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.

[Dantrag]

I would be like....

"Wow, a lot of my friends are gone..."

And jona, you would support such cleansing? Mass executions of foreign people in the US? Just making sure you understand waht he meant...