Blair took us into the Iraq war (to keep his American allies happy) and the Middle East was de-stabilised.
Its even more unstable and Cameron seems keen to send bombers there,presumably to keep his EU allies happy (given his negotiations...).
ISIS/DEA-SH thrive on chaos. They are a death cult aimed at hastening the end of the world. (Day of Judgement, Islam style).
Given the chaos in Syria and Iraq with all the different factions on the ground and Russia joining the throng in the air I cannot see why joining in would be either helpful or wise.
The poor civilians on the ground are now in fear of Assad, De-ash/ISIS and the bombs.
Cameron's arguments are thin.
Here are some more arguments on the other side voxpoliticalonline.com/2015/11/27/how-many-innocents-will-die-because-of-right-wing-labours-petulance/
Your MP will be heading back to their constituency to think about this over the weekend.
If you are against the bombing please, please write to your MP.
You can use this very easy site. You just type in your postcode and the site will ensure that your MP gets your email. They will be getting lots of emails on the subject so there is no need to be long-winded, so it's a 5 minute task. www.writetothem.com
The UK government is breaking the law by selling arms to Saudi Arabia.
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/12/uk-government-breaking-the-law-supplying-arms-to-saudi-arabia/
Something should be done about this, too, but it will not.
No it will not Jen, and explains one reason why we flee flags at half mast when their King died and why Cameron has kept silent over the recent brutal death penalties carried out , yet America has spoken out . Can it be we are now Saudi Arabia's poodle and not America's
www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2016/01/04/corbyn-s-honourable-record-on-saudi-arabia-puts-cameron-to-s
I like this. He is still attacking Corbyn while praising him for doing better than Cameron with regard to the Saudis.
They all have to do it, don't they?
Wouldn't be taken seriously if they did not attack Corbyn.
They are all troubled by Corbyn, when has a reshuffle of a shadow cabinet have so much news coverage , for a man they claim is all things negative they certaintly are concerned by and with everything he says and does
www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/09/saudi-arms-sales-lawyers-warn-break-international-law-yemen
It's in the national papers now.
"In a 19-page legal letter seen by the Observer, CAAT warns that the government’s refusal to suspend current licences to Saudi Arabia, and its decision “to continue the granting of new licences” for military equipment that may be destined for use in Yemen, is unlawful. The letter cites article two of the EU Council Common Position on arms sales, which would compel the UK to deny an export licence if there was “a clear risk” that equipment might be used in a violation of international humanitarian law."
The government has been given 14 days to suspend licences to sell to Saudi Arabia, before further action is taken.
sdbast.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/private-eye-cameron-received-saudi-honours-illegally/
This is why he's friends with the Saudis, no matter how many executions.
opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/syria-iraq-civilian-deaths-british-denials
Wouldn't it be better if the government said it did not know how many civilians it has killed?
www.amnesty.org.uk/
A poet is likely to be put to death in Saudi for apostasy. The Saudi government says that his poetry has questioned God and spread atheism.
Please sign. Don't do nothing.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-s-foreign-affairs-minister-urges-britain-to-respect-kingdom-s-death-penalty-two-weeks-a6815586.html
The reason the British do not respect Saudi is because they haven't explained themselves well enough, according to this minister.
They respect us for not executing people, so we should respect them for executing people.
That explains why they want to be friends with PR Dave.
We're helping Saudi Arabia to bomb the Yemen.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/british-arms-companies-cash-in-on-humanitarian-catastrophe-and-ramp-up-bomb-sales-to-saudi-arabia-by-a6822491.html
British arms exporters have sold over a billion pounds worth of bombs and missiles to Saudi in the last three months of 2015.
"To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that UK-made arms are not being used to commit human rights abuses in Yemen.
Hansard source
(Citation: HC Deb, 19 January 2016, cW)
"We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Yemen. We continue to raise the importance of compliance with International Humanitarian Law with all sides to the conflict.
The UK operates one of the most rigorous and transparent export control regimes in the world. All exports of arms and controlled military goods are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application. Risks around human rights violations are a key part of our assessment against the Consolidated Criteria. A licence will not be issued, for any country, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria."
This was the government response yesterday. It's an obvious lie. If they were concerned at all they would ensure that arms are not sold to Saudi.
Nothing to do with the last few posts written.
And it might have been said before, but I am not going to read 35 pages to make sure!
Is there a reason that if members of IS are caught, that they couldnt become political prisoners?
Who would be in the position of making a decision like this, it is not black and white. Dealing with fanatics and barbarians isn't like dealing with normal people who have boundaries and you can negotiate with. Just glad it's not me deciding.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/4530_court_orders_calais_children_to_be_brought_to_uk
Somebody seeing sense at last.
As you see it, yes.
I hope they bring those children here very quickly , who wants to see children living in the Calais jungle ? One would have to have a heart of stone not to want to get those children from that hell hole
This is extremely worrying.
reprieve.bsd.net/page/speakout/still-not-our-concern
Read it in reprieve's words.
Unfortunately the children in Calais are not a priority for Cameron. They are just part of that bunch of migrants.
www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/27/labour-raises-pressure-on-cameron-to-explain-yemen-involvement
Hopefully the pressure will make him do something about stopping the selling of arms to Saudi, but I'm not holding my breath.
At least Corbyn and Benn agree on this.
Luckylegs, what is not sensible about bringing children who have family already in the UK to live with their families?
Are you really as hard hearted as you imply?
It's not just children living in Calais that have problems. This is terrible.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/hundreds-of-masked-men-beat-refugee-children-in-stockholm-a6843451.html
I hope the Swedish authorities can do something about it. Someone needs to go to court over this.
act.thesyriacampaign.org/sign/free-rami?t=1&akid=292.124249.gRzvxx
I put a link to a live broadcast from the syriacampaign a while ago.
The journalist involved has been arrested in Turkey.
The campaign is now asking for his release. Another petition to sign, I know, but a worthwhile cause.
500 more people have signed since I started typing that.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/18/syria-bombing-brimstone-raf-isis-killed-_n_9261278.html
An FOI request shows that the British joining in wasn't worth it.
When the Americans bombed a hospital they said - sorry, it was a mistake. Russia has allegedly dine the same and it's a war crime
It was obvious us trotting along with America to bomb was wrong but no, we had to be a super world power
Calais is being bulldozed. There is a 38 degrees petition to help the children.
Can't get a link to it, but I'm sure someone will be able to.
"Thank you to each and every one of you. I really don’t know what to say. If it hadn’t been for all of your support I would still be behind bars today.
I still don’t know why I was arrested or what my charges were. I am relieved to be free but I have to mention that there are many others in the same situation I was in. I met fellow detainees held without charge for much longer periods of time than I was. There were some detainees that had been there up to nine months after being declared innocent by a court of law.
I wish that every detainee has the same army of advocates as I had pushing for their release. It’s clear that when people act collectively and make noise, lives can be changed.
Even though I was not officially told my charges, I understand that it had to do with crossing into Syria and coming back. I crossed into Syria to report on the Russian bombing of civilians and to show how people in Aleppo widely rejected Isis yet were being bombed under the auspices of being Isis terrorists. There are hardly any reporters on the ground in Syria even though it is in the midst of the world’s greatest humanitarian catastrophe and there is something akin to a world war being fought on Syrian soil.
The country is victim to censorship as well as a loss of appetite for its repetitive stories of violence. It is important that journalists cover this conflict. They should be able to do it carefully and intelligently and this means being able to focus on the story rather than worry about being arbitrarily detained. "
The journalist was frred on Saturday morning.
He thanks everyone who signed the petition to free him.
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