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The BNP (may they ever rot) has an "interesting" anti-terror proposal. (If you the definition of interesting is "batshit psycho-bigot insane")
They believe all Muslims should be banned from flying. Indefinitely.
Right, first of all: My rant on the pointlessness and sheer damage of such profiling:
Religious profiling is stupid. I'm not going to even argue the human rights aspects because everyone who cares about human rights understands this and doesn't need me to ramble on about how water is wet. Those who don't value human rights aren't going to get it anyway and need slapping with a big wet fish until they come to their senses.
No, there is another reason why it is stupid - it's because it is incredibly tunnel visioned. Tucked into the news recently has been the bombings and some violence in Ireland - the "Real IRA" is trying to get noticed again. Now I don't want to be blown up by an Irish Republican's semtex bomb any more than I wish to be blown up by an Muslim Extremist's suicide bomb. I also don't want to be torn apart by some right wing extremist's nail bomb (as happened in Soho not so long ago as a far right looney bombed hang outs of homosexuals and ethnic minorities).
So, I don't want my police rigorously checking everyone who looks like they're from the Middle East while completely ignoring the skin heads, Pissed off Paddies and little ol' Doris who is sick of the shop never having the colour of wool she wants for her knitting and has decided to take out her rage on the whole world.
And that's before we consider how statements and policies like this just generate more anger in our HOME GROWN (and Pakistani schooled) terrorist threat, giving is the dual wonders of both recruitment and the actual Muslim community not co-operating with the police.
Now, having covered the STUPIDITY of religious profiling, we now consider the practicality of it. How, pray tell, is anyone supposed to know what someone's religion is? Sure, some people wear religious dress, but far from all. So lets call it what it REALLY is: RACIAL profiling. Oh dear, that leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, doesn't it? Because when it comes down to it you would actually be trying to ground everyone of middle eastern descent (and from the Indian sub-continent, and North Africa. hey, if we're going by looks you've got Greece, Italy, Spain, south of France, Portugal and people wearing lots of fake tan). And you STILL wouldn't "succeed" in grounding all Muslims since, like any religion, Muslims come in all colours and with all names.
Unless of course they wanted a central registry of all muslims. Hey, why not make them all where big yellow stars while we're at it?
Gah, I'm not so much sickened by the BNP saying this drivel - because we KNOW what kind of sick freaks the Nazi party is, but by the amount of people who are nodding and acting like it's a good idea
(Icon made by Caslayerboi and now I have a category to use it for!)
They believe all Muslims should be banned from flying. Indefinitely.
Right, first of all: My rant on the pointlessness and sheer damage of such profiling:
Religious profiling is stupid. I'm not going to even argue the human rights aspects because everyone who cares about human rights understands this and doesn't need me to ramble on about how water is wet. Those who don't value human rights aren't going to get it anyway and need slapping with a big wet fish until they come to their senses.
No, there is another reason why it is stupid - it's because it is incredibly tunnel visioned. Tucked into the news recently has been the bombings and some violence in Ireland - the "Real IRA" is trying to get noticed again. Now I don't want to be blown up by an Irish Republican's semtex bomb any more than I wish to be blown up by an Muslim Extremist's suicide bomb. I also don't want to be torn apart by some right wing extremist's nail bomb (as happened in Soho not so long ago as a far right looney bombed hang outs of homosexuals and ethnic minorities).
So, I don't want my police rigorously checking everyone who looks like they're from the Middle East while completely ignoring the skin heads, Pissed off Paddies and little ol' Doris who is sick of the shop never having the colour of wool she wants for her knitting and has decided to take out her rage on the whole world.
And that's before we consider how statements and policies like this just generate more anger in our HOME GROWN (and Pakistani schooled) terrorist threat, giving is the dual wonders of both recruitment and the actual Muslim community not co-operating with the police.
Now, having covered the STUPIDITY of religious profiling, we now consider the practicality of it. How, pray tell, is anyone supposed to know what someone's religion is? Sure, some people wear religious dress, but far from all. So lets call it what it REALLY is: RACIAL profiling. Oh dear, that leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, doesn't it? Because when it comes down to it you would actually be trying to ground everyone of middle eastern descent (and from the Indian sub-continent, and North Africa. hey, if we're going by looks you've got Greece, Italy, Spain, south of France, Portugal and people wearing lots of fake tan). And you STILL wouldn't "succeed" in grounding all Muslims since, like any religion, Muslims come in all colours and with all names.
Unless of course they wanted a central registry of all muslims. Hey, why not make them all where big yellow stars while we're at it?
Gah, I'm not so much sickened by the BNP saying this drivel - because we KNOW what kind of sick freaks the Nazi party is, but by the amount of people who are nodding and acting like it's a good idea
(Icon made by Caslayerboi and now I have a category to use it for!)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 06:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 07:17 pm (UTC)That's-- There are no words.
Most (the vast, vast majority) of Muslims are law-abiding and peaceful people who would no more dream of blowing a plane up than the Pope. Less, thinking back to some Popes, particularly in the Middle Ages.
Racial profiling is also incredibly stupid. What, we're going to 'profile' over 1 billion people now?
If it's any comfort I don't think most people are in favour of this pathetically stupid idea and it hasn't got a hope in hell of ever taking place.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:07 pm (UTC)These are people who were in britain during the 80s. I have the not the words.
How can ANYONe brand a whole people like that? If we had done it with Catholics over Ireland there would have been an OUTRAGE. It sickens me. this changes our eway of life far more than the terrorists ever could
I do think most people realise how vile it is
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 07:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:09 pm (UTC)SNP does exist - but it seems to be more left wing than right
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 11:01 pm (UTC)Also, I think the general view of the SNP is they're pretty much the same as the BNP. I'd need to check on it before I said that for definate though
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 10:56 am (UTC)I don't know, I may be mixing the SNP and the SDP (or whatever they call themselves). To be honest, I don't think I ever really took them seriously enough to look into it.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 07:34 pm (UTC)In addition, we'll have to weed out all of those inferior religions. Not just Muslims, but Buddhists (too peaceful. We can't trust them), Wiccans, (SATAN worshipers!), and any others that don't have Jesus Christ as their own personal savior.
When the white Christian man is the only one to take to the skies, all of these bombings will stop, because it's common knowledge that all white Christian men are peaceful, law abiding citizens.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 07:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:29 pm (UTC)I worry that some acrtually think that
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 07:48 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 08:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 08:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:32 pm (UTC)But, but... the NINJA GRANNIES could kill us all?!
That is seriously silly - water dangerous but blades not?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 12:07 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 10:58 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 08:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:39 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 10:58 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:00 pm (UTC)And I second the hairsticks; I used to know a vendor who would sell custom wrought-iron hair sticks. Sharpened. Must see if I can find them again.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 09:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 10:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 10:59 am (UTC)So many stupid people. So few chainsaws.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-15 10:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 11:05 am (UTC)I don't think it's so much that the BNP proposed it (you expect scum to produce filth) but that so many people actually gave it credence.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 03:49 am (UTC)Why can't they do something important, and ban uncomfortable seats, magazines over three months old, movies that can cause brain damage, and any passengers planning on telling seatmates long stories involving golf or health issues?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 11:07 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 09:55 am (UTC)Random anal probes for everyone.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 11:09 am (UTC)When it coems down to it, people are going to havbe to realise there is a line between safety and sanity.
Doesn't seem likely they'll be drawing it any time soon
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 12:30 pm (UTC)Government is perfect at the job, just look how inviting and safe prisons are where there is total government control.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 12:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 12:34 pm (UTC)I have no words for this, you've said it all.
Holy carp. How retarded.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 12:42 pm (UTC)Soemtimes therer is nmo hoppe for people, there is only Darwin's Chainsaw
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-16 02:17 pm (UTC)i am quite boring -- 30 years old, female, white collar professional living just outside washington DC (though thankfully not working for the Fed). i enjoy fast cars, disaster movies, nachos, and judging my fellow man.
pleasedtomeetcha.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-17 12:51 pm (UTC)Nice to meet you, the more the marrier :)
There aren't any words for how messed up this is
Date: 2006-08-17 07:10 pm (UTC)Sadly, I do not see some sort of "if thou art Muslim thou must wear crescent moon and star pinned to shirt" rhetoric as being too far off, and what frightens me the most is the people who would say, "Yeah! Better yet, let's make them get tattoos and always have them showing!"
Re: There aren't any words for how messed up this is
Date: 2006-08-18 11:35 am (UTC)It's so deeply depressing. We should know better. Really, we should