Terror in London - Home Life Contrast (Son - Good News)

Hello Readers -

I was thinking of blogging again on ordinary, personal matters (not so mundane to us) when last Thursday all went haywire. Life was turned upside down for so many, though not ourselves (no-one in my family or circle was DIRECTLY affected by the London bombings). Everyone has their own story and/or ideas about the London bombings - whether or not they were in London on the day. I know several people who were, but they were all OK. That evening I texted key members of our church houses (based near Oxford Street, W1 and in W3) to check that all were fit and still with us. They were, though some had to struggle back from where they were (at work or on courses). The nearest to anyone I know being seriously affected was that one of our "sisters" attends the national Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery near Bloomsbury, where 2 bombs went off (one on a red double decker 30 bus): a Professor of Medicine (epilepsy) from there had his leg blown off on the tube from Edgware; she told me, and this was reported in today's newspaper. What a waste of a vital talent - that man may survive (not known yet) but meanwhile, for well over a year he can't use his gifts to help patients who needed his skills. His shocked colleagues have to take the strain. It just shows how indiscriminate such attacks are - other victims include charity workers and young people whose potential was lost to society.

I also lecture part time (in criminology - sometimes touching on terrorism) for Birkbeck College FCE (Faculty of Continuing education) which is in Russell Square, WC1, with another building in Tavistock Square. Both are close to where the 30 bus went up. I read that some casualties were taken into Birkbeck - one or both of these buildings. My own colleagues were not in that day - most teaching has finished for the summer, and both the admin. staff were on holiday. I have not been up there for over 6 weeks as my last class was at end of May - but was due to go today for a staff party - end of year. I have decided not to go in just for this - why make an unecessary journey? I next have to go up on July 29 for an assessors' meeting; that is a different matter. Maybe the security police will have caught some of the bombers by then - we hope. Probably other attacks would not be in the same places - so that makes it uneasy for the rest of the London transport system, including the lines I travel on. In a week's time I will venture on a train trip to Scotland to see my late daughter's friends in Edinburgh - I'll go via Kings Cross (where bodies are still to be brought out) - on a higher level tube in, to get the main line to Scotland (it was subject to the horrendous Hatfield crash - 2000).

Ironically, only the day before the 7/7 attacks, I was marking a Diploma project from one of my students - a 10,000 word dissertation on Islamic "jihadi" or fundamentalist terrorism, explaining the history and current manifesations. It was a very good read; I learned a lot from it, as this very able student (an Egytian forensic psychiatrist - already well qualified!) had read a wide range of books on Islamic and other terrorism, Bin Laden (etc.) synthesising the overall picture. She compared religious terrorism with other forms of it, and looked at the motives of the fanatical young men who engage in it, focusing on suicide bombers. She referred to the original "Assassins" (linked with "hashish": cannabis) of early mediaeval times - they apparently did not commit suicide as they assassinated; killed a target, then waited for the other side to seize and execute them. She deduced from these readings and her knowledge of the Q'uran that Islamic teachings consider the West to be corrupt; there is anger at Western invaders or occupiers on Arab soil (eg. US bases in Saudi Arabia). However, many London Muslims are moderate and shocked at these attacks; they argue that Islam means "peace", as was widely reported over these last 2 days. Although this project was a very thorough, competent piece of work, deserving high marks - I realised later that this student had dismissed the more moderate interpretations of the Q'uran that are no doubt possible. (She may herself be from a minority group, eg Coptic Christian, but I don't know this. Some Christians view all Muslims as extreme.) Her project was very timely - I advised her to put in a line adding these London attacks to her list of incidents like 9/11, Madrid and Bali.

Now turning to our personal matters... Tom is doing wery well in his rehab in Kent. This was against our fears and almost expectations - in his earlier rehab, in January this year, he failed and was kicked out after 9 days (for losing his temper and throwing furntiure, etc). D. and I were very cautious in our optimism after Tom was admitted this time. First we felt huge relief that he was at last somewhere safe, and that he could now move forward - then we were apprehensive as time went on, and he was still settling in. After 10 days had gone, we could tell he was getting established, and began to sound much stronger on the phone. His voice was firm, and he sounded positive about what was going on in the rehab. He is somewhat restricted until after next weekend. We will drive down to see him this Saturday - their Open Day (and also see D.'s stepdad on the way home, for his 88th birthday). Tom is allowed to phone us, but usually waits for us to ring. He did ring up on Thursday after the bombs went off - I rang back the next morning (I only found the messge then) with a message that we were OK. On the Saturday we had a long discussion by phone on the London terrorism, issues etc. Tom studied politics for his A. Levels and degree and has clear views on such events. He also asked about people in the church - this shows he is better: concerned about others, not just himself! Our old cat Whitton survives (after 'chemo' for abdominal cancer), but is getting much weaker in his legs - he also has renal and heart disease. Tom realises he may not see his beloved cat again, as he (Tom) may not make a home visit for at least another 2-3 weeks. He made a poignant, fond farewell when he left.

This closes a more serious blog than I expected to write. I read that blogs on the terrorism are being assembled on some London websites - maybe they will sift this one out! (Despite the fact that I was not personally caught up in the bombings. I was in London yesterday to attend church and lunch afterwards: I felt nervous on the way up. Coming back, I walked over Waterloo Bridge instead of getting the bus. My line home is above ground, which makes it slightly easier) We shall see. There are still threats now - and Birmingham's centre was closed down on Friday/Saturday. Our own suburban town, Twickenham, was also closed by a bomb scare for 2 hours on Friday afternoon - probably a hoax. (I could not get through to cycle to the swimming pool...) This is likely to go on for a while.

Keep safe. God's love goes to all bereaved people (I was "there" in 2000 - our daughter Alice died suddenly in a road crash, and police broke the news in the night. Such loss is unbearable for a long time.). May peace return.

Tigey