News of London's New Mayor is Whitewashed

bhkad · 05-03-08, 05:08 PM

News of London's New Mayor is Whitewashed

Boris Johnson has defeated the outspoken and awful socialist Mayor of the past 8 years, Ken Livingstone. But in the several news report of yesterday's election there seems to be no way of knowing his view on the greatest challenge of the generation as it exists on a global scale and/or on the local London-metro area, Islamism. It was really frustrating to see the subject tap danced around in the news accounts.

I finally had to resort to Wikipedia to find what I wanted to know. As opposed to his predecessor who I believed aided and abetted Islamism AT LEAST by way of his accommodation and a willingness to go too far to abandon BRITISH values as he promoted questionably Islamist individuals and interests, the new mayor, Boris Johnson seems to be just the opposite.

Speaking of Johnson:

Quote:

He has shown himself to be outspoken on issues which are treated by some as belonging to the realms of political correctness.

Johnson made the following comments about Islam in his Spectator column shortly after the July 7 bombings in 2005:

"It is time to reassert British values…That means disposing of the first taboo, and accepting that the problem is Islam. Islam is the problem. To any non-Muslim reader of the Koran, Islamophobia — fear of Islam — seems a natural reaction, and, indeed, exactly what that text is intended to provoke. Judged purely on its scripture — to say nothing of what is preached in the mosques — it is the most viciously sectarian of all religions. The trouble with this disgusting arrogance and condescension is that it is widely supported in Koranic texts, and we look in vain for the enlightened Islamic teachers and preachers who will begin the process of reform. What is going on in these mosques and madrasas? "When is someone going to get 18th century on Islam’s mediaeval ass?"[34]

Boris Johnson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a man who needs our support.

So why have the news accounts all downplayed or whitewashed this aspect of his political philosophy???

Red_Dave · 05-03-08, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhkad

News of London's New Mayor is Whitewashed

Boris Johnson has defeated the outspoken and awful socialist Mayor of the past 8 years, Ken Livingstone. But in the several news report of yesterday's election there seems to be no way of knowing his view on the greatest challenge of the generation as it exists on a global scale and/or on the local London-metro area, Islamism. It was really frustrating to see the subject tap danced around in the news accounts.

I finally had to resort to Wikipedia to find what I wanted to know. As opposed to his predecessor who I believed aided and abetted Islamism AT LEAST by way of his accommodation and a willingness to go too far to abandon BRITISH values as he promoted questionably Islamist individuals and interests, the new mayor, Boris Johnson seems to be just the opposite.

Speaking of Johnson:

Boris Johnson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a man who needs our support.

So why have the news accounts all downplayed or whitewashed this aspect of his political philosophy???

It didnt need to be downplayed because it wasnt hugely significant. The religeon of islam doesnt exactly fall under his juristiction. Which is why the press payed attention to the main issues in the election such as crime, taxes the congestion charge etc.

bhkad · 05-03-08, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Dave

It didnt need to be downplayed because it wasnt hugely significant. The religeon of islam doesnt exactly fall under his juristiction. Which is why the press payed attention to the main issues in the election such as crime, taxes the congestion charge etc.

It looks like a significant factor to me.

The transport system and City of London are thought to be most at risk

Quote:

Secret report: Terror threat worst since 9/11
By Sean Rayment, Security Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:18AM GMT 25/02/2007

The terrorist threat facing Britain from home-grown al-Qaeda agents is higher than at any time since the September 11 attacks in 2001, secret intelligence documents reveal.

The number of British-based Islamic terrorists plotting suicide attacks against "soft" targets in this country is far greater than the Security Services had previously believed, the government paperwork discloses. It is thought the plotters could number more than 2,000.

Under the heading "International Terrorism in the UK", the document - seen by The Sunday Telegraph - states: "The scale of al-Qaeda's ambitions towards attacking the UK and the number of UK extremists prepared to participate in attacks are even greater than we had previously judged."

It warns that terrorist "attack planning" against Britain will increase in 2007, and adds: "We still believe that AQ [al-Qaeda] will continue to seek opportunities for mass casualty attacks against soft targets and key infrastructure. These attacks are likely to involve the use of suicide operatives."

[...]

MI5 believes that soft targets, such as the transport system and economic targets such as the City of London and Canary Wharf, are most at risk.

Secret report: Terror threat worst since 9/11 - Telegraph

Scucca · 05-04-08, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhkad

It looks like a significant factor to me.

What do you think Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, media hack, is going to do? Perhaps put up the bus fare for anyone carrying rucksacks?

donsutherland1 · 05-04-08, 10:11 AM

Bhkad,

Mr. Livingstone also had a history of demonizing Israel, perhaps as part of his rather extreme world view particularly with respect to the ongoing ideological struggle with radical Islamists. He was out of step with most of the Labour Party and the British population. The bar should not be too high for his successor to do a better job in representing London.

Scucca · 05-04-08, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsutherland1

Mr. Livingstone also had a history of demonizing Israel

Isn't that a tad of a "so what?" moment, given Red Ken lost and such issues were irrelevant to the election? They've gone for a "popular" media hack. Silly Billys

Red_Dave · 05-04-08, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsutherland1

Bhkad,

Mr. Livingstone also had a history of demonizing Israel, perhaps as part of his rather extreme world view particularly with respect to the ongoing ideological struggle with radical Islamists.

Paraphrased: Agree with the established foriegn policy possitions or your with the terroists. How very convient.

On the contrary i think its fair to say dislike of Isreali policys is fairly mainstream in Brittain. And before bkahd starts thats not because islamists are taking over [how this possible when muslims are only a small faction of the population i dont know], you,ll find simlar sentiments in christian and jewish communitys.

Red_Dave · 05-04-08, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhkad

It looks like a significant factor to me.

The transport system and City of London are thought to be most at risk

Secret report: Terror threat worst since 9/11 - Telegraph

Sure but thats mainly for the MI5 to deal with not the mayor of london [thank ****]

donsutherland1 · 05-04-08, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Dave

Sure but thats mainly for the MI5 to deal with not the mayor of london [thank ****]

No real disagreement from me on that. However, Mr. Livingstone was using his position as a pulpit to advocate foreign policy and national security positions. Hopefully, Mayor-elect Johnson will focus on serving London.

Scucca · 05-04-08, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsutherland1

Mr. Livingstone was using his position as a pulpit to advocate foreign policy and national security positions.

Red Ken maintained his principles and voiced concerns accordingly. Nothing wrong with that

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Mayor-elect Johnson will focus on serving London.

He best not to try and do too much. It will just bring back memories of past "man of the people" Conservatism