Posted on 07/07/2005 3:15:55 PM PDT by mdittmar
LONDON - Amid four coordinated explosions that hit London commuter routes in the middle of morning rush hour Thursday, killing dozens of people and wounding hundreds more, rescue workers, police and ordinary people streamed into blood-splattered streets to help.
Reporters and TV crews pressed against police tape at the scene. Behind them, passers-by held cell phones in the air to take pictures or video of the wreckage.
Just a day before, London basked in the glory of winning the 2012 Olympic Games, with wild celebrations on Trafalgar Square. Now, the Union Jack at Buckingham Palace flew at half-staff in respect for the dead and injured.
Police went on emergency alert code amber as soon as they understood what was happening, shutting down all subways and buses and evacuating passengers, said Brian Paddick of London Metro Police. An eerie quiet took hold in parts of the city.
Former Plano resident and recent TCU graduate Katherine Haeg’s commute to work on the London rail system seemed slower than normal Thursday, but most riders were guessing it was caused by an electrical problem. Haeg was evacuated with her fellow passengers at Waterloo Station in south-central London.
“Where I was coming from, the Tube was shut down for engineering reasons. It’s pretty normal, but this morning it was lucky, because who knows what could have happened,” Haeg said.
Haeg said one of people’s main concerns was “how to get home from work safely.”
The priority in the morning was getting in touch with loved ones -- it seemed everyone had a cell phone in his hand. By evening, maps replaced phones as thousands of Londoners tried to navigate routes home made unfamiliar by police roadblocks and shuttered subway stations.
Amid the twisted metal and mangled bodies left by Thursday's devastating bomb attacks, Londoners took pride in their tradition of fortitude and quiet defiance.
"As Brits, we'll carry on - it doesn't scare us at all," said 37-year-old tour guide Michael Cahill. "Look, loads of people are walking down the streets. It's Great Britain - not called 'Great' for nothing."
The worst attack on London since World War II brought out a strength and esprit de corps that recalled Britain under the blitz of German bombers. Prime Minister Tony Blair made a televised appeal for unity and praised the "stoicism and resolve of the British people." Both were in evidence across the city, as volunteers helped the walking wounded from blast sites, commuters loaned their phones so strangers could call home and thousands faced long queues for homeward-bound buses - or even longer walks - ithout complaint.
"People are getting on with it," said taxi driver Steve Green. "It's marvelous that they're showing their backbone."
The streets were uncharacteristically calm around St. Paul's Cathedral, whose vast dome towering above clouds of black smoke became a symbol of British defiance of Nazi bombers.
"I can't believe how quiet and calm the atmosphere is in the streets. People aren't panicking, they're just quietly walking," said Inga Gordon, visiting from Oslo, Norway. "It doesn't seem like they are in shock. They are just going about their business."
Some Muslim Londoners expressed fear they would be targeted in revenge. "Everyone is subdued and people are wondering what has happened," said restaurant manager Karim Mohammed. "People are asking how will it affect us, are we going to be treated in a nice way after this?"
However, there were no reports of revenge attacks Thursday. And while the majority of Britons opposed their nation's participation in the U.S.-led war in Iraq, there were no immediate calls to pull out the troops.
Computer technician Matt Carter, 25, said he was struck by how the attacks had united Londoners.
"It's amazing how people have stuck together. I've seen total strangers hugging each other and people coming out into the street with free cups of tea," he said.
"We can't let the terrorists defeat us. We've got to show them they will never win."
Mayor Ken Livingstone condemned the attacks as "an indiscriminate attempt at mass murder" aimed at "ordinary working-class Londoners."
He said the bombers would never succeed.
"I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others -- that is why you are so dangerous," Livingstone said. "But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail."
Mayor of London....just Google him.
It's easy. He's pond scum.
Today he never reffered to these dogs as Islamic terrorists.
he's an anti-Jew baiter
and has been very very ugly to Bush.
it goes on and on.
"Red Ken" they call him.
Guess what,I don't give a rat's a$$ what a politician says here,the fact that you do shows your ignorance.
No offense.
Thanks. I wish to think the best of the British, too - if only for MadIvan's sake, because he's such a cutie :-). My brother has lived in England for several years, and he likes the country and the people very much.
However, because of their categorical surrender of their right to self defense against crime - not only with guns, but every implement down to a chain-link fence - I really feel that the outcome in the next week is up in the air.
Funny, isn't it, how it's always about them?
I have a question: what about Spain?
Did Spain's capitulation make further attacks more likely or less?
Did their handing the terrorists a victory encourage further attacks like today's?
"nothing has changed here."
Is that good or bad Bernie? Much of the UK loathes Bush and what about the rather high Muslim population there? (3-5% isn't it?
I lived for less than a year at Tottenham Court and Hampstead Lane back in 85-86 myself. Had an office at Hatton Garden
My family has sold 3 companies over the years to Birmingham Water Works...(Severn Trent PLC)
I identify with the UK a lot....like any old line Southerner in the US.
My prayers for ya'll
I still say Red Ken sucks.
Ken Livingstone = Mayor of London
David Livingstone = 19th Century Scottish missionary ("Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" - Sir H.M. Stanley, in Africa)
Really?
Do you apply such sterling logic to Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot....Bill Clinton?
LOL...it's your thread.
Yep....they sure view self defense different than conservatives here.
Well....I bet Bush will be along shortly to talk about peaceful Muslims.
I love him but I'll turn the sound down.
I've had enuff of all that crap.
Tony has already done his Mecca bow....sadly
Thank You.
I lost my mind in Samoa some time ago..lol
Well,you got one elected one there,no I never gave a rat's a$$ what bill clinton said.
Of course no mention of, or concern for the families of those killed, or injured very badly.
Just the self absorbed, selfish, grissly, barbaric and diabolical false religion.
They have probably targetted the two countries that are least likely to submit. Most likely to fight to the end.
"Some Muslim Londoners expressed fear they would be targeted in revenge. "Everyone is subdued and people are wondering what has happened," said restaurant manager Karim Mohammed. "People are asking how will it affect us, are we going to be treated in a nice way after this?"
This quote says it all.
You know.
I don't recall you as an FR foe to tell you the truth....and I have a few admittedly.
I usually wrangle almost exclusively with South bashers and Open Borders loonies.
So unless you are one of those.
I apologize for the misunderstanding on your thread here and will move on.
Did you meet her too?
Ken is a clown, an evil Stalinist clown.
Here's the current UK polling data on Iraq.
I don't see this as making much difference short-term.
http://pollingreport.co.uk/iraq.html
We are on the same side,you're welcome on my threads anytime.
If I don't see a contingent of humble muslums condemning and apologizing for the crimes against humanity that have been committed by the followers of their "god," I'll figure it's about time to realise this is not a religion, they have no holy books or mosques, and the solution to their problem is death. All of them.
And killing every single Muslim wouldn't be a 'crime against humanity' how?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.