OT: Innocent?

This is what bothers me the most. I have no idea what to do about it, other than to say how much it bothers me. Had Mr. de Menezes been white, he probably would not have been shot. It's a little scary that the British police can't tell the difference between a Brazilian and an Arab, but there you are.

Elizabeth

What a fantastic idea. Will definitely have to try it. When the grandkids were born, my DW wanted to make them baby blankets and she found a crochet pattern that uses popcorn stitches that spell out baby down the center of the blanket and is then croched around and around till you get the size you want. First grandchild got baby spelled out, but the other three got their names. Worked out the pattern of the popcorn stiches on a graph using the computer and printed it out for her. Also had to teach her to crochet since she had never done it and I have been doing it for years making winter scarves. Only way I can get a nice warm heavy scarf that is long enough. Have since had to teach others and create name graphs for friends who are having grandkids.

George

Thanks for that, Fred, who can safely speak on behalf of at least ONE of them!

By the way, it was thanks to the observance of two ordinary "bobbies on the beat", who spotted a car which had been wanted, that they got one of the failed bombers in Birmingham, yesterday.

Pat P

Sorry, Elizabeth, but that is pure rubbish. Next time you`re on a just departing train, followed by a foreign looking man with a rucksack, being chased by men with guns, I wonder just how you`d feel?

I had to laugh at someone on our local newsgroup who wrote "I`m going to London for a few days - anyone know where I can buy a transparent rucksack?"

Did you see those horrific nailbombs they found in a car after middle eastern suspects were arrested at Luton (I believe) airport? I`d far rather they shot the wrong person acting suspiciously, than risk one of THOSE going off in a crowded place.

Pat P

Enoch Powell, unfortunately, died some years ago, but wherever he is he`ll be saying "Told you so!". Remember his "Rivers of blood" speech?

It would be a great shame if ALL our immigrants left - but those who come here and take thousands of pounds in benefits and costing the Health Service dear, and overcrowd our prisons should be expelled. On the other hand, there are many here who form a worthwhile and responsible part of society who are badly let down by the rest. It`s not the race, colour or religion that matters - it`s their willingness (or lack thereof) to conform to the laws and customs of their adopted country.

It`s a sad day that they have at last caused more of our Police to have to be armed. I don`t see that as a "win for the terrorists" though. If that is the qualification of being down a "slippery slope", then America has been down that one for a LONG time! ;-))

Does anyone else here think that's an obscene waste of money? Why don't they just let her lie in peace? Lucille

I agree with you Pat totally - terrorists don't have a big 'T' stamped on their foreheads .... this guy should've stopped when told to do so ... he lost his life, which is really too bad if he wasn't up to something, but when it comes right down to it, it's his own fault.

Sharon (N.B.) ............................................................................ ..

Pat P wrote: >Yet you don`t appear to mind "them" starting a war on us???

"They" didn't start a war on us. A few whacko thugs did. Dianne

Pat P wrote: >>> >Yet you don`t appear to mind "them" starting a war on us??? >

responded >> "They" didn't start a war on us. A few whacko thugs did. >> Dianne

Then Pat came back: >I did say "they" in inverted commas, and it`s more than a few whacko >thugs! It`s highly organised. And "They" have started a war on "us". >You don`t have suicide bombers in the satreets, amongst ordinary people >- yet. So far, terrible though it was, it was` pretty arms-length.

The context is getting lost here. We are treating this "war" as if it was a war. It's not a war. It's gorilla fighting. There is no country involved. It's a different set of rules than anything in recent history, which requires a different mindset.

Small cells are organized, but the "whole" is not that well organized. It doesn't take too many small groups of like-minded individuals to wreak havoc. And how do you fight back? Not readily. Certainly not by shooting anything that moves.

Dianne