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14 years later he is back in the UK, frightening sequence of events.

Shaker Aamer released

Bruv;1488436 wrote: 14 years later he is back in the UK, frightening sequence of events.

Shaker Aamer released


Is it just me or does anyone else find the BBC News report's description of Shaker Aamer as a "Guantanamo Bay resident" offensive?

He's been held as a prisoner, not a guest!

He did reside there for 14 years.

Bruv;1488480 wrote: He did reside there for 14 years.


It's the manipulation of opinion by use of language - avoiding the emotive words to minimise the impact.

Bryn Mawr;1488478 wrote: Is it just me or does anyone else find the BBC News report's description of Shaker Aamer as a "Guantanamo Bay resident" offensive?

He's been held as a prisoner, not a guest!


Detained without trial, and tortured to boot! These are usually the hallmarks of a dictatorship....

Smaug;1488554 wrote: Detained without trial, and tortured to boot! These are usually the hallmarks of a dictatorship....


Certainly not a democracy - how does this example persuade other societies that they should accept the democratic principles we in the west are trying to force feed them?

Bryn Mawr;1488583 wrote: Certainly not a democracy - how does this example persuade other societies that they should accept the democratic principles we in the west are trying to force feed them?


Because they are..........and I quote "Protecting our freedom and way of life" ?

Not on my behalf they are not.

Bruv;1488584 wrote: Because they are..........and I quote "Protecting our freedom and way of life" ?

Not on my behalf they are not.


Going about it that way is certainly not on my behalf either!

Bryn Mawr;1488583 wrote: Certainly not a democracy - how does this example persuade other societies that they should accept the democratic principles we in the west are trying to force feed them?


I would agree there, Bryn Mawr. I think the west has to learn not to interfere with cultures that it doesn't fully understand, or approve of.

We're rather too fond of trying to impose our values on cultures that have never had those values. We should only interfere in extremis, when there is a real and genuine threat, and even then it should be done with caution, as opposed to the 'gung-ho' manner adopted by Bliar and Dubya....

Bruv;1488584 wrote: Because they are..........and I quote "Protecting our freedom and way of life" ?

Not on my behalf they are not.


When I demonstrated in London against the trumped up war in Iraq, the general slogan on the march was "Not In My Name". Indeed!