Election Year or Fear!

[ramAnag]

Before I respond, PLEASE NOTE this is an observation not an opinion, albeit its based on a pretty large sample and over nearly two decades, the bigger problem being 'the rise of Islam' with a side order of 'the apparent encouragement of/failure to stop it by 'the powers that be''

I appreciate it’s only an observation, but I really don’t understand it. As you know I have little time for any organised religion and I accept that there are more Muslims in the country with more high profile places of worship than there were 15, 20, 50 years ago but why do people find it a ‘problem’?

[Andy_Faber]

I appreciate it's only an observation, but I really don't understand it. As you know I have little time for any organised religion and I accept that there are more Muslims in the country with more high profile places of worship than there were 15, 20, 50 years ago but why do people find it a 'problem''

Because 'people' see a) the accelerating growth of muslims as a percentage of the population (immigration,higher birth/lower death rate) b) that the promised nirvana of multiculturalism has not only failed but never intended to be even tried, leading to things such as the no go zones referred to by MA and c) a feeling that 'the authorities' (govt, police, public bodies, mainstream broadcasters) are 'on their side'. 'People' constantly cite the grooming gang scandals as examples of c)

The worrying thing (for you as a liberal/idealist for example) is that the genie is back out of the bottle, those who've kept their (justified or not) frustrations/ prejudices to themselves are now feeling emboldened to voice them out loud - see Sith's earlier comment

[ramAnag]

Because 'people' see a) the accelerating growth of muslims as a percentage of the population (immigration,higher birth/lower death rate) b) that the promised nirvana of multiculturalism has not only failed but never intended to be even tried, leading to things such as the no go zones referred to by MA and c) a feeling that 'the authorities' (govt, police, public bodies, mainstream broadcasters) are 'on their side'. 'People' constantly cite the grooming gang scandals as examples of c)

The worrying thing (for you as a liberal/idealist for example) is that the genie is back out of the bottle, those who've kept their (justified or not) frustrations/ prejudices to themselves are now feeling emboldened to voice them out loud - see Sith's earlier comment

Well that’s the first time I’ve seen lower death rate cited as a concern and I’m unsure what you mean by Sith’s earlier comment.

I’m sure Farage has empowered some with his rabble rousing, it is after all the source of his wealth and infamy, however I’ve never noticed the likes of you, Tricky and GP being particularly reticent on here as regards your views on migrants and Muslims and I honestly don’t think it’s about sides. It’s about fairness. You were quick to raise the case of the poor girl who’d been bullied because of her acne and rightly so, but to me most of the comments on here and elsewhere driven by racism and intolerance are just another form of bullying.

[Andy_Faber]

Well that’s the first time I’ve seen lower death rate cited as a concern and I’m unsure what you mean by Sith’s earlier comment.

I’m sure Farage has empowered some with his rabble rousing, it is after all the source of his wealth and infamy, however I’ve never noticed the likes of you, Tricky and GP being particularly reticent on here as regards your views on migrants and Muslims and I honestly don’t think it’s about sides. It’s about fairness. You were quick to raise the case of the poor girl who’d been bullied because of her acne and rightly so, but to me most of the comments on here and elsewhere driven by racism and intolerance are just another form of bullying.

You missed out MA. His post yesterday expressed similar concerns to many expressed here and elsewhere in the past, are you Suggesting MA is a racist? If not, why suggest others with considered views are?

[ramAnag]

You missed out MA. His post yesterday expressed similar concerns to many expressed here and elsewhere in the past, are you Suggesting MA is a racist? If not, why suggest others with considered views are?

Hold on. Who’s called who a racist? MA expressed concerns which personally I was surprised by and don’t agree with but he’s no racist. Neither have I suggested that you are, although your concerns about there being too many Asian/black presenters are very dubious imo. Tricky, I suspect, has a number of more extreme and racist tendencies and I think GP’s comments about sinking boats were unacceptable, indeed someone (MA I think) suggested you should remove them, but I repeat, I have called no one a racist.

I’ve simply suggested that, contrary to the myth about the removal of free speech, you three have consistently felt free to put forward opinions which you claim are somehow being censored by the various authorities. As it happens I think it is right that you should be able to, although I think Lucy Connolly’s incitement to arson and murder and GP’s comments about sinking boats cross the boundaries of decency and acceptability.

[Trickytreesreds]

Well that?s the first time I?ve seen lower death rate cited as a concern and I?m unsure what you mean by Sith?s earlier comment.

I?m sure Farage has empowered some with his rabble rousing, it is after all the source of his wealth and infamy, however I?ve never noticed the likes of you, Tricky and GP being particularly reticent on here as regards your views on migrants and Muslims and I honestly don?t think it?s about sides. It?s about fairness. You were quick to raise the case of the poor girl who?d been bullied because of her acne and rightly so, but to me most of the comments on here and elsewhere driven by racism and intolerance are just another form of bullying.

Intolerance? Interesting, when immigration has been pushing nearly 1000000 net a year and illegal immigration going through the roof? How tolerant do you expect folks to be?

I suggest you study the crime figures, the cost in benefits, the impacts on services, the impacts on housing in such a short space of time then ask yourself why folks have become ?intolerant ?.

I?ve told you before, you live in a bubble in the stix and good on yers.
But urban areas, especially the poorer areas have had enough

Politicians did this. Not Brexit or any of that bollox.

It Started under Blair, with the lowering of standards, integration of laws and a fundamental shift in political policy satisfying the world order.

Multiculturalism has failed and is a complete sham. The UK has ghettos and closed areas of communities not interested in anything but their own cultures. Muslims are the worst and bring their backward ways here. From polygamy to inter family marriage.

But Islam is an ideology that they want to live by. From women control, to observing their own religious versions of law. It?s dodgy ground.

[ramAnag]

Intolerance? Interesting, when immigration has been pushing nearly 1000000 net a year and illegal immigration going through the roof?

Really? I believe net (legal) migration into the UK in the year ending Dec.2024 was 431,000. Quite a difference there, but that’s figures for you.

[Trickytreesreds]

Really? I believe net (legal) migration into the UK in the year ending Dec.2024 was 431,000. Quite a difference there, but that?s figures for you.

I said has been dopey. BTW when they said it was 750 000 , they lied. It was actually over 900 000

[ramAnag]

I said has been dopey. BTW when they said it was 750 000 , they lied. It was actually over 900 000

Nevertheless it is acknowledged that net migration last year - and we are after all talking about the current situation - was 431,000, a decrease from the previous year’s total of 685,000 and both a very long way from your exaggerated one million claim.

I also think your comments regarding Halal are wide of the mark. I claim no expertise on animal cruelty, but I do know enough about food sources to understand that more conventional/western methods of food production - particularly where poultry and pigs are concerned - are equally flawed and questionable.

As regards your comment, ‘St. George’s flag is our national flag. Why should the majority of us feel ashamed to fly it?’, I have to answer, because yet again it has been hijacked by those on the Right just as it has been by the National Front and assorted football hooligans for the last 50-60 years.

I am proud of many aspects of MY country. Love to see us do well at sport, took enormous pleasure at the achievements of the British Lions in Australia and thoroughly enjoyed my day at Old Trafford last month when England’s cricketers were in the ascendancy against India. I am also proud of our NHS, our National Parks and our achievements in the areas of architecture, engineering, theatre, music and film.
The sight of hooded morons however, attacking police vehicles, abusing foreigners and setting fire to buildings while others happily wave their British and English flags or use them as a source of graffiti does nothing but make me, and I suspect the vast majority of decent folk, feel thoroughly ashamed.

[Andy_Faber]

I honestly don?t think it?s about sides.

I beg to differ, I think positions are becoming entrenched (on many issues) and the consequences of not ticking all your side?s boxes can be dire