GG - great that you and the family are going - Thanks for the kind words on Cali, most folk everywhere in the States are friendly. (diversity, eh?)
GO TROJANS!

Sue said:

"Maybe I'm just naive, but I would tend to blame these latest terrorist activities on radical Muslims who hate Westerners- Christians and Jews in particular"

Be naive no more: read the released papers on the CIA's misleadings around the world and you will know why so many people, including Muslims, hate the US.

And you are right, the problem is not just Bush, the problem is the fact that more than 50% of Americans are right=wingers like him...

Brazilnut, that may have been true in '04, but I think the tide is going out on the Republican party today.

thereyet

Mea culpa, Patrick. I didn't mean to disavow Ireland. But security concerns from the Republic? I must not have been listening in class...I thought it was Northern Ireland (within the UK) from which security concerns emanated.
Either way, still apples to oranges.

We are planning to go to London in two weeks. While I am a little nervous, I won't let fear of what might be stop me from living my life. I was in NYC last week and I briefly thought about "what could happen" when I was in the subway, but I won't miss out on enjoying my travels because of it. Now let's all cross our fingers just in case...

I feel I'm a very tolerant person, but I don't appreciate comments (a few posts up) regarding a country's national policy, nor its people, when the original post did not warrant it. If someone feels they have to chop on someone or their home country - I say create your own thread and have at it. You don't bust my chops, I won't yours - comprende??

Tolerent? Nobody mentioned mettman in their post. Don't take it so personal. Lets embrace free speach.

thereyet

don't let a "what if" ruin your plans.

Yes bombs go off in London occasionally - but I can't remember a time they didn't (I'm 40) also people do get mugged, have heart attacks, get food poisoning, win the lottery etc. etc.

Ignore Gypsy, she has no idea on intelligence - it's not like they publicise any intelligence they have. And we only hear of the success stories when they can't be kept quiet ie the plan to blow up planes mid atlantic.

The July bombings a couple of years ago killed about 50 people. That's 50 out of about 7 / 8 million.

I know a lot more people were hurt, and some very badly, but even so compared to the population of London they were a tiny minority.

Londoners live with this every day. You don't see unattended bags on the tube because they are reported and removed.

Plans are made for major disasters and they are rehearsed.

Yes if there is another attack or a false alarm it will have an impact on your holiday but the chances of you or your children being hurt are minimal.

Is this your first trip to the UK? How will your kids feel if you cancel the trip. How do they feel?

We take chances every day in life, and in my humble opinion a trip to a foreign city outweighs the chance of a terrorist attack.

I have the same worries. We are or maybe, we were, going to the Edinburgh Hub and Fringe Festival. But after reading about the concerns that no real extra security can be provided, because of over 500,000 people attending, I'm thinking this is not such a good idea. I don't want anything happening to my young daughter. Our tickets, and the rental, are also non refundable, and this is a much anticipated trip. So, I don't know, have to decide very soon though.

Well, let the owner of the rental know as soon as possible.
They will be able to get another tenant very quickly, it's almost impossible to get somewhere in Edinburgh to stay at that time of year.

I'm going to go to London for my hols, that's after spending all of August in Edinburgh

I shall be making my annual trip to London in September.
I shall be going by train which of course may be derailed.
We will be driving to the station and might collide with a lorry.
I might forget to "mind the gap" and fall onto the live rail.
I might get food poisoning.
I might get knocked down by a bus.
A block of ice might fall from a plane and hit me on the head,
A large American tourist might fall on me (I am quite a little old lady)
A window might get blown from the Gherkin and slice me in half.
I might fall in the Thames and get rammed by a tourist boat.
I might get blown up by a terrorist.

On the other hand, I might visit my favourite museums, enjoy some wonderful food and go to theatres and concerts.
I might even get home in one piece.

And let's see if you step out of the house, a car can go barreling out of control, mount the sidewalk and kill you too. Does that mean you don't step out of the house?

Of all the nonsense I've ever read, the very thought that anybody would let the action of these few subhuman savages change their travel plans is among the dumbest things I have ever heard.

Well said, Miss P.

Talking of courage and lack of it, those Gay Pride marchers have a lot to be proud of.
These fanatics hate gays and may well have planned an attack, but the march went on only a day after the bombing attempts.

It's a personal decision. I can understand those who wish to cancel, and I can understand those who don't cancel.

I've never been in the postion of being about to holiday somewhere that has just had something like this happen, so I can't judge. I do know I'm still going into London for business this week.

It seems to me that hindsight is always wonderful. But, predicting what might or might not happen from something that is now in the past, is probably poor practice. Let's face it, with the security and general 'alertness' regarding car bombs in London now, they'd have to be very stupid to try something the same again. The next terrorist target will probably be something completely different - and unless you are psychic, you can't know what that will be. All we can do is trust that the intelligence services are on the ball, and I believe they are as far as can be reasonably expected.

There have been a number of arrests already regarding these car bombs. The terrorist suspects in the UK are monitored and this gives very useful intelligence - better than just deporting them. For example, a gang were picked up last year who had created a plan for London bombings. As soon as it looked as though they were serious,they were arrested before they'd had the chance to attempt to do anything. Now all in jail for a very long time. There are many such anti-terrorism successes.

Girl spy - make your mind up. On the one hand you complain about lack of security then on the other you complain about security measures spoiling a holiday.

Just wanted to say I am still going to London in July. I agree with other posters; terror can strike anywhere. In the spring of 2002, I had agreed to let my oldest son go on a school trip to Europe. After putting him on the plane, I realized that there were serious warnings for the areas that he would be in over Easter break. A few parents forfeited the money and kept their children home. I probably would have, but I did not hear of the threat until after the group went through security. This being said...I was a "basketcase" the entire time he was gone. I learned to have a lot of faith. The group traveled and arrived home fine! I am glad my son had this experience. I have found that the things we think might go wrong don't, and the things that do happen...are totally unexpected. Echoing the university theme...I live 2 1/2 hours from VA TECH...that tragedy was very unexpected. Everyone has to make their decisions, but I am still going to London.

To all of you continuing on your trip to London - have a great holiday! I agree that life must be lived and not in fear. We moved our family (with 2 little ones) to London from midwest USA just 2 months after the July 7 attacks. I was in the USA in August last year when the Heathrow problems occurred. Many many relatives begged me not to fly back home (to London) with my small children - but I had to go home. My husband works in central London and rides the tube every day. We don't live in fear.

I seem to always have a trip scheduled to wherever the current threats are! I have and will never cancel for those reasons. When I do the terrorists will have won. However that's my opinion, it is a very personal choice and I would not think of talking you out of your decision.

Just heard a radio report saying 90 million will be on the roads in America this week, and 5 million in the air. Wherever you are (including in your back yard lighting fireworks or the grill, or at the beach or boating) use your head, curb the booze, pay attention. Then we'll all have better tales to tell next week!

Somehow I don't see any terrorist checking the number of tourists visiting London or New York and thinking...great, the numbers are down 5%,let's keep it up and get another 5% this year. I think it's more complex than that.

As for travel, I'm going to Turkey next month. Have there been incidents there...yes. Are there radical muslims there, yes. Is there a chance something could happen, yes. Is it a strong possibility, no. Am I more likely to win a jackpot in Vegas, get hit by lightning, get shot in a drive-by at home, yes. So should I change my plans based on something that has a lower probibility of happening there, than a much more likely event occuring here? No.

It's time for people to put things in perspective. From the moment you wake up to the moment you close your eyes there is a possibility that you could die, in an unpredictable manner. So should you then not get out of bed every day?