Stay Home, Stay Home, My Gut is Telling Me

[dotinthesky]

A suspected car bomb has been found in downtown London.

I don't know if I feel like using public transport today...

We are only 8 days away from the tube bombings anniversary.

Comments

[stevek.livejournal.com]

Funnily enough, I was thinking on the tube this morning that about now would be an opportune moment for terrorists to strike, what with Brown taking over.

Sometimes I hate it when I'm right.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Last time, it was the day after London won the Olympics...

[stevek.livejournal.com]

Exactly, what could be a better way for terrorists to celebrate Brown's new role with a "firework display". :-\

[kixie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's pretty freaky. I've read that, if it went off, it would have been a pretty huge explosion. :/

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

What worries me is that the police were tipped off by a passer by. They had no intelligence this was going to happen so, potentially, there are other car bombs in the city. My paranoia has gone into overdrive.

[kixie.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Yeah, I was a bit stunned at that one too, they really had no idea on this.

But you can sit there being paranoid and scared or you can just get on with your day and come what may. If anything's going to happen, it'll happen either way. They defused it, they're hunting around like crazy for any other bombs in the London landmarks and they'll probably be on really high alert for the next few weeks, so... it has to be enough, I guess.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Paranoia and fear is not something I can control, otherwise I'd definitely go through my day not thinking about it. :-/

[kixie.livejournal.com]

Keep yourself occupied? Paranoia and fear can be controlled, but - well, I have a panic disorder. Paranoia and fear are daily staples of my life which I've spent years learning how to control. It ain't easy. But you can. Best way - keep occupied and try not to think about it.

Put it this way - right now there are SO many policemen and bomb defusers and whatnot freaking out, it's probably pretty safe, they've been sent to loads of other places and are going to be a very visible prescence. I mean, people have probably been deployed here, there and everywhere and the alert will be on UBER.

[sparklielizard.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking only the other day how we've all got complacent about using the tube and stuff again! The second anniversary is an obvious target.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

This may sound sad but there isn't one day when I use public transport and don't think about the bombings. It's always there, at the back of my mind.

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

I have this problem too. I don't think it's a sign of my compassionate, sensitive nature. I think it's just my paranoiac tendencies.

Today's bombscare is quite worrying. I am glad I (for no real reason other than that I wanted to listen loudly to Metallica) took the car today.

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

If you'd grown up in London in the 70s and 80s, you'd be less likely to worry. There was always the threat of the IRA, and we just got used to it. In 1990 there was a major bombing campaign (including car bombs and mortar attacks on Downing Street), and everyone just carried on as they were.

If i get blown up, I get blown up, and worrying about it won't make any difference. I don't have the choice not to commute, so I choose to go about my business without fear. I admit I was a bit wary for a week after the July bombings, but that wore off pretty quickly.

[stevek.livejournal.com]

Very valid point. My mum recalls the time there was a bomb scare in the Whitgift Centre in Croydon and instead of completely leaving the area people were standing around watching events unfold.

I recall my primary school being evacuated because of a bomb scare, although all I really remember was that it was raining. :-)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Random bombing is still new to me. Although I grew up in a very violent city -- Sao Paulo -- it was very clear where the violence came from and how to avoid it (avoid certain neighbourhoods, don't take public transport at night, etc.) What unsettles me is the russian roulette aspect of terrorism nowadays.

[kixie.livejournal.com]

I guess it takes some getting used to. Not in a good way :/

What unsettles me is the russian roulette aspect of terrorism nowadays

And that's the whole point of terrorism, sadly. :(

war nowadays seems so callow

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Yeah, don't you miss the good ol' days of war where you actually knew the planes were coming cos you could hear 'em?

-The American Who's Never Had War On Her Shores

[kixie.livejournal.com]

*nodnod*

I grew up here in the 80s and I remember so, so many things - tube drains, bomb scares, actual bombs...I remember the morning the bus exploded in the West End, I remember them actually finding a bomb in Oxford Circus when dad and I were down there doing some shopping when I was 9...my best friend when I was 18 or so, Jenn, had a seriously freaky experience: her mother worked for BBC NEws 24 and they're NOrthern Irish and she corresponded the NI situation, that was her thang, and the IRA sent one of their puzzle clues TO JENN'S HOUSE (she stayed at mine taht week). That was deeply freaky. I got used to, very quickly, finding different ways to get places in case the tube wasn't running or streets were closed off and seriously, I *don't* think of the 7/7 bombings. At all. I get on the tube and I can honestly say that any idea of the incident is just NOT going through my mind. It's strange for me to think that it does still bother people.
I was a bit wary for a few days or so after the 7/7 bombings but figured the tube was SWARMED by so many police, it was probably safer then than it usually is.

[kixie.livejournal.com]

I have this problem too.

Which is why you're still not a Proper Londoner ;)

[redcountess]

It's just been pointed out elsewhere on my f/l that the Haymarket area is where the Pride parade tomorrow will be ending up. This could very well have been targeted against the LGBT community :/

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I think, in this case, it was aimed at Gordon Brown's first day in office (though I'm sure they -- if they are islamists -- would have been happy to take down one gay or two.)

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Something I wonder about, which seems to actually lend some credence to conspiracy theorists, is why haven't we found new threats so close as the ones that keep being found in London? I mean, it seems to me that more might be missed in a large country than a small one.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Do you mean threats in America? Because my impression is that America doesn't have as large a problem of young people in muslim communities converting to Islamism. Here in Britain, it seems like quite a few have flown to Pakistan for training, then returned with the know-how on explosives, etc, whereas America has tightened its borders and has been more severe in its vigilance.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Ah, I suppose there's that. I really don't pay attention to all that. Reading this I was reminded that when I first moved here there were Army Reserves all over the place in the subways with big guns and big bullets, but now they're gone and have been for a while.

[saint-narcissus.livejournal.com]

Ollie, I was just thinking of you, keep yourselves safe as you can.
your response to the comment above is interesting, true, yes,,,

but America has had more (not more then UK but Islamic) "home grown" terrorist,,,
i.e., the Oklahoma City Bombings, Atlanta Olympics, various abortion clinics.

I amaze myself I have any faith left in humanity,,,,

Love you & Hope you have a wondrous & safe "Pride" celebration.

xxoo -David
ps, I am editing a manuscript of my poetry

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Thank you; we are being watchful, though not partaking in Pride this weekend. Just not in the mood for it.

Once you are done with your poetry manuscript, will you send it to agents/publishers?

[bookishgal.livejournal.com]

Be safe!

[violentlyhappy.livejournal.com]

It actually freaked me out quite a lot, because Basil and I go to the Haymarket cinema every other day...infact, I'll be on my way there in about an hour. :|

Basil's not bothered, this is a picnic compared to Israel, but for me it's far too new and scary. :P

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Double check that the cinema is open!

[violentlyhappy.livejournal.com]

Of course! It'd be sucky to go and find the cinema closed then be caught up in something horrible! :(

Are you at work darling? Be careful! <3

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Yes, but leaving soon. You be careful too. And have a good weekend.

[meemeedarling.livejournal.com]

Please be careful!

[public-life.livejournal.com]

stay safe babe Ollie! take care :*

[msanthropist.livejournal.com]

What I can't figure out is why Bush and Cheney keep pickin' on the poor UK to distract the baaaaaaaaaaaad sheep in the US...seriously, ever notice how terrorism always seems to become a major focus just when some serious shit going down about Dick or Shrub? I fucking HATE those guys...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

They choose their days to bury bad news...

[msanthropist.livejournal.com]

...and their days to create a media flurry...the network news here is having a frenzy interviewing holiday travelers to find out if they're adequately frightened and do they think the US has enough security measures in place or...gawd I wish I could just take a nap and have someone wake me when everyone else wakes up...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Same here. Journalists keep asking people if they are sufficiently terrified, and they seem a little disappointed when the answer is "no".

[gorecky22.livejournal.com]

Ohps... It looks scary. As your guts are telling you: stay home!!!