Anyone cancelling July trip to London?
Jun 30th, 2007, 01:56 PM
#42
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Girlspytravel-to each his own on whether they would travel or not.Yes I wear seatbelts;my kids wore bike helmets and I try to keep healthy,etc.I was not saying that you one doesn't do there best on keeping safe. But I quess what I was trying to convey was most of this is out of your hands.
On the record of the Brits,although I am American I would like you to remember during WW11 how the Brits lived through the bombings and horrors of the war but still tried to keep an assemblance of "normality"(whatever that is) of daily living.When I fly to London they have always been the most security conscious of any country I have flown in or out of-they just keep a way lower profile in doing it.
As someone who is an international flight attendant and flies to Europe everyweek, I do try and realize current events and world politics. My company also lets us know when there might be some problems where we are going. However,the way the world is if you penciled in on a world map everywhere there are problems- you probably won't leave your lazy boy chair in your family room!
My favorite expression especially since I have had numerous friends with cancer,tumors and other problems lately is: ENJOY LIFE.THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!!!!
On the record of the Brits,although I am American I would like you to remember during WW11 how the Brits lived through the bombings and horrors of the war but still tried to keep an assemblance of "normality"(whatever that is) of daily living.When I fly to London they have always been the most security conscious of any country I have flown in or out of-they just keep a way lower profile in doing it.
As someone who is an international flight attendant and flies to Europe everyweek, I do try and realize current events and world politics. My company also lets us know when there might be some problems where we are going. However,the way the world is if you penciled in on a world map everywhere there are problems- you probably won't leave your lazy boy chair in your family room!
My favorite expression especially since I have had numerous friends with cancer,tumors and other problems lately is: ENJOY LIFE.THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!!!!
Jun 30th, 2007, 01:57 PM
#43
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>>>The reason the British government doesn't kick them out is that they are British Citizens. Where do you suggest they send them? Guantanamo Bay?<<<
Well, I can see the problem.
Someone also said that most of these domestic UK people are of Pakinstan backgrounds.
What do you think should be done about them? What can be done?
Now playing:
Buffalo Springfield: Leave
Well, I can see the problem.
Someone also said that most of these domestic UK people are of Pakinstan backgrounds.
What do you think should be done about them? What can be done?
Now playing:
Buffalo Springfield: Leave
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:05 PM
#45
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kelkel, there are almost 9,000,000 in Greater London. I am not trying to disregard your fears, especially when you have little ones, but you will not be alone here. For the people that live here, it's business as usual. I think some of this is to do with testing our new Prime Minister. The fact of the matter is these two attempts FAILED, thank God. The police will be on high alert. On Monday, I will be getting up and going to work in Mayfair in central London like I have done for the last 10 years. Please come. Don't let them change your life.
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:10 PM
#46
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and btw, I'm off to Iraq in few weeks....
Just got back from Kabul...
and finaly <b>Padraig</b>, you are mistaken about Iraq, Afghanistan. Very nice wines, beer or the hard stuff available in both capital cities with your dinner.
Just got back from Kabul...
and finaly <b>Padraig</b>, you are mistaken about Iraq, Afghanistan. Very nice wines, beer or the hard stuff available in both capital cities with your dinner.
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:15 PM
#48
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Gypsy made the same comments regarding going to Turkey after the Ankara shopping center bombing. PEOPLE STILL GO TO NEW YORK CITY FOR GOD'S SAKE!! Get a grip, please. Despite her (his) warnings on going to Turkey because, to paraphrase, the PKK was specifically targeting tourists, we went to Turkey for two weeks and had an incredible experience. Had we listened to chicken little we would not have come back home with memories of a lifetime. I'm sure she can't wait to let us all know, she warned us, if something really does happen. I guess she hopes for it, in a way.
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:22 PM
#49
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RM67
After just expressing admiration for the Brits, I have to laugh at your comparison to the US, saying you don't want to live in a "with armed police on every corner and total erosion of all civil rights."
As I said, I go to England and the rest of Europe very often and love it. But if the U.S. Govt tried to do the half the routine things that Eupropean Govts do it would cause a riot.
I forget what the story was in England, but in France and Italy, I had to show ID to use the internet cafes. In the US, you just go in to a cafe, slip a dollar into the slot and your are in cyber land.
Presenting passports at hotels is common in every country in Europe. I never did that here. Sometimes I have never even used a driver's licence, if the room was already paid for.
The London police are able to track the routes of those cars because of thousands of cameras that you have on the street. Talk about Big Brother.
As for armed police of every corner, it is true our cops have always carried guns, but they are far less visible than over there, and I rarely see the type of heavy assualt weapons here that I see in every airport and on many street corners in every Eropean country.
As for our total erosion of civil rights, I am not sure which one I have been missing. I do what I want to do, go where I want to go, and say what I want to say.
I don't know how we shut ourselves away. Our ports and airports are open and tens of thousand of cars cross our borders every day with the average car being stopped for about two minutes.
I have visited totalitarian countries and know what they are like. Don't be upset over my loss of liberty.
After just expressing admiration for the Brits, I have to laugh at your comparison to the US, saying you don't want to live in a "with armed police on every corner and total erosion of all civil rights."
As I said, I go to England and the rest of Europe very often and love it. But if the U.S. Govt tried to do the half the routine things that Eupropean Govts do it would cause a riot.
I forget what the story was in England, but in France and Italy, I had to show ID to use the internet cafes. In the US, you just go in to a cafe, slip a dollar into the slot and your are in cyber land.
Presenting passports at hotels is common in every country in Europe. I never did that here. Sometimes I have never even used a driver's licence, if the room was already paid for.
The London police are able to track the routes of those cars because of thousands of cameras that you have on the street. Talk about Big Brother.
As for armed police of every corner, it is true our cops have always carried guns, but they are far less visible than over there, and I rarely see the type of heavy assualt weapons here that I see in every airport and on many street corners in every Eropean country.
As for our total erosion of civil rights, I am not sure which one I have been missing. I do what I want to do, go where I want to go, and say what I want to say.
I don't know how we shut ourselves away. Our ports and airports are open and tens of thousand of cars cross our borders every day with the average car being stopped for about two minutes.
I have visited totalitarian countries and know what they are like. Don't be upset over my loss of liberty.
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:23 PM
#50
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Endlessummer:
Thanks for your encouraging words. My husband is detemined to come and I am the one that is worried. My phone doesn't stop ringing from my family members trying to make me feel guilty to even think of taking my girls out of the country. Unless the bottom falls out of this situation...we shall be on our way to your beautiful country on the 3rd. And then on to the Disney cruise in Barcelona on the 7th! God's blessings!
Thanks for your encouraging words. My husband is detemined to come and I am the one that is worried. My phone doesn't stop ringing from my family members trying to make me feel guilty to even think of taking my girls out of the country. Unless the bottom falls out of this situation...we shall be on our way to your beautiful country on the 3rd. And then on to the Disney cruise in Barcelona on the 7th! God's blessings!
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:29 PM
#51
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Not only that, but I am not cancelling my visit to Glasgow and the flight home!
They could bomb a US airport just as well.
That is like saying you will not drive on I70 because there was a wreck last week in Ohio.
They could bomb a US airport just as well.
That is like saying you will not drive on I70 because there was a wreck last week in Ohio.
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:36 PM
#53
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Sorry I did not proofread my thread-it should have read"I wasn't saying that one shouldn't do THEIR best"- I am getting ready to go up to Milwaukee's summerfest and listening to too much music.....now there would be a good spot for terrorism? Wait,I could get them with my brat and beer...........
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:43 PM
#54
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DNC Dave - Many overseas visitors to the US get fingerprinted and have to show their passports in hotels....you don't because you live there, not because the States are 'free-er'! I don't have to show ID to use the internet here in the UK either, funnily enough.....
My point is that GSPY seems to think that we SHOULD be living in a fortress because terror is around every corner. It isn't and we shouldn't. And, given the levels of violent crime - particularly gun crime - in your own country, worries about being caught up in a terorist attack are particularly insane. That's my point.
My point is that GSPY seems to think that we SHOULD be living in a fortress because terror is around every corner. It isn't and we shouldn't. And, given the levels of violent crime - particularly gun crime - in your own country, worries about being caught up in a terorist attack are particularly insane. That's my point.
Jun 30th, 2007, 02:48 PM
#55
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kelkel, I hope you have a wonderful time and give us a report when you get back. If I had a trip planned I too would be concerned. I am a nervous traveler on the best day. But as others have said bad things can happen anywhere at any time. We need to live life and not worry about the "what if." That "what if" could be just outside our door. No need to take a trip to find it. If I had one planned I would be going.
Again, safe travels, have a wonderful time and please give us a report.
Again, safe travels, have a wonderful time and please give us a report.
Jun 30th, 2007, 03:05 PM
#57
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RM67
Sorry if there was a misunderstanding. I was just saying it was balanced and that there is increased security here and there. Increased security necessarily means some more oversight.
My point was no one here ever shows ID for internet. If a Brit strayed into an internet cafe, they wouldn't ask for ID. (Hey, our clerks are so lame, I am not sure if they could spell ID or read it. They might try to read a Brit passport right to left. If you drive on the other side, you should write that way also, according to my logic.)
As to the level of crime in the US - for most areas it is very exaggerated. I lived in NY and LA and visited I don't know how many other cities. Of course, carrying my Bowie knife may deter predators. Ooops, just joking.
I believe that both of countries will be tested and that both will make the proper adjustments. An optimist, I believe both will remain free. In fact, I tend to prove this for myself by returning to London, just so I can say I was right.
Hang in there. With admiration.
Sorry if there was a misunderstanding. I was just saying it was balanced and that there is increased security here and there. Increased security necessarily means some more oversight.
My point was no one here ever shows ID for internet. If a Brit strayed into an internet cafe, they wouldn't ask for ID. (Hey, our clerks are so lame, I am not sure if they could spell ID or read it. They might try to read a Brit passport right to left. If you drive on the other side, you should write that way also, according to my logic.)
As to the level of crime in the US - for most areas it is very exaggerated. I lived in NY and LA and visited I don't know how many other cities. Of course, carrying my Bowie knife may deter predators. Ooops, just joking.
I believe that both of countries will be tested and that both will make the proper adjustments. An optimist, I believe both will remain free. In fact, I tend to prove this for myself by returning to London, just so I can say I was right.
Hang in there. With admiration.
Jun 30th, 2007, 03:44 PM
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AAFrequentFlyer wrote: "Padraig, you are mistaken about Iraq, Afghanistan. Very nice wines, beer or the hard stuff available in both capital cities with your dinner. "
I was aware that wine was readily enough available in Baghdad before the recent disorder and I suppose it still is, but that you need to know where to go. I hadn't yet got around to researching Afghanistan as a destination.
Herself and I have a list of about 20 places in Europe that we want to visit, and we are working our way through that list at the rate of about 4 a year. Nothing further afield is currently under active consideration, but Canada and New Zealand are on the longer-term list. I don't imagine that there are any memorable Canadian wines.
I was aware that wine was readily enough available in Baghdad before the recent disorder and I suppose it still is, but that you need to know where to go. I hadn't yet got around to researching Afghanistan as a destination.
Herself and I have a list of about 20 places in Europe that we want to visit, and we are working our way through that list at the rate of about 4 a year. Nothing further afield is currently under active consideration, but Canada and New Zealand are on the longer-term list. I don't imagine that there are any memorable Canadian wines.
