# London Mayor Says Terrorism Is 'Part And Parcel Of Living In A Big City' **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 6, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318 "2017-06-06T22:55:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/61 "2017-06-07T10:56:09Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > By the way, could you imagine 80+ courts of Shira law in an area the size of a state in the USA? If you go by population it’s actually equivalent to about 1/5th of the US. That’s a mighty big state! I grew up in a 30K-people town and knowing that terrorism was part and parcel of living there. You don’t even need to be in a big city to be at risk of terrorism. And being prepared for danger is something one should do as part of being alive. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/62 "2017-06-07T11:42:20Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > I’m not a scholar of Islam, or Shira Law, which shockingly has 80+ courts in the UK, but you seldom if ever see a Muslim speak out against what they view as Jihad. This is spectacularly wrong. It happens all the time. Hell, there was a [big meeting of religious scholars in Islamabad _just last week_](https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/207047-Religious-scholars-issue-unanimous-fatwa-declaring-suicide-attacks-Haram): > [@](#): > > Religious scholars from all schools of thought on Saturday issued a fatwa (religious decree) that **declared suicide attacks, armed insurgency against a state and use of force in the name of imposing Shariah as ‘Haram’ or forbidden in Islam**. > > The fatwa carrying signatures of 31 noted scholars was released at a seminar “'Reconstruction of Pakistani society in the light of ‘Mithaq-e-Madina’ (Charter of Madina) and announcement of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ (Message of Pakistan). The event was organised by the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad. > > The unanimous declaration was presented by Professor Masoom Yasinzai while Mufti Rafi Usmani read out the fatwa. The religious edict condemned terrorism and extremism and declared suicide attackers and their supporters as traitors. It also declared Jihad a jurisdiction of Islamic state and disallowed use of force in name of enforcement of Islamic laws. There’s also the case of the young lady who got tired of ignorant people insisting that Muslims don’t speak out against extremism and [made a 712-page list of examples of Muslims doing just that](https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2017/mar/26/muslims-condemn-terrorism-stats). Not 712 items - 712 **pages**. To be fair, I accept that **you** don’t see Muslims speaking out, but I would suggest that this has a lot more to do with you and your choice of information sources than with what is actually happening. > [@Silver\_lining](#): > > What other form of terrorism is doing more damage in the UK? Also it is important to note the mayor of London is WRONG. Many cities have zero terrorism in them as they have a very small or no Muslim population. So for them, this is NOT part of life even though they are a large city. A mere twenty years ago (and for decades before) it was the Irish who were blowing the shit out of UK cities, and were doing a lot more damage that Muslims are. And radical right-wing terrorism is considered a significant threat in both the US and Europe. While suicide bombings are currently in vogue amongst impressionable idiots, I assure you that Islam wasn’t invented in the past two or three decades and even now it hasn’t cornered the market on terrorism. So to sum up: - You’ve either misunderstood or misrepresented both what the Mayor said and what he meant by it. - You were wrong that Muslims don’t speak out regularly about extremism and jihad. - You were wrong about people being arrested merely for criticizing Islam, migrants or migration policy. - You remain wrong about the fact that vigilance is unnecessary if Muslims aren’t involved, particularly considering that terrorist attacks in the US are overshadowed by mass shootings by at least an order of magnitude if not two. - You clearly don’t understand what Sharia law is or how it operates in Western society. This thread is going great so far, no? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/63 "2017-06-07T12:16:26Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I live in Tel Aviv and I agree with this sentiment. Surprisingly, Tel Aviv was better at hiding their security theatrics than many other places. I saw a grand total of one armed soldier at a bus stop, I suspect waiting for the bus. In any case, We travel a lot, separate and as a family, to several continents, and I haven’t experienced what the OP mentions. He needs to get out more. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/64 "2017-06-07T12:31:43Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Surprisingly, Tel Aviv was better at hiding their security theatrics than many other places. Israeli security clearly shows the difference between security measures and security theatrics. They leave the drama for the theater department. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/65 "2017-06-07T12:36:11Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Ditto for me in Paris. It happens from time to time, it’s been happening for centuries and it won’t stop. You don’t let it bring you down and get on with your life. What else are you supposed to do ? For some americans of a certain political tendency, it is needed to engage in the Reality Show theatrics and run around screaming in panic while shouting about how they lead the free world ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/66 "2017-06-07T12:51:15Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > Since you are not a Londoner, should you have a use for the Mayor of London? do you need help looking for right wing murders for balance? > > … Wow, so much silliness in so few lines! A) No, I’m not English, much less a Londoner. But Londoners offer opinions on American politicians all the time. Why shouldn’t I express an opinion on a British pol? B) If you get this huffy when I DEFEND Khan, I look forward to seeing your reaction when I actually do insult him. C) I have no doubt that Khan would show genuine anger if the killers had been “right wing” skinheads, as opposed to the qualified regret Muslim attacks usually inspire. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/67 "2017-06-07T12:52:59Z")
Well, no offense, I hope, but I don’t think the threat of terror attacks in Tel Aviv is a good baseline for the threat in London or Paris or New York. Terrorism ought not to occur in Tel Aviv either, but the irreducible minimum there is going to be higher than in cities in general. If the London mayor is saying “there’s nothing we can do to reduce the incidence of terror attacks to zero”, then he’s probably right. Islamic terrorism is a thing. The UK could impose martial law and shoot every Muslim they can find, and there would still be terror attacks. If the London mayor is saying “there’s nothing we can do to reduce the incidence of terror attacks below what it is now”, then he’s probably wrong. One of the recent terrorists was, I believe, featured in a documentary film about jihadists. Of course this is partially an example of Monday morning quarterbacking, or the British equivalent, but partially not. IANABritishL, but there ought to be something between “keep a better eye on people who go on camera and preach death to the infidels” and “there’s really nothing to be done, and we will all have to accept that”. My prayers are with the people of the UK. Over-reaction is a bad thing. Blaming people who aren’t to blame is a bad thing. So is “we’ll just have to get used to burying our children”. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/68 "2017-06-07T12:58:14Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Wow, so much silliness in so few lines! No silliness, just a reminder of a silly abandoned thread. although also the silliness of an american who seems not to know much at all about London or the Europe, or the mayor “having use” for the mayor. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/69 "2017-06-07T12:58:18Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > tbh, he has personally helped projects I have run so I am a little biased. > > I think what you describe is an astute politician with finely tuned antennae - in which case I agree. > > What is interesting though is he is confident and trusting in his grounding as a London born, working class, first generation, highly educated citisen, and he will lead and not follow when appropriate. His instincts have been right and I think the population know that. > > There is absolutely nothing false or fake about him - he just doesn’t need another persona. > > He could be Mayor for a very, very long time. I think his instincts have been right with regards to his own career and election prospects. Whether his instincts are correct with regards serious security matters, fighting extremism and the issue of community integration are as yet unknown. It’s the type of thing that will only become known in future decades. I think Khan is following a noble tradition of welcoming foreigners into the West. In order to accomplish this he(and plenty of others) have perhaps looked the other way when it comes to some extremist elements within certain communities. Whether this softness is entirely part of this noble tradition, or nasty political electioneering, only Khan himself truly knows. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/70 "2017-06-07T13:19:50Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > C) I have no doubt that Khan would show genuine anger if the killers had been “right wing” skinheads, as opposed to the qualified regret Muslim attacks usually inspire. I have no idea on what you base that opinion, as there is no evidence of Khan doing such a thing. It also shows your lack of knowledge about Khan’s approach in general, which is calm, rational and non-partisan. ‘Qualified regret’? What a bizarre form of words. You can, should you choose, look up his actual statement in response to the attacks. It’s a matter of public record. [Link to his Facebook statement](https://www.facebook.com/MayorofLondon/posts/473702402975922) Sample: [QUOTE=Mayor of London] We don’t yet know the full details, but this was a deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification whatsoever for such barbaric acts. [/QUOTE] ‘Qualified regret’??? Here’s another statement for you; [QUOTE=Mayor of London] We stand together tonight to honour the memories of the innocent lives lost and people injured in the barbaric attack on our city on Saturday night. And to thank our courageous emergency services and the brave Londoners who risked their lives to care for others. London stands in defiance against this cowardly attack on our city, our people, our values and our way of life. As the Mayor of London, I want to send a clear message to the sick and evil extremists who commit these hideous crimes: We will defeat you. You will not win. And you will never succeed in dividing our city. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/71 "2017-06-07T13:34:11Z")
The kind of the opinion based on a domestic partisan political pre judgements without the actual knowledge of the city or the mayor. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/72 "2017-06-07T13:51:43Z")
Some people treat anything short of a full condemnation of all Muslims everywhere as a “qualified” statement, or even as an apology. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/73 "2017-06-07T14:32:13Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > C) I have no doubt that Khan would show genuine anger if the killers had been “right wing” skinheads, as opposed to the qualified regret Muslim attacks usually inspire. What the fuck is wrong with you? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/74 "2017-06-07T14:55:50Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > That’s what London Mayor Sadiq Khan said. He is a Muslim by the way. OMG HE’S A MUSLIM!!! THE HORROR!!! > [@Silver\_lining](#): > > I’m not a scholar of Islam, or Shira Law, which shockingly has 80+ courts in the UK, but you seldom if ever see a Muslim speak out against what they view as Jihad. Big deal. They only deal in marriage or financial issues between Muslims. Before I got married, my wife’s previous marriage had to be annulled in a Vatican court. Not much difference, in my opinion. Religious courts deal with religious issues among the faithful, not interfering with normal criminal and/or civil courts. Don’t let the word Sharia scare you into senselessness. The OP and several of the posts are nothing but anti-Muslim hysteria. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/75 "2017-06-07T15:02:37Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > What the fuck is wrong with you? No way not to earn a warning with that one, Lemur. Don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/76 "2017-06-07T15:03:00Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > For some americans of a certain political tendency, it is needed to engage in the Reality Show theatrics and run around screaming in panic while shouting about how they lead the free world This American agrees. Reality shows aren’t reality, and drama is scripted in for ratings. Our jingoism however, goes much further back. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/77 "2017-06-07T15:16:47Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > If the London mayor is saying “there’s nothing we can do to reduce the incidence of terror attacks below what it is now”, then he’s probably wrong. One of the recent terrorists was, I believe, featured in a documentary film about jihadists. Of course this is partially an example of Monday morning quarterbacking, or the British equivalent, but partially not. IANABritishL, but there ought to be something between “keep a better eye on people who go on camera and preach death to the infidels” and “there’s really nothing to be done, and we will all have to accept that”. The point is, no one is saying ‘nothing can be done’, except the US media and President putting words into the mouth of Sidiq Khan. This entire thread is built on a false report. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/78 "2017-06-07T15:17:30Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > What the fuck is wrong with you? I dunno but I’m pretty sure a potty mouth like you isn’t going to be much help figuring it out. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/79 "2017-06-07T15:18:43Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Kinda speaks for itself, these three sentences. > > :rolleyes: > > You know, we don’t have to look back very far to find a mass shooting in the USA that was more deadly than the london attacks. Didn’t get quite the same news coverage, because it wasn’t “terrorism”, but rather just mundane, everyday gun violence. But the reality is, sometimes crazy people get their hands on deadly weapons, or turn everyday objects into deadly weapons, and go on a rampage. Your odds of dying in a terrorist attack are substantially worse than your odds of getting murdered by some random psycho in Detroit. > > EDIT: less than a week. [Mississippi mass shooting on May 27 was deadlier than London.](http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/06/05/mississippi_mass_shooting_on_may_27_was_deadlier_than_london.html) They don’t need guns. Just trucks and knives. The UK should round up and kick those on the terrorist watch list out of the nation. Just like yelling fire is not free speech, I suggest using the web to communicate terrorism is against the law. I’m sure some snowflakes here would cry foul to that suggestion. Expecting the minority Muslim population to stop doing terrorism is pure fantasy. Is not going to happen, and with a bone head, and perhaps religiously aligned mayor at the helm trying to downplay this, it’s only going to get worse. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318/80 "2017-06-07T15:23:44Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > They don’t need guns. Just trucks and knives. **The UK should round up and kick those on the terrorist watch list out of the nation.** > > Just like yelling fire is not free speech, I suggest using the web to communicate terrorism is against the law. I’m sure some snowflakes here would cry foul to that suggestion. > > Expecting the minority Muslim population to stop doing terrorism is pure fantasy. Is not going to happen, and with a bone head, and perhaps religiously aligned mayor at the helm trying to downplay this, it’s only going to get worse. Where do you kick them to if they’re citizens? And once you start censoring the web, where do you stop? You seriously think the Mayor approves of terrorism? Where do you see him downplaying this? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-mayor-says-terrorism-is-part-and-parcel-of-living-in-a-big-city/788318.md?page=5)