After 9/11, President Bush said something to the effect of “We have no greater friends than those in Great Britain.” I’d certainly like to echo that, and send my thoughts and prayers to our friends across the pond.
Its been nearly 10 yrs since I visited the wonderful city of London. I can still clearly hear the electonic voice in the Tube saying "Mind the gap - mind the gap - … " as the doors closed on the Underground cars. I also remember my happy amusement to notice just the small things like a sign that said “Way Out.” … instead of the traditional U.S. “Exit” sign.
I’m glad to have been “way out” in London and met many wonderful Brits. I too was deeply saddened this morning to watch CNN and see this being brought upon innocent Londoners. The MSN website reports a letter claiming responsibility which states that Al Quieda in Europe made a Military counter attack. This was nothing of the such. Rather it was an act of outright cowardace perpetrated upon innocent, unarmed people.
May Scotland Yard move with much expedience in apprehending these animals and may God Bless the UK and her people. May they rest peacefully tonight.
Dan in Packerland
Green Bay, WI, USA
I work on the railways in the UK and for a short while things were chaotic but things are getting back to normal as can be given the circumstances and that is the strength of any country like ours, the US etc, to carry on and show them they won’t stop us going about our lives.
It makes the resolve stronger, they attack us and we just become stronger as one voice saying we won’t put up with this or have our lives dictated to by cowards who hide in shadows.
Onwards and upwards.
Thoughts and prayers with those in London.
This should not happen in any country.
Condolences
Mookie
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all in London and all British here in America.
Take care,
Russell
I’ll chime in – my thoughts and sympathy with everyone affected…
and I’ll add a couple of thoughts, too – one from a Russian friend: never get a Brit mad; you’ll be sorry! and the other – if there is a nation, a small nation perhaps, but a nation anywhere in the world which can be counted on to carry on, come H___ or high water, it’s the United Kingdom, and you as a nation should be proud of yourselves! I know I, as an American, am honoured to have the United Kingdom as a friend and ally.
Again many thanks for all the best wishes extended on here.
You will be glad to know that we all turned up and that mainline services (barring a few, understandable security alerts) were running in and out of the Capital today. Back to work and on with it.
As I said in last night’s post - today is business as usual.
Your moral support - and here, obviously, I refer to the US as a whole - is invaluable and gratefully received.
Gabe’s initial post asked us to avoid politics. Sorry, but while your country and mine continue to attempt to play teacher in Middle East playground scuffles we are susceptible to this kind of attack.
It will happen again, I’m afraid, until our leaders listen those who elected them instead of the businessmen who pay their salaries.
Until then we must show defiance…as we have in this country today…and make it clear that the ordinary people have the courage, fortitude and integrity to rise above the evil acts perpertrated by the fanatical on one side and legitimised by the establishment on the other side.
My condolences are with all the U.K. – and also my knowledge that yesterday’s carnage will make every Brit all the more eager to “carry on.” WIth the possible exception of the USA, if there’s one country on earth for which it doesn’t do to push its citizens around, it must be the United Kingdom.
You will not only survive – you will thrive. And we are with you!
Thank you for all the good wishes and moral support expressed here - and yes, it’s “business as usual” here, albeit with our eyes and ears on the alert.
Tony
Well said, Mr Reed, well said indeed!
Ed
My condolense to those who lost their lives or loved ones in the gruesome attacks.
Just to add with the greatest respect, it is with shame that the world has to suffer the effects of a divided world that can’t get their act together and offer a more direct support in the war on terrorism and have essentially abandoned the U.S and U.K leaving them wide open for this to occur often.
I don’t believe that the U.S and U.K should have gone into Iraq flying their own flags but many others including the U.S and U.K under the U.N flag. If the world actually stands up to world bullies and says enough, then it won’t make Bush and Blair’s desire for peace look silly because we are really just underminding their intent. Their methods maybe a little wrong but their desire and inniative is alot better then just sitting down and allowing the status quo to continue. This is the 21st Century, must we allow this nonsense to continue; we need to instruct our governments through the U.N to be more helpful to the U.S and U.K’s desire to end terrorism otherwise it will take forever to win. If this means military involvement well so be it.
As a Brit who’s just joined this forum I would like to thank all of you in America for your messages of support. I hope it will not stop you visiting our shores and enjoying the many facets of railroading to be found in the British Isles and Europe.
Tulyar15, Welcome to the forums! We do care, and we all support
the British Isles and Europe. Your country was here for us after 9-11,
and we are here for you all now. Godspeed to you.
Tulyar15 - welcome aboard!
By the way, was Tulyar the first one you saw, or is it just your favourite ?
Tony
“Tulyar” was one of only two Deltics I ever had for haulage on BR before the class was withdrawn, and it put up a spirited performance on the Wessex Deltic railtour to Bournemouth and Portsmouth. My most recent experience of Deltic haulage was a Pathfinder Railtour which started at Newtown, Powys and ran via Chester, Warrington and ***heroe to Carlisle. I look forward to the day when a Deltic reaches Pwllheli and especially the ride back up Talerdigg bank!
It would take a lot more than that to keep me from enjoying the polite hospitality, history, and superior beer of London.
Gabe
Again my condolences to our brothern in England. May God puni***hose who did this cowardly act.
This is not the first time such a thing has happened. London and Northern Ireland have been attacted in similar manner by the IRA. Hopefully the ax has been buried in this conflict and we can live in peace. Great Britain and the United States have had several terrorist attacks over the years. Think of the embassys in Africa, Lockerbie, Oklahoma City, Berlin, Munich olympics and many others. We have to be eternally vigilant in the future. This is something strange for the old USA, but we better adjust to it. I personally am willing to give up a couple of my freedoms (library records, etc) if it keeps me from being harmed. I have two artificial hips and I do set off the metal detectors at airports. This does not bother me as my safety is far more important than a couple extra minutes at the screening point. I always thank the screeners for being there and helping to keep me safe.
Me too - although I’d be just as happy with a Western or a Peak [:)]
And for everyone else - if you need a railfan incentive to come to the UK, don’t forget we still have trains (IC125/HST) where you can stand by an open window enjoying the V12 diesel fury as it accelerates your train to 125mph - have fun!
Tony