I read in a book that the UK had an understanding with imams, that they could preach all the hate bollocks that they wanted so long as none of it was directed at the UK, and that no offences would be committed in the UK. Furthermore, that most of the notorious imams were on the M15 payroll. How likely is this? Well, the security services had moles in the IRA and the UDA, etc, who were committing atrocities (because if they didn't, their cover would be blown). So it doesn't seem so far-fetched. After all, the imams were notorious and as Pete points out, nothing was done to prevent them. And I can imagine them being granted "free speech" just so long as they tempered it with not inciting atrocities in the UK. It all seems quite fishy. Could just be a conspiracy theory, but the rest of the book was not sensationalist and seemed quite rational.
I take your point but surely Parliament employs lawyers to draft and check legislation. Clearly the fact that other lawyers, and judges sometimes, can demolish some laws passed indicates that they are not always up to the mark though.
The fact that 1.8 million people in Northern Ireland have not been shot, blown up or kneecapped is not news. The fact that a dozen people have been is news. I'm afraid that applies to every conflict and every problem. The media typically avoid making it clear how large or small any given problem really is, as a proportion of the overall situation. It was ever thus.
Strange then that a large proportion of tertiary-educated people, when questioned, say that their ambition is to become one of their number. It's not for the money, I can tell you!
I was tempted, but the idea of having a daily "essay crisis" put me off. That, and the fact that I would be told what to write, rather than write what I wanted to.
Strange then that a large proportion of tertiary-educated people, when questioned, say that their ambition is to become one of their number. It's not for the money, I can tell you! i have never been told what to write. Facts are facts. One should never editorialise in news stories. What happens to a story once it has been filed is none of my business - any more than it is of a Ducati designers' when his hard work finds its way into customers' garages. It's pointless getting precious over such things. By the way a "daily essay crisis" would be a relief. Sometimes it was thrice daily as a reporter and as a sub editor my working life was a constant crisis. But I actually like the pace - particularly on daily papers. It's a bit like biking - makes you feel alive and if you make one wrong move you're dead (ok fired!)
The employed lawyers can provide drafts and carry out checks, but they can only offer advice. Ultimately the decisions are taken by parliament, usually (but not always) by accepting proposals decided upon by government ministers. Those ministers have advisers, of course, but may overrule that advice. I have fond memories of one occasion when I (as an adviser in the Ministry of Justice) managed to persuade a Ministry of Defence minister to accept my advice in preference to that of his MoD advisers, on a point connected with Court Martial Rules. My name was mud in some parts of the MoD after that! Where a statute is unclear, or inconsistent with other laws (such as the Human Rights Act), it falls to judges to unravel the tangles created by politicians, if possible. "Demolish" is putting it a bit strongly.
[QUOTE="gliddofglood, I advise everyone to take an hour to listen to this statistician's superb demonstration about current and past demographics. It is optimistic and extremely uplifting. It will demonstrate why relying on newspapers and the nightly news for your world view is flawed. It's a fascinating hour - look at it as soon as you can: [/QUOTE] Eventually found time to watch this and it does paint a more optimistic picture than the one I could see in the future and only Africa was lagging behind (no surprises there). Highly recommended!
Eventually found time to watch this and it does paint a more optimistic picture than the one I could see in the future and only Africa was lagging behind (no surprises there). Highly recommended![/QUOTE] I saw this some time ago. Very interesting viewing
