London Terror felt in Cambodia

Thursday the 7th
Terror Attacks London

I had a lunch meeting today with some colleagues from VSO, it was also the chance to meet the new IT Specialist volunteer that is going to be joining us here at the Ministry of Fish. Returning to the office after the lunch I take our new IT Girl with me to introduce her to everyone - well, everyone that was here...

After the meet ‘n’ greet I run her back home and I decide that I will finish off working at home for the rest of the day, peace and quiet for a dull report.

Working on a super dull report on 'fish exports to Thailand' I put the TV on in the background, just for some noise and the odd distraction.

The scenes of London on the screen, and the news coming in about the bombings kept me from even starting my report. Familiar places and sights, familiar feelings – I was in London for several other terrorist acts.

I text and check in with several friends in London, just to make sure that everyone is okay. By 8 O’clock the news is repeating itself (badly) and I have heard from everyone in London. I decide to head out for a bit, to see some fellow Brits and to talk to them about it all.

An hour later I am sat in the middle of a screaming argument between Peter and David about politics, religion, terror, et cetera. Pete had spent the afternoon worrying and trying to get hold of all his family and his friends in London, and still had not heard from some of them that worked in areas where the bombs had gone off, he was upset and looking to lash out in anger and frustration – “Slit all their fucking Muslim throats!” he vents.

Dave, whose family was originally from Northern Ireland, remembers the IRA Birmingham bombings and remembers that his grandfather, an old factory worker of no strong political beliefs, being beaten up by a mob of idiots for the crime of ‘having an Irish accent’

Between these two views / comments, several beers, misplaced bile, frustration, worry and anger these two friends of mine had a spectacular argument and falling out; cries of ‘racist’ ‘shut up’ ‘get out of my bar’ et cetera filled the air.

I can not help but think that this is precisely the sort of thing that helps and strengthens these acts of terror.

When we are divided amongst ourselves, when we question our own thoughts and friends and actions, when we start fighting amongst ourselves, surely that is when they have won.

We really do not want these people to win, do we.