No alarms and no surprises
Is anyone surprised that two of the nine 'terror suspects' arrested with great fanfare and publicity last week have been released without charge. Their solicitor, the admirable Gareth Peirce claims that they were not even questioned about the alleged kidnap and beheading plot. This case now seems to have depressing similarities to the Forest Gate arrests last year (although without the 'accidental' shooting.) You'll remember that there was also a massive police raid, arrests and claims of serious terror offences in the planning, but no charges were ever bought and all those arrested were quietly released without charge.
I of course accept that there is a very real threat of another terrorist attack in the UK and also realise that it is better that potential attacks are stopped before they can be carried out. But lumbering great police raids based on flimsy rumour and hearsay only serve to alienate the very communities that we should be engaging with. We could also stop being America’s bitch and get our arses out of Iraq.
The inquest into the death of Lance Corporal Matty Hull shows just how unwilling Blair and his evil cohorts are to stand up to the USA. Cpl Hull was killed in 2003 when his convoy was attacked by US A-10s who mistook them for Iraqi insurgents. The inquiry into his death learned of the existence of video from the A-10 cockpits which, the coroner hoped would shed light on the events leading to the attack. The Pentagon initially denied that such a tape existed – so much for the special relationship - and then refused to release the tapes. The UK government told us that it was doing all it could – which is of course absolutely nothing and the Pentagon continued refusing to release the tape. Yesterday a UK tabloid obtained a copy and suddenly it was declassified and will be shown to the coroner’s inquest. Having seen the tape I have no understanding of why the US refused to release it. The pilots seemed to do all they could to confirm with fighter control that there were no ‘friendlies’ in the area and were told that was the case. The pilots were of course deeply distressed when they realised what had occurred. It is unusual in this bloody, disgusting war that we get such glimpses of raw humanity from ‘our’ side, rare for such moments of genuine compassion and distress to be shown. If the US had been open and honest from the off, maybe it would have helped allay the growing wave of anti-Americanism that is sweeping this country. Some of it justified, most of it just ignorant. My heart goes out to Susan Hull , one person who has acted with dignity and honour throughout.
Jack ‘man of’ Straw has unveiled his half arsed plans to reform the House of Lords, London’s most exclusive dining club. It is of course welcome that 50% of members will in future be elected, but why will Church of England's bishops & archbishops still be allowed to sit? I read once that more people go to a football match on a Saturday than go to church on Sunday but do we want the FA having a say in how the country is run? Of course we don’t because they're a shower of bastards. Just like the church of England. We live in an increasingly secular society with more and more people waking up to the fact that religion does more harm than good. Keep them out of state affairs. Please.
And finally, as I prepare for the England match later tonight, a massive thank you to Fuller’s brewery for the utterly splendid, indescribably wonderful London Porter. ‘Tis a drink fit for a king. And a gobshite.
Easy now.
I of course accept that there is a very real threat of another terrorist attack in the UK and also realise that it is better that potential attacks are stopped before they can be carried out. But lumbering great police raids based on flimsy rumour and hearsay only serve to alienate the very communities that we should be engaging with. We could also stop being America’s bitch and get our arses out of Iraq.
The inquest into the death of Lance Corporal Matty Hull shows just how unwilling Blair and his evil cohorts are to stand up to the USA. Cpl Hull was killed in 2003 when his convoy was attacked by US A-10s who mistook them for Iraqi insurgents. The inquiry into his death learned of the existence of video from the A-10 cockpits which, the coroner hoped would shed light on the events leading to the attack. The Pentagon initially denied that such a tape existed – so much for the special relationship - and then refused to release the tapes. The UK government told us that it was doing all it could – which is of course absolutely nothing and the Pentagon continued refusing to release the tape. Yesterday a UK tabloid obtained a copy and suddenly it was declassified and will be shown to the coroner’s inquest. Having seen the tape I have no understanding of why the US refused to release it. The pilots seemed to do all they could to confirm with fighter control that there were no ‘friendlies’ in the area and were told that was the case. The pilots were of course deeply distressed when they realised what had occurred. It is unusual in this bloody, disgusting war that we get such glimpses of raw humanity from ‘our’ side, rare for such moments of genuine compassion and distress to be shown. If the US had been open and honest from the off, maybe it would have helped allay the growing wave of anti-Americanism that is sweeping this country. Some of it justified, most of it just ignorant. My heart goes out to Susan Hull , one person who has acted with dignity and honour throughout.
Jack ‘man of’ Straw has unveiled his half arsed plans to reform the House of Lords, London’s most exclusive dining club. It is of course welcome that 50% of members will in future be elected, but why will Church of England's bishops & archbishops still be allowed to sit? I read once that more people go to a football match on a Saturday than go to church on Sunday but do we want the FA having a say in how the country is run? Of course we don’t because they're a shower of bastards. Just like the church of England. We live in an increasingly secular society with more and more people waking up to the fact that religion does more harm than good. Keep them out of state affairs. Please.
And finally, as I prepare for the England match later tonight, a massive thank you to Fuller’s brewery for the utterly splendid, indescribably wonderful London Porter. ‘Tis a drink fit for a king. And a gobshite.
Easy now.
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posted by phylos @ 17:48
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