Four co-ordinated bombs targeting London's transport network exploded just before 9 in the morning. Three bombs exploded in subways, the other was on a double-decker bus. So far, at least 37 dead and 700 injured.
I think it is barbaric, sad, tragic and oh, the humanity... but, there is really only the one story. The rest of the unrelentless TV coverage (CNN, BBC) is just interviewing witnesses that gave valuable insights such as "It was dark, and then we just walked out" or "I saw people covered in blood".
I'm sure some other news happened in the world today, but you'd hardly think it, given the media response. It's like 9/11, or the Madrid bombing. Same stories, same brave leaders holding back macho tears while vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
It was frightening, random, unexpected and violent. So the collective adrenaline seems to make us run around in hysterical circles with puffed out tails, barking and yipping for hours or days, depending on how many people died and how many people involved were white.
I know what you mean. I hope the attacks don't completely take the focus away from the people in Africa dying a slower, preventable, but less newsworthy death.
Posted by: Fi at July 8, 2005 08:34 AMYep, starvation is boring to watch. TV requires action and drama, not slow exhaustion and wasting away. You can only do so much with time-lapse photography.
Also, the Africa thing is kind of expected and accepted. But a nice mother of three going to her job at the dentist seems like an outrage.
I think there is more tendancy to be interested the more you know about the background of something. Liverpool St Station was my main London railway station, so I feel more engaged with this violence than the other bombings.
Posted by: .carla at July 8, 2005 10:25 AMLondoners are getting a taste of what a lot of people in the middle east live with every day...
Posted by: Dave at July 8, 2005 03:50 PMUm... It's hardly the first taste Londoners have had of this kind of thing, Dave. Even apart from the IRA, the blitz etc, you can trace attempted terrorist bombings in London back to Guy Fawkes.
Posted by: Pearce at July 8, 2005 04:34 PM