millionreasons | London belongs to me

It was business as usual in Islington yesterday evening, some of the banks and shops were closed but the restaurants and bars were full. Reminded me of two Thursdays ago when we were talking about recession and I thought that Upper St was unassailable. Ken’s speech after 911 about capitalism beating terrorism was nonsense but his thing yesterday about people moving to London to live their lives and be themselves moved me – just as appropriate to someone from Doncaster as Darfur, I guess. The Scientologists were missing from their place outside Angel tube; I imagine they hotfooted it down to Tavistock Square to do their stress tests on victims.

After the Madrid bombs, the Spanish voted in an anti-war left-wing government. That obviously won’t happen here, but the introduction of ID cards and draconian measures can still be resisted – moving nearer to a police state and relinquishing our freedoms means we will live more in the kind of country the Taliban or al Qaeda or any other repressive regime would want. Being like them doesn’t make you beat them. Liberty isn’t about the freedom to buy 57 varieties and have celebrities as idols; it’s about being able to walk down the street without the government poking its nose into your business. Would ID cards have stopped yesterday? Heck, no. Just as arresting protestors (again free speech is what makes us different from repressive states) up in Scotland uner the Anti-Terrorism act is pointless. Terrorists don't throw rocks. This (American) post is excellent.

The best two from yesterday here and here. David sometimes asks me: What did you do before Livejournal? (answer: Solitaire), but I found it immensely comforting yesterday.