In Light of Yesterdays Events

"At a quarter to 9 this morning, with Guardian newspaper and Metro (the free
publication found underground) in hand (both of which covered London's winning
the 2012 Olympic bid extensively on front-page), I seated myself at Great
Portland Street station. Like usual, signs indicated tube delays on both
Metropolitan and Hammersmith lines; little did I know that less than 5 minutes
later a blast (what would later be pronounced the first blast of a series of
four) hit a train leaving Liverpool Street Station. Announcements radiated
from speakers alerting travelers to a reported "bomb scare" and subsequently
instructions were given for evacuation. I remember thinking to myself just
then how calm passengers' reactions were. Although this surprised me, I had to
remember that Londoners are used to both train delays as well as bomb scares.

Central London was an errie sight to see. The
streets were empty but for emergency vehicles and city buses (that had just
resumed service). A silence hung over what seemed like thousands of
pedestrians making their way home (however long it took them) on foot. What
surprised me the most was just how crowded these city buses were, evidence of
Britons' resilence. In the midst of tragedy and speculation, the people of
London seem immediately prepared to "go on" and to not let the terrorists "get
the best of them."

By this time tonight the figures indicate 700 casualties and 38 fatalities.
World leaders everywhere have denounced the attack and the Queen ordered flags
flying over Buckingham Palace to be lowered to half-mast in honour of the
dead. This is in fact the worst attack on Britain since World War II.
"

This was the account of a friend of mine who is living in London. She was set to begin her internship for a member of Parliament. Hell of a first day of work.

As we talk about the wonderful potential of new technology we sometimes forget the potential devestation such technologies can aslo bring.

A report out of Scotland yard suggested that perhaps the terrorists used cell phones to detonate the coordinated bombs, much the way bombers in Madrid had nearly a year ago. British officials weighed the option of shutting down the entire mobile grid if this was the case. However, they decided that the potential chaos and frustration that could have ensued from family and friends not being able to contact loved ones would have been even worse especially because there was no evidence to suggest that cell phones were actually used.

"Investigators doubt that cell phones - used in the Madrid train attacks a year ago - were used to detonate the bombs in the Underground because the phones often don't work in the system's tunnels, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing."