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[personal profile] fpb
The context is scary. The situation is potentially deadly, and will inevitably grow worse. But what seems to have led up to it is simply too hysterical for words:
From The Guardian:

The committee that recommended Salman Rushdie for a knighthood did not discuss any possible political ramifications and never imagined that the award would provoke the furious response that it has done in parts of the Muslim world, the Guardian has learnt.

It also emerged yesterday that the writers' organisation that led the lobbying for the author of Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses to be knighted had originally hoped that the honour would lead to better relations between Britain and Asia...

One of my first pieces when I started this blog four years ago was about the ludicrous incompetence of the British ruling class. It was not welcomed then - http://fpb.livejournal.com/4790.html. I rest my case now.

Date: 2007-06-21 05:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com
He refers to the order to kill a British citizen (Rushdie) on British soil. Mind you, Vladimir Putin did the same last year, killed his man, AND got away with it (the Litvinenko case).

Date: 2007-06-21 05:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] redcoast.livejournal.com
Well, we in America have tried the "always retaliate" strategy and it's not perfect.

Date: 2007-06-21 06:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com
Beats the "Let'em walk all over you and kill anyone they please" all hollow, though. Besides, I think you overrate the amount of retaliation America has been willing to inflict on terrorists. Running like a maniac without even informing your supporters and allies (Reagan, Beirut, 1983; Clinton, Mogadiscio, 1997) is cheaper and does not seem to harm your warrior reputation in the long run.

Date: 2007-06-21 06:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] redcoast.livejournal.com
Doomsday devices help one's reputation.

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