Terrorism Roundup

Latest London Developments

TV, Talk Radio, Blogosphere Reactions, Coverage Mixed


(New Friday Post Here)


--- AP Update here. 1.30pm EDT death toll: 37. ABC: bus attack was homicide bombing.

--- Substantial eyewitness accounts logged at the BBC's site here.

--- Subdued London Times headline. Web traffic obviously at extreme levels. Appeal for photos from readers. Police: no warning. Right photo credit: TimesOnline.

--- Important new story from WCBS radio: terrorist sleeper cells, awakened in England, ready for action in America?

--- AP/WCBS: Pataki says New Yorkers stand with Britain.

--- Full photo spread at FT.com.

--- It's getting harder to access UK news sites due to extreme traffic spike.

--- Gov. Romney raises T security levels in response. Would you ride the subways today? Boston riders reportedly reluctant to board. Boston TV news focus: whether it is safe to ride MBTA buses and trains. Major Logan security hike.

--- R's and D's agree: this is no time to close Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, given its especially vital role in Homeland Security. The PAVE PAWS facility at Otis detects incursions into American territory, today's attacks underscore the need to keep it open. Otis supporters rallied in Boston.

--- Blair's looking strong and resolute, this kind of leadership should silence Labour backbenchers for the time being, perhaps extending Blair's time at No. 10. If they try to blame the attacks on his decision to get involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, it could very well backfire while emotions run high.

--- Bloomberg looking strong, a real opportunity to show leadership.

--- The power of mobiles becomes clear, as much of the footage we're seeing of the immediate aftermath comes from individuals holding phones up, to record events. It's like having thousands of cameramen at the scene. Amazing.

Blogosphere jumps into action:

--- Very substantial coverage from Michelle Malkin this morning, starting moments after news broke. Michelle wonders why there were never any real answers regarding a fizzled May 5 attack outside the British Consulate in New York, just before parliamentary elections. Was it a dry run, she asks?

--- Power Line tries to halt a tall tale:


I'm afraid we may have an urban legend in the making. Benjamin Netanyahu is in London to give a speech at an economic conference, and it has been reported that he got advance warning of the impending attacks:

Army Radio quoting unconfirmed reliable sources reported a short time ago that Scotland Yard had intelligence warnings of the attacks a short time before they occurred.

The Israeli Embassy in London was notified in advance, resulting in Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu remaining in his hotel room rather than make his way to the hotel adjacent to the site of the first explosion, a Liverpool Street train station, where he was to address and economic summit.

This report has now been corrected; there was no warning until after the first blast.


It's worse than an urban legend, I'm afraid, it will become fodder for Islamic extremists.

There is a Yahoo/AP story on it, however and Drudge still has it linked.

--- From Ace Of Spades: I think all discussions of political implications should be handled delicately. They're still counting the dead.

I don't expect England to "overreact" as the world fretted when we were attacked. But I have to think that Al Qaeda's little safe base in London-- that hook-handed monster, for example, openly supporting terrorism -- has come to an end.

--- Michael King's updating as well.

--- Orbusmax updating news headlines regularly.

--- Red State Rant on the difference between Britain and Spain.

--- Captain's Quarters: Egyptian diplomat hostage murdered.

--- Instapundit has a number of recommendations for UK blog sites and more. Glenn carries a quote from a counterterrorism site that this may be part of a summer offensive. Many regular updates here.

--- BlogsForBush has the full text of the President's statement.

--- lgf reports British Muslims have been warned to stay indoors for the time being.

--- At Media Slander, La Shawn Barber brings her perspective.


Television coverage has so far been mixed:

Cable goes wall-to-wall, broadcast networks mixed. Some stations still running regular programming. Local news mostly focused on story, but with major local angles that sometimes seem too provincial.

Certainly the potential for local attacks is quite possible and should be a big element of coverage, but it shouldn't overshadow what's happened in London.

Focus on the news that has actually occurred. Let's show we care.

Some other stories being covered as well. Actually heard an Aruba update. Let's take a pass on that one for a few days, shall we?


Talk radio caught off-guard:

While the blogosphere jumps right in, talk radio is caught with its pants down. Many regular hosts are away this week and the substitutes in their place range from nightmarish, to completely unairworthy.

These people are just not equipped to handle major news stories and it's obvious to the listenership. Talk radio shouldn't leave itself this vulnerable to major developments.

Hosts who care about their audiences should cut trips short or do remote broadcasts today.

Reader points out Rush and Hannity are in today. Limbaugh's always at his best during major news events. He sounds great right now, saying Britain will become more resolute and not cave in, as happened in Spain.

Rush also correctly points out that leftists are wrong to call this merely a criminal action, it's so obviously an act of war.

Blogs are busy picking up the slack.


I'm starting to hear from you about TV and radio coverage. Please leave comments in the section below, no registration required. How are your local radio and TV stations handling it? Or the networks? Thanks.