I have been very angry this week, I could have done people harm with probably very little provocation. I like to think I am extremely tolerant, maybe a
secret person. I have read many articles, watched myriad reports, listened to many weak and cowardly politicians and heard once again the same excuses still being used.
The debate hasn't been had, is still not being had and isn't being allowed to be had. David, Boris, John
et al were right about one thing: British foreign policy is not the problem; if it were how could they explain the atrocities all over the world, in about 25 countries on 4 continents only in the
last month! (including sect on sect attacks).
However, our leaders and politicians are wrong about something else: I have a surprise for you, Islam IS the problem. By denying this or adding ifs and buts and caveats and excuses nothing will ever change.
Islam needs reform. An ex near-neighbour of mine
Ali Miraj writes that the atrocious and heinous event in Woolwich is "
only the latest act of barbarism: Muslims, we must take on this cancer in our midst". He suggests there are two key issues: the first was influenced by his experience of radical Muslim groups as long ago as 1993: first,
"the historic failure to clamp down on those inciting hatred"; secondly "
the ineptitude and utter failure of self-proclaimed Muslim leaders to tackle these extremists head-on with intellectual argument." However, this 2nd point will not work when, as
Raewald says, [edit] Islam provides/provided
[young jihadists] "with what they imagined was justification for their barbarism remains the real problem; with no recognised spiritual hierarchy to definitively interpret the Koran otherwise, Islam will always provide the enemies of our peoples with an excuse for violence against us" (my emphasis). In many Muslim countries radical and extreme interpretations of the Koran would not be allowed, the Imams would be punished and imprisoned...or worse; probably because of this many have gravitated to the welcoming arms of liberal Europe and especially Britain,
Londistan, a rich and fertile hunting ground to spread their bile and poison.
For how long must the appeasement continue? Just as the serious and chronic and widespread Muslim grooming scandals were ignored because of the fear of accusations of racism and/or they didn't like
the messenger so too the revelations of hate-preaching in some Mosques was turned on it's head so that the messenger
became investigated. Judges, police, CPS, politicians sort it out, stop the pandering and appeasement! Why can one man get
arrested immediately for a few online comments whereas Muslim hate-preachers get away with constant and regular death threats and inciting hatred on a daily basis. And Muslims, no ifs, no buts, expose the haters, expose the extremists, open the Mosques, heal thyselves.
One option soon not allowed in the EU is jugs and refillable bottles of olive oil...you know, the stuff on every single restaurant table throughout the continent: "From 1 January 2014, restaurants may only serve olive oil in tamper-proof packaging, labelled to EU standards" [BBC]. I can only think this is a ploy to help the economies of the the PIGS: although the "spectacular surge in demand for olive oil in developed and emerging markets" [OOT] should help too. Oliver (yes, honestly) Bailly the European Commission spokesman said the olive oil regulation would benefit consumers because they are only "making clear that when you want to have olive oil of a certain quality in a restaurant, you get exactly the one you are paying for", what about rip-off wine? What about the 'fresh' bread in an open basket? the meat? the fish? How often does one really get 'exactly the one you are paying for'? Anyway, just like to mention that earlier this year the EU codified marketing standards for olive oil and I am in favour because reading the regulation [PDF] I don't think it's as bad as everyone is making out (no change there then!) and as early readers of Owsblog will know, I like olives...but also I am always pissed off by the obvious dodgy olive oil (I mean restaurant owners saving a few bob, not the multi-billion pound scam) passed off as super-pure cold-pressed extra-virgin.
Love or hate. The Year of the Snake started on February 10th and should really be renamed year of Marmite ("Love it or hate it."); not because you hate the year or because it has any similarity to the sticky, salty, brown, beer by-product yeast extract but by our calendar so far each month we have a had a 'Marmite' moment: the end of the line or the end of an era for 'divisive' characters. First Chavez died. A month later Maggie died (no O that day) and now, another month later, Ferguson has retired! To quote Austin Barry commenting at The Spectator (I hope he doesn't mind) whose comment has caused a tea and toast crumb splattered Ows laptop: 
