Remarks about Suicide Bombers

[downquark1]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3421669.stm
Discuss...

I remember taking a similar opinion previously and getting the same reception.

[Ramrod]

Whatever Kilroy had is obviously catching

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Whatever Kilroy had is obviously catching

IMO this is totally different, it's a remark made from knowledge instead of ignorance.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by downquark1

IMO this is totally different, it's a remark made from knowledge instead of ignorance.

Hmmm...If thats case, there is no excuse and she should be fired.
No matter what she says now, she was condoning terrorism by making that statement. She effectively said that if she was in their shoes, she would do the same.*edit* or did she....?

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Hmmm...If thats case, there is no excuse and she should be fired.
No matter what she says now, she was condoning terrorism by making that statement. She effectively said that if she was in their shoes, she would do the same.*edit* or did she....?

I don't agree,

Now can we let other people voice their opinion - I'm not going to let this turn into a Ramrod V. [insert left-wing member here] thread.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by downquark1

I don't agree,

What don't you agree with and why?

Now can we let other people voice their opinion - I'm not going to let this turn into a Ramrod V. [insert left-wing member here] thread.

I'm just keeping this thread warm till everyone piles in

[Julian]

I have just read the link and I think the last part of the article probably sums it up :-

Kenneth Collins, a former chair of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, said everybody understood people being in a difficult situation.

"But you have to set that in the context of what suicide bombing means. This has led to our present impasse and a block in the peace process...

"The comments were irresponsible and phrased in a way that people will take from them that she was in favour of terror and not peace, and I'm sure that is not what she intended."

Had anyone ever heard of her before today?

PS I see from that article there is a "delegation" of labour mp's visiting israel atm, are they going to visit Palestine too I wonder?

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

What don't you agree with and why?

It's as I have said before:
People do not blow themselves up on a wym, there are very powerful reasons why they feel it is necessary and it is in trying to fix those reasons that we will stop the bombers.

She's the one who has visited the region, it is her opinion on what the conditions would drive her to do or others.

[danielf]

I can see where she is coming from, and to a certain extent I agree with her. However, I do not think it is very smart to say what she did.

It would have been a different matter if she would simply have pointed out that you need to look at the reasons why people do this. But to say she might do the same thing can easily be construed as condoning it, which doesn't go down very well for a politician.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by danielf

I can see where she is coming from, and to a certain extent I agree with her. However, I do not think it is very smart to say what she did.

It would have been a different matter if she would simply have pointed out that you need to look at the reasons why people do this. But to say she might do the same thing can easily be construed as condoning it, which doesn't go down very well for a politician.

Well said. That pretty much sums up my view.

[Popeye]

she might have said it to be deliberately controversial


as now we have all heard of her whereas before we had not

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Popeye

she might have said it to be deliberately controversial


as now we have all heard of her whereas before we had not

Yes, but we may might hear very little from her after this. (I.e., it could be the end of her political career)

Originally Posted by danielf

I can see where she is coming from, and to a certain extent I agree with her. However, I do not think it is very smart to say what she did.

Not smart, or not politically wise? Leaving aside all other issues, at least she is a politician who has been honest in her views and says it how she sees it. While I can see how some people will interpret these views in the worst possible light, do we really want to have politicians who only say what they think will receive positive public support (I know, that's the Labour party ).

There is a very wide gulf between condoning and action and understanding why they are doing it, but until these issues are given a proper public forum without the spin behind it nothing is going to improve. I think if we had a few more politicians like her things might be a lot better as the real roots of the problems would be addressed.

[basa]

Originally Posted by downquark1

IMO this is totally different, it's a remark made from knowledge instead of ignorance.

It's also b*llox.......Ms Tonge's remarks appear to condone violence and killing whereas RKS comments were condemning those who bomb and kill !!

[danielf]

Originally Posted by dr wadd

Not smart, or not politically wise? Leaving aside all other issues, at least she is a politician who has been honest in her views and says it how she sees it. While I can see how some people will interpret these views in the worst possible light, do we really want to have politicians who only say what they think will receive positive public support (I know, that's the Labour party ).

There is a very wide gulf between condoning and action and understanding why they are doing it, but until these issues are given a proper public forum without the spin behind it nothing is going to improve. I think if we had a few more politicians like her things might be a lot better as the real roots of the problems would be addressed.

Fair point. I meant not politically wise. But, as usual there is a tradeoff. If you are too honest, you may not be voicing your opinions for long. (Which can be a good as well as a bad thing)