"Islamic Terror"
With thanks to my friend, Always On Watch, for bringing this excellent article to my attention:

After the terrorist outrages of July 7, 2005, most Londoners have continued to travel by bus, train and Underground. They are more vigilant, but few seem to experience anxiety about a repeat attack during their journey. That is remarkable because objectively the chances of another massacre must be higher than a year ago.

Last year the bombs were the first shock. The second was to discover that the terrorists were suicide bombers and British. We could have coped with the outrage more easily had the murderers been foreigners, raised in squalor, brainwashed under a theocratic dictatorship and shipped here to massacre people for whom they had no kindred feelings.

It is more plausible that we could defend the country against an exterior threat than defeat one that comes from within. We can hope to monitor comings and goings at our airports and to keep tabs on people who stand out because they are visitors. But the task is almost hopeless if the perpetrators live among us. If four young men who had enjoyed the advantages of life in Britain decide to kill themselves and as many others as possible, then why should there not be 400 or 4,000 more? No offence, imam, but we must call it Islamic terror by Michael Portillo

Mark Alexander

The changing face of America

THE date is looming large in America’s debate about immigration: the population is predicted to reach 300m on October 17 and the newborn citizen is as likely as not to be a bouncing Hispanic baby.

The face of America is changing as immigration fuels population growth out of sync with the rest of the developed world. It is also complicating President George W Bush’s efforts to offer illegal entrants a path to citizenship.

William Frey, a social scientist at the Brookings Institution in Washington, pinpointed the date by examining the most popular months for births — August to October — and ethnic birth rates. “We know about half the growth in the United States is Hispanic,” he said. “Only about 10% is white.” Hispanics nudge US population to 300m by Sarah Baxter in Washington

Mark Alexander

Twaddle, Mr Taylor! Twaddle, twaddle, twaddle!
Do you remember that wonderful 'letter to the editor' I drew your attention to in the The Daily News (Galveston) on July 1? You know, the man who said what the problem we face is in just a few, succinct words. Well, below is the editor's response. His response shows the problems we have in dealing with Islam by having a mammoth task to try and enlighten our own people first about the danger to Western civilization that Islam is:

The Daily News recently angered some readers by printing a letter about Islam.

The letter contended that Islam is not a religion of peace but a religion that urges violence against those who don’t believe in it.

Some readers said publishing such a letter only encourages attacks against a religious minority.

Others applauded the letter, saying it reflects the feelings of most Americans.

I think it was important to print the letter, although I disagree with it strongly.

The discussion about what Islam is and isn’t already is going on in our society. Trying to hide from that debate is impossible. Letter about Islam sparked worthwhile debate by Hebor Taylor (Editor: The Daily News)

Mark Alexander

Terror suspects on the run in Saudi

Seven terror suspects have escaped from prison in Saudi Arabia, according to the country's Interior Ministry.

Saudi-owned television Al Arabiya said the fugitives - six Saudis and one Yemeni - were linked to al-Qaeda.

Saudi Arabia has been battling a campaign of violence by al-Qaeda aimed at toppling the pro-US monarchy. Terror suspects 'flee Saudi jail'

Mark Alexander

Der Papst in Spanien

Besuch in Valencia zum Abschluss des Welt-Familientreffens

Das Oberhaupt der römisch-katholischen Kirche, Papst Benedikt XVI., ist am Samstag in Valencia eingetroffen. In der spanischen Stadt tritt er zum Ende des Welt-Familientreffens auf. Auf dem Flughafen und bei einem Treffen mit Bischöfen betonte Benedikt XVI. den Wert der Familie für die Kirche und die Gesellschaft.

(sda/dpa/afp/Reuters) Papst Benedikt XVI. hat zum Auftakt seines Besuches in Valencia einen besseren Schutz von Familie und Ehe gefordert. Die auf der Ehe basierende Familie sei «eine einzigartige Einrichtung nach Gottes Plan». Die Familie sei eine unersetzliche Institution und für die Kirche mit fundamentalen Werten verbunden, sagte das Oberhaupt der römisch-katholischen Kirche am Samstag auf dem Flughafen von Valencia, wo er vom spanischen Königspaar, Ministerpräsident José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero sowie Tausenden von Gläubigen begrüsst wurde. Papst betont Wert der Familie

Mark Alexander

Clergyman stokes controversy and calls Islam a "cult" on radio

''[Blanket criticisms of Islam] do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others'' - President Bush

Remarks on a radio show about his views on Islam may cause conflict for a Pompano Beach minister who is well-known in Republican circles.

The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, a Broward clergyman who has advised President Bush and is a political appointee of Gov. Jeb Bush, took to the air waves Friday to criticize Islam as a ''cult'' religion.

The radio appearance by Dozier, who serves on the governor's committee that screens Broward judicial nominees, startled a local Muslim leader, and prompted the governor to immediately distance himself from the statements.

Reached later in the day by The Miami Herald, a contrite Dozier said he was ''concerned'' his comments could jeopardize his position on Broward's Judicial Nominating Commission. But he did not disavow those comments.

''The Islamic religion in my view is a cult,'' Dozier said Friday, when asked to recap the controversial comments he made earlier on The Steve Kane Radio Show on WNN-AM 1470. ''On the show I said that Islam is a dangerous religion.'' Jeb Bush ally slams Islam

Mark Alexander

Lehrerin mit Kopftuch muß gleichbehandelt mit Ordensschwestern

Berlin - Eigentlich gilt in Baden-Württemberg für muslimische Lehrerinnen an öffentlichen Schulen ein striktes Kopftuchverbot. Doch nun hat ein Urteil des Stuttgarter Verwaltungsgerichts eine erste Ausnahme von dieser Regelung geschaffen. Die zum Islam konvertierte Deutsche Doris Graber darf weiterhin mit Kopftuch unterrichten, da sie den Schulfrieden allenfalls abstrakt gefährdet, wie es in der Begründung der Stuttgarter Richter hieß.

Mit dem Urteil wurde ein "Zeichen gegen die Diskriminierung des Islam gesetzt", erklärte der Parlamentarische Geschäftsführer der Grünen-Bundestagsfraktion, Volker Beck. Entweder man verbiete konsequent alle religiösen Bekundungen im staatlichen Bereich oder aber definiere einen Freiraum für religiöse Bekundungen, der für alle Religionen gleichermaßen gelte. Das baden-württembergische Schulgesetz vom April 2004 verbietet politische, weltanschauliche und religiöse "Bekundungen", die den Schulfrieden gefährden oder stören könnten, es nimmt die "Darstellung christlicher und abendländischer Bildungs- und Kulturwerte" davon jedoch aus. Wenn aber Nonnen in Ordenstracht an staatlichen Schulen in Baden-Württemberg unterrichten dürften, sei das Kopftuchverbot für Muslimische Lehrerinnen eine nicht hinzunehmende Benachteiligung, urteilten jetzt die Richter im Fall Graber. Lehrerin siegt im Kopftuchstreit von Claudia Ehrenstein

Mark Alexander

Choudary: Britain faces civil war!"

Photo courtesy of The Sun

With thanks to Always On Watch for drawing this short, but very informative, newspaper article to my attention:

A MUSLIM fanatic caused outrage yesterday by admitting he wouldn’t tip off cops about another 7/7 suicide attack.

Anjem Choudary also claimed “oppressed” Muslims had a right to defend themselves using “whatever means”. Fanatic's sick 7/7 rant by Anthony France

Mark Alexander

7/7 one year on: The UK remembers: 52 perished, hundreds injured

Photo courtesy of the BBC

The UK is preparing to mark the first anniversary of the London bombings that claimed 52 lives and injured hundreds.

At 0850 BST - when bombs on three Underground trains went off - flowers will be laid at King's Cross station, near the scene of one of the attacks.

At midday, a two-minute silence will be observed across the country, including Wimbledon and other events.

A public ceremony will be held later in Regent's Park, with readings and a recital of the names of the dead.

The commemoration comes as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair gives a firm warning that London must expect another attack. Nation prepares to remember 7/7

Mark Alexander

This is the calibre of man we need to lead us!

Photo courtesy of the BBC

The rows were explosive, the challenges enormous, but Churchill led Britain through World War Two with unique assurance - his cigar always in place. 'Winnie' changed his country's military approach from defensiveness to aggressive attack, and so altered the course of history. The historian Geoffrey Best describes how he did it.

A statesman transformed

At the beginning of the Second World War the reputation of Winston Churchill was that of a gifted politician who had twice changed parties, an impulsive man prone to impractical enthusiasms, and a Conservative backbencher who opposed the foreign policy of his leader - the prime minister, Neville Chamberlain.

Six years later, Churchill towered above all contemporaries as a statesman of international renown. He was known as the champion of freedom and civilisation, and the victorious leader of the British nation and empire at war. How did this transformation happen?

The change did not begin to happen until 1940, when the war was nine months old. Even his enemies had recognised that Churchill would have to be brought into the government in the event of war - his military expertise was universally acknowledged, and his criticisms of Chamberlain's policy of appeasement had after all proved justified - and he had been made First Lord of the Admiralty. In this capacity he was given charge only of the Royal Navy, a position that, after ten years in the political wilderness, he was content to accept. Winston Churchill: Defender of Democracy by Geoffrey Best

Mark Alexander

Dry ideas from dry people! Kill everyone's joy! After all, the Islamization of the EU will be that much easier thereafter!

Image courtesy of the EU Observer

EUOBSERVER / STRASBOURG - One of the first concrete proposals the Finnish EU presidency will push in the bloc's agenda is an alcohol tax hike across Europe.

Helsinki has put the issue on the agenda of the very first meeting during its six-month period at the EU's helm - the gathering of finance ministers planned for 11 July.

"It is necessary to harmonize the tax rates to even out the price levels of alcohol," the presidency stated in a press release on the council agenda, adding that it aims to achieve an increase in the EU minimum excise duty rates on alcohol, particularly spirits. Finland to start EU presidency with alcohol tax hikes by Lucia Kubosova

Photo courtesy of Google Image
Life's no fun any more, according to the experts. You can't drink beer because it kills your brain cells. You can't eat cakes because they clog your arteries. You can't drive in the bus lane because the cameras get you. You can't have unprotected sex in case you catch some unspeakable disease. You can't hunt foxes because it's nasty. You can't have a coal fire in the city because of pollution and you can't use a cellphone because it fries your brain. What's left?

Smoking? You must be kidding. The whole world is a long way down the road of making smokers feel like serial killers, and wanting to have a cold pint and a nice fag in the environs of your local pub is supposed to make you an anti-social reprobate of the worst order. Some day, when the world is old, people will scoff at the fact that human beings once lived in a society - Britain - where the Government could confirm its commitment to Trident missiles, whose only single purpose is to wipe out the planet, while, in the same week, that identical Government floated the idea of making it illegal for people of 16 and 17 to smoke a cigarette. Under-18s will smoke whatever the law by Andrew O'Hagan

Mark Alexander

The rough side and the smooth; the tough side and the gentle

Images courtesy of Google Images

Mark Alexander

Vatican stands up to Islam

“Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It’s our duty to protect ourselves.” Thus spoke Monsignor Velasio De Paolis, secretary of the Vatican’s supreme court, referring to Muslims. Explaining his apparent rejection of Jesus’ admonition to his followers to “turn the other cheek,” De Paolis noted that “The West has had relations with the Arab countries for half a century…and has not been able to get the slightest concession on human rights.”

De Paolis is hardly alone in his thinking; indeed, the Catholic Church is undergoing a dramatic shift from a decades-old policy to protect Catholics living under Muslim rule. The old methods of quiet diplomacy and muted appeasement have clearly failed. The estimated 40 million Christians in Dar al-Islam, notes the Barnabas Fund’s Patrick Sookhdeo, increasingly find themselves an embattled minority facing economic decline, dwindling rights, and physical jeopardy. Most of them, he goes on, are despised and distrusted second-class citizens, facing discrimination in education, jobs, and the courts.

These harsh circumstances are causing Christians to flee their ancestral lands for the West’s more hospitable environment. Consequently, Christian populations of the Muslim world are in a free-fall. Two small but evocative instances of this pattern: for the first time in nearly two millennia, Nazareth and Bethlehem no longer have Christian majorities. The Vatican Confronts Islam by Daniel Pipes

Mark Alexander

Malaysia bans books on Islam by Armstrong and Esposito

The ban was ordered in accordance with the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984, which prohibits the reproduction or distribution of materials that disrupt peace and harmony. The banned books - six of which are in Malay, with the rest in English - include works of noted Islam scholars Karen Armstrong and John Esposito. Government bans 18 books on Islam and religion

Mark Alexander

St George is 'offensive' to Muslims, say many in the Church of England

His dragon-slaying heroics have kept his legend alive through the centuries.

But the Church of England is considering rejecting England's patron saint St George on the grounds that his image is too warlike and may offend Muslims.

Clergy have started a campaign to replace George with St Alban, a Christian martyr in Roman Britain.

The scheme, to be considered by the Church's parliament, the General Synod, has met a cautious but sympathetic response from senior bishops. Will George be slayed as England's patron saint? by Steve Doughty

Mark Alexander

'Come to jihad, my dear children!'

Egyptian cleric tells children's TV show: Come on to the jihad, encourages child-soldiers to join holy war by Yaakov Lappin

An Egyptian Islamic cleric working for the state ministry of religious endowment has used a children's television program to encourage young children to strive for holy war.

During program, made available by the Arabic translation service MEMRI, the cleric told a story about Muslim children in history keen to "sacrifice" themselves and kill "infidels" for the cause of Islam.

"Let's listen to a very beautiful story to learn about the courage of a child, and how, when a child is brought up in a good home, and receives proper education in faith, he loves martyrdom, which becomes like an instinct for him. He can never give it up," Sheik Muhammad Nassar told children on the program, which aired on the Al-Nas television channel. Egypt primes children for jihad

Mark Alexander

Weakness is as weakness does
My thanks to my friend, Always On Watch, for alerting me to this article from Yahoo News:

LONDON - Britain cannot defeat terrorism unless moderate Muslims do more to confront militancy in their own communities, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday.

Blair said the vast majority of Muslims abhorred terrorism and wanted to defeat it, but said they had to do more to counter what he described as the extremists' misplaced anger and grievances.

Moderates, he said, must "stand up against the ideas of these people, not just their methods."

"If you want to defeat this extremism, you've got to defeat its ideas and you've got to defeat in part a completely false sense of grievance against the West," said Blair, testifying before a House of Commons committee. "The government has its role to play in this, but honestly, the government itself is not going to defeat this."Blair: Muslims must confront militancy

Mark Alexander

Alarming admission: Blair's government has no policy on population

The Government has no policy for controlling the size of Britain's population, Tony Blair admitted yesterday.

Questioned by MPs, he refused to estimate the number of illegal immigrants in Britain, although a recent study calculated there could be up to 570,000.

"By the very nature that they are illegals makes it very difficult to have a precise estimate," Mr Blair said.

Tony Wright, the Labour MP for Cannock Chase, told Mr Blair that Britain's population had topped 60 million for the first time last year and was expected to rise 12 per cent over the next generation. The rises were equivalent to having a new Oxford, a new Middlesbrough and a new Ipswich every year, and migration was the main driver of the rise. Blair admits he has no policy on population

Mark Alexander

More hot air from Blair!

The government cannot alone root out extremism in Muslim communities and defeat the terrorism it creates, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.

He hit back at claims ministers had done little to win Muslim "hearts and minds" since the 7 July London bombs.

He said he was "probably not the person to go into the Muslim community".

It was down to moderate Muslims to stand up to extremism and tell those with "grievances" against the West they were wrong, Mr Blair told MPs. Muslims 'must root out extremism'

Mark Alexander

Switzerland's neutrality: Sincere or hypocritical?
With thanks to European Kafir for drawing this very interesting article in the The Jerusalem Post to my attention:

Switzerland said Monday that Israel has been violating international law in its Gaza offensive by heavy destruction and endangering civilians in acts of collective punishment banned under the Geneva conventions on the conduct of warfare.

"A number of actions by the Israeli defense forces in their offensive against the Gaza Strip have violated the principle of proportionality and are to be seen as forms of collective punishment, which is forbidden," the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"There is no doubt that Israel has not taken the precautions required of it in international law to protect the civilian population and infrastructure," it said. The statement did not name the Geneva Conventions, but it referred to provisions of the 1949 treaty, which is regarded as the cornerstone of international law on the obligations of warring and occupying powers.

Switzerland, as the depository of the conventions, has a responsibility to call meetings if it finds general problems with the implementation of the treaty, but it does not have any special powers to interpret the document. Switzerland: Israel violating int'l law

Mark Alexander