Shit!

Seeing this it's hard to believe only 2 confirmed dead.

2 dead at aldgate and over 20 in total so far.... :(

saw your comment about the laptop. sorry about the laptop, glad you're okay, though, stranger. kindof shaking when that "could have-if" stuff happens.

believe me, i am shaking too!
its just hitting me how in the thick of it, i could have been.

just glad my mum and sister are both round here all safe and that my co-workers are all safe too

yeah.. I've got to say I almost had my insides turn out when my dad mentioned he'd have been on the tube there, then, if I hadn't had him on the phone late last night. (I'm in the US and he's in the UK, and I just had him on the phone for some obnoxious problem at 3am his time. felt bad for having him up, then, certainly glad, now. )

That bus blew on my normal route to work.

Luckily I was running late today and was still putting my face on at home!

I got caught up in the aftermath. Scary stuff!

It's slightly ironic that I went to see War of the Worlds last night.

That was a number 30 bus. It stops at the end of my road on it's way from Hackney Wick to Marble Arch. Sometimes my girlfriend takes it to work and we're both always happy if we ever have to take it home because it virtually takes us to our door. It's sad to think about who the purportrators targeted becuase everyone you will see at that bus stop (and on all of London's public transport) are all really chilled normal people from all colours, ages and faces, from all walks of life. Yoots in school uniform, mum's with shopping, lost tourists, scruffy tradesmen, out-of-work folk, old geezers, purple haired grannies and your average joe on their way into town, to spend time or earn a living. Everyday, Londoners ride the bus or tube, and we mostly manage to live in harmony with each others morning moods, overheard conversations, walking speeds, body odours, smelly foods, leftover newspapers and toppling on each other at each jerky stop. Some of those people have just been snuffed out. I think Ken Livingstone said it best when he said:

"This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful; it is not aimed at presidents or prime ministers; it was aimed at ordinary working class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christians, Hindu and Jew, young and old, indiscriminate attempt at slaughter irrespective of any considerations, of age, of class, of religion, whatever.

That isn't an ideology. It isn't even a perverted faith. It's just indiscriminate attempt at mass murder, and we know what the objective is, they seek to divide London. They seek to turn Londoners against each other and Londoners will not be divided by this cowardly attack... I wish to speak through you directly, to those who came to London to claim lives, nothing you do, how many of us you kill will stop that flight to our cities where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another, whatever you do, how many you kill, you will fail."

Sorry to go on, but I find that picture the saddest.

They failed miserably - this is one of the most, if not the most, multi-cultural city in the world and it will just pull people together - that s why I love this city - it is so rich in cultural heritage and no-one gives a toss too much about peoples background or hertiage - it has a history of sanctuary for refugees from centuries back - it;s a great place to live.

I'm observing all this from Sydney, Australia... theother side of the world. My heart goes out o you brave young Londoners...

there are decent people everywhere and we will prevail.

From Atlanta our hearts go out to all Londoners and Brits at this time. Be strong. Continue the British resolve that showed itself so admirably throughout your history. You essentially fought WWII by yourself for over a year.

Maybe now the true evil of the Islamofascists will be spoken about with no political correctness - call it what it is - jihad against the West.

With love and affection to the UK.

From China, Shades of NYCity. My heart goes out to the Londoners.How can a religion that espouses love and charity (Islam) produce people who commit the terrible acts of terror?

Here from St. Louis, Missouri...I feel for you all. We have to all remain strong and not let them make us live in fear. After 9/11, I was stuck in Seattle and my family back in Illinois. The only way home was to fly. It was so scary...but I told myself to go on living. Nothing is going to stop that. When it's your time, it's your time. I don't understand how people can do such horrible acts to innocent people. My thought and prayers are with all of you.

I feel for you all in Lodon I really hope it stops, coz too many innocent people die.
Stay with GOD, i'll pry for you.

Rayana

I have been in London some time ago. It is such an international city, the people there are very tollerant of all religions and of all nationalities living together. How could anyone commit such a horrible crime? How can people kill others and then just come back to their families??? How can they look in their children's eyes knowing that other children might have lost their parents? I just don't get it:(

There will be justice.Time is comming for them.

You cant take the GREAT out of GREAT BRITAIN!!!!
No matter what, through all our political/religious differences London is a multicultural city. We dont have to agree with others but we do have to learn to live and let live and thats what we do! How many children lost a parent? How many parents lost a son/daughter? How many people lost a sister/brother? FOR WHAT?????
To the evil bastards that did this, what goes around, comes around!! London will remain united and GREAT BRITAIN will remain GREAT. You cant take our liberty away, its not yours to take. Its ours to give and its going nowhere, you just made us all stronger! NOW ROT IN HELL!!!!!

I received this email this morning and i reckon it just about sums it all up. What do others think?

You come to place your bags of hate
On bus and train, you made us late
Yet we'll be back again tomorrow
We'll carry on despite our sorrow
Your bags of hate caused some to die
Yet we stride out strong with heads held high
You'll never win, we will not bow
You can't defeat us, you don't know how
This London which we love with pride
Is a town where scum like you can't hide
Don't worry we will hunt you down
Then Lock you up in name of Crown
We're London and we're many races
Just look you'll see our stoic faces
We all condemn your heinous act
You will not win and that's a fact
We'll mourn our dead and shed a tear
But we will not bow to acts of fear
You're out there somewhere all alone
There's nowhere now you can call home
Olympics ours we've won the race
Your timing then a real disgrace
Our strength you'll find remains unbowed
We're London and we're very proud.

in the rush hour
red is the bus
the blood stains hidden
****************************
Just an attempt at some Haiku after seeing the pictures of the busbomb - The poem you posted is well worded and captures a lot of the pride/defiance that people who live/work in London have. Thanks for sharing it.

just is the power... i trust we will all work and live together as we should... in respect and harmony with each other.... no question!