Comment at end
10th April, 2009
As I write this, 1:00pm Friday, BBC Radio4 has started its news broadcast with a moderate-sounding Muslim who was held and questioned for 6 days over a terrorist plot after downloading an Al Qaeda training document. He states at the top of the programme that there is now an unfounded paranoid fear amongst the general population over ‘clandestine groups’. He says it’s very easy to fall victim to that kind of “hype”. I would counter that by saying that it is also very easy to discount the work of the security services and the government’s need to protect the people (its first duty). We see this all the time, in the “oh, not again” comments at liberal publications.
So there we are – because our legal high hurdles don’t always manage to pin down these suspects it obviously means that ALL of this concen over terror is blatant fear-mongering with no foundation whatsoever. It’s the innocent-until-proven-guilty argument and in principle I agree with it. So, it’s with this proviso that I provide the links below.
Phil Woolas, Immigration Minister, last week: Abuse of student visa system in Britain. Meanwhile, former Home Secretary, David Blunkett expressed concern over political correctness on this issue.
The photographer involved here has “form” on this. See Telegraph reports here.
Bob Quick allowing, accidently, zoom lenses to pick out the details of his confidential papers on the upcoming raids in the North of England. Despite a "D Notice" banning publication of this photograph, it was still shown, precipitating hurried arrests of 12. Does the press bear NO responsibility?
Following the resignation of Bob Quick, the Assistant Commissioner and the most senior counter-terorism officer, attention has turned to the 12 men arrested in and around Manchester. It has been trailed that there were serious fears of a terror attack in Manchester over this Easter weekend.
Reports on this, and the problems with students from Pakistan here (US National Alert Center) and here (Telegraph) and here (Centurean2) and here (Telegraph again with video explaining the REAL threat to Britain).
Original Report excerpt, from BBC Report: Terror Raid follows File Blunder
Twelve men have been arrested in the North West of England after Britain’s most senior counter terrorism police officer sparked a security alert.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick said he “deeply regretted” revealing a secret document to photographers when he arrived for a briefing at No 10.
The document, clearly marked “secret”, carried an outline briefing on an ongoing counter-terrorism operation.
The 12 suspects were later arrested at locations across north-west England.
It is understood the raids at eight addresses took place sooner than planned due to the documents being revealed.
RELATED & others
Tags: 12 arrested over terrorism plots northern england, easter manchester bombing attack, manchester terror arrests, pakistani students plot
April 12, 2009 at 5:05 pm |
KTBFPM,
I, for ONE am grateful to the security forces in England, for trying to keep all of you safe. Why does the media feel it necessary to try portray the police officers as keystone cops? Yet, when they cry out for help, it is that same police officer who becomes their hero. The media is already planting doubt as to the guilt of the perpetrators. They play judge and jury when they are totally ignorant of the facts. If you read the reports they would lead you to believe the suspected individuals were just playing a game of Monopoly. How dare they downplay the extreme danger these people might have put us in had they not been apprehended. Is it not better to be SAFE than SORRY? I for one, am interested in the facts and the mindless media be damned.
April 12, 2009 at 6:05 pm |
Agree absolutely, Arlene.
Amazing that the Press and photographers are getting away with this. There’s supposed to be a recent law against ordinary people taking pictures of the Police. And the civil righters are screaming about it. WHY is there no law stopping these press photographers?
I DO wonder whose side they are on. I really do. If I had taken that picture I would NEVER have used it. There is no sense of responsibility.
April 27, 2009 at 1:34 pm |
Ive gotten to know alot of Pakistanis here in Australia.I cant understand their perceptions of all this,they think Pakistan and Islam is being plotted against.Deep down I dont trust alot of them.I hope this lingering jihadist mess is destroyed and rid of.The left-wing is a scourge!
April 27, 2009 at 8:56 pm |
Hi David – and of course THEY think WE are the scourge. What a world. I didn’t realise until I read about the mad mullah who damaged his own mosque, and was caught in the act on CCTV (WHO says they’re a problem?), that Australia was suffering from these weirdos too.