Democracy United

LAST night's attacks on the London Underground and the bombing of buses in the city are an evil omen for the British capital's Olympic win. Just who is responsible for this awful attack is not yet known and it is important blame is not attributed before the facts are clear. But it seems plain the attack was timed to coincide with the meeting of the G8 in Scotland and perhaps the Olympics announcement. It is a stark statement of the terrorists' evil intent, their contempt for the aspirations of ordinary people and their disdain for the ability of democracies to address the world's problems at meetings such as the G8. It is impossible to identify any rational purpose these evil acts can achieve. Whoever the attackers are, killing commuters on their way to work makes no sense. It only serves to unite all decent people in sympathy for the innocent victims and their families.
Yesterday's Olympic announcement, the joy of which now already seems so very long ago, testified to London's global standing – and demonstrated how and why London will rebound from these murderous attacks. We must not forget, London has been through all this before: for two decades, the city was under intermittent siege from IRA bombers and for them, too, the London Underground was a particular focus of terror. Londoners coped with that assault with gritty determination and decency, and all early reports coming through last night suggested the same attitude today.
For nearly four hundred years, London has been a global city, and an engine-room for democratic and civilised values. Terrorists can set off as many bombs as they wish: they cannot win against a tradition that is inherently superior to theirs because it respects human life and the desire for freedom. So they will try to destroy what they cannot defeat in democratic debate. The awarding of the Olympics to London was a testament to the city's economic success and self-confidence, especially since the reforms of Thatcherism unlocked the productive potential of the British people. The Games, after all, go to cities with the energy and ability to make them a success. Staging the Games is the sign of a great city. In this case the London victory showed the city was back. And London will bounce back from this attack – to stage a spectacular festival of sport and culture in 2012. Just as the world united behind New York on September 11, 2001, this morning we are all Londoners.
till next time, Michelle.