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And thus deny themselves use of the one conceptual tool that would help them understand the motives and goals of those who are trying to destroy them. "Whitehall draws up new rules on language of terror: Phrasebook designed to avoid blaming Muslims for extremism," by Alan Travis for The Guardian (thanks to Davida):
A new counter-terrorism phrasebook has been drawn up within Whitehall to advise civil servants on how to talk to Muslim communities about the nature of the terror threat without implying they are specifically to blame.Reflecting the government's decision to abandon the "aggressive rhetoric" of the so-called war on terror, the guide tells civil servants not to use terms such as Islamist extremism or jihadi-fundamentalist but instead to refer to violent extremism and criminal murderers or thugs to avoid any implication that there is an explicit link between Islam and terrorism.
It warns those engaged in counter-terrorist work that talk of a struggle for values or a battle of ideas is often heard as a "confrontation/clash between civilisations/cultures". Instead it suggests that talking about the idea of shared values works much more effectively.
The guide, which has been passed to the Guardian, is produced by a Home Office research, information and communications unit which was set up last summer to counter al-Qaida propaganda and win hearts and minds.
It shows that the government is adopting a new sophistication in its approach to counter-terrorism, based on the realisation that it must "avoid implying that specific communities are to blame" if it is to enable communities to challenge the ideas of violent extremists robustly. The new lexicon of terror surfaced briefly last month when the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, made a speech on counter-terrorism declaring violent extremism to be "anti-Islamic".
But the internal Home Office guide shows just how far a new official language, to use when talking about terrorism, is being developed. "This is not intended as a definitive list of what not to say but rather to highlight terms which risk being misunderstood and therefore prevent the effective reception of the message," says the Home Office paper. "This is not about political correctness, but effectiveness - evidence shows that people stop listening if they think you are attacking them."
While the leaked Whitehall papers show a new sophistication in the government's approach to talking about terrorism they reveal that their profiling of those most likely to prove vulnerable to violent extremism remains very vague....
Posted by Robert at February 4, 2008 8:09 AM
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...hmmm...what if Churchill and FDR insisted on calling the Nazis "those charming chaps from Germany"?...
""This is not intended as a definitive list of what not to say but rather to highlight terms which risk being misunderstood and therefore prevent the effective reception of the message," says the Home Office paper."
...what part of Islamic terrorism do they not misunderstand?.....
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at February 4, 2008 8:31 AM
Note to UK:
The emperor has no clothes. He is naked. Regardless of what you say.
Posted by: Lori B. at February 4, 2008 8:37 AM
So islam is now "that which must not be named".
The government should read Harry Potter. Even he knows that you have to name your enemy in order to fight him.
Posted by: ImNoDhimmi at February 4, 2008 8:50 AM
That Brit from a few decades back, George Orwell, would be proud.
what if Churchill and FDR insisted on calling the Nazis "those charming chaps from Germany"?
With today's ridiculous PC mindset, they would have called the Holocaust "anti-German activity".
Posted by: Bigfoot at February 4, 2008 8:57 AM
Quick, before the guidelines are released, someone send Whitehall Major Coughlin's thesis
http://www.strategycenter.net/docLib/20080107_Coughlin_ExtremistJihad.pdf
and another handy website, know your enemy, by someone else in the military
http://www.strategycenter.net/docLib/20080107_Coughlin_ExtremistJihad.pdf
at February 4, 2008 9:04 AM
Quick, before the guidelines are released, someone send Whitehall Major Coughlin's thesis
http://www.strategycenter.net/docLib/20080107_Coughlin_ExtremistJihad.pdf
and another handy website, know your enemy, by someone else in the military
http://www.omradio.com/noquarter/knowenemy/
Posted by: eve_anne_gelical at February 4, 2008 9:05 AM
"Whitehall draws up new rules on language of terror: Phrasebook designed to avoid blaming Muslims for extremism,"
What's new about any of this? When you live in a fantasy world, what's one more fantasy amongst friends, after all, when you live the Marxist illusion, and everything in the world around you points to the inescapable conclusion that your philosophy is crap, it not only doesn't work, it is a harbinger of destruction, then why face reality; much easier to deny everything.
Tony and Gordo's Flying Circus has been avoiding reality every since they ascended the throne. These people never met a fact or position that could not be turned upon its head by the expedient use of spin. Anything, they don't agree with ...spin it; anything gets in the way of "the cause" ... spin it; anything exposes the shallowness of their positions ...spin it; any lies which come to light ...spin them. Spin it ...makes everything better. Can't you plebs understand anything, the superior Marxist mind will finally usher us into Utopia ... you just have to believe. Keep the faith comrade.
Oh, and yes, all those Christian fundies are nutters. Me thinks the Marxist faithful have spent too much time admiring themselves in front of the mirror
Posted by: Just Another Richard at February 4, 2008 9:19 AM
Ive said it once and I'll say it again;
With the British press the gloves have come off. It wont be long before you tire of reading U.K. stories on this subject. Count how many you've got today!!.
The B.B.C. have just attacked the Palestinians bombing of Israel, with a pro-Israeli stance.
I was utterly gob-smacked!!.
Posted by: Stone Rose at February 4, 2008 9:49 AM
"...to avoid any implication that there is an explicit link between Islam and terrorism."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (ETC)
at February 4, 2008 9:56 AM
They tried to say I'm not Islamic
I said no, no, no
Yes I been Pak, but when I come back
you wont know, know, know
KA-BOOM!!
at February 4, 2008 9:59 AM
Funny. The religion that dare not speak its name is the religion that won't shut up.
Posted by: poetcomic1 at February 4, 2008 10:03 AM
"A new counter-terrorism phrasebook has been drawn up within Whitehall to advise civil servants on how to talk to Muslim communities about the nature of the terror threat without implying they are specifically to blame."
Here's a good question: If there is no connection between Islam and terrorism, why would they NEED to talk with the Muslim communities about the "nature of the terror threat"????
For example, is there any particular need to talk specificaclly to Zen Buddhists about the nature of the terror threat???
The fact that Whitehall believes its civil servants have a need to talk specifically to the Muslim communities about these subjects is an implied admission that there is indeed a connection between Islam and Terrorism.
Posted by: StephenDvd at February 4, 2008 10:12 AM
"hmmm...what if Churchill and FDR insisted on calling the Nazis "those charming chaps from Germany"?...
"
they probably did before Hitler embarked on his military onslaught.
at February 4, 2008 10:19 AM
"A new counter-terrorism phrasebook has been drawn up within Whitehall to advise civil servants on how to talk to Muslim communities about the nature of the terror threat without implying they are specifically to blame."
Is it in Arabic?
Posted by: Abscedere at February 4, 2008 10:25 AM
This - My American Cousins - is what you get when a public - "elects" - a right wing socialist - Blair - and then - soon-after he resigns - and is replaced by a bunch of Militant Trots.
Their stupidity in following Marxist doctrine to the letter of the law - is both arrogant and breath-taking. - As one can clearly see in reading this article.
In October last year - our future as a Nation looked bleak.
However;
A general election today - would see these disgraceful buffoons swept from power as they so rightly deserve.
Posted by: Stone Rose at February 4, 2008 10:37 AM
"shared values"
"win hearts and minds"
"people stop listening if they think you are attacking them"
This crap is like an infectious mental disease.
Sometimes you've got to splatter some hearts and minds to make your point understandable and get "people" to listen.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen at February 4, 2008 10:59 AM
It shows that the government is adopting a new sophistication in its approach to counter-terrorism...
Sophisticated? More like gutless irresponsibility.
Posted by: RalphInfidel at February 4, 2008 11:19 AM
I believe the jihadists
Posted by: Elric66 at February 4, 2008 11:29 AM
Though the article appears to point out that Whitehall recognizes the source of jihadism, they do not want their civil servants blatantly pointing it out in an effort to get cooperation in the Muslim community. Another words ;we know were you get your ideas but we choose not to point it out or acknowledge it to Muslims.
The idea is not necessarily a bad strategy since law inforcement does apply this routinely to get cooperation on criminals in the community. I only wish they could have kept this approach from being leaked to the public.
In the teachings of jihad against the unbelievers, these Suras', and an Hadith below wouldn't amount to a books preamble.
Sura (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Sura (9:123) - "O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness."
Sura (25:52) - "Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur'an)." "Strive against" is Jihad
Sura (47:4) - "So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners,"
Sura (48:29) - "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves"
Bukhari (8:387) - Allah's Apostle said, "I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah
9:50 (& 4:283) Ali said, "... no Muslim should be killed ... for killing a kafir (disbeliever)."
Posted by: Mackie at February 4, 2008 11:32 AM
Posted by: Just Another Richard
... When you live in a fantasy world, what's one more fantasy amongst friends, after all, when you live the Marxist illusion, and everything in the world around you points to the inescapable conclusion that your philosophy is crap, it not only doesn't work, it is a harbinger of destruction, then why face reality; much easier to deny everything.
That about sums it up. The U.S. now looks ready to join the fantasy.
... Can't you plebs understand anything, the superior Marxist mind will finally usher us into Utopia ... you just have to believe. Keep the faith comrade.
As is explained ad infinitum by "the Superior Marxist mind", the Utopia just hasn't been implemented correctly yet. No doubt this time Utopia is within reach...again... and how many million lives will be lost for this version of the fantasy? It is not "sophistication", but snake oil, invented by and directed toward the infantile, er, I mean infidel.
Me thinks the Marxist faithful have spent too much time admiring themselves in front of the mirror
Me thinks you're right.
at February 4, 2008 11:58 AM
"The U.S. now looks ready to join the fantasy."
The entire West, including the U.S., has been a part of this fantasy for decades now. It's called politically correct multiculturalism. Nothing new.
Posted by: cantor at February 4, 2008 12:12 PM
Things are looking up Stateside. McCain has identified the problem to be: “radical Islamic extremism”.
Not to be confused with:
“Radical Islam”; or
“Islamic extremism”; let alone
“Islam”
But probably better than the old ROP stuff.
Rudy was braver and voiced the words: “Islamic terrorists”
Romney wins the gold star with: “Worldwide Jihad”
“Islam” is much easier to say though. Only two syllables.
at February 4, 2008 12:29 PM
"evidence shows that people stop listening if they think you are attacking them"
Perhaps this little gem is equally operative on the other side? I have a tendency not to listen to someone talking about a religion of peace when bombs are going off daily.
Maybe if the Muslims would stop attacking us, we would start to listen to them.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Posted by: cumulusnine at February 4, 2008 12:31 PM
Tariq Ramadan, the sinister grandson of Hassan al Banna, will descend on Oz if we let him…
Aussies: get involved! Lets see if we can get his visa revoked!
http://sheikyermami.com/2008/02/04/frere-tariq-to-descend-on-oz/
at February 4, 2008 12:31 PM
"evidence shows that people stop listening if they think you are attacking them." -- from the Home Office paper
This wrongheaded approach assumes that there are only ways to deal with the Muslim population:
1) "attack" them with hostile language and behavior
2) coddle them as victims of terrorists whose motives have nothing to do with the Islam they share with that same Muslim population.
There is a third more sensible approach:
3) Treat them not as children or preciously sensitive animals, but as responsible adults: announce officially to the Muslim community that
a) there are a few bad apples among your community;
b) these bad apples pose a threat so grave to the British people & property we have to treat this as an unusually serious problem;
c) while we do not blame your community as a whole nor totally, nevertheless your community bears a degree of responsibility for the growth and nourishment of these bad apples;
and therefore
d) we not only request your cooperation, but we also expect it as a show of good faith that, to the degree it is forthcoming and substantive, will diminish our concerns about your responsibility -- viz., (c) above -- and will go a long way toward enhancing the image of Muslim citizens as the beneficial participants in British society that we know they can be.
at February 4, 2008 12:32 PM
The new lexicon of terror surfaced briefly last month when the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, made a speech on counter-terrorism declaring violent extremism to be "anti-Islamic".
She didn't make that speech to an empty room.
Why haven't knowledgeable attendees challenged the veracity of her claim?
It's not just that she (and others) might actually believe that nonsense, but that she likely knows most of the people attending such speeches are too ignorant about Islam--and therefore too timid--to openly challenge her.
This will continue until folks attending these events stand up with signs, banners, and placards stating what the Qur'an really says.
Mackie has provided several 'starters' above.
When such stupid public statements by public officials are publicly challenged, the press (ever on the lookout for a 'fight') will take note; some will even take the time to do a little fact-checking.
It's difficult, even for a journalist, to spin 9:29.
at February 4, 2008 12:32 PM
So the next time A Jihadist murders innocents while screaming "Allah Akbar", we should take Rod Liddle's advice and simply blame it on dwarves and homosexuals so as not to offend muslims.
Posted by: Celsius at February 4, 2008 12:55 PM
Where do all the tough guys go when the event ends?
After watching this tough guy thing, I still hold out hope
that the Brits will give the “Asians” the end of their boot sooner or later.
The sooner the better for all.
at February 4, 2008 1:20 PM
Jihadists say they're motivated by Islam, UK govt insists they're not
And who understands the core beliefs of Islam better: jihadists, or our kufirocratic governments (who don't even know the difference between Sunni and Shi'ite)?
Posted by: special_guest at February 4, 2008 1:30 PM
Blah blah blah,,,
“but instead to refer to violent extremism and criminal murderers or thugs to
avoid any implication that there is an explicit link between Islam and terrorism.”
Three Adolf Hitler Quotes 101
“How fortunate for leaders that men do not think”
“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”
“The great mass of people will more easily fall victim to a big lie then a small one.”
# One on the top 10 “BIG LIE” list;
1- “Islam is a religion of peace”
at February 4, 2008 1:40 PM
http://commonsenseagainstislam.websanon.com/?p=122
Posted by: Joe Schmoe USA at February 4, 2008 1:47 PM
"I believe the jihadists
Posted by: Elric66 "
....ditto...
Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 4, 2008 2:08 PM
Gee. Islam sure gets "MISUNDERSTOOD" an awful lot...
I wonder who it is that could be hiding from reality in this case.
By the way--isn't ANYBODY getting Islam right after all these centuries?
I just don't see what part of "slay the unbelievers everywhere" there is to "misunderstand." It's pretty clear to ME what that means.
Posted by: pythagoras at February 4, 2008 2:35 PM
No links between Islam and terrorism??
How about this: "I have been made victorious through terror--" al-lah, the Kuran.
Posted by: pythagoras at February 4, 2008 2:39 PM
Posted by: cantor
The entire West, including the U.S., has been a part of this fantasy for decades now. It's called politically correct multiculturalism. Nothing new.
The open embracement of Marxist economics by presidential hopefuls from both sides as mainstream political thought is relatively new to the U.S. Clinton now talks about wage caps for people who do not buy health insurance. It amazes me that a politican could openly propose this in the U.S. and still be a serious contender for office. What next, jail?
Political correctness and multiculturalism, or cultural Marxism has been around for quite some time, but the infection is no longer confined to academics. It's now become a full blown epidemic of navel gazing, self-conscious stupidity in U.S. politics. It has already ended the pragmatism needed to press advantage in war in a decisive manner, and now threatens freedom of expression.
at February 4, 2008 2:48 PM
Stone Rose,
You mention that if there were a general election today, those in power would be thrown out. How does it work with a vote of no confidence? I thought that if enough people are unhappy with the government, there is a vote of no confidence and an election is called. Am I wrong about that?
Posted by: one of the chosen people at February 4, 2008 4:03 PM
Once again the West assumes the role of protesting the nature of Islam even to the Muslims themselves. It is the first time in history that members completely outside a religion have attempted to serve as the Protestants or Reformers of such a religion. Meanwhile, the Muslims laugh. The Muslims yawn. The Muslims continue their jihad unimpeded, and utterly disinterested in the reforms these idiotic infidels propose. Our attempts to moderate this sinister religion simply solidifies Muslim thinking about our status "infidels", and our worthiness of annihilation at their hands.
Posted by: jsla at February 4, 2008 4:06 PM
The world is turned upside down. Permit me to assist in righting the ship:
"evidence shows that people stop listening if they think you are attacking them"
Evidence shows that people stop listening when they are taught from birth that infidels are filthy, misguided, and totally corrupted kuffar, doomed to burn forever in hell, and worthy of utter contempt.
"A new counter-terrorism phrasebook has been drawn up within Whitehall to advise civil servants on how to talk to Muslim communities about the nature of the terror threat without implying they are specifically to blame."
A new counter-terrorism phrasebook has been drawn up to advise civil servants on how to talk to Muslim subversive enclaves about the nature of their unacceptable behavior, deliberate isolation, and poisonous beliefs without implying that the polical cult called Islam is a religion.
"Reflecting the government's decision to abandon the "aggressive rhetoric" of the so-called war on terror, the guide tells civil servants not to use terms such as Islamist extremism or jihadi-fundamentalist but instead to refer to violent extremism and criminal murderers or thugs to avoid any implication that there is an explicit link between Islam and terrorism."
Reflecting the government's decision to abandon the "passive rhetoric" of the so-called war on terror, the guide tells civil servants not to use terms such as Islamic scholar or the "Prophet" Mohammed but instead to refer to Islam as violent fascist extremism and to Mohammed as a criminal murderer or thug to avoid any implication that there is any explict link between Islam and religion.
at February 4, 2008 4:08 PM
Political Correctness: The downfall of the West.
The only way to fight Islam is to name and shame it!
at February 4, 2008 5:02 PM
.... and flame it.
Posted by: RalphInfidel at February 4, 2008 5:23 PM
"Things are looking up Stateside. McCain has identified the problem to be: “radical Islamic extremism”.
Not to be confused with:
“Radical Islam”; or
“Islamic extremism”; let alone
“Islam”
But probably better than the old ROP stuff.
-- Sorry, not good enough for me. McCain is also on record as saying "I admire the Islam". And he praised Hillary's female Muslim assistant Huma Abedin.
But does "radical Islamic extremism" sufficiently buffer and protect Islam from rhetorical contamination? Perhaps McCain will see fit to add some extra padding:
"ultra-radically hyper-extremist really really intense Islamish radicalism"...
Posted by: cantor at February 4, 2008 6:24 PM
Ralph, I'm afraid I disagree on one point: I don't see Marxism as a cause of PC multiculturalism. I see both of these as symptoms of a larger process in the modern West, going back over 200 years. (This doesn't mean Marxism, or post-Marxism, has not contributed to the growth of PC multiculturalism; but to attribute the cause of the latter to the former does not sufficiently explain the fact that most conservatives in the West are PC multiculturalist about Islam.)
at February 4, 2008 6:27 PM
I would say that this exercise is an attempt to retain Muslim votes for Labour, even if it leads to more carnage. This approach is not analytical or sophisticated, but craven. Controlling Whitehall for a few more years seems to trump everything else.
Posted by: Worry01 at February 4, 2008 7:35 PM
Re Oneofthechosenpeople;
The people of Britain can't vote for a no confidence in it's government until a general election is called.
Only the opposition parties; I.E. The Tories, can call for such a vote, but unfortunately, as it stands today, they wouldn't have enough strength in numbers to carry the day.
at February 4, 2008 8:41 PM
The Thames is now De Nial?
Posted by: profitsbeard at February 4, 2008 11:17 PM
According to a UKTV survey released this week, 23% of Britons believe that Winston Churchill is a fictional character. 47% believe that Richard the Lionheart never existed.
With such a distorted version of reality, it's easy to convince yourself that jihadists are not motivated by Islam.
Posted by: special_guest at February 5, 2008 2:08 AM
RE Special_Guest;
This is what happens when a Left wing Socialist government stop kids learning about their own countries history at school, on the grounds that the British Empire was "regrettable" and Richard the Lionheart was a "racist" and Sir Winston Churchill was a "warmonger".
Posted by: Stone Rose at February 5, 2008 4:55 AM
A more reasonable descrption of these islamist murderers could be best desribed as RELIGOUS TERRORISTS.
Their friends "New labour" won't always be in government, then christian and jewish brothers / sisters, their (muslims) party will be be well and truly over.
JVB
Posted by: Johnny Boy at February 5, 2008 7:47 AM
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