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To repeat, for the umpteenth time, most of us supported the police action that day when the initial reports were of an Arab-looking gentleman wearing a bulky jacket in the heat of the summer, running away from officers shouting "Armed police!", vaulting underground ticket barriers etc.

I have no experience of shooting anyone----but I'd like to think if I was directly responsible for someone's death I'd own up to it. Getting the correct information from the Met in the aftermath of Mr de Menezes' death was like drawing teeth. If the mistake was genuine, say so as soon as possible and be contrite in your apologies to the family of the man. The longer you hold off doing that, the more it looks like you are trying to hide something.

The officers that fired the shots were just obeying orders, and probably thought they were doing a good job----especially after what had happened some days earlier. The number of bullets fired into the Brazilian's head seems excessive to me, but I'm no expert.

Incidentally, to add to all the fears (real and imagined) forced upon us---it sells newspapers, allows government to pass dodgy laws and gives the security service a raison d'etre---we have one more: that we could be minding our own business, blissfully unaware, and find ourself at the bullet end of an anti-terror operation.

With regard your point about the names of the 7/7 bombers and victims, you are right----few of us do know the names. The dozens of victims should be considered martyrs for our freedom. Instead, unscrupulous politicians and spooks will use them as an excuse to take some of our freedom away. They deserve better than that.

[quote]SS - i really think you miss the point - EVERY TIME.[/quote]

I see the points A.A. It's just that the points -though well meant- are plainly wrong.

[quote]As Robches keeps labouring the point - but you keep ignoring - if no order was given to 'take out' this suspected terrorist, then why on earth was this poor unfortunate pumped full of 11 bullets from point blank range?[/quote]

How long are police expected to wait for this so called 'order', while a bomber's sat on a tube train full of people A.A.? I never ignored Robches points either, I quoted his points and gave my views, and conclusions on them. Take another look. Also I thought it was seven bullets? So it's eleven now?

[quote]How / why could they have misconstrued his perfectly normal behaviour as that of a fanatic, bent on causing terrorist atrocities?[/quote]

(I like this one A.A.) Because Fanatical terrorists act normally until they detonate their bombs maybe?

[quote]Yes, I believe the police at ground level are absolutely culpable for their appalling 'error of judgment.'
The old adage 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen' would seem to apply to the idiots who pulled the trigger on De Menezes, who clearly are not up to the grade when it comes to making a life or death decision over a perfectly decent, innocent human being.[/quote]

I wonder how many 'life or death' decisions the officers have made throughout their careers where it went according to plan? I wonder how many lives they've also saved in their careers? Also I wonder how many human beings on the planet can make such 'life or death' decisions repeatedly and get it right everytime?

Why won't you give me your opinion on your reaction if the officers had the opportunity to shoot, decided not to, then Menezes blew up 50 women, & children? Go on.....tell me please! I want your opinion on this exact scenario!

[quote]I really wonder if you would be quite so blase if one of your nearest and dearest had got caught up in this absolute travesty of justice.[/quote]

I'd be devastated obviously. Would you be so blase about 'police hesitation' if your nearest and dearest was blown up by a suicide bomber, if the police had a chance to stop the bombing? It works both ways sonny boy.

Menezes died for a cause, God bless his soul.....

Caractacus, I have no qualms in investigating the 'cover up' and lying.

All the other inhabitants of that block must be thanking their lucky stars it wasn't one of them who got shot.
I've yet to learn why the surveillance team picked on just one person leaving that building.

Mart

Ah, I get it. Don't sit on the Underground train looking normal you might be mistaken for a terrorist.
Come on SS get real.

Mart

[quote]Ah, I get it. Don't sit on the Underground train looking normal you might be mistaken for a terrorist.
Come on SS get real.[/quote]

Ahh, You obviously don't get it. Gambling with hundreds of lives?
Come on Mart, get real.

the poor guy was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

That just about sums it up, Steve. He did nothing wrong, couldn't have done anything to avoid being executed . . . . just had the bad luck to be there.

If the imbeciles had been doing their job properly, Mr De Menezes would have been apprehended long before he'd reached the Underground Station, much less the train itself, and thus endangering the lives of the hundreds of members of the public in the vicinity.
And don't refer to me as 'sonny boy', you condescending prick.

I agree with you there. Stopping him getting into the station could have stopped all this mess completely. They were incompetent alright.....just not murderers (in 'my' view).

If being called 'sonny boy' offended you; then I apologise. It wasn't meant to offend.

Also, just because we have different views, doesn't mean we should resort to name calling. I'll forgive your 'condescending prick' comment. No hard feelings eh?