guinnesschik says 'this could have happened anywhere'. Actually it has happened (not *it* specifically, but violence against the innocent for political gain etc.) in many places. Funny how the deaths of Muslims and Jews don't seem to matter. But, there, maybe I'm being overly cynical. Of course it's a tragedy, a horrific act of violence. It's not the first one, though, and it won't be the last. The conspiracy theory is interesting, too. Seems very convenient, timing and all. Now Bush will be seen as the saviour of freedom, rather than an undemocratically-elected president; the finger is being pointed at Osama bin Laden, which seems awfully convenient; anti-globalisation groups, socialists and anyone else who dares to suggest that governments may not always be right can simply be denounced as terrorists; sagging economies and unpopular governments will recieve a large boost; the list goes on. A similar theory has often been put forward regarding the Falklands War. And I certainly wouldn't put this sort of butchery past Bush, after what we've seen in Palestine.