*We* were struck today

On vacation this week we have seen little of the news, a refreshing break. That changed this morning. Like much of the world we've watched the coverage from London and read the reports, with that empty ache in the belly. Ugh.

Some of the conversation turned to the situation in the US and the fact that we have not seen a similar attack here in the United States since 2001, even though such bombings are terribly hard to stop. The same subject is being discussed on the networks. On reflection I don't think it really appropriate to talk in terms of "them" being hit and not "us". If the American people cannot include Londoners among those we consider, "us", who can we include? Of course the British are sovereign and independent of the US politically, and are responsible for their own security, but the values they hold, and for which they were attacked, are ours as well. Moreover they have sided with the United States repeatedly in battles against those who oppose freedom and democratic principals. It really is one fight, and they are very much a part of the "us."

All of us who call ourselves a freedom-loving people, life affirming, committed to peace and toleration among all peoples and religions, must feel the attack this morning ourselves. London is a vibrant and diverse city that exemplifies commitment to a free democracy, and that commitment brought attack from those who hate all those things. The threat is still out there and it will strike at any of us it can reach, from the innocent civilians of Mosul and Baghdad, to London, and possible to New York, Washington or any American city.

We have a British flag at this house for the weeks that our British friends are visiting. We've pulled it out today and have it flying along side the Stars and Stripes. In the same week when we celebrated our independence from the British in the 18th century we can be just as loudly proclaim our unity with them in the 21st.