More London Attacks?

[KWhit]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8655541/

LONDON - British police said Thursday that emergency services were responding to reports of incidents at three London Underground stations.
Incidents were reported at Oval, Warren Street, and Shepherds Bush stations, and the Metropolitan police said incidents were “ongoing.”

Separately, a spokesman for the transit system said there were no reports of casualties.

An eyewitness reported seeing a bag explode at one of the stations, Sky News reported. Other reports said that smoke was seen coming out of a train, a fire brigade spokeswoman told Reuters. The reports could not immediately be confirmed.
More than 50 people were killed two weeks ago when four bombs hit three underground trains and a red London double-decker bus.

The attacks have been blamed on four Muslims from Britain and police say they believe al-Qaida were behind them.

[Emiliano]

Just heard. Damn. Here, they're reporting "bomb explosions" right now. The entire underground has been stopped.

[Critch]

Early reports are of detonators, but no explosions set off. A bus had it's windows blown out, but no injuries. May have been a nailbomb on the underground, but it failed to explode. Only one injury reported so far.

Hopefully the news doesn't get any worse.

[Coder]

Only one week left before I go to London.

[wade moore]

Hard to go about 'business as usual' if you're a Londoner from here out I would think...

[Raiders Army]

...

[sachmo71]

CNN is reporting 3 "small devices" exploded in on the London transit system.

[Rizon]

Probably more the work of a copycat group.

[Critch]

There also reporting that armed police have surrounded a hospital in central London, speculation is that the person who set off one of the explosions may be inside receiving treatment. A live captive could be valuable.

[gstelmack]

Yeah, this sounds like a group of teenagers out doing a "prank" (I put that in quotes because they're idea of a prank doesn't match mine).

[Ksyrup]

My first impression of this is that it's obvious the first attacks didn't disrupt much of anything, and so some related extremists put together a small, hastily-planned attack to try to unsettle the nerves of Londoners, since the first attack didn't succeed in that respect like they thought it would. I hope no one was seriously hurt and that these things don't continue, but in the big picture, this seems like a positive indication.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Yeah, this sounds like a group of teenagers out doing a "prank" (I put that in quotes because they're idea of a prank doesn't match mine).

I kind of agree with this. There's bound to be alot of fear/anxiety after the attacks, and this is probably (hopefully?) something minor that is getting carried away.

Remember how many false alarms, diverted airliners, etc.. we had after 9/11?

[Solecismic]

I lived there for a year when the IRA was most active, we had a bomb destroy a house two blocks from the house we were renting. It fries your nerves for about a day, then things are back to normal. The English are very proud of standing up to the German bombing during WWII. This is only going to piss them off.

London couldn't exist without mass transport. Many Londoners wouldn't even think of owning cars. Terrorists would have to blow up every single tube station before people would stop using the underground.

Edit: as I read more about this, I think the intent was not to hurt people and the group that did this may well be one of those weird college protests and has nothing to do with Muslims.

[sachmo71]

England has been dealing with lots of false alarms since the initial bombings.

[ColtCrazy]

I've been in England all summer. My wife and I were in London yesterday. She has now flat refused to go back into London till the day we leave.
I tend to agree with the above comment that it was a copycat job. 3 tubes/1 bus..same as 2 weeks ago. Luckily there were no falities, and the London police has been quick to respond. I'm really impressed with the way they've handled everything over here in the wake of the original attacks.

p.s. Just on a different note, one of the people to have been tragically killed in the original attacks was a young Arab woman, very attractive with a bright future. I'm a bit surprised that she hasn't turned into more of a figure for the West to show how ruthless these terrorists are that they are killing ones of their same faith (though the terrorists sense of "faith" is warped when compared to real Isalm.)

[3ric]

I was in central London (Oxford Street/Soho area) when the bombs went off. Most of the subway system was stopped and the streets became fairly congested, but there were no sense of alarm, people took in the news and went on with their daily lives. The Brits are determined to live through this as usual, even if the awareness is up high. We walked to our hotel in Bloomsbury to collect our bags and went on to start walking towards the train station to catch a train to the airport. Luckily, we found a cab and got to the airport only 15 minutes later than planned.

[vtbub]

Dear Lord. Glad you got home okay.

[Cringer]

ABC news (tv) just said that (authorities) are saying in some ways todays bombs were more sophisticated then the ones from last time. That the chemicals were not mixed correctly though.

I dunno, just what they are saying.

[Coder]

Originally Posted by 3ric

I was in central London (Oxford Street/Soho area) when the bombs went off. Most of the subway system was stopped and the streets became fairly congested, but there were no sense of alarm, people took in the news and went on with their daily lives. The Brits are determined to live through this as usual, even if the awareness is up high. We walked to our hotel in Bloomsbury to collect our bags and went on to start walking towards the train station to catch a train to the airport. Luckily, we found a cab and got to the airport only 15 minutes later than planned.

Not to threadjack or anything, but this is spooky.. here we are, two Swedes, and not just Swedes, we're both "Göteborgare".. we've both found this board (the only Swedes on here), we're both football fanatics (not very common in Sweden) and we're going / we've been in London within a week of eachother..

And no, we've never met

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by Coder

Not to threadjack or anything, but this is spooky.. here we are, two Swedes, and not just Swedes, we're both "Göteborgare".. we've both found this board (the only Swedes on here), we're both football fanatics (not very common in Sweden) and we're going / we've been in London within a week of eachother..

And no, we've never met

Nerds Unite!!!

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Nerds Unite!!!

Swedish Nerds!

[Coder]

Dam strait!

[JW]

Originally Posted by Cringer

ABC news (tv) just said that (authorities) are saying in some ways todays bombs were more sophisticated then the ones from last time. That the chemicals were not mixed correctly though.

I dunno, just what they are saying.

There is information on BBC and other sources saying that explosives were apparently recovered and that they are apparently sophisticated. One source says they are similar to the explosives used two weeks ago. There are also now reports of two arrests. It appears this may have been a serious attack that failed, related to the earlier attacks. However, of course the story is still developing, and the information being reported now could turn out to be wrong.

[Wolfpack]

If this is true, then it definitely points to a concerted attempt to get the UK to withdraw from Iraq like Spain did. Either that or they've decided to ratchet things up and since they either can't or won't strike at America at present, the UK is the next best thing. In any case, it signals an ominous turn in that perhaps the images of mangled buses and trains and storefronts from Israel may be about to be visited on the British (and Americans, at some point) on a more frequent basis.

[moriarty]

It's kinda weird, it's not the usual Bin Laden tactic to follow up a terrorist activity with a similar one shortly afterward (at least i dont' think it is). Wonder if this is a new strategy, or if the second group screwed the pooch and missed their original date.

[Wolfpack]

How can you be two weeks late to a terror attack? It's not like they could say the car broke down on the way into town or something.

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by moriarty

It's kinda weird, it's not the usual Bin Laden tactic to follow up a terrorist activity with a similar one shortly afterward (at least i dont' think it is). Wonder if this is a new strategy, or if the second group screwed the pooch and missed their original date.

I seriously doubt Bin Laden even came close to ordering these attacks. I think its probably a group that wants to be or is loosely affilitated with Al Qaeda (maybe funding at best). I don't see why we feel the need to always connect things to Bin Laden, as if that somehow makes it worse. Isn't it enough to understand that people are out there who hate others way of life on their own?

Perhaps this should say something about the state of security in general, as in it doesn't exist. You can do everything you want, but you won't stop terrorism. You can stop some of the people, but you can't stop them all. Sickos will be sick, its happened throughout history.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Those wacko Islamo Fascists are at it again.

[JW]

This from MSNBC.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8655541/

NBC News has learned that British authorities told their U.S. counterparts that the backpacks used in Thursday's planned attacks and the explosives found in the backpacks are identical to those used in the July 7 attacks — evidence that strongly suggests the two sets of attacks were connected.

If this is accurate, I don't know what to make of it. Maybe if their handler had already fled, the second group didn't properly do the final assembly on their own, or maybe these were two separate groups operating loosely under control of one person, and the second group just screwed up. Or maybe something else entirely. No matter what, it isn't good. But perhaps the authorities can learn a lot from the evidence collected.

[Coder]

And they tried again today..

Police have shot a man trying to detonate a bomb on a train at the subwaystation in Stockwell at 10 a.m. local time (that'd be around 5 a.m. EDT).

[jeff061]

That is craziness.

They chased the guy onto the train, he started to trip, the cops pushed him down then shot him 5 times in the back. I can't even imagine being the cops in that situation. Knowing you could be killing an innocent, but if you don't make your move they'll blow themsevles up.

All they've said so far is that he had a very thick winter jacket on and no backpack.

[KevinNU7]

thick winter jacket in the summer + running from cops = death

I have no problem with this formula

[jeff061]

Even if he stopped and put his hands up they'd probably shoot him. They really don't have a choice if they are confident this is a bomber with a trigger who knows where. Just an insane situation. Has got to fry your nerves if you are one of the cops chasing him.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

I seriously doubt Bin Laden even came close to ordering these attacks. I think its probably a group that wants to be or is loosely affilitated with Al Qaeda (maybe funding at best). I don't see why we feel the need to always connect things to Bin Laden, as if that somehow makes it worse. Isn't it enough to understand that people are out there who hate others way of life on their own?
.

Well a group linked with Al Qaeda is claiming responsibility, and since Bin Laden is still seen as the head of Al Qaeda ... I think it's pretty clear why they're connected. But you're right, until we know more we don't know if this is a group acting on their own or not. Still the planning, and sophistication (if you believe the news) does sound like something coordinated by an experienced group.

[Critch]

The BBC mentions that the guy was shot three times in the head as the police have been trained to go for head shots as a body shot could set off a suicide bomb. That's pretty chilling.

Some eyewitnesses are reporting that he was wearing a belt with wires sticking out.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Critch

The BBC mentions that the guy was shot three times in the head as the police have been trained to go for head shots as a body shot could set off a suicide bomb. That's pretty chilling.

Some eyewitnesses are reporting that he was wearing a belt with wires sticking out.

Very chilling, but smart.

I think Al-Queda is making a large mistake here. A very large mistake.

If they think the Brits are like the people in Spain, they must have forgotten the IRA. I don't see the British backing down. I see them stepping up.

The most chilling thing to me is that I think we are getting closer and closer to "end game." People can call me a war monger or a hater or any other choice of words they like, but I can promise you at some point the terrorists are going to cross the line where the US, Brits, and Israeli's have no other option than to take off the gloves and do some things that aren't very nice.

I think a concerted effort to terrorize the British speeds up that scenario drasticly.

[KevinNU7]

Originally Posted by TroyF

The most chilling thing to me is that I think we are getting closer and closer to "end game." People can call me a war monger or a hater or any other choice of words they like, but I can promise you at some point the terrorists are going to cross the line where the US, Brits, and Israeli's have no other option than to take off the gloves and do some things that aren't very nice. .

what would that be?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by KevinNU7

what would that be?

Do the words "black glass" mean anything to you?

[KevinNU7]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Do the words "black glass" mean anything to you?

No it doesn't

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Do the words "black glass" mean anything to you?

Nuclear extermination? As in drop nukes on every middle eastern country, knowing that we'll kill about a billion or so innocent people but we might, just might, get a handful of terrorist in there.

[KevinNU7]

And then all the ones out of the ME survive

[Coder]

Sky News are reporting that the police had identified the man they shot as being part of yesterday's bombers based on surveillance cameras. They "quickly located him and put a shadow on him, trying to follow him to any of his contacts". However, as he approached the Stockwell subwaystation, the undercover officers got worried he was planning a new attack. They pulled their guns and shouted warnings to people around them and told him to stop, that's when he started running, eventually tripped and then shot.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by moriarty

Nuclear extermination? As in drop nukes on every middle eastern country, knowing that we'll kill about a billion or so innocent people but we might, just might, get a handful of terrorist in there.

Let's say that I believe Congressman Tom Tancredo's recent remarks were accurate & appropriate.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Let's say that I believe Congressman Tom Tancredo's recent remarks were accurate & appropriate.

You think we should take out Islamic holy sites as a retaliation? Because that will stop them from terrorist attacks?

Right now, we have a handful of islamic extremist causing terrorist issues (and most people of islamic faith are very peaceful btw). If you bomb islamic holy sites, you'll guarantee to seriously piss off all 1.3 billion people of islam faith. Sounds like a great strategy.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by moriarty

You think we should take out Islamic holy sites as a retaliation? Because that will stop them from terrorist attacks?

Right now, we have a handful of islamic extremist causing terrorist issues (and most people of islamic faith are very peaceful btw). If you bomb islamic holy sites, you'll guarantee to seriously piss off all 1.3 billion people of islam faith. Sounds like a great strategy.

Well, if that tactic is going to become available, can I start bombing christian churches as my way to prevent them from attacking abortion clinics?

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by TroyF

Very chilling, but smart.

I think Al-Queda is making a large mistake here. A very large mistake.

If they think the Brits are like the people in Spain, they must have forgotten the IRA. I don't see the British backing down. I see them stepping up.

The most chilling thing to me is that I think we are getting closer and closer to "end game." People can call me a war monger or a hater or any other choice of words they like, but I can promise you at some point the terrorists are going to cross the line where the US, Brits, and Israeli's have no other option than to take off the gloves and do some things that aren't very nice.

I think a concerted effort to terrorize the British speeds up that scenario drasticly.

I gotta agree. You can push us around for a bit, but once we get our backs up against a wall we will fight. I think a lot of people forget, the only country (right, wrong, or indifferent) to have ever used the Bomb in anger against a foe is the US.

The Brits will not back down from this.

[Coder]

Thing is, these few moronic muslims who are doing these attacks, are HOPING that some moronic westerner will retaliate against muslims who are NOT supporting the radicals. By doing so, the westerner will alienate more muslims, including the ones who weren't previously interested in destroying any bonds there are between the majority of both sides.

Don't fall into their trap.. don't alienate the general muslim.

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by moriarty

You think we should take out Islamic holy sites as a retaliation? Because that will stop them from terrorist attacks?

Right now, we have a handful of islamic extremist causing terrorist issues (and most people of islamic faith are very peaceful btw). If you bomb islamic holy sites, you'll guarantee to seriously piss off all 1.3 billion people of islam faith. Sounds like a great strategy.

Then those 1.3 billion people of islam that are not extremists need to stand up and start telling the extremists to stop smearing islam.

The Christian whackos over here are pointed out, tried, and convicted by other Christians here. You don't see the same thing happening with Muslims.

[jeff061]

You nutty republicans*.







*Statement directed at a select few who probably think Anne Coulter should be president, not all republicans.

[Bee]

Originally Posted by moriarty

Nuclear extermination? As in drop nukes on every middle eastern country, knowing that we'll kill about a billion or so innocent people but we might, just might, get a handful of terrorist in there.

I don't see that happening, but I do think it's possible that at some point if the terrorists push too far you'll see the US take off the gloves in dealing with international issues. I could see it getting to the point that we'd ignore other countries "international rights" and use strike forces to go after all known terrorist targets no matter where they are. Perhaps even the use of tactical nukes, although I don't imagine they would come in handy in very many instances if it all. I would imagine just an overall much stricter enforcement of Bush's "you're either with us or against us" approach. But I don't see any massive nuclear strike by us when there are much more efficient ways of dealing with things.