A time to stop complaining?

**ManDownUnder** · 11th August 2006, 17:42

Originally Posted by mstriumph

SHE won't help you --- you are doomed! DOOMED!!!!!!

Read my signature lately?? LOL

No - I'm more worried by Lou to be honest...

**moko** · 11th August 2006, 22:44

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Quite right. I should have said the cause is imported.

Again Lou I`d argue that,it`s not only Muslims who see a major cause of the world`s problems right now as a direct result of Blair`s behaviour,something that`s a very common view here and one widely expressed.British Muslims not only hold this view but also have been demonised by Government scare-mongering and stereotyping in a similar,but far subtler, manner to the anti-semitism in pre-war Germany,by men in suits speaking quietly not nutters in uniforms ranting. Asian youths are regularly hassled by the Police here,people see their neighbours houses getting their doors kicked in and men waving machine guns in the street only for them to return a few days later because they`d been targetted by incorrect intelligence or they`ve got the wrong person,often they`re people totally baffled as to how their name got flagged up.All this and increasing racial attacks and abuse from knuckle-draggers.The BNP,our biggest Racist Political party,is gaining support rapidly despite their obvious lack of intelligence or any coherant policies.British Asians are developing a seige mentality,one that`s understandable if you see what`s happening here.Already stirred up by events overseas,as many are here from all ethnic and religious groups,they`re also under attack from the media,racist thugs and even apparently the Government.As in the Lebanon moderate,decent people are being pushed towards the lunatic fringe when they see people shot,houses trashed,their wife coming home with a black eye because some heroic flag-waver is doing his bit to protect us all from "them" and themselves treated with suspicion and even fear as they go about their business.It`s this kind of treatment that had 1 in 3 Muslims tell a recent survey here saying that they thought the suicide attacks in London last year were justified.We do have a problem,a very serious one but to a large extent it`s been fermented by the goon in charge desperate as ever to blame everyone but himself for anything at all.

**Winston001** · 12th August 2006, 15:27

Good discussion. Damned if life ain't complicated these days. I really think we have to take a deep breath and go back to fundamentals.

All people are essentially decent. Muslims, Christians, Marxists, Agnostics, Americans, Aussies, Russians, British - even the French, are just folks who want to live peacefully and raise their families.

Unfortunately there are barriers between many of these different groups. Different languages, economic conditions, culture, history.

These barriers must be taken down. Knowledge, communication and understanding are the only way we will dissolve terrorism. We need to be educated about each others cultures.

How about a Big Brother with different ethnic groups represented. Less 60 Minutes stories about Paris Hilton et al and more about life in a Chinese/Afghanistani/Bolivian school.

**Sniper** · 12th August 2006, 15:34

Originally Posted by Winston001

How about a Big Brother with different ethnic groups represented. Less 60 Minutes stories about Paris Hilton et al and more about life in a Chinese/Afghanistani/Bolivian school.

Because unless you were there. At the end, you will still not understand motives, lifestyles and such

My 0.02c

**jazbug5** · 12th August 2006, 20:12

Originally Posted by Sniper

Because unless you were there. At the end, you will still not understand motives, lifestyles and such

My 0.02c

So we shouldn't bother to try and understand?

**Sniper** · 12th August 2006, 20:37

Originally Posted by jazbug5

So we shouldn't bother to try and understand?

I didnt say that, but I didnt make it clear either.

What I mean is that certain types of folks believe everything they see and hear on TV. Kind of like the people who believe that the children they give $1 a day too actually get the total amount of $1 per day. I would use the word nieve, but Im not sure if thats all that true.

Its fine if you want to try and understand. Hell I do, but not always with ethical (I think) situations.

**Lou Girardin** · 13th August 2006, 15:57

These are five principles that the British Empire used to deal with insurgencies,
Ensure good co-ordination between Police and security agancies.
Deny the enemy a base
Secure your own base.
KEEP THE POLITICAL AND MORAL HIGH GROUND
ADDRESS YOUR OPPONENTS GRIEVANCES

These principles allowed the British Empire to control the most widespread colonial possesions the world has seen.
That these principles are ignored by the US and, by default, the UK, it's clear that they cannot win the 'war on terror' with current policies.
It'll take the demise of Bush, Blair and the rest of the neo-con, christian fundamentalist power brokers before the world will be relatively safe again.

**moko** · 15th August 2006, 07:27

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

It'll take the demise of Bush, Blair and the rest of the neo-con, christian fundamentalist power brokers before the world will be relatively safe again.

Typical of the ignorance and mis-understanding shown by the current British Government is the recent appointment of Ruth Kelly M.P. to "tackle religious extremism".The same Ruth Kelly who`s membership of Catholic Fundamentalist group Opus Dei has caused so much controversy over here.Of course by "Religious Extremism" they mean "Islamic Extremism" and Kelly`s appointment is seen as either an example of their total stupidity or a calculated slap in the face for the Muslim community.What really disturbs me is that there does seem to be a concerted effort to piss off the Muslim population here from those who should know better,given that there are now 2 million Muslims living here,the vast majority hard-working,law-abiding people it`s a bit baffling and not very clever.

**Jamezo** · 15th August 2006, 10:50

I don't know what is sadder; that someone spent a lot of time coming up with that peurile bullshit, or that there are those that believed it at face value....

**Sniper** · 15th August 2006, 10:59

I was wondering how long it would take you to get here

**Biff** · 15th August 2006, 13:29

Originally Posted by Sniper

I didnt say that, but I didnt make it clear either.

What I mean is that certain types of folks believe everything they see and hear on TV. Kind of like the people who believe that the children they give $1 a day too actually get the total amount of $1 per day. I would use the word nieve, but Im not sure if thats all that true.

For a minute there I thought you were talking about me. Then I remembered that for every $1 I donate 75c goes to the 'cause'. That's cheaper that sending the cash by Post. So all's good.

Originally Posted by moko

The same Ruth Kelly who`s membership of Catholic Fundamentalist group Opus Dei has caused so much controversy over here..

What utter Arse Biscuits. They study and promote devout Catholicism.

I was a Mason for a while. That does make me a Knight Templer?

Don't believe everything you read in the Da Vinci Code.

I don't see what the issue is with the appointment of Ruth Kelly. She's an excellent politician. Is it really such an issue that just because someone is a strict Catholic they're not allowed/or capable of introducing policy or promote ideas that may enable people of different cultures to live in harmony. If so - then you're the one extreme views IMO.

**Jamezo** · 15th August 2006, 15:28

Originally Posted by Sniper

I was wondering how long it would take you to get here

It was only a matter of time, my uninformed-rant-detecter went off while I was on the john.

**moko** · 24th August 2006, 01:34

Originally Posted by Biff

What utter Arse Biscuits. They study and promote devout Catholicism.
I was a Mason for a while. That does make me a Knight Templer?
Don't believe everything you read in the Da Vinci Code.
I don't see what the issue is with the appointment of Ruth Kelly. She's an excellent politician. Is it really such an issue that just because someone is a strict Catholic they're not allowed/or capable of introducing policy or promote ideas that may enable people of different cultures to live in harmony. If so - then you're the one extreme views IMO.

Some might say fundamentalist Catholicism is not exactly the best background to have when dealing with the issue of percieved Islamic fundamentalism ,or indeed any other kind of religious fundamentalisn/fanaticism.Sadly for Ruth she cant burn or torture them out of their beliefs any more,though the way things are going in Britain that`s not too far down the line.
You being a Mason for a while dosnt make you a Knight Templer,merely a lapsed Mason,plenty of lodges all over N.Z. if you found it that interesting,indeed far more "open" than here,you could easily be an active memeber,if you dont what`s your point?
Ruth Kelly an excellent politician? that`s your opinion and as valid as any other N.Z. residents opinion of British politics,here she`s more often a figure of ridicule and derision,probably unfairly but then you know the score here Biff.I still say having a fundamentalist overseeing other fundamentalists is "not wise" as they say in Scotland.
Da Vinci Code? Probably the worst book I`ve ever read and I certainly dont take it seriously,Opus Dei however give me the shits the same as any other bible-thumping bunch of reptiles with a superiority complex,not the fiction I find distasteful but the reality.
Arse biscuits? last time I was in N.Z Itried all kinds of local delicacies but dont remember those.