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Don't confuse terrorism with Islam, EU warns
The European Union has drawn up guidelines advising government spokesmen to refrain from linking Islam and terrorism in their statements.
| Funny thing, that. We were just discussing the involvement of Islam with terrorism. It's our opinion - and we're not Europeans, so it's not a nuanced opinion, mind you - that not all terrorist are Muslim, but most are, and the Islam is the driver behind Muslim terrorism. When the northern Irish were engaging in their festivities, I recall the news agencies freely referring to the two sides as "Catholics" and "Protestants." |
Brussels officials have confirmed the existence of a classified handbook which offers "wimpy warm milk groveling non-offensive" phrases to use when announcing anti-terrorist operations or dealing with terrorist attacks. Banned terms are said to include "jihad", "Islamic" or "fundamentalist". The word "jihad" is to be avoided altogether, according to some sources, because for Muslims the word can mean a personal struggle to live a moral life.
| Yasss. Many's the photo we've seen of masked Islamists, tastefully draped with bandoliers, waving their AKs and hollering "personal struggle to live a moral life"! |
One alternative, suggested publicly last year, is for the term "Islamic terrorism" to be replaced by "terrorists who abusively invoke Islam".
| Rapists are men who "abusively initiate sexual activity," then? Robbers "abusively conduct financial transactions"? |
An EU official said that the secret guidebook, or, "common lexicon", is aimed at preventing the distortion of the Muslim faith and the alienation of Muslims in Europe. "The common lexicon includes guidance on a number of frequently used terms where lack of care by EU and member states' spokespeople may give rise to misunderstandings," he said.
| Or even worse, to clear, unequivocal, non-nuanced understanding. Tusk tusk. Can't have that. |
"Careful usage of certain terms is not about empty political correctness but stems from astute awareness of the EU's interests in the fight against terrorism. Terrorists exploit and augment suspicions."
| "Really, it's best not to offend them. If we don't they'll leave us alone. We're pretty sure of that." |
Details on the contents of the lexicon remain secret, but British officials stressed that it is there as a helpful aid "providing context" for civil servants making speeches or giving press conferences. "We are fully signed up to this drivel, but it is not binding," said one. However, Conservative MEP Syed Kamall hit out at the lexicon. "It is this kind of political correctness and secrecy that creates resentment among both the mainstream in Europe and in Islam," he said.
| "What the hell kind of creature refuses to call a spade a spade even when he's being hit over the head with it? Will he call it a spade when it's shoveling dirt into his grave?" |
Meanwhile, UK Independence Party MEP Gerard Batten claimed that the EU was in denial over the true roots of terrorism.
| Goddamn. That man should be Minister of the Obvious! |
"This type of newspeak shows that the EU refuses to face reality," he said. "The major world terrorist threat is one posed by ideology and that ideology is inspired by fundamentalist jihadi Islam."
Posted by: ryuge 2007-04-02 |
