[chinese blood, irish heart] - DEFUNCT

The London terrorist bombing, aka '7/7', is a shocking reminder of how easy it is to commit terrorism in European cities and how vulnerbale we all are. After all you can find bomb ingredients in your local chemist, strap on a backpack and detonate it in any crowded public place. Sure the IRA have done such acts before, but they were a local phenomenon. These Al-Qaeda/Muslim fundamentalists bring more dangerous undertones. Whether this is a once-off attack, or the beginning of a wave of attacks, no doubt Britain and the rest of the EU will begin implementing serious security changes, perhaps putting it on the main agenda of the new EU constitution.

It is saddening to hear of anti-Muslim attacks occuring around Britain, just like what happened in the US shortly after 9/11. Will this sentiment keep on going? Will the Muslim community become further sidelined in British society, or even in Europe? It is easy to point the finger on a community and place the blame, that's why solidarity is the name of the game. I'm not too familiar with the Muslim community in Britain but i think they are rather well integrated, especially the younger/next generation. But whether or no they can grow up in a tolerant or prejudiced society is up to today's generation and what they do now in this new climate of fear and uncertainty that has spawned from '7/7'.

So what happens from here? Expect similar 'Patriot Acts' and quicker legislation of anti-terrorism laws. Britain's ID card scheme which had undergone scrutiny may soon be reality, despite the cost to taxpayers. Ireland is already considering biometric passports.

I think today's terrorism most powerful impact is not the casualties caused, but the long term effect on our society. If anyone mentions terrorism, it automatically conjures Al-Qaeda & Muslim fundamentalism or people with Arabic names dosen't it? Can you honestly say that when you look upon a bearded Muslim gentleman or a sheik covered woman it would not remind of you terrorists? You may think we live in a liberal world but it is so easy to build upon simple prejudices, especially our younger generation. Both Muslims and non-Muslims need to work together on this to purge young minds of these prejudices.

Although this is the 21st century etc, you might think the Jewish Holocaust, Serbian ethnic cleansing and Rwandan genocide are relics of the out dated barbaric 20th century. Let's face it, we humans have a hard time learning from the past. There are still wars, civil strife, racism, terrorist acts, and high levels of crime (if not more). Today is just like a modernised version of the imperialism age. Every powerful group or individuals have their own agendas and will do anything for the pursuit of power & money while a tiny elite minority has all the authority. Unfortunately the western captalised world has a tendency of promoting these ideologies. Then again it can also give some the opportunity to change their ways; such as affording to live environmentally friendly, buying organic/fresh foods, alternative energy sources etc.

OK point is, these are very interesting times. And there are too many problems and too many suffering in the world to list. It just pains me to be so helpless. Sure i want to try and change the world for the better, but how is that possible without belonging to the tiny elite minority? I used to go to alot of protests but what can chanting and placards do but cause a lot of noise & traffic? No, the only effective is to become of the powerful elites- climb your way up the political ladder by any means possible, no matter how dishonorable it may be. When you're on top, then you'll have the power to change. It's just as if a low level Microsoft employee made his/her way up to Bill Gate's job only to completely dissolve the company and break up into smaller chains, eliminating monopoly and singular hegemony. This is the way to true power in the 21st century for preserving democracy will require non-democratic methods.

This is perhaps why George Bush is misunderstood. But i still think he's a wanker.