The Fear Factor

These men are a threat to national security.

That wouldn't be another slight exaggeration from our government by any chance? Blair's been talking about the need to fight a war of ideas with the extremists. I suppose his acknowledgement of the need to fight this most significant battle in the "war" on terror is a step in the right direction. Sadly, Blair's natural tendency, as we now know all too well, is to ignore, drown out, or actively discourage any views which do not agree with his own. I'm afraid that's part of the problem, not part of the solution.

If these people are a threat to national security we should arrest them, charge them, and give them a fair trial in our own courts. This is what makes our society worth defending. This is what makes us "the good guys". And we really need to be the good guys if we're going to win the war of ideas.

Also on the "war" on terror, I noticed another policeman felt the need to spread the fear on Wednesday. There's no specific intelligence of an attack. Mr Hart just wanted to remind us all that we should all be really scared at all times. How very kind of him. He must be so proud.