First off, I would like to say that I will always admire the courageous people of London for their incredible dignity in the face of tragedy. There are no people in the world who are so stoic and proud. Perhaps it is a history of dealing with tragedy like that of the plague, fires, the Blitz, or just the day to day life in the horrible slums of Victorian times but the reaction of London to this outrage was inspiring and all of us should learn to put on a "london face" when dealing with adversity.
I will always have a special place in my heart for the UK. I enjoy so much of Britian's contributions to popular culture---from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, to the British blues artists like John Mayall and Peter Green, to Monty Python and Ali G, to James Bond films, to the excellent British writing about the two World Wars. (I am writing off the top of my head, so if I forgot important British contributions to modern culture, please forgive me). I even enjoy watching the House of Commons on C-Span here because it can be so entertaining even when they talk about boring things like upgrading sewers in Manchester.
It is because of my love for the UK and it's culture that I felt like the attacks in London were almost like an attack on my hometown. It struck a chord deep within me. Tragedies go on around the world on a daily basis and many of them have far greater tolls on humanity than what happened on Thursday, but an attack on London seems much more personal for some reason. It was like someone had set off a bomb here in Annapolis, Maryland USA.
Anyhow, I am proud to know many of you and I value the contributions many of you make to this online community. I just wished to share my deepest condolences for your losses, and my thanks for your courage. If the world had more Londoners, the world would be a better place.
Andy (Zuni)