Mutual Exclusivity

I don't understand this latest poll on British public opinion.   It had been carried in several UK newspapers, although it was originally a survey conducted on behalf of the Spectator. 

First the good news.  53% of the population think our country should adopt of more robust foreign policy when dealing with the war on terror.  Only 12% of Quislings thought a more conciliatory approach was the best way forward.  Only 50% think British Muslims are moderate, whereas 28% think they are not (I am one of the 28%).  Furthermore, most people are prepared for a long battle in this war - perhaps lasting 20 years or more.

Now for the bad tidings.  80% favour ditching the United States in this war, whilst only 16% believed in the current strategy.  What is most surprising is that a large percentage of people who wanted abandonment of America preferred a Europe-wide approach to dealing with the issue.  What a strange nation we are.  On the one hand we want to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy in dealing with the Islamist menace, yet simultaneously we wish to throw our lot in with a collection of countries whose response had been, at best, pathetic, and at worst, downright appalling at a political level.  In spite of the cross-border cooperation between police forces and intelligence services across Europe, there lacks a distinct unity of purpose in dealing with the threat by governmental liaising.  Let's face it, pan-European cooperation on intelligence has long been an established feature of life in this continent as several EU nations - not least our own - have had to deal with a terrorist group at some stage or another.

Europe appears to lack conviction in appreciating the scale of what they are dealing with.  Maybe its because terrorism in Europe has never taken place at any one time on a scale comparable with 9/11.  In 2001 more people died in the attacks on the US than the entire combined total of victims for the IRA and ETA combined.  Look, for example, at the differing totals of 'religious unfavourability' carried out for the Pew Research Center in 2004.  Opinion was taken across a number of countries - including four Islamic countries considered by the West to be relatively moderate!  It begs the question of what opinion in places such as Iran and Indonesia must amount to.

'Are suicide bombings justifiable?'

By Palestinians against Israelis?

Turkey - 67% NO, 24% YES.

Pakistan - 36% NO, 47% YES.

Morocco - 22% NO, 74% YES.

Jordan - 12% NO, 86% YES.

Against Allied Forces in Iraq?

Turkey - 59% NO, 31% YES.

Pakistan - 36% NO, 46% YES.

Morocco - 27% NO, 66% YES.

Jordan - 24% NO, 70% YES.

Unfavourable view of Muslims and (Jews) in Christian countries?

United States - 32% (8%)

United Kingdom - 18% (9%)

France - 29% (11%)

Germany - 46% (20%)

Russia - 38% (25%)

Unfavourable view of Christians and (Jews) in Muslim countries?

Turkey - 52% (49%)

Pakistan - 62% (80%)

Morocco - 73% (86%)

Jordan - 86% (92%)

I believe we have a classic snapshot here of a religion where a not-insubstantial percentage of its adherents seek world domination.  Bush and the American Republicans understand that message, even if they do not always articulate it in the most erudite fashion.  Europe, for its ills, does not - not really.  If I have to choose between Uncle Sam and the Brussels Bureaucracy to defend my liberty, I'll go for Washington every time.

Comments

[Mardy Bum]

Rather than express incredulity at the strength of feeling pro suicide bombers in Palestine and against the allied actions in Iraq, it might be more useful to dwell on the 12% of Jordanians who professed themselves to be against Palestinian terrorism and the 24% who are not against the allied actions.

The careful cultivation of this dissent in Jordan, Pakistan and elsewhere would have paid much more valuable dividends than the belligerance shown over recent history. But then that wouldn't have had the same effect on Exxon or Lockheed's profits now, would it?

"(I am one of the 28%)."

You don't say.

[smcgiff]

'Turkey - 52% (49%)'

Not sure of the source, but the figure's for Turkey are most enlightening if true.

I take it they wont vote to join the EU then, erm.

[Jim, Belfast]

'It begs the question of what opinion in places such as Iran and Indonesia must amount to'

By cutting the sentences of convicted Muslim terrorists, as happened this week, Indonesia's actions shows clearly where it stands.

[Andrew McCann]

Jim

Good point.

[Sarah]

To be fair to European countries they seem more robust that the UK in dealing with islamic fanatics within their countries. Being prepared to deport extremist Imans quickly etc. I never quite understand have the UK can be rushing to join the US in attacking Iraq yet seem completely supine at home.

[Colm]

Sarah

It could be the case that European countried having not joined the invasion of Iraq take a more robust attitude to Islamic troublemakers becase they have nothing to feel guilty about and have a stronger case for rejecting hostilty from elements of their Muslim populations , whereas the UK govt. feels that following Iraq it has to prove that it isn't attacking it's Muslim population and therefore is reluctant to crtack down on extremists.