# London Hit By Terror Attacks (What is the appropriate response?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 7, 2005, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438 "2005-07-07T10:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/1 "2005-07-07T10:15:03Z")
Bus and subway explosions. Obviously too soon to know for sure who might be responsible. It’s been more than ten years since a large-scale IRA attack. Of course, my thoughts naturally go to Al-Queda. And if it is, I think the Brits will react quite differently from the Spanish. Or is this G8 related? Debt relief, or we’ll blow up your people? Whoever it is. Whatever your cause is, this is not remotely understandable or justified. Ward Churchill and his ilk, take note. No way. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/2 "2005-07-07T10:23:25Z")
Also, a heads up to Falwell, Robertson, Phelps, et al — this is not God’s punishment of gays. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/3 "2005-07-07T10:23:48Z")
**Bricker:** _Of course, my thoughts naturally go to Al-Queda. And if it is, I think the Brits will react quite differently from the Spanish._ 😕 You’re suggesting that the Brits won’t arrest al-Qaeda agents allegedly responsible for the attacks? Because that’s what the Spanish did. **Bricker:** \*Whatever your cause is, this is not remotely understandable or justified. \* Hear, hear. No way. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/4 "2005-07-07T10:24:29Z")
Main thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324421](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324421) Yeah, I’m puzzled by how we’re going to react ‘differently’. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/5 "2005-07-07T10:25:56Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Of course, my thoughts naturally go to Al-Queda. And if it is, I think the Brits will react quite differently from the Spanish. Now is not the time for disgraceful political point scoring. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/6 "2005-07-07T10:27:37Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Main thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324421](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=324421) > > Yeah, I’m puzzled by how we’re going to react ‘differently’. I don’t believe that the Brits will call for wholesale withdrawal from Iraq, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/7 "2005-07-07T10:29:49Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > Now is not the time for disgraceful political point scoring. :mad: Not trying to score points. Pointing out that if this WAS Al-Q, this will strengthen resolve against them. The British cannot be panicked and pushed into policy decisions by terror attacks any more than the US can. That’s not a point to be scored, dammit. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/8 "2005-07-07T10:31:04Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Not trying to score points. Pointing out that if this WAS Al-Q, this will strengthen resolve against them. The British cannot be panicked and pushed into policy decisions by terror attacks any more than the US can. That’s not a point to be scored, dammit. Yes it is. Keep your ‘spanish cowards’ jibes to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/9 "2005-07-07T10:31:27Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Bus and subway explosions. > > Obviously too soon to know for sure who might be responsible. > > It’s been more than ten years since a large-scale IRA attack. > > Of course, my thoughts naturally go to Al-Queda. And if it is, I think the Brits will react quite differently from the Spanish. > > Or is this G8 related? Debt relief, or we’ll blow up your people? > > Whoever it is. > > Whatever your cause is, this is not remotely understandable or justified. Ward Churchill and his ilk, take note. No way. holy shit. ---
**Author:** ![aurelian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/10 "2005-07-07T10:31:40Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Of course, my thoughts naturally go to Al-Queda. And if it is, I think the Brits will react quite differently from the Spanish. This is the first I’ve heard. [According to CNN,](http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/07/london.tube/index.html) two people have died so far. I am at a loss for words. I remember the Madrid bombings, waiting to hear from friends and students. Evoking the whole “Spaniards are cowards/ they have capitulated to the terrorists” meme is ugly and cheap (oh yeah, and completely untrue, too). On preview, **tagos** is absolutely right. **Bricker** , if you want to have a debate about the Spanish reaction to Atocha, open a new thread. This is not the place for it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/11 "2005-07-07T10:33:45Z")
> [@aurelian](#): > > This is the first I’ve heard. > [According to CNN,](http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/07/07/london.tube/index.html) two people have died so far. I am at a loss for words. > > I remember the Madrid bombings, waiting to hear from friends and students. > Evoking the whole “Spaniards are cowards/ they have capitulated to the terrorists” meme is ugly and cheap (oh yeah, and completely untrue, too). > On preview, **tagos** is absolutely right. **Bricker** , if you want to have a debate about the Spanish reaction to Atocha, open a new thread. This is not the place for it. Agreed. On re-read, it’s inappropriate. I withdraw it. ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/12 "2005-07-07T10:34:22Z")
Home Page Asia Europe U.S. World World Business Technology Science & Space Entertainment World Sport Travel Weather Special Reports Video What’s On Business Traveller Design 360 Global Office Principal Voices Spark Talk Asia Timeline of London blasts Thursday, July 7, 2005 Posted: 1022 GMT (1822 HKT) YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS London Great Britain Police or Create Your Own Manage Alerts | What Is This? (CNN) – Below is a minute-by-minute timeline of the multiple explosions rocking London. All times are British Standard Time. 10:47 a.m.: Home Secretary Charles Clarke says London blasts cause “terrible injuries” 10:46 Police say serious casualties in London explosions, but no deaths confirmed 10:46 Witness to Britain’s Sky News says second blast heard in Tavistock Square. 10:45 Police sources say a bomb is suspected in London bus explosion. 10:33 Police confirm at least three explosions on buses in central London. 10:25 Police confirm explosion on bus in central London in the area around Russell Square. 10:24 Scotland Yard says “multiple explosions” rock London. 10:14 News agencies report a bus has exploded in central London. 09:53 Metronet says the entire London subway network has been shut down. Police says incidents are reported at the Aldgate station near the Liverpool Street railway terminal, Edgware Road and King’s Cross in north London, Old Street in the financial district and Russell Square in central London, near the British Museum. 09:41 London Underground reports a second explosion at a subway station in northwest London. 09:33 Witnesses say London underground says services are suspended after “power surge.” 09:27 Metronet, the subway maintenance company, says power surge has caused explosion in London tube station. 09:25 Police say “there are walking wounded” in London’s financial district. 09:15 British transport police say a explosion is reported in London’s financial district in the area near Liverpool railway station. WTF??? ---
**Author:** ![aurelian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/13 "2005-07-07T10:34:41Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Not trying to score points. Pointing out that if this WAS Al-Q, this will strengthen resolve against them. The British cannot be panicked and pushed into policy decisions by terror attacks any more than the US can. That’s not a point to be scored, dammit. Are you being willfully ignorant? The vast majority of Spaniards were against supporting the invasion of Iraq. The PSOE victory was not a surprise to anyone - not because of the attack but because the tide had been turning towards them. The Spaniards were not ‘pushed into policy decisions’, and it’s \ ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/14 "2005-07-07T10:35:57Z")
Live TV and radio coverage from BBC News website > **[Home - BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)** > > Visit BBC News for up-to-the-minute news, breaking news, video, audio and feature stories. BBC News provides trusted World and UK news as well as local and regional perspectives. Also entertainment, business, science, technology and health news. 2 dead so far. ---
**Author:** ![aurelian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/15 "2005-07-07T10:36:01Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Agreed. On re-read, it’s inappropriate. I withdraw it. Thank you. Seriously. (I’ll stop with the multiple posts now, promise. Busy day for a lurker.) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/16 "2005-07-07T10:39:50Z")
> [@aurelian](#): > > Are you being willfully ignorant? The vast majority of Spaniards were against supporting the invasion of Iraq. The PSOE victory was not a surprise to anyone - not because of the attack but because the tide had been turning towards them. > The Spaniards were not ‘pushed into policy decisions’, and it’s \ I was being furious, and wanting to let the attackers know that whatever they WANTED to happen, whatever they tried to MAKE happen – it wasn’t going to work. I wanted the fuckers to FAIL, to know that they had not won. (As though they all read the threads here). That turned into a screed against the Spanish, which was NOT my intent. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/17 "2005-07-07T10:47:09Z")
Two dead, 17 serious casualties according to the hospital, 10 life-threatening. Could have been a helluva lot worse. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/18 "2005-07-07T10:51:14Z")
If that’s just one hospital, then there’s a lot more still to come. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/19 "2005-07-07T10:54:33Z")
> [@alaricthegoth](#): > > Home Page > Asia > Europe > U.S. > World > World Business > Technology > Science & Space > Entertainment > World Sport > Travel > Weather > Special Reports > Video > What’s On > > Business Traveller > > Design 360 > > Global Office > > Principal Voices > > Spark > > Talk Asia > > Timeline of London blasts > > Thursday, July 7, 2005 Posted: 1022 GMT (1822 HKT) > YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS > London > Great Britain > Police > or Create Your Own > Manage Alerts | What Is This? > > (CNN) – Below is a minute-by-minute timeline of the multiple explosions rocking London. All times are British Standard Time. > > 10:47 a.m.: Home Secretary Charles Clarke says London blasts cause “terrible injuries” > > 10:46 Police say serious casualties in London explosions, but no deaths confirmed > > 10:46 Witness to Britain’s Sky News says second blast heard in Tavistock Square. > > 10:45 Police sources say a bomb is suspected in London bus explosion. > > 10:33 Police confirm at least three explosions on buses in central London. > > 10:25 Police confirm explosion on bus in central London in the area around Russell Square. > > 10:24 Scotland Yard says “multiple explosions” rock London. > > 10:14 News agencies report a bus has exploded in central London. > > 09:53 Metronet says the entire London subway network has been shut down. > > Police says incidents are reported at the Aldgate station near the Liverpool Street railway terminal, Edgware Road and King’s Cross in north London, Old Street in the financial district and Russell Square in central London, near the British Museum. > > 09:41 London Underground reports a second explosion at a subway station in northwest London. > > 09:33 Witnesses say London underground says services are suspended after “power surge.” > > 09:27 Metronet, the subway maintenance company, says power surge has caused explosion in London tube station. > > 09:25 Police say “there are walking wounded” in London’s financial district. > > 09:15 British transport police say a explosion is reported in London’s financial district in the area near Liverpool railway station. > WTF??? WTF? ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2005, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438/20 "2005-07-07T10:55:07Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > If that’s just one hospital, then there’s a lot more still to come. That’s where the casualties are being taken. It’s been 3 hours now, if there were dead in other hospitals we’d know. Don’t know how many might be unrecovered but the bombs weren’t large, aimed at disruption rather than mass casualties analysts are saying. Al-q in Europe has just claimed responsibility on a web site - validity of site still being confirmed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-hit-by-terror-attacks-what-is-the-appropriate-response/311438.md?page=2)