Just as it seems, according to today’s Telegraph, the noose is tightening around Colonel Gadaffi, al-Qaeda bombers strike in 14 Iraqi cities. The terrorists may have different motives to the rioters who struck at English cities recently, but the outcomes are very similar – destruction. Fortunately few deaths occurred in the rioting, but 66 people were killed in Iraq, with more than 240 wounded, in 17 bombings. Further atrocities against civilians have taken place in Syria. Natural disasters are bad enough, but why do people seem to want to inflict needless death and destruction on innocent people? Is it because it is so much easier to tear down than to build? One heartening aspect in the aftermath of the riots has been the kindness and generosity shown by complete strangers to those who have suffered. The public has also responded generously to the plight of the starving in the Horn of Africa. Sadly, the men with guns are doing their best to obstruct efforts to help the needy.