Ghost of a flea

Update: 7:47 EST The blogs: Andrew Ian Dodge, Samizdata, Dean Esmay, Instapundit.

Update: 7:55 EST I turn to the CBC and their Washington correspondent lost no time in finding an anti-American angle. "There is no secret," said Henry Champ, "that (Washington) was unhappy with the G8" and "had nothing to contribute" to the discussion on global poverty or the environment. "Now I am sure the President will get what he wants with the world's attention on the war on terrorism." "This is tailor made for this President, in a tragic sort of way, because he is consumed with his position on the war on terrorism."

Update: 7:59 EST An email arrives from London. The mobile (cell) network is reportedly down because these are the devices "the bastards" use to detonate their bombs. A friend "comes in through Kings Cross and saw the mess down there. She also heard the bus bomb as she walked up the hill to the office. Inspite of the news coverage London seems remarkably calm."

Update: 9:05 EST Spiegel has Tony Blair's complete statement.

Update: 9:09 EST CNN has a minute-by-minute timeline of the London attacks.

My first concern was to learn news from my family and friends. There are, of course, many friends I have yet to contact. My second concern was to get any sense of what was happening in London. Now, two hours later, I realize I am furious.

It remains a wonder in these times that 3 hours ago the first reported explosion at Aldgate should immediately be attributed to a "power surge".

Update: 9:18 EST Spiegel publishes excerpts from a letter posted by a purported Al-Qaida related group, the "Secret Organization of al-Qaida in Europe" claiming responsibility for the attacks. Regardless of whether or not this group was directly responsible this represents the first group to celebrate the news.

Update: 9:28 EST Silent Running posts: Carthage must be destroyed. Aut vincere aut mori.

Update: 9:35 EST The BBC publishes a translation of the purported Al-Qaeda statement.

Update: 9:40 EST CBC Newsworld coverage has featured multiple reports from London and statements from G8 leaders. Commentary, however, was initially directed toward the CBC's Washington bureau and featured news of heightened security in the Washington subway system (and indeed has returned to the topic as I post this update). It is critical to note that I have heard no reports of increased security anywhere in Canada. While I can only hope this does not represent the actual position of Canada's police and security services it is a clear indication that at a fundamental, and probably not fully consciously realized, level the CBC regards this issue to be an American problem.

Once again: these attacks just have easily been directed at Toronto this morning. The longer it takes Canadians to take this fact on board the more likely those planning such an attack will succeed and the less prepared we shall be when the day comes. Anyone who does not understand there are people living and working toward this end, or are at the very least sympathetic to such an end, in Toronto are living in a fool's paradise. I find I am bitterly angry with the CBC, the press and my elected representatives in government and the opposition for failing to publicly address this issue with the seriousness it demands.

Update: 9:53 EST John Donovan quotes Winston Churchill.

Update: 9:57 EST This BBC map of the London tube system shows some attack locations though is almost certainly out of date. Some reports suggest that as explosions happened between stations reports from both flanking stations may have been made. For the record, the Flea's London home is near the Angel between King's Cross and Moorgate on the Northern Line (in black).

Update: 10:05 EST Buckingham Palace has reportedly been sealed off. Her Majesty the Queen, speaking from Windsor, issued the following open message.

Update: 10:10 EST CBC Newsworld is speaking with their "chief political correspondent", Keith Boag (this Keith Boag) with the G8 at Gleneagle, Scotland who says "the G8 leaders don't want to be knocked off course by the acts of what they call terrorists" (emphasis added). What is damaged at the CBC those who carry out mass murder in this fashion cannot confidently, impartially be described as terrorists? Once again I am convinced of an intellectual and moral cancer in the CBC.

Update: 10:32 EST I am reminded of the words of Rudy Giuliani:

Update: 10:37 EST Deutsche Welle posts reported upgrading of security alert levels across Europe. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin reportedly contacted his security advisor in Ottawa and "appeared concerned about security back home". The Toronto Transit Authority has reportedly "issued a vigilance notice to its subway crews and bus drivers, and said its special constables in the subway are 'on special duty protocols.' "

Update: 10:54 EST Psalm 13.

Update: 11:17 EST London Mayor, Ken Livingston addresses the murderers (hat tip to a Flea-reader).

Update: 11:26 EST George Galloway comments. This should be enough to sober the minds of those who celebrate the man in their shared dislike for democracy. It seems rather more likely they shall agree with him.

Update: 12:07 EST Being American in T.O. reports Toronto Transit Commission board member and Toronto City Councillor, Howard Moscoe as saying: "we don't have any troops to withdraw from Iraq so we should be okay". Leaving aside for a moment the sheer, vile indifference demonstrated by Moscoe in making this remark, Being American in T.O. is correct to point out the purported Al-Qaeda statement citing Afghanistan as a pretext for this massacre.

Howard Moscoe, you should resign your post and your Council position after issuing a detailed apology to the people of London and the people of Toronto. Now that Afghanistan has been retroactively dubbed a good war by so called "progressives" their continuing fixation with George Bush and utter ignorance of the fundamentalist ideologies we face has rendered people like Moscoe indifferent not only to the suffering of others but to his own safety and of those whose safety he has been charged with keeping. I am increasingly convinced that as no Christian fundamentalism is too extreme not to merit the sympathy of all too many on the right that no Islamic fundamentalism is too extreme not to merit the sympathy of all too many on the left. This latest outrage is more likely to deepen those sympathies rather than shake them.

Update: 12:52 EST neveratossBlog suggests a new Olympic sport... posted yesterday (via Andrew Sullivan).