After the Fact

[dotinthesky]

I went for a jog with my boyfriend two days after the Paris atrocities.

We did our usual circuit around Victoria Park, stopping at times to catch our breath. I imagined semi-automatics drawn and people running for cover, nowhere to hide. Parents caught by life-saving decisions, children in hand.

The following day, we attended a talk at the Royal Festival Hall where the philosopher Slavoj Žižek and former Greek finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, discussed Europe’s future. Julian Assange, white haired like a Christian God, made a surprise televised appearance.

Through the packed halls and staircases, I planned my exit routes.

Comments

[zenithed.livejournal.com]

Quite glad I managed to go to a gig the other night without even thinking about it, hope that got it out of the way. Wonder if it's going to be like the Tube was for a bit after 7-7 (edgy for a few weeks and then as though nothing had ever happened).

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I imagine you're right. The biggest problem for us I think are bombs - sneaking in machine guns isn't as easy. I do find myself looking at fellow passengers and thinking "what if".

[zenithed.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine the hardest time to do that is shortly after a high profile attack, when security and intelligence are on highest alert. And when wasn't London at threat of a bomb, the 90s? (not that the IRA would go in for quite the same sort of thing)

I dunno, I just think the fact that attacks are possible but rarely happen means that there aren't many people who are willing to do it, and most of them are incompetent.

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling the government have all "potentials" re. muslims in the UK, now tagged. All the surveillance Snowden disclosed - I think after the tube bombings, everyone went on a database. Didn't Cameron say they foiled 7 attacks just this year? (Not that I believe him, but it could be true.)