siege

In the aftermath of the siege in the Lindt café in Martin Place, there has been much sadness, and some debate about whether this was a terrorist attack, or the actions of a mentally unstable man. Unfortunately – if perhaps not surprisingly, - there are continuing anxieties about more terrorist threats, something that has not yet touched Sydney or the Australian mainland. It feels weird to be a bit blasé about this - having experienced the London IRA attacks back in the 1970s, as well as the more recent bombings both in London and Moscow.

This doesn’t mean not being affected by the awfulness of it, just less willing to allow an impact on everyday life. I was talking to someone yesterday who was no longer planning to go to the NYE events in central Sydney. He clearly felt very vulnerable, and all too willing to be suspicious of, and conspiratorial about, what happened and/or could happen.