Thursday, July 07, 2005
UK Blog Festival
Just about all anyone could ask for -- or imagine -- right here. Thanks to the uber-blogger, himself (via John Cole).
And a great Wall Street Journal online piece on blogs telling the story.
|
And a great Wall Street Journal online piece on blogs telling the story.
Excellent Stuff...
...on the day's events, over at Andrew's place.
And a cross-section of UK sites:
BBC News
Daily Mail & sister sites
Daily Mirror
Daily Telegraph
The Guardian
The Independent
The Sun
Times of London
Great Brit blogger Tim Worstall seems to have the whole story covered.
|
And a cross-section of UK sites:
BBC News
Daily Mail & sister sites
Daily Mirror
Daily Telegraph
The Guardian
The Independent
The Sun
Times of London
Great Brit blogger Tim Worstall seems to have the whole story covered.
Photo-Finished?
We interrupt our UK blogging to put up our latest New York Post column. It's on Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields' embarrassing "Photoshop" flap.
|
London Insights...
A UK journalist friend e-mails:
"[T]hanks for your emails. We're in shock here, calling friends -- a routine I imagine you are only too familiar with. I have a few early thoughts...
1)Londoners have lived under terrorist threat since 1970 when IRA was bombing us. But the IRA never hit the tube. It would have alienated all support for them in Ireland: al-Qaeda, of course, is free from such restraints on their murderous tactics.
2) A tube attack is the sum of all fears for Londoners. Six tube attacks will have a profound psychological impact. They put up signs, encouraging us to ask "Whose bag is this?" - the IRA left unattended bags. Suicide bombers do not. The bus explosion is the first-ever UK sucide attack.
3) This may mean deeper economic repercussions than in New York. No one in London is from London: visitors are more nervous, many have not taken the tube since 9/11.
4) For Londoners, it was a case of when, not whether. The chief of police said two years ago he considers it inevitable. Hence the well-rehearsed media and medical response today.
5) Unlike the Spanish, who turned on their gvt on 3-11, I suspect British sentiment will now harden against terrorists. How this will manifest itself I dont know.
6) Had this taken place 24 hours earlier, before the IOC voted, London would have lost the Olympics. It was a 4-vote majority.
7) Yesterday was Blair's best day: the Olympics was a personal victory for him. Today is his worst. Al-Qaeda will delight in such symmetry (like today being 7-7).
8) The casualty figures are suspiciously vague - six deaths so far. If they hit six tubes, I imagine it would be 250-350. I pray I'm wrong.
9) The aim was obviously to disrupt the G8 (many London police are in Gleneagles, the focus of our counter-terrorism forces). It was an agonising decision for Blair whether to go to London, or carry on. He's decided to do both, and heads back to Scotland this evening.
10) We did not need this attack to bind Britain and America together in our resolve. But we are closer still - in a macabre way we are now blood brothers: and this can only mean surer and earlier defeat for those who seek to disrupt our way of life."
|
"[T]hanks for your emails. We're in shock here, calling friends -- a routine I imagine you are only too familiar with. I have a few early thoughts...
1)Londoners have lived under terrorist threat since 1970 when IRA was bombing us. But the IRA never hit the tube. It would have alienated all support for them in Ireland: al-Qaeda, of course, is free from such restraints on their murderous tactics.
2) A tube attack is the sum of all fears for Londoners. Six tube attacks will have a profound psychological impact. They put up signs, encouraging us to ask "Whose bag is this?" - the IRA left unattended bags. Suicide bombers do not. The bus explosion is the first-ever UK sucide attack.
3) This may mean deeper economic repercussions than in New York. No one in London is from London: visitors are more nervous, many have not taken the tube since 9/11.
4) For Londoners, it was a case of when, not whether. The chief of police said two years ago he considers it inevitable. Hence the well-rehearsed media and medical response today.
5) Unlike the Spanish, who turned on their gvt on 3-11, I suspect British sentiment will now harden against terrorists. How this will manifest itself I dont know.
6) Had this taken place 24 hours earlier, before the IOC voted, London would have lost the Olympics. It was a 4-vote majority.
7) Yesterday was Blair's best day: the Olympics was a personal victory for him. Today is his worst. Al-Qaeda will delight in such symmetry (like today being 7-7).
8) The casualty figures are suspiciously vague - six deaths so far. If they hit six tubes, I imagine it would be 250-350. I pray I'm wrong.
9) The aim was obviously to disrupt the G8 (many London police are in Gleneagles, the focus of our counter-terrorism forces). It was an agonising decision for Blair whether to go to London, or carry on. He's decided to do both, and heads back to Scotland this evening.
10) We did not need this attack to bind Britain and America together in our resolve. But we are closer still - in a macabre way we are now blood brothers: and this can only mean surer and earlier defeat for those who seek to disrupt our way of life."
What A Difference A Day Makes...
|
London Tube
A good map of the London "tube" can be found here. Russell Square where at least one explosion was reported is almost spot-center on the map, on the dark-blue Picadilly line. Aldgate East is on the Hammersmith (pink) and District (green) lines.
A Special Relationship
|
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Post-War Fallout...
In the last year:
1. George W. Bush wins record re-election (in pure numbers of votes cast, if not by percentage).
2. Tony Blair & Labour win record re-election (with a Labour seat-loss that, in retrospect, may have been oversold by the media).
3. London is awarded 2012 Olympics (Blair charm-offensive? Who's a "poodle" now?)
4. Jacques Chirac loses EU vote from French public; confidence numbers plunge.
5. Paris loses "sure thing" Olympics to London.
6. Gerhard Schroeder receives vote of no confidence and has tough reelection ahead.
Who would have thought this in the run up to the Iraq War (particularly given Schroeder's 2002 upset win running against Bush & Iraq)? Who would have thought this last summer?
(Mega thanks to Mr. ERA for the idea).
|
1. George W. Bush wins record re-election (in pure numbers of votes cast, if not by percentage).
2. Tony Blair & Labour win record re-election (with a Labour seat-loss that, in retrospect, may have been oversold by the media).
3. London is awarded 2012 Olympics (Blair charm-offensive? Who's a "poodle" now?)
4. Jacques Chirac loses EU vote from French public; confidence numbers plunge.
5. Paris loses "sure thing" Olympics to London.
6. Gerhard Schroeder receives vote of no confidence and has tough reelection ahead.
Who would have thought this in the run up to the Iraq War (particularly given Schroeder's 2002 upset win running against Bush & Iraq)? Who would have thought this last summer?
(Mega thanks to Mr. ERA for the idea).
The Empire Strikes Back!!
Summer Games, 2012!
Quite an upset there, mates! Congrats to you, Tony!
No offense, but isn't this the first time that this guy has won a shoot-out in, like, years?
Sorry, Jacques! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. What's the French recipe for humble pie -- or perhaps crow?
Sorry, Madame! Oh well, the flight to Singapore was nice. And they still love you over there!!
Sorry, Mike! (Falling behind Madrid!??!) No stadium. No Games. Hmmm...well, at least you'll probably still keep the mayor's office -- on that score, the competition really is pathetic.
|
Quite an upset there, mates! Congrats to you, Tony!
No offense, but isn't this the first time that this guy has won a shoot-out in, like, years?
Sorry, Jacques! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. What's the French recipe for humble pie -- or perhaps crow?
Sorry, Madame! Oh well, the flight to Singapore was nice. And they still love you over there!!
Sorry, Mike! (Falling behind Madrid!??!) No stadium. No Games. Hmmm...well, at least you'll probably still keep the mayor's office -- on that score, the competition really is pathetic.
Monday, July 04, 2005
The Rocket's Red Glare
Images from NY's South St. Seaport!!!
(So close you can feel the ash!)
Happy Birthday, USA!!!
Here's an oldie-but-goodie from your humble writer reflecting on some important dates in his personal American history. A happy Independence Day to all!
