London Options

[Burnt Sierra]

What I'm doing by posting this is hoping to get some sort of rational debate going. I've had a word with Stargleman, who's said he's ok with me starting this as long as it doesnt get out of hand. With that in mind, no flaming, no intolerance of anybody's viewpoint that you dont agree with. I'll be watching this thread carefully, and if it does get out of hand, I will close it.

Right, well, I feel the need to write something down here about the events in London yesterday. Like many others, I spent last night phoning round my friends and relatives who live in London to check they were ok, which thankfully they were. As disturbing and upsetting as those events were though, I'm finding some of the responses to be even more disturbing. At work yesterday morning, as news filtered through about what had happened, some of my colleagues, people I classify as friends and had thought were rational and tolerant, started to discuss issues such as closing the borders, and bringing in a policy of "cleansing". Which was when I left the room. I know they were in shock, but still, when would such an idea ever be acceptable? I fear that retaliation against refugees and asylum seekers will not be far behind, as bad blood has been growing against them in this country over the last few years. Over the last few years, I've spent a lot of time working with disadvantaged groups, fleeing from religious persecution, separated from their families and trying to make a new start in a foreign and unwelcoming country, where they're unable due to laws to find work and in many cases have difficulty understanding the language. Peoples outrage over these bombs are going to seek a target, and I genuinly believe it is going to be these very same people, who are already extremely vulnerable who will bear the brunt of the attacks. Far right political groups such as the BNP have been growing in popularity as it is, and these events will only reinforce their positions. And, on a final note, I work in local government. As do the colleagues who were advocating "cleansing".

I am profoundly afraid of what we shall see happening in this country over the next few weeks.

[ED 209]

Irrational or not, there should be some sort of a vote about it, (mass extradition).
In Ireland, about five or six years ago, our government took thousands of eastern european refugees into the country without any sort of consultation to us. As a matter of fact, I have me very very few people who supported that decision but it went ahead anyways and I am positive a similar measure if put to a vote would be ratified by an overwhelming majority. Regardless of whether or not one finds this racist, I find it inexcusable that our "representatives" decided to take in the refugees when they were not wanted by the people who they are meant to serve.
I'm no Bush fan, but Democracy is true and fair, it is just easily manipulated and I think any internal decision by the people of a nation should be enforced by their leaders.
I'm talking about this because Ireland and England are very similar nations, and from the English people I know, this view is more or less held over there too. So, if the British people decide they want to deport all non-nationals, I think their decision should be stood by.