Public anger at Muslim protesters

The Sunday Times ^ | February 12, 2006 | David Smith

[vimto]

Poll reveals fear of future clashes

PEOPLE in Britain take a hard line against Muslims protesting violently against supposed insults to their religion, and are gloomy about future relations between Muslims and the rest of the population. Muslims protested peacefully in Trafalgar Square yesterday. But a Sunday Times-YouGov poll of more than 1,600 people shows widespread public anger about protests earlier this month in Britain and the worldwide uprising in response to Danish cartoons picturing the prophet Muhammad.

The poll shows that 86% of people think the protests were “a gross overreaction”. By 56% to 29% respondents said it was right to publish the cartoons in Denmark and republish them elsewhere.

Earlier this month Muslim protesters in Britain carried placards urging violence and death against those who insult Islam, and celebrating last year’s July 7 London bombings. Asked about those protests, 58% said it made them angry and 76% said the police should have arrested those carrying offensive or provocative banners.

The police and politicians are criticised more generally for not confronting Islamic extremism, with 80% of respondents saying the authorities show too much tolerance of Muslims who urge extreme acts. Two-thirds, 67%, think this is because senior policemen such as Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan police commissioner, are too “politically correct”.

Such views have been brought to a head by last week’s conviction of Abu Hamza, the Muslim cleric, for inciting religious violence and racial hatred. After reports that his activities had been known to the police for many years, 67% believe he should have been arrested much sooner, and 69% believe he should have been given a “significantly longer” sentence than seven years.

The support for a tough line extends to the anti-terrorism bill, which returns to the Commons next week. Tony Blair backed down on a proposal for terrorist suspects to be held for up to 90 days without charge, but 44% of people back the extension to 90 days, against 42% who say 28 days is an acceptable compromise.

Where foreigners stir up racial and religious hatred, 81% of people think they should be sent back to their own countries, even if to do so would endanger their lives.

There is widespread gloom about the future, with 87% expecting further attacks in Britain by Islamic groups on the scale of the July 7 bombings; and only 17% seeing a future in which there is peaceful coexistence between Muslims and others in Britain, while 67% think there will be a worsening of tensions. This is also true internationally. While 34% say western nations can coexist peacefully with mainly Muslim countries, 45% disagree.

[vimto]

True - but we have to run with what we got - and that is exposing the Isalamists for what they are and showing how mainstream Muslims serve as cover for their activities.

kind regards.

[vimto]

Where is the SPINE of UK politicians...?

Mmmm I cannot see me defending them. Look I don't see this as sunshine and roses - but in a rearguard battle you have to use what is on hand for advantage.

the fact is that the Sunday Times (MSM) has a very different tune this week and seems to have woken up to the fact that public opinion has changed direction and they had better follow it.

There I the story of the general who said tell me where the army is going I will lead it there!

[vimto]

Well that's kind of you - your generosity of spirit is noted.

kind regards

[vimto]

No, the other 14 percent are Muslims.

I;m not sure of the poll population - I think it was meant to measure views in non-Mulsims, Could be wrong,

kind regards.

[vimto]

France and UK have very different view and are generally antagonistic to each other.

but you might yet see a change there with the right wing gaining ground.

Look you might be right but as I said above in a rear guard battle you use whatever is available to advantage,

You might be able to afford cynicism - but I cannot - it will my children in the Islamic state - so I have to be a positive as i can without being naive. Hard balancing act.

kind regards

[vimto]

Agreed - that is the point of the battle for hearts and minds that is going on over here - and this poll suggests it might be gaining some (tentative) ground.

kind regards.

[vimto]

Agreed - that is the point of the battle for hearts and minds that is going on over here - and this poll suggests it might be gaining some (tentative) ground.

kind regards.

[vimto]

"All signs point to one more generation for old Europe...they have brought it on themselves but sad to watch."


...that what Churchill felt as he watched the Nazi's rise. He didn't give in. We won't. But i do wish there was a Churchillian figure over here of stature and vision.

kind regards.

[EBH]

The preachers of hate are right here in the US too, right here in our own hometowns and neighborhoods.

[vimto]

May I refer you to the reply to Gorzaloon and several others above.

It might get that bad - it is not there yet - one does not despair before time of else you defeat yourself.

[vimto]

True - I can't quite understand the counsel of some FReepers who basically say - it's your fault you are stuffed - when defeat isn't here yet and America isn't out of the woods.

Look think about it if we become Eurabia how many Nuclear warheads will Islam inherit?

the USA have a stake in the outcome of what we are going through.

thank you for your post - we have much in common....

[vimto]

"hope springs eternal that this type resolve will grow from Britain to Europe.

Maybe the war has finally begun where we realize we are in a battle for the survival of the western civilization."


- said it better than me.

kind regards.

[EBH]

The western governments are weak, the people are weak.

Isn't it funny, that is what they have been telling the west for years. We are weak...

[starbase]

Look think about it if we become Eurabia how many Nuclear warheads will Islam inherit?

Well I think, based on the vast drain Europe has always been on us, and the absolute lack of gratitude for the prices you've made us pay, with the exception of a handful of gestures, you will find that we are looking at different solutions these days.

For example, should things progress to the point that Mohammedanism is about to get its hands on nuclear weapons, you will see us zoom in and confiscate them, then zoom out again.

Europe is really on its own this time. Look at it this way, in this world, if one can't even fight his own battles, then what value is he to anyone else?

Saying things like "Well you'll be in trouble if we fail, so you better come pay some more." harkens back to the patterns of the last 80 years, patterns we will no longer accept, and such comments I think you'll find, are counter productive for your interests.

Cheers,

starbase

[Balding_Eagle]

one does not despair before time of else you defeat yourself.

Agreed. And best of luck to you.

[AmericaUnite]

Way to go. Will the authorities act or will they slant future polls as the MSM does here?

[vimto]

"Well you'll be in trouble if we fail, so you better come pay some more."

I didn't say that but the sour and defeatist attitudes dressed up as gusty isolationist rhetoric of some Freepers is both depressing and fatalistic. Nor, thankfully do all your conservative countrymen agree with you.

Feel free to invent your fantasy future and then judge the events of today in the light of your imagination. Me I'll live in the real world - with it's hard choices, defeats and some occasional surprising victories.

kind regards.

[vimto]

Agreed. And best of luck to you.

warmly appreciated.