Freedom of speech

I agree with everything - have been watching UK go to hell in a handbasket.

For me - final straw was the latest from the draft Animal Welfare Bill

THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CAT OWNERS

* Keep cats indoors at night to protect them and the local wildlife
* Neuter cats at four months old. Females can produce up to 18 kittens a year, the code says, and 'motherhood takes a lot out of a cat'. Cats advertise their availability by screeching, fighting and wandering off, it adds
* Provide areas where cats can hide, such as an enclosed bed or box, or a high ledge where they can escape from children and other pets
* Ensure that cats have enough 'mental stimulation' so that they do not become bored or frustrated
* Use lightweight rolling balls, or toys that stimulate 'catching behaviour', such as fishing rods
* Make sure that cats do not become overweight, and know their ideal weight at every stage of their life
* Ensure that cats? preference for privacy is met by giving them a hidden away place with cat litter to relieve themselves. This advice forms part of a nine-point guide for 'going to the toilet'

excuse me - ever owned a cat?????????? The last point has me "a nine-point guide for 'going to the toilet'"......


AAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!

[quote:d8d2760251="Mother Bear"]Here, they purport to be faithful to Mohammed and Islam, but the reality is something quite different. [b:d8d2760251]What actually goes on behind the facade is quite the opposite of what Islam is about.[/b:d8d2760251] This applies to many, but not to all. There are some who are very pious and true to their faith. [/quote:d8d2760251]

[color=blue:d8d2760251]This is only a part of what I was talking about. At least he's admitted he was wrong.[/color:d8d2760251]

From Yahoo news:

A man who dressed as a suicide bomber to protest in London has been exposed as a convicted crack dealer. Omar Khayam, 22, was among hundreds of Muslims demonstrating outside the Danish Embassy on Friday. They were protesting against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad which had appeared in a Danish newspaper last September.

Khayam, from Bedford, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2002 - but released last year on parole. He has already apologised for any offence.caused by his suicide bomber's outfit, admitting it was "wrong, unjustified and insensitive". Speaking outside his home, he said: "I found the pictures deeply offensive as a Muslim and I felt the Danish newspaper had been provocative and controversial, deeply offensive and insensitive. Just because we have the right of free speech and a free media, it does not mean we may say and do as we please and not take into account the effect it will have on others. But by me dressing the way I did, I did just that, exactly the same as the Danish newspaper, if not worse. My method of protest has offended many people, especially the families of the victims of the July bombings. This was not my intention. What happened in July was a tragedy and un-Islamic. I do not condone these murderous acts, do not support terrorism or extremism and would like to apologise unreservedly and wholeheartedly to the families of the victims."

The Government has pledged full support for any police action against those who caused outrage by promising death to Europeans after publication of the cartoons. Tony Blair spoke to Danish premier Anders Fogh Rasmussen, before the Government threw its weight behind Denmark in the row over the cartoons which has left its embassies in flames and at least four people dead in worldwide protests.

When you read just how widespread the trouble is, you can see how easily another world war could break out. And all over a cartoon. What will it be next time?

I don't dislike Muslims as individuals. My problem is with the culture and ideology behind Islam. Sadly, it encourages violence more than any other religion, and even more moderate Muslims tend to lack tolerance of other faiths and cultures.

People talk about the extremists and the non-violent Muslims. Unfortunately, I don't see it as being quite as simple as that. Even a lot of the peace loving Muslims don't like Western culture and want to change their adopted country (i.e. Britain) into an Islamic state. I don't agree with this at all. After all, if I wanted to live in the Middle East I would expect to have to respect and abide by the Muslim culture, and if I didn't there'd be outrage.

I got lost in a predominantly Jewish part of London a couple of years ago but never once felt threatened. They, like many other faiths, don't try to impose their religion on other people. That is perhaps the difference between Islam, and say, Judaism or Hinduism.

I have made friends with Muslims at University. Some are really nice people. I must admit that they were not the type to denounce Western culture, and professed to being as horrified by the terrorist attcaks as everyone else. I suppose it's unfair to prejudge people as there are loads of nice, decent Muslims. The thugs who set light to Mosques or attack innocent Muslims are just as bad as the religious extremists.

I blame the British government for all this mess. Racial violence in British cities is at breaking point, as there is so much tension between different ethnic communities. The problem is exacerbated further by the PC brigade who allow extremists to glorify the July bombings, but forbid anyone to show any overt patriotism (i.e. the waving of the British flag).


Tottefan.

I totally agree with you Tottefan and I recognize what you say about trying to change the UK to suit themselves. Oddly enough, here in the Gulf, we have the same thing, only it?s the Indians (Pakistanis, Bangladeshis etc. to a lesser extent) that are quietly but steadfastly taking over. They started off working as maids, gardeners, shopkeepers and other more skilled compatriots have since joined them and gradually worked their way into higher positions. Whereas, although the Gulf states are, of course, Arab, everything is geared towards the Indian. Foods in supermarkets, restaurants, newpapers and magazines, cultural events, shops selling saris and other Indian clothing all predominate, many businesses are owned by them and they hold high positions. When we first came to this area, to be an Indian was to be in a low-paid job, living in run-down apartment blocks and driving round in a beat up old car (if you could afford one). As time has passed (and not long at that), we can clearly see the difference. It?s good that they have pulled themselves up by the bootlaces and made a good living for themselves, but the cost is that, in some cases, they have become arrogant, pompous, vociferous and demanding.

The day of the western expat is over here now, as the Indians are taking many of the jobs. The quality of the work isn?t the same, but never mind, they are cheaper. This was brought home to us in Qatar when hubster was given a job with a large oil company. We?d been warned about the Indian Mafia working there, but didn?t realise we?d become yet another victim of their dirty dealings. They resent westerners working there and try to force them out or stop them getting the job in the first place, which is what happened to us. Hubster had been given a date to start and was to wait until advised to go in and sign his contract. The time came and went and eventually, on enquiring what was happening, we were immediately told ?Sorry, there is no suitable position for you at the moment?. Someone had dug up a brother/relative/friend who would suit the job better and I?d lay money on it that he wasn?t white. We felt hard done by as we?d settled in for a long contract, but since then we?ve heard many, many stories of similar and worse behaviour at the hands of the Indians. I don't mean to infer that all Indians are guilty of this type of behaviour, this is just an example of what can happen.

This may seem a bit off-topic, but shows clearly how immigrants can eventually almost lay claim to their host country and all but make it their own. Be warned, it?s coming to a place near you [smilie=fright.gif] .

I guess you could say that about Maori and Pakeha, talk about immigrants taking over!

I often wonder when someone Maori looks at me, whether they are thinking 'another damn white person in my country'. I will add that this rarely ever appears to be the case, and have rarely heard of any real racial tension here.

As for the rest of the world, it's almost like the British empire is reversing, where British used to dominate the world, so those cultures are now bouncing back to replace them, taking over the 'western' world.

We're heading towards a world that wants equality but is ending up with the old saying:

Everyone is equal, just some are more equal than others.

I.E. We want the same rights as you and some of our own, thanks.

WOW!!!!

There is so much to read, but I could have written it all.
Change the place and the people.
I'm living in the USA and have had family from every generation in the military serve in every war in our history, right down to the revolution.
My husband just proudly retired from 20 years of military service.
We are, however, unhappy with our government and their overly PC ways as
well. We boarder Mexico, so guess what we're dealing with?
It's other things as well. What can I do?
I thought, Thank God it's a free country, I'm leaving.

[tottefan]

Ken Livingston is joining the march protesting about the cartoons today. Talk about encouraging hatred of Westerners!! It has also come out that some of the Muslims who have organised the protest are in fact terrorists or well-known supporters of terrorism. :icon_confused:

Meanwhile, calendars in the UK no longer tell you when Easter is, probably in case it offends other faiths/religions. :icon_eek:


Tottefan.

[MotherBear]

[quote:14464e7a0e="tottefan"]Meanwhile, calendars in the UK no longer tell you when Easter is, probably in case it offends other faiths/religions. :icon_eek: [/quote:14464e7a0e]

Excuse me getting a bit uncharacteristically patriotic all of a sudden, but the UK is OUR country where OUR rules and traditions should apply. When in Rome .....and all that. If the immigrants who've made the UK their home don't like how things are there, then they can go elsewhere, surely? I don't think I've heard of any other countries that are bending over backwards so much, just to please other nationalities.

As for the protests marches, they are mainly being used as platforms for stirring up more hatred between the religions and races. They've had their say and made it quite clear that they are upset by the cartoons, but they just won't let it lie. We've played right into their hands.

[Schristen]

Hey there,

I have to say...
either the US is following the UK's example, or the UK is following the US's example. Either way, I can't agree with their ways.
I"m with you Mother Bear, "when in Rome".

This should be a warning that the world is truly starting to polarize.