Woolwich attack: of course British foreign policy had a role

[siobhanc92]

While nothing can justify the killing of a British soldier, the link to Britain's vicious occupations abroad cannot be ignored

I am a former soldier. I completed one tour of duty in Afghanistan, refused on legal and moral grounds to serve a second tour, and spent five months in a military prison as a result. When the news about the attack in

Comments

[tabaqui]

This seems like such obvious information, and yet.... Our govt. and the UKs govt. just keep banging that damn war drum.

[ruby_chalice]

Even if we pulled out of Afghanistan tomorrow, the situation wouldn't improve the lives of ordinary Muslims living in the UK. There has been a revolting rise in right wing extremism [mainly focusing on the muslim community] in this country that needs to be addressed NOW before it gets completely out of control. This requires government and local council intervention. The media also need to take responsibility for fanning the flames of extremism. The sensationalised coverage of the murder in Woolwich was a disgrace. As a consequence, there has been an increase in attacks against muslims.

"While nothing can justify the killing of a British soldier" ... my interest in the 'objectives' of the two murdering thugs who took this man's life begin and end with that sentence.

[tabaqui]

This, too. A lot of people in the US - and way too many people in positions of power - are doing that 'well, they're a threat, so it's justified!!' dance all around bigotry, racism, and Islamaphobia. It's revolting and infuriating.

We keep making steps forward, only to be knocked flying backward by the likes of Faux News and Limbaugh, et al.

[ruby_chalice]

I challenged someone's racist rhetoric a couple of days ago. I was branded 'a traitor to my country'. I wish I was joking. :(

You're lucky you've been taking any steps forward. We seem to be continuously regressing. I'm not suggesting that religious fundamentalism isn't an issue that needs to be addressed. But so does the fascism spouted by the BNP/EDL and jfc ... UKIP. There's a Scottish Referendum in 2014 on whether we should split from the UK and be independent. I'm seriously considering voting yes.

[alexvdl]

The "pillaging and irradiation of Falluja"? Really? That grossly distorts the facts of what actually happened in the second battle of Falluja.

[gildinwen]

explain?

[little_rachael]

Yes. This is a good article. These attacks don't happen in a vacuum.

[freeze_i_say]

"refused on legal and moral grounds to serve a second tour, and spent five months in a military prison as a result."

This person is a true hero in every sense of the word - unlike most people currently getting a pay check for being in the armed forces.

" We need to recognise that, given the continued role our government has chosen to play in the US imperial project in the Middle East, we are lucky that these attacks are so few and far between."

this truth

[alexvdl]

*laugh* I figured someone would pop up to say something like that. Hell of a day to do it, too.

[valkeakuulas]

Not everyone here is American, not the OP but I had no idea what day today is supposed to be - Monday? I also don't get how most Americans seem to blindly respect military folk. You personally joined during the time of occupation war (not sure if the correct term in English), didn't you? Why? I don't get the American mentality about this and the worship of the military.

[frelling_tralk]

The article isn't about America? It's discussing British foreign policy with regards to why a young soldier got hacked to death on the streets of London

[underlankers]

Ah, the Guardian up to its usual schtick. I don't think that murdering anyone is right, regardless of whatever highfaluting justification is pulled out of someone's ass. Especially when it suits narratives of people like the BNP and changes two things: jack and shit. These people are criminals who found a justification that would appeal to some people but doesn't really hold water. There are far more effective means of protesting British occupation than stabbing someone to death.