kiltboy

I know they were trying to send a message and neither the target nor the timing were overlooked. The thing is that the terrorists carrying out this type of attack do not realise that they will not achieve their desired goal. The synagogue bombings are an interesting point and it brings up the usual religious fanaticism/hatred common in terrorist groups. It is disappointing that those bombings did not receive the same revulsion and condemnation. David

Maggie Thatcher was a bit of a nutter though. David

I liked HMQ's comments to the Secret Service. From the Telegraph. http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/16/nbush116.xml The Queen rejected a request from President George W. Bush's security advisers to bolster Buckingham Palace's structural defences against a terrorist attack during his state visit to Britain this week. Senior courtiers say that the Queen was not willing to countenance "bomb and airborne assault proofing" that would have involved substantial building work at her London home. One courtier said: "They [the Americans] wanted blast and bullet-proofed windows and curtains and some strengthening to the walls of the President's suite and other rooms at the Palace where he would be spending time. The President's security men seem obsessed with the idea of an airborne attack on the Palace. "Her Majesty takes the view that no amount of strengthening of windows and walls could protect the President in such an eventuality and that the work would cause disruption and involve discarding original fixtures and fittings." The Queen has also limited the number of American security staff who will be accommodated at the Palace. "Her Majesty's view throughout was that since there are going to be 5,000 British police officers involved in the security operation for the President, it's not unreasonable to expect her guests to have some faith in their abilities." David

I'm not 100% sure. Certainly the bombings where the result of militant islamic terrorists but they happened in Turkey so should the UK leave Turkey? Cyprus where the UK are part of a UN peace keeping force between Greece and Turkey? Bosnia where there was ethnic cleansing of muslims during the civil war (could also extended into Kosovo as they are neighbours). Afghanistan where Al-Queda were based and where there are still Taliban and Al-Queda fighters being hunted by UK forces? Iraq which would become a bigger mess if we left now? Can't quite pin down why I mentioned Sierra Leone but I was on a roll so I included it. I'm guessing you were referring to Iraq but no the UK won't leave because of the explosions today. There will be a review of security but The UK is a very aware society as far as terrorism goes (probably second to Israel in that respect) and you don't give in to terrorism. David

From where? Turkey, Iraq, Cyprus, Kosovo, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan? David

So does Tony Blair. Plaigarising a ten year old thesis as intelligence and jumping up and down about WMD that are deployable in 45 minutes only to find that was not the case. The BBC reported the incorrect validation of a Prime Minister leading a country to war and they were proven correct. Lets throw a weapons expert to the press and try and let our other problems slide shall we? I see the credibility problem being in government not in the BBC. Strange things happen when a journalist actually tries to hold a government accountable. David

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3272361.stm Looks as if the use of methylbromide in the US will continue if not increase. Methylbromide can wreck the ozone layer and several other countries are trying to cut down on it's use. David

The current administration has asked other countries to provide troops to assist in stabilizing Iraq. There are multinational divisions in Iraq at present so adding more would be a good thing. There is a suggestion in the news that the violence is being directed primarily against US forces so here's a thought. Have other troops from a different country take on a higher profile in major towns and cities and scale down the US presence as peace keepers. This would give the US forces more time to seal the borders and stop the influx of the jihad fighters. Allow the US forces the opportunity to secure the many arms dumps and dispose of the munitions that are being used in the attacks. Search for Saddam and "WMD" around the country. I also read an interesting bit about the restruction of a concrete factory (can't find the link anymore) where the local folks got the plant up and running for a couple of hundred thousand. The complaint of the Iraqi's involoved was that they couldn't get the money quickly and easily enough and that the Army Corps of Engineers estimate was way higher than it actually cost. The reason was that the engineers wanted to build it to US standards when the Iraqi's just wanted to get it going. I would suggest then that identifying a task group to get things going (to cut through the red tape BS) just now to produce goods and jobs would do wonders for getting the country on it's feet. The further rebuilding could be the responsibilty of the Iraqi government voted in. David

Yeah but she could be meeting a cute single friend later. David

Of course the download sucks for me but for those with decent net access...... http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/web/dailyprophet/article.jsp?id=POA_teaser_trailer David

I'll agree with you here. THe terrorists of 9/11 made a massive impact and that is what terrorists like. I would presume that they are planning another event in the US to terrorise the american people. Events in Iraq do not have the same effect. David

Stories relating to Diana make money. They will let her lie in peace when they stop making a buck on stories about her. Charles should have married Camilla in the first place but "The firm" didn't approve (didn't approve of Andy and Koo Stark but Fergie was OK) so they set up a marriage that was doomed to fail. David

Shouldn't it be mothers for boomerangs? Did I miss something or am I right in thinking that they are promoting boomerangs? I need coffee. David

From what I remember of that the UK government told the US government about Iraqi attempts to get uranium. The US looked into it and said there was no support to that piece of intelligence. So when the President says the UK have intelligence saying Iraq is looking to acquire uranium he was telling the truth. The President never added, "we looked at it as well but couldn't find any evidence to support the UK claim". David

The problem I have with that explanation is.... Consider that the idiot in question went into a friends neighbourhood ten years a go and got the shit kicked out of him by you. He realises that he can't compete due to the ass kisking and stays at home licking his bruises. Then someone who lives next to that guy (who just got a kicking) does commit an atrocity on the scale of 9/11 and gets what he deserves. The first guy is not likely to try something having had his head handed to him once and seen his neighbour receive the treatment he deserved. Why would the first guy be considered a threat? David

There was a book written by a lady that put herself through Brown University by dancing. I've not read it but I remember a couple of interviews she gave and it was a well paid job that allowed her to go to school. Sometimes she hated it, sometimes she really enjoyed it. David

One of France's best-loved department stores has outraged feminists by offering striptease lessons to female customers this weekend in Paris http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3249315.stm David

I think he stood up in his resignation speech and basically said you'll find a couple of battlefield artillery shells with some mustard at best and that there was no strategic danger from long range weaponized munitions on rockets. David

Meh?? I never mentioned the movie (I'm so confused right now). I am proud to say that when Ronald Reagan was president I was of an age where I really didn't give a shit. Oh and I was in the UK. What I do remember are the gaffs mainly due to an addiction to "Spitting Image" with the series "The President's brain is missing" and the whole sordid affair between Ronnie and Maggie as portrayed by the latex puppets. There was one gaff when Nancy had to prompt him with an answer for a journalist but other than that I'm in no position to comment on the man which is why I never commented on the movie. David

I wouldn't call it a terrorist act as an act of civil disobedience. A bunch of ungrateful colonists rebelled against the idea of paying for a war that was fought to defend the colonies from the French. Then they dressed up as native americans to try and pass the blame on them, muttered something about no taxation without representation and had a revolution. David

I figured as much but then there are idiots in the House of Commons that cry constitutional crisis when the heir to the throne wants to marry a catholic non-virgin. Move with the times people. David

Depends on your version of English. Red, Blue and Green are all what? David

What's wrong with the Queen? She doesn't use the power of veto (she'd end up leaving a republic if she did) her role is pretty much ceremonial and she has no effect on government policy. Besides I thought the US loved Princess Di or am I missing something? Illegal weaponry is illegal weaponry but yeah the burglary rate is higher than the US. One of the differences between the UK and US is that the US is a hyperpower and as such the actions of the US do effect the global community. Have you noticed that the discussion of Bush by the non american audience is mostly limited to international issues and not domestic US policy? The UK parliament system also means that Tony has to defend himself in the house of commons so you have a bit more faith in that he knows what's going on. Michael Howard looks like being the next Leader of the Opposition so Prime Ministers question time could be more interesting from now on. David

Daily BBC news Glasgow Herald www.theherald.co.uk Reuters Less common Foxnews Telegraph Independant One thing I like about the beeb is they do offer links to external sources as I'll run around on a search of my own if I'm interested enough in the story. I'll also chase down some of the links posted here in the "debate" David

No but I just saw one of the maintenance guys walk past in a pink fairy outfit complete with wand, wings and hard hat. David