For freedom

The events of yesterday meant that I didn't open Thursday's newspaper until this morning. The contrast is striking. Today's images of terror are dark and alarming. They sit uncomfortably next to the smiles and scenes of celebration in the press yesterday. It's like a Hollywood disaster movie in reverse. The heros are lauded. Tony Blair smiles victoriously, crowds wave flags and dance in the streets - we've won against the odds and everyone is happy. Then a truly evil enemy steals the limelight. The prime minister's face turns steely grey, the crowds flee the tubes stations and streets. Many covered in blood or at least drenched in fear. The city that promised a glorious prospect for hosting the Olympic games is at a standstill and gripped by terror. The credits roll and those who who responded so maginificently are praised.
This morning we rise again. Determined not to allow the incident to hold us in its grip. The underground is running again, people return to the streets from which they fled less that 24 hours ago. I know that many people have been affected forever and sadly those who lost their lives will never again make their last journey. But the City of London, indeed, the whole United Kingdom is back on it's feet today demonstating it's right to be free, refusing to hide behind closed doors and barricades out of fear for a few fanatics bent on destruction.
There are many questions to be asked and perpetrators to be persued. Thankfully we live in a society that's free to ask them and persue them.
I knew a woman in Harrogate who always left her doors unlocked so that anyone in need of shelter and friendship could come and go freely. She left a note on her kitchen table. 'Feel free to help yourself but if you are a thief just remember "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"'