Terror Attacks on London England - 07 Jul 05 & 21 Jul 05

[a_majoor]

Terror in the Tube, Again
Two terrorist attacks in London in as many weeks bring our struggle into sharp focus.

By John F. Cullinan

  â Å“Today we were unlucky, but remember we only have to be lucky once. You will have to be lucky always.â ?

By what appears to be a stroke of good fortune, today's attempted bombings in London did not result as intended in the massacre of innocents that occurred two weeks ago today. It brings to mind to the IRA statement quoted above that was issued after the 1984 Brighton bombing that British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher narrowly survived but which killed five and wounded scores of others.

At this moment, very preliminary reports suggest that faulty explosive devices â ” made up of the same homemade material as used in the 7/7 bombings â ” failed to detonate as planned. This was not a case of a message being sent but rather a technical glitch that by great good fortune thwarted the murderers. And it is in any case quite out of character for the jihadists operating under the banner of al Qaeda to send calibrated signals with a view to a negotiated settlement of outstanding grievances. As one of their confederates put it, â Å“We don't fight so that you negotiate with us. We are fighting to eliminate you.â ?

But good luck â ” and the superbly professional response of the security and emergency services after the fact â ” is not a policy that the U.K. (or the U.S.) can rely on to thwart attacks now in train. It is an urgent necessity both for the U.S. and the U.K. to rethink the conventional wisdom that has blinded the civilized world to the nature of the threat it faces. In the forthcoming issue of National Review, John O'Sullivan lays out the existential challenges facing Britain in the wake of the 7/7 attacks:

    To ameliorate and eventually solve such a... problem means dealing simultaneously with several deeply-rooted component ones: getting better intelligence on the terrorist networks in place in order to disrupt them; deporting known Muslim extremists already here; controlling and ultimately reducing immigration; replacing a failed multiculturalism with a common British culture and identity that encompasses immigrant identities as the American identity once did; and above all encouraging British Muslims to embrace Britishness as their principal political identity and thus to reject the Islamist vision of a world-wide caliphate. To achieve even one of these aims will be difficult. For instance, deporting known extremists would probably require either withdrawing Britain from international conventions on torture and asylum (extremely difficult) or getting the international community to re-write them (impossible.) To achieve all of them will be a heroic task.

All of these admittedly formidable challenges are at least more readily admissible in the wake of today's attacks. Denial is no longer an acceptable response to organized violence against the British (and American) way of life. As comrade Trotsky put it to liberals convinced that warfare was a thing of the past: â Å“You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.â ?

â ” John F. Cullinan formerly served as a senior foreign-policy adviser to the U.S. Catholic bishops, focusing on international law, international religious freedom, and human rights.
 
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/cullinan200507211532.asp

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

mover1 we hack on everyone equally.  ;D

 

[Pearson]

I hope everyone reacted as I did with a fist pump and a hell yeah, when they heard that at least one of the wanna-be martyrs was chased down and beaten by some of the crowd before the police arrived.

:threat:

I just hope that it was not a case of mistaken identity.

 

[1feral1]

So,there I was last night, it was about 2245 on the 21st (Thu) here in Australia, getting ready to hi the 'farter' when suddenly a direct feed of ITV news starts flowing in on the 7 Network. I was in bed, and got up to watch FOXNews, CNNI, BBC and Sky to watch it all unfold. So it was a late one.

Many have become complacient, and many thought the 7-7 was a one off, and I (like many here) was NOT suprised that another attack was on. So, as today has rolled along we get the updates here on 1116 4GB AM radio Brisbane.

Although we are pleased that there was no one killed, I am sure as the sun will rise tomorrow that these attacks are linked, and there will be more, and the spawning of a new 'clean skin' brigade of these homicide bombers will set a new trend in other western countries by these misguided muslims, as they seem to prey on the young and impressionable to carry out these evil deeds.

Its just a matter of time before we too are attacked by these godless savages, who again have hijacked a religion to further their twisted acts against innocent civilains, and the west. No its not about Allied involvement in Iraq. We were targeted long before the invasion. This is a war agisnt the west, but its a democracy, and we are all entitled to our opinions.

Yes these 4 new weenies will no doubt be caught (reports of one being caught already) more sooner than later. Lets just hope they are not harboured in their own ethnic ghettos by others who seem more often then not, turn a blind eye to these radicals. Meanwhile in Sydney, several muslim book stores in the ghettos of Lakemba and other western Sydney shitholes, islamic books on suicide bombings and the preperation and promotion for such have been for sale. many copies have been sold.

The police are on to them now, and muftis etc are in damage control, as the gap between us and them widens even more so. One store owner proclaimed he had no idea what the books were and what they were about. What bullshit, he would not have ordered them if he did not think they would sell. Just how stupid to they think we are.

My 2 cents.

Wes

 

[Edward Campbell]

This just in from this morning's Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050722.w3bomb0722/BNStory/International/

London police shoot man at subway station

Friday, July 22, 2005
Updated at 6:15 AM EDT

Associated Press

London - Police shot a man at a London subway station on Friday, a day after the city was hit by a second wave of terror attacks in two weeks.

One witness said the man was killed.

The circumstances of the shooting at Stockwell station in south London were not immediately clear, nor was the man's condition.

British Transport Police said the Northern and Victoria Tube lines, which pass through Stockwell, were suspended because of shooting.

Passengers said that a man -- described as South Asian -- ran onto a train. They said police chased him, he tripped, then they shot him.

"They pushed him onto the floor and unloaded five shots into him. He's dead," witness Mark Whitby told the British Broadcasting Corp. "He looked like a cornered fox. He looked petrified," said Mr. Whitby.

Mr. Whitby said it didn't look like the man was carrying anything but said he was wearing a thick coat that looked padded.

"We were on the Tube and then we suddenly heard someone say 'get out, get out' and then we heard gunshots," said passenger Briony Coetsee.

Alistair Drummond, of the London Ambulance Service, said paramedics had been called to the station at 10:10 a.m.

"There were at least 20 of them [officers] and they were carrying big black guns," said Chris Wells, 28. "The next thing I saw was this guy jump over the barriers and the police officers were chasing after him and everyone was just shouting 'get out, get out!"'

© Copyright 2005 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved. ​

Well done: the Metropolitain Police!

 

[Horse_Soldier]

I was wondering if everyone thought this is empty rhetoric?

I suppose the left-leaning intelligensia thinks it is kind of a cute, metaphorical statement, not to be taken too seriously. I call it a clear war aim.  The man is serious about it, and so should we be.

 

[Edward Campbell]

...
Well done: the Metropolitan Police!

Well, maybe not so well done after all; the news reports, this afternoon, are saying the victim was "unrelated" to the incidents - perhaps an innocent Brazilian man who was just in the wrong place (a house where Muslim terror suspects are known to live) at the wrong time and who, perhaps not knowing the language or being a petty criminal etc, panicked and ran.

 

[Britney Spears]

Well, maybe not so well done after all; the news reports, this afternoon, are saying the victim was "unrelated" to the incidents - perhaps an innocent Brazilian man who was just in the wrong place (a house where Muslim terror suspects are known to live) at the wrong time and who, perhaps not knowing the language or being a petty criminal etc, panicked and ran.

Could be, but then, it's also possible that the "policemen" were plainclothed SAS troops from the Counter Terrorist Wing who had been tracking this terrorist for days through London and were forced into action,and the gov't is just keeping mum  while both terrorist and "polce" are whisked off to Hereford.

<Hits eject button and watches the thread spiral away in flames....>

 

[1feral1]

Well, maybe not so well done after all; the news reports, this afternoon, are saying the victim was "unrelated" to the incidents - perhaps an innocent Brazilian man who was just in the wrong place (a house where Muslim terror suspects are known to live) at the wrong time and who, perhaps not knowing the language or being a petty criminal etc, panicked and ran.

If he would have done what he was told, and stopped, he would be alive today. A guy runs from a suspected bombers residence, wearing a long heavy coat on a hot day, runs into a train stn, boards a train, with a bunch of police hot on his tail. Shot 5 times in the head. Why? Because the police feared he may have been 'bombed up', and did not want to fire into his centre of mass. They no doubt feared he would detonate another bomb on a train full of people, and after 2 attacks in 2 wks ( 700+ injured and 56 KILLED, you can't blame them for wanting to prevent such an attorcity from repeating itself.

Could not understand english? BALLS! I don't buy that for a second. Everyone knows what 'stop' and 'halt' mean, plus its the police, and the body language they were presenting. Anyone with one gram of common sense knows what that means.

The question, why was he in that residence, and why did he run and not stop? There is more to this than we understand, even though the police are now down playing this. The London Police are calling this an unfortunate incident, but again at the end of the day, he just should have DONE WHAT HE WAS TOLD, and stopped long before he ran into the stn, he would still be breathing. I have no pity for this man.

I'll say this, good on the police for acting the way they did. For those that whinge, wine, drip, and complain about innocence and civil rights etc, if he would have blew himself up, then you'd be saying why didn't the police shoot him?

It looks like Egypt pays the price today. 88 killed by another islamic co-ordinated attack against the west (known resort were westerners go). Who's next?

Wes

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Agree with you 110% Wesley H. Allen

 

[1feral1]

Thanks CFL!

EDITed for spelling and other stupid mistakes.

Here is today's paper. The threat to us is VERY real.

May I suggest those in Canada who think they are immune, to think again. This cancer is in every western country which has muslims, but the dangerous one's are the minority of these savages. I pity the moderate ones should an attack come here, as sadly they'll all be tarred with the same brush, and in fact this might be what the enemy wants is to cause this unrest

DON'T think it cannot happen where you live.

Be vigilant, and don't be afraid to report anything suspicious to the nearest detachment of the RCMP or police wherever you are.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[mainerjohnthomas]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: Edward Campbell on Today at 16:37:51
Well, maybe not so well done after all; the news reports, this afternoon, are saying the victim was "unrelated" to the incidents - perhaps an innocent Brazilian man who was just in the wrong place (a house where Muslim terror suspects are known to live) at the wrong time and who, perhaps not knowing the language or being a petty criminal etc, panicked and ran.

    Funny thing about people from the second and third world, they really do believe that the nice officer with the submachine gun will cut them in half if they do not instantly obey.  Innocent people obey, and bitch about why this always happens to them, and possibly call a lawyer to raise hell, they DO NOT RUN. Its the way most of the world works.  I have many friends from similar happy places, and have been in one or two myself.  Only in the west would an innocent or minor criminal be dumb enough to run from police with guns drawn.  If this man ran from police with drawn weapons, charged into the tubeways, in post bombing London; even if he was visiting from another planet, he had to know the police would have to kill him rather than allow him to escape with a trainload of possible victims into the tubeways.  The fact that the police took him out with headshots implies firstly that they had good reason to believe he was a bomber (details of which are restricted for security reasons) and secondly that the cops following him were not your average bobbies (five for five headshots are not amateur hour).

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

I know I'm talking out my ass but maybe the SAS are doing so domestic work.

 

[Britney Spears]

Well you're a little late to the game, that's for sure!

(See bottom of last page)

 

[Infanteer]

Wes, agree with you on that one.  From what I read at the BBC, this chap lived in London for years and spoke perfect English, so forget the excuse of linguistic/cultural misunderstanding.

 

[Roy Harding]

I must say, even though the result was tragic, the sequence of events was justified.

I'm most impressed with the British command structure, in the person of Sir Ian Blair.  Although he (quite properly) regrets the results, he backs up his officers - and states that policy will not change.

Had this unfortunate incident happened in Canada, I am not so sure that the individual officer involved would have had the same backing from his superiors, whether they be RCMP, CF, CSIS, OPP, or whatever.

 

[mainerjohnthomas]

I must say, even though the result was tragic, the sequence of events was justified.

I'm most impressed with the British command structure, in the person of Sir Ian Blair.   Although he (quite properly) regrets the results, he backs up his officers - and states that policy will not change.

Had this unfortunate incident happened in Canada, I am not so sure that the individual officer involved would have had the same backing from his superiors, whether they be RCMP, CF, CSIS, OPP, or whatever.

    I have always envied the Brits the support of their elected and appointed leadership, it is something Canadian troops rarely get.
    For the first time we have a top soldier who has the balls to back us.  General Hiller, I wish I could have served under you

 

[McG]

3rd suspect arrested in failed London bombings
Last Updated Sun, 24 Jul 2005 16:17:50 EDT
CBC News

British police have arrested a third man in connection with Thursday's attempted bombings on London's transit system.

The man was arrested under anti-terrorism legislation on Saturday night, a police spokesman said on Sunday.

The spokesman said the man was detained in the same area of south London where the other suspects were picked up and where a Brazilian electrician killed by police had lived.

"He was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism," said the spokesman, speaking under the force's customary condition of anonymity.

"He has now been taken to a central London police station for further questioning."

Police didn't release the man's name and gave few other details.

The detainees are suspected of involvement in the failed attempts to bomb three subway trains and a bus on Thursday, two weeks after 56 people were killed in four suicide bombings in the city's transit system.

News of the latest arrest came hours after London's Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, apologized after officers killed an innocent man whom they suspected of being a suicide bomber.

...

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/07/24/wales050724.html

 

[I_Drive_Planes]

I was on IAP a couple of weeks ago when the bombings happened (I have since VR'd).  We had a coy meeting where some of the higher people at the school introduced themselves.  After that was all done a Sgt. took the stage, he asked who our enemies were, some bright person (not from my platoon) said "I am Sgt!" the Sgt. said "You're my enemy? I'll come up there and break your neck! no, the terrorists are, and they've struck again." He proceded to tell us the details (It came to quite a shock to all of us as our access to information was quite limited) then he says "And in a few years you'll be done your training and you'll get to go up against those bastards and tear their F*****g throats out!"  It was really inspirational (you had to have been there to feel the energy of the moment), and it really brought into focus exactly why we were there in the military.  Marching out of the auditorium it was noticeable that everyone was digging their heels a little harder and swinging their arms a little higher, I think everyone took some real pride in the fact that it was going to be us who would eventually be dealing with these people.  Its things like that that make me regret VRing a little (sometimes a lot).  For those who are in, rip a terrorist throat out for me.

RIP to all who perished in London, and good hunting to those whose business it is to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Planes

 

[McG]

Arrest of bombing suspect seen as major breakthrough
Three others nabbed as London investigation intensifies
Mike Blanchfield
Ottawa Citizen; CanWest News Service
July 28, 2005

LONDON - A failed suicide bomber faces an intense grilling here after his arrest Wednesday in a Birmingham safehouse, as the massive police manhunt sparked by the London bombings scored its first major breakthrough.

Yasin Hassan Omar, the 24-year-old naturalized citizen who came to this country 13 years ago as a child refugee with his family from wartorn Somalia, was arrested in a dramatic pre-dawn raid Wednesday in the northern city of Birmingham.

Anti-terror specialists from London, backed by local police and army explosives experts, swooped down on the house in east Birmingham at 4:30 a.m., cordoning off a wide area. They found Omar alone, wearing a backpack similar to the ones used in last Thursday's botched bombings. They wrestled it away from him, throwing it out a window.

They finally subdued Omar by stunning him with an electrical shock from a Taser gun.

Omar is accused of trying to set off a bomb on the Warren Street subway last Thursday. Police have followed a trail from there to a north London apartment registered in his name and finally to Birmingham.

After his arrest, Omar was taken to central London's high-security Paddington Green police station, where five other men have been detained in the last week under Britain's anti-terror law.

There was no celebratory mood as the hunt for other suspects continued and the threat of more attacks hangs over the rain-soaked British capital.

Omar was expected to face heavy questioning over the whereabouts of his accomplices. He was one of four people arrested in massive police sweeps across Britain on Wednesday, as the investigation into the July 7 and 21 attacks on London's transit system, the first of which killed 52 innocent commuters and four suicide bombers, escalated.

As Omar was being nabbed, three more men were arrested in east Birmingham and were being held by West Midlands police. Two more homes in north London were raided early Wednesday.

Later in the day, another man was arrested under the anti-terror act at Luton airport, north of London. The man was pulled off a plane that was bound for France, but later released.

ABC News released exclusive footage Wednesday that showed bombs found at Luton railway station after the July 7 bombing. One photo showed an X-ray of a bomb with nails protruding.

Forensic examinations continued at both Birmingham locations. The area remained sealed off for much of the day as an army bomb disposal team set off a controlled explosion. They continued their forensic sweep of the north London apartment registered to Omar that is believed to have been the bomb-making factory for the attacks.

Omar was seen returning to the apartment with Muktar Said Ibrahim, 27, on Friday, a day after the most recent attacks, which has fuelled fear that they had retrieved more bomb-making ingredients.

Ibrahim sought asylum in Britain with his family 15 years ago from Eritrea. He became a radicalized Muslim while serving a prison sentence in the late 1990s for a violent robbery, but still managed to gain British citizenship last year.

Omar arrived in Britain as an 11-year-old child refugee from Somalia in 1992, one year after the country's collapse. He bounced through a series of foster homes with an older sister.

Neighbours described Omar as a quiet man who wore traditional African clothing and would regularly play pick-up soccer in local parks on Sundays with other Somalis, as well as Ibrahim.

Neighbours also described him as a brooding, angry young man who reportedly spoke fondly of jihad, praised Osama bin Laden and railed against the sale of alcohol, which Islam forbids.

Omar and Ibrahim are believed to have attended north London's radical Finsbury Park mosque, where suspected shoe bomber Richard Reid and Zacarias Moussaoui, the suspected 19th hijacker in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States also spent time.

The arrests in Birmingham shocked residents of the multi-ethnic neighbourhood, which has many Muslims.

Prime Minister Tony Blair this week called for moderate Muslim clerics to speak out against incitement to violence by their more radical counterparts.

Dr. Mohameed Naseem of Birmingham Central Mosque said terrorists must be "given their due punishment" but also criticized Blair before a large crowd at the security cordon, calling him a liar and unleashing a torrent of frustration.

"Tony Blair has told lies for going to Iraq," Naseem said. "We cannot give our blind trust to the government."

Meanwhile, Blair met separately Wednesday with the leaders of Turkey and Spain as all three affirmed their joint resolve to fight terrorism, which has dramatically struck all three of their countries in recent years.

The body of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent 27-year-old Brazilian shot dead by police on the London Underground last week, was flown back home Wednesday night.