Bomb blasts hit London

[PiroStitch]

Also I'm shuddering at the amount of paranoia now with the security guards here, there and everywhere telling us to put away our cameras for "security reasons"....

[gstark]

Bloody cowardly act. Makes me so very angry ....

Dee: you'll be fine; enjoy London, and enjoy Roma. To change your plans would be giving in to these lowlifes, and then they would have won. That would never do.

[wendellt]

A terrible tragedy

London is such a fantastic buzzing city, it's horrible to think this horrendous act of violence to prove something will scar the city for a long time and further change the world we live in

Just when you think the world is making progress, better tolerance, greater respect among peoples of the world, and the sharing of resources, it just takes 1 appalling act of terrorism to make you think twice.

my thoughts go out to londoners and the people affected

[rokkstar]

Found this:

*The BBC says it has identified an Islamist website on which a posting claims the attacks on behalf of the "Secret Organisation Group of al-Qaeda of Jihad Organisation in Europe".

The statement reads:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and undaunted fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him.

Nation of Islam and Arab nation: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge against the British Zionist Crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahideen have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.

We have repeatedly warned the British Government and people. We have fulfilled our promise and carried out our blessed military raid in Britain after our mujahideen exerted strenuous efforts over a long period of time to ensure the success of the raid.

We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all the Crusader governments that they will be punished in the same way if they do not withdraw their troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. He who warns is excused.

God says: "You who believe: If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly."


I seriously cannot get my head around these peoples thought processes.

[leek]

I seriously cannot get my head around these peoples thought processes.

Don't even try Rokkstar... These are people that have lost the ability to think rationally... They are so wrapped up in their "struggle" that they do not feel anything... These are not religious people - they are racist anarchists. Their only aim is to spread fear among westerners (whatever that means)...
Afghanistan and Iraq are nothing more than an excuse that helps them rationalise the fact that they are carrying out these activities... Don't forget that 9/11 occurred before both Afghanistan and Iraq and that Bali occurred before Iraq...

There is a deep seated hatred in these people's minds that has been going on for hundreds of years since the Crusades (and probably before that)...

London and its people will bounce back very quickly...
Although a horrific and cowardly act, in the scale of what London's been through in the past this was actually fairly trivial.

[Nnnnsic]

While I'm an athiest (and somewhat a cross between an agnostic/athiest/schizophrenic ), you've really got to ask... how many gods could there possibly be having a lot of arguments up there?

And yeah, don't try and put your head around their thought processes.

It's somewhat easy to generalise how they think, but to explain how they came to their logic or rationality in their actions... that is almost impossible.

[gstark]

Part of the issue, I believe, is that their thought processes are fuelled by hate.

And I feel kind of sorry for people like Osama Bin Laden and his ilk, whose lives are (seemingly) driven by this all-encompassing hatred of the the west that they seem to have.

What sort of a life is it that they lead, constantly seething venom? From where do they derive pleasure ?

[stubbsy]

As I've already said, this is a sad act, but we have to remember that our governments have also performed similar acts on people in other countries (Afghanistan and Iraq are just two recent examples). If I was living in Iraq and my family was killed by a foreign bomber, you can bet I'd be out to get the people who bombed me too - just like there'll be many people in London who see the solution is to go kill some Muslims somewhere, inflicting collatoral damage on innocent civilians. At the end of the day killing people whose ideologies you oppose solves nothing and inflames the cycle. That applies to both parties in the current situation. I have nothing but disgust for people who kill innocent parties and great sympathy for those affected either personally or pshychologically by such acts.

Most importantly we need to remember that acts like these blasts in London are the work of people who are NOT representative of all Muslims. The last thing we should do is treat Muslims as if they are all bombers and fanatics - any more than I'd like them to think of me as being a gung ho warmonger like George W. or John Howard.

[Onyx]

Did anybody else think that Bush was thinking to himself "ok, who can I bomb next?" and Jacque was going "Ok, you've been bombed, you have the olympics, but ya food still sucks!". I dunno, they just didn't seem very sad and mournfull to me.

...and when I saw it, I thought the asian guy was smiling.

One thing's for sure - this incident will no doubt lead to the tightest security yet seen at the 2012 games.

[Paul]

Although it is horrific what has happened here is an interesting story about how camera's are contributing towards the images used by newsgroups.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/breaking/blast-images-from-the-digital-masses/2005/07/08/1120704527318.html

[today.com]

Hm.. interesting article, yet... does the new technology help EVERYONE... just as some are tone deaf... some can't take a decent picture

[sirhc55]

Hm.. interesting article, yet... does the new technology help EVERYONE... just as some are tone deaf... some can't take a decent picture

That’s life - it is people that take photos, a camera is just a tool - good, bad or indifferent if you are in a certain spot at a certain time even a bad image can be timeless and even priceless.

[MCWB]

"... the real challenge will be to find the most remarkable, the most interesting, the most moving, the most striking," said Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake, adding that engineers were working on software to help that."

 ROFL!

Hope all forum members' loved ones in London are all safe and sound, what a sad act.

[Matt. K]

A spokeman on the bombing said that World War 3 has started and it is a different kind of war. It will be going on for a very very long time. Sadly, Sydney is not immune from this sort of attack and it's probably more a case of when...not if. Let's hope our luck holds out and our security personel remain ever vigilante.

[birddog114]

I knew most of the Corporate and other Govt. have their own DRP.
And I now have one.
My feeling are suffering with all the news, not only with the blast from London last night.

My thoughts are still with all the innocent people, who got killed or wounded by both sides and by the warmongers.

[Nikkofan]

Without wanting to sound panicky, does anyone know if there are any lists of injured people anywhere, like a UK paper's website or something?

I have a friend in London who hasn't responded to my email of yesterday asking her to email me back to say she & her fiance are OK. I know she could be on holidays so that could be the explanation, but I can't help feeling a little uneasy, as it's otherwise odd that she hasn't responded.

Anybody know anything?

Thanks guys

[chris1968]

Nikkofan

'Anyone worried about relatives or friends they have not heard from is advised to contact a special police hotline on 0870 156 6344'

from your side of the world i think the number will be 00 44 870 156 6344

HTH.

Chris

[Nikkofan]

Thanks Chris, I might end up doing that. I've been putting it off because I'm sure they're absolutely swamped and have been searching through Red Cross and other sites but haven't found anything so far, so if I don't hear back by tomorrow, I'll call them.

Thanks again.

[Matt. K]

Nikkofan
Wait a day or two and try ringing them direct. If no luck then ring the Australian Dept of Foriegn Affairs or the hot line number. We feel your concern and hope things pan out OK. If you need any assisstance or support at all then drop it onto this forum and we will do all we can. There are some well connected folk here and you are part of the family.
Be strong

[embi]

That’s life - it is people that take photos, a camera is just a tool - good, bad or indifferent if you are in a certain spot at a certain time even a bad image can be timeless and even priceless.

I'm sure most people have seen the image obvously taken by a camera phone inside the train of the face of a man with a handkerchief over his mouth. Nearly everytime I saw it, it was in colour but someone had turned it into black and white and the instant I saw it I thought it will be one of the most memorable images of this tragedy.

[nito]

Although the incident in London is diabolical and sad. Spare a thought to the iraqis who not only has to deal with these sort of tragedies everyday from not only Al Queda/insurgents aimed at destabilising the country but also the americans.

[Nikkofan]

Nikkofan
Wait a day or two and try ringing them direct. If no luck then ring the Australian Dept of Foriegn Affairs or the hot line number. We feel your concern and hope things pan out OK. If you need any assisstance or support at all then drop it onto this forum and we will do all we can. There are some well connected folk here and you are part of the family.
Be strong

Thanks Matt

I'm probably worrying unnecessarily, but it is odd that she hasn't responded. I've tried ringing, but can't get through, but as my better half says, she could be off on holidays somewhere (probably on another of her many trips back to Africa, which is where I met her) with her fiance. God I hate these people who are responsible for doing this to innocents who are just trying to live their lives, most of whom probably aren't even remotely involved or interested in their ****** politics! That's me off my soapbox now! Thanks again

[Glen]

Dark days indeed to see the Union Jack on top of the bridge flying at half mast.

[Andoru]

A despicable and barbaric act. My sympathies to all involved.

Can't help but to think that we're next.

[sirhc55]

The sad thing is that we are probably next and whatever the authorities say about our being prepared, we are far from it. The British have a reputation for having a very efficient security system and yet they were caught out.

The question is - where?

[embi]

Who will ever be prepared??

[Nnnnsic]

The question is - where?

Sydney is the most logical target, with the CBD targetted especially.

Know of anywhere else that represents Australia better and houses enough people to present a threat?

The problems are how and when, but in the end that won't matter because, short of temporal mechanics discoveries, there's nothing we can do to stop it.

[embi]

Know of anywhere else that represents Australia better and houses enough people to present a threat?

Or is host to every country in the Commonwealth in 12 months time??? I think Melbourne is more of a target in that sense. Lets just hope if it does happen it is more like London in casualty numbers than New York

[Nnnnsic]

Both are possible.

Who wants to send Mr. Howard a copy of Tom Clancy's "Rainbow Six"?
(The novel, not the games)

[Nikkofan]

Just thought I'd let you know that I have just hung up from finally getting through to my friend's fiance in London and they're both fine but very busy (working for QEII, who apparently keeps a keen eye on things!) He said she (Fiona, not QEII ) has just been slack about checking her emails and the London phone lines have been difficult to get through but they weren't on that train.

I knew the chances that they were on that actual train could be slim, but once the panic starts, it's very unsettling as no contact continues alongside the dreadful news reports. So, Chris & Matt, thanks for your suggestions & support.

NF

[Andoru]

I agree that either Sydney or Melbourne are both logical targets. Especially peak hour traffic in Sydney CBD. Think of the main train stations that host the most number of people: Central, Town Hall, Wynyard and Martin Place. Worse, north bound trains go through the harbour bridge! Our transport system can be so easily crippled.

[Geoff]

Bloody cowardly act. Makes me so very angry ....

Dee: you'll be fine; enjoy London, and enjoy Roma. To change your plans would be giving in to these lowlifes, and then they would have won. That would never do.

Well said and rightly profound! I agree 100% with Gary on this Dee, go and enjoy your trip! Don't let these scum change your plans!

[leek]

Gee guys, let's not be so morbid...

Everywhere is a potential target... we are all possible victims... but if you let it affect you then you may as well throw your support behind these idiots...
The people of London just got back on the horse yesterday and went to work as normal... We cannot afford to do any differently...

No amount of preparation, intelligence or security can prevent the sort of murder that happened on Thursday... It was probably more, but could easily just have been just 1 deranged person, changing trains, leaving potent packages behind... Why is this any different to Port Arthur, Beslan or Columbine???

Quite frankly, it wouldn't take an awful lot of time or effort to plan and execute such an event...

Fortunately most people in this world have a shred of decency and wouldn't even contemplate such action against fellow human beings....

If these murderous bastards had any broad level of support, then the scale of the tragedy in London would have been far greater. Surely they could muster 10 people for 10 separate attacks, 20 people for 20 separate attacks... Hmmm... Well maybe they couldn't... Maybe their school of thought isn't as well accepted in the Muslim world as they like to think it is...

To be frank, you are still more likely to get run over by a bus than be blown up on one...

Just be happy and get on with your lives...

[Nnnnsic]

In Bondi, you're more likely to be blown up by one than to catch one on time.

Sorry, I know it's a tad too early for the jokes, but I couldn't resist.

[PiroStitch]

Our transport system can be so easily crippled.

You think you have it bad up there in Sydney? Bit of rain and Melbourne's train system falls to its knees...or a few weeks ago totally crippled because their head office was flooded :S Nice non-existing backups in place....

[gstark]

Our transport system can be so easily crippled.

You think you have it bad up there in Sydney? Bit of rain and Melbourne's train system falls to its knees...or a few weeks ago totally crippled because their head office was flooded :S Nice non-existing backups in place....

But in Sydney, even the thought of rain cripples the rail noughtwork.

As to targets ... consider Town Hall station @ 4:45pm an a Monday, and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, northbound, 10 minutes later. There's Sydney's transport screwed for a week, with several hundred dead and/or maimed.

[Matt. K]

Gary
It is possible to shape an explosive charge so that it can be focussed...almost like a lens. I have always believed that our most vulnerable target is the Harbour tunnel...and it is totally unsecure. Consider the following scenario......3 trucks full of shaped explosives.....about 500 meters apart. The leading trucks slews around to block the tunnel to prevent vehicles exiting. The occupants lock the vehicle and are picked up by a 4 wheel drive in front of them. The last vehicle also slews to block all lanes and the occupants exit on foot. The centre vehicle has a suicide bomber on board. All of this occurs during the morning peak hour at which time nearly 3000 people are inside the tunnel. The explosives are remotely detonated and the tunnle roof is breached allowing the ocean to flood the tunnel. 3000 people drown.
Have a nice day.

In response to this threat the authorities have employed armed security personell to walk up and down the Sydney Harbour and Anzac Bridges. They have a high level of visibilty in order to calm the voters. They are not destroyable targets. It's all about perception and not about reality.

[birddog114]

If this is going to happen then I'll move to "The Tin City"

[Andoru]

Thanks Matt. I won't be travelling through the tunnel again.

[gstark]

Gary
It is possible to shape an explosive charge so that it can be focussed...almost like a lens. I have always believed that our most vulnerable target is the Harbour tunnel...and it is totally unsecure. Consider the following scenario......3 trucks full of shaped explosives.....about 500 meters apart. The leading trucks slews around to block the tunnel to prevent vehicles exiting. The occupants lock the vehicle and are picked up by a 4 wheel drive in front of them. The last vehicle also slews to block all lanes and the occupants exit on foot. The centre vehicle has a suicide bomber on board. All of this occurs during the morning peak hour at which time nearly 3000 people are inside the tunnel. The explosives are remotely detonated and the tunnle roof is breached allowing the ocean to flood the tunnel. 3000 people drown.
Have a nice day.

Exactly my point, Matt.

In response to this threat the authorities have employed armed security personell to walk up and down the Sydney Harbour and Anzac Bridges. They have a high level of visibilty in order to calm the voters. They are not destroyable targets. It's all about perception and not about reality.

Window dressing by Dad's army. Futility at its worst, and our elected so-called leaders should be ashamed of themselves for peretrating such a sham on the masses. If we're going to have some security here, then let's get real.

But the reality is that we cannot. We live in an insecure city, in insecure times. We ned to accept that as a fact of life, and if we can't then we should move to Brisbane.

[Matt. K]

I would move to Brisbane...if only I knew where the hell it is.

[Geoff]

Gary
It is possible to shape an explosive charge so that it can be focussed...almost like a lens. I have always believed that our most vulnerable target is the Harbour tunnel...and it is totally unsecure. Consider the following scenario......3 trucks full of shaped explosives.....about 500 meters apart. The leading trucks slews around to block the tunnel to prevent vehicles exiting. The occupants lock the vehicle and are picked up by a 4 wheel drive in front of them. The last vehicle also slews to block all lanes and the occupants exit on foot. The centre vehicle has a suicide bomber on board. All of this occurs during the morning peak hour at which time nearly 3000 people are inside the tunnel. The explosives are remotely detonated and the tunnle roof is breached allowing the ocean to flood the tunnel. 3000 people drown.
Have a nice day.

In response to this threat the authorities have employed armed security personell to walk up and down the Sydney Harbour and Anzac Bridges. They have a high level of visibilty in order to calm the voters. They are not destroyable targets. It's all about perception and not about reality.

I drive through the sydney harbour tunnel twice each day, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about this exact scenario Matt, and especially if there's a large truck next/near to my vehicle.

[Matt. K]

Geoff
The sad thing is that's no way to prevent such an incident short of searching every vehicle...or placing some kind of electronic explosives detector at the entrance to every tunnel. Like all citys we are vulnerable and a high level of vigilence and intelligence is the only defence we have. That probably means we have to sacrifice some of our precious and hard won freedom and privacy. A hell of a price to pay but if it means saving lives we may just have to swallow that bitter pill. A pox and a curse on all those who sow terror.

[sirhc55]

The problem Matt, is that if we instigate total security we would be living in a state that would be reminiscent of 1984 (the novel).

If, and when, they decide to strike here it will be in the same vein as has been perpetrated elsewhere and as such we will have no control.

You yourself took some pics of a Japanese person taking photos of the naval ships at Garden Island. The sad fact is that we, as innocent photographers, would be the first to be approached and dealt with whilst the real criminals would do it with immunity.

[leek]

In response to the London bombings, a website called We're Not Afraid.com has been set up.

Everyone is encouraged to submit a photo to show the terrorists what they think... There are some quite interesting photos amongst them...

[rjlhughes]

John,

wearenotafraid - lovely idea - that picks up on and moves further foreward the explosion of people's photos on line.

And a great statement to make.

[Andoru]

Oh dear. More bombs?

[rokkstar]

This is insane!!!
WTF is happening?

[Sheetshooter]

Strangely enough I still have my A to Z on the side table - now looking at different pages, though.

[stubbsy]

The BBC is reporting "Minor explosions using detonators only spark the evacuation of three Tube stations"

Maybe just copycats (sad people )