The Queen and her despotic friends

Thu, 2011-03-24 12:59 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

Thank you AGAS, an excellent piece of text to pin point. Yes it is obvious that some Muslims are using/misusing the text of the Koran to justify their violent actions. But the text itself isn't that clear apart from chopping off the hands of thieves.

Who exactly are the unbelievers? People who don't 'believe' in Allah? But Allah is as we have heard also the same 'God' as the Jewish and Christian one, and will probably be the same one as the Hindu 'final' one. And 'belief', how do we know that someone really believes and is not just saying they believe? In fact some people may be saying they don't believe when in fact they have no idea what belief is. They might be believing it but are unaware that they are doing so. For what exactly is belief?

Tue, 2011-03-22 16:45 — Abbas (not verified)

Julia criticism is fine just make sure you do some research first or you'll just end up looking like you don't know what you're talking about.

Anyway, apparently the royal family bring in more from tourism to the state than what the tax payers pay to support her, but again that's not including all that land and other assets we let her use.

I think that we should seriously debate as to whether or not we still want a monarchy to represent us as head of state, just seems backwards to me having people born into affluence and allowing them to act as a representative for us.

Mon, 2011-03-21 22:55 — Des Demona (not verified)

'Why is the king of Bahrain coming to the royal wedding'

Ummmm ..... he isn't.

Thu, 2011-03-24 13:44 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Oh dear it seems to me that my posts might be censored, two having a pop at two NS so-called journalists and a reply to Mr Divine. So here I go trying again.

Mr Divine, the great thing about democracy is that we are all allowed to express our opinions hopefully!

You must have had a very bad expeience here in England to so influence your opinion. I know from your previous posts that you have extensively travelled the world, so have I, along the the way I have seen the most appalling racism, poverty and hatred in many countries. I believe that this is the reason why so many ayslum seekers will travel thousands of miles to settle in England, we can't be that bad.

I don't recognise your description of England in this part of England in which I live. There are areas where there are conflicts just as there are in Australia.

I don't believe you can have an affection for a country and then post such comments.

Sun, 2011-03-20 00:20 — Freedom-2-PostUK (not verified)

There aren't any moderates in Islam becuase they're:

Anti Gay

Anti Women

Anti Drink (!)

Anti Jewish
___________

Fuck the lot of them - they and their way of thining and doing things is an AFFRONT to all civilised, liberal Western true "moderates".

That, my deranged, hand-wring Left Wing friends, is the awful, genuine truth, EVERY TIME.

Long live fair minded multiculturalism in Britain, which was NOT some 90s Labour concept as Benjamin Disraeli clearly attests to!

Sat, 2011-03-26 20:28 — Toti Bates (not verified)

Unfortunately the truth is hated, suppressed and violated because people like to do what suits their best interests. Israel my dear Julia Harris is not a country but a state created after the 2nd World War. It is clear you are a zionist, warmonger and hater. You just want to take Mehdi's job, don't make me laugh :o)!!! May be we should get out the bulldozer and start driving people off their homes to make ourselves comfortable, great democracy a round of applause for Israel!!! If the Muslims are the way you say they are then explain this from the Talmud:
"A pregnant non-Jew is no better than a pregnant animal." TALMUD: Coschen Hamischpat 405

Sun, 2011-03-20 00:23 — Whoops (not verified)

Thinking* durr me (their way of thining [sic] is to have a smashed economy for life, and probably 50 lashes in public for ever eating a bacon sandwich!)

Sun, 2011-03-20 00:27 — sad jobless bigot with a pc (not verified)

well sed m8, send em all fuckin bck 2 beardy crane hanging land, and lets get england back on track again, cheers

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:23 — triedeinsursE

Dr. Alex-lax.

Serious question for you.What’s with this preoccupation you have with incest and childlike name calling? Is it a Muslim thing?

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:26 — Axmed

Julia - if I were you, I'd shut up or else make a sense. You have merely make a fool of yourself.

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:28 — triedeinsursE

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

Good idea Julia, but don't forget Laurie will be the senior political editor.(^.^)

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:30 — Axmed

Great article! Spot on Mehdi! Well said! Thanks for sharing with us the fact that certain people don't want the population to find or look at it. Have a great day!

Sun, 2011-03-20 00:46 — Muddy (not verified)

As I said, self evidently stupid.

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:34 — triedeinsursE

I’m getting a bit jumpy. I find myself agreeing with Daniele’s last three posts. If I catch myself humming L'Internationale I’m outta here....

Sun, 2011-03-20 01:00 — saeiti

Mr Hasan, today I watched your comment on Sky News about Libya and the Libyan opposition at 10am, and it was appalling! I am from Benghazi and I confirm that there are no religious members in the interim Libyan council nor they hate the West, almost all the members were Ministers in the dictator's government weeks ago. unfortunately you don't know Libya at all, and what you said has caused great harm to the innocent civilians being killed now!! because simply you don't care about our blood! your words are dishonest and despicable!

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:39 — Julia Harris (not verified)

@ Axmed, I wont just say things that make sense to you, I dont care what you think of me and I wont 'Shut Up' either from a direction from you. If you dont agree with me, then dont agree, simple.

I have some advice for you tho. Why dont you... develop a brain, a point of view and then we might hear your something worthy of discussion instead of trying to censor the thread and its content if its too touchy for you...

Sun, 2011-03-20 01:00 — saeiti

Mr Hasan, yesterday I watched your comment on Sky News about Libya and the Libyan opposition at around 10am, and it was appalling! I am from Benghazi and I confirm that there are no religious members in the interim Libyan council nor they hate the West, almost all the members were Ministers in the dictator's government weeks ago. unfortunately you don't know Libya at all, and what you said has caused great harm to the innocent civilians being killed now!! because simply you don't care about our blood! your words are dishonest and despicable!

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:51 — Raheel (not verified)

Julia- you are right some Arabs/Muslims sadly backed the Nazis (following my enemy's enemy is my friend) but don't discount the 750,000 Muslims in the British Indian army who volunteered to fight FOR their colonial masters against the nazis and the Arabs from North Africa who did the same for France.

The groups you mention (hamas/hezbollah/taliban) have all emerged from war torn conflict ridden societies. Remember there was no hezbollah until israel's '82 invasion! The taliban arose in Afghanistan after decades of invasion, war, super power rivalry, civil war and outside interference (Pakistan/ISI).

Tyrants and dictators don't want their people to be enlightened and free. While western foreign policy is not the sole or only cause of authortarian leaders and dictatorships in parts of the Arab/Muslim world, it is a fact that supporting the military over democrats (Egypt/Pakistan) has made it harder for any sustainable democratic system to develop.

Fri, 2011-03-18 18:00 — Axmed

Jilia - It's not convincing! Try again! I don't want to hurt your feelings but I was amazed at your stupidity and weakness of your comments. I am not sure whether you understand a point of view and insulting. I won't say you don't have a brain but use it wisely. I can sense you're a hateful and arrogant person. You can do better! Be a human. Be open-minded individual. Investigate things further. You'll learn a lot from this way! Cheers,

Thu, 2011-03-17 13:44 — Simone (not verified)

No you are not being cynical because the disgusting double standards are there for all to see.

Personally, I think Hague/Cameron want to get Gaddafi in revenge for Megrahi and because he sticks 2 fingers up to the West, whereas the other repressive dictatorships are very cosy with the West while they continue their slaughter.

Thu, 2011-03-17 13:45 — michaelpetek

I think the heart of the matter is that some Muslims might find it offensive if the King of Bahrain were disinvited.

Thu, 2011-03-17 14:02 — GuttedBahraini (not verified)

Saudi has banned protests based on religious grounds and thus is permissible for them to kill any "oulaws". The heavily funded wahabi teachings has had its toll on their people's mentality(we saw their planned protests that were not). International community seems to apply double standards ....."imagine the west's reaction if Iran cracked down on Syrian protestors"

Wed, 2011-03-23 02:12 — PrinzPhil (not verified)

HRH has set next to dozens of turd world crap leaders , why change now?

Fri, 2011-03-18 18:36 — Julia Harris (not verified)

Axmed, I can see you’re someone who likes to sit on the fence and not say too much about what he thinks, scared? You probably don’t have the confidence to do so and maybe in time you’ll learn to say what you think or feel, honestly without just saying things that people like to hear. All you do is through some light weight insults at me.... It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than that, Axmed, to prove you're better than me!
I’m sure this is boring for everyone so I apologise on Axmeds behalf that he has taken this to a playground tit for tat exchange.

Wed, 2011-03-23 02:40 — Arthur O'Connor

The guest list for the Royal Wedding will have been approved by the Prime Minister. Will and Kate will have had little to do with it. The peoples of these islands have clearly demonstrated that we want to continue with the monarchy. I would be happy if people of non anglo-saxon,non-celtic and non Christian origins were to depart from these islands and I would happily contribute to a fund for their repatriation. I would also like a referendum on "skipping" Charles and Camilla to succeed the Queen when she pops her clogs and to elect Will and Kate to the job.

Sun, 2011-03-20 03:50 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

I think I can speak for Julie here when I say she doesn't label all the 1.5 billion Muslims as being bad. Julie thinks it is Islam that is responsible for some Muslims committing horrible things.

Julie reckons that it is clear that the Koran advocates violence against non-Muslims. Indeed some Muslims agree with her and commit violence using text from the Koran to justify their actions.

Which sections of the Koran is Julie talking about? And what are the exact words?

Julie never quotes from the Koran so I suspect she doesn't know the exact words. Isn't that right Julie, you're just relaying what you heard about the Koran from other sources? You haven't actually read the text relating to violence against non-muslims?

Fri, 2011-03-18 19:05 — Julia Harris (not verified)

@ Raheel, This is kind of going of topic, I mentioned the Nazi’s / Holocaust to clear up the inaccuracies of James. And also the groups mentioned where in response to James, but they do have one thing in common. I don’t think the democrats have ever had or will have a reasonable chance in that part of the world, due to the hard line Islamists, for me the military is lesser of the evils.
Israel is an amazing democracy in that part of the world that is progressive and dynamic. In yet the left and the apologists for the Arabs keep selling Israel out instead of holding it up as a beacon of hope. For example when an Israeli family (the fogels) are brutally slaughtered in their beds while sleeping, children and babies stabbed to death, its hardly mentioned in the western media, as if they deserved it – and then they call a few buildings by Israel a block to peace protest, no moral clarity.

Fri, 2011-03-18 19:29 — Joe (not verified)

Julia Harris "Medhi at it again...should be deported back to Pakistan for Treason... What a terrible way to libel the queen, trying to insinuate that she actually wants to be friends with these people and shares some of the same Values, I mean thats what the headline insinuates...sick Medhi.

And again its typical lefty/Islamist tactics of trying to divert attention not focusing his indignation from the main issue surrounding these despots i.e Islam, and how it has led to the creation of such terrible social and political issues in the middle east or wherever Islam is found."

Forgive me, but I find this entire comment to be completely irrelevant to the topic at hand. The point of the article is to discuss whether these so called 'vile men' deserve an invitation to the royal wedding. We live in a country where we are all equally allowed freedom of expression, even (especially) with regards to an unelected leader (whether it be the Queen or a tyrant). There is no reason to make racist and ignorant remarks with regards to deportation, the English race is by no means better than that of the Arabs. Julia, is this an excuse to push your bigoted views across?

On a lighter note, you seem to keep misspelling Mehdi.

Thu, 2011-03-17 14:45 — Julia Harris (not verified)

Medhi at it again...should be deported back to Pakistan for Treason... What a terrible way to libel the queen, trying to insinuate that she actually wants to be friends with these people and shares some of the same Values, I mean thats what the headline insinuates...sick Medhi.

And again its typical lefty/Islamist tactics of trying to divert attention not focusing his indignation from the main issue surrounding these despots i.e Islam, and how it has led to the creation of such terrible social and political issues in the middle east or wherever Islam is found.

Thu, 2011-03-17 15:03 — swatantra

Once again the Queen has to take the flack for what her Ministers are doing in her name. She should remember that she still has the power to dismiss them and appoint a new Govt.

Thu, 2011-03-17 15:23 — ang (not verified)

'Our Queen' is the biggest landowner in the world, very, very wealthy woman, yet the British taxpayer foots the bill for her and her family to indulge in a fabulous lifestyle, while her govt takes the piss out of the people.
She is the despot and doesn't give a damn about what we think, we are just the stuff on the bottom of her shoe.
Mehdi is right about the staggering hypocricy of world leaders, especially Cameron. I thought killing innocent people was wrong and punishable, no matter 'who' you are? Where are the calls for military intervention regarding this despot king?

Thu, 2011-03-17 15:41 — Extranea (not verified)

Time for a rethink, it is well overdue. The no fly zone issue has become almost a vanity show for Cameron while he is silent on the Bahrain and Saudi issue. Our hypocrisy will always come home to roost http://bit.ly/fc6xdT

Sun, 2011-03-20 10:31 — Barny

@ Mehdi

Thoughtful and interesting piece. If only more of the commentators could also exhibit the same traits. I have challenged you previously on the inclusion in your pieces and substance of your religious beliefs and the nature of 'Islam' elsewhere; I wholeheartedly hope you will not lump me in with some of the demented, offensive posters here who undermine respectful debate on this subject. It undermines other's ability to have said debate. It is also not, in my view, at all relevant to this post.

@ Julie Harris and others of that ilk
You undermine serious and productive debate regarding Islam and specifically Mehdi's 'use' of it in his role at the NS with your vile trash. Respect is a two-way street. I have challenged Mehdi on a number of occasions but just to be clear; you DO NOT represent me with your ill-informed and prejudiced bile. I would not have you banned but DO wish you'd just ***k off.

Wed, 2011-03-23 08:38 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Julia Harris, don't let these mobsters get you down, they seek to put you down with threats and your lack of knowledge of Islam, yet would probably know nothing of the Bible.

Why are you so worried about the British Royal family Mr Divine? I thought that you had stated you live in Aussie.

Thu, 2011-03-17 16:07 — vanrisszcu

Julia Harris - you're a bit bonkers, aren't you? "Treason"?? Btw, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not from Pakistan so can't be deported back there.

Sun, 2011-03-20 10:37 — Barny

Oh, and back on point - the easy answer is the right answer:

Vive la République!

Thu, 2011-03-17 16:24 — Julia Harris (not verified)

And for you Mehdi, believing and thinking that a 5th century War Lord called Mohamed is some kind of god sent prophet puts you clearly in the sane category?? ( and I dont give a stuff that nearly 1.5 billion other people do the same...they are all clearly mad aswell)

Well if its not Pakistan then wherever it is you should go and live with your brethren for it is they who are the despotic leaders, not our queen who has to smile and grimace as she has to entertain the Arab leaders, its like Tarzan goes to New York or in this London.

Thu, 2011-03-17 16:25 — Gerry Tierney (not verified)

One can only hope that Julia Harris is actually a sterling satirist and not a batsh-t nutjob.

Fri, 2011-03-18 22:16 — Raheel (not verified)

@ Julia, yes the way rulers of israel have been brought down for corruption is quite evident of a rule of law and accountability at work and something the Arab world badly needs. The killing you refer to was horrific.

However I think there is little to boast about when you effectively rule over many hundreds of thousands of people (Palestinians) and provide them with no legitimate rights. It is a bit like UK boasting of being democratic while holding millions of people under subjugation as was done during the empire (regardless of how many bridges or hospitals built!)

In the 1950s Iran elected a leader only for the cia/mi6 to help overthrow him (he was a leftie) and put in the tyrant shah in his place. We all know how that ended up in 78!

Thu, 2011-03-17 16:42 — Fubar Saunders (not verified)

Yeah, you're being cynical. Probably got every right to be, but yeah, that smells like cynicism.

Dont worry. Theres a lot of it about these days. Maybe we can export some of it.

Fri, 2011-03-18 23:06 — Alex (not verified)

Buckshite - redneck yankie racists are not welcome here.
You keep writing bollocks on Medhi's blog, nobody is interested in your rants you sad pathetic trailer park trash tosser.

Sun, 2011-03-20 11:29 — Julia Harris (not verified)

Mr Diwine,

I have never claimed to be a scholar of the Koran or claim to be able to translate it, but I am aware of the verses of Violence and Hate speech. But you are quite correct Mr D, dont take my word for it...take it from the Islamic Scholars, Preachers and Imams (and Islamic Journalists i.e Medhi) who spout the kind of rhetoric that inspires Hatred and oppresion of us Infidels

Here are a tiny selection, its the tip of the ice berg...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE3-5D51boY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1lMKX-Le1I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpGRBu7mzrg&feature=related

The Quran contains at least 109 verses that call Muslims to war with nonbelievers. Some are quite graphic, with commands to chop off heads and fingers and kill infidels wherever they may be hiding. Muslims who do not join the fight are called 'hypocrites' and warned that Allah will send them to Hell if they do not join the slaughter.

Unlike nearly all of the Old Testament verses of violence, most of the verses of violence in the Quran are open-ended, meaning that the historical context is not embedded within the surrounding text. They are part of the eternal, unchanging word of Allah, and just as relevant or subjective as anything else in the Quran.

Unfortunately, there are very few verses of tolerance and peace to abrogate or even balance out the many that call for nonbelievers to be fought and subdued until they either accept humiliation, convert to Islam, or are killed. This proclivity toward violence - and Muhammad's own martial legacy - has left a trail of blood and tears across world history.

Mon, 2011-03-21 21:00 — triedeinsursE

Shalom Alex-lax.

That can't be your best shot. I'll give you a do over.

Thu, 2011-03-17 17:15 — samfromstroud

Hmmmm, faux pas? Reminiscent of the Duke of Windsor giving a full Nazi salute upon visiting Germany in 1937.

Sun, 2011-03-20 11:48 — Julia Harris (not verified)

@ Barney, chill out...we don’t undermine anything, we aim to bring clarity and perspective the discourse. I have never said that my words are representative of 'Barney' so I don’t understand your point - you are entitled to your own views of course.
Bann, censor, it’s the same thing, freedom of speech?? just ignore me if you dont like what I have to say, or better still say something that is worth talking about and maybe you might catch people’s attention and steer the argument in your direction??

Thu, 2011-03-17 17:20 — irsh (not verified)

If Middle East Kings are uninvited where will the mutimillion dollar wedding gifts come from for dear Kate and Wills? It's their wedding and who doesn't like wedding gifts? To hell will despots, gifts are important.

Sat, 2011-03-19 00:41 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

@Alex: Obviously Buckskins is welcome here as he is being allowed to post. Also I'm interested in his posts .. what's a debate without opposing viewpoints?

Wed, 2011-03-23 12:10 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

@Stuart Eels; You'll understand why I'm against the royal family if you knew what it like to be the first seal in the book of Revelations. Have a read of this
http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/tbr/tbr026.htm

And yes I am in OZ, as far away from the pigs in Buckingham Palace, far away from the stink as poss.

@Julia Harris: you've done a post and mentioned Islam so it can't be true! Sometimes the moderator pops in on a Monday and has a clean out and sometimes your post gets 'lost'. Just ignore it as if it never happened and keep on going.

Wed, 2011-03-23 12:15 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

@Arthur O'Connor: How have the British people demonstrated that they want to continue with the monarchy? Have we had a vote on it? NO. They appointed themselves and they create disunity in British society.

And what do you propose to pay each person of non-white origin to 'return' 'home'? Please fill in all the details of how this plan of yours will work. Is it a practical plan?

Sat, 2011-03-19 00:52 — stuart (not verified)

i second mr divine on this point of order ,,in fact alex comes across as the bigoted hate filled racist,, no doubt he is full of anti semtism as well judging by comments he makes on other blogs...