Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
ibn Qayyim on meeting Allah!
subhanALlah...heart tugging beautiful description. no words to describe.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
stop dividing ourselves....UNITE! InshAllah
Assalaam Wa Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
went to an event the other night...the title of the talks… ‘CASINO DUNIYA’ and how we gamble our life away in this duniya with no consideration of where we will end up…Jannah (Heaven) or Jahanam (Hell).
The two speakers ...Both amazing speakers…may Allah be shower His mercy on them.ameen.
Even though they were meant to talk around the subject above….they had so much more to say about the state of the Ummah that by the time they started their set lectures…time had run out!….but Alhamdulillah!! What they did say was all so relevant to everyone who is living in this duniya today.-post 9/11,7/7 etc.
the first speaker started off by giving us an analogy of three bulls. One red bull, one white bull and one black bull.
These three bulls were a force to reckon with…they protected each other…and fought all their battles together. There was also a fearsome lion…but he himself knew that he could not battle against three bulls…and the only way was to…DIVIDE AND CONQUER…subhanAllah I hope many of you are drawing parallels with this story against the world we live in today. I will highlight them later inshAllah.
So the lion figures the only way he can devour the bulls is if he divides them. So he goes to the red bull and says:
‘me and you…we’re similar…we both have similar colouring…but look at the black bull. He’s just dark not even closely similar to us. If you let me eat him, I will leave you alone’
the red lion thinks about it….thinks about his own skin and accepts to allow the lion to attack the black bull. The lion then moves on to the white bull and claims the same…stating that they were both of a lighter and purer colour that the black bull. The white bull also accepted his offer and allowed the lion to attack the black bull. So the lion corners the black bull and devours him.
Soon again the lion gets hungry…two bulls would still be able to overpower him. So he goes to the red bull again and says:
‘you and I …we’re much more alike than the colourless bull…if you let me attack him I will leave you alone to live.’
The red bull consented and let the lion attack and devour the white bull.
After couple more days the lion was hungry again…and came straight to the red bull. There was no other bull for him to turn against and the lion said:
‘I tricked you and now I shall defeat you!’
the red bull sadly claimed: ‘I was defeated the day I let you devour the black bull’.
SubhanAllah…this parable…this analogy really hit home to me…and im sure it really had hit home to all of you who see whats going on in this world today. The main moral of this parable is…UNIFICATION!!!….i don’t understand how people cant see that TOGETHER we are STRONGER!
The Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated: "Very soon, other nations will invite others and fall upon you to attack and destroy you just like a people, while inviting others, fall upon a plate of food." The companions asked Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) "Ya Rasulullah! will this happen because we will be lesser in number at that time?" "No." Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) answered. "You will be great in number, but you will be like froth upon the main, and weak as sticks and straws. Allah will remove, from the hearts of your enemies, your awe and terror, and He shall fill your hearts with cowardice. The companions asked "What is cowardice?" "Love of the world, hatred for death," (al wahn) Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) answered.
so now lets analyse the parable. the Lion... what i concluded from this was that the lion could be seen as ENEMIES OF ISLAM...US administration and the zionists...but who else. Who is the biggest enemy of our deen..... shaytaan ofcourse...the accursed satan himself. LA HAWLA WA LA QOOWATA ILA BILLAH AUDHU BILLAHI MINASH-SHAYTAANI-RAJEEM....there is no MIGHT or POWER except with ALLAH!...I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed shaytaan.
the red, black and white bulls. the so-called different sects of Islam...who all believe in the fundamentals of the Deen and stick together...andwho should not divide because of their differences in fiqh etc.
Allah mentioned in the Quran : ' And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah (one nation), but they will not cease to disagree' Surah Hud V. 118
ISLAM ALLOWS DISSENTION...i.e. Islams allows these differences to exist...as long as we agree on the fundamentals-
- No diety worthy of worship besides Allah
- Muhammad :saw: is the final messenger
- Salaat (5X/DAY)
- Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan
- Zakaat
- Pilgrimage if its in your means
- QURAN AND SUNNAH
- hijaab
- modesty and protection of the hayaat for both men and women
we all agree on the above dont we? OFCOURSE WE DO!!!
but the fact we keep on eating at each other over issues that are not doing anything for this ummah is making it easy for the oppressors and zionists to attack us at every angle!...we are an easy target because of this!
4 main points that the speaker asked us to think about are:
1- Is there only ONE TRUTH in ISlam? or can there be several truths in Islam (Ofcourse there is only ONE TRUTH!!)
2-If there are several accepted intepretations of Quran...is it our job to advice people to follow one way and not the other?
3- Are there fundamentals that we ALL can relate to? isnt it better that we cooperate together on the fundamentals of Islam? Differences dont have to lead to divisions!
4-(subhanAllah i cant read my handwriting...so inshAllah will ask someone about the fourth point... )
ofcourse im going to mention madhabs...i know i know...many of you do not agree with me...alhamdulillah thats up to u. but i truly belive that the fact that we dissociate into sects and claim the other group is wrong only weakens our ummah!!
i am not pointing out to any one single sect....im calling out and pointing TO ALL OF YOU!!!....some of you respect some Imaams over other Imams...or some believe other muhadiths over otehr muhadiths...etc...i no im generalising too much....but these people...the sahabas...the taa'bieen etc... they all followed the fundamentals and tried respect each other...simply because they were muslims.. as the speaker said-the prophet-peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- wasnt just a teacher....he wasnt just a commander of the army...he wasnt just a judge...he wasnt just an imaam....he wasnt just a haafiz...he wasnt just a companion and leader…HE WAS ALL OF THEM!!
this conflict you see...the on going wars you see...the blood shed you see....the corruption you see…THIS IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY!...it has only just begun!!...AND UNTIL WE SORT OUT THIS UMMAH....WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE BEING HUMILIATED AND KILLED AND DEGRADED! ....we need unity brothers and sisters... we need to collect our faith together and help one another for the sake of the Ummah
inshAllah i will continue with the next segment later on...Allahu 'Alim
ma salaama brothers and sisters
please forgive me for anythin wrong ive said.whatever good and truthful is from Allah. whatever is misleading has come from me.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
getting bored of the news....i know i am!
im not sure about you guys....but im getting pretty bored of the news...'Muslims this....Muslims that'...dont people have better things to write about?!!!
its become so bad that im actually forced to read the sports pages....just to get away from the everyday onslaught by the press and so called ministers...i dont know about you....but im sick of it.
give us something of substance to read.....give us something that is honest for a change and not circumstantial!...fat chance of that ever happening- i know....but its worth a try...
its become so bad that im actually forced to read the sports pages....just to get away from the everyday onslaught by the press and so called ministers...i dont know about you....but im sick of it.
give us something of substance to read.....give us something that is honest for a change and not circumstantial!...fat chance of that ever happening- i know....but its worth a try...
Thursday, October 12, 2006
A letter from a Christian woman to ALL MUSLIM SISTERS!!
SubhanALlah this really took my breath away....there really are some wonderful people out there!! May Allah guide her and all others like her to the straight path!ameen!
A letter from a Christian woman to all Muslim Sisters
.
Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist "war on terror," the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can't help but notice that almost every woman I see is carrying a baby or has children around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it's not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can't help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness. Yes, it's strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and moral corruption.
They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, after they've finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes. They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse,
and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don't bite.
I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the "pearl of great value" spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they're cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you. The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman's sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since your men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don't even want purity anymore. They don't recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too.
Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don't let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the
fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan's trap. It is fool's gold.
I'll let you in on a little secret, just in case you're curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us. Just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it's not even enjoyable! That's the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears.Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what's in another woman's heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman's heart is the same everywhere. We love. That's what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into
believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love. Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman's body and heart be safe to love. Don't settle for anything less. It's not worth it. You won't even like it and you'll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he'll leave you.
Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there's still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated. We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it. Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It's not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot. Don't be fooled, my sisters. Don't let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity. Remember: you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your "toothpaste" carefully!
I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration.
From your Christian sister - with love.
(c) 2006+ Joanna Francis
http://joannafrancis.wordpress.com
All content copyright 2006+ by Mark Glenn, unless otherwise stated.
A letter from a Christian woman to all Muslim Sisters
.
Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist "war on terror," the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can't help but notice that almost every woman I see is carrying a baby or has children around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it's not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can't help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness. Yes, it's strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and moral corruption.
They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, after they've finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes. They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse,
and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don't bite.
I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the "pearl of great value" spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they're cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you. The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman's sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since your men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don't even want purity anymore. They don't recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too.
Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don't let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the
fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan's trap. It is fool's gold.
I'll let you in on a little secret, just in case you're curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us. Just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it's not even enjoyable! That's the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears.Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what's in another woman's heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman's heart is the same everywhere. We love. That's what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into
believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love. Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman's body and heart be safe to love. Don't settle for anything less. It's not worth it. You won't even like it and you'll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he'll leave you.
Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there's still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated. We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it. Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It's not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot. Don't be fooled, my sisters. Don't let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity. Remember: you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your "toothpaste" carefully!
I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration.
From your Christian sister - with love.
(c) 2006+ Joanna Francis
http://joannafrancis.wordpress.com
All content copyright 2006+ by Mark Glenn, unless otherwise stated.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The veil-dont be afraid of the unknown!
i guess i have been putting off talking about the whole Jack Straw-Veil fiasco that has hit UK. I mean its as if people are finally waking up to realise that UK is not filled with caucasian people only and that -especially in london-u look outside and you see a variety of cultures and ethnic groups around...intermingling with the so-called natives of the land.
the issue that apparently his comments were meant to highlight was 'if the veil acts as an obstruction to a more cohesive community'. i honestly dont believe it does. i truly believe that peoples perceptions and misunderstanding of different cultures is what actually hinders a 'cohesive community'. education is the main way we can overcome this ignorant and almost 'fearful of the unknown' attitude that people have today.
there is nothing to fear of a veiled woman. she is human underneath her 'protection'. its a modest gesture that comes from loving your Creator and wanting to obey Allah Most High. why dont the media judge the nuns and Amish women?...they cover themselves head to toe (albeit their faces are uncovered) but they still have a modest attire that no one seems to see there being a problem with...but then theres the Muslim woman...covered (some with full Islamic dress minus the veil...others with the veil)-she must be oppressed...poor soul...how can we save her from the backwardness of her religion...pah-lease!
yes in some individual households some women may be pressurised into covering themselves....but 99.9% of us are not! we wear our attire...our protection from the constant scrutiny of the pressures that surround 'western women' these days...we wear this out of love for our Lord who created us! He has power over everything that exists in this world and He will be judge over all creation!
Mr Straws comments...he has every right to convey his opinions about the veil...thats his right...but the way the media again made it into such a huge issue.
yes some of us were shocked and upset by what he said but not to the extent that we were actually surprised (like i said before...we are getting used to these sort of comments from ignorant people!) nor are we feeling vengeful that we want to harm Mr Straw in any way!...its his opinion...although an ignorant point of view....its his right!
we just want to live our lives....practise our faith....and keep our modesty by maintaining our Islamic dresscode. it does not stop us from talking and communicating with others....we speak english and are able to express ourselves when needed....dont be afraid of what you dont understand!
and as for those who abuse the Islamic dress for their own sadistic purposes (apparently some man was avoiding the police by wearing the veil)...dont make us suffer the consequences for their misuse and abuse of the law!
the issue that apparently his comments were meant to highlight was 'if the veil acts as an obstruction to a more cohesive community'. i honestly dont believe it does. i truly believe that peoples perceptions and misunderstanding of different cultures is what actually hinders a 'cohesive community'. education is the main way we can overcome this ignorant and almost 'fearful of the unknown' attitude that people have today.
there is nothing to fear of a veiled woman. she is human underneath her 'protection'. its a modest gesture that comes from loving your Creator and wanting to obey Allah Most High. why dont the media judge the nuns and Amish women?...they cover themselves head to toe (albeit their faces are uncovered) but they still have a modest attire that no one seems to see there being a problem with...but then theres the Muslim woman...covered (some with full Islamic dress minus the veil...others with the veil)-she must be oppressed...poor soul...how can we save her from the backwardness of her religion...pah-lease!
yes in some individual households some women may be pressurised into covering themselves....but 99.9% of us are not! we wear our attire...our protection from the constant scrutiny of the pressures that surround 'western women' these days...we wear this out of love for our Lord who created us! He has power over everything that exists in this world and He will be judge over all creation!
Mr Straws comments...he has every right to convey his opinions about the veil...thats his right...but the way the media again made it into such a huge issue.
yes some of us were shocked and upset by what he said but not to the extent that we were actually surprised (like i said before...we are getting used to these sort of comments from ignorant people!) nor are we feeling vengeful that we want to harm Mr Straw in any way!...its his opinion...although an ignorant point of view....its his right!
we just want to live our lives....practise our faith....and keep our modesty by maintaining our Islamic dresscode. it does not stop us from talking and communicating with others....we speak english and are able to express ourselves when needed....dont be afraid of what you dont understand!
and as for those who abuse the Islamic dress for their own sadistic purposes (apparently some man was avoiding the police by wearing the veil)...dont make us suffer the consequences for their misuse and abuse of the law!
MEDIA SO SELECTIVE-WHAT ABOUT THE BOMB HOARD FOUND IN BURNLEY?!!
i got this through email...interesting aint it how selective the media can be about what they want to print...
Interestingly enough....while our beloved journalists have been falling over themselves to reportthe alleged storm over Jack Straw's comments, they forgot to report theterrorist plot just uncovered in Burnley, eleven miles down the road from hisconstituency in Lancashire.
It was left to the local papers - papers not unlike the one from which MrStraw's article was picked up by the National Press - to break the news. Thisfrom that news giant, Pendle Today on Friday:
"Two Pendle men have appeared before Pennine Magistrates accused of having"a master plan" after what is believed to be a record haul of chemicals used inmaking home-made bombs was found in Colne."
I suppose we're all having too much fun now that racism is in fashion oncemore. Cor, the 1990s were such a bore with all those silly drives to rid societyof prejudice and discrimination. How foolish we were to rejoice at the releaseof Nelson Mandella from prison. Blimey, I do feel stupid now. Indeed, how sillyof me to question John Reid's decision to have an article addressing Muslimparents published in The Sun, thinking that he had not realised that Muslimsaren't very keen on opening newspapers filled with naked women and racism; I amso last year.
After all, the views of a politician on what a woman should wear are ofastoundingly greater importance to the nation than the Police discovering "arecord haul of chemicals used in making home-made bombs" in one Lancashire houseand "rocket launchers, chemicals, and a nuclear or biological suit" in another.I mean, why get your knickers in a twist about a man who stood for election lastMay messing about with a few chemicals when we can spend the next week talkingabout political correctness gone mad?
And anyway, Superintendent Neil Smith said of the first suspect,"He’s not aterrorist and it’s not a bomb factory but we are interested in what we have seized from his house. It will take expert advice to establish exactly what hehas got." (Burnley Citizen, 2 October) Although, the North West Evening Mailreported four days later:
"A Retired Grange dentist is accused of being part of a bomb plot after arecord number of explosives were seized in a Lancashire town. David BolaisJackson, 62, of Trent Road, Nelson, was arrested on Friday in the Lancaster areaafter leaving his Grange practice for the last time. Jackson was charged withbeing in possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose. However,it is unclear who or what the intended target might have been. Police foundrocket launchers, chemicals, British National Party literature and a nuclear orbiological suit at his home. The find came shortly after they had recovered 22chemical components from the house of his alleged accomplice, Robert Cottage, aformer BNP election candidate, who lives in Colne. The haul is thought to be thelargest ever found at a house in this country."
Fear not, we need not enter polemics about disaffected retired EnglishDentists. There will be no calls to ban Orthodontist Ghettos. The CommunityCohesion Taskforce need not take a long hard look at the issue; we can happilyfeel deterred. Mr Reid need not address Christian children about looking for thetell-tale signs of extremism in their parents. We may sleep easy, for two menfound in possession of rocket launchers, a nuclear biological suit, extremistliterature, a master plan and the largest haul of bomb-making chemicals everfound in the country, have not been charged under the Terrorism Act 2000. Theyare just two comical Guy Falkes jokers who got involved in a bit of hobbybomb-making, so no need to throw the full force of the law at them: old law willdo the trick.
The reality is, of course, the Press has just been through a period ofchallenging self-reflection and they've realised there is no future in sensationalism. After the lurid blow-by-blow Press accounts of the High Wycombe plot, the last thing we need are insensitive headlines on extremists caught inthe midst of preparing terrorist acts - especially as they've only been charged under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. No, sensationalism has had its day. So onto the serious stuff: what did Jack Straw really mean?Sorry, am I being cynical?
Tim
Interestingly enough....while our beloved journalists have been falling over themselves to reportthe alleged storm over Jack Straw's comments, they forgot to report theterrorist plot just uncovered in Burnley, eleven miles down the road from hisconstituency in Lancashire.
It was left to the local papers - papers not unlike the one from which MrStraw's article was picked up by the National Press - to break the news. Thisfrom that news giant, Pendle Today on Friday:
"Two Pendle men have appeared before Pennine Magistrates accused of having"a master plan" after what is believed to be a record haul of chemicals used inmaking home-made bombs was found in Colne."
I suppose we're all having too much fun now that racism is in fashion oncemore. Cor, the 1990s were such a bore with all those silly drives to rid societyof prejudice and discrimination. How foolish we were to rejoice at the releaseof Nelson Mandella from prison. Blimey, I do feel stupid now. Indeed, how sillyof me to question John Reid's decision to have an article addressing Muslimparents published in The Sun, thinking that he had not realised that Muslimsaren't very keen on opening newspapers filled with naked women and racism; I amso last year.
After all, the views of a politician on what a woman should wear are ofastoundingly greater importance to the nation than the Police discovering "arecord haul of chemicals used in making home-made bombs" in one Lancashire houseand "rocket launchers, chemicals, and a nuclear or biological suit" in another.I mean, why get your knickers in a twist about a man who stood for election lastMay messing about with a few chemicals when we can spend the next week talkingabout political correctness gone mad?
And anyway, Superintendent Neil Smith said of the first suspect,"He’s not aterrorist and it’s not a bomb factory but we are interested in what we have seized from his house. It will take expert advice to establish exactly what hehas got." (Burnley Citizen, 2 October) Although, the North West Evening Mailreported four days later:
"A Retired Grange dentist is accused of being part of a bomb plot after arecord number of explosives were seized in a Lancashire town. David BolaisJackson, 62, of Trent Road, Nelson, was arrested on Friday in the Lancaster areaafter leaving his Grange practice for the last time. Jackson was charged withbeing in possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose. However,it is unclear who or what the intended target might have been. Police foundrocket launchers, chemicals, British National Party literature and a nuclear orbiological suit at his home. The find came shortly after they had recovered 22chemical components from the house of his alleged accomplice, Robert Cottage, aformer BNP election candidate, who lives in Colne. The haul is thought to be thelargest ever found at a house in this country."
Fear not, we need not enter polemics about disaffected retired EnglishDentists. There will be no calls to ban Orthodontist Ghettos. The CommunityCohesion Taskforce need not take a long hard look at the issue; we can happilyfeel deterred. Mr Reid need not address Christian children about looking for thetell-tale signs of extremism in their parents. We may sleep easy, for two menfound in possession of rocket launchers, a nuclear biological suit, extremistliterature, a master plan and the largest haul of bomb-making chemicals everfound in the country, have not been charged under the Terrorism Act 2000. Theyare just two comical Guy Falkes jokers who got involved in a bit of hobbybomb-making, so no need to throw the full force of the law at them: old law willdo the trick.
The reality is, of course, the Press has just been through a period ofchallenging self-reflection and they've realised there is no future in sensationalism. After the lurid blow-by-blow Press accounts of the High Wycombe plot, the last thing we need are insensitive headlines on extremists caught inthe midst of preparing terrorist acts - especially as they've only been charged under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. No, sensationalism has had its day. So onto the serious stuff: what did Jack Straw really mean?Sorry, am I being cynical?
Tim
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