Thursday 23 March 2017

Westminster



I had just written another post when I heard about the tragic and evil attack on Wesminster. I am so very sad for those who have been affected, and I can't say how much I admire the brave police who rushed in to help, and the NHS staff who deal with the aftermath.

I imagine that those I know who live and work in Westminster will be going about their lives as usual.  Which doesn't mean that anyone is complacent - very far from it - but many people remember how life was in London during the horrible IRA attacks of the 1990s, where the risk was ever present.  The subject gets filed away mentally in that part of the brain which deals with the risk of sudden death from whatever cause.

Wherever we live, however safe we may feel, we can do nothing to control our fate, and just have to hope and pray fortune will smile on us.

I'll post what I wrote tomorrow or the next day - it'll keep.

49 comments:

  1. Evil and hate has always been with us, and even though civilization seems to have come far, we really haven't. What we do see though in all these horrific events is how ordinary people become heroes and run to help the fallen.

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    1. It is as well that most people can get along with others and so many of them will step up to the plate when needed.

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  2. The world returns to "normal" after these attacks; I wonder if we ever see how shattered that world has become.

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    1. I wonder if the world has always been pretty awful and we were living in a bit of a fools paradise before, though, Joanne. My readings of history have always left me grateful we live now. I think I still am, but....!

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  3. A very sad event. There must be a better way for unhappy people to better their situation than randomly killing innocent people.

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    1. I am sure that the people who do this kind of thing have personality problems.

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  4. The very services being cut to the bone by this and preceding governments....whenever will the people of the U.K. wake up to what is happening to what was a well functioning society and pay to train and keep the dedicated people upon whom we all rely in time of need.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. I see red every time I think of the way Jeremy Hunt has behaved to NHS staff. I actually have no idea why Brits are so supine, not just about that but about so many other things. All I can do is support legal action to force the government to take some notice.

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  5. Boy, have I been thinking about you the past 24 hours. Simply tragic and my heart is breaking a little too. On my first trip to England in 1973 it seemed as though every place my mom and I went, the following day the IRA hit a postal box. It is scary but all we can do is live our lives and hope we are never in the path of the violence -- and support the police and forces that are looking to do what they can to stop it or protect us. Sending hugs to dear Britain.

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    1. Thank you for your kind thoughts and your hugs, Jeanie. Yes, the IRA bombs were part of life for decades here, and we did get used to them. I'm surprised to hear that Fox News is talking about London being on lockdown or something - everything's absolutely as usual as far as I can see. I am in awe of thsoe who put themselves into the path of danger and work round the clock to help others in this kind of situation.

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  6. I am so glad to see your post and that you are safe and sound! It is so sad that such a terrible thing should happen and in such a wonderful and iconic place that I have visited many times on very happy occasions -- along without millions of people from all over the world.

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    1. Yes, it was certainly an eye catching place for this piece of lowlife to choose. I hope you have more happy visits to Westminster in the future - I'm sure you will.

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  7. These are the times and we all must remain strong because we are in the majority.

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    1. Absolutely. I sometimes wonder if we were getting a bit complacent before all this happened, the time has come to stand up for what we believe.

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  8. My love to you all. And I'm adding my voice to the millions thanking the efforts of our emergency services, without whom ...

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  9. Such a tragedy!! Life hasn't seemed "normal" for quite a while. I guess we have a new normal. Weighs upon my heart.

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    1. Yes, I am afraid you're right, and it is a new normal. I hope it rebounds back to the "old" normal. Trumps defeat over the healthcare bill is encouraging, even though some rejected his ideas for all the wrong reasons.

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  10. The danger from road traffic is greater than danger from such terrorism.
    That sells less papers of course.

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    1. Always aware of it though. The papers are just despicable.

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  11. So sad...but even sadder that there has been no headlines about the Coalition forces bombing a school in Syria and killing 33 kids and teachers.....and little thought that Isis/daesh is against everyone, including other Muslims. Heartwarming to hear of the help and money raised by local Muslims in London too.

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    1. I agree with you. Syria breaks my heart every day.

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  12. It is in times like this that I feel so proud to live in a city like London. The response to such a callous and barbaric action has been impressive, as usual. My heart goes out to all those affected.

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    1. Yes, I am proud of London. Nobody seems the slightest bit fazed.

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  13. Yes we did manage to live through those awful things those terrible people did.
    Just hope Jeremy Hunt et al will rethink their stupidity. I do think that the NHS will be their downfall. It was the best thing that ever was created by a government that cared about its people. As for cutting the police you have to wonder at their monumental stupidity at any time never mind now!

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    1. So agree with you. I feel that Hunt was given the job of demonising healthcare workers - he was loathed by teachers too, wasn't he. Perhaps his speciality is damaging public services.

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  14. The UK is in my thoughts, heart and prayers.

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  15. So very tragic, and such a horrible way for anyone to carry out such hate. God Bless all that were there, living it and those families that lost loved ones. From the news accounts I saw here, there were many brave and caring souls helping out. God bless them too.

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  16. It was shocking news, but I trust in the famous London (and generally British) spirit of "Keep Calm and Carry On". The bombings in the London Underground were much worse in numbers of casualties, but each single death due to a violent act is one too many.

    On a different note: Jenny, your blog looks much brighter and easier to read now, with the pale background!

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    1. Thank you, Meike, It was quite accidental actually (the blog change) but such a relief to be able to choose the colours on my blog instead of being stuck with purple and fluorescent green, etc. Yes, "Keep Calm and Carry On" about sums it up.

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  17. Zhoen posted a wonderful 'thought for the day' on her blog 'One Word'...........'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping'.

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    1. I like Zhoen's posts and I will look at it, thank you.

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  18. It was very bad news, bad for where you live and for me since the perpetrator and others hale from the West Midlands.

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    1. I don't think that reflects badly on the west Midlands, Valerie. I am sorry that they have been brought up here though.

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  19. Well said, Jenny. And all of us treasure the NHS, though maybe have different views about it - that's another topic. There has been some wonderfully uplifting stuff posted in various places in response to the murders in Westminster - as there was following events in France, Belgium and Germany. I don't agree that we haven't progressed as a race. It is part of our culture to value life, irrespective of race, creed, etc - and it hasn't always been like that; I think we've come a very long way. The trouble is that some fanatics (and states) have not and, in terms of the value they place on other people, are about 500 years behind us. Nor do they appreciate what they are dealing with; they cannot possibly win - partly because of the assembly of decent folk of all cultures and beliefs ranged against them.

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    1. Absolutely spot on Mike.I don't think these barbarians can undo many years of progress. Talking to people in the Middle East I hear that ISIS is in big trouble, which doesn't make it less dangerous, unfortunately. I don't think we haven't progressed as a race,many people have always stood by, but perhaps we had become used to our views being listened to whereas now due to problems across the entire political spectrum, many people of all political persuasions feel nobody represents them any more.Something must be done to help the NHS, major teaching hospitals like Barts and St Georges are in real distress,despite heroic efforts from staff. A longstanding problem that needs addressing more than ever before.

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  20. My dearest regret my dear friend, I do not understand that barbarism, that without reason that leads a person to do that, pain is little word to express what you feel about things like this. A big hug, my dear friend.

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    1. Thank you for your warm hearted response, Carlos.

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  21. Jenny the evil that men do knows no bounds. The IRA hounded Liverpool (for example) for over half a century. They were not alone in being indiscriminate and evil. I have always been one of the most positive of people but I find it harder and harder not to feel dread for the future that our children are inheriting. I suspect people have said that for centuries but your and my generations have lived through relative peace in this country viewing war from afar.

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  22. The tragedy in Westminster is heartbreaking. My sympathy goes out to all the victims and my admiration to the law enforcement officials. It's a shame that our daily lives have to be constantly shadowed with fear. These barbaric, insane occurrences can happen anywhere- at any time.

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  23. It was a tragedy, Jenny. I was watching on TV Euronews and didn't believe my eyes. What's happened to the world? The most beautiful and famous place in London was a scene of tragedy. I'm so so sorry!

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  24. It's all so damn pointless....it solves absolutely nothing...in my opinion, anyway. Why people have to act that way beats me. They are so mentally unstable....they have no clue - they have only hate....

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  25. Our hearts went out - it's so terribly sad, futile and cruel when these things happen xx

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  26. We have thought of London often over the past few days, and share your country's sadness and shock Jenny. I do remember the IRA years, yet somehow it seems different now. Perhaps it is not so easy to understand the agenda, and the 'why' of these attacks, which can happen anywhere. As I work in a public space, we have to be aware of safety, and know procedures if the unusual should occur. I hope dear old London feels back to normal very soon.

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  27. The Japanese images are beautiful, they make me want to go back. Terrible event at Westminster, we do seem to have problems with our own society that needs addressing. Not easy in a current world climate of hate and blame.
    On another matter I'm not sure if you followed my project with the children on the orphanage in India at the end of last year. A couple of them have unexpectedly incurred huge medical bills. I am trying to raise a small amount (in UK terms) to help pay the bills. I would be grateful if you could pass on the link to the blog that tells the stories : http://childrenoftheillam.blogspot.co.uk
    Thanks

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