The Bombay Attacks

Its been a while since the last posting. I have been busy with personal stuff, shopping, family etc. But I cant help thinking constantly about the attacks in Bombay. I did not want to post anything about it earlier. It was shocking. I am glad that the attacks got publicity. Maybe somebody will wake up and start asking some serious questions about the evil nexus of the militants and terrorists in the tribal areas of Pakistan, Afghanistan. By why only the attacks at the Taj and the Oberoi? only because foreigners were staying at the hotel. Nobody would have cared about it if it had been Maharashtra Athithi Sevak" hotel or some such thing! The entire episode raises a zillion questions:
a) What were our intelligence agencies doing? - Whatever criticisms we may have against the current US president, we have to admit that under his watch there have not been any attacks in the US since 9/11. He has protected the United States admirably. And he has done this with a zeal that has been supported by effective and if sometimes boorish, intel. But who cares about boorish behaviour - if security is good. The attacks on the Indian parliament in the 2002 should have galvanized our security systems and intelligence. If funds are a question- the Government should stop funding wasteful missions to the moon. Sure GOI can strut around with a puffed up chest - but how does that help in the safety of people?
b) What was the media doing telecasting everything from such close quarters? - it was a tamasha going on! Why were they allowed so close to the site? They were often getting in the way of the security forces. I have to admit - one of the interviews with the Black cat leader was a very sorry one - he said that thye were at a disadvantage because they did not know the layout of the Taj while the terrorists knew it well. Sure in the beginning - but why for over 8 hrs? couldnt they get the maps and the layouts from hotel staff? All in all the media coverage was not helpful or insightful.
c) It was embarassing to watch Ratan Tata say nothing could have prevented the attacks on the hotel. particularly aftre thye had been warned! This is not expected of a chairman - Yes they could have taken faster action - why was security so lax at the hotels?
d) What was the state government doing? - less than two years after the Bombay train blasts - terrorists are attacking the railway station! It was an embarrassing sight to watch the police running around later on with WW2 SMLE rifles!

There a number of other questions that need to answered - why dont the Police get better training and better equipment? spend money on the police and on upgrading defence and on intel. What was our coast guard doing? Why have no heads rolled so far? What can other cities do to learn and be prepared?