I Am British
[b]......you will NEVER prevail![/b]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RcmVobP320]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RcmVobP320]
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Scribbles · 36-40, F
That makes sense, Roomie.
I guess I just didn't like the idea of someone using PC Palmer's final actions and death as a symbol. Who can speak for the dead? I often think symbols regarding "defending democracy" would be better served by the living...it would be more accessible, approachable, do-able and be more inspiring in positive ways for living people in everyday sorts of ways. I would never want to be remembered for defending democracy by saving people from a terrorist at the cost of my life no matter if it was on the sovereign doorstep of my government or not. It would be a farce...one moment overshadowing my entire life? No thanks I would want to be remembered for defending democracy in all the other ways I might have done so. I wouldn't want defending democracy to become tainted by fear and tragedy or associated purely with terrorist attacks.
Or maybe that's how I'd feel if I had taken that high risk job working with some mentally instable violent high risk teenagers, and ended up getting used as a symbol if I had gotten hurt very badly or something. I suppose one knows it comes with the territory so to speak. Especially if I had taken the job...I'd be the token woman on the team...because they have to have one...but it's dangerous, you have to take ongoing self defense classes and keeping a certain fitness level, as well as other classes for keeping updated on safe takedowns and other things in case another can't help you. A friend of mine who did something similar warned me how physically demanding and mentally exhausting it is, even if he thought I could be a good fit...but better if i was male.
I guess I wonder how PC Palmer would feel about being a symbol. Maybe he'd be ok, idk
I guess I just didn't like the idea of someone using PC Palmer's final actions and death as a symbol. Who can speak for the dead? I often think symbols regarding "defending democracy" would be better served by the living...it would be more accessible, approachable, do-able and be more inspiring in positive ways for living people in everyday sorts of ways. I would never want to be remembered for defending democracy by saving people from a terrorist at the cost of my life no matter if it was on the sovereign doorstep of my government or not. It would be a farce...one moment overshadowing my entire life? No thanks I would want to be remembered for defending democracy in all the other ways I might have done so. I wouldn't want defending democracy to become tainted by fear and tragedy or associated purely with terrorist attacks.
Or maybe that's how I'd feel if I had taken that high risk job working with some mentally instable violent high risk teenagers, and ended up getting used as a symbol if I had gotten hurt very badly or something. I suppose one knows it comes with the territory so to speak. Especially if I had taken the job...I'd be the token woman on the team...because they have to have one...but it's dangerous, you have to take ongoing self defense classes and keeping a certain fitness level, as well as other classes for keeping updated on safe takedowns and other things in case another can't help you. A friend of mine who did something similar warned me how physically demanding and mentally exhausting it is, even if he thought I could be a good fit...but better if i was male.
I guess I wonder how PC Palmer would feel about being a symbol. Maybe he'd be ok, idk
room101 · 51-55, M
@Scribbles:
Obviously I don’t know PC Palmer, or his family, so I can’t possibly answer the question of how he’d feel about being a symbol. But I can hazard a guess.
I know a few policemen and I know quite a lot of servicemen. In his lifetime, PC Palmer was both. None of the ones that I’ve met consider themselves as symbols of (or for) anything. They have an amazing sense of duty and they discharge that duty in ways that I’ve often found hard to imagine and comprehend. And I say thank God for people like that.
For sure it’s better to defend anything of value while remaining alive, if only to continue that fight and to spare the grief of the loved ones left behind. But, sometimes, as with PC Palmer, that just isn’t possible.
Obviously I don’t know PC Palmer, or his family, so I can’t possibly answer the question of how he’d feel about being a symbol. But I can hazard a guess.
I know a few policemen and I know quite a lot of servicemen. In his lifetime, PC Palmer was both. None of the ones that I’ve met consider themselves as symbols of (or for) anything. They have an amazing sense of duty and they discharge that duty in ways that I’ve often found hard to imagine and comprehend. And I say thank God for people like that.
For sure it’s better to defend anything of value while remaining alive, if only to continue that fight and to spare the grief of the loved ones left behind. But, sometimes, as with PC Palmer, that just isn’t possible.
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berangere · 80-89, F
@room101: Yes, if freedom of religious expression means stoning ,hanging, beheading,amputating limbs, child marriage and accepted domestic violence which includes throwing acid in women's faces and of course "honour" killings.
room101 · 51-55, M
@berangere: does it say anywhere in that video that sharia law actually has any legal force in the UK?
No. It does not.
I live in London. Not in Tower Hamlets but in a borough that has a strong Muslim community. I'm surrounded by Muslims all day, every day. Do I like it? No. Is there sharia law? 100% NO!
No. It does not.
I live in London. Not in Tower Hamlets but in a borough that has a strong Muslim community. I'm surrounded by Muslims all day, every day. Do I like it? No. Is there sharia law? 100% NO!
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room101 · 51-55, M
What makes you think that he was talking about The Battle of Britain? That lasted for four months. WW2 lasted for six years.
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Scribbles · 36-40, F
I like the "fuck you" kind of attitude towards terrorism and fear and that solidarity sort of sentiment that no matter what a terrorist does the British people will prevail.
I'm not sure what he means by defending democracy though
I'm not sure what he means by defending democracy though
room101 · 51-55, M
Andrew Neil is talking about the Westminster attack of a few days ago. The attack which targeted The Palace of Westminster (aka The Houses of Parliament)i.e. the seat of UK democracy. He starts by talking about PC Keith Palmer who was murdered whilst trying to stop the attacker.
Ergo, PC Keith Palmer died defending our democracy.
Ergo, PC Keith Palmer died defending our democracy.
Scribbles · 36-40, F
Is that really defending democracy though? I suppose it could be in some abstract way, I don't know.
room101 · 51-55, M
@Scribbles: let's say that PC Palmer wasn't defending democracy in a literal sense. Let's say that he died stopping an attacker who had just mowed down a load of innocent pedestrians.
We can say those things. And perhaps they would be more "accurate". Except for one, very relevant, point.
The Muslim nutjob who murdered PC Palmer was attacking The Houses of Parliament. It was as much a symbolic attack as it was a literal attack. And so, symbolically speaking, PC Palmer died defending our democracy.
We can say those things. And perhaps they would be more "accurate". Except for one, very relevant, point.
The Muslim nutjob who murdered PC Palmer was attacking The Houses of Parliament. It was as much a symbolic attack as it was a literal attack. And so, symbolically speaking, PC Palmer died defending our democracy.
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room101 · 51-55, M
@dunpender: Yes, I challenged both of your dimwitted assertions. And I've gone as far as I'm willing to in entertaining your preposterous notions.
So, for the last time, jog on!
So, for the last time, jog on!
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SW-User
... but still a good speech by Andrew Neill!
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SW-User
I thought that was Rab C!
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berangere · 80-89, F
You might be interested in this video.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZplu_-LB8I]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZplu_-LB8I]