NO APPEASEMENT, NO COMPROMISE, NO MERCY

The details are still coming in, but it would appear as if the Al Qaeda "misunderstood islamic fundamentalists" have "made a metaphorical statement to the world" in a way that is, of course, somehow the fault of the United States of America. In what seems to be a coordinated attack, a series of four bombs went off in the subway systems in London blowing apart trains and a double-decker bus in the midst of mid-morning rush-hour traffic, killing around 40, and wounding 700 or more.

A group linked to bin Laden and Zarqawi has claimed responsibility. No big surprise. The British knew that an attack like this was imminent; not if, but when.

Point #1: The left in Britain, namely London Mayor Ken "The Red" Livingstone, did not blame anyone for this attack except the terrorists. Mr. Livingstone has been fairly left-leaning in the past, and has not hidden his remarks. However, he did not mince words with his statements to the press today. Here is the full text of his speech to reporters: "I wish to speak to you, directly to those who came to London today to take life. I know that you personally do not fear to give your own life in exchange for taking others, is why you are so dangerous. But I know you do fear that you may fail in your long term objective to destroy our free society. And I can show why you will fail. In the days that follow, look at our airports, look at our seaports, and look at our railway stations, and even after your cowardly attack you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world, will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfill their dreams and achieve their potential. They choose to come to London, as so many have come before, because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to feed themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that. And nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our cities, where freedom is strong, and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail.

Point #2: Joining with Christians, Jews, Hindus, and others, Muslims in Britain condemned this attack. Similar to what happened in America, there is a fear that Muslims in Britain will be attacked in revenge, and the Muslims quoted in the story are angry that the good relations they had with the English community before the attacks has now been put in shambles. They called for prayer for the families of those affected.

Point #3 Tony Blair, joining with the Liberal Democrats, called for the terrorists to be brought to justice, and that no matter what they would try, "terror will not win." One lone voice claimed that the war in Iraq and Afghanistan brought on these sorts of attacks (guess who...Mr. Oil George Galloway), however Home Secretary Charles Clarke quickly reminded Mr. Galloway that September 11, 2001 predated the beginning of the Iraq war.

To summarize:

Point 1: Leftists in Britain blame terrorists for the terrorist attack in Britain.
Point 2: Muslims in Britain blame terrorists for the terrorist attack in Britain.
Point 3: Politicians from different political parties *UNITED IN PURPOSE AND PLAN* blame terrorists for the terrorist attack in Britain.

All this taken from the BBC website today.

[I predict that there will be a rash of leftists in America who will blame the US for this terrorist attack on Britain, and will have long "intellectual" explanations as to why we are so evil for causing this great tragedy to occur.]

NOW BACK TO COMMON SENSE: If we as a global community are going to defeat terrorism, we must stand united in our resolve to do what is necessary to rid the globe of terrorism regardless of where it hides or what form it takes. Just like what was modeled for us by the British today: The left, the right, Muslims, all political parties, all united in one statement, terrorism will not win...essentially to the terrorists, "Up Yours!"
NO APPEASEMENT, NO COMPROMISE, NO MERCY.

What can we do? Well, for starters...

This means no more Nazi speeches on the floor of the Senate.

This means no more political games, using the war on terror to get political advantage in an effort to make a political opponent look bad.

This means using your head, and not saying things or doing things that make the US Military look bad or sound bad when accusations are made, especially from terrorists whose aim is to kill us for crying out loud. And even if a claim 'might be true,' have it investigated SECRETLY, so that those responsible are brought to justice. Don't use the media to "get the word out;" this will only slander the US and put our men and women in harms way. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM, AREN'T WE?!?!

This means discussing things rationally, IN GOOD FAITH, HONESTLY, and PUTTING THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE AHEAD OF THE PARTY.

Donkey or Elephant, I don't care. We're Americans. Let's win this war TOGETHER. The British need an ally that is united in purpose, not one that is undecided.

I truly hope that this unity in purpose is possible.