T H U R S D A Y , J U L Y 0 7 , 2 0 0 5One Bright Spot: Decency In The Face OfTerrorby Michael in New York on 7/07/2005 10:58:00 AMIt's amazing to me how decent and humane we can remain inthe face of terror.</p><p> I'm watching CNN and a panel of policetaking questions.</p><p> DAC Brian Paddick is one of them -- he's themost senior out gay officer in the UK police force and a hero tomany in the GLBT community.</p><p> Someone asked a questionabout "Islamic terrorists" and Paddick actually took a momentto denounce the very idea.</p><p> He said that anyone who is aterrorist can hardly claim to be a Muslim, since attackinginnocent people is counter to the very beliefs of Islam. (I'd saythe same about "Christian terrorists" like Eric Rudolph et al.)This right after dozens are killed and hundreds are injured.He's not just being politic -- words like that can keep angrypeople from taking revenge on the innocent UK citizens whoare Islamic.It reminds me of how the US ran public serve ads after 9-11with celebrities and politicians distinguishing between proudAmerican citizens who are muslims and the terrorists.</p><p> It's aremarkable sign of our strength and decency -- somethingyou'd NEVER see from the corrupt govts of the Middle East orcertainly from Al Quaeda. (Can you imagine Al Quaedabroadcasting a message after a US bombing that Islamicpeople should distinguish between the US govt and its people?Of course not.</p><p> They paint all Westerners as decadent andworthy of death.) It's one sign of why we will ultimately prevailin the face of such evil.P.S.</p><p> Having been riding on those tube lines just weeks ago,having a sister in London who rides the buses (she's fine), thisfeels very personal to me.</p><p> The British are sadly used toterrorism, thanks to the IRA.</p><p> They won't be cowed by this.</p><p> Risk ManagementAbortion Emergency FundHealth-Care Plan CurbsFund-raising BudgetsFinancial Times AWOLBlue Cross Railing Add New CommentYou are commenting as a Guest.</p><p> You may select one to log into: Logged in as Logout from DISQUS Ben SmithGoing small - My story tonight: President BarackObama came alive about 50 minutes intoWednesday night’s news conference – whensomebo8 minutes ago HuffPost PoliticsHuckabee's Huck Pac In Turmoil With StaffTurnover, Mounting Debts - Former Arkansas Gov.Mike Huckabee's political action committee, HuckPac, is undergoing a "restructuring," ExecutiveDirector Sarah Huckabee said Wednesday....22 minutes ago Daily KosOpen Thread and Diary Rescue - *Today, srkp23(pulling a double shift), ybruti, taylormattd,ItsJessMe and vcmvo2 combed through hundredsof diaries to find this powerful list.</p><p> Today's...1 hour ago EschatonOvernight - Folk On.</p><p> Newish.1 hour ago Crooks and LiarsOpen Thread - Open Thread below...1 hour agoJ O H N ' S P H OT O S Show AllA M E R I C A B L O G T VAds by Yahoo!New Bright RcBrowse a huge selection now.</p><p> Find exactlywhat you wantwww.ebay.comExpo Bright Sticks by SanfordExpo Bright Sticks.www.markers4u.bizBright Eyes VideoWatch peta2's Backstage Interview WithBright Eyes' Conor Oberst Here.peta2.com Next 6AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: One B...http://www.americablog.com/2005/07/one-bright-spot-decency-... 1 of 57/23/09 1:30 AMVisit ourAMERICAblog TV site.see all 323 videos >I collect with vodpod In honor of SenatorDeMint For the GOPers, healthcare is politics.</p><p> They just Traditional media has todebunk the birthers One small step...</p><p> The right-wing media, thevoices of the GOP, inAMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth: One B...http://www.americablog.com/2005/07/one-bright-spot-decency-... 2 of 57/23/09 1:30 AMThe TreatmentObama Has a Grown-UpTalk With America(Gulp)1 hour agoEzra KleinTab Dump5 hours agoWonk RoomSen.</p><p> Byron Dorgan:The ‘Trade’ InCap-And-Trade ‘MakesNo Sense To Me’7 hours agoHealth BeatTruth Squad: WallStreet Journal HealthCare Editorial Wrong onthe Facts . . .8 hours agoDaily DoseProviders Endorse 'Payfor Value' ProposalsG AY P O L I T I C S Visit our new gay politicssection, AMERICAblog Gay.F E E D S Blog RSS AMERICAblog TV RSS Twitter RSSTwitter Feed Get the blog by email: Subscribe me!Ads by Yahoo!New Bright RcBrowse a huge selectionnow.</p><p> Find exactly whatyou want today.www.ebay.comExpo Bright Sticks bySanfordExpo Bright Sticks.www.markers4u.bizBright Eyes VideoWatch peta2's BackstageInterview With BrightEyes' Conor Oberst Here.peta2.comBright InsuranceNeed cheaper AutoInsurance in Bright? 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