GOD forbid that a massive terror outrage should hit the UK – or planes flying from here – but if it did happen, then how would we all react?
It could happen. Oh, yes. The Government has been telling us for several years now that a major incident is, if fact, likely.
We have already endured the 7/7 attacks on London, which were bad enough.
Next time, things could be much worse, if the recent plot to massacre thousands by downing transatlantic jets is anything to go by.
At the time of writing this, 23 people were still held by police in connection with the plot, including – incredibly – hate-filled mothers allegedly willing to sacrifice themselves and their babies as “baby bombers� in a twisted cause.
No doubt the next time terrorists strike Britain, the event will, paradoxically, bring out the best in the human spirit among our population (as well as all the grief and suffering) because in the hearts of most of us is deep revulsion at premeditated cruelty and barbarism.
Islamic terrorism is now a very, very difficult problem for the whole world. The twisted fundamentalism that underpins it predates the 9/11 attacks.
It has its roots back in the 1920s Arab politics. Some would argue that Islamic hostility to Western (i.e. Judaeo-Christian) civilisation started even further back in history.
But now such militant views are being embraced by millions of radicalised Muslims around the world, including hundreds, possibly thousands of people in Britain.
Those who preach violence against the West are still in a minority, but they are not such a small a minority any more.
Meanwhile, Western governments are playing right into the hands of the extremists with public displays of disunity about the War on Terror.
And Western nations are failing to engage young, intelligent, moderate Muslims (both here and in traditional Islamic societies) in the battle to win over hearts and souls to the causes of freedom, democracy and toleration.
Devout Muslims want to build the good society here on Earth just as earnestly as do devout Christians and Jews.
We should be making common cause with good people of all faiths – for the sake of the planet and humanity. That's the way to defeat the terror threat.
As for popular culture in the ever more secular West, it has become a stinking and unattractive mire which actively militates against those more noble aspects of Western civilisation – worth repeating here and worth fighting for – freedom, democracy and toleration.
The West’s current gross materialism and consumerism, its obsession with physical vanity and value-free sexuality, and its rampant, childlike, “I want� individualism, are all helping to create a Godless modern generation that is clueless about the really important things in life as well as being generally rather thick, inarticulate and coarse.
A terror attack on Britain would be heart-breaking, of course, and I can’t help asking myself what would happen to the main carrier of this awful popular culture of ours – TV – if such a major incident did occur.
With thousands of people dead after a terror attack, could we really allow vile, stupid and frivolous TV shows, such as Big Brother, Love Island and How To Solve A Problem Like Maria, to continue on telly?
Call me old-fashioned, but if there is big terror strike, then that ought to be the cue for the TV networks, as a sign of respect, to stop pumping out crap at least for a week or so.
If death, hatred and destruction are to be visited upon British society soon (and I pray that they won't be), then I would want to see only rolling news, sombre reflection and prayers on TV for at least a week.
And if that means the Government taking emergency powers to close down huge chunks of our bloated, smug, TV industry temporarily, then you wouldn’t find me complaining.
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Barcardi queen wrote...
Well, well, I think we should vote for you as leader at the next general election. I wonder if anyone remembers the last time our country went into despair and depression... The t.v. tried to boost morale by showing the country comedy repeats from the 70s, though somehow I doubt reruns of "Love thy Neighbour" would suit these days. This goverment is hell bent on "political correctness" but where has that got us? All I can see is resentment and more trouble brewing, not just through terrorisum, but also communities, and families, as well as the European Union floodgates having already stretched our public services to their limits.
And what if there is a massive terror incident? The goverment has committed our army abroad! What few soldiers we have got left are out there fighting on behalf of George W Bush.
Anyway everybody keep you'r chin up and the other one!!! I've had me moan of the day!
*** More moans, anyone? SR.
Posted by: Barcardi queen | August 15, 2006 11:49 AM