@ James Gibson, Your losing your rag, shows you’re not in control of yourself or your mind. I’m not old, I had a shower this morning and I am married to an ethnic minority. Why is it as soon as anyone criticise the most Intolerant ideology the world has ever know you get the suicidal lefties who decide to silence those who are trying to expose the real issues. I mean stop with all the psycho babble James, of course History is open ended Whats your point? Facts are facts and many great nations and peoples have conquered and invaded many different countries over the years. You just love feeling guilty and cant form an argument for the here and now. Lets face it, without the west the Arab nations certainly wouldn’t have discovered Oil and have reaped the rewards from it. And get your facts rights; It was Nazism (master race fascist party) that was responsible for the holocaust not Christianity – and don’t worry the Islamists where there backing up the Nazi’s to kill the Jews off.

James your an Idiot, “extremist attacks against our governments is because our governments are the ones that have kept these dictators in power for so long” what a load of horse sh*t.
You’re completely of target and wrong again James, extremists attacks have nothing to do with us...its all laid down in the Koran, I mean more Muslims are killing and launching Jihadi style attacks all over the world...its all out fault, eh??? Are they not responsible for their own actions?? Funny how they are all Misunderstanding the religion of peace??? Its all to do with Iraq you’ll say next, do me favour.
The intolerance of Islamic supremacists and the lack of freedom with Islam and oppressiveness of an minorities (women, infidels, gays etc) within Islam is what has held the nations of Islam back, nothing to do with us, mate. Extremists find there justification for their actions and support from others straight out of the Koran, nothing to do with us, mate. Extremists like the Taliban, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hizbollah, Islamic Jihad, etc etc etc are all driven to hate us by the Koran, nothing to do with us keeping them in power, mate, your making this stuff up. The Arab governments could have implemented Democracy at any time of there choosing, but it doesn’t fit with Islam to be free, happy and enlightened. Do you think Islamic theocracies like Iran will be an improvement??? Islamists and lefty apologists are so full of misinformation, self guilt and self loathing you can never speak the truth about stuff that really happens for fear of being labelled politically incorrect

@ Sakina "is baffled by Julia Harris - I wonder where all this Islam-bashing is coming from. I'm sure the article simply discussed the political situation"
Its coming because of Mehdi’s insinuation that the queens aligns herself with these terrible people...we have to make it clear the differences and what drives them and us. Once we understand this, the political world makes its own rules up, lots of unpalatable things go on. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain shake hands with Adolf Hitler on Sept. 30, 1938, does that make him a Nazi? Does that make him guilty for the actions? Does it make him a bad person? NO, it is Hitler who was the bad man, shaking hands, sharing a drink, being invited to a wedding doesn’t make you culpable for the actions and deeds of all your guests.

Only one question, Medhi: What do you expect?
You talk about "unelected" people.What do you think she is? do you honestly think she and her revolting family care a hoot about Democracy? Like the Queen mother and her charming son who were openly great admirers of Hitler? You know the one with his even more charming wife, Mrs Simpson, who was ready to betray his own country to the Nazis if he hadn't been stopped by the CIA?
Why do you even bother with the Royal wedding and who is invited to this obscene display of wealth and decadence at OUR expense?
Of course they will be inviting every bloody little despot in the world, do you expect them to invite the chavs from the council estates?
I am surprised you just don't dismiss the whole thing as a disgusting farce and start arguing for a proper republic and a proper democracy instead.
The Royal family must go.It is long overdue.They are as about as relevant as Julia Harris' comments.Their very existence at the top of the British government is offensive.

I have to agree with Mehdi Hasan when he said that all non-muslims are animals lacking in intelligence. Even though I have only been a muslim for a short while in 1993 I regard myself as being partly muslim. But despite being partly a muslim I realise I must be an animal for I do all the things that animals do.. eat, drink, breathe live and die. What else am I?

And I certainly lack intelligence for I constantly do stupid things and I have no idea how nuclear power plants works or how to do brain surgery or fit an air conditioner into a multi-storey building. But what muslim person can do all these things?

So not only are all non-muslims animals and lacking in intelligence but so are all muslims.

This is who I am:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/tbr/tbr026.htm

Why Prince's invite Kings? It's just one of those things one must expect from Birds of that feather, old boy.

I dont think it's any of your buisness who attends this boy's wedding.He might be a royal prince but remember this, himself and his brother fight for THEIR country and their a credit to us as was their mother.There's no screaming and screeching from them like we see from YOUR crowd.

@ Bedd Gelert

I think you've misunderstood the situation in Bahrain mate. Its not a bunch of people causing trouble on the streets of the city. People in London have rights, and we can protest and get treated like humans. Over there people do not have rights... 75% of the population are Shia, and they are not allowed into the army or police force, and they are refused jobs and treated un-equally.

The sunni government in Bahrain prefers to import Sunni's from Pakistan, Syria etc and give them citizenship while providing them with jobs in the police and army.

So in summary you have 25% of the population ruling the country autocratically, with a police force and army made up of foreigners who will obey their commands. As we have seen the 75% of the country are fighting for their human rights, and us as one of the first real democracies in the world should support them rather than turn a blind eye and carry on shaking hands with the tyrants.

And just a note, too many racists on here. Don't forget that our Queen and her family are German a few generations back, so hold back on the deportation talk...

peace

@ Muddy

I don't believe all muslims believe we are animals... but i'm afraid your wrong because quite a lot of people in the west and UK actually do shag 9 year olds, and take pictures and share them with their mates around the world. Over 100 of them got caught yesterday... idiot :)

@ Julia- while i agree with you that there are serious problems in the middle east and with some Muslim groups, you say you are no bigot but you have said here that 1.5 billion people are all mad! That is a very unfair and an un just blanket condemnation. Amongst those 1.5, there are many who want and are committed to a pluralist democratic fair political system and a tolerant open Islam. Look at Indonesia where different cultures and religions operate freely, it is not all Saudi or Iran.
Islam is not responsible for Saddam just as Christianity is not for Hitler or Judaism for lieberman.

Stuart Eels; I don't belong to any one country. I have a deep affection for England because I was brought up there but when I look at the place from afar I see discontent, dissatisfaction, and disunity. I see people thinking they are more intelligent than other people because of their academic qualifications or 'greater' because of their financial wealth. At least here people value what you can do and how you are with them regardless. And when I go the parties I met people from a range of backgrounds, it's so refreshing.

Britain's idea of one's worth stems I think from having a 'top dog' family .. everyone else can feel like they are on the rungs of a ladder leading up to the top family. And that's where the discontent and snobbery finds its source. We get rid of the top and then we are all equal, of equal value and status.

....unelected tyrant?...
...blood on the hands?...
why should this bother a queen who's title
has been handed down by- not all that infrequently throughout history- by unelected tyrants?!!!!

@ Oliver Bajuz '...UK actually do shag 9 year olds, and take pictures and share them with their mates around the world. Over 100 of them got caught yesterday... idiot :)

Oliver, I'm not sure if you're being purposefully obtuse, but clearly Muddy is referring to a larger cultural acceptance of paedophilia within Islamic communities and its moral reconciliation through interpretations of the Koran. Of course paedophiles, such as the underground ring you refer to, can be found anywhere, but our laws outlaw it and in our culture it is considered morally reprehensible. Not so in Islamic countries such as Afghanistan.

I think most are well aware of the German lineage of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and the how our monarchy skews the righteous ideals of a classless society but she's hardly a despot. And to be honest with the steady erosion of all things British I'm starting to almost defend the institution.

All in all another pathetic piece.

To clarify: last year the income the government derived from the Crown Estate was £226.5 million whereas the total costs of all the Royal Family amounted to £35.1 million. So we are effectively subsidised by the Crown Estate, thanks to George the Third. On top of that, the Royals work, work, work for us.

Julia; I am a leftie, but please don't lump me with with the fanatical religionists (muslim or christian) after all isn't "religion the opium of the people"?

Julia Harris- you are my heroine your righteous anger is magnificent!!!!!!

Mehdi Hasan views don't make him a political colossus, his gurning on shows like Question Time, his ranting doesn't make him a democrat, most sane people see him for what he is! Some of the comments from his sycophants toward you show just where they coming from and its not a pleasant place.

I can't wait for the proposed purchase of the NS by Andrew Neill to see how long he lasts!

neB
In this country you have the right to offend, but you have obviously led a sheltered life. You should try living in the cou ntries run by "dark skinned" devils and then you would have real reason to complain. Thank your lucky stars you do not live in South Africa with a teenage daughter and Mr. Mandela!You play the racist card as a joker?

Buckshite - you give Jews a bad name and I am sure they have no wish to have an imbecile such as yourself speak for them. You are becoming boring now, and I wish NS would just block your and that other troll julia insane rantings so that the rest of us can enjoy reading this blog.

And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say unto them, O Muhammad: Nay, but we follow the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. Say O Muslims: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto Us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob. and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, add that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

Quran, 2:135-136

Say: "O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back say: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's will)."

Quran 3:64-71

God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God
loves those who are just.

God only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith,
and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out,
from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.

Quran 60, 8-9

Dr Alex-lax.

Thank you for that answer to my question re your fascination with incest and childish name calling. Can't you at least tell me if it's a Muslim thing or simply a Dr Alex *Smirk'n* thing?

Thank you Buck, Gerry and Stuart.

I didn't realize about the Andrew Neill take over...maybe I can take over Mehdi's spot??

They've tapped my mouth, no more criticism of Islam, its not allowed.

Diplomacy is a strange game. I'm not going to criticise the queen for being tactful and not rocking the boat. We have a constitutional monarchy here, not an absolute one. We could get rid of the monarchy and have a presidential style 'Blair' government. The queen is meant to be impartial and non political. She is here for checks and balances. I'm sure if Ahmadinejad wanted to come to the wedding, he would have been invited and no doubt a few years ago, Mugabe would have come too. Unlike Blair, the would no doubt have avoided war in Iraq.

It's not for the monarchy to overturn leaders. I appreciate that at times we are hypocritical in our love of leaders with plenty of oil, but it is not up to the queen to make a political stance. Just like I don't blame British Muslims for not being political martyrs in Iran when they stone, hang and abuse muslims.

Great piece Mehdi, and a nudge towards reality. It's funny how some media organisations, and certainly our government, pick and choose what causes to highlight. Bahrain was one of the most peaceful of the protests in the Middle East and they are suffering immensely, and arguably, silently. I guess prejudice in the West comes in different forms!

C Baker:
How English of you, to think the queen is just a nice old lady who does what she is told by "her" government. How having these tyrants at your son's wedding in any way "impartial and apolitical"? Surely she has a say on the guest list.If not who is telling her to invite these tyrants? the government? How is that making it more excusable? why is there no one to inquire about who is actually responsible for the guest list? why are we speculating? why is it there are no journalist in the land with the bollocks to question what the Monarchy is up to, and who is responsible for their actions?
And again, what on Earth is wrong with having an elected president who is at least responsible for his actions and not hiding behind the cover of diplomacy or his government?

The reason we see extremist attacks against our governments is because our governments are the ones that have kept these dictators in power for so long. We could save ourself a left of headache by not supporting the bad guys... for once. http://www.howtoinstalllaminateflooring.org/