I was on annual leave and was visiting Edinburgh when we heard early reports on the car radio, so we found a pub and watched the events unfold live, together with the other stunned clientele of the pub.
A few days ago here in the UK three men were found guilty of plotting to kill thousands of people by blowing up airliners over the Atlantic using home made liquid bombs disguised as drinks.
A couple of weeks ago here in the UK Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the convicted murderer of 270 people blown up in Pan-Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988, was released from prison and allowed to return to a hero's welcome in Libya on the basis that he has terminal cancer and therefore a short time left to live. I happen to think that this was a big mistake, and he should not have been released, but that's for a different post.
A few days ago a 600lb bomb was defused by an army bomb disposal team in South Armagh, Northern Ireland. It has been reported that it had been left there by a small Republican splinter group rather than the Real IRA or Continuity IRA.
Be in no doubt, we face a present, real and serious threat from terrorism.
Home grown terrorism such as that perpetrated by some Republicans.
Home grown terrorism perpetrated by radical Muslims.
International terrorism perpetrated for political objectives.
But all terrorism, designed to cause fear and, unsurprisingly, terror.
We cannot afford however to give in to such tactics. We absolutely must stand firm against such people who seek to achieve their ends by such evil deeds.
And when they are caught and convicted they must be punished, and in such a way as not only to punish the individuals concerned but to deter others from following the same path.
Their freedom should be taken from them.
They should have no comforts whilst incarcerated.
They should be locked away until they die.
Amen, brother!
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