Sadly, Rush's comments are close to being correct. Though most Brits don't remember the blitz, the national identity of Britain hasn't moved much beyond that. During the Battle of Britain 30000 Londoner's were killed, yet every day it was business as usual.<br><br>The point of a terrorist attack is to strike fear into the common people (that was also the aim of the blitz - to demoralise). It is to make people change their normal routine through fear. With Britain once the initial shock of the attack has gone (usually a matter of hours), the emergency services move in the clean up and investigate. The rest of the people will open their shops and offices for business as soon as the police allow them to get to their front doors - business as usual.<br><br>The tube system was shut down for 1 day, it reopened the next day apart from areas where structural safety is in question.<br>Buses were still running.<br>People were working (just wondering how they were going to get home that night - or maybe sleeping in the office under the desk)<br><br>The only effect that is left to run its course is will the British Government change any of its policies in the area of the War on Terror. If they don't then this attack could be said to be a strategic failure.<br><br>(Please note that this is not meant as a commentary on the deaths caused, merely the Britiish National Identity when it comes to being attacked).<br><br><br><br>We all do what we do for the same reason: because it seems like a good idea at the time.

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>And somehow Shepard Smith (a link not found on Media Matters) contradicting his own network and spinning his own made-up conclusions is not worthy of criticism?<p><hr></blockquote><p>By the way, Fox News isn't a network. It's just one cable channel. On the other hand, CBS is a network. ABC is a network. NBC is a network.<br><br>

Well I will say one thing... the 50-60 Londoners killed is very SAD, however Iraqis have been enduring that amount almost every day or 2!! Remember one week a month or so ago >300 Iraqis were killed...in 1 single week ! The world will morn the London tragedy but don't shed as many tears for the innocent Iraqis caught in Bush's vice...Bush "broke Iraq" and now he can't put it back together!! Furthermore, if he'd stuck ON TASK and gotten OBL, destroyed AQ more thoroughly, and left Iraq OUT of this - the London and Madrid bombings may have never happened!<br>Although he didn't DO it - he bears much responsibility for making the situation WORSE.<br><br>David (OFI)<br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>Furthermore, if he'd stuck ON TASK and gotten OBL, destroyed AQ more thoroughly, and left Iraq OUT of this - the London and Madrid bombings may have never happened!<p><hr></blockquote><p><br>You don't really believe that do you. Were we in Iraq in September 2001? How about any time during the 1990's? These people plan attacks for years, then they put them into action and to give our media something to beat their chests over blame it on a recent act performed by a western nation.<br><br>They will continue to attack us until "the zionists are put to death" (I think ObL put it recently). So give up your freedoms, convert to Islam, and they might leave you alone. Though Zaqawi has declared that it is ok to kill Muslims in this cause, so even that might not be enough to satisfy them.<br><br><br><br>We all do what we do for the same reason: because it seems like a good idea at the time.

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p> You don't really believe that do you. Were we in Iraq in September 2001? <p><hr></blockquote><p>Yes I do, and you're correct we were NOT in Iraq but had built permanent bases in S Arabia and some surrounding countries like Kuwait -... many Muslims did NOT like that.<br><br>It all has to do with our heavy handed involvement in those Muslim countries, Llew.<br><br>I still ask this question- WHY do we feel it is our "charge" to control the Middle East. Now we all know the REAL reason - OIL ! but we can't admit that .. oh no it's "free people", ...it's WMDs, ....he broke sanctions, ...Sadam was a bad egg (we helped create).... its every excuse but the real one - economic addiction to oil. <br><br>I still maintain if we got out of the ME all together... MOST the Muslim extremists would care less about us or our lifestyle. Sure some might still be POed about Israel, again we need to adopt a more "balanced" handling of that foreign policy... but the threats would be FAR, FAR much lower than what Bush's (I and 2) policies have created and Clinton maintained (he's not excused either).<br><br>Why can't we buy oil on the world market just like 95% of the rest of the world ?? (instead of trying to control the region and meddle in their affairs?)<br>That's all I'm asking Llew. Why wouldn't this approach work?<br>It would be FAR, FAR less costly in LIVES and $ due to military costs. Also consider the Billions having to be spent to pump up and maintain much more security than we ever have. By saying that I'm NOT suggesting we ever go back to pre-9/11 levels, but we won't have to maintain a "high or very high alert" forever. Think of all that cost- it factors into the cost of every barrel of oil we buy... you know the bottom line is the oil and it's availability, and our huge appetite for it to maintain our extravigant life styles.<br><br>I just don't think the current COST is sustaiable NOR desirable. It's a smarter way of doing business. Lower costs (both human and $)!<br><br>David (OFI)<br>

In the words of everyone at this point in the 'crusades' v.05<br>"F_ck the media" <br>Tiz like smoking cigarettes in the name of abstinance instead of healthy PROTECTED sex, like burning your life at both ends. Like not listening to airforce pilots around the world that wanna testify in regards to St.Pertersburg Russia 1997 and Belgium in 87 me thinks...<br><br>payce!<br><br>- Peace & Love.

So you are of the opinion that the extremist islamists are not out to establish a pan-Islamic Caliphate throughout the world?<br><br>These people have declared that their goals are the goals of the crusades of the 11th century - that being to convert the known world to their faith, through conflict where they deem it necessary. If that is their goal then having or not having bases in the Middle East will not alter the fact that they will attack us.<br><br>Now I am not declaring that this is an holy war (and I don't think President Bush has said as much either), however, ObL sees this era as such. So I will not accept his statements at anything less than face value. This is a war against an idealistic fundamentalist organisation, and while President Bush's motives may be for the oil, to ObL this is a war for ours and his survival.<br><br><br><br>We all do what we do for the same reason: because it seems like a good idea at the time.

Some thoughts by a terrorist<br><br>And some other interesting reports from England<br><br><br><br>We all do what we do for the same reason: because it seems like a good idea at the time.

<br><br>'He said they were targeting the US because of their foreign policy in Israel and Palestine. And I understood that if these foreign policies did not change, then attacks would continue.'<br><br>[color:green]"...or am I a butterfly that's dreaming she's a woman?"</font color=green>

What a bunch of racist crap!<br><br>Um, sure! Let me know when Muslim peoples invade and occupy our lands! <br><br>And it's not like you or anyone else know exactly who carried out the attacks on London. Yes, we're SUPPOSED to think that it's "The Secret Organization of Qaedat al-Jihad in Europe", but that's a little too obvious don't ya think?<br><br>Here read this:<br><br>How to Stop bin Laden<br><br>http://www.j-n-v.org/AW_briefings/JNV_briefing077.htm<br><br>Now we all know that the mujahideen (later named al qaeda by the U.S.) was created, trained, funded and armed by the U.S. back in the '80's. UBL is likely long dead. Whose interests are being served?<br><br>[shakeshead]<br><br>