Where Angels Fear to Tread

We went to London this past Saturday. I don't consider myself very brave (quite the contrary) nor was the outing infused with the notion of waving two fingers in the face of the terrorists. No, we went because that's what we had planned to do on Saturday and you can't let a pack of nut-cases with explosives dictate how you live your life.

Unless, of course, you're the United States military.

I was surprised to hear that all American military personnel are forbidden from venturing beyond the M-25 ring road that encircles the greater London area like a 6-lane concrete moat. Their families, though not specifically ordered to remain hiding in their homes, are 'encouraged' to avoid the area as well.

Sure it was a tragedy. Certainly there are a lot of grieving families here. But the rest of Britain is simply getting on with it. The morning after the bombs, most of London was back at work. On Saturday, the trains were running on time (well, on time for British trains) and London, while not heaving, was respectably crowded with tourists and Londoners alike.

We went to give the fifty-cent tour to our American visitor. When the bombings happened, there were a few hours of 'this might make our London trip a bit awkward,' and we did wonder briefly if our guest might not be more comfortable in a less target-rich environment, but cancelling the outing was never seriously considered.

And it was a lovely visit. The weather was grand, there were lots of events throughout the city (scheduled events that, like our visit, were not put off by a few bombs) and even the Queen was out unveiling a sculpture or performing some such Queenly duty. Going about your daily life is the best way to assert control and send a message to the enemies of freedom that their tactics are not succeeding.

This is why I find the US reaction so startling and a bit sad. It's like waving the white flag and saying to the bombers, "Okay, you win, we won't go there; you've made it far too dangerous for us!" Talk about giving aid and comfort.

I hope they come to their senses, though I expect the damage is already done. The American reaction will embolden and encourage the terrorists and sooner, rather than later, they will slither out of their dens to wreak more havoc in the gleeful expectation of hearing Uncle Sam cry, "Uncle!" once again.

Now, more than ever, I'm glad we went to London.

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