The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : 7/7: One Year Later

In the year since the 7-7-05 London bombings, the British have devoted much more thought than action to the issue of domestic terrorism. Why? This editorial from today’s Daily Telegraph sheds some light on it. Here’s the money quote:

In contrast to what happened after the admittedly much bigger catastrophe in New York on September 11, 2001, there has been remarkably little panic. On this side of the Atlantic, we are perhaps more inured to terrorism. The bombers may do their worst but life goes on. Londoners, to their credit, have taken 7/7 in their stride.

That is the precise problem we have with Britain and the rest of Europe. They’ve become accustomed to terrorism, and are willing to live with it. A few car bombings here, a plane hijacking there, and it’s all -- to them -- just part of the cost of doing business. If you don’t believe this, read Melanie Phillips’s “Londonistan.” There won’t always be an England…

topics:
Business

About the Author

Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies.