Condolances to our UK friends

[Sleuth]

While I wait to see if any of my friends on that side were in the horror, my condolances to those who lost someone to the bombers.

Now, let Scotland Yard find them, but let the SAS "handle the arrest".

[JohnKelly]

I'll join you in that, Sleuth.

My thoughts and best wishes go out to all our friends in the UK.

I heard the response by the Lord Mayor of London, it was given without any reference to any notes; it was like listening to Churchill. I was also impressed by the speech given by Tony Blair with the G8 leaders in the background.

It is terrible events like this, that seem to bring out the best in the British people.

[Sleuth]

Yes, his comments got a lot of play in the US. Then, we found out that he has been supporting a radical Muslim cleric. Kind of takes the shine off his speech.

[leonha2]

Condolances also from Austria! I visited London in May, I really love that city. I hope the fellows did not commit suicide, so British police can take care of them.

[JohnKelly]

I heard the response by the Lord Mayor of London, it was given without any reference to any notes; it was like listening to Churchill. I was also impressed by the speech given by Tony Blair with the G8 leaders in the background.

It is terrible events like this, that seem to bring out the best in the British people.

Here is the response given by the Lord Mayor of London. Remember, it was straight off the cuff, without notes.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has condemned the terrorist attacks as "cowardly" and praised Londoners for their calmness in coping with the multiple tragedy.

He made this statement from Singapore, where he was involved with London's winning Olympic 2012 bid.

"This was a cowardly attack which has resulted in injury and loss of life. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been injured or lost loved ones. I want to thank the emergency services for the way they have responded.

Following the al-Qaeda attacks on September 11th in America we conducted a series of exercises in London in order to be prepared for just such an attack. One of the exercises undertaken by the government, my office and the emergency and security services was based on the possibility of multiple explosions on the transport system during the Friday rush hour. The plan that came out of that exercise is being executed today, with remarkable efficiency and courage, and I praise those staff who are involved.

I'd like to thank Londoners for the calm way in which they have responded to this cowardly attack and echo the advice of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair - do everything possible to assist the police and take the advice of the police about getting home today."

I have no doubt whatsoever that this is a terrorist attack. We did hope in the first few minutes after hearing about the events on the Underground that it might simply be a maintenance tragedy. That was not the case.

I want to say one thing specifically to the world today. This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful. It was not aimed at Presidents or Prime Ministers. It was aimed at ordinary, working-class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. It was an indiscriminate attempt to slaughter, irrespective of any considerations for age, for class, for religion or whatever.

That isn't an ideology, it isn't even a perverted faith, it is just an indiscriminate attempt at mass murder and we know what the objective is. They seek to divide Londoners. They seek to turn Londoners against each other. I said yesterday to the International Olympic Committee that the city of London is the greatest in the world because everybody lives side by side in harmony. Londoners will not be divided by the cowardly attack. They will stand together in solidarity alongside those who have been injured and those who have been bereaved and that is why I'm proud to be the Mayor of that city.

Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life.

I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail.

In the days that follow look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential.

They choose to come to London, as so many have come before because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail."

[Band of Brother]

Hi,
Thanks for the sentiments brothers.
As a UK cop, it's heartening to hear we have kinship with our own across the oceans.
I'm still stunned by the slaughter of those innocents in London.
Freedom is something I've always taken for granted. My generation honour those who have gone before us and their commitment to keeping us safe and free.
Now the mantle falls to us,
Thanks to you all...

[Ex-plod]

John, not wanting to split hairs mate but Ken Livingstone is the Mayor of London, the Lord Mayor of London is the Mayor of the City Of London which is the old Square Mile of London which is basicallythe financial area with its own govt etc and it has its own Police, City of London Police, as opposed to the Metropolitan Police which cover all the rest of London.

[JohnKelly]

London

John, not wanting to split hairs mate but Ken Livingstone is the Mayor of London, the Lord Mayor of London is the Mayor of the City Of London which is the old Square Mile of London which is basicallythe financial area with its own govt etc and it has its own Police, City of London Police, as opposed to the Metropolitan Police which cover all the rest of London.

No worries, thanks for the info. I didn't realise there was two positions.

I am however, aware of the two separate Police Forces ie London Met & City of London. I spent a few days in a City of London Police Section House. I also remember the days when the minimum height to join the City of London Police was 5'11"

Cheers,

[Bobbycop]

The United Kingdom has received many words of condolence from around the world and all are appreciated.

http://www.werenotafraid.com/