The refusal of Londoners to be frightened by the bombings of 7 July has been generally impressive. It is just a shame that the spirit of fearless normality has been breached by the one body which should, above all others, be setting an example: Her Majesty’s Government. While encouraging others not to panic, Mr Blair and his ministers have themselves been drawn into drafting proposals for hurried and ill-thought-out legislation. The measures floated by the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, seem to change by the day, but as far as we can ascertain it is likely that there will soon be a law prohibiting ‘acts preparatory to terrorism’, a law against ‘indirect incitement of terrorist activities’ and some kind of sanction against ‘glorifying or condoning terrorism’.
In the shadow of the bombings, there is an overwhelming case for action against the demented mullahs who claim that blowing yourself up on a bus or a train is about the highest calling to which a man can aspire.
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