the terrace below
Calling him down to ride.

He saw the gray little church across the park,
The mounds that hid the loved and honour'd dead;

The Norman arch, the chancel softly dark,
The brasses black and red.

He saw the School Close, sunny and green,
The runner beside him, the stand by the parapet wall,

The distant tape, and the crowd roaring between,
His own name over all.

He saw the dark wainscot and timber'd roof,
The long tables, and the faces merry and keen;

The College Eight and their trainer dining aloof,
The Dons on the daïs serene.

He watch'd the liner's stem ploughing the foam,
He felt her trembling speed and the thrash of her screw;

He heard the passengers' voices talking of home,
He saw the flag she flew.

And now it was dawn. He rose strong on his feet,
And strode to his ruin'd camp below the wood;

He drank the breath of the morning cool and sweet:
His murderers round him stood.

Light on the Laspur hills was broadening fast,
The blood-red snow-peaks chill'd to dazzling white;

He turn'd, and saw the golden circle at last,
Cut by the Eastern height.

'O glorious Life, Who dwellest in earth and sun,
I have lived, I praise and adore Thee.' A sword swept.

Over the pass the voices one by one
Faded, and the hill slept.

-- Sir Henry Newbolt

[Peter Libra]

Excellent. A tip of my Freeper hat to you- thanks.