Car Bombs

Originally Posted by Baph

Even *IF* it's proven (and to my knowledge, it's still not proven) that the events at Glasgow airport were part of a terrorist attack, I still really can't stand the whole media stance of "something bad happened, it must be a terrorist to blame!"

I see what you're saying, but c'mon, it's not exactly a witch hunt in this case is it. Yeah technically it's not proven, circumstantial evidence blah blah, but it's not exactly an outside chance that it's a terrorist attack. That's like saying it's unfair to call a man who stabs someone in broad daylight infront of an audience after claiming he's glad he killed the bugger a murderer.

Originally Posted by Baph

Im not sure their origin has any real bearing on the events, so I wouldn't call that part in particular salient. That would imply that we should suspect everyone that isn't of british origin.

I think this is the way that people do think. Why else are all these anti-terror measures are only being accepted now, not 10-20 years ago when a bunch of mad irishmen were running around blowing people up? Because now they're vilifying asians which is ok, because that means most people in the UK are safe from being interned without trial, as they're not white like the IRA.

Latent racism at work IMO.

I'm not. Bleeding heart liberals continue to weaken the very backbone of this country.

The point about non british origin was valid given the context of the question "should all asians....".

Stereotypes are borne out of common observation. It's true that the media plays a role.

If you think the media are exagerating the risk of the threat from Muslims, in order to assist the government in undermining our civil liberties why would the same people take such a strong anti-racism stance? Remember the Big Brother Shilpa episode for example?

Sensationalist media? Of course! It's the only way to get the message across these days to an audience of reality TV drones. Real news and current affairs programs don't draw that kind of audience.

Hidden agenda? Maybe. Given the global population growth and the peak oil scenario more powerful methods for social control will be needed. Do I feel threatened by that? No. I want to see the preservation of a society and a value system which is based on reason, not physical threat.

Originally Posted by Xan173

I'm not. Bleeding heart liberals continue to weaken the very backbone of this country.

And right wing nut-jobs continue to weaken the very rights and freedoms this country holds dear

But I'm a self confessed bleeding heart liberal so I suspect our views will rarely converge

Originally Posted by Xan173

The point about non british origin was valid given the context of the question "should all asians....".

Again, I disagree, and the fact that you think their origins was a valid point goes to show the stereotypical nature that most people unfortunately have.

Race shouldn't come into it period.

I'm just waiting for the day that a private school kid (with, british origin) who has converted to Islam, becomes a martyr by blowing themselves up. That should blow all the stereotypes out of the water.

The terrorists (those thus far convicted) practicied the same faith as many many geniunely innocent people of british origin. That doesn't mean that all asians are terrorists.

Anyone else remember the race riots in Bradford? That's where I see this stereotypical thinking heading.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by kitkat

I murdered a kebab after a few lemonades.

TERRORIST!

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I see what you're saying, but c'mon, it's not exactly a witch hunt in this case is it. Yeah technically it's not proven, circumstantial evidence blah blah, but it's not exactly an outside chance that it's a terrorist attack. That's like saying it's unfair to call a man who stabs someone in broad daylight infront of an audience after claiming he's glad he killed the bugger a murderer.

I simply see it as any other case of innocent until proven guilty. Yes, by all means hold them however long is necessary to prove one way or the other (beyond reasonable doubt). Then think about bail before any court hearing.

But I just prefer not to accuse without proof.

Originally Posted by Baph

Again, I disagree, and the fact that you think their origins was a valid point goes to show the stereotypical nature that most people unfortunately have.

What I did find surprising is the sterotypicalisation [is that a word?] from the BBC this morning, stating that they see a common trait in "most" of these types of people (their words) in that:

They are brought up in the UK "rebelling" against authority, are sent to Pakistan to stay with family and spend time at terrorist training camps beffore coming home.

Whilst I agree that this may have been the case with some of the people involved in 7/7 etc, it pushes an illusion of young Muslim men who can't wait to get on the next plane to Pakistan and sign up. Which is totally false.

There is a difference with these latest incidents where it seems the perpetrators are not "British Muslims", they have come to this country in the last 18 months or so. Where as those involved in 7/7 were either born here or have been living hear a number of years. I think that is the point they were trying to make...

.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Xan173

Stereotypes are borne out of common observation.

And most often a completely false one. Muslim population in UK as of 2001, 1.5 million, of which 1.1 million describe themselves as asian or asian-british. Number of active muslim terrorists in the UK? A fair bit less (Nobody really knows of course). So let's take a wildly exagerrated guess and say 1000 asian or british-asian muslims in the UK are actively involved in funding, planning, procuring or carrying out terrorist attacks, and you still have less than .1% of the population.

[SoulKiss]

As no-one else has, have a read of this.........

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06...scuits_please/

Makes some good points.

The problem with innocent until proven gulity is you have to wait until the damage is done. Where's the prevention in that?

Given the current UK scenario, the public are yet again being asked to "be vigilant". But stop, what if you did have suspicion, and the person or persons involved were not white, would you fear being branded a racist? If you reported it nevertheless, what would you expect the authorities to do about it?