Y-S British nationals stoic

British nationals in the Yuba-Sutter area were both sad and angry Thursday about the London terror attacks. But they also voiced confidence about Britain's resolve.

"I have an absolute feeling of disgust for what's happened, but they will pull through. The Brits are a strong people," said Ricky Nagle, a teacher at Covillaud Elementary School who came to the United States from England with her husband more than 30 years ago .

"It's frightening. I feel sad for London," said Kevin Webber, who moved to Yuba City from Somerset, England, this year.

A racquetball instructor and outdoorsman who avoids television, Webber found out about the attacks when someone at the Yuba City Racquet and Health Club, where he works, asked if he had family in London.

Webber told them he didn't but said he immediately became concerned.

Americans shouldn't have difficulty imagining how the British public will react to the attacks, Webber said.

"You guys have gone through it before, three years ago. It's the same feeling on a smaller scale. You're going to get that fear and then anger," he said.

The London bombings were the second major terrorist attack in Europe in two years.

In March 2004, bombs hit commuter trains in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 people and causing the electoral defeat of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a close American ally the Iraq war.

The new Spanish government quickly announced it would withdraw troops from Iraq.

Gillian Davidson, a University of California master gardener with the Cooperative Extension office, said her countrymen will react differently.

"They won't respond a bit like the Spanish but become more obstinate," said Davidson, who writes a gardening column for the Appeal-Democrat.

Davidson was initially worried about her brother, a businessmanwho works in downtown London.

When she reached him, he reassured her he was fine and said he planned to continue his daily routine in defiance of terrorist intimidation.

"They're courageous. You can't keep a Brit down," she said.

Davidson has been in the United States since she moved from Browns Valley, England, in 1979. She retains dual citizenship.

She said the British public is likely to become more supportive of President Bush's policies in the war on terror as a result of Thursday's attack.

"More Brits will say, 'Hey, let's support Bush,'" she said.

Appeal-Democrat intern Dane Muckler can be reached at 741-2400. You may e-mail him at dmuckler@appeal-democrat.com.