One Bright Spot: Decency In The Face Of Terror

It's amazing to me how decent and humane we can remain in the face of terror. I'm watching CNN and a panel of police taking questions. DAC Brian Paddick is one of them -- he's the most senior out gay officer in the UK police force and a hero to many in the GLBT community. Someone asked a question about "Islamic terrorists" and Paddick actually took a moment to denounce the very idea. He said that anyone who is a terrorist can hardly claim to be a Muslim, since attacking innocent people is counter to the very beliefs of Islam. (I'd say the same about "Christian terrorists" like Eric Rudolph et al.) This right after dozens are killed and hundreds are injured. He's not just being politic -- words like that can keep angry people from taking revenge on the innocent UK citizens who are Islamic.

It reminds me of how the US ran public serve ads after 9-11 with celebrities and politicians distinguishing between proud American citizens who are muslims and the terrorists. It's a remarkable sign of our strength and decency -- something you'd NEVER see from the corrupt govts of the Middle East or certainly from Al Quaeda. (Can you imagine Al Quaeda broadcasting a message after a US bombing that Islamic people should distinguish between the US govt and its people? Of course not. They paint all Westerners as decadent and worthy of death.) It's one sign of why we will ultimately prevail in the face of such evil.

P.S. Having been riding on those tube lines just weeks ago, having a sister in London who rides the buses (she's fine), this feels very personal to me. The British are sadly used to terrorism, thanks to the IRA. They won't be cowed by this.