Glasgow Airport Terrorist Attack

I find it very odd that the attack on Glasgow Airport has been dubbed a suicide bombing and there are reports that the seriously burned bomber had an explosive belt and had time to use it, but neither of  them blew themselves up.  Coupled with the two cars which did not explode in central London, this seems to point to some remarkably uncommitted people.  I have previously thought of suicide bombers as people who would commit their atrocities no matter what stood in their way.

Is it perhaps that the news media are portraying these latest bombers as relatively prosperous members of society (at least three doctors) who have a lot more to lose than a refugee from Gaza City?  Does this imply that improving the economic fortunes of the Palestinians in Gaza City and elsewhere would reduce the potential number of suicide attacks?

US Ship Flag

The ship is now flying a flag….Wow did somebody important read my previous post?

US Ship Visits Madeira

Madeira suits us a holiday destination, a timeshare in the Royal Savoy Vacation Club, right at the sea, yet close by the amenities of Funchal itself. The weather at this time of year is balmy rather than hot, and so far there has been no rain. There is enough activity to be interesting without the crowds of young boisterous youngsters to make us oldies irritated.

 

An excursion on a large catamaran during which we saw pilot whales and dolphins was a memorable morning. The food has been good and the scenery is magnificent.

 

Anchored out in the bay is a sinister ship, an American military support vessel, its deck cargo shrouded in white canvas. There is little sign of life on board and there appears to be no traffic with the shore, although at night it is brightly lit. The locals say that similar ships are fairly regular visitors which often stay several weeks. Presumably there is some strategic significance in its presence here off out-of-the-way Madeira. What makes it sinister in my eyes is that it flies no flag. The smallest pleasure craft flies its national flag and navies have always gone into battle with ensigns aloft. In fact the lack of an ensign is regarded as a dubious ruse de guerre. But here we have an US Navy auxiliary ship reduced to skulking in friendly waters. Failure to reveal its true colours is not I think a matter of economic necessity for a cash-strapped Defense Department but rather some tactic in the War on Terror. Surely a great nation should not have to adopt the tactics of stealth and subterfuge practised by its enemies?

war on terror

Plane Theft

My wife had her mobile phone and camera stolen from her hold luggage on a journey from Lanzarote to Glasgow yesterday. She was complying with the restrictions on hand luggage like a good citizen. It begs the question what is the point of security in the cabin when the luggage in the hold is so vulnerable. Baggage handlers can hardly have been security checked if some in their midst are criminals.

The mobile phone company have been very good after interminable waits for attention, but they admitted to a huge increase in thefts of mobile phones from planes since the recent bomb scare.