July 7, 2006 (London Tube bombings)

[Plaid Adder]

Today is the one-year anniversary of the Tube bombings in London.

I wouldn't have remembered that, except that I saw it on the CNN homepage this morning. I should have, though. This time last year, I was wondering whether I should still head over to London in a week's time as I had planned; I did, and I'm glad. This time this year, I am also working in an unfamiliar city; but this time it's New York.

I came in on the train. I haven't been back to New York that often since 2001, but every time I recognize the New York skyline in the distance I'm surprised that the twin towers aren't there. I commented on this to the man in the seat next to me on the train. We had been talking for the past two and a half hours about what Bush and crew have done to the country and the world, no doubt annoying many of our fellow-passengers. It still surprises me that having him in charge makes anyone, anywhere in the world, feel safer.

I rode the Tube once, when I was in London last summer. I was nervous, and trying not to show it. So was everyone else. I was carrying a computer bag large enough to be suspect; they were eyeing me, no doubt, as warily as I was eyeing the kid at the end of the car with the backpack who seemed a little antsy. I changed trains in the middle of the journey just out of nervousness, cursing myself for being an idiot but also thinking, "If I get blown up on a Tube train because I didn't get off when I felt like I should, Liza will be really pissed at me."

Because the public reaction to the Tube bombing was different and less world-destroying that doesn't mean people felt it less. This summer will be the anniversary of a lot of terrible explosions, including dozens in Iraq, where deadly car bombings are now so commonplace that nobody thinks to mark their anniversaries. In the occupied territories, a whole new crop of sanguinary anniversaries is being generated this summer.

I read on the same CNN website that they have announced the foiling of a plot to blow up the Holland Tunnel. After the mighty plot to blow up the Sears Tower turned out to be seven guys and a lot of bullshit, I approach all such news stories with caution. So far we have proven to be pretty good at busting the terrorists our own FBI stings have generated. That's not going to help me or any of the millions of people who are going to take the subways to work today.

My thoughts are with everyone in London who remembers this day the way we remember September 11. And with everyone who has to go through the Holland Tunnel this morning, and with everyone in Baghdad who has gotten used to living each day as if it were the last. This is no way for anyone to live.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Hissyspit]

1. kick

[Dembo98]

2. Nice comment.

And as screwed up as Shrub and Co. are, lets also remember that these terrorists are not the type of people you want to invite to dinner. I wish we had some leadership to deal with them the right way.

[geardaddy]

3. Thanks for reminding us...

Of what goes on outside the US. I get so frustrated with 9/11 invokers who didn't actually suffer any loss.

[Jennos20]

4. Today in London

we had a moment of silence to morn the lose of those who died on the tube and the bus. I'm not going to lie riding the tube on this day has made me a bit uneasy, but we cannot be afraid because if we are then they win. Since i've been here that seems like this city's attitude and I really respect it.

[billyskank]

5. Hey Plaidder

:hi:

[savemefromdumbya]

6. If you lived in England or N Ireland a few years ago

People think this is something new. We endured years of terror in England and N Ireland. The London bombing is somehow held out as 'the terror thing' People forget or maybe they weren't old enough to remember....