bad news in england

[h0ughy]

Several planned bombs have gone off in London. i suspect there are a high number of casualties. My wife has relatives there at the moment that use this public transport. We have not heard anything from them yet?

[asimov]

Hi Houghy. We just saw it. My wife & I hope your wife's relatives are OK.

[h0ughy]

I have sent several emails and their mobile number does not answer. but listening to the news now it is apparent the mobile network is overloaded. there is a department of foreign affairs number to call 1300555135 to find out about or notify about your relatives.

anyone else on this forum that has relatives in London the mobile network is not working there at the moment.

[acropolite]

I will never understand the mentality of terrorist groups who believe that they can achieve their ends by killing and maiming other innocent people. The sad fact is that the perpetrators, and those that attempt to put an end them, both hide behind (fanatical) religion. Throughout history civilisation has slaughtered and plundered in the name of religion or religious intolerance. Apologies in advance to those who have religious beliefs, but that is the way I see it. Our thoughts are with those who have suffered as a result.

[beren]

Just saw Tony Blairs media address , shocking and just beyond reasoning

[toetoe]

Our thoughts are with all familys concerned.

[h0ughy]

Finally got through to my wifes Aunty, she is very distrought as her husband (Tania's Uncle) has not contacted her yet. He was on a train to Moorgate station. it seems as though we know more over here then they do there at the moment

[h0ughy]

I agree with you.

[rumples riot]

Don't forget that England was one of the perpetuators of an invasion. Aggressive foreign policies result in carnage to civilians. We should never have got involved in the invasion of Iraq. The US should have taken a different approach after 911. What do people expect? These terrorists call themselves freedom fighters. It all depends on which line you look at it. Democracy is just as evil as other forms of political organisation.

Nuff said

[Striker]

Dont mean to be nasty but this is interupting the channel 7 cricket...Aus v Eng

Only kidding......I have family over in London in which some will be on their way this Sunday and some more on the 19th July..all staying here for over a month.

[h0ughy]

Good News, we have locatd Dereck (Tania's Uncle), he is somewhere near the london Bridge station. All the trains stopped, they were not told what was wrong he has not been able to get a line out of where he is, but we were able to call him. I have told him that we called his wife and that we will call her back if he cannot get through. He missed his first train and had to wait 20 minutes for the next one. He says that he is glad that it has happened (missed train) but sad at the loss of life and destruction. He is now standing at a cafe watching everything unfold around him live on TV. He said it is so surreal, so peaceful and quiet except for the howl of sirens. He has 14km to walk to get out of the city and back home, public transport is not working and the roads are clogged, no taxis. People are just milling around outside. just glad he is alive and still kicking. While writing this my wife has just contacted her Aunt and passed on the good news. Mate it is interesting that the local services are strained but international lines are available. Don't know why but is just seems that way?

[Starkler]

I also have a personal interest in this. My parents are currently in the UK as tourists, due to fly home in a day or two and not having their itinary they may be in London.
Hopefully they will contact someone in my family tomorrow .

[davidpretorius]

h0ughy,

great to hear that your relatives are ok. So much stupidity and pain, might go and peak in on my 2 year old and 5 year old daughters, see their peaceful faces and hope we can sort this sort of crap out by the time they are adults.

Tomorrow thanks to more television coverage, I no doubt will be trying to expain war and bombs to my 5 year who tries to understand why there are armies and will her toys be safe!

Enough morbid stuff, will go out and try and work out this Philips Planisphere on what is a beautiful clear moonless night in Tasmania.

[h0ughy]

Geoff I rang the number at the top of the post. took a while but got throught and left details, found out nothing! you might be best waiting for them to ring!

Dave, well it cloudy here at the moment, so i might as well go an look at Scott's great astro shots.

[mick pinner]

l agree Paul R, the U.S should have taken a different approach after Sept 11, when they had the terrorists trapped in the mountain caves in Afghanistan they should have withdrawn all civillians and nuked the place. l certainly do not agree in general with U.S foreign policy but flying planes into buildings full of innocent people should bring the full power of the affected nation down upon the perpetrators.

[cahullian]

I grew up in Belfast where bombings and the wanton murder of innicent people was an almost daily event. I do believe that the nations that allow terrorists to train on their soil should get a dose of their own medicine. Most of the terrorism in Iraq is not done by Iraqi's and the mindless bombing of the British public won't scare the Poms it will only steel their resolve. When push comes to shove no one and I mean no one will get the better of the British.

[elusiver]

hope everyone who has loved ones in london gets good news soon.. it's a terrible thing.. i think it's gonna be a late one tonight.. just can't stop watchin the news..

el :(

[h0ughy]

yeah, they are a bit stubborn! And proud.

[iceman]

Guys I know everyone will want to discuss this, and that's fine let's discuss it as it has an impact on a lot of us.

But please remember the posting guidelines, try not to bring too much politics or religion into this, and think before you press the submit button. There could be members who will be offended by what you post. So please, just think first, re-read what you've typed before you press submit.

My thoughts and sympathies are with those who are directly affected, it's a terrible thing to have happened but as I heard someone in London say on the radio, some have a feeling that it could've been worse.

I'm lucky that I don't know anyone directly affected, but I'm sure London'ers are a resiliant bunch and will bounce back.

[xstream]

It makes you stop and think. Will there ever be peace in this world!
Another sad day in our society that we live in!

[dhumpie]

Did you know which parts were bombed? I have two very close friends living and working in London. This is so depressing. I do hope they are okay.

Darren

[Sausageman]

I have discussed the problems of terrorism many times as an ex Forces guy, The only viable solution we could figure out was:
Any Country that allowed or supported terrorism should be sealed off from the rest of the World. All ex-pats should be deported back to their country of origin. All assets held overseas should be confiscated to pay damages.
No flights in or out, Borders locked down. telecommunications cut.
Cut them off completely.
No need to go in and shoot them, their society will decay and die, their economy will collapse, I would feel sorry for the innocent ones but, It would stop the carnage.

Mike

[acropolite]

Mike, wonderful Idea, the problem is that most of the countries that support terrorism also happen to own most of the worlds oil....:tasdevil:

[ballaratdragons]

Dave P,

Just tell your kids the truth mate. That's what I did with 9/11 and now with this. I let them see about 10 minutes of the news and thats was all!!

They will hear about it from their friends and such or see it on TV or in the papers and then they will ask you anyway. Just be upfront, but brief.

My kids accepted the info I gave them (very basic), they are sad for the people affected, and asked no more questions. They have never brought the subject up again as they (in their minds) know all about it.

[Sausageman]

Ken,
I agree with you totally, kid's must be told truthfully about these attrocities.
We here in Australia have been fortunate so far, but it will happen here.
Our Govt backed the USA, that makes us a target.
I want to protect my Kids and grandkids from this. It is a now a global problem.
Thank goodness that the Brits have caught one, I am impressed by the speed, but the Nationality of the suspect blows my theory out of the water.

Mike