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David Bisset
Skotlando, United Kingdom
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Thursday, August 18, 2005
Walking the streets of London
There is now evidence that tourists are afraid to visit London after the bombings.
This is understandable as the police officially pursue a "shoot to kill" policy.
Such a policy will, of course, be effective as the police have gone to Israel for training, and the "shoot to kill" policy has been singularly effective there, as the result has been the deaths of Palestinian suicides bombers or innocent Palestinians: both eminently satisfactory conclusions as far as the Israeli military or security services are concerned.
However, come to London; but don't look preoccupied, wear a heavy coat, carry a rucksack, say prayers aloud, look foreign, or live anywhere near a suspect.
It doesn't matter if your English is bad: you will be killed without any warning.
This policy is meant to reasure minorities and eliminate the roots of terrorism.
This is understandable as the police officially pursue a "shoot to kill" policy.
Such a policy will, of course, be effective as the police have gone to Israel for training, and the "shoot to kill" policy has been singularly effective there, as the result has been the deaths of Palestinian suicides bombers or innocent Palestinians: both eminently satisfactory conclusions as far as the Israeli military or security services are concerned.
However, come to London; but don't look preoccupied, wear a heavy coat, carry a rucksack, say prayers aloud, look foreign, or live anywhere near a suspect.
It doesn't matter if your English is bad: you will be killed without any warning.
This policy is meant to reasure minorities and eliminate the roots of terrorism.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Charged with Treason?
It was believed by the majority in the United Kingdom that there was a strong possibility of attacks resulting from the way in which Tony Blair has always supported American policy after the destruction of the Twin Tours in New York.
I cannot remember any occasion when he has criticised Bush in any way.
Recently he has been re-elected. (Technically his Party was re-elected, but now we have a President in Britain, not a Prime Minister.) This enabled the conclusion to be drawn by many in the world that Blair's policies had received endorsement.
The negative effects of all this in the eyes of Islamic world do not need to be elucidated.
Now draconian steps are being contemplated after the terrible attacks in London on 7th July. These apparently include the accusation of treason. If such measures are indeed necessary, why were they not presented to Parliament before any incident occurred? Blair had 4 years to think about legislation.
Now we are on the threshold of a situation when freedom of speech may be curtailed, and European Human Rights legislation ignored.
Intemperate language has been used by very angry people. But to regard this as treason will help no-one. Moreover, those who are attempting to explain the motivation of those who resort to violence are being vilified by the popular media and by the Government.
This is not the way forward for a civilised, libertarian democracy.
I cannot remember any occasion when he has criticised Bush in any way.
Recently he has been re-elected. (Technically his Party was re-elected, but now we have a President in Britain, not a Prime Minister.) This enabled the conclusion to be drawn by many in the world that Blair's policies had received endorsement.
The negative effects of all this in the eyes of Islamic world do not need to be elucidated.
Now draconian steps are being contemplated after the terrible attacks in London on 7th July. These apparently include the accusation of treason. If such measures are indeed necessary, why were they not presented to Parliament before any incident occurred? Blair had 4 years to think about legislation.
Now we are on the threshold of a situation when freedom of speech may be curtailed, and European Human Rights legislation ignored.
Intemperate language has been used by very angry people. But to regard this as treason will help no-one. Moreover, those who are attempting to explain the motivation of those who resort to violence are being vilified by the popular media and by the Government.
This is not the way forward for a civilised, libertarian democracy.
