Last night, after a long, long day, a decent curry and a soak in the bath, I turned on the news to hear about the tragic murder of the off duty soldier in Woolwich by two men. The poor bloke was run down by a car, then hacked and stabbed to death by the two occupants. The murderers then refused to let men near the victim, women only, and forced those men there to film their political propaganda. (and if a blood covered big maniac with guns and knives told me to film him, I would've).
That was bad enough. Then stupidly I looked on facebook and also saw the newsreels on TV. The two murderers were shot and wounded by an armed policewoman and taken into custody.
I got very, very angry, not just at the tragedy, not just at the media coverage, but also at the willingness of seemingly large proportions of the British public to immediately jump on the send them back racist rant, (they were apparantly both born and riased in the UK) declare those men who filmed it to be cowards, (see above) the judgementalism was unbelieveable.
After the anger came the sadness, I'm not ashamed to write here that I cried. I step 4'd this and guess what - it was all fear rooted. What would I have done, what would others think of my actions, would I man up and measure up. What if it's my son that got murdered. Will there be riots.
Just to clarify then. The two murderers, tho' calling on the name of Allah and claiming this act of murder was in the name of Allah, these two individuals DO NOT represent the Islamic belief, DO NOT represent the wishes of the islamic peoples and ARE NOT typical of anything other than at best mentally unstable pschopathic murderers or at worst self radicalised extremists.
To say, as some in Britain are saying, that these are representative of Islam is false. A saying going round is that not all Islamists are terrorists but all terrorists are Islamic. Excuse me but that's bollocks. That's like saying that the IRA (a Catholic based Christian Terrorist organisation) are representative of all Christians.
This is an isolated incident. A tragic but still isolated incident. Although this was a planned and politically motivated murder, I will not grace the attackers with the name terrorist, because to do so would be to admit that hey and their ilk have me in terror. They don't. Fear maybe, but not terror.
-- Edited by bikerbill on Thursday 23rd of May 2013 10:06:30 AM
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
Hey Bill, I can feel the pain as your write this. I am outraged and angry as well, to the point that my 13 and 10 year old boy's wanted to know what I was so upset about. By explaining the complexities you alluded to in your post to my boys, I had to sum it up to them that if the Brits over react, it will bring on what the murderers want. Chaos. In all, I feel that the bystanders comported themselves with dignity which I have come to expect of Brits in a tough spot. I also think it gave a sharp contrast to the murderers. I think that anyone that was ordered to film realized that by filming, they could use the film to answer compelling questions that would come up later, so I agree with you that I do not think that filming in itself necessarily meant individuals were being less than manly. Another way to think of it is to keep the murderers engaged until back up shows up with the right equipment for the job. Do not let the talking masses get you down. I think we are roughly the same age and I am sure you recognize the "Catch 22" of this situation. For us, it comes under the heading of "things we can not change". All we can do is reach out to our HP more and pray for understanding. If you come across a good donation source for this young man, could you please post it? Thanks, Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
Thank you for your posts BB and Tom ... ... ... yet another form of 'insanity' rears its ugly head ... not a lot different than an insane person shooting a bunch of kids ... and the media and government will use this and other stories to spread their agenda now ...
This situation can be used to incite riots and mayhem ... like the gun issue here, with the 'people' being fed certain information (mis-information, or at the very least 'skewed' way out of true common sense, stupid new laws will eventually come about) ... the 2nd amendment is not likely to survive ... for instance, guns don't think, ergo the guns don't kill, people do ... I heard this recently and totally agree ... "If guns kill people, then: Pencils cause misspelled words ... Pickup trucks make people drink ...Spoons make people fat ... and ... Matches cause arson ..."
Anger doesn't even begin to describe the way I feel ... but like Tom said, it comes under the heading of 'things I cannot change' ... And I'm beginning to think WE are the only 'sane' people left on earth ... LOL ... go figure!!!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I have been following this. I am so sad that the Policeman lost his life.
Sad to say there are those who will use their faith to peruse a crazed 'cause'. That happens over here. While I don't understand Islam, I do understand that there are those who use Christianity as a way to further their 'cause'.
The aspect of those who were filming and taking stills is a major bone of contention on a couple of Photo Forums I am on. On one hand, 'shoot' and that could document what the human eye might miss. On the other hand, don't because you are marginalizing what is happening. Demeaning the horror.
I do agree with Pythonpappy, and this goes back to Anger. What are we willing to do with our anger. Strike out at another person who might 'look' like someone we are angry?
Murder that person because they do not believe as I do?
I grew up in TX with guns, I never thought to turn one on another person.
IMHO, this goes back to Anger and Resentment. Just sayin'
I think the worst possible anger there is, is that which a person is willing to hate someone enough to kill them for their race, color, or creed/religion ... this is what I see as 'pure evil' (the absence of any true God) ...
problem is, it's been around since Cain killed Abel ... first sons resulted in the first murder ...
So in living the AA way of life, we learn that people can rely on God, they can, in fact, love each other ... these, these people who would not normally mix ... no matter how much wisdom we gain, it still boils down to, ... we will never 'understand' why these things happen ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Photofreak. Not a policeman. An off duty soldier. Drummer Lee Rigsby of the royal regiment of fusiliers. Afghan veteran. 25 years old and father of a two year old son.
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
For me regardless the intention I pray to be alert and ready to defend my life and the life of others who are not crazed yet might be victim of such. That my efforts be of the utmost use and the outcome in line with peace and serenity. There is no justification for violence...that is my principle only and might not be the other gal or guy yet I can defend to the value necessary that others might survive.
11/8/11 I was attacked and assaulted by the county police in what was a hate crime the need to defend myself physically presented itself a long with the awareness that I was out numbered and out armed and that others of my culture were also being treated in much the same way or worse...one had been killed by being shot. I was abided with by HP and continue to participate within the culture fully. There was a moment which I also may have experienced fatality and by the grace of God it passed and I didn't and I am grateful to be able to continue existing with in and supporting my culture as HP desires it. There are many out there under the influence of their drug of choice chemical or ideological. I admit I am powerless over it...
Photofreak. Not a policeman. An off duty soldier. Drummer Lee Rigsby of the royal regiment of fusiliers. Afghan veteran. 25 years old and father of a two year old son.
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
Since the tragic death of Drummer Lee Rigby we have received countless messages of support and donations from our wonderful supporters.
However we ask that in the first instance you donate to his Regimental Fund, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Aid Society. They are best placed to support the family at this overwhelmingly difficult time.
Please visit https://www.justgiving.com/LeeRigby/
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
Hey Bill, Hows it coming today? Hopefully the raw edge is off and you can allow some peace to slip in. I can already tell from the press over there that this is not sitting well. Stockholm is burning and there are aviation incidences occurring as we speak. BUT, you know what we have? Our background of working the steps. We strive for that. Double prayers for England today. Tom
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
Hopefully the raw edge is off and you can allow some peace to slip in. I can already tell from the press over there that this is not sitting well. Stockholm is burning and there are aviation incidences occurring as we speak. BUT, you know what we have? Our background of working the steps. We strive for that. Double prayers for England today. Tom
Ditto what Tom said ...
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
