Mark J

They'd probably last about as long as they would in area governed by radicalised, far-right, ****************wits.

@GarethM and @Johnsond: Thanks for the laughs. Enjoy your night.

Medievalism, Politics and Mass Media - Boydell and Brewer BOYDELLANDBREWER.COM An exploration of how the Middle Ages are manipulated ideologically in today's communication.In 2001, George Bush provoked global uproar by describing the na... ^ "An exploration of how the Middle Ages are manipulated ideologically in today's communication. In 2001, George Bush provoked global uproar by describing the nascent War on Terror as a "Crusade". His comments, however, were welcomed by Al-Qaeda, who had long been describing Western powers in precisely the same terms, as modern Crusaders once again invading the Middle East. Ten years later in 2011, Anders Behring Breivik launched a tragic attack in Norway, killing 77 unarmed civilians, mostly teenagers. Breivik saw himself as a Templar Knight, a member of a group of knights allegedly resurrected in London in 2002 by one "Lionheart". Later investigations suggested that the blogger, Lionheart, might have had links to the right-wing, anti-Muslim, English Defence League and otherso-called "counterjihad" blogging networks decrying an Islamic invasion of Europe. Though extreme examples, these cases all share a crucial detail: the framing of current political issues in terms of recognisable medieval precedents. In the widespread use of medievalism across social- and mass-media channels, it is clear that such political medievalisms are not intended as a specific reference to a historical precedent, but as a use of the past for modern concerns. The argument of this book is that we need new ways of analysing this kind of medievalism; extending far beyond the concept of anachronism or inaccuracy, references to Crusades, Templars and Vikings affect the way we understand our world. Using theories of communication and media studies to examine popular medievalism, the author investigates what effect such medieval terminology can have on a mass-mediated audience and on the understanding ofthe Middle Ages in general."

Okay, swap "differing beliefs in an imaginary sky-dwelling deity" to "differing beliefs in ideologies which are fanatically accepted as normal by each opposing side". The sentiment is the same either way.

What a daft thing to say. Cheers Dave, you've put a smile on my face. Most wars and crusades come down (ostensibly) to differing beliefs in an imaginary sky-dwelling deity. Enjoy the US of A.

"Define offence" : An offence in UK law is any act or omission that is prohibited by law and subject to punishment, typically because it is considered harmful to people or society. The law defines a wide range of offences, and the consequences for committing them depend on the nature and seriousness of the act15. "Murder vs Hate crime ": Most people don't murder someone else because they love them, same thing. "The fatality numbers don’t lie Mark you can’t argue that away.": There is no argument. Radicalised people are just that. If you have a larger sample you will always have more outcomes. You have to understand that proportionality plays a part. At best it suggests that right-wing terrorists get caught more often than their Jihadi brethren. Two cheeks of the same arse.

US Supreme Court halts deportation of Venezuelans under wartime law WWW.BBC.CO.UK The accused gang members are being sent to a notorious jail in El Salvador under a 19th-Century law.

Utter shite. The brainwashing by bad-actors through social media seems to be working a treat. You'd have to be incapable of using a search engine to come up with an idea as plain daft as this: "all evidence and statistics point to the “ extreme right” being a perceived rather than real threat". Ha ha ha. Wow. As of December 2024, there were 157 persons in custody for terrorism-related offences attributed to radical Islamist ideologies (61% of all 257 terrorist prisoners)4. For far-right extremism, 78 persons were in custody (30% of the total)4. Population Estimates and Offence Ratios Muslim Population: Approximately 4 million Muslims live in the UK based on 2021 census data2. Far-Right Supporters: Roughly 300,000 individuals are estimated to hold far-right views, including Reform UK party members and sympathizers3. Ratio of Offences to Belief Groups Radical Islam: 1574,000,000=0.000039254,000,000157=0.00003925 This equates to ~3.9 offences per 100,000 Muslims4. Far Right: 78300,000=0.00026300,00078=0.00026 This equates to ~26 offences per 100,000 far-right supporters4. Key Context The far-right ratio is ~6.6 times higher than the radical Islam ratio when comparing offences per capita. These ratios are simplified metrics and do not account for factors like ideological intensity, underreporting, or socioeconomic drivers. Government data shows a rising trend in far-right extremism, with a 30% year-on-year increase in far-right prisoners4.

Are you suggesting that moderate Muslims, who Dave approves of, don't call out the wrong-ones in our community on purpose? Or could it be that the wrong-ones operate under the radar of normal people? FYI: The Catholic and Anglican Church still hide dodgy clergy.

"The point I want to make is that there are extremes on all sides and they should equally be regarded as the threat they are."

I'm not buying what you're selling, Dave.

No one is saying that the radical Islamic nutjobs aren't utter shitehawks. The point I want to make is that there are extremes on all sides and they should equally be regarded as the threat they are.

19,000 under the Tories too. It's not surprising that when you change the colour of the tie, but continue business as usual, the same thing still happens.

No, it clearly isn't: Radicalised people are invariably evil sorts, it doesn't matter which side of a coin they are on. Violent crime stemming from the steadfast belief in a 'Supremacist' ideology isn't a good thing.

Do you think that the far right are good sorts? To answer your question - Not as many as other radical groups (yet) but they're still a significant threat: Overview of Far-Right Terror and Violence in the UK Far-right terrorism and violence have become a significant and evolving threat in the UK, with attacks, plots, and hate crimes linked to extreme right-wing ideologies. The nature of this threat has shifted over time, moving from organised groups to a more dispersed, online-driven phenomenon, often involving self-initiated individuals. Key Statistics and Trends Number of Attacks: Between 1999 and 2022, there were 14 attacks in the UK linked to extreme right-wing ideology, with all but two carried out by individuals rather than organised groups5. Recent Attacks: Since 2017, three far-right terrorist attacks have occurred in the UK: 2017: Darren Osborne drove a van into worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque in London, killing one and injuring ten64. 2019: A white supremacist stabbed a man in Stanwell, Surrey, a day after the Christchurch attacks6. 2022: A 66-year-old man attacked an immigration centre in Dover using fire, injuring two staff members6. Disrupted Plots: Since 2017, UK authorities have disrupted 37 “late stage” terror plots, with about one-third linked to the extreme far-right2. Arrests and Prosecutions: Hundreds of arrests have been made in connection with far-right riots and violence, particularly following high-profile incidents such as the Southport stabbings in July 2024, which triggered coordinated far-right unrest in at least 20 towns and cities1. Prevent Referrals: Referrals to the UK’s Prevent programme for individuals of all ages relating to the extreme far-right increased by 35% from April 2016 to March 2022. Among those aged 51-60 and 61+, referrals increased by 109% and 58%, respectively, peaking in 2020-212. Nature and Characteristics of Far-Right Violence Attack Methods: Most far-right attacks in the UK have involved low-sophistication methods, such as vehicles, knives, blunt force weapons, or arson564. Targets: Attacks and violence have primarily targeted minority groups (especially Muslims and Jews), government sites, media organisations, and others perceived as opposed to far-right worldviews54. Demographics: While authorities often focus on young men as the main risk group, recent completed attacks have predominantly been carried out by older men (over 47), although disrupted plots have included younger individuals2. Online Radicalisation: The threat is increasingly driven by online spaces, with far-right ideologues using social media and websites to radicalise and mobilise individuals, including minors548. Broader Context and Hate Crime Hate Crime Trends: Hate crimes, often linked to far-right extremism, saw a 5% decrease in police-recorded incidents in England and Wales in 2022/23, the first drop since 2013. However, spikes occur during periods of geopolitical tension, such as after the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023 or the Southport stabbings in 20247. Violent Disorder: Far-right riots and violent protests have affected at least 20 UK towns and cities since July 2024, with violence directed at properties, buildings, and individuals, particularly Muslims1. Government Response Proscription of Groups: Since 2016, the UK has banned five extreme right-wing terrorist groups, all holding white supremacist ideologies6. MI5 Involvement: In 2018, MI5 took over responsibility for countering extreme right-wing terrorism, reflecting its growing significance alongside Islamist terrorism5. Public Concern: As of August 2024, 73% of Britons expressed concern about right-wing extremism, up 11 percentage points since March 20245. Summary Table: Key Far-Right Terrorism Statistics (UK) Metric Statistic/Detail Attacks (1999-2022) 14, mostly by individuals5 Recent Attacks (since 2017) 3 (Finsbury Park 2017, Stanwell 2019, Dover 2022)6 Disrupted Plots (since 2017) 37, ~1/3 linked to far-right2 Prevent Referrals (2016-22) +35% overall; +109% (51-60); +58% (61+)2 Proscribed Groups (since 2016) 5 (all white supremacist)6 Public Concern (Aug 2024) 73% worried about right-wing extremism5 Hate Crime (2022/23) 5% decrease from previous year7 Towns/Cities Affected (2024) 20+ by far-right riots/disorder1 Conclusion Extreme right-wing terrorism and violence remain a persistent and evolving threat in the UK. While the overall number of attacks is lower than other forms of terrorism, the threat is significant, with a trend toward self-initiated, low-tech attacks, and a growing role for online radicalisation. Public concern is high, and authorities continue to adapt their response as the threat landscape shifts561.

He's in jail because he's a shitehawk who got found out. He's fleeced his supporters out of thousands of pounds, and he's also occasionally a useful figurehead for the far right. That's it. He's not St.George.

Trump team reveals lack of expertise – and patience – as it threatens to abandon Ukraine peace talks | Trump administration | The Guardian WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM Trump said he could stop war in 24 hours, but team appears daunted by negotiation with ‘a lot of detail attached to it’

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You seem to be equating Hamas with ordinary Palestinians.

Do you think the Israelis ongoing response to the Hamas attack is appropriate?

So you agree that proportionality does have its place in warfare? Thanks for that. Have a good day.

Why should we (UK) have a ground army when we could just use our nukes?

That wasn't aimed at you, it would still have gone over your head even if it was.

Were the Nazis right to try to exterminate the Jews?. If you believe there is no proportionality in war.