London Attacked

A series of explosions struck London's public transportation system today in what Prime Minister Tony Blair called a coordinated series of "barbaric" terrorist attacks, most likely to coincide with the opening of the G-8 summit in nearby Scotland.

The attacks have come a day after London was awarded the 2012 Olympics and as the G-8 summit was getting underway in Scotland. The G-8 summit was to have concentrated attention of these major world leaders on climate change and African poverty, considered by some to be the most pressing world issues. These attacks should refocus the leaders' attention on the greatest threat facing the civilized world – global terrorism.

We send our sympathies to the people of Great Brittan. We’re with you!

Update: TigerHawk and Fausta have analysis, updates and links.

Update II: Statement by President Bush:

This morning I've been in contact with our homeland security folks and I instructed them to be in touch with local and state officials about the facts of what took place here and in London and to be extra vigilant as our folks start heading to work.

The contrast between what we've seen on the TV screens here, what's taken place in London, what's taken place here is incredibly vivid to me.

On the one hand, we got people here who are working to alleviate poverty and to help rid the world of the pandemic of AIDS' and that are working on ways to have a clean environment. And on the other hand, you've got people killing innocent people. And the contrast couldn't be clearer between the intentions and the hearts of those of us who care deeply about human rights and human liberty, and those who kill, those who've got such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks.

The war on terror goes on. I was most impressed by the resolve of all the leaders in the room. Their resolve is as strong as my resolve. And that is, we will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists.

We will find them. We will bring them to justice. And at the same time we will spread an ideology of hope and compassion that will overwhelm their ideology of hate.

Update III: Cliff May over at the Corner on National Review On Line writes: Place Your Bets - Won’t it be interesting to see whether those gathered in Scotland to protest the G8 will -- or will not -- protest the terrorist bombings?