Originally posted by xfg1:
Originally posted by MarkO:


Please try to keep this in perspective. I respect your feelings but the current wave of hysteria in the US & UK doesn't help matters.



you want perspective? i work on a u.s. military installation overseas... in my nearly three tears here i have seen countless demonstrations at my workplaces front gate, before and after 9/11. i have watched city centers burn from an increase in ira activity, i have been insulted and spit at because i am an evil american, i have delt with increased security stances before and after 9/11, i carried a loaded m-16 for 30 days after 9/11 (i'm an aircraft mechanic by trade, i carry wrenches, not weapons) and guarded gates, flightline and housing units. my comment was to point out that he could have hurt a lot of people and to make that palpable, i don't want to see anyone get hurt. frankly i was insulted by your comment and feel like your disassosiation (sp) with the threat a dangerous person like this presents to some one other than yourself is a serious problem that america has as a culture. i'm hardly a bleeding heart but it doesn't hurt to show a little compassion for your fellow man even if he is overseas.



Deep breaths dude, deep breaths.

I am not American but I live in America but let me give you a little perspective. I was on a train from Dublin to Belfast when I was ~8 or 9 that had a bomb on it. The bomb exploded, injuring IIRC two RUC officers. I am fully aware of the dangers that one grenade, one bomb, one bullet can do. OK ??

I am not disassociating myself with the issue in Heathrow. I do not subscribe to the laissez-faire attitude that some do. I understand in the current environment the feelings that people are having following the grenade incident. What I am saying is that it is unlikely that this is part of a bigger attack. Let the police find out what the guy's intentions are. I'm sure they can be very persuasive in getting answers out of him. Until we have a police report, the speculation just feeds the hysteria nad paranoia of the general public.

If you're insulted by my statements, I apologise but I still hold my beliefs.

Regards & thank you for your service.

Bless our servicemen & women overseas. L.Cpl Ian Malone, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, R.I.P.