However, my arguement is different, despite the role that Western nations have to play in these matters, what about the role that the Islamic faith, both nations and communities within secular countries, and their role in this? There seems to be very little outspoken criticism of dictatorial regimes that operate under the banner of Islam, and their seems from Islam as a whole, a kind of passive acceptance that this is the case, and has always been the case. In a sense, my arguement is rather more bottom up, where are the people and their outcries about what happens in the name of their faith?

Is it a fear to turn inwards and to some extent turn against fellow members of the Ummah? Is it because those in dictatorial countries are so repressed that they cannot form an effective opposition to repressive Governments? (which is highly likely in my opinion)

Whilst the history of Western nations can be questioned, and their motives in the present contested, Islam cannot escape the fact that it to has a role to play, to some extent, in keeping its own house in order, and where it lies in its near acceptance of brutal, unjust and wholly un-Islamic Governments ruling in their name.

However, my arguement is different, despite the role that Western nations have to play in these matters, what about the role that the Islamic faith, both nations and communities within secular countries, and their role in this? There seems to be very little outspoken criticism of dictatorial regimes that operate under the banner of Islam, and their seems from Islam as a whole, a kind of passive acceptance that this is the case, and has always been the case. In a sense, my arguement is rather more bottom up, where are the people and their outcries about what happens in the name of their faith?

Is it a fear to turn inwards and to some extent turn against fellow members of the Ummah? Is it because those in dictatorial countries are so repressed that they cannot form an effective opposition to repressive Governments? (which is highly likely in my opinion)

Whilst the history of Western nations can be questioned, and their motives in the present contested, Islam cannot escape the fact that it to has a role to play, to some extent, in keeping its own house in order, and where it lies in its near acceptance of brutal, unjust and wholly un-Islamic Governments ruling in their name.

Please forgive us, but we do not recall making any statement that the London bombers came from any particular place. Looking back through our posts we cannot find such a reference either. If we DID make such a reference it was not intended since we had no such assumptions.

The historical record is incontravertible in respect of the USA (and UK) support for Saddam’s brutal regime (and the Taliban in Afghanistan) while it suited [us]. Repression in Iraq (under Saddam) was as much the direct responsibility of the "West" as is the ongoing repression, brutality, torture etc in other client states fully supported by the USA. They are permitted (no doubt encouraged) to continue such brutality so long as US "interests" are secure. If they become less subservient they will be carpet bombed into oblivion.

What many find questionable is that whilst these groups and these people are outraged by Western interference in Iraq, where on earth were they when Saddam Hussien and his cohorts were murdering fellow Muslims? Why were they so able to abide with a dictator who murdered and buthered his own, and for all intents purposes was a Muslim only in name? This strange contradiction it seems is hard to explain.

If the Iraqi people were unable to help themselves, and the rest of the Muslim world were either not inclined or unable to help them (because lets be honest, most Muslim states live under similar dictatorial conditions) who was going to help them?

The reason perhaps that military interference was needed in Iraq, why such dictators can seemingly exist with relatively little challenge amongst the Islamic world, and why indeed perhaps Islamic terrorism itself exists, is because the Islamic nations have been too slow to begin political reforms, and give some power to the hands of the ordinary people.

Those who suffer most in this, those innocents in Iraq caught up in the conflict, those angry young men turned extremists, and the millions who live in poverty and under repressives states, are those that most need a voice, the moderates and the ordinary people, who simply want work, safety, homes, a chance to prosper in their lives and bring up their families. Ideology is promoted only by political elites and extremes on all sides who use the suffering, the frustration and the anger of the masses to promote their vision of the world, and to ultimately have political power.

"We ask thinking people to consider: "What would be your reaction if a foreign power had invaded your country and murdered 100,000 of you compatriots?"

http://www.downingstreetsays.org/archives/001737.html#comment3236

We (the five of us at www.jk5.net) discussed this at length. If a foreign regime invaded our land (no matter how much we might detest Bliar) we would defend Britain with the most ruthless violence we could muster. We would even defend Bliar (and anyone who has read our site knows how much THAT cuts against the grain).

There are MANY peoples of the world who have a most legitimate grievance against the USA and its "coalition of the arrogant" (http://www.jk5.net/spages/CotA.asp) for the most egregious crimes against humanity - random murder, theft (of whole country’s natural resources), rape and torture. We (the UK, the USA and others) have invaded their lands and committed these crimes.

Seeing this and admitting it is not "condoning terrorism" it is simply observing the events of history. Pretending that it has not happened and that "we" have only ever tried to "help" other nations is such an obvious lie that it only makes matters worse - far worse.

Yes - if a foreign power had invaded our land and murdered our children we ask "who would NOT commit these kinds of acts".

THAT sums it up! Well said!
May we quote you on our website?

Sorry Tony, but it exists. Regardless of how abhorrent you find it, or how alien, it exists. And it exists because people like YOU allow it to; it’s YOUR foreign policy which breeds this kind of hate. Wishing it were not so and paying lipservice to solving the problem is not going to make it go away. Unfortunately for all of us.