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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
 Posted - 07/07/2005 : 16:12:01
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You know, I've rarely been so proud to be British as I am today. I didn't see one instance of people panicking or getting over-emotional. I think having national pride is much-maligned, but I can't imagine many other places where you'd see such stoicism in the face of problems.
My limited experience of the disruption in London today came on my tube journey to work. I arrived at the station as normal, and there were already delays on the line. So I took my place in the queue and the train eventually set off. By the time we reached 30 metres from my get-off stop, we had an announcement of a power failure. Then upgraded to a central London failure, then the whole transport network. No-one had any idea of the bombs at this stage, but we just settled in for the long wait and chatted amongst ourselves. We finally got the instruction (from the friendly little Irish driver) to transfer trains, and for some reason we couldn't fit everyone from the first train to the second, and we ended up pack like sardines. If I'd have lifted up both legs, I would probably have stayed where I was.
Everyone just took it all in their stride - we swapped stories trying to see who was the worst affected, before helping everybody work out how to continue their route with no public transport.
I was really impressed when I saw the superb emergency response and security. Obviously under great duress, there was no panic, no stress - as Tre says, people were queueing to leave the bombed train.
I often wonder when people talk about a 'blitz spirit', but seeing people bond together like that makes me very proud to live where I do. It all sounds a bit naff, but I'm happy to have a bit of British about me.
How's that for a slice of fried gold? |
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 16:29:36
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I have to agree with you, I am very proud of us* today.
(*as in everyone here)
You can sort of see people mentally rubbing their hands with a right-o and lets make the best of this chaps!
I love it! It makes me smile.
I love the British humour. Even when everything is going wrong.
I love this grey and rainy little Isle. |
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 17:01:30
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I must say how I was so impressed with how orderly everthing seemed... it's amazing you are right that panic would have hit almost any other place.
sorry such a bad thing happened to such a good country.  |
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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 18:00:44
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| The British have always been stand-up folks. I'm sure almost all Americans stand with you today. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 18:11:07
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| Those are really important traits-keeping a level head and your spirits high. Hope things have calmed down a bit now. |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 18:15:07
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I'm glad to know that such a day has left you feeling proud. Surely it also has brought other, less comfortable feelings.
Yours is a sadness and a shock the whole world shares with you, especially those of us who were rattled in one way or another by 9/11.
Sometimes, no matter how shitty things get, you have to just do a little dance. - Frank
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2005 : 02:03:27
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quote:
Originally posted by kathryn
I'm glad to know that such a day has left you feeling proud. Surely it also has brought other, less comfortable feelings.
Well sure. It's all been a little eery. Yesterday morning was incredibly strange, you just didn't know what was going to happen.
But seeing pictures of people going about their ordinary business today; interviews on the buses where people just get on with it; American tourists impressing how amazed they were with the calm and measured approach; so many messages of appreciation to Transport staff and emergency services... Yeah, I'm proud. If the bombers' intention was to bring London to its knees, sorry. You've failed.
I'm well aware that despite the shock and horror of this, its not on the same scale as a 9/11 or Madrid, and peoples' resilience everywhere continues to impress me, in those cities too. This is why terrorism is never going to achieve it's goals.
How's that for a slice of fried gold? |
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Joey Joe Jo Jr. Chabadoo
* Dog in the Sand *
1079 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2005 : 02:14:47
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Pride is great... But do the animals on the other side ever care for those considerations???
Pride is not a weapon... and during wartime, we have to fight...
(I'm not responsible for this fact)
**** |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2005 : 04:52:40
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It was strange this morning to see the New York Times had sold out before 7 a.m.
The last time that happened was on the morning of Sept. 12, 2001.
My stomach lurched when I made the connection earlier this morning at the newstand.
Sometimes, no matter how shitty things get, you have to just do a little dance. - Frank
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2005 : 07:39:16
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| When I first heard about it, two people had been confirmed dead. That number has gone up to more than 50. Hopefully, London will make a speedy recovery from this, shocking as it is. |
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2792 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2005 : 19:49:22
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i'm sorry that you were bombed England. when i was young the ira was spoken of with a wink and a prayer.
i'm sick with this yet alive knowing that i'm not dead.
Amen. |
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Britishness
