Jul. 25th, 2005
I wanted to comment on one aspect of the "liquidation" of the young Brazilian in London. The propriety of the police action will, clearly, be debated for some time and there are most certainly questions that need answers. If it was, as seems highly likely, a complete balls up, then we need to consider the wisdom of allowing the use of lethal force by the incompetent, at the very least.
But, the act itself aside, what I wonder, were the police and government thinking when they announced that the lethal force policy had been adopted on the advice of the Israelis? Now, no-one can deny that the Israelis have a lot of experience of suicide bombers but what muslim (or indeed other reasonable person) is going to believe that an Israeli driven policy is going to balance the rights of innocent people who happen to have the wrong skin colour in the wrong place at the wrong time?
I think it's pretty well recognised that the only way militant Islamic terrorism can be defeated is through the co-operation of the majority of peaceful law abiding muslims. I know it's asking a lot to expect plods and pollies to think before they open their mouths but it wouldn't be a bad idea.
But, the act itself aside, what I wonder, were the police and government thinking when they announced that the lethal force policy had been adopted on the advice of the Israelis? Now, no-one can deny that the Israelis have a lot of experience of suicide bombers but what muslim (or indeed other reasonable person) is going to believe that an Israeli driven policy is going to balance the rights of innocent people who happen to have the wrong skin colour in the wrong place at the wrong time?
I think it's pretty well recognised that the only way militant Islamic terrorism can be defeated is through the co-operation of the majority of peaceful law abiding muslims. I know it's asking a lot to expect plods and pollies to think before they open their mouths but it wouldn't be a bad idea.
Kitten update
Jul. 25th, 2005 12:35 pmThe kittens are settling in. Two of them have mastered the l33t skillz necessary to become fully fledged shoulder kittens. One of those two is very vocal indeed and has already mastered the art of getting designated human (me) to pick her up and put her in a position where she can have IM conversations with said human's friends. She also has a fantastic purr.