WTF is going on?

[Skreecheeboy]

What is this all about? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_an d_west/7072882.stm
Surely it must be illegal to stop and search people for no apparent reason? How did they manage to pass that?

[naomi24]

Well, you're safe with me B00 - I don't like Jaffa Cakes. On the other hand, if you've got any gooey chocolate cake - and maybe a little cream to go with it .....................

[Gromit]

And back to the original link.

Ch Insp Alex McGuire said officers were not responding to any threat but aimed to make railways a "difficult target" for terrorists.

So they are not acting on any intelligence, they are just stopping people for the sake of it. And suicide bombers are going to be detered from getting on a train because a policeman might asked them to empty their pockets?

And if the intelligence services are doing their job, I would hope any terrorists are caught long before they get anywhere near a train.

It is supposed to reassure us that the authorities are doing something, when, by their own admission they have no intelligence and are just wasting everybodys time including their own.

[cambus]

It probably is the way you look naomi, airport staff are trained to look for certain characteristics, it could be your criminal record that gives you away!

[webbo3]

There are two positives about this.

1.They MAY actually Catch a terrorist and prevent mass murder and mutilation.

2 They May also catch a potential criminal carrying a knife or gun and prevent a crime.


as Legend007 said


its necessary

end of


you dont like it


well

tough.



Dave.

[naomi24]

Gromit So would you prefer they wait until they have definite information? Imagine the public outcry if a there was no one around at the train station to ask the bomber to empty his pockets. As I said, the police are damned if they do, and they're damned if they don't. By following your line (almost said 'train' there) of thought, if someone slipped through the official 'net', then the only thing you could do would be to live in hope - hope that bomber wasn't sitting next to you on the underground. I don't mind who's checked out - public safety has to be the priority regardless of anyone's perceived loss of dignity or perceived infringement of 'Human Rights'.

Cambus Drat .... I've been sussed.

[Gromit]

I hope they have better anti-terror measures than just randomly picking anyone out on a train

They MAY actually Catch a terrorist and prevent mass murder and mutilation.

I suppose it is possible, but extremely unlikely.

There was a plot to blow up Old Trafford. They could stop and search everyone as they enter the ground. It may prevent kick off for several days but it may catch a terrorist or prevent a crime.

[naomi24]

Webbo3 and Legend - absolutely right.

[naomi24]

Gromit It may be extremely unlikely, but that doesn't mean it's impossible - and if terrorists are aware that stringent checks are in place, it surely makes their objective more difficult for them to achieve, doesn't it?

[Gromit]

naomi24

What is happening in Glasgow is similar to when they ringed Heathrow with armoured cars. It has nothing to do with catching anybody, it is a show of strength, high profile policing, a deterant. All of which could be done without hassling innocent people.

If there had been a specific threat then I would not be bothered in the slightest at an higher security presence, and searches. But picking out people without any justification and claiming the terrorism Act, just to be more visible is wrong and not what the law was meant to do when it was passed.

It is a very inefficient way of catching terrorists.

[ruby27]

Gromit

Can not put it any better than you have, so won't try. You have made the points very clearly.

[naomi24]

Gromit I can't see anything wrong with a show of strength and a high police presence. If that's a deterrent, then wonderful. Let's hope it works. If innocent people are caught up in it, it's unfortunate, but they'll survive it, and it's not the end of the world, is it? (An unfortunate turn of phrase perhaps, but I'm sure you know what I mean).

[jno]

innocent people, well, tell that to Mr de Menezes... who didn't survive.

[B00]

I'd say summet, but I've no more Jaffa Cakes :-(

[naomi24]

jno, no, he didn't, but that wasn't as a result of stop and search, and that's what we're talking about here.

[naomi24]

B00, are Jaffa Cakes essential to get you talking then?

[B00]

No, sorry naomi, i was just being daft. I can't add anything else to the discussion really, I've said my pieces and still stand by them.

[naomi24]

B00, yes, I know what you mean. Me too.

[chompu]

Gromit, ruby and other nit pickers

The most fundemental human right is that of life itself.
If this acts as a deterrent to would be bombers the slight inconvenience is a small price to pay.
It is attidudes like yours over the last forty or so years that is turning our society into a haven for criminals and thugs.
If it bothers you why don't you apply to become a member of the Police Complaints Commission.

[tillyfloss]

well said Chompu, Naomi and BOO :-)

[Skreecheeboy]

I forgot all about this! Went to Ju Jitsu, got properly sweaty in an extremely hot church! Anyway, I'd just like to ask all you doubters who think this is a fair thing to do, have you ever considered what it would be like to be a muslim? I became a Christian when I was 21, underwent a full baptism after a few years of toying with the idea that there might be a judge and whilst living in a christian homeless hostel. I have since come to the conclusion that most christians, especially the evangelists, are of the opinion that their mission is to take the gospel and preach to the non believers. I accepted this without question when they had their talons in me. I since heard a sermon on Matthew chapter 20 and it said something completely different. If you are able to look it up I urge you to do so. Also consider the notion that the nation of islam are as lost as the evangelists. Taking away people's freedom is not how you tackle extemism, you should tackle extremism with fogiveness, love, trust and mercy. Extemists can see the light if they're shown the opposite of what their teachings have told them about "evil" paganism. If our collective governments stop persecuting them then they will have no reason to fight their tollerant merciful brothers. I just think we're going the wrong way in fighting them, who ever said peace can't be made from living peacefully? Who militarised the missionaries? It just goes over my heads why people can't see that patience and love would pay dividends. Deep eh? Where did that come from? Peace folks and good night! x