Birmingham Terror arrests

Once again a muslim community in Britain is feeling divided by arrests in its midst. I have two feelings on this matter based on what I've seen of the news coverage.

Firstly, the protestations of relatives and neighbours that the men are absolutely innocent. Cast your mind back to when the arrests of the attempted London bombers took place. The exact same happened there. Outrage in the community. Although they're innocent until proven guilty the evidence looks absolutely damning on these poor excuses for human beings. We'll see what happens from the current arrests, however. We should resist the urge to follow in the footsteps of the media and jump to conclusions before being aware of the facts. If the men are freed without charge, then perhaps there's room for complaint. If the men are arrested, however, the local community should look at the police's track record. It's not unblemished, certainly, but the police don't generally act in this manner unless they've amassed a fair amount of evidence and are expecting the 'cell' (or whatever the group is in this instance) to act imminently.

As for the reasons of elements of the muslim community getting so worked up as to plan such acts, I would say this: do you really feel that you're the only group opposed to the situation in Iraq? I would put to them that a majority of the British population is now opposed to Blair's war, and a great many always have been. (Remember the marches past Westminster?) However the population of this country as a whole believe in making their feelings known in a democratic manner; through lobbying and at the ballot box. If there are people in this country who believe that violence and death is the route they have to take to be heard they are not only wrong but they forfeit their part in our community and country. Shout from the pulpits, or rather the minarets if that's more appropriate. Write to your MP, protest - peacefully - against the failing foreign policy of the Blair government. Lobby, shout, do what you can, but remain within the democratic and lawful system that we enjoy and that keeps our country stable and prosperous. Don't believe you are being marginalised, as on the topic of foreign policy you will find yourselves in good and plentiful company. Peace. (at home and abroad.)

Farewell Blackpool

The super-casino decision came in today and to the surprise of everyone; the media and winning council included; Manchester took the prize. There have been congratulations all round of course but underlying this has been disquiet that Blackpool would have made the more sensible choice for location being a failing seaside town in desperate need for a big pull. The super-casino could have been it, but now, short of an overturning decision in Westminster, it seems Blackpool will be left out in the cold. Not only that but with the relative close proximity of the Manchester super-casino, Blackpool's chances of securing its own licence seem dead in the water.

Manchester may well have better infrastructure but having already been at the receiving end of no shortage of investment in recent years it wouldn't have done any harm to see this particular awarding go to another. Blackpool was built on entertainment and could have well used the casino as grounds to fund extensive infrastructure upgrades. It seems the government is happy for the formerly prestigious seaside resorts to die. After all, when Blair is happy to discard any consideration of holidaying at home in favour of grand vacances abroad with a mighty big carbon footprint to match, should we be in the slightest bit surprised?