The brief wave of Islamic terrorism in the UK followed our invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and effectively stopped when those occupations ended. In every case of actual terrorist attack, the terrorists involved cited those invasions as a key part of their motive. There may yet be another residual attack, but as a campaign it is over, and historical perspective will show it related purely to our invasion of Islamic lands.
Yet we have suffered a week of media propaganda aimed at repeating the mantra that Isis’ success in Iraq will lead to terrorist attacks in the UK. The only apparent purpose of this mantra is to justify some degree of US/UK intervention in Iraq’s current civil war. As it was the US/UK invasion which caused this civil war in the first place, this is ironic. As any form of UK intervention is the only thing that might in fact provoke Iraq related terrorist attacks in the UK, it is a crazed argument; the absolute opposite of the truth.
The brief period of Islamic linked terrorism in the UK killed about eighty people – a tiny percentage of those who died in the UK from Irish linked violence in the 70’s and 80’s – but had two disproportionately dreadful effects. The first was a massive reduction in civil liberties in the UK. The second was the spawning of a vast and parasitic security industry, both within government, and in the private sector but government funded.
The patent absence of any genuine Islamic terrorism in the UK to fight is an obvious threat to the funding of this huge industry. Hence the current hype about the threat from Birmingham school governors or British residents fighting in Iraq and Syria. We have the usual propagandists for this threat thrust upon the airwaves again – Frank “Goebbels” Gardner and even the utterly discredited “Quilliam Foundation” who have been back on the BBC. At the moment they are peddling the utterly untrue line that 9% of those who travel from the UK to participate in fighting abroad, on return get involved in terrorist activity in the UK. Frank Gardner has been repeating this ad nauseam.
This claim is absolutely unfounded. It is brought to you by the same people who claim there are 4,000 active terrorists in the UK, or that MI5 foiled 34 active terrorist plots.
How gullible do you have to be to believe that in the last seven years this 4,000 committed terrorists in the UK, with their 34 active plots, managed to kill nobody at all, except for the two deranged and utterly disorganised Nigerians who murdered the unfortunate Lee Rigby? The other 3,998 must be the world’s least productive terrorists. Surely between 3,998 fanatical and committed murderous terrorists they could at least have injured somebody? The truth is that in the last seven years Irish political violence has again killed more people in the UK than Islamist political violence.
If you have 4,000 totally non-productive fantasy terrorists, then it is not surprising that you think that one in nine of those who go to fight abroad are involved in such “terrorism” in the UK. In fact, the terrorist threat in the UK is miniscule and the entire narrative is a nonsense. You have a much greater chance of drowning in your own bath than of being killed by a terrorist. The death of Gerald Conlon should be a sobering reminder of the willingness of English juries to make completely improbable terrorist convictions on the say-so of the authorities.
There has probably not been a war abroad in the last two hundred years in which some UK resident did not go and fight. The BBC and Sky news headline today is about someone from Aberdeen who went to fight for Isis. That is meant to terrify us about terrorism here.
Nonsense.
Somebody else from Aberdeen went to fight in a war abroad. George Gordon, Lord Byron, went to fight for the Greek revolt against Ottoman rule, and died of fever in a Balkan swamp. (Under Blair’s “anti-terror” legislation, that would have made Byron guilty of terrorism in the UK). In the same decade George De Lacey Evans went to fight for the Spanish Infanta against her uncle. Several Britons including David Urquhart fought against the Russian invasion of Circassia. I am talking in all these cases of politically motivated volunteers, not mercenaries. A number of British residents fought in the Franco-Prussian war. Several Britons fought for the Confederates in the US civil war – almost certainly some fought for the Union as well, but I can’t claim to know of them. Garibaldi had a Welsh officer called Griffiths. We should all be terrifically proud of the Britons in the International Brigades in Spain. British residents fought on all sides in the recent civil wars in the Balkans. I should be astonished if some British residents of Ukrainian and Russian heritage had not gone to join militias there at present.
Nor should we forget that the same political establishment which so deplores Britons going abroad to fight, has legalised, massively encouraged and financed the mercenary activities of hired killers like Tim Spicer and Tony Buckingham. The hypocrisy is rank and stinking.
The dreadful violence and destruction the West has inflicted and promoted in recent years in its efforts to gain control of the mineral resources of the Middle East continues to play out. Those who see communities with which they identify abroad engaged in military conflict will always produce a small number of people going to join the fight. This is in no sense unusual, and in no sense a threat to ordinary citizens in the UK. The link to terrorism here is entirely a fiction. The unfortunate thing is that the mainstream media allows no outlet for people to mock its false assertions and point out its sinister agenda.
” I am a secular atheist so I don’t agree with religious courts but if British Jews can have religious courts why not religious courts for Muslims? ”
Why not outlaw both? Doesn’t seem right that a section or sections of British society should live under different laws to the rest of us.
Why not outlaw both? Doesn’t seem right that a section or sections of British society should live under different laws to the rest of us.
All for that. Spot on. Now try and implement it without being called an antisemite. By a private police force, perhaps…
http://www.thecst.org.uk/
Special people
CST trustees are given anonymity by the Charity Commission.
also ‘training’ by the police http://www.thecst.org.uk/index.cfm?Content=12
and grants from HMG.http://blog.thecst.org.uk/?p=3383
Michael Gove criticised for awarding public funds to organisation he advised
Education secretary made decision to give taxpayers’ money to organisation that he had promoted as an adviser since 2007
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/27/michael-gove-funds-organisation-advised
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There are a whole bunch of pseudo-quasi-wannabe courts including everyone’s favourite fake court presided over by Judge Judy.
The issue Kempe alluded to is one where the UK civil/criminal justice system acknowledges and defers authority to Sharia courts. I am not sure if the UK system allows a Sharia court to impose a sentence upon someone who does not consent to its authority, nor the same in the case of any other religious court including those dealing in Rabbinical law.
Generally, i think, such courts can only operate when an offence is not criminal and the defendant consents to the authority of the private court and does not impinge on any civil rights that cannot be waived.
The problem with any kind of allowance (consensual or not) for private courts to administer justice (except in certain organisations like sport, universities etc) is that it encroaches upon the sovereignty of the public jurisdiction. Then there are other potential problems such denial of rights to appeal, and so on.
The great thing about the CST deputy’s badge is it doubles as a SoD. You can flash it, FBI-style, at people and say – “Excuse me ma’am, I’m Jewish”
The best example of how Britain has changed since Lord Byron’s demise is how Lord Brougham and The Times peacefully defused Louis Kossuth’s visit to Britain after the defeat of the Hugarian Revolution since the introduction of Russian troops had saved the Hapsburg dynasty despite the efforts of the Whigs, especially Lord Palmerston, and the Free Traders.
technicolour, 11:43 am
Possibly also Chris Mullin’s diaries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Mullin_%28politician%29#Diaries
Technicolour
“Yes, sorry for rather flippant reply. Alas, John Smith. Blair was already being groomed by the right, as far as I know – but Leo Abse well worth re-reading (read it quickly as was at a house party at the time).”
_____________________
I’ve been recommending Leo Abse’s book on Blair for over a year now on this blog.
Glad to see that you’re seconding me at long last (but without any gracious acknowledgement, of course – Eminences don’t do graciousness)
Craig
So do I.
@BrianPowell
There is a story that when the Titanic sank the headline in the Press and Journal was “North-east man dies at sea.”
It may be a myth but it is how the press works.
Think how Britain handled the 1848 revolutions and their fallout is most instructive for today’s leaders where they all support an absurd clampdown.
Back then, the authorities had to worry about the Chartists at home, subjects who were supporting the revolutionaries in France while President Louis Napoleon was plotting his coup, and European radicals were seeking its sanctuary while maintaining order without resorting to draconian measures.
@Vronsky: That is cause-and-effect. It is one of the laws of our universe, but effect is not instant. Grant & Naylor are two pretty clever guys.
@Habby: nobody’s perfect 🙂
Habbakuk, sorry must have missed that – don’t always read everything. What did you find particularly striking about the book?
“What did you find particularly striking about the book?”
He read it quickly, during a party. How serious do you think Hab is? The infatuation is mysterious.
Apologies for misspelling your name, Technicolour.
From what little research I have undertaken today, it seems that NLP is a psychological technique based on visualising. When used as part of management training, you should visualise an opponent, and see them shrinking, going black-and-white, or generally being diminished. The idea is that once you see them like this, you will no longer fear them, and can exercise power over them next time you see them in the flesh. Sounds like a megalomaniacs charter to me 🙂
Ben, toujours la politesse.
Peacewisher: wishful thinking, possibly.
“toujours la politesse.”
S’not really a reply, is it?
Peacewisher, NLP was a collection of techniques for effecting personal and interpersonal change. It was derived by its two developers Bandler and Grinder (I think) by “modelling” (ie. studying and copying) various therapists, hypnotists, performers, negotiators, etc. who were effective at helping people change. It was part of a wave of such ideas at that time, associated I think with Gestalt Therapy and Transactional Analysis.
One of the two left the project. The other took to randomly extending and heavily marketing NLP as a set of people management and self-help cum manipulation tools, and NLP took on a life of woo all of its own. Gawd know which bits of it, if any, still make any sense.
Very well written and I couldn’t agree more. By the governments labelling we are all Terrorists until proven innocent!
I entirely agree with you, Craig.
More propaganda from our rulers and the MSM.
Kempe
25 Jun, 2014 – 12:06 pm
“Why not outlaw both? Doesn’t seem right that a section or sections of British society should live under different laws to the rest of us.”
I agree and I would go further and close all religious schools.
The best example of how Britain has changed since Lord Byron’s demise is how Lord Brougham and The Times peacefully defused Louis Kossuth’s visit to Britain after the defeat of the Hugarian Revolution since the introduction of Russian troops had saved the Hapsburg dynasty despite the efforts of the Whigs, especially Lord Palmerston, and the Free Traders.
(Trowbridge H Bookplug)
Why, only the other day I was in my quaint mediaeval English ‘pub’ listening to the quaint mediaeval English ‘locals’ talking about just this in their quaint, etc accents. One was saying to another worthy son of the soil clad in a brandname teeshirt, ripped denims and tattoos, “Moi, ain’t things changed since ol’ Lord Brougham and The Times peacefully defused Louis Kossuth’s visit to Britain after the defeat of the Hugarian (sic) Revolution since the introduction of Russian troops had saved the Hapsburg dynasty despite the efforts of the Whigs, especially Lord Palmerston, and the Free Traders?”
His companion was obliged to agree; “Yer so roight, me ol’ mate. Though arguably it ain’t as good an instance of change as moight be achieved by a super laser directed by a submarine at a subduction zone, as moi old granny used ter say”
Jemand,
Re the Lee Rigby accused, you asked:
“On what basis do you assert that these killers are/were deranged?”
There were delays to the trial of the two accused in November 2013 due to :
the forthcoming transfer of Michael Adebowale to Broadmoor Hospital from HMP Belmarsh and the risk of a ‘relapse’ in his mental state during the trial…
…but this was subject to reporting restrictions at the time….. (no doubt for all our national security/interest….)
The whole Rigby affair is very fishy…..
Thanks, Chimp Assassin, sorry about the misspelling of Hungary, but anything goes when it comes to posting early in the morning when i am wrestling with the spam check to get started.
Of course, the thread is about changes in the UK.
America;s covert government has changed Yankee Land beyond recognition, and the world is being banged around like a punching bag regularly.
Still wasn’t able to get my complaints about The Guardian’s treatment of leakers passed the censor.
Russian jets for Iraq. One dictator in the making (Maliki) can bomb ISIS; another bona fide dictator (Assad) must not.
Canny move by Russia/Iraq/Syria. Now they can bomb the crap out of what is clearly a malign militant force, and the US will just have to suck it up. The next step would be for Maliki to actually invite Russia to do some bombing itself. Unless I’m reading this wrong, this is another US blunder: their proxy forces can now legitimately be attacked by Iraq and whoever it asks for help. If the Russians play this one right, it will be another foreign policy victory.
To which, Mike, Obama has replied by asking Congress for $500 M to supply arms to nice moderate rebels who have been suitably vetted. Testing the boundaries of crazy again…
Hmmmn, seems folks don’t seem to remember there has NEVER been a proper Judicial Inquiry into the London Bombings on 7/7 (and never will be one; government narrative rules, OK?); that NO CCTV pictures of the so-called bombers on the Underground were shown (of the hundreds or thousands that would have been available if the government ‘narrative’ was correct). Relevance? Obviously, the thinly veiled ‘Muslimphobia’ apparent in many comments.
By the bye, I am a Christian (with Jewish blood), not a Muslim, so I am not trying to push a particular agenda (other than the true Christian one of ‘Truth’ – ‘the truth shall set you free’). I also support the Russian stance in Syria and Ukraine; ‘Anti-Communism’ shore made multi-billionaires of lots of ‘Defence Contractors’ (courtesy of the poor old tax payer).
ISIS? Trained by the Yanks in Jordan. Wonder why we haven’t heard of that from the MSM? Pravda and Izvestia, eat your hearts out!
‘fraid these days, one can get better info from RT than our MSM.
Obomber is seeking $500m from Congress to enrol ‘moderates’ from the rabble rebels in Syria to take up arms against ISIS.
Syria crisis: Obama asks Congress for $500m for rebels
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28042309
YCNMIU
Then I heard Negroponte on the World Service as I awoke and felt sick.
‘We should not desert countries where we have been involved’. He cited Vietnam. He means ‘laid waste’ rather than ‘involved’.
‘John Negroponte, who had implemented the murderous U.S. policy in Central America, was named ambassador to Iraq. Sectarian death squads were created to divide Iraq along sectarian lines. Kissinger’s formula of “Let them kill each other” became a guiding policy.
U.S. supports religious militias
More recently, Negroponte’s top aide in Iraq, Robert S. Ford, was named U.S. Ambassador to Syria, just two months before the armed insurgency and orchestrated destabilization began there.’
No intervention in Iraq
By Sara Flounders on June 25, 2014
Washington promotes deadly divisions http://www.workers.org/articles/2014/06/25/intervention-iraq/
What evil.
He featured in May Ayres’s exhibition of ceramic sculptures. ‘God’s Wars’.
Bottom right here, shown sitting on a high chair. ‘Proconsul’.
http://www.mayayres.com/may-ayres-gods-wars-exhibition.html
and within
http://www.globalresearch.ca/british-parliament-plans-for-a-statue-of-war-criminal-tony-blair/5303470?print=1
When one looks at the subject of ´terrorism´, one finds that in the majority of cases that there is the hand of the state at play. If you look at the following UK cases of ´terrorist´ plots:
1887 Plot to kill Queen Victoria (Jubilee plot)
1892 The Walsall Anarchists ´bomb´plot
1916 The plot to kill the PM David Lloyd George (Alice Wheeldon) (more info)
you will find that the plots (which didn´t materialise, much like recent UK exposed plots) were all facilitated/encouraged by the security services of the day.
With respect to the 7/7 events, which did happen, substantial anomalies exist.
´Terrorism´ has always served the state………..