We went to London to see the Pageant, I love tall ships and wanted to see the Avenue of Sail and my girlfriend loves HRH. We got the train to London Bridge and walked along South of the river to Tower Bridge trying to get near the river but everywhere was cordened off. We walked back to London Bridge and they'd shut that 'in the interest of public safety'. There were a lot of police there, one officer getting very stroppy bradishing a machinegun which was totally unecessary as no one was out of order. After a swift beer we decided to try the other side of the water and got a train to Westminster. Same again Barriers, Crowd control officials who didn't have a clue and Police. We weren't allowed on the bridge(public safety) couldn't get on the embankment(yes public safety) and got cordoned in the no mans land where we were with no view of anything. Everyone was pissed off, I didn't see anyone smiling, when HRH passed under Westminster Bridge there wasn't any cheering and the small view I had of the river by standing on a traffic signal box was obscured by arms holding cameras. We went home, missed the train rush and the rain and watched the end of the TV coverage. A bit of a farce as far I'm concerned. We've been to Valencia, Fiesta Las Fallas a few times, the biggest fiesta in Europe with millions of people over 5 days. There's no crowd control and barriers to keep people on the pavement. Common sense prevails and everyone gets on with it and enjoys themselves. Our country sucks. Rant over.
That was a decent rant. Nearly responded with a rant about "homeland security" strangling societal life and "the terrorists have won" but CBA, TBH.
isntt there a famous quote about the security services have to succeed every time..................whereas the terrorist only has to succeed once......
I went with my family and had a good time. Granted, we got there a couple of hours early, but we were right next to the river and had a great view. I think the Police would have been practicing for the Olympics. If it's anything like yesterday, I'm wfh for the duration.
True true but is it not that if we have to change our behaviour and customs because of terrorists mean they won? First step in their aim was to disrupt our way of life so a they won. Next step insight fear almost there so what next ....
Kneejerk reactions fuelled by an ill-informed tabloid press and massive intrusion into everyone's lives?Or is that just what happens?
this one is hard will admit it but big brother world is not a solution. You know who is watching the people watching the people watching the people and so on.
Do I agree with searches and restrictions applying to passengers of commercial aircraft? Sure. It's a measured response to a perceived threat. The overkill solution would be to stop commercial flights all together. Not acceptable. Same with every other legitimate activity. Want to watch a public display on a public waterway from public land? You should be allowed to. Security considerations (other than arising from a known and specific threat) should not prevent this. AnbyB is right in a way, the terrorists only have to succeed once, the security services every time. But only if you accept the solution put forward by Government, safety at the price of personal freedom. He also asked "What is the answer ...?". The answer is different for everyone. I don't want the illusory safety that state security provides in exchange for civil liberties. Given the choice, I'll have my liberty and I'll accept the consequences - but for others, that may not be their preference.
I know but who will watch you to make sure you are not a terrorist or abusing power, then who will watch those watching you. Watching and BB is just not going to work as there will always be someone unsupervised that could be up to no good or just not give a toss.
Who said 'He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither and will loose both.' I will save you looking it up, it was Benjamin Franklin, and he was right.
Terrorists closer to home neve stopped the British public from enjoying themselves. Govt love to create emergencies and fear to command and control the masses. The answer is end all conflict and wars and let every one get along with everyone. Just as likely to succeed as the ways it's managed now except at least we'd be free Peace man....I'm off to hug a tree
Could it simply have been that you got there a little late and the spectator areas were already full. And they were not going to let anyone else in. The Police would have been responsible for the Public safety in those areas and were not going to be responsible for crowd crushes. I'm afraid if the Public are allowed to pour into places uncontrolled tragedies happen. Dont say the public are responsible enough to control themselves because all over the world they have proven they are not.
Most of us grew up with a terrorist threat, IRA anyone? We have just grown out of the habit of being aware. I never thought I would say this, but at least the IRA would usually give a warning of sorts to clear the area, it seems that modern terrorists have no idea of honour.
yep id agree with this................and add that these days the lesser thtreat of the twat that dives in the river or climbs a wall wearing a batman suit are just as much a threat to proceedings as an all out big threat....
But a twat in batman suit climbing a wall to dunk in to a river and drown could be fun. Stupidity is mostly fun
