Now it is far too early to say whether counter-terrorism officers got it wrong. However, day by day more is coming to light about this operation. The Guardian today reports that the intelligence behind the raid was 'wrong'. So far, the police have found no evidence of a chemical device in the house that was raided. According to the report, one official said:
"There is no viable device at that house. There is no device being constructed, or chemicals. There does not appear to be anything there or anywhere else."
If this turns out to be the case, yet more questions will be asked of the authorities. How could they let yet another intelligence failure cause a man to be shot (although thankfully not killed in this case)? Muslim communities will demand that the authorities justify their actions fully. They will also be increasingly concerned about the demonisation of many Muslims, both by the gutter press and the authorities. Certainly, I am concerned by the anti-Islamic rhetoric that has been increasingly prevalent on many right-wing blogs. It is essential to reflect on recent developements and question how much of a part many sections of the media play in radicalising young Muslims. If we continue to demonise them, will this lead them into the arms of the radicals?? I fear so. I have no sympathies with any religious groups, being a committed atheist I distrust all of them. However, many people wish to practise their beliefs peacefully and I respect their right to do so. It is this majority we should respect, not the radical few who the right seem so keen to focus on.
Going back on the raid in London, many on the right have been critical of the BBC's reporting of events (despite little in the way of official statements). Personally, I believe that the BBC have reported this in a sensible manner. They have not gone overboard with the accusations of a bomb factory, particularly as there has been little evidence found so far. After all, we don't want the BBC to use our money to fight a libel case do we?? Or maybe some right-wingers do. Some choice comments turned up on Biased BBC, a particularly good place to find the lesser spotted right-wing fruitcake. Here are some good examples of their own brand of balanced rhetoric:
more here, on the anti-terror raid:http://keith-london.livejournal....om/ 1737721.html
key facts
1. the people arrested/shot are pakistani
2. 5 mile exclusion zone set up
3. its a bomb factory (Sorry, 'key facts'?????? - k)
looks like the culprits are not recent immigrants or outsiders - they were embedded into the local community - in other words - a sleeper cell.
archduke Homepage 02.06.06 - 1:03 pm #
RE:LondonBBC main news has no mention of any bomb factory, but many other news sites do (Times online and Sky for example) (perhaps because it is not true?? - k)
Rob White 02.06.06 - 2:58 pm #
last updated : 14:56
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/50.../uk/ 5040022.stm
key things missing:
1. Pakistani
2. Islam/Muslim
3. bomb factory
4. Usage of the vague "Asian" term
The BBC - not bringing you the news.
archduke Homepage 02.06.06 - 3:29 pm #
Interesting comments from archduke there. Interesting that he repeatedly insists there was a bomb factory there, although to date there is no real evidence to prove it. Good job the BBC is not run by nutters like that one, who knows what garbage would be produced as news. Let's wait until the facts emerge shall we?
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