 |
|||||||||||||
 |
|
 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||
Once again, I am posting a blog entry in regard to a special matter. However, this update has nothing to do with trips abroad or elections. Rather, it has to do with the sad matter of what happened on Thursday in London, a city in which I lived for nearly three years. I do not want to dwell on the emotions of what took place. Rather, I am only going to recount how my Thursday was spent in front of the news, trying to come to grips with these awful acts. I was awoken at 5:15am by my wife who is still in the UK, preparing to make the move to Canada. At first I thought that it was a work-related issue by someone on another continent who factored the time zones wrong and let the phone ring to voice mail. The second series of rings I thought I should answer. It was Vicki letting me know that she was safe at her folks in Birmingham, that London was under attack and that she had been in touch with her friends residing in London and they were ok. The next thought to cross my mind was for the safety of my friends at work, a great group of people! I could not get through to London due to congestion on the phone lines, so I emailed them asking for a quick note to let me know they were all safe and sound. Within 10 minutes, Robin Goad dropped me a line confirming everyone's well being and I breathed easier. A big thanks to the London Emergency Services who showed that no one does it better in a time of crisis. These are brave men and women who risked their lives selflessly. I also want to congratulate my pal, Rob Bonniwell, of the a station chief with the Berkshire Fire Service in Reading. Rob assisted in the emergency efforts and we are all really proud of him. The rest of the day was a wash. In front of the TV, in front of the computer the news was grim.... death toll kept rising as did injuries. Rumours started circulating about a suicide bomber in Canary Wharf who had been shot dead by police. Tony Blair rose to the occasion as he always does in times of crises by conveying the feelings of the UK - they have tried to break us, but we will not be broken. Ken Livingstone was equally eloquent in his statement. These two men are politicians whom I have been especially critical of over the past few years, but there is no doubt in my mind that both are true patriots and in this time of national crisis, the UK is lucky to have them. I also want to say that in my view, our own PM, Paul Martin did a fine job in conveying Canada's thoughts and sympathies. Since the attacks, a couple of things are clear. These acts of terror do not reflect the peaceful nature of Islam and Muslims the world over are as shocked and horrified by this as anyone. Second of all, if Al Qaeda wanted to pick a fight, this time they really chose the wrong enemy! Having lived among the British for a number of years, I can attest to their strength of spirit and to their resiliency. They will not be broken and they will serve justice. Last point - I wanted to keep this brief and focused. There are many more people who were in London and are better qualified to comment on what took place 'on the ground' than myself. But, as a recent Londoner, it made me sick to see what terrorists did to this beautiful city and its citizens. For the next little while, while the UK regroups they will have the support of peace loving people the world over. God save the queen and her people. Post a comment in response: |
| © 2002-2008. Blurty Journal. All rights reserved. |