poliphilo: (bah)
poliphilo ([personal profile] poliphilo) wrote2014-08-25 10:14 am

Ignorance, Hypocrisy, Cynicism

If David Cameron had had his way- and not been thwarted by a free vote in Parliament- we would now be fighting alongside the Syrian rebels who include Mr Baghdadi's Islamic State. What a difference a year makes. Now the rebels are the bad guys and young Brits who are doing exactly what Cameron wanted the British armed forces to do are being criminalized.

I notice we're hearing much less now about what a genocidal bastard Assad is. The media- in deference to the weathercock change in government policy- have piped down about his atrocities. Instead they're going on about the wickedness of Baghdadi's lot. Look, they chop people's heads off and oppress women- how very medieval of them! (Just like our very good friends the Saudis- only lets not talk about that.)

[identity profile] cmcmck.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 09:33 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad I'm not the only one to perceive that the real issue in that region is Saudi Arabia!

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 10:27 am (UTC)(link)
Hush- these people are friends of Prince Charles- and control our oil supplies....
matrixmann: (Default)

[personal profile] matrixmann 2014-08-25 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
And too bad that Europe now says to Mr. Putin "Get off to the table for the cats!" - he could also provide them fuel and the nessecary means what it takes to keep your ass warm...

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 12:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Western leaders are mostly posturing ninnies.

[identity profile] cmcmck.livejournal.com 2014-08-26 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
'friends of Prince Charles'

You do realise that this makes them even less nice people in my estimation?
matrixmann: (Default)

[personal profile] matrixmann 2014-08-25 11:48 am (UTC)(link)
You're not alone in this. Definitely.

[identity profile] steepholm.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, your subject line about sums it up, though I might suggest adding Incompetence to the list.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, that as well.

I don't think we should allow people within sniffing distance of power until they've read a few history books or, failing that, a few novels....

[identity profile] ingenious76.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
On my way to Thailand a month ago I sat next to two young women on a plane, both of whom had their faces covered. As did their mother who was sitting across from me. Her husband and the brothers were dressed in Western clothes - and they had Saudi passports. I don't care how culturally ignorant people think I am, expecting/demanding women to cover their faces and dress in long black robes, which a Muslim doctor here has slammed stating is causing health problems, not just a sign of oppression, has no place in this century.
Edited 2014-08-25 11:23 (UTC)

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 11:38 am (UTC)(link)
I've just read an illuminating article by Paul Vallely in the Independent about how Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been pouring billions into the Syrian opposition and are now going "Whoops!"
matrixmann: (Default)

[personal profile] matrixmann 2014-08-25 11:46 am (UTC)(link)
The woods have gone pretty silent, also German media is the same way.
But as far as information goes, the strategy hasn't changed. If they still can sell Assad as the one from down below (the one from the hot place with the flames all around), they still try to. At the moment it only looks a bit inappropriate.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
It would be good if our leaders understood the Middle East. All the signs are that they don't.
matrixmann: (Default)

[personal profile] matrixmann 2014-08-25 12:35 pm (UTC)(link)
It has been so for decades.

[identity profile] davesmusictank.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Our leaders haven't understood the Middle east for years. They are all being hypocritical in the way that they change sides to suit themselves. I doubt they would even bother if it wasn't for the energy resources the are has.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2014-08-25 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Well there's oil, but there's also Israel- a political experiment in which the West has made a huge investment.