And so to politics.

Like him or not, Ken Livingstone hit a solid note in his statement yesterday. Loathe him or loathe him, George Galloway had his turn in the House.

Socialist Worker showed why they are a bunch of jerks.

So far as I can see, Galloway's is the only statement to use condemnation - Ken's doesn't condemn but defies, which is probably more sensible in the long run.

Enough of responses, though. I'll expand on Ken's, because I think it fits my theme.

We can never stop this sort of attacks - a scary thought. No amount of addressingbackground causes etc. will ever remove the possibility of some tiny groupuscle deciding that terrorism is a good idea.

So, we have two choices. Eitehr we accept that freedom has been rendered impossible, and retreat to a security state for our own protection - the only way to really even hamper such attacks. Or, we accept the risk as a part of modern living.

The latter means our best defences in the war on terror are not troops on the grounds, not military might or even bellicose language. Our greatest weapon is a civil infrastructure - emergency services - that can cope and deal with any emergency swiftly and effectively (with the fringe benefit to the population at large when major incidents aren't occurring).

I agree with the likes of David T of Harry's place that our weapon must be democracy - the example of a free and open society that doesn't resourse to arms to get its way. That doesn't enforce a world system based primarilly on might and force majeur.

No amount of merely pulling troops out of Afghanistan or Iraq will change that, it requires a solid, immediate political movement of internationalism and solidarity.

Take it away Shelley.

"And that slaughter to the nation
Shall steam up like inspiration,
Eloquent, oracular,
A volcano heard afar:

"And these words shall then become
Like Oppressions thundered doom,
Ringing through each heart and brain,
Heard again--again--again.

Rise like lions after slumber
In unvanquishable NUMBER!
Shake your chains to earth, like dew
Which in sleep had fall'n on you:
YE ARE MANY-THEY ARE FEW.

Thanks to those who left notes in the comments box.