Muslim Immigration & The UK

[OccamsTaser]

Watching the news today... Islamic protestors in Britain spark rioting during a military homecoming celebration.

I'm an American, and I'm trying to understand the whole dynamic going on in the UK, of radical Muslims immigrating (in seemingly large numbers) to the United Kingdom. At first blush, it appears that either one of two things, or possibly both, is happening.

1. The radicals are 2nd generation, the children of mainstream muslims.
2. Muslims are immigrating to the UK in some sort of long-trend invasion, whereby they hope to eventually become an ethnic, political, and religious majority. Sounds conspiratorial, I know, but there is that whole "world caliphate" thing...

I guess I just don't understand the reasoning of someone who immigrates to a country whose policies, values, and culture, they are vehemently opposed to. As an American WASP, I wouldn't immigrate to Saudi Arabia or Iran, even for a good job, because I am opposed to the policies and religious culture of those countries.

Can anyone, especially Muslims or Brits, enlighten me?

[PrettyVacant]

I suppose one of the issue might be that the country in which most of them were born invades and occupies Muslim countries on entirely bogus pretexts contributing to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fellow human beings/Muslims.

Ftr, even after 9/11 there was effectively no Islamic militancy in the UK - certainly not against the UK - until Blair decided to go along with Bush's state-based acquisition of Iraq's natural resources.

In all honesty, how can you not be angry at what was done in the name of the people by Bush and Blair?

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Here's a link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/london/10324027.stm) to the "rioting" (it's two dozen people plus a loudspeaker). I'm pretty sure the protesters are all at least second generation.

[Simplicio]

Are Christians or athiests who protest against the war "radical Christians" or "radical athiests"? Cause its not like being against Britains participation in Iraq in Afghanistan is some fringe position held only by British Muslims.

[John Mace]

The UK has a large number of ethnic Pakistanis (Pakistan, via old India, was a former colony) who are, IIRC, largely working class. Working class + ethnically different + second generation = disaffected youth. France has a similar situation with North Africans.

The Muslim immigrants to the US tend to be the more educated people. Or at least that was the case until recently.

[OccamsTaser]

The "war" between the Islamic middle-east, and the west didn't begin on 9/11, or with the policies of Bush and Blair. Anglo-American foreign policy has been decidedly anti-Islamic since at least the 1940's, and many would say much longer.

I didn't post my question to create a vehicle for the debate of Bush/Blair policy, but since it's been brought up, it's only fair to point out that Obama has carried forward the Bush war plans and policies with incredible fidelity, and has actually expanded the war to include Pakistan and Yemen.

So... Getting back to the OP, why would this group of people immigrate to a country whose policies, values, and culture, they vehemently oppose?

[Tapioca Dextrin]

So... Getting back to the OP, why would this group of people immigrate to a country whose policies, values, and culture, they vehemently oppose?

They didn't, their parents or grandparents did. For further information, see the Times Square Bomber, Fort Hood Shooter etc.

[OccamsTaser]

Are Christians or athiests who protest against the war "radical Christians" or "radical athiests"?

Some are, many are not. Venn diagram it.

Muslims who peacefully protest and exercise their right to free speech and political dissent, are simply Muslims. Muslims who attempt to blow up the London Underground as an act of jihad, are radical Muslims. Emphasis on the word radical.

Cause its not like being against Britains participation in Iraq in Afghanistan is some fringe position held only by British Muslims.

Never said it was. Refer to the question in the OP.

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Muslims who peacefully protest and exercise their right to free speech and political dissent, are simply Muslims.

So why refer to the peaceful protesters as radicals in the OP?

[wmfellows]

Watching the news today... Islamic protestors in Britain spark rioting during a military homecoming celebration.

A scuffle is not a riot. Nor is being a bunch of loud-mouthed gits a riot.

What the hell are you on about?

I'm an American, and I'm trying to understand the whole dynamic going on in the UK, of radical Muslims immigrating (in seemingly large numbers) to the United Kingdom. At first blush, it appears that either one of two things, or possibly both, is happening.

Seemingly large numbers?

You derive this from 25 young wankers yelling stupidities?

The big wave of Indo-Pak immigration was about 30-40 years ago, most of these kids are 2nd, even 3rd generation. Some of them are pretty rootless. Others are just young gits.

1. The radicals are 2nd generation, the children of mainstream muslims.
2. Muslims are immigrating to the UK in some sort of long-trend invasion, whereby they hope to eventually become an ethnic, political, and religious majority. Sounds conspiratorial, I know, but there is that whole "world caliphate" thing...

Some kind of long terend "invasion"????

When you used loaded, crazy phrases like this (and the whole riots thing and large numbers and long-trend invasion) I can't help hearing someone with BNP leanings talking as this is all utter tripe.

I guess I just don't understand the reasoning of someone who immigrates to a country whose policies, values, and culture, they are vehemently opposed to.

Making money. Been done for hundreds of years, see e.g. Catholics to originally very Protestant USA.

Of course some may be following family.

But then almost all those kids were doubtless 2nd or 3rd generation.


As an American WASP, I wouldn't immigrate to Saudi Arabia or Iran, even for a good job, because I am opposed to the policies and religious culture of those countries.

Shrug. Given the thousands of long-term Anglo expats in Saudi and the Gulf, your thinking is hardly that usual.



Given the following interaction, there is a significant doubt as to that.

[QUOTE=PrettyVacant;12579040]I suppose one of the issue might be that the country in which most of them were born invades and occupies Muslim countries on entirely bogus pretexts contributing to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fellow human beings/Muslims.

Ftr, even after 9/11 there was effectively no Islamic militancy in the UK - certainly not against the UK - until Blair decided to go along with Bush's state-based acquisition of Iraq's natural resources.

In all honesty, how can you not be angry at what was done in the name of the people by Bush and Blair?

Ehhhhh. That's not true mate, People weren't talking about "Londinistan" for no reason, there were a number of radical mosques (although pretty tiny numbers relative to UK Indo-Pak muslim pop), but you're right, wasn't aimed at the UK at all.

The UK has a large number of ethnic Pakistanis (Pakistan, via old India, was a former colony) who are, IIRC, largely working class. Working class + ethnically different + second generation = disaffected youth. France has a similar situation with North Africans.

The Muslim immigrants to the US tend to be the more educated people. Or at least that was the case until recently.

Nope mate, there's a very integrated and diverse population in the wealthier south of England, London especially, and then there's the poor bastards that went to the Northern cities, and like the native Anglo population, are suffering badly from de-industrialisation and lack of economic opportunities (although they do make a huge portion of the shopkeepers).

The "war" between the Islamic middle-east, and the west didn't begin on 9/11, or with the policies of Bush and Blair. Anglo-American foreign policy has been decidedly anti-Islamic since at least the 1940's, and many would say much longer.

No it hasn't and don't drag the UK into American idiocies.

So... Getting back to the OP, why would this group of people immigrate to a country whose policies, values, and culture, they vehemently oppose?

First adjust your assumptions then one can have a conversation, and 75% of your comments are based on utter tripe.

So why refer to the peaceful protesters as radicals in the OP?
Some of them probably are radicals, some are just young gits (like the long haired one).

[clairobscur]

The UK has a large number of ethnic Pakistanis (Pakistan, via old India, was a former colony) who are, IIRC, largely working class. Working class + ethnically different + second generation = disaffected youth. France has a similar situation with North Africans.


True regarding disaffected youth, but there's still a difference between the UK and France. For instance, there has been a survey showing that amongst Muslims in Europe, those living in the UK were amongst the most likely to identify first with their community (as opposed to, for instance, identify first as UK citizens), while French Muslims were amongst the less likely to do so.

France also has the lowest percentage of Muslims actually practising their religion (about 12% regularly go to the mosque).


The two main reasons for this difference IMO are : the fact that the UK has a long-standing tradition of communautarism, while this word is almost banned when discussing immigration or Islam in France. Second and more importantly, French Muslims come from countries where radical Islam is rather rare, and religion in general not nearly as important than in Pakistan (from where a lot of Muslims immigrants in the UK come from) to begin with.


So, there are disaffected youth in France burning cars and rioting, but they aren't much motivated by religion or politics. In fact, from a number of cases I read about, French Muslims who turn radicals and end up in bad situations (going to Afghanistan or whatnot...) commonly first moved to the UK to find extremist religious leaders whose teaching are more to their liking. The UK is often perceived in Europe as being "Muslim Extremists Central".

[John Mace]

Thanks for the added insights, clairobscur!

[wmfellows]

True regarding disaffected youth, but there's still a difference between the UK and France.

Yeah, like we don't practice racial discrimination, while ostentatiously talking about universal values like the French.

In fact, we are a lot better on integration.


The two main reasons for this difference IMO are : the fact that the UK has a long-standing tradition of communautarism, while this word is almost banned when discussing immigration or Islam in France.

That is, UK has a long tradition of religious liberty and letting various groups do what they like within the bounds of law. In France the government tries its level best to obliterate all kinds of regional and other identities.

Second and more importantly, French Muslims come from countries where radical Islam is rather rare, and religion in general not nearly as important than in Pakistan (from where a lot of Muslims immigrants in the UK come from) to begin with.


that's a fair cop.

The UK is often perceived in Europe as being "Muslim Extremists Central".

True, but Londinistan was mostly as far as I ever read the loony "refugees" / asylees crowd.

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Some of them probably are radicals, some are just young gits (like the long haired one).

The OP claims that

a) based on what he's seen (peaceful but noisy protests) Britain is over run with radical Muslims

b) any one who takes part in peaceful but noisy protests is not necessarily a radical.

The OP seems to quite unaware that he is arguing with himself.

[sinical brit]

The OP seems to <be> quite unaware that he is arguing with himself.

You only need the 1st half of that sentence.....

[Perciful]

You only need the 1st half of that sentence.....

So you are a Brit saying it is no big deal?

[ivan astikov]

It's not as big a deal as some would like it to be.

[Drew Kit]

Second and more importantly, French Muslims come from countries where radical Islam is rather rare, and religion in general not nearly as important than in Pakistan (from where a lot of Muslims immigrants in the UK come from) to begin with.


Like Algeria? I beg to differ.

The radicals themselves were mainstream and mostly apolitical a decade ago. The wars on Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine, the demonisation of everything Islamic, the profiled security clampdown on civil liberties radicalised them.

Britain colonised the Indian subcontinent, which had a sizeable if minority Muslim population, and most British muslims emigrated gradually a long period, which occasional leaps like in 1972, when 30000 British passport Asians were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin.
Today curry is voted Britains favourite meal, but the first recipe for curry was published in Britain in 1747, the first Indian restaurant opened in 1810, each new restaurant requiring chefs and waiters, and the first British mosque followed in 1889. In the Netherlands by contrast Indonesian cooking and Indonesian Muslims are far more prevalent because Indonesia was a Dutch colony.

The demonisation of Islam began soon after the Iron Curtain collapsed. There was brief talk of the 'peace dividend', and the west had to fill the Soviet Union sized hole in it's justification for 'defence' expenditure.

[Teacake]

So you are a Brit saying it is no big deal?

I am.

[Charley]

If you're counting, me too.

[Perciful]

That is funny because the internet says otherwise? It's like bringing a cockroach into your house and saying Oh, It's not that bad it's just one itty bitty bug and then before you know it your house is infested.

Only the ignorant are afraid because they don't understand. We are free and it is all we know so it easy to take for granted. Our country is doing something about this. We don't want to end up like Britain. I know it is easy to get caught up in the mundane, I do it myself but there are some brave people fighting for our freedom while the rest of you are drinking the cool aide.

Today is Fathers Day in the US. My father fought for my countries freedom in the Korean war. My grandfathers brother is buried in France. We are still in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our hard earned money should not be going to fund the people our military are fighting against. One ex service man is suing the government over it. He just got back from Iraq only to find out our country is financing the enemy? I'd be ripped to.

If something doesn't make sense investigate and find out the truth. I was feeling a little better until I talked to a connected friend who said a Saudi was trying to buy a computer hacking device. He decided to check the guy out and what do you know... He is a terrorist! He didn't close the deal and deleted him. He also said there is no such thing as an Iraqi "multi cultural center". It's an oxymoron. Only their beliefs matter. If you are not Muslim your a target. So either convert as soon as possible but only if you are not gay. If your gay your dead. Does anyone really know what they are about?

We may be getting the Sharia compliant bank out of town soon to. I reside in the "Live Free or Die" state and we don't tolerate loss of freedom well. It's funny when people find out what is going on right under their noses they usually do the right thing. You are either part of the solution or your part of the problem. In England they didn't know until it was too late. They like us are politically correct to the point of changing the law to suit a few. There is an Englishman on UTube with several video's that are very amusing about what this has done to his country.

I know people are afraid of terrorists and don't want to speak up but you have a duty to speak up. Talk to friends and people connected in your area about this issue. Stop making mundane arguments against all religions when the wolf is in the hen house.

Here is a very informative video that everyone that loves their country should watch. There are many more all over the net. If our own troops are suing the government there may be a problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN4Xzo4grYs

[SciFiSam]

I live in Tower Hamlets, the site of the supposed troubles. My mother grew up here and I spent some of my childhood here. I have also taught at secondary schools here and at EFL colleges in the areas. (ETA: I'm white British and so's my daughter).

My daughter's school this week, in their weekly newsletter, mentioned the 'racial tensions' in our area and warned us not to align with them. This was the first we'd heard of them. Yay publicity! The kids we know, of all backgrounds, were too obsessed with the World Cup to care about whatever those ... who were they anyway? .... were talking about.

I won't say there aren't any inter-racial problems round here, but, honestly, they're mostly of the kind that boil down to 'what TV shows do you watch?' The kids' gangs are inter-racial and are mostly about posturing and lack of space to hang around together after 9pm.

[Leaffan]

That is funny because the internet says otherwise? It's like bringing a cockroach into your house and saying Oh, It's not that bad it's just one itty bitty bug and then before you know it your house is infested.

....

This entire post has got to be one of the most ignorant and misinformed pieces of tripe I've ever read: not to mention the atrocious spelling and grammar. Words fail me at the moment.

[Illuminatiprimus]

We may be getting the Sharia compliant bank out of town soon to. I reside in the "Live Free or Die" state and we don't tolerate loss of freedom well. No contradiction there then...

[Leaffan]

This entire post has got to be one of the most ignorant and misinformed pieces of tripe I've ever read: not to mention the atrocious spelling and grammar. Words fail me at the moment.

Actually, I apologize.


I just read this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=563173) thread.

Your posts in there have now taken over as one of the most ignorant and misinformed pieces of tripe I've ever read.

[Charley]

That is funny because the internet says otherwise?

Are you kidding me? There are two possible retorts to this one. Shall we go for the more sensible 'I'm unsure why you would ask for experience from actual UK residents (although your request was obviously not in good faith) and then choose to ignore it in favour of 'the internet' '? Or how about the slightly ironic 'I'm amused that you've chosen to favour something people on the internet have said, over ... em... something people on the internet have said.'



Only the ignorant are afraid because they don't understand.

Quoted for truth.

Do you know what? This isn't worth my time. I found your entire post patronising, rude and offensive. Your general point seems to be that in the UK (or England, you don't seem to be clear which you mean) we're either too stupid or too afraid to notice that in fact we are oppressed and terrified by an insidious Muslim plague, and that it's essentially too late to save us. In that case, you should probably retreat inside your LivingFreeorDying state and pay us no further mind. We'll manage, honest.

[Drew Kit]

That is funny because the internet says otherwise? It's like bringing a cockroach into your house and saying Oh, It's not that bad it's just one itty bitty bug and then before you know it your house is infested.

Labelling ethnic groups you want to exterminate as 'cockroaches' isn't very original.

"We began by saying that a cockroach cannot give birth to a butterfly (http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/rwanda/Geno1-3-10.htm). It is true. A cockroach gives birth to another cockroach...The history of Rwanda shows us clearly that a Tutsi stays always exactly the same, that he has never changed. The malice, the evil are just as we knew them in the history of our country. We are not wrong in saying that a cockroach gives birth to another cockroach"

"People are so bothered by the way we’re treating the Jews. They can’t understand it, because they are God’s creatures. But cockroaches are also God’s creatures (http://www.aish.com/ho/o/48954321.html), and we destroy them."

[Baron Greenback]

If something doesn't make sense investigate and find out the truth. I was feeling a little better until I talked to a connected friend who said a Saudi was trying to buy a computer hacking device. He decided to check the guy out and what do you know... He is a terrorist! He didn't close the deal and deleted him. He also said there is no such thing as an Iraqi "multi cultural center". It's an oxymoron. Only their beliefs matter. If you are not Muslim your a target. So either convert as soon as possible but only if you are not gay. If your gay your dead. Does anyone really know what they are about?

We may be getting the Sharia compliant bank out of town soon to. I reside in the "Live Free or Die" state and we don't tolerate loss of freedom well. It's funny when people find out what is going on right under their noses they usually do the right thing. You are either part of the solution or your part of the problem. In England they didn't know until it was too late. They like us are politically correct to the point of changing the law to suit a few. There is an Englishman on UTube with several video's that are very amusing about what this has done to his country.

I know people are afraid of terrorists and don't want to speak up but you have a duty to speak up. Talk to friends and people connected in your area about this issue. Stop making mundane arguments against all religions when the wolf is in the hen house.

Here is a very informative video that everyone that loves their country should watch. There are many more all over the net. If our own troops are suing the government there may be a problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN4Xzo4grYs

What's it like to live your life in such fear?

[tagos]

I am.

And me.

[wmfellows]

That is funny because the internet says otherwise? It's like bringing a cockroach into your house and saying Oh, It's not that bad it's just one itty bitty bug and then before you know it your house is infested.

The only thing I can say to this post (starting from this stunningly ignorant and bigoted beginning) is that there is no proper polite response.

Here, real short, my dear birdie, you know fuck all about the UK and Muslims, so perhaps you should stop spewing for not-so-innocent hate. You've got your own bloody country to write complete and utter ignorant and bigoted tripe about (e.g. the WTC item).


(Stunning, someone comparing immigrants to cockroaches...)

(And adding that again, "And me" to not a problem, other than curry burns my bottom and I should hate the Indo-Pak immigrants for addicting me to it).

[jjimm]

And me.I'll third/fourth/fifth this. I live in an area of my city with a large Muslim population: Bangladesh and Pakistan-origin people, but with a smattering of North Africans. I have no problem at all, never have done*. In fact a couple of years ago some of my Muslim my neighbours, and representatives of the biggest synagogue in the city, plus representatives of the Catholic and other Christian churches, staged a religious unity march through the city, from the synagogue to the local mosque. This was the mosque that wanted to have a once-a-week call to prayer, but the local vicar objected.

I don't doubt that there are a few radicals in that population, as are there BNP members scattered around my city too, but there are assholes everywhere. No invasion.That is funny because the internet says otherwise?Aha, but I have just made the internet refute this. Therefore you must believe this bit of the internet not that.

How's that performance art piece working out for you?

*In fact I do have an issue with one of my Muslim neighbours, in that one of his kids has installed a huge bass woofer in the trunk of his car and it stops me from having a lie-in on a Saturday morning. Oh, and I went into the local halal butcher and said "can I have two chicken legs?" and the little old man looked over the counter at my trousers and said "you already have two chicken legs sir!" then fell around laughing. :D

[Capt. Ridley's Shooting Party]

Me too. I come from Bolton, with a massive Asian population. There's no problem between the communities, other than what BNP interlopers stir up. The overwhelming majority of Asians just want to work and make money.

[Revenant Threshold]

Same here. Apparently where I live is the most religiously diverse bit of the UK, and in general we all seem to get along pretty well. I won't say there are zero problems - I think, in any large group of individuals, there are going to be some racism issues or attacks. But they're the work of individuals, not campaigns by communities, and as much a problem of all sides.

[Gyrate]

Actually, I apologize.

I just read this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=563173) thread.

Your posts in there have now taken over as one of the most ignorant and misinformed pieces of tripe I've ever read.To be fair, when you spend as much time hiding under your bed as Perciful seems to, it's not surprising that all you see are cockroaches.

And dustbunnies. Fear the dustbunny invasion, people!

[Really Not All That Bright]

At first blush, it appears that either one of two things, or possibly both, is happening.

1. The radicals are 2nd generation, the children of mainstream muslims.
2. Muslims are immigrating to the UK in some sort of long-trend invasion, whereby they hope to eventually become an ethnic, political, and religious majority. Sounds conspiratorial, I know, but there is that whole "world caliphate" thing...
If you actually think (2) is a likely scenario, you probably ought to hand control of your personal finances, kids, and other chattels to somebody else.

It's (1). The British Muslim community - even the radical portion - is generally very quiet. You're more likely to hear extremist nonsense from white Britons than brown ones.

Exceptions are the occasional media-fueled heresy charge (Salman Rushdie, the Danish cartoonist fellow, etc.) and wars in which other Muslims are getting blown up for what appears to be no good reason.

Britain has a long, proud history of sheltering political radicals - Marx, et al - and recently that manifested in sheltering of Islamic fundamentalists. Obviously, that's changed a bit since 9/11, but certainly people like Omar Bakri were around long enough to radicalize a few thousand people.

[Teacake]

There is no polite way to respond to a post as ignorant as Perciful's. How dare you spout your disgusting bigotry, your ignorance and your hate-fuelled genocidal weirdness about a country you clearly know nothing about? I hope you've never been here. We don't want you.

What we want is people like my neighbours, who are first generation Muslims from East Africa and could not be nicer people. We want people like my students, who are mostly West African of various religious and ethnic backgrounds, who mostly work hard to free themselves from the abject circumstances of war, poverty and intolerance that led many of them to arrive in this country with nothing. We want people like me, whose ancestry in Britain can be traced back to the Norman Conquest along one line, but also includes immigrants and refugees right up to my grandfather, who arrived in this country with literally nothing but the clothes he stood up in. We want all these people, because they all accept each other and work to build a better life for themselves and their children in a free, equitable society. One in which people like you have no part, and can make no contribution: not because we wouldn't welcome you if you chose to open your eyes, but because it is your choice to live your life blinkered by hatred and ignorance.

And now maybe I shall walk to the mosque, or maybe the church, which are equidistant from my front door and run a joint fund to take local children out of London on day trips; and I shall make a small donation in your name, Perciful. I'm not religious myself, but if I was I'd pray for you. How horrible it must be inside your head.

[Magiver]

The UK has a large number of ethnic Pakistanis (Pakistan, via old India, was a former colony) who are, IIRC, largely working class. Working class + ethnically different + second generation = disaffected youth. France has a similar situation with North Africans.

The Muslim immigrants to the US tend to be the more educated people. Or at least that was the case until recently. I think that depends where you live or more to the point, where the immigrants come from. From my experience, people immigrate in groups and seek their country of origin out. My city is getting an influx of people from Turkey in a neighborhood that was once a Hungarian enclave.

[XT]

Hell, the Brits have more problems with each other than they have had from Muslim immigration...

-XT

[Baboonanza]

I'm a Londoner who lives in a very multi-cultural area (I think people of white British origin may be in the minority) and I have no problem with it. Well, Except for the fact that all the English butchers have been replaced with Halal butchers and I can't get decent bloody pork anymore :rolleyes: But I also have access to excellent and cheap restaurants of many different cultures almost on my doorstep, so it's a pretty good trade.

I'm not particularly happy with a large immigration of religous people into the country, but that's because I'm opposed to religion in general rather than Islam in particular. And the fact is that in general religiosity (did I just make that up?) declines with every generation of decendants born here since the rest of our society is devotely secular (much more so than the US). There really isn't anything to worry about, before long the decendants of Muslim's will be binge drinking with the rest of us.

The problem has been blown out of all proportion by the BNP, the tabloid press and the fundamental minority on the otherside who love the attention. It's true that there have been terrorist cells discovered since 7/7 but that is a small problem that is irrelvant to wider issue. Besides, we're used to being blown up.

[sinical brit]

'Random picture of Muslim with megaphone'
Vs
'Random thicko spewing hate on a message board'

You see, you are the same as the people you fear. 90% of the rest of the world look at you both and think: 'meh'

So you are a Brit saying it is no big deal?

Yes.

Next question, Einstein?

[Boulter's Canary]

Originally Posted by Teacake
I am.

And me.

Me too.

[Boulter's Canary]

We don't want to end up like Britain.


I'd love to know what this idiot thinks Britain is like....... :rolleyes:

[Gyrate]

Besides, we're used to being blown up.I love this phrase. It sums up so much of the majority British view of recent terrorism. "What - another bombing? Better get the kettle on (http://www.snopes.com/quotes/graphics/tea.gif)."

And I'm in South London too, so plenty of Muslims there*. Plenty in my office, plenty at the nursery my daughter attends, plenty on the same trains and buses and trams I ride. I wonder how many Muslims Perciful has actually met?

*Lately, of course, it's been the Polish invasion in my neck of the woods. Bloody Poles, moving into our neighbourhoods with their funny-sounding names, doing competent building work and setting up delis on every corner...

[sinical brit]

Actually, I apologize.


I just read this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=563173) thread.

Your posts in there have now taken over as one of the most ignorant and misinformed pieces of tripe I've ever read.


"Sharia is not a religion it is a cult like Jihad is "

Hehe