US Koran Burning...

It's repulsive.

"It is possibly time for us in a new way to actually stand up, confront terrorism," Mr Jones told reporters.
This is hypocrisy; how is the burning of the Koran, a sacred text for Muslims, not an act of religious terrorism?
Granted, it is not perhaps on the 9/11 scale but it's still an offensive act which will encourage terrorism not prevent it. Obama described the plans of Mr Jones as a "recruitment bonanza" for Al-Qaeda.

Obama also pointed out that if the burning did go ahead in Gainesville, Florida it would endanger US troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Whilst, William Hague, British foreign secretary, when asked how the burnings would affect British troops in Afghanistan replied "It certainly won't help."

It has also been suggested that it will not only be our troops who will be put at risk by the pastor's actions; Interpol has issued a global alert claiming the burning could instigate "violent attacks on innocent people". As a result of this warning, the US government has warned American tourists abroad to be careful and avoid areas where protests may take place.

Terry Jones, pastor of a small church in the sleepy town of Gainesville leads a congregation of around 50 people. He planned to hold a mass burning of Korans  to commemorate 9/11.
What was planned to be a small, local ceremony has now become a major issue on the world stage, as a result of media and political intervention.

The US government finds itself in a tricky situation; officials cannot prevent Mr Jones as intervention would be against the US constitution's promise of freedom of speech. Yet, if the burning should go ahead, not only is it damaging to America's reputation but also poses huge security risks.

Comments made against the Koran burnings:

Downing Street; "Primarily this is an issue for the US, but clearly the government's view is that we would not condone the burning of any book. We would strongly oppose any attempt to offend any member of any religious or ethnic group. We are committed to religious tolerance."

OIC Secretary General (Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu); "The culture of peaceful co-existence and inter communal and inter-religious tolerance that the international community is trying to achieve is under threat from marginal and extremist fanatics."

William Hague; The burning of the Koran would be offensive not just to Muslims but to all supporters of religious freedom and tolerance worldwide. Eid is a time of celebration, charitable giving and family gathering. To seek to mar it in this calculated way would be selfish and provocative in the extreme."

Tony Blair; "I deplore the act of burning the Koran. It is disrespectful, wrong and will be widely condemned by people of all faiths and none. In no way does this represent the view of any sensible person in the West or any other part of the world. You do not have to be a Muslim to share a sense of deep concern at such a disrespectful way to treat the Holy Book of Islam. Rather than burn the Koran, I would encourage people to read it."

There has not been news yet as to whether Mr Jones plans to continue the Koran burnings; despite worldwide pressure for him to cancel his plans. Meanwhile the rest of us struggle to comprehend, as shown above, why we are having to persuade such a man, not to commit a KKK reminiscent offence in the supposedly tolerant society of today.

The Hague Plague Spreads...

The 'Hague Plague' is catching on across media nationwide...
Is he? Isn't he?
But is it really any of our business as to what the sexual orientation of our foreign secretary is?

Over the years, in politics, and indeed across society, it would seem attitudes regarding sexuality have become much more relaxed, almost to the extent that having gay MPs is practically mandatory within a party.
Being homosexual or even bisexual should not be an issue at all, except perhaps for Hague's wife Ffion. Neither should it matter to the general public as to whether Hague has been disloyal to his wife or not; politicians should be judged on how well they do their jobs, not how 'nice' they are in their private lives.

In an ideal world, parliament would be full of committed, sensible and intelligent people with the right political values who radiate loveliness to those surrounding them. But as always, the ideal world isn't achievable and the human race certainly isn't perfect. And of the many above qualities that make a politician; "loveliness" is certainly the lowest of my priorities.
If Wayne Rooney can cheat on his pregnant wife Coleen with a call girl, yet still be an impressive football player and loyal team member...
Then, William Hague can supposedly cheat on his wife with Christopher Myers, yet still successfully serve his country as foreign secretary...
I am trying to say that yes, we should judge a politician's character but only in those areas that apply to their work. The rest is private business; A line needs to be drawn.

The only reason it possibly should interest the public, is whether, if Mr Hague did have feelings for the young aide, this caused him to appoint him as a special adviser. But the media explosion following reports that Hague and Myers shared a room during the election campaign seems to have engulfed the real question; should Myers have been appointed as a spad?

It emerged that the aide was never included within an official list of spads published in June by Downing Street, therefore suggesting Christopher Myers was never officially appointed and so raising questions as to whether "the list", which was supposed to demonstrate how the coalition was cutting back on political appointments, was completed.
Cameron promised fewer spads would be used in the coalition to cut costs, limiting it to two spads per minister, however Hague's appointment of Mr Myers meant he had a total of three advisers.
There was also controversy as to whether 25 year old Myers had enough experience for the job and so perhaps Hague's 'soft spot' for Myers led to the appointment.

But the real issue of debate was overrun by the media's greed for a good sex story; leading to Hague having to make a very personal statement to the public and a man, who, for all we know, could have been a very successful advisor to the foreign secretary having to resign as a result of media pressure.

I wish William and Ffion well, I hope the media will now leave them alone and Christopher Myers will just become some distant memory...


I'd also like to express my condolences towards David Cameron. Political differences aside; I think we can all agree that we can appreciate how hard it is to lose someone so close.