# London Mayor Says Terrorism Is 'Part And Parcel Of Living In A Big City' **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 6, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318 "2017-06-06T22:55:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/121 "2017-06-08T09:16:01Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > At this point the USA is the crazy guy on the corner yelling and waving his arms that other pedestrians can’t help but be amused by, but are giving a wide berth in case he does something violent. > > We all just feel sorry for his family (I do anyway). I might have felt sorry for Big Daddy Orange’s family if it weren’t for the simple fact that they are as horrible as he is. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/122 "2017-06-08T09:24:51Z")
I applaud Tiffany for not letting her old man touch her in public. Why don’t Trump supporters ever argue for all Republicans to be imprisoned after one of them, oh, say, assaults a reporter? It’s clear Trump supporters pose a threat to decent honest Americans. Or even lousy lying Americans who aren’t Trump supporters. Why the hypocrisy? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/123 "2017-06-08T09:35:38Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I know why people like you want to divorce their religion from the acts but I don’t think it is helpful in the long run. Let’s put it this way: Most Brits like me can remember a time where the main terrorist threat was from the IRA. You are right that the jihadists are not just isolated mad men and we do need to understand radical islam and why this is happening. However, this is different to asking what is wrong with Muslims or the Islamic faith because a) the vast, vast majority of Muslims are peaceful and b) you clearly don’t need to be a Muslim to be a terrorist ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/124 "2017-06-08T10:10:38Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I might have felt sorry for Big Daddy Orange’s family if it weren’t for the simple fact that they are as horrible as he is. My metaphor (clearly failed) was that the USA was the crazy guy, his family were ordinary (non-Trump) US citizens. Not the orange one’s family. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/125 "2017-06-08T12:28:12Z")
Not at all. By saying this, he’s giving in to terrorism, and acting like its just part of living in a big city. No, it is not. Now he says there is no reason to be alarmed? What a load. The police can not stop these car/truck or knife attacks. They are at the mercy of the terrorists. Here’s an idea. Pass a law that forbids the talk of terrorism on the web, then arrest hose who break it that are on the watch list. Here’s the quote I read. Sadiq Khan has said he believes the threat of terror attacks are “part and parcel of living in a big city” and encouraged Londoners to be vigilant to combat dangers. > [@dalej42](#): > > Who should pass a law? The U.K. Parliament? What is 'talk of terrorism?" Would this thread qualify? > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yes, the UK or the USA should pass this law. ---
**Author:** ![upend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b3f665/32.png) [@upend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/upend)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/126 "2017-06-08T12:37:44Z")
STOP: We’re the Internet police and you’rreee going to jail for a long time. Buddy, arrest these jokers and alert the Shakira courts in London or Londonbad as we now call it. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/127 "2017-06-08T12:51:13Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > … Not at all. By saying this, he’s giving in to terrorism, and acting like its just part of living in a big city… It is though. It _is_ part of living in a big city; that city being London. Has been for many years, as has been explained to you over and over in this thread. Granted, not the _best_ part of living in London. In fact, in a recent poll, Londoners rated being stabbed by a moron as the 38th best thing, just behind the festive amount of litter on the Charing Cross Road and the smell of piss in the Rotherhithe tunnel. > [@Silver\_lining](#): > > …Now he says there is no reason to be alarmed?.. Clearly you are quite keen for us to be alarmed. As a gesture of friendship I have just spent the past 14 minutes being mildly alarmed. I hope you find that useful. If that was insufficient, I’ve got half an hour spare this afternoon where I could be greatly alarmed. That’s all I can manage I’m afraid as I have to take my dog to her groomer. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/128 "2017-06-08T12:57:53Z")
> [@upend](#): > > STOP: We’re the Internet police and you’rreee going to jail for a long time. > > Buddy, arrest these jokers and alert the Shakira courts in London or Londonbad as we now call it. Now, a Shakira court is a concept I would fully support. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/129 "2017-06-08T13:19:15Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Here’s the quote I read. > > Sadiq Khan has said he believes the threat of terror attacks are “part and parcel of living in a big city” and encouraged Londoners to be vigilant to combat dangers. Yes, that is exactly what he said. The numerous links you have been given that indicate that’s not what he said are all fake news. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. The youtube videos all over the internet which appear to show that’s not what he said are photoshopped. Or the guy in them was an actor and not actually Khan. One of those. All totally fake. People can keep stating you are misquoting and giving sources and pointing you at actual videos of what seems to be Khan, but they are all fake, fake, fake, amiright? Keep preachin’ the gospel brother. There’s no way the people on these boards are going to understand how true everything you say is and how every single other sources as to what Khan actually said is wronger than a wrong thing that’s wrong. You’ll just need to get used to it. What can I say? You’re smart, everyone else isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/130 "2017-06-08T13:27:34Z")
I used to live in Chicago. You know, a major city. [ul] [li]There was always a chance of slipping and falling on ice and injuring myself. It’s part and parcel of living in the upper Mid-west.[/li][li]There was always a chance I might get mugged. It’s part and parcel of living in a big city.[/li][li]There was always a chance I might get killed or seriously injured in a car accident. It’s part and parcel of driving (and particularly driving in a congested city).[/li][li]There was always a chance I might die in a natural gas explosion. It’s part and parcel of living in a big city (that has a lot of natural gas lines in it).[/li][li]There was always a chance I might die in a terrorist attack. It’s part and parcel of living in a major city.[/li][/ul] Now I live in southern Florida. [ul] [li]There is always a chance I could lose my home to a hurricane. It’s part and parcel of living in South Florida.[/li][li]There is always a chance I will get bitten by a venomous snake. It’s part and parcel of living in South Florida.[/li][li]There is always a chance I will get hit by a terrible driver. It’s part and parcel of living in South Florida.[/li][/ul] I fly a lot. [ul] [li]There is always a chance I will die in a plane crash. It’s part and parcel of flying.[/li][li]There is always a chance my seat-mate will lose his or her shit and assault me for no good reason. It’s part and parcel of flying.[/li][/ul] I SCUBA dive. [ul] [li]There is always a chance I will get decompression sickness and die or be permanently injured. It’s part and parcel of SCUBA.[/li][li]There is always a chance of an arterial gas embolism. It’s part and parcel of SCUBA.[/li][li]There is always a chance of a lung expansion injury. It’s part and parcel of SCUBA.[/li][li]There is always a chance I will get hit by a boat. It’s part and parcel of SCUBA.[/li][li]There is always a chance of being injured by a marine creature. It’s part and parcel of SCUBA.[/li][/ul] Have I just given in to all of these things? Or have I acknowledged them? There’s a _ **big** _ difference between the two. Acknowledgement is a good first step in mitigating the risks associated with all of these possible happenings. What other philosophy should I adopt? Mayor Khan did nothing worse than acknowledge reality. We can take steps to mitigate risk but we can never eliminate it entirely, and believing or acting like we can is foolish. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/131 "2017-06-08T13:29:00Z")
Here’s an example of how peaceful Muslims are reaching out in the media to oppose extremism and violence: [http://www.iagreetosee.com/portfolio/powerful-anti-terrorism-ad-ramadan/](http://www.iagreetosee.com/portfolio/powerful-anti-terrorism-ad-ramadan/) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/132 "2017-06-08T13:35:09Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Now, a Shakira court is a concept I would fully support. “Now, do you solemnly swear upon your hips, to tell the truth…” ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/133 "2017-06-08T14:10:10Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Not at all. By saying this, he’s giving in to terrorism, and acting like its just part of living in a big city. How is acknowledging the risk “giving in” to terrorism? Is he handing London over to ISIS? Crying “WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!” while running in circles with his hands in the air? Calling for the removal of all foreign powers from the Middle East, the dissolution of NATO, and advocating the forceful conversion of all of the UK to Islam? > [@](#): > > No, it is not. Now he says there is no reason to be alarmed? What a load. The police can not stop these car/truck or knife attacks. They are at the mercy of the terrorists. What about hammer attacks? Seems their pretty good at stopping those. Maybe we should train police to respond to knife or vehicle attacks with the same tactics. > [@](#): > > Here’s an idea. Pass a law that forbids the talk of terrorism on the web, then arrest hose who break it that are on the watch list. > > Here’s the quote I read. > > Sadiq Khan has said he believes the threat of terror attacks are “part and parcel of living in a big city” and encouraged Londoners to be vigilant to combat dangers. Here’s an idea. Don’t get your news from fucking Trump tweets. Calm down. You’re more likely to drown in a pool than die to a terrorist, even in a large city like London or Paris. Or be hit by a drunk driver. Or a drug overdose. Saddle up, Sally, it’s a rough world out there. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/134 "2017-06-08T14:12:17Z")
When he says that we have to be prepared for terrorism, you say that he says that nothing can be done. When he says that we shouldn’t be alarmed, you say that he’s giving in (even though being alarmed is exactly how you give in to terrorism). Your account of what he’s saying is the exact opposite of what he’s saying. You are, plain and simple, lying, absolutely and completely. By saying that you disagree with him, you are saying that we shouldn’t prepare for terrorism. You are saying that we should respond to terrorism in exactly the way that terrorists want us to. In short, you, **Silver Lining** , are supporting terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/135 "2017-06-08T14:23:31Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > No and no. > > Why would you think this is the case? > > London, Paris and New York are prime terrorist targets by virtue of their sheer size and cultural significance. They are major tourist destinations as well. Attacking Des Moines, Iowa, just doesn’t have the same impact. > > This should surprise no one. > > More broadly big cities are going to be a more target rich environment making them preferable for terrorist attack. > > So yeah, being prepared for terrorism (which was part of his actual quote) is just part of good city-sense. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota - a small city by New York or London standards. I have friends in the city government. They have preparedness plans for a terrorist attack. They have preparedness plans for an outbreak of an Ebola type virus. They have preparedness plans for a natural disaster. (There is a rumored plan for the zombie apocalypse - but if it exists, its probably not intended to be serious). We get searched entering going to concerts and plays. Heck, my brother in law was mayor of a small town in the Dakotas - THEY have a plan for a terrorist attack, an Ebola outbreak, or a natural disaster. Its part of responsible city planning. I’m sure Des Moines does as well. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/136 "2017-06-08T14:49:12Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > Expecting the minority Muslim population to stop doing terrorism is pure fantasy. Is not going to happen, and with a bone head, and perhaps religiously aligned mayor at the helm trying to downplay this, it’s only going to get worse. Except that you’ve already been given evidence that it **is** happening, and happening extensively. Furthermore, both the FBI and the UK securities services have acknowledged that information received from the Muslim community about extremists has been and continues to be the most valuable resource they have in the fight against terrorism. So the “pure fantasy” here is yours. Actually, since this thread has now been relocated to a more appropriate location, let me just ask you: are you deluded, or are you dishonest? It’s hard to tell. You’ve repeatedly misrepresented what Sadiq Khan said and his motivations for saying so. You’ve made claims about the wider Muslim community that are diametrically opposed to reality. And you ignore all evidence that disagrees with your worldview. So either you are so committed to the propaganda you’re getting from your own little echo chamber that you’re incapable of taking in any information that disagrees with it, or you know perfectly well that you’re full of shit but you’re such a major asshole that you are happy to promulgate hateful lies knowing that they are lies. So I ask again: are you deluded, or are you dishonest? Do think it over before you answer. Oh, and as for terrorist attacks in the UK…[things used to be a lot worse](https://cdn.static-economist.com/sites/default/files/20170610_WOC922_2.png), and it wasn’t usually the Muslims who were responsible. [Note that that chart only lists deaths and may not reflect the severity of attacks; for example, the nail bomb attacks in 1999 killed three people (including a pregnant woman) but injured 140 including four who lost limbs.] ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/137 "2017-06-08T14:58:03Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Here’s an example of how peaceful Muslims are reaching out in the media to oppose extremism and violence: > > [http://www.iagreetosee.com/portfolio/powerful-anti-terrorism-ad-ramadan/](http://www.iagreetosee.com/portfolio/powerful-anti-terrorism-ad-ramadan/) Thank you for posting that. Wonderful video. !رمضان مبارك ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/138 "2017-06-08T15:47:36Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > So I ask again: are you deluded, or are you dishonest? It’s not an either/or situation, and the answer is in all its previous posts in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/139 "2017-06-08T16:04:45Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > Mayor Khan did nothing worse than acknowledge reality. See, that’s the problem. Trumpeteers such as the OP are in their own reality. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/140 "2017-06-08T18:34:43Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > W > C) I have no doubt that Khan would show genuine anger if the killers had been “right wing” skinheads, as opposed to the qualified regret Muslim attacks usually inspire. now that it is in the pit, maybe you as the stupid bigot asshole who started the pit thread and ran away about not being able to find right wing murderers can become a little less sure of your stupid ignorant opinions. What we have seen is that you are a stupid bigot who makes opinions about things you do not know anything about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318.md?page=8)