London bombings an unfortunate reminder

For many Americans, Great Britain is a quasi-extension of this country. They speak the language, they generally look like "us," they share a common history, they often share branches of the family tree. To attack Great Britain in the middle of rush hour is a punch in the gut unlike the near-regular yet often overlooked suicide bombings of the Middle East or even the rare incident in Indonesia. Great Britain is considered our turf regardless of the vast ocean separating the two countries.

The London bombings are a reminder that the groups opposing us - generally labeled collectively as Western society - and what we stand for don't draw battle lines the same way we do. Aside from a few spates of white powder scares and shoe bombers on airplanes, Americans in general appear content to let war rage overseas with the occasional gruesome tale, flag-draped coffin or alleged al-Qaida mole to make it real. The military isn't searching for gun-wielding enemies in American buildings and hiding behind American bunkers. The war for us is "Over There." The reason, according to the political spin doctors, is to ensure that the enemies don't come "Over Here" instead. We must continue sending our troops and our tax dollars to places like Iraq to keep places like home safe.

Organizations like those behind 9/11 and London don't agree. There is no "Here" and "There." There are simply targets. There are no lines, no places that are off limits. Complacency is no longer an option.

Noting the personal reactions in the hours and days after the bombings, Londoners sound like they understand these type of attacks are no longer anomalies. Many commuters commented publicly that the best thing to do is to simply go on with life. If we freeze or cower in fear, they rationalized, the terrorists have won. In the wake of Sept. 11, Americans found a similar resolve but it took many a much longer time for the realization that allowing an attack to cripple life would be handing terrorist groups a victory.

The lesson of London, then, is to continue forward but with eyes a little wider open and plans in place. In the Bay Area, awareness should be even more keen. The Peninsula is criss-crossed with public transportation: The airports, BART, Caltrain, SamTrans. Any of these are no different than the tunnel and double-decker bus who pulled the short straw of fate Thursday morning. And, unless we are ready, someday they may be.

Michelle Durand's column "Off the Beat" runs every Monday and Thursday. She can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this column? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.