I work at the British Medical Association where the bus bomb exploded. I was in a meeting at the front of the building. Adjacent to this room is a balcony that overlooks Woburn Place and Tavistock Square. When he heard the blast we all ran out onto the balcony and saw the bus with its roof ripped off.
There were survivors clambering over the seats of the top deck trying to escape and I particularly noticed one woman unconcious on the road curled up in a foetal position. I don't know what happened to her. There were clearly some dead people there.
The bus had been diverted down this street past BMA House because of the earlier bomb at Kings Cross. Because of this the many doctors in BMA house were able to provide treatment inside the building which became a triage centre. This may have saved people's lives.
It was a surreal and dreadful sight. I walked all the way home to north London and was still shaking when I got there. I have never been so glad to arrive home in my life. I dread to think of the friends and relatives of those people who won't be coming home
That is a chilling account jonnyb. Thanks for sharing it. Interestingly, while I was reading your post I heard a report on the radio about how the bus was in front of a building full of Drs.
jonnyb, what a horrible thing to witness, many thanks for giving us a vivid account. I had just seen new post-atrocity footage and I too saw a woman on the road in that position, as if tucked up in bed. The horror.
I've spoken to many of my friends in London today, all of them safe and well. I trust that we can all remain as objective about this as my friends and those on AI who have reported their experiences in the thick of it.
I don't feel any anger. I have, however, slipped back into the sadness that followed the 9/11 tragedy.
My best to all those affected, however remotely. I hope you can sleep well tonight. My thoughts, and those of my family, are with you.
terrorism doesn't work if you dont allow it to terrorize you.
This is the most sane thing I've heard about this incident. The worst thing about this would be to let it turn into something else. That would be just giving them what they ( The terrorists ) want.
Also I know this is a bit redundant but truly a sad, dispicable, and cowardly crime. However if I know the british they won't let this get to them.
"Righteous indignation" is an oxymoron. There is no virtuous anger...anger is defeat.
Anger caused today's violence.
Why do you want to give in to animalistic mob mentality? That solves nothing.
Easy for me to say? Sure. But we all have seen people want revenge and when they get it they feel like crap all the more. There is no "closure" with revenge, it's a lie.
Better to honor your dead and injured by keeping a cool head and letting the justice and democratic processes work, instead of resorting to lynchings and vengeful genocides.
Be better than your enemies. What don't you get about that, NaplesX? <rhetorical, don't bother answering>
"Righteous indignation" is an oxymoron. There is no virtuous anger...anger is defeat.
Anger caused today's violence.
Why do you want to give in to animalistic mob mentality? That solves nothing.
Easy for me to say? Sure. But we all have seen people want revenge and when they get it they feel like crap all the more. There is no "closure" with revenge, it's a lie.
Better to honor your dead and injured by keeping a cool head and letting the justice and democratic processes work, instead of resorting to lynchings and vengeful genocides.
Be better than your enemies. What don't you get about that?
Anger is a normal a natural reaction. Anger does not mean lynching. Anger does not mean vengence. Anger means you are human.
You are right, though, it is better let the process work. Mobs do not work. But, mobs are not representative of anger. Mobs generally represent hate. What is destructive is when anger turns to hatred.
I am always confused by people who feel that westeners are not allowed to feel anger. All other groups are excused for feeling anger. Odd.
Having said that, I fully understand people being too sad, stunned or numb to feel anything else, even anger.
I am puzzled why there is no anger. Why is anger a bad thing to feel when innocent people are slaughtered?
Righteous indignation is a powerful force and appropriate at this time. I am not getting this avoidance of anger.
Am I missing something?
Who do I get angry at?
Yeah, I know the easy answer. The immediate emotion. Them.
It's not that easy, though, for me. This did not occur in a vacuum. Like that chaos theory example (of a butterfly on one side of the world fluttering away and that motion setting in place the conditions on the other side of the world for a tornado), the motivations for actions such as these are complex, largely immeasurable, and partially bullshit and conjecture. I don't want to make my judgements based on the outcome when I know that there were many things that contributed to it - many things I will never know or understand to a level that I feel I could base an objective conclusion on.
I don't get angry because blame is to be apportioned among many parties.
I'm sad because I'm sentimental. I'm sad because the world becomes less of a shiny colourful place each day. I'm sad because, while I once had a great desire to raise children, I don't feel that way any more. I'm sad because people who may have held more hope, than me, have perished. I'm sad because, each time something happens, I come to a greater realization that the medicine that the world needs is going to taste incredibly bitter.
I think sadness is a far deeper emotion than anger.
I don't know what else to say about why I feel the way I do.
Anger is a normal a natural reaction. Anger does not mean lynching. Anger does not mean vengence. Anger means you are human.
I'm only talking about acting upon one's all-too-natural anger. No one makes good decisions when angry, be it a person, group or nation. Ride the emotions out and take it all in and take some time to come up with more rational responses, ones that might avoid cyclical violence.
The world and humanity is still beautiful. This can't change that. Look at all the doctors and rescue personnel and people helping eachother. This event makes life even more precious, no? Clinging to the notion of safety or permanence - assuming everything will be fine forever, is what makes these events all the more shocking. We think "Oh, I guess world affairs can affect me afterall". We need to remember death is a possibility at any instant (from whatever cause), so treat people well at all times and don't put things off. Fight for those things you think will make a difference. Vote your conscience even if your guy/gal loses. etc.
Pessimism and anger...throw them out. Be constructive.
A person can be both angry and hate the evil acts and still act in a rational way.
How do you know what to love if you don't know what you hate - and vise versa?
I didn't say I don't hate. I said I don't want to. I believe that hate is a waste of my energy. Although I am prone to feel it, I think that the worlds hate bucket is full enough already.
Sadness overrides anger, in my case.
I do know what I love and I hold those things very close.
A person can be both angry and hate the evil acts and still act in a rational way.
How do you know what to love if you don't know what you hate - and vise versa?
Hating "evil" is useless. If a man throws a rock at a dog, the dog will bark at the rock and not the man. The dog isn't seeing the true cause, only the superficial cause for his pain.
We need to "fight" and"kill" the underlying causes of evil, violent acts, which are powerlessness, greed, ignorance, poverty, disease, etc. Not the people living under these conditions, but the conditions themselves.
Hate is only a bad thing. It is a wallowing in a chemical reaction, a high from feeling abused by another. It is addictive and deceptive. It solves exactly nothing.
A person cannot be angry and still act in a rational way. That is the drug of hate talking, conning you into thinking it's ok. Like alcoholism's innocent whisper of "go ahead, what harm will having a few drinks do?"
You can repudiate evil acts with all your heart but it is with the wisdom of the superiority of reason and love, not with hate. Otherwise, you're the same as your enemies.
Hating "evil" is useless. If a man throws a rock at a dog, the dog will bark at the rock and not the man. The dog isn't seeing the true cause, only the superficial cause for his pain.
We need to "fight" and"kill" the underlying causes of evil, violent acts, which are powerlessness, greed, ignorance, poverty, disease, etc. Not the people living under these conditions, but the conditions themselves.
Never a truer word said.
A big hug to all those Londoner's who are dealing with this tragic event.
my brother and fiancee arrive in heathrow in 1 hour. they'll be commencing jobs, flat hunting very soon and all that stuff with their new work visas (after doing the work-travel thing)
all the best to them and all londoners, brits, europeans and all others who have made that city a place to call their home.
just remember that terrorism is for the most part an act of desperation. it could get more insidious, but as you can see the world is starting to see it for what it is...
Comments
I am happy to see that our AI members living in London are in good shape.
That's good news.
Stay safe.
There were survivors clambering over the seats of the top deck trying to escape and I particularly noticed one woman unconcious on the road curled up in a foetal position. I don't know what happened to her. There were clearly some dead people there.
The bus had been diverted down this street past BMA House because of the earlier bomb at Kings Cross. Because of this the many doctors in BMA house were able to provide treatment inside the building which became a triage centre. This may have saved people's lives.
It was a surreal and dreadful sight. I walked all the way home to north London and was still shaking when I got there. I have never been so glad to arrive home in my life. I dread to think of the friends and relatives of those people who won't be coming home
Best to all of you
Moe
Watching events on TV as they unfolded much of the day... dreadful scenes, although an eerie sense of calm seems to pervade the people on the streets.
The emergency services seem to have done an excellent job in responding quickly and effectively.
My condolences to all who have been affected by this terrible act.
I've spoken to many of my friends in London today, all of them safe and well. I trust that we can all remain as objective about this as my friends and those on AI who have reported their experiences in the thick of it.
I don't feel any anger. I have, however, slipped back into the sadness that followed the 9/11 tragedy.
My best to all those affected, however remotely. I hope you can sleep well tonight. My thoughts, and those of my family, are with you.
Ian (ex-pat from Liverpool)
I turned to share the transport - Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind -
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss? - That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn,
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.
William Wordsworth
Why is anger a bad thing to feel when innocent people are slaughtered?
Because anger doesn't make you stronger.
It makes you blind!
Anger will tell you to blame the terrorists.
Logic should tell you to blame security services of England for not reventing such a massive undertaking.
If Tony Blair was a good leader he would, first of all, start an investigation as to why security services of the country are incompetent.
Originally posted by powermacG6
terrorism doesn't work if you dont allow it to terrorize you.
This is the most sane thing I've heard about this incident. The worst thing about this would be to let it turn into something else. That would be just giving them what they ( The terrorists ) want.
Also I know this is a bit redundant but truly a sad, dispicable, and cowardly crime. However if I know the british they won't let this get to them.
Originally posted by skatman
Because anger doesn't make you stronger.
It makes you blind!
Anger will tell you to blame the terrorists.
As would common sense
Originally posted by skatman
Logic should tell you to blame security services of England for not reventing such a massive undertaking.
If Tony Blair was a good leader he would, first of all, start an investigation as to why security services of the country are incompetent.
Condolences to any affected by this.
Anger caused today's violence.
Why do you want to give in to animalistic mob mentality? That solves nothing.
Easy for me to say? Sure. But we all have seen people want revenge and when they get it they feel like crap all the more. There is no "closure" with revenge, it's a lie.
Better to honor your dead and injured by keeping a cool head and letting the justice and democratic processes work, instead of resorting to lynchings and vengeful genocides.
Be better than your enemies. What don't you get about that, NaplesX? <rhetorical, don't bother answering>
Originally posted by johnq
"Righteous indignation" is an oxymoron. There is no virtuous anger...anger is defeat.
Anger caused today's violence.
Why do you want to give in to animalistic mob mentality? That solves nothing.
Easy for me to say? Sure. But we all have seen people want revenge and when they get it they feel like crap all the more. There is no "closure" with revenge, it's a lie.
Better to honor your dead and injured by keeping a cool head and letting the justice and democratic processes work, instead of resorting to lynchings and vengeful genocides.
Be better than your enemies. What don't you get about that?
Anger is a normal a natural reaction. Anger does not mean lynching. Anger does not mean vengence. Anger means you are human.
You are right, though, it is better let the process work. Mobs do not work. But, mobs are not representative of anger. Mobs generally represent hate. What is destructive is when anger turns to hatred.
I am always confused by people who feel that westeners are not allowed to feel anger. All other groups are excused for feeling anger. Odd.
Having said that, I fully understand people being too sad, stunned or numb to feel anything else, even anger.
Originally posted by NaplesX
I am puzzled why there is no anger. Why is anger a bad thing to feel when innocent people are slaughtered?
Righteous indignation is a powerful force and appropriate at this time. I am not getting this avoidance of anger.
Am I missing something?
Who do I get angry at?
Yeah, I know the easy answer. The immediate emotion. Them.
It's not that easy, though, for me. This did not occur in a vacuum. Like that chaos theory example (of a butterfly on one side of the world fluttering away and that motion setting in place the conditions on the other side of the world for a tornado), the motivations for actions such as these are complex, largely immeasurable, and partially bullshit and conjecture. I don't want to make my judgements based on the outcome when I know that there were many things that contributed to it - many things I will never know or understand to a level that I feel I could base an objective conclusion on.
I don't get angry because blame is to be apportioned among many parties.
I'm sad because I'm sentimental. I'm sad because the world becomes less of a shiny colourful place each day. I'm sad because, while I once had a great desire to raise children, I don't feel that way any more. I'm sad because people who may have held more hope, than me, have perished. I'm sad because, each time something happens, I come to a greater realization that the medicine that the world needs is going to taste incredibly bitter.
I think sadness is a far deeper emotion than anger.
I don't know what else to say about why I feel the way I do.
I do know that I don't want to hate.
Originally posted by Tulkas
Anger is a normal a natural reaction. Anger does not mean lynching. Anger does not mean vengence. Anger means you are human.
I'm only talking about acting upon one's all-too-natural anger. No one makes good decisions when angry, be it a person, group or nation. Ride the emotions out and take it all in and take some time to come up with more rational responses, ones that might avoid cyclical violence.
The world and humanity is still beautiful. This can't change that. Look at all the doctors and rescue personnel and people helping eachother. This event makes life even more precious, no? Clinging to the notion of safety or permanence - assuming everything will be fine forever, is what makes these events all the more shocking. We think "Oh, I guess world affairs can affect me afterall". We need to remember death is a possibility at any instant (from whatever cause), so treat people well at all times and don't put things off. Fight for those things you think will make a difference. Vote your conscience even if your guy/gal loses. etc.
Pessimism and anger...throw them out. Be constructive.
Originally posted by NaplesX
Once again I am at a loss.
I hate evil. I hate evil acts.
Hate is not in and of itself a bad thing.
A person can be both angry and hate the evil acts and still act in a rational way.
How do you know what to love if you don't know what you hate - and vise versa?
I didn't say I don't hate. I said I don't want to. I believe that hate is a waste of my energy. Although I am prone to feel it, I think that the worlds hate bucket is full enough already.
Sadness overrides anger, in my case.
I do know what I love and I hold those things very close.
Originally posted by NaplesX
Once again I am at a loss.
I hate evil. I hate evil acts.
Hate is not in and of itself a bad thing.
A person can be both angry and hate the evil acts and still act in a rational way.
How do you know what to love if you don't know what you hate - and vise versa?
Hating "evil" is useless. If a man throws a rock at a dog, the dog will bark at the rock and not the man. The dog isn't seeing the true cause, only the superficial cause for his pain.
We need to "fight" and"kill" the underlying causes of evil, violent acts, which are powerlessness, greed, ignorance, poverty, disease, etc. Not the people living under these conditions, but the conditions themselves.
Hate is only a bad thing. It is a wallowing in a chemical reaction, a high from feeling abused by another. It is addictive and deceptive. It solves exactly nothing.
A person cannot be angry and still act in a rational way. That is the drug of hate talking, conning you into thinking it's ok. Like alcoholism's innocent whisper of "go ahead, what harm will having a few drinks do?"
You can repudiate evil acts with all your heart but it is with the wisdom of the superiority of reason and love, not with hate. Otherwise, you're the same as your enemies.
Keep all discussion in this thread to positivity and condolensces. If that's not what is in your post, expect it to be edited or deleted.
Originally posted by johnq
Hating "evil" is useless. If a man throws a rock at a dog, the dog will bark at the rock and not the man. The dog isn't seeing the true cause, only the superficial cause for his pain.
We need to "fight" and"kill" the underlying causes of evil, violent acts, which are powerlessness, greed, ignorance, poverty, disease, etc. Not the people living under these conditions, but the conditions themselves.
Never a truer word said.
A big hug to all those Londoner's who are dealing with this tragic event.
b.
all the best to them and all londoners, brits, europeans and all others who have made that city a place to call their home.
just remember that terrorism is for the most part an act of desperation. it could get more insidious, but as you can see the world is starting to see it for what it is...