Burning the flags

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.demotix.co...-burn-us-flag-embassy

Why is it that some Pastor in America can threaten to burn the Koran and it becomes World wide news, involving the attention of the US President no less, yet even though the burning never took place it didn't stop the usual violent reaction from the Muslim world?

A group of around 100 Muslim activist from a group called 'Muslims against the Crusades' (MAC) gathered outside the US Embassy and burned the 'Stars and Stripes' along with the 'Union Flag'.

It is interesting to note however that no arrests were made except for a number of EDL (English Defence League) members, the police continued to hold back the EDL while the MAC were left to burn the flags unhindered.

It is also interested to note that one will find it hard to read a read a report on this disgusting protest, because there appears to be a news blackout on the matter for some reason, and yet if this had been a BNP or EDL protest the papers would have been full of it.

[bappy37]

its not to late. we need to sort it.

[beso]

There were no arrests because it is not illegal to burn the flag. In the US it is consdered a right to freedom of expression under the US Constitution. I expect the same applies in the UK.

I am not aware of this protest by the MAC actually being violent so I expect oldgit is intentionally misrepresenting the facts.

Personally I think it is better to ignore the stupid protest anyway. The EDL are just looking for a fight and are just as stupid as the MAC.

No doubt some of the EDL members actually did commit offences which is why they were arrested.

[sp1814]

Protests by extremists Muslims DO make the news...but there has to be a narrative. You will no doubt recall the massive story about Islam4UK's proposed protest in Wooton Basset, right? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8451014.stm

That was a HUGE story.

[mightyWBA]

I don't know why these people get all the publicity anyway.
That American pastor was head of a church with just 50 or so members,
Islam4UK has a very small following.
They are best ignored but make good fodder for our hysterical media.
As for burning flags in public surely that's a health and safety issue.

[boxtops]

Let's just let it drop - if the Dove protest hadn't made world wide press, it would have been a small-time event. 100 people burning a flag in the US is not representative of the rest of the millions of Muslims who wouldn't dream of taking violent action, but who were insulted in principle by the proposed Koran-burning but had the sense to keep it in perspective.

[woofgang]

okay, so there are childish Muslims too....

[anotheoldgit]

Why is there still no mention of the London flag burning, in all the British press, no mention of it on the national radio, and no coverage of it on TV?

Perhaps the EDL should try burning the Pakistani flag outside their Embassy, and see if they are allowed to get off scot free.

[Johnny-Wishbone]

ok aog, A flag is a piece of fabric, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used symbolically for signalling or identification.

The quran is according to the muslims the word of god, which do you think is more important to a muslim?
Why not burn the flag of a non warring muslim country and see what resonse you get and report back to us with the results if it is not made into world news.

[jno]

do you want these groups to get publicity for their stunts or not? The American stunt worried their government because they thought it was endangering the lives of troops, and the media - many of whom don't like Obama - chose to publicise it. The UK government and media have presumably decided that publicising this one might have the same effect, so in this case they've shut up about it. Suits me, since it doesn't seem to involve significatn numbers or influential people.

[philkool]

ive just downloaded the koran, does anyone want me to burn them a copy ?

[philkool]

i think its time we burnt a few muslims aog

[philkool]

bonfire night approaches

[anotheoldgit]

All you anti Daily Mailers are not going to tell me that at least the Daily Mail would normally be the first to sensationalise this, if they hadn't presumably been told to keep quiet about it?

[rojash]

"if they hadn't presumably been told to keep quiet about it?"

Do you really believe that the DM would keep quiet about something merely because it was told to?

Most people in the UK couldn't care less about a few nutters burning a bit of fabric, so it's just not considered newsworthy.

[jomifl]

The health and safety issue mentioned earlier warrants serious concern. If it was just some woollen or cotton flag that was being burnt then there would not be much of an issue. However the habitual flag burners seem to have an inexaustable supply of flags throughout the world that appear to be made especially for the purpose of being burnt. From the way that they burn they appear to be made of a synthetic highly flammable material that when burnt is liable to generate dioxins and other carcinogenic or mutagenic chemicals. I am not against flag burning per se. but if flags are going to be burnt they should conform to an internationally recognised standard for flags (burning for the use of) which would ensure that the combustion products do not constitute a public health hazard. In addition the intention to burn flags should be notified in writing well in advance to the local authorities so that adequate fire precautions can be taken and arrangements made for the fire brigade and paramedics to be in attendance at the expense of the flag burners. In addition the flag burners should be certificated as being competent flag burners ( having been on an approved government approved course) and should wear approved fire resistant clothing. Official flag burning areas should be demarcated outside all foreign ministries and government buildings and should be in proximity to a fire hydrant the proper functioning of which should be ascertained by the local authoritie's flag burning inspectorate.

[fredpuli47]

Quite, jomfl.Likewise,the only way the Americans could think to stop this was to say the church hadn't got a permit for a fire.! They think that the pastor was exercising his right to free speech under the 1st Amendment. They obviously don't have an equivalent to our Racial and Religious Hatred Act and the like.

[jomifl]

Oh I forgot ..no flag burning in smokeless zones such as central london.

[askyourgran]

I suppose the flag burners would have to be naked so as not to set fire to themselves jomifl.
Perish the thought. [ :¬0

[mibn2cweus]

Let's face it. They are in fact celebrating a victory of their faith in fears subjugation of reason, even if burning the Koran could only be deemed reasonable by their own standards of what is reasonable. In suppressing the act of one mad man for fear of retaliation we have reaffirmed their belief in the power of their unjust cause.

[jomifl]

mib.. If you are saying that they are all a bunch of loonies and that we should ignore them insofar as their beliefs don't impact on our lives, then I agree with you wholeheartedly ( as long as they are fully certified)