[user104658]

This is clearly horrific but seriously, was there really any need to point out that it's "probably not terrorism"? why would it be terrorism?? Are we, as a nation, now such collectively ****ing thick little sheep that it's expected that people will scream "OH NOES A TERRORISM!!" simply because they've encountered a terrorism-related buzzword?

Actually, no need to answer that. A company-wide memo was sent around at my work stating that any "unidentified packages" noticed anywhere (country wide...) must not be touched, because the threat level has been raised so they might be bombs planted by terrorists. For ****ing ****'s sake. There's got to be a likelihood of something like 0.00000000001%.

MAYBE IT'S A BOMB OOOORRRR probably it's Hovis and a pint of milk.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

This is clearly horrific but seriously, was there really any need to point out that it's "probably not terrorism"? why would it be terrorism?? Are we, as a nation, now such collectively ****ing thick little sheep that it's expected that people will scream "OH NOES A TERRORISM!!" simply because they've encountered a terrorism-related buzzword?

Actually, no need to answer that. A company-wide memo was sent around at my work stating that any "unidentified packages" noticed anywhere (country wide...) must not be touched, because the threat level has been raised so they might be bombs planted by terrorists. For ****ing ****'s sake. There's got to be a likelihood of something like 0.00000000001%.

MAYBE IT'S A BOMB OOOORRRR probably it's Hovis and a pint of milk.

I saw (through one of my FB friends who commented on it) that 'Britain First' posted this story on their facebook. All the top comments were people saying stuff like "got Muslim all over it" and "smells like the religion of peace" with all of these comments getting hundreds of likes. After the Lee Rigby murder and with what's happening with IS people are now beginning to equate decapitation with Islamic extremism

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

This is clearly horrific but seriously, was there really any need to point out that it's "probably not terrorism"? why would it be terrorism?? Are we, as a nation, now such collectively ****ing thick little sheep that it's expected that people will scream "OH NOES A TERRORISM!!" simply because they've encountered a terrorism-related buzzword?

Actually, no need to answer that. A company-wide memo was sent around at my work stating that any "unidentified packages" noticed anywhere (country wide...) must not be touched, because the threat level has been raised so they might be bombs planted by terrorists. For ****ing ****'s sake. There's got to be a likelihood of something like 0.00000000001%.

MAYBE IT'S A BOMB OOOORRRR probably it's Hovis and a pint of milk.

The buzzword being 'decapitation' ?

How many times in recent years have you heard this term and what was it in reference to? Far from being thick or sheep it is a logical conclusion given the growing tension over the last week.
Those memos have circulated around workplaces for years, it it important to remain vigilant especially if your workplace is a possible target.
Whatever the likelihood it costs nothing to keep your eyes and your ears open.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

The buzzword being 'decapitation' ?

How many times in recent years have you heard this term and what was it in reference to? Far from being thick or sheep it is a logical conclusion given the growing tension over the last week.
Those memos have circulated around workplaces for years, it it important to remain vigilant especially if your workplace is a possible target.
Whatever the likelihood it costs nothing to keep your eyes and your ears open.

OK so because soldiers and war journalists have been decapitated in the middle east by terrorists, it logically follows that an old woman murdered in her garden would also be terrorists? No, it doesn't. The aim of terrorism is to spread illogical and irrational fear... Terror... And hey look, it's working.

My work place is realistically NOT a possible terrorist target. That's my point. The memo is completely and utterly paranoid and stupid. It's stopping people from just getting on with their lives WITHOUT FEAR and giving terrorists absolutely everything that they want.

The next time I see an abandoned Morrison's bag in my workplace, I'm going to film myself opening it. Carelessly. With my face. I am that sure that it won't "be a bomb". Or perhaps the cunning hiding place of a machete wielding Muslim.

As for how many times I've read about decapitation and dismemberments in recent years? Too many. Off the top of my head (excuse the pun) : a head found on a beach, head in a freezer, body cut to pieces in a suitcase, and a poor mentally disabled woman decapitated by two junkies in a flat "for a laugh". It's not common of course but it happens, and it's usually not suspected to be Islamic terrorism, because it OBVIOUSLY ISN'T.

But yeah... Manic paranoia successfully spread. Terrorists 1, stupid British public 0.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

OK so because soldiers and war journalists have been decapitated in the middle east by terrorists, it logically follows that an old woman murdered in her garden would also be terrorists? No, it doesn't. The aim of terrorism is to spread illogical and irrational fear... Terror... And hey look, it's working.

My work place is realistically NOT a possible terrorist target. That's my point. The memo is completely and utterly paranoid and stupid. It's stopping people from just getting on with their lives WITHOUT FEAR and giving terrorists absolutely everything that they want.

The next time I see an abandoned Morrison's bag in my workplace, I'm going to film myself opening it. Carelessly. With my face. I am that sure that it won't "be a bomb". Or perhaps the cunning hiding place of a machete wielding Muslim.

As for how many times I've read about decapitation and dismemberments in recent years? Too many. Off the top of my head (excuse the pun) : a head found on a beach, head in a freezer, body cut to pieces in a suitcase, and a poor mentally disabled woman decapitated by two junkies in a flat "for a laugh". It's not common of course but it happens, and it's usually not suspected to be Islamic terrorism, because it OBVIOUSLY ISN'T.

But yeah... Manic paranoia successfully spread. Terrorists 1, stupid British public 0.

I said as the 'buzzword' decapitation had been used it was understandable for some to establish an initial theory is all.
To engage the public and request their support in counter terrorism, industrial espionage and being aware generally of suspicious behaviour has been requested many times as far back as WW1...
Being aware of a potential threat isn't living in fear... being ignorant to the fact there is a threat is scary.
I don't appreciate it being alluded to that those who are vigilant and aware of the threat are 'stupid', radicalisation of homegrown disenfranchised young people is real and the impact on communities and society as a whole immense.

You stick your head in that carrier bag, make sure you remove it from the sand first.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I said as the 'buzzword' decapitation had been used it was understandable for some to establish an initial theory is all.
To engage the public and request their support in counter terrorism, industrial espionage and being aware generally of suspicious behaviour has been requested many times as far back as WW1...
Being aware of a potential threat isn't living in fear... being ignorant to the fact there is a threat is scary.
I don't appreciate it being alluded to that those who are vigilant and aware of the threat are 'stupid', radicalisation of homegrown disenfranchised young people is real and the impact on communities and society as a whole immense.

You stick your head in that carrier bag, make sure you remove it from the sand first.

The intention of terrorism is to create a culture of fear and the constant media undercurrent that wants to link absolutely everything to "Terrorism" or "Radical Islam" plays right into that culture of fear, thereby ensuring the success of terrorism itself. It is "understandable" for some to create that link, but it's only understandable because of the preceeding media chatter surrounding decapitation in warzones. If we hadn't seen these news stories in recent weeks, would many people have heard about this poor woman and immediately started to bleat "teeeerrrrrrrorism!!"? I very much doubt it. Because logically, there is clearly no link, other than perhaps that an already disturbed individual has taken these news events as some sort of twisted inspiration.

The idea that we all need to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for explosives throughout the day is also ludicrous. Like seeing people visibly **** themselves every time they saw a black person sneeze during the "Ebola outbreak". Which is, of course, no more or less contained now than it was two weeks ago, but y'know... It's not too skaywee anymore because it's on page 7 now and beheading and bombs are in the headlines, so that's the scary thing now innit?

Again, it all plays right into that paranoia and fear culture, which all too often then ends up spiraling into xenophobia and casual racism, further alienating individuals and strengthening ACTUAL terrorist rhetoric.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The intention of terrorism is to create a culture of fear and the constant media undercurrent that wants to link absolutely everything to "Terrorism" or "Radical Islam" plays right into that culture of fear, thereby ensuring the success of terrorism itself. It is "understandable" for some to create that link, but it's only understandable because of the preceeding media chatter surrounding decapitation in warzones. If we hadn't seen these news stories in recent weeks, would many people have heard about this poor woman and immediately started to bleat "teeeerrrrrrrorism!!"? I very much doubt it. Because logically, there is clearly no link, other than perhaps that an already disturbed individual has taken these news events as some sort of twisted inspiration.

The idea that we all need to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for explosives throughout the day is also ludicrous. Like seeing people visibly **** themselves every time they saw a black person sneeze during the "Ebola outbreak". Which is, of course, no more or less contained now than it was two weeks ago, but y'know... It's not too skaywee anymore because it's on page 7 now and beheading and bombs are in the headlines, so that's the scary thing now innit?

Again, it all plays right into that paranoia and fear culture, which all too often then ends up spiraling into xenophobia and casual racism, further alienating individuals and strengthening ACTUAL terrorist rhetoric.

Nobody is bleating, giving a supercilious response to everyone who holds a different view to yourself is more than a little disconcerting.
An already twisted individual, let's look at that how do people get twisted... what is the process.. If terrorism in the guise of radicalisation to extremest ideology isn't an immediate threat how are western British Muslims persuaded to leave, train and return?
I'm going to ignore your section on the Ebola outbreak as it's not relevant here.
Whether or not some uninformed or ignorant people blame all Muslims for the actions of extremists is no reason to not be vigilant and aware that there is a threat, it need not impact on your day to day life... it just asks that you are open to the fact it can and has happened.