Terrorism, Schmerrorism

Our son Luke arrived at Gatwick Airport, England, this morning. He’s staying a month at King’s College, London, on a study abroad program run by a consortium of smaller American colleges. He’ll earn 10 upper division course credits while there, and another one for giving a presentation at Western Oregon University when he returns. Coupled with several past semesters when he’s passed more than the average 15 credits, this means he’ll be able to graduate a full term earlier – thereby saving us several thousand dollars. So his summer study in Britain ends up being almost a wash in terms of college expenses. Quite the deal, considering he’ll be studying World War II and European Child Welfare through the ages, both of which will serve him well when he becomes a high school history teacher.

So, am I worried about my firstborn voyaging into a country recently hit by terrorist attacks? Not one bit, even though tomorrow is the anniversary of the 7/7 underground and bus attacks. When I was his age, mainland Britain had endured for years the constant threats and repeated acts of terrorism by the Irish Republican Army and similar paramilitary groups, with fatal attacks escalating after 1972. There were 36 bombs in London in 1973. We got used to it, the way we’re accustomed here to hearing about shooting deaths (annual homicides with guns in the US, about 40 per million people; in the UK, approximately 1 per million). And when our family visited in summer 2001, I was impressed even before 9/11 with the level of security in all public transportation in Europe – due in large part to the long list of previous terrorist attacks. But perhaps most of all, I’m not concerned about Luke being in Britain because of reports like this in the London Times, detailing the actions of an average Brit during the attack on Glasgow Airport. Of note:

1. “Spotting a terrorist suspect grappling with police, Mr Smeaton thought: “You’re nae hitting the Polis mate, there’s nae chance.” “

In Britain, for the most part, the police are considered the guardians of the peace and friend of average citizens. People believe Sherlock Holmes and James Bond stories, and trust the police to be the Good Guys who get the Bad Guys. Trust of police officers is vital in keeping communities safe.

2. “Mr Smeaton, from Erskine, in Renfrewshire, physically fought with the attacker until he was brought to the ground. “So I ran straight towards the guy, we’re all trying to get a kick-in at him, take a boot to subdue the guy.”

“A website called JohnSmeaton.com has been created hailing his effort, and has already been deluged with scores of tributes and humorous comments.

“Here’s to his heroism, his straightforward belief in right and wrong, his support for Law and Order, and his willingness to give a good kicking to someone richly deserving it,” the site proclaims.

The site urges visitors to “pledge a pint” to Mr Smeaton as a reward. By lunchtime today more than 600 £3 pints had been pledged behind the bar at the Glasgow Airport’s Holiday Inn.

The site said Mr Smeaton’s “have-a-go” attitude was typical of the Glaswegian spirit, and hailed him as the airport’s answer to Jack Bauer, the all-action hero of American TV drama 24.”

I am not advocating for kicking terrorism suspects — unless needed to stop them from harming people. But it’s good to know that if Luke is in a “situation” in London, he will probably have to push his way to the front of the queue to take his turn.

Note: I drafted this post last night, before reading Matt Davis’s link in his news summary on Blogtown this morning. Apparently Mr. Smeaton is now up to 1200 pints of beer.