So what are the British going to do now?

[Kraklen]

That's the obvious question but I'm not seeing it being asked.

Are they going to do the right thing like the Spanish and pull everybody out of Iraq?

Or are they going to take the easy, cowardly American way out and result to jingoism and more killing?

[bryant69]

1. That's sort of a leading question

How is it the right thing to react to terrorism by giving into terrorist demands?

I mean independently of this event, but the United States and all involved should withdraw from Iraq (preferably giving power to some sort of UN peacekeeping force, in my opinion).

But if you pose the question in relation to these deaths, I'm not sure it's as black and white as you suggest.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Kraklen]

2. Oh, I think it is as black and white.

We've come the the conclusion over the last two years that the war is completely and utterly wrong.

Why are we pretending that this latest bombing is supposed to change that fact?

[bryant69]

11. It doesn't change the answer

Also, while I think we've come to the conclusion that the war is wrong, I don't think we have come to unanimity on what the proper solution is.

Bryant

[ozymandius]

6. What if the terrorists' goal is to enrage the British public and encourage

more war? So far this tactic has worked wonders for radical Islam's recruitment goals. It would seem that the last thing Al Qaeda would want right now is the removal of foreign troops as a radicalization catalyst, partisan to their movement.

[Mr Creosote]

3. Sadly

I suspect we (by which I mean our political leaders) will resort to the latter. There has never been any acknowledgement that the crusade is wrong, Bliar has simply shifted ground in justifying why it is right. What would be nice would be if some anti-war politician - Simon Hughes perhaps - could act as a lightning rod for rational discussion. Instead there'll be more of the usual "this won't affect us" bullshit from Bliar.

[mondo joe]

4. Or: What will the British PEOPLE do now?

I don't expect any change from the government, but I wonder what the people will want.

[dolgoruky]

7. They will do what they always do in times of crisis...

... Acquiesce. So many people have swallowed Bliar's bullshit they can't think rationally.

[CJCRANE]

14. I thought you were going to say:

"They will do what they always do in times of crisis...have a cup of tea".

[cliss]

5. It's always a question of the cost.

Is it worth being in Iraq? How much loss do the British have to sustain? At what point do they throw in the towel?

In just a few days when the dust has settled, I guarantee you the British will be asking these questions. They were in Iraq for oil contracts, access to enormous revenues. They knew going in it would be a tough sell. They knew they'd probably lose troops and the public would hate it.

But the promise of money was well worth it.

Now? I wonder if they still think so. I think at some point, the British will give up. The question is, when? That's an awful lot of money they've been promised - what did the Italian MP say - 3 trillion dollars?

[Benbow]

8. My Member of Parliament is in charge of emergency measures in London

and he says: "the police and emergency services will be undertaking (an investigation) into the motivation behind today's atrocities. Those responsible should be condemned unreservedly, and will, hopefully be brought to justice.

The response of the people of London has demonstrated exemplary calm and stoicism, which shows that we will never allow such acts of terrorism to undermine our values or our way of life."

That will be the British response.

Edited to correct typos.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kraklen]

10. Yeah, but it really doesn't address my question

as to whether the British people are going to be suckers for the jingoism.

[CJCRANE]

13. Don't think it'll make much difference.

People outside London will forget about it in a few weeks, and Londoners will take it in their stride.

There'll be no British "Crusade", if that's what you mean.

[roguevalley]

12. what they always do, suck it up and move on.

[Johonny]

15. I hope

they finally dump Tony Blair. It's hard to imagine there aren't any strong replacements in his party that are anti-terror, but pro getting the heck out of the Iraqi distraction.

[TahitiNut]

16. It may be intended to stimulate a reactionary support for Blair.

Just as (and I'm sure of it) Osama was happy as a clam that Smirk was re(s)elected, it's entirely possible that their most desired reaction is an entrenchment of Blair as head of his government.

I doubt the Spanish popular response was one that Islamic militant extremists desired ... since it didn't drive reactive polarization.

[paparush]

17. Maybe the Brits will bomb Camp David....

A retaliatory strike.

[DemGirl7]

18. I think the British are going to take the easy way out

and start with meaningless jingoism and more killing. I mean Tony Blair is just like Bush, a stupid coward.