A year later

July 7, 2006 by paul
Filed under: Uncategorized

I noticed on the BBC website today that there were remembrances for the London bombings of 2005, but it was only in the UK (and even then, largely only in London). I thought it was an interesting contrast to the ongoing hysteria that surrounds September 11th – just the date, not the events of 2001.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are no major remembrance events on 7/7/2007 – it’s time to move on. If we dwell on those events, or worse still use them to incite fear in people, then we’re perpetuating the terror – we’re helping the terrorists succeed. (I hate that phrase but it’s true in this case.)

Obviously for those people directly affected* it is something they will remember for a long time, but then that’s the same for those directly affected by a coach crash, or a ship sinking, or a major fire, etc. (*By that I mean those who were at the scene, or their close friends & family, not people who claim to be traumatised because they saw it on TV!)

Britain (especially London) has endured many traumatic events over the years, but we pick ourselves up and carry on – that’s why we’re stronger than those countries who choose to wallow in theirs (or who use it as a cudgel to terrorise their own citizens). It’s not good that the things happen, but it’s a test of character and you can choose to take it as something from which to learn & grow, or you can choose to act like a child, scream and lash out at random peoples.