The Ghost of Paley
Posts: 1703
Joined: Oct. 2005
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Fishy:
Believe it or not, I don't feel like a political debate now, but I'd like to report that another Paley Prediction is coming true:
| Quote | Home Secretary John Reid has described as "a dreadful misjudgement" an open letter in which Muslim groups criticise British foreign policy.
The letter, signed by three Muslim MPs, three peers and 38 groups, suggested some policies provoked terrorists acts.
Mr Reid said no competent government would remain in power if policies were "dictated by terrorists".
Echoing this stance, former Tory leader Michael Howard said the letter had given "ammunition" to extremists.
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Here's the letter:
| Quote | Prime Minister, As British Muslims we urge you to do more to fight against all those who target civilians with violence, whenever and wherever that happens.
It is our view that current British government policy risks putting civilians at increased risk both in the UK and abroad.
To combat terror the government has focused extensively on domestic legislation. While some of this will have an impact, the government must not ignore the role of its foreign policy.
The debacle of Iraq and now the failure to do more to secure an immediate end to the attacks on civilians in the Middle East not only increases the risk to ordinary people in that region, it is also ammunition to extremists who threaten us all.
Attacking civilians is never justified. This message is a global one. We urge the Prime Minister to redouble his efforts to tackle terror and extremism and change our foreign policy to show the world that we value the lives of civilians wherever they live and whatever their religion.
Such a move would make us all safer.
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Yes, the letter says all the "right" things, but the subtext is very clear. Do things our way or you'll be sorry.
Here's a way to deal with terrorist blackmail:
| Quote | War came to America on April 6, 1917. A week later, there was a patriotic rally at City Hall featuring James Gerard, America's former ambassador in Berlin. Gerard told a cheering crowd how one of the Kaiser's diplomats had given him a warning — 500,000 German-Americans stood ready to rise up if the U.S. ever fought Germany.
"I told him," Gerard said, "that we have 500,000 lampposts to hang them on."
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While I hate the Wilson Administration's enforcement of the Espionage and Sedition Acts, I would like to note, just for the record, that the lampposts weren't necessary.
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Dey can't 'andle my riddim.
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