FINAL UPDATE: This will be the final update for this post, and is blog, not news, related. For those with a strong constitution, Power Line has a link to a DUh thread discussings today's bombings. Here's an example:
I am so cynical... That all I can think is "how convenient" that this happened to take the light off Karl Rove.
I don't think anything is on the "up-and-up" anymore, not even terrorist attacks.
I'll let Hinderaker carry us out of this post:
Yes, that's it, all right. The Bush administration is now staging terrorist bombings to distract attention from Karl Rove. Fortunately, however, our leftist friends have their attention riveted firmly on Rove, and they won't be distracted by something as insignificant as terrorist attacks.
NEWS UPDATE 2: ABC News is reporting that British authorities have discovered two unexploded devices. Also, that the bombings appear to have been triggered by device and do not appear to be suicide bombings.
NEWS UPDATE 1: (For purposes of following this thread, all news updates will appear at the top of the page, while blog updates will appear sequentially at the bottom.) The BBC is now reporting that the death toll is approaching 40, and the injured number around 700. They have also posted a map of the blast locations.
ORIGINAL POST: The Secret Organization of al Qaida in Europe has claimed responsibility for three bombings in London that would appear to coincide with the G-8 summit. If you haven't heard yet...
Three explosions rocked the London subway and one tore open a packed double-decker bus during the morning rush hour Thursday. The blasts killed at least two people and injured about 190 in what a shaken Prime Minister Tony Blair called a series of ''barbaric'' terrorist attacks.
Michelle Malkin has links to more on the developing story, as does the Jawa Report, Tigerhawk, and Captain's Quarters, for starters.
And, once again we are reminded in stark detail of the nature of the cowardly enemy we face. One can't help but wonder if those who preach capitulation and/or moderation are second guessing themselves this morning.
UPDATE 1: Mark in Mexico notes this claim of responsiblity from al-Qaida, posted at their website:
“The heroic mujahidin have carried out a blessed raid in London.
“Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern, and western quarters.”
Chrenkoff has boat-loads of links to other blogs, and the English reaction, which appears to be falling short of al-Qaida's claim of "terror and panic." Although there is certainly worry and sadness all over the realm today, the pubs appear to be doing a brisk business.
However, the strange thing is that despite this terrible attack, there really is an air of people just trying to get on with things. As soon as the prime minister stopped talking, the pub erupted in conversation with all the usual talking points - contracts, deadlines and projects.
There is more from this source, a "reporters log" operating at the BBC.
Also, be sure to check out Terrorism Unveiled, who opines that this is an attempt, intentional or not, to link with the far left.
Rather than attacking during the Live8 concert series, whose members terrorists would want just as dead, the attack fell during the G8, which has an important effect on those on the far left. In other words, rather than alienating the important part of the public that gives terrorist sympathies (meaning those who will claim they are merely freedom fighters), terrorists have "protested" the same entity as them---G8 summit.
The Spanktuary translates the message behind the bombings:
Message: Iraq is just as important in the war on terror as Afghanistan. The coalition is having enough success that it warranted a bombing in an attempt to shake Britain's resolve. Like Spain, if you withdraw in fear, you will be spared.
UPDATE 2: Thought it was a good time to check the barometer on the left in response to the attacks on London. Bruce, who is quoting Jackson Browne today, thinks the train bombs send a clear message for a policy change, towards nuclear nonproliferation...
My initial thoughts on the policy issues run like this. We know terrorist groups are trying to get nuclear weapons and radioactive material, so nuclear nonproliferation should be in reality (and not just in rhetoric) a top priority of American policy.
...for focusing attention away from Islamic terrorism...
It's the specific groups and political environments that promote violent attacks on democratic countries. The Islamic jihadists are the most urgent of those threats. But by no means the only ones. While the Bush administration uses The Terrorists as an abstract threat to justify anything and everything it wants to do, there are real terrorists that are real threats to the US and to American citizens.
...and for solving the anthrax attack...
When is our Justice Department, now headed by a man (Alberto Gonzales) who facilitated a criminal torture policy, going to solve the anthrax case from 2001, a case in which the number of likely suspects is limited to a well-defined and known circle of experts?
Huh?
In short, Bruce is quick to note that the "Foxists" are sure to use the London attacks for political gain, just before he launches into a partisan attack for political gain. Oh, great irony.
Over at DUh, the front page is surprisingly apolitical, but the children who comment there can always be counted on to say things in plain english.
Yes, Blair, "barbaric," just like the daisy-cutter bombs you and yours dropped on innocent people in Iraq. As Richard Clark had predicted, your preemptive attack on Iraq--and your little buddy's, the Chimp--has brought more terror on the world, not less. Wake the hell up. You brought this on all of us.
Indeed, the bombing in London is all our fault. No doubt this same brain surgeon thinks the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was also responsible for 9/11...in 2001.
Well folks...that's about all of the leftist nuance I can take for one day.
UPDATE 3: Demosophia doubts the vision of the "Madrid Strategy" currently being employed by Islamic militants in London.
The mother country is being tested by the "Madrid strategy," and I'm reasonably confident that the response will be greater unity and moral clarity rather than less, reflecting yet another miscalculation by the Salafists who consistently underestimate the capacity of their infidel opposition for moral clarity in the face of totalitarian method. England is not new to this game, and has already won a struggle of this sort.
For more on the reactions of UK bloggers, check (where else) UKBlogs Aggregator.
Blogs of War has the most complete set of links I have seen yet today. Everything from news links, to the responses of world leaders, and a long list of blogs as well.
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