America may not have had this problem before but the UK has experience of the unknown bomber for many years. During the time that the IRA were mounting their terror campaign no one could know whether the person sitting next to them on the train or bus was carrying a bomb. No difference in the colour of the skin then, just a different accent maybe and, in cities like London, that was not unusual.

The, as now, most people were aware that most of the Irish did not agree with the terrorists and I think that will be the case now. However, in the case of Northern Ireland, the disapproval of the 'village' made no difference. In fact, a friend of mine many years ago was told by the IRA "If you're not with us you're against us". He came to the mainland to escape the consequences.

I wish it was not so, but it seems that there is a small nucleus of people who HAVE to be right and nothing will make them move from their path of violence.