I saw

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:29 pm

men with machine guns. :-1

I went to London with my daughter and I came face to face with guys holding machine guns. Buckingham Palace, two (police ?) on the street just past the parliament buildings, and one standing outside the Tower of London building that houses the Crown jewels.

I've never been face to face with anyone holding a machine gun before. It was terrible.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:32 pm

I remember flying shortly after the 9-11 tragedy and there were military soldiers canvasing the airports with their huge guns. It IS scary! I felt very uncomfortable. Did you ever find out what was happening?

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:35 pm

Rain;507316 wrote: I remember flying shortly after the 9-11 tragedy and there were military soldiers canvasing the airports with their huge guns. It IS scary! I felt very uncomfortable. Did you ever find out what was happening?

spot said it's normal now.

For the last 10 years. They are stationed around areas that the Queen and/or her possessions are present.

Imladris · Post by **Imladris** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:43 pm

Nearly 20 years ago I went to Israel where there were military personnel everywhere carrying guns. I didn't really think anything of it but when I got back into Heathrow airport and saw Police with machine guns that was unsettling, I think to see any Police Officers is this country carrying arms is always an un-nerving experience.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:46 pm

Imladris;507333 wrote: Nearly 20 years ago I went to Israel where there were military personnel everywhere carrying guns. I didn't really think anything of it but when I got back into Heathrow airport and saw Police with machine guns that was unsettling, I think to see any Police Officers is this country carrying arms is always an un-nerving experience.

That's probably a big part of it.

It's not a place where they seem appropriate. It was unexpected.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:12 pm

(sigh) Sign of the times unfortunately.

Tater Tazz · Post by **Tater Tazz** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:30 pm

Don't get me wrong on this, I use to have to sell all types of rifles and handguns were I work. I did not like that job one bit. Had to handle guns everyday. They decided at corprate office that we did not sell enough each year, so we no longer sell guns. I personnaly like that.

SOJOURNER · Post by **SOJOURNER** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:58 pm

Last month when we were visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris there were soldiers in camaflage outfits carrying rifle-type guns in a ready to shot positions.

I found it unsettling and did not like it one bit! The people around us didn't seem to be in the least bit bother by this.

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:07 pm

Try having one pointed at you while a military working dog is snapping and snarling at the end of his leash trying to eat you for a late night snack!:D

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:49 pm

The terrorists can be held responsible for this. Guys with machine guns in once safe places are now needed because cowards blow innocents up. They have no remorse, thats what makes them dangerous.

Wolverine · Post by **Wolverine** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:03 pm

koan;507314 wrote: men with machine guns. :-1

I went to London with my daughter and I came face to face with guys holding machine guns. Buckingham Palace, two (police ?) on the street just past the parliament buildings, and one standing outside the Tower of London building that houses the Crown jewels.

I've never been face to face with anyone holding a machine gun before. It was terrible.

sorry to get off topic again, but i live in a hole..

Koan, i thought you were a Canuk; when'd you become a Brit?

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:56 am

Yes, its an unfortunate reality that it is now required that such things be done in Europe, but it is a necessity I think. As you know, the British police are generally unarmed, as our our police, the Gardai, but the armed ones are very well armed, and they do not mess about either, for example carrying around an illegal handgun in London right now, is a very dangerous thing to do, as if you come up against armed officers they are likely to shoot you, very likely in fact. Its certainly not something to be taken lightly.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:05 pm

Very common in France. The Parisians just shrug in gallic fashion and get on with what they're doing. In London, Koan, I nearly fell over too, when I saw the machine gun toting "Bobbies" outside Scotland Yard. Airports the world over now, sadly. Thanks yet again, Osama Baby.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:14 pm

It is unsettling isn't it,

First time I saw them was shortly after 9-11 in the airport in Las Vegas... very daunting

Second time was some branch of the police on the public beach in Jamaica, that was even more freakish....they have the "shoot now ask questions if you live" kind of attitude there

koan · Post by **koan** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:58 pm

Wolverine;510601 wrote: sorry to get off topic again, but i live in a hole..

Koan, i thought you were a Canuk; when'd you become a Brit?

3 months ago.

and I still say they don't know how to drive.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:01 pm

koan;511596 wrote: 3 months ago.

and I still say they don't know how to drive.

Are the roads any wider now than when you arrived?

koan · Post by **koan** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:03 pm

Bryn Mawr;511601 wrote: Are the roads any wider now than when you arrived?

It's the country "roads" that I had a problem with. I've no idea how people make it into London and out again by motor... but then I found myself at the Seven Dials in Covent Garden so I will remain mystified for some time.

greydeadhead · Post by **greydeadhead** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:12 pm

the first time I saw soldiers or police patrolling with automatic weapons was in Spain.. in 1978.. when I was stationed at the Naval Base in Rota, Spain. They were Spanish Marines and the La Guardia...

Pretty unnerving stuff for a country boy from New England...

and..

if they told you to stop...you had better... or they shot you.. no second warnings.

Unfortunately, due to terroist attacks, the sight of heavily armed personnel in public places is going to become more common place.. an occurance that can be both a comfort and disturbing at the same time..

koan · Post by **koan** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:15 pm

It had the same effect as walking around the corner and finding a man with giant metallic dildo strapped to his forehead. Just not something you expect to see... outside of the bedroom.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:16 pm

koan;511605 wrote: It's the country "roads" that I had a problem with. I've no idea how people make it into London and out again by motor... but then I found myself at the Seven Dials in Covent Garden so I will remain mystified for some time.

Ah Koan you must see scottish country roads :wah:

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:17 pm

koan;511618 wrote: It had the same effect as walking around the corner and finding a man with giant metallic dildo strapped to his forehead. Just not something you expect to see... outside of the bedroom.

Spot? :-3

Post by **spot** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:21 pm

buttercup;511621 wrote: Spot? :-3She woke up confused one morning when I was changing a lightbulb and holding the colander at the same time. She's never quite understood the explanation I gave, even now.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:25 pm

buttercup;511621 wrote: Spot? :-3

Thank you - I've just ruined another keyboard :wah:

Post by **spot** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:28 pm

Bryn Mawr;511637 wrote: Thank you - I've just ruined another keyboard :wah:

She utterly disbelieves my use of the word "bayonet fitting" refers to the British Standard lightbulb, too. Culture shock is rampant.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:28 pm

Bryn Mawr;511637 wrote: Thank you - I've just ruined another keyboard :wah:

Glad you found it funny, scared me :wah:

koan · Post by **koan** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:33 pm

And I was told the British were sexually repressed :rolleyes:

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:37 pm

buttercup;511642 wrote: Glad you found it funny, scared me :wah:

Scared Koan by the sound of it!

Post by **spot** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:57 pm

Bryn Mawr;511652 wrote: Scared Koan by the sound of it!

I'm still trying to work out what to do with the screw-fit bulbs she bought. I need a plastic colander too, she won't touch the metal one any more.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:19 pm

spot;511664 wrote: I'm still trying to work out what to do with the screw-fit bulbs she bought. I need a plastic colander too, she won't touch the metal one any more.

Good grief - where were you holding it?

koan · Post by **koan** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:40 pm

I change my own lightbulbs, thank you very much.