July 7, 2005

An attack on London is an attack on Dublin

I am saddened. And I am bloody pissed. I woke up to news that London was attacked by terrorists. A cowardly attack once again as it killed and injured innocent civilians. In as much as I want to understand these perpetrators' cause and logic, I could not comprehend the illogical and demented work of these few. There is no morality, no religion nor politics that could justify such devious acts. Period.

I had an opportunity to temporarily live and work in London for five months in 1989. And I visited London many time afterwards. I even took my sons Michael and Russ for a visit here.

I adopted London as one of my own, perhaps because it adopted me then. I have many fond memories there.  Not only does this city have many historical sites, heritage, and culture, I happened to have met Londoners and British people whom up to now are very good friends of mine. While living there by myself, I was treated with much friendship, hospitality, and fun that I could never understand why some warped minds could do such harm and damage to such a place and to such lovely people.

London is a city full of diversity and practiced tolerance. Walking into the Paddington station, I waited rain or shine to ride the Underground trains to and from Hammersmith station. I had lunch at the local pubs and ate the bar staple: sausage, beans and chips. Not wanting to be tagged "half-pint," I learned to drink Guinness on tap in pint glasses and at room temperature. It was in London where I first ate at an Indian restaurant. I bought sundries from a neighborhood corner store run by an Arab family. It was in London where I had cocktail drinks made by Marc (who once impressed a visiting  Arab prince with his drink creations that the prince gave him his expensive watch for a tip). Oh, to show my point, this bar was at the front half section of a Vietnamese restaurant, Nam Long.

I know London will bounce back and go on despite this setback. And unlike others who can be cowered or pacified, the people will be much resolved. They are a tough and resilient lot when it comes to experiencing adversity. I have read much about their resilience during WWII Nazi bombing raids.  I visited Lockerbie one month after the ill fated Pan Am flight was sent down this small town near Scotland. They know which side they are on.

A silver lining to this event is that the terrorist act itself is proving to be futile and counter productive to whatever cause they are trying to accomplish. Good people do not do such mayhem. No matter what a dark force can foster, good will always win over evil. Evil may prevail for a blip, but it never wins nor will it ever prevail.

So choose. Which side are you on?

I wish my British friends well. I extend my condolence and my position that they have my support. To me, a despicable attack to a Londoner is an attack to this particular Dubliner.