Charles Manson claimed the Beatles song "Helter Skelter" was partly to blame for his downward spiral into mindless murder. He was an out of sorts hippy, leading a gang of like-minded n'er do wells in the California of the 60s. Sick and sad stuff.
So what is it that drives a group of men and women from various countries in the Middle East to plan mass murder in London and/or Glasgow and/or goodness knows where? Add to that the disturbing fact that two of them were Doctors, working in the NHS and some of what you believe in starts to crumble. That they were prepared to come from Scotland to London and then go back again to carry out an attack gives a terrible insight into their determination. They haven't all been caught yet. Try to get on a mainline train or fly in or out of one of our airports and you'll get a taste of what is being done to protect you. We seek to give you full coverage of the measures and ask the additional question: where was Sir Ian Blair? Not before the events but after them - conspicuously absent. See what you think and then tell us.
From a plan to committ mass murder to a single act of savage violence that resulted in a single death. Kiyan Prince was murdered and his killer was convicted today. We try to make sense of that, too, but it is even more difficult.
Very difficult to understand, albeit for very different reasons, is why Buffy the Vampire Slayer was asked to open the Harrods sale: many wanted to avoid this story but it is so odd we felt we had to take you there, silver bullets and garlic cloves to hand.
We've a Live Earth competition with great prizes, so tree huggers and pop fans among you hang in there.
And "Working Day 1" of the Smoking in Enclosed Spaces ban and, outside our building, the smokers are thinning out.
We have a powerful story from one elderly lady after 50 years of lighting up. If anything is going to sway me and you (if you are a smoker), it is her experience.
See you ar 6.
Alastair
