Thoughts on London bombings
Jul 14th 2005, 7:15 am
#61
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by renth
One of the minor reasons we moved here was because I think there's going to be a WMD attach in London soon - a "dirty" bomb or a "suitcase nuke". - So, sorry BP, this was one of my reasons.
Just like I still can't work out why more Jews didn't leave for America during the late 1930's when the writing was on the wall for them.
Another thought about the bombings was thank god Australia has a sensible immigration policy, with good screening systems...
Another though is I can't believe how stupid these bombers were, it would have been so easy to have left the devices on the trains with a timer. Then every few days repeat the process, thus causing real terror, rather then just blowing themselves up. If you were serious about "terrorizing" that was plain dumb.
Just like I still can't work out why more Jews didn't leave for America during the late 1930's when the writing was on the wall for them.
Another thought about the bombings was thank god Australia has a sensible immigration policy, with good screening systems...
Another though is I can't believe how stupid these bombers were, it would have been so easy to have left the devices on the trains with a timer. Then every few days repeat the process, thus causing real terror, rather then just blowing themselves up. If you were serious about "terrorizing" that was plain dumb.
As for a 'good immigration screening system' - so what? Fanatics don't just come from 'overseas'. Or does that mean all Poms are would-be terrorists? The 4 bombers were Brits. The Oklahoma bomber was an American. And Martin Bryant, the sicko that despatched more than 35 people in Tasmania, was an Australian. Admittedly, I'm using a bit of artistic licence here, Mr Bryant may not be classified as a terrorist, but he had the same disregard for human life, including children.
'Fanatical' some terrorists may be, but that doesn't make them stupid. Indeed because they are willing to die as part of their terrorist act, it makes them an ideal terror machine: and almost impossible to stop.
At midday today, along with thousands of others, I'll be down on one of the Underground platforms thinking about those who we lost. And like the others, it will be part rememberance and part defiance.
Jul 14th 2005, 8:12 am
#62
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by MikeStanton
At midday today, along with thousands of others, I'll be down on one of the Underground platforms thinking about those who we lost. And like the others, it will be part rememberance and part defiance.
Jul 14th 2005, 10:48 am
#63
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Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 169
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Whats happened in the UK will leave a bad taste in the mouth for a long time for people who arent anti muslim/racist/normal working people who prop up the UK.
The impression I get is seperatism now between their religious beliefs & the fact that most people want to live a peaceful life. Racisim isnt always "face to face" confruntation. I know for one will be subconsiously racist towards that community now as the minute I see a traditional muslim dressed person I will automatically switch my thoughts to what happended in London & use the blame culture which is going around.
The teaching or the Islamic religion has gone un regulated for too long. Muslims say this so themselves. Mosques are allowed to ingegrate International teachers who breed hatrid against all things people hold dear.
The general public arent aware as they dont visit them or read their publications.
The statement below was taken from Birmingham MP Muslim who stated
"We also have a big problem with much of the religious education that goes on in mosques after school. It is totally unregulated and much of it is of low quality. None of the teachers are subject to any normal child protection regulation, yet this is where many people's minds start to be shaped.
He has been harrassed for talking out about no regulation for these teachers/preachers. Isnt it about time we vetted these people in uk?
Im sure if catholic priests produced papers saying kill all Muslims/Jews & preached these sentiments in churches day in day out to communities - The police would rightly put them away. (Bit extreme but trying to make a point).
If we are too PC & allow this then we might as well roll over. I know a few moderate muslims who follow & are proud of their religon & rightly so. However they seem more english then me, learn about our history & dont wish to emigrate like me.
Lets get a handle on whats teached in Islamic schools - ie. regulated & these mosques need to be vetted by Muslim council members, prechers need to be watched & assessed, them deemed radical deported.
We cant lock people up for being anti government - will end up like george orwell 1984. UK needs firm action by Muslim council & gov agreed action before the community becomes totally seperate from the rest of the county.
Its a damm shame these guys ideals got so worped.
The impression I get is seperatism now between their religious beliefs & the fact that most people want to live a peaceful life. Racisim isnt always "face to face" confruntation. I know for one will be subconsiously racist towards that community now as the minute I see a traditional muslim dressed person I will automatically switch my thoughts to what happended in London & use the blame culture which is going around.
The teaching or the Islamic religion has gone un regulated for too long. Muslims say this so themselves. Mosques are allowed to ingegrate International teachers who breed hatrid against all things people hold dear.
The general public arent aware as they dont visit them or read their publications.
The statement below was taken from Birmingham MP Muslim who stated
"We also have a big problem with much of the religious education that goes on in mosques after school. It is totally unregulated and much of it is of low quality. None of the teachers are subject to any normal child protection regulation, yet this is where many people's minds start to be shaped.
He has been harrassed for talking out about no regulation for these teachers/preachers. Isnt it about time we vetted these people in uk?
Im sure if catholic priests produced papers saying kill all Muslims/Jews & preached these sentiments in churches day in day out to communities - The police would rightly put them away. (Bit extreme but trying to make a point).
If we are too PC & allow this then we might as well roll over. I know a few moderate muslims who follow & are proud of their religon & rightly so. However they seem more english then me, learn about our history & dont wish to emigrate like me.
Lets get a handle on whats teached in Islamic schools - ie. regulated & these mosques need to be vetted by Muslim council members, prechers need to be watched & assessed, them deemed radical deported.
We cant lock people up for being anti government - will end up like george orwell 1984. UK needs firm action by Muslim council & gov agreed action before the community becomes totally seperate from the rest of the county.
Its a damm shame these guys ideals got so worped.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:01 am
#64
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by jarv
I know this is quite a harsh view but I have just watched the news and feel outraged at the fact that most of the bombers last Thursday were deemed to be "normal british citizen's".
Are we living in some kind of reverse thinking country.
I for one am glad to be leaving and starting a new life in Oz, yes !!! I know it is a multi cultural society down there but I do believe the people who live there respect their adopted country and would feel great anger if someone bombed the **** out of it !!!!
I really feel we need to take a firm stance on British preservation and rather than taking it up the arse when people start harping on about human rights. We need to think about the 70++ people (including children) who didn't even get the right to "live".
Jarv
Are we living in some kind of reverse thinking country.
I for one am glad to be leaving and starting a new life in Oz, yes !!! I know it is a multi cultural society down there but I do believe the people who live there respect their adopted country and would feel great anger if someone bombed the **** out of it !!!!
I really feel we need to take a firm stance on British preservation and rather than taking it up the arse when people start harping on about human rights. We need to think about the 70++ people (including children) who didn't even get the right to "live".
Jarv
Imagine that you move to Australia, and have a child who unfortunately grows up to join a a terrorist organisation and bomb the Sydney Opera house. Shall we chuck you and the rest of you family out of Oz ??
I agree with Bondipom - you are living in a state of hopeful ignorance if you think the same thing couldn't happen here.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:05 am
#65
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by Dmartyos
Im sure if catholic priests produced papers saying kill all Muslims/Jews & preached these sentiments in churches day in day out to communities - The police would rightly put them away. (Bit extreme but trying to make a point).
Jul 14th 2005, 11:43 am
#66
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 48
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by Stu.E
The Muslim Council of Great Britain didn't share your optimism unfortunately and were advising Muslim to stay indoors for a while.
A shame really, but unfortunately there *are* a lot of ignorant people in Britain happy to be whipped into a frenzy by the tabloids. I expect the Sun/Mail etc were very disappointed to find out these guys were British born.
A shame really, but unfortunately there *are* a lot of ignorant people in Britain happy to be whipped into a frenzy by the tabloids. I expect the Sun/Mail etc were very disappointed to find out these guys were British born.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:48 am
#67
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by Stu.E
An interesting piece by a guy in the know taken from another forum I use:
"For the last 2.5 years I've been employed by a foreign policy think-tank in Helsinki, to research jihadi-terrorism. I'm not a spook, a cop, or politician, and I don't have any particular axe to grind on this issue - but I have had the chance to spend over two years reading as much as I can on the subject and talking to people who know a lot more than me on various aspects of this issue. Now that Blair has said it was a "terrorist attack", obviously all speculation will be on who did it, and then why. I've already turned down three requests for interview with Finnish TV, but I need to get my own thoughts in order and I might as well do it here, as UKC has been such an important link back to the UK for the years I have been living abroad. Perhaps others might find it useful even if they don't agree with me.
Al-Qaeda?
I believe that it is now far more profitable to think of al-Qaeda (AQ) as an ideology rather than as a group. This obviously has implications for anyone claiming the attack is the work of AQ. If AQ ever really existed as an organised and terrorist group, it was during the "Afghanistan period" from the mid-90s to Nov./Dec. 2001 when the US and its Afghan allies over-ran all their bases in Afghanistan. What appears to be the case now is various different militant groups around the world, that have had different types of genesis, are identifying themselves as al-Qaeda. Some of these have clearly pledged their allegiance to bin Laden after some discussions - such as al-Zarqawi's group in Iraq that changed its name from "Jama'at al-Tawhid wal Jihad" (Unification and Holy War Group) to "al-Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers" (meaning Iraq). On the other hand you have groups such as the GSPC in Algeria/Sahel who have pledged allegiance to bin Laden where there isn't any evidence that this was more than just self identification.
If it turns out - as seems likely - that the bombs in London were done by a jihadi group, this means that although it might be correct to say that the attack was "linked" to al-Qaeda in the sense that the perpetrators see themselves as fighting the same fight as bin Laden, it doesn't necessarily mean that there has been any contact between the perpetrators and what could be described as the AQ-core hiding in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Domestic or International?
Like lots of multinational corp.s, charities and pressure groups, AQ is also a type of globalised NGO. Attacks that have been attributed to AQ over the last four years have been a mix of those carried out by "foreign specialists" who fly-in to do an operation, and domestically organised attacks. One of the crucial things that will come out in time is whether this was done by people who travelled to the UK to do it (like with 9/11) or was carried out by British people, or at least people who have lived in the UK for a long time (like with the Madrid attacks). I pray the former, which is bad enough in itself, because if it is the latter it will confirm the anti-muslim prejudice of everyone already that way inclined and put race-relations in the UK back by a generation - and would also add to the vicious circle that will create more terror like this.
Why anyone within the UK would want to do something like this is horrible to even speculate on, but we have seen with recent arrests and courts cases that some British muslims have been tempted (Sajid Badat) or have, allegedly, tried to launch and attack - such as the eight arrested in and around London with the ammonium nitrate last spring. There was also the case of the two British-muslims who carried out a suicide attack in Israel two years ago. It is one of those issues that very few people are comfortable talking about as the lines between security and prejudice are so fine, but I think the idea of "de-territorialised Islam" is very important to try and understand here. Despite the successes there are clearly also failure in integrating both immigrants and the children of immigrants in to European societies. I think in fact the UK has done better than many other European countries, but clearly not with everyone. When people don't feel that they belong to the society they live in, the look for alternative identities - religion being a powerful one. But there is a definite tendency within Europe, for many complex and inter-related reasons, for some (a minority?) Muslims to turn their back on the 'localised Islams' of their parents/grandparents and follow what they believe to be a "pure global" Islam (this can be called the "salafi" tendency). This tend to allow more ready identification with the problems faced by other Muslim communities around the world, be that Chechenya, Kashmir, Iraq or the West Bank. It solidifies a sense of a worldwide attack on Islam, rather than seeing what is (in my opinion at least) a series of seperate political and military struggles with very different histories and causes. This has been amplified hugely by the use of the internet which brings news and pictures of these struggles to anyone anywhere, and is also used for discussion and propaganda across all borders. The struggles of someone in Europe against prejudice or unemployment or poverty becomes conflated, in their mind at least, with the struggles of Muslims in Gaza or Chechenya.
What happens next?
In the next couple of days, Britain will show it's true colours - but I have no idea what they are though. There are two possible models. First is what happened in Holland after the murder of Theo Van Gogh by a wannabe jihadi. The Government panicked. The press fanned the flames of prejudice and fear rather than smothering them, and a round of fire bombings of islamic schools, mosques and cultural centres began. This was followed by attacks on churches etc. by Muslim youths. Holland turned out not to be a country at peace with itself.
The alternative in is Spain. After the vicious murder of hundreds, virtually nothing happened in terms of revenge attacks on Spanish Muslims. One Imam was quoted in Newsweek saying he was amazed at the understanding of the Spanish population that this was a product of a tiny but violent minority, not a reflection of the wider muslim community. Spain, a new democracy that only within a generation had escaped from Fascism, showed more civility than Holland, often seens as most liberal country in the world.
I hope that Britain shows the innate liberalism and civility that Spain clearly has, or this will get worse before it gets better. "
"For the last 2.5 years I've been employed by a foreign policy think-tank in Helsinki, to research jihadi-terrorism. I'm not a spook, a cop, or politician, and I don't have any particular axe to grind on this issue - but I have had the chance to spend over two years reading as much as I can on the subject and talking to people who know a lot more than me on various aspects of this issue. Now that Blair has said it was a "terrorist attack", obviously all speculation will be on who did it, and then why. I've already turned down three requests for interview with Finnish TV, but I need to get my own thoughts in order and I might as well do it here, as UKC has been such an important link back to the UK for the years I have been living abroad. Perhaps others might find it useful even if they don't agree with me.
Al-Qaeda?
I believe that it is now far more profitable to think of al-Qaeda (AQ) as an ideology rather than as a group. This obviously has implications for anyone claiming the attack is the work of AQ. If AQ ever really existed as an organised and terrorist group, it was during the "Afghanistan period" from the mid-90s to Nov./Dec. 2001 when the US and its Afghan allies over-ran all their bases in Afghanistan. What appears to be the case now is various different militant groups around the world, that have had different types of genesis, are identifying themselves as al-Qaeda. Some of these have clearly pledged their allegiance to bin Laden after some discussions - such as al-Zarqawi's group in Iraq that changed its name from "Jama'at al-Tawhid wal Jihad" (Unification and Holy War Group) to "al-Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers" (meaning Iraq). On the other hand you have groups such as the GSPC in Algeria/Sahel who have pledged allegiance to bin Laden where there isn't any evidence that this was more than just self identification.
If it turns out - as seems likely - that the bombs in London were done by a jihadi group, this means that although it might be correct to say that the attack was "linked" to al-Qaeda in the sense that the perpetrators see themselves as fighting the same fight as bin Laden, it doesn't necessarily mean that there has been any contact between the perpetrators and what could be described as the AQ-core hiding in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Domestic or International?
Like lots of multinational corp.s, charities and pressure groups, AQ is also a type of globalised NGO. Attacks that have been attributed to AQ over the last four years have been a mix of those carried out by "foreign specialists" who fly-in to do an operation, and domestically organised attacks. One of the crucial things that will come out in time is whether this was done by people who travelled to the UK to do it (like with 9/11) or was carried out by British people, or at least people who have lived in the UK for a long time (like with the Madrid attacks). I pray the former, which is bad enough in itself, because if it is the latter it will confirm the anti-muslim prejudice of everyone already that way inclined and put race-relations in the UK back by a generation - and would also add to the vicious circle that will create more terror like this.
Why anyone within the UK would want to do something like this is horrible to even speculate on, but we have seen with recent arrests and courts cases that some British muslims have been tempted (Sajid Badat) or have, allegedly, tried to launch and attack - such as the eight arrested in and around London with the ammonium nitrate last spring. There was also the case of the two British-muslims who carried out a suicide attack in Israel two years ago. It is one of those issues that very few people are comfortable talking about as the lines between security and prejudice are so fine, but I think the idea of "de-territorialised Islam" is very important to try and understand here. Despite the successes there are clearly also failure in integrating both immigrants and the children of immigrants in to European societies. I think in fact the UK has done better than many other European countries, but clearly not with everyone. When people don't feel that they belong to the society they live in, the look for alternative identities - religion being a powerful one. But there is a definite tendency within Europe, for many complex and inter-related reasons, for some (a minority?) Muslims to turn their back on the 'localised Islams' of their parents/grandparents and follow what they believe to be a "pure global" Islam (this can be called the "salafi" tendency). This tend to allow more ready identification with the problems faced by other Muslim communities around the world, be that Chechenya, Kashmir, Iraq or the West Bank. It solidifies a sense of a worldwide attack on Islam, rather than seeing what is (in my opinion at least) a series of seperate political and military struggles with very different histories and causes. This has been amplified hugely by the use of the internet which brings news and pictures of these struggles to anyone anywhere, and is also used for discussion and propaganda across all borders. The struggles of someone in Europe against prejudice or unemployment or poverty becomes conflated, in their mind at least, with the struggles of Muslims in Gaza or Chechenya.
What happens next?
In the next couple of days, Britain will show it's true colours - but I have no idea what they are though. There are two possible models. First is what happened in Holland after the murder of Theo Van Gogh by a wannabe jihadi. The Government panicked. The press fanned the flames of prejudice and fear rather than smothering them, and a round of fire bombings of islamic schools, mosques and cultural centres began. This was followed by attacks on churches etc. by Muslim youths. Holland turned out not to be a country at peace with itself.
The alternative in is Spain. After the vicious murder of hundreds, virtually nothing happened in terms of revenge attacks on Spanish Muslims. One Imam was quoted in Newsweek saying he was amazed at the understanding of the Spanish population that this was a product of a tiny but violent minority, not a reflection of the wider muslim community. Spain, a new democracy that only within a generation had escaped from Fascism, showed more civility than Holland, often seens as most liberal country in the world.
I hope that Britain shows the innate liberalism and civility that Spain clearly has, or this will get worse before it gets better. "
ACE
Jul 14th 2005, 11:53 am
#68
Banned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,432
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Mass shootings used to be the vogue. Lone gunman on high randomly dispatching people on the street, disgruntled employees doing in their fellows, school kids mowing down classmates.
Bombs the next fad - perhaps orchestrated by shadowy technically competent silent loonies?
Deadliest Mass Shooting (10 or more dead) in Western Democracies, 1966-2002
Also in Aus involving random murder:
Queen Street Massacre
Hoddle Street Massacre
Strathfield Massacre
Bombs the next fad - perhaps orchestrated by shadowy technically competent silent loonies?
Deadliest Mass Shooting (10 or more dead) in Western Democracies, 1966-2002
Code:
Date Place Dead Legal status
26 Apr 2002 Erfurt, Germany 16 + 1 Legal guns, pistol club member
27 Sep 2001 Zug, Switzerland 14 + 1 Legal guns, licensed pistol owner
29 Jul 1999 Atlanta, GA, USA 12 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
20 Apr 1999 Littleton, CO, USA 13 + 2 Not legal guns
28 Apr 1996 Port Arthur, Australia 35 Not legal guns
13 Mar 1996 Dunblane, Scotland 17 + 1 Legal guns, pistol club member
16 Oct 1991 Killeen, TX, USA 23 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
13 Nov 1990 Aramoana, New Zealand 13 + 1 Legal guns, licensed gun owner
18 Jun 1990 Jacksonville, FL, USA 9 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
06 Dec 1989 Montreal, Canada 14 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
19 Aug 1987 Hungerford, England 16 + 1 Legal guns, pistol club member
20 Aug 1986 Edmond, OK, USA 14 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
18 Jul 1984 San Ysidro, CA, USA 21 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
01 Aug 1966 Austin, TX, USA 16 + 1 Legal guns, no licence required
Queen Street Massacre
Hoddle Street Massacre
Strathfield Massacre
Last edited by Megalania; Jul 14th 2005 at 12:26 pm.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:53 am
#69
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by Sunlover
Actually I think that's exactly what Catholic priests have been doing for years in Northern Ireland except that it was directed at the English rather than Moslems and Jews
Jul 14th 2005, 12:16 pm
#70
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Posts: 5,353
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by NedKelly
tell me that people voting for him arent supporting a criminal ? . Some criminals like Gerry Adams and McGuinness become MP's. Yassar Arafat was a terrorist and he became a Prime Minister. What about Mandela, he killed people as well. Has Nick Griffin bombed anyone?
No rational person can support the bnp. Well, they get lots of votes so there must be a lot of irrational people out there.
They can go 1st class to the isle of wight.That's democracy for you. Didn't a bear get voted in in Hartlepool?
If you want free speech you have to allow those whose views you dislike to speak as well, otherwise free speech is an illusion.
No rational person can support the bnp. Well, they get lots of votes so there must be a lot of irrational people out there.
They can go 1st class to the isle of wight.That's democracy for you. Didn't a bear get voted in in Hartlepool?
If you want free speech you have to allow those whose views you dislike to speak as well, otherwise free speech is an illusion.
mm
Jul 14th 2005, 12:26 pm
#71
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Posts: 567
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Earlier on in this post some people said they would be wary of muslims with backpacks etc getting on public transport. I was just wondering how they would apply this rule. Would they be wary anyone with dark skin that looked of indian/pakistan original regardless of western dress or not?
In London there are many people of many skin colours wearing many styles of clothing, I have become oblivious in general to those around me whilst out and about. I was just wondering how those that made the comments decided whether or not someone is a potential threat to them?
In London there are many people of many skin colours wearing many styles of clothing, I have become oblivious in general to those around me whilst out and about. I was just wondering how those that made the comments decided whether or not someone is a potential threat to them?
Jul 14th 2005, 12:33 pm
#72
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Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 169
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Originally Posted by Seabird
Out of curiosity, what first hand experience do you have or how many times have you been to a catholic Church service?? In England or in Ireland?
20 years ago in Irish clubs/pubs in england they had "charity" boxes (Still have in NYC/Boston which shocked me) around them saying give money to the cause (IRA) . I remember questioning this to my mum & dad as to why they never put their change in. They responded to say "dont ever talk about the IRA to strangers & dont ever put money into their hands & agree with someone who stands for them" . I never did, now I know why.
Muslims have the same problems but on larger scale now, esp as the people have no real reason or political aim. Its got to start from the teaching & work from there.
Jul 14th 2005, 12:41 pm
#73
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Posts: 169
Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Pako - I think personally its more of a subconsious thing, my indian friend who works down there said she has felt people staring through her since then & esp if she comes home to the midlands & has bangage, she made it out to be a joke but I know shes upset from it. Who wouldnt be.
Its just that with what happended people I feel that people will do it automatically & without thinking suspect people who obviously dont need to.
You cant physically define muslim either - all walks of life can follow Islam (human right of freedom in this country which our past generation fought for)Im just hoping in the future things calm & government reacts with firm hand on teaching of the radical clerics. That would ease my worries for sure.
Its just that with what happended people I feel that people will do it automatically & without thinking suspect people who obviously dont need to.
You cant physically define muslim either - all walks of life can follow Islam (human right of freedom in this country which our past generation fought for)Im just hoping in the future things calm & government reacts with firm hand on teaching of the radical clerics. That would ease my worries for sure.
Jul 14th 2005, 1:52 pm
#74
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
We are moving to Oz due to us having a relatively low opinion of the Uk at the moment but this week has given me pause for thought.
This week has made me realise that the UK isn't such a bad place after all. The stories of courage and determination that have come out of the situation and the lack of BNP style calls for sending "them" all back on the next banana boat just shows that Britain is a nation of people who refuse to be victims. Compare the hysteria post 911 in the states to the calm and measured response here, the scale of disaster is obviously different as is the whole perspective on the nation's reaction. I still wouldn't want to live in London - there's too many people for me but I am proud to be British and proud to be from a nation that accepts people of all nations and creeds into the fold and adapts as it grows.
This forum has been remarkably calm and measured about the tragedy, obviously there will always be a few small minded idiots everywhere but I am impressed at the response. I popped into the PIP forum yesterday for the first time in months and was reminded why I stopped posting there, there seemed to be nothing but bile and hatred which obviously breeds nothing other than resentment and hatred in return.
This week has made me realise that the UK isn't such a bad place after all. The stories of courage and determination that have come out of the situation and the lack of BNP style calls for sending "them" all back on the next banana boat just shows that Britain is a nation of people who refuse to be victims. Compare the hysteria post 911 in the states to the calm and measured response here, the scale of disaster is obviously different as is the whole perspective on the nation's reaction. I still wouldn't want to live in London - there's too many people for me but I am proud to be British and proud to be from a nation that accepts people of all nations and creeds into the fold and adapts as it grows.
This forum has been remarkably calm and measured about the tragedy, obviously there will always be a few small minded idiots everywhere but I am impressed at the response. I popped into the PIP forum yesterday for the first time in months and was reminded why I stopped posting there, there seemed to be nothing but bile and hatred which obviously breeds nothing other than resentment and hatred in return.
Jul 14th 2005, 2:21 pm
#75
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Re: Thoughts on London bombings
Steve/Claire - Can I ask what PIP is please?
Im pretty proud of some of the comments on this forum (not all some fippant remarks esp as it was going on that morning) but most people have looked at what happened , assessed it, thought about situation of UK in Iraq/Afganistan & internal problems & Decided to air their views.
Reading mine again seems pretty anti islam but it aint ment to be, Im interested in their view/religion but I am very against changing the reading of the Koran into words of hate.
Freedom of speach I guess unless it gets personal & racial attacks should be deleted.
Im pretty proud of some of the comments on this forum (not all some fippant remarks esp as it was going on that morning) but most people have looked at what happened , assessed it, thought about situation of UK in Iraq/Afganistan & internal problems & Decided to air their views.
Reading mine again seems pretty anti islam but it aint ment to be, Im interested in their view/religion but I am very against changing the reading of the Koran into words of hate.
Freedom of speach I guess unless it gets personal & racial attacks should be deleted.