A timely article by Iran’s foreign minister in the London Independent. It’s almost inconceivable that an Australian outlet would publish this, Tehran being “the enemy” and all: Despite the empty boasts of the US about the achievements of its Washington conference on nuclear disarmament, the world still faces the threat from tens of thousands of…
Showing all posts tagged Britain
Muslims allowed to throw shoes in protest (and Jews want to throw something, too)
This story may need no introduction (except to say that I wonder what, say, Jews, Christians and Hindus would like to throw, just to make things fair, of course): Scotland Yard has bowed to Islamic sensitivities and accepted that Muslims are entitled to throw shoes in ritual protest — which could have the unintended consequence…
How the British want to “protect” citizens from online truths
Yet another example of why governments can’t be trusted to properly regulate/censor the internet. Their main goal will never be to provide maximum coverage but rather remove politically problematic material: The [British] government forced through the controversial digital economy bill with the aid of the Conservative party last night, attaining a crucial third reading –…
Britain welcomes war criminals with open arms
Back in February I wrote about the long list of war criminals who have found a home in Australia. Shamefully, it’s little different in Britain: Record numbers of alleged mass murderers and torturers have found safe haven in the UK, making this country one of the war criminal capitals of the world, it is claimed…
What some New Zealanders think about Israel
The following press release appears today: A campaign formed in Wellington to oppose the opening of an Israeli embassy says nobody would want the embassy as its neighbour. NIEW – No Israeli Embassy in Wellington – is a coalition set up to oppose Israel plans to open an embassy in Wellington for the first time…
Does the British government know the difference between Islam and Islamist?
Another example of a Western government (this time the British) seemingly incapable of understanding the nuance and shade in the non-Anglo world. How comforting to know that writing about Islam and being critical of the “war on terror” makes one a potential target for government intrusion: The UK Home Office last week released a study…
Britain cares so deeply about human rights in Sri Lanka (it sells them weapons)
A clarifying fact that underscores the real killer in Sri Lanka: Britain licensed …£7 million worth of weapons and military equipment for export to Sri Lanka this year alone, it was revealed during a debate in Parliament Wednesday. The sum matches the amount of British aid provided in the wake of December 2004 tsunami. On…
Please don’t drop our bombs on poor Palestinians
Perhaps, step by step, Western nations are realising Israel illegally uses their weapons against civilians: A group of British lawmakers are expected to call Tuesday for the reevaluation of arms deals with Israel after a recently published report claimed that British weapons were “almost certainly” used in Operation Cast Lead in December 2008, The Guardian…
Making Muslims dislike you even more
Yet another counter-productive and utterly clueless Western government program in the post 9/11 world: A key government policy on countering extremism in Britain has “stigmatised and alienated” Muslims and undermined community relations, a Commons report says today. Many Muslims told the cross-party committee of MPs that they believed the purpose of the Prevent programme was…
How to treat a major media mogul who loves page 3 girls and illegal wire-tapping
What the BBC needs to do more often: “Find someone to articulately tell James Murdoch to fuck off.”