"We have foiled mass murder on an unimaginable scale"

[Kitsune]

From CNN.com, this morning: "London police guard a house raided in the probe."

This is how London police guard the house of a suspected terrorist? No offense to the Brits, but I would have expected trooper-like guards in armor standing at the ready instead of someone dressed in a tap dancing cabbie outfit gnawing their nails in worry.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

From CNN.com, this morning: "London police guard a house raided in the probe."

She's just shooing away tourists and reporters. Why should she worry? She's probably surrounded for blocks with London's finest.

[sproglet]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

No offense to the Brits, but I would have expected trooper-like guards in armor standing at the ready instead of someone dressed in a tap dancing cabbie outfit gnawing their nails in worry.

None taken.

We learned our lesson the hard way with the accidental shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, and the recent bungled raids in Forest Gate. Doing things the 'American way' would just exacerbate an already delicate balancing act with ethnic minority communities who feel let down and persecuted by the police.

It's interesting to note that Tony Blair continues to fanny about on a yacht in Barbados whilst his country remains on 'critical' state of alert. Hopefully his and Bush's days in office are numbered.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by sproglet

Doing things the 'American way' would just exacerbate an already delicate balancing act with ethnic minority communities who feel let down and persecuted by the police.

Speaking of the American Way...

I've always wondered what these National Guard Troops are really there for besides the show factor.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Kitsune

I would have expected trooper-like guards in armor standing at the ready instead of someone dressed in a tap dancing cabbie outfit gnawing their nails in worry.

Well, bear in mind you're seeing a carefully composed and cropped photo; she's probably not the only cop there. But she's only guarding a crime scene to preserve evidence...how much force does that take in a London suburb, with backup a radio call away? On a day when a hell of a lot else is going on that requires manpower?