Al-Shabaab - How Serious A Threat?

[agchristie]

The author of this piece suggests that we shouldn't get too flustered over the video released by the group.

Is he right or is this an example of complacency?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11429921/Dont-take-Al-Shabaab-too-seriously-thats-exactly-what-they-want-us-to-do.html

[agchristie]

///my guess is that Al-Shabaab has released this statement in a desperate bid to attract some publicity, thereby attracting more recruits and funding for its perverse cause.

And if that is the case, then the last thing we want to do is make them out to be a far more serious threat than they actually are.///

I wonder what else the writer is guessing at??

[-Talbot-]

And if that is the case, then the last thing we want to do is make them out to be a far more serious threat than they actually are.///

That's why I ignored it last night and moved on to something else to worry about.

[Gromit]

We should tell them to BOGOF.

[ludwig]

We'll be safe as long as they can't see where they're going.

[naomi24]

^ Haaaaa! Twit! :o)

[ludwig]

Me a twit? I'm not the one with a teatowel on my head and sellotape over eyeholes.

[naomi24]

Haaaaaaaa!

Sorry, ag. Smacked knees, Ludwig! :o)

[naomi24]

In an attempt to answer the question, to ignore it is not complacency - it’s utter stupidity.

[agchristie]

Naomi,

No apologies needed!

Ludwig,

I can't stop laughing :-)

[naomi24]

Neither can I. :o)

... and actually, I don't think humour is such a bad thing in the fight against people who are devoid of humour - as these madmen are. Little riles them so much as a cartoon.

[DaisyNonna]

Have destroyed all my blue and white tea towels in case of copycats

[agchristie]

Naomi,

///... and actually, I don't think humour is such a bad thing in the fight against people who are devoid of humour ///

Are you referring to AB now or the question? ;-)

[agchristie]

DaisyNonna,

///Have destroyed all my blue and white tea towels in case of copycats///

Dry humour! :-)

[naomi24]

ag, The question. Whilst we would be stupid not to take these threats seriously - these are seriously stupid people - I don't think it would go amiss to treat them with the contempt they deserve by making them a laughing stock. They are at war with us - but their ambition is futile and ultimately they will fail.

Daisy, lucky you don't live in Somalia. You'd be little Billy No Mates. :o)

[DaisyNonna]

Should I not dampen their ardour?

[naomi24]

Noooooooo! Tea towels are one thing, but taking to the burka is a step too far!!!

[agchristie]

Naomi, exactly.

Daisy, ardour or ordure? :-(

[DaisyNonna]

But I look good in black!

[venator]

When the IRA were planting bombs, the official line was not to report anything or to give interviews, so as to "deny them the oxygen of publicity"

So why not mow? Because the press sees its markets shrinking, and will do anything for circulation?

[naomi24]

Well, if you're sure Daisy, but I think you'd look rather more fetching in a tea towel. :o)

Night all. x