More from London

The evening commute has begun and transportation in London is still at a standstill, a BBC reporter sent in this report:

"It is strange to see so many Londoners carrying A-Z maps of the capital, not knowing how to make their way home on foot."

It reminds me of the aftermath of 9/11 with thousands of pedestrians walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to leave Manhattan.

These images are compelling because they underline our Western dependence on the automobile and mass transit; the fact that urban centres are supported by a suburban workforce is made that much clearer.

Thinking of London.

On days like this, I am glad I live in a small city. Of course with Canada's Pacific Naval Base mere miles from my home, I realize we are still a target, just as in the 80s I was aware that Seattle would be a likely target for a Russian nuke.

Unlike New York, Madrid, and other cities which have been targeted by terrorists, I can identify with the landscape of London. I have been in the underground stations which were attacked; I have been on busses like the one that was torn apart. I walked the streets that were jammed by emergency vehicles. It hits much closer to home.

My first thought was, "Fucking IRA. Why don't they just give up." When I saw the claims by Al Queda, I just shuddered because it gives Bush and Blair more authority to screw with individuals' rights. If the attack was planned, it was almost certainly to coincide with G8; it's just a "bonus" that the 2012 Olympics were just won by the city and everyone was in a celebratory mood.

The anti-terrorist rhetoric is already in full-swing... I expect by noon our time I will not be able to watch TV without having a tantrum.

I often wonder how this era will be recorded in the history texts of the future; I think it can be compared to the cold war for the psychological effect on the average person but it differs in that many more lives have been directly affected by terrorism.

Numbers are Good.

(Thanks Suzette!)

Da! Stupid!

File under "You've got to be kidding me!":

NASA is sued for Deep Impact probe [Pravda]

Russian astrologer Marina Bai sues NASA to compensate her moral damage in the sum of over 310 million USD. ... Marina Bai believes that the plan of NASA is an attempt against the natural life in space, which might break the natural balance of the Universe. Bai filed a lawsuit against NASA seeking the protection of her moral and life values. The Russian scientist says that the above-mentioned comet is rather valuable for her as personal memory: the comet gave a start to the relationship of the astrologer's grandparents. Marina Bai clarified that when her grandfather met her grandmother, he showed her the comet in the sky, and it became the romantic start of their long family life.

Some people really shouldn't be allowed access to lawyers.

Happy 4th of July

To my friends south of the border (and north if there's anyone reading in Alaska!),
may your holiday be relaxing and free from firecracker-wielding yahoos!