Scenes like this are sadly and unacceptably almost commonplace in some parts of the world. We’re nearly numb to the news of terrorist attacks in Iraq these days. The scene is horrifyingly familiar to Israelis. But in London, despite the history of IRA attacks, this is not commonplace and it still has the power to shock the world.
A casualty is taken away on a stretcher at London's King Cross station in London (source: Reuters)
The phases will be familiar to people who have gone through it all before. Shock and horror at the news. Frantic checking on everyone we know who may have been in the area to make sure they’re okay. A wave of sadness and sympathy for the victims and their families.
And then, incredible anger at the terrorists and anger at the fact that their brand of terror is being allowed to succeed – at changing the G8 agenda, at getting people to point fingers the wrong way, maybe even at scaring other European countries into surrendering. What they don’t realize is that surrender isn’t an option; sooner or later there is a line that no country can cross, and by the time they reach it, it might be too late.
If the only defense against terrorism is its 100% failure rate, than what does it mean that it has been so incredibly successful as of late? What of the Gaza disengagement – agree or disagree, it is being interpreted by the Palestinian terror groups as a victory. What of Spain’s election of a leftist government that capitulated to the terrorist demands to withdraw troops from Iraq after the Madrid train bombings? What of small victory after small victory that has enabled the terrorists to isolate the US and Israel from the world, get other European countries to back down, and cause fear among millions of people?
Terrorism will contine as long as it keeps attaining victories. Tony Blair is vowing to stay resolute. But what will happen is anyone’s guess.
Don’t leave the battle at the hands of Bush and Blair.
The most important people involved in not letting terrorists win is the little guy like you, your readers and other ‘regular’ people. Sure, our leaders can set the tone by being strong or weak, but it all depends on us. Will you let terrorists dictate your life?
About three years ago, when the bus bombings in Israel were a weekly affair, a co-worker told me her parents were buying her a car so she wouldn’t have to take the bus to work. That was the straw that broke this camel’s back. Ever since, I’ve left the car at home and only use public transportation to get to work.