British Soldier Beheaded on London Street

[Zulu1966]

I was outraged by this barbaric attack. My initial thoughts were kneejerk: that we should crucify those two bast*rds as an example, and if someone burned down a Mosque or two, then who could be surprised?

When I calmed down a bit, I was rational. The overwhelming majority of muslims in the UK had nothing to do with the attack, and many were as shocked as I was, condemning the attack and its barbarity. Many muslims have publicly expressed the embarrassment they felt that these men claim to have acted in the name of Islam. It is totally unjust to make muslims across the UK suffer for the actions of a couple of fanatical killers who justify their vile acts in the name of religion. And yet two days after the attack over 800 attacks were reported in the news against muslims in the UK who are unconnected to this event. It saddens me greatly to hear of innocent people targeted for the actions of unconnected fanatics. Mob rule is not the way to go, lest we accept it like the Nazi gangs of the 1930's were accepted in Germany. Moreover, targeting innocent people polarises views which make matters more inflammatory and divisive.

As to the perpetrators, they should face trial. I am glad they were not killed, since we can learn from them, so it is harder for these things to happen in the future. We cannot abandon the rule of law, otherwise we just become barbarians like those two if we do. I think a guilty verdict is highly likely on the evidence. I hope that they get life for the rest of their natural life and are not segregated. I don't expect they will like prison much, assuming they survive the experience. Prison isn't a safe place if you're widely hated. I hope they will have time to reflect on their evil and now wasted lives, since public support for the dead soldier and his family has been massive here. If they wanted to demoralise us, they are wrong. It is a sad but uniting event.

Believe me - I'd have taken death over forty years in a prison.

[Boggit]

When I calmed down a bit, I was rational. The overwhelming majority of muslims in the UK had nothing to do with the attack, and many were as shocked as I was, condemning the attack and its barbarity. Many muslims have publicly expressed the embarrassment they felt that these men claim to have acted in the name of Islam.

Although it may have happened previously, this is the first instance (that I am aware of) where Muslims have publicly stood up against jihadist acts of atrocity.  Which is my only solace related to this attack.

I think a lot of muslims in the UK have disassociated themselves with the Jihadist (often Salafi or Wahibi) extremists, including former Jihadists who now work with the Police and government agencies to combat terrorism. Realistically the Jihadists tend to represent a tiny minority of disaffected citizens and many muslims of my acquaintance are horrified to be seen as associated with them. I think times may be changing and certainly public revulsion at this act has not been limited to non-muslims. An Islamic centre was burned down today in north London. I don't condone it, sadly it is the innocent that get hurt and not the fanatical nutjobs.

[Boggit]

Believe me - I'd have taken death over forty years in a prison.

It is certainly the easier way out. Leaving aside the intel benefits of interrogating the prisoner, the prisoner will suffer without doubt. Whether they'd live forty years is moot. Being widely hated, you'd be vulnerable on a daily basis, and probably end up in solitary on suicide watch. Who knows what someone might put in your meds if you got ill... :-\ You are right - a quick death at the scene would involve much less suffering.

[Father Ted]

I was outraged by this barbaric attack. My initial thoughts were kneejerk: that we should crucify those two bast*rds as an example, and if someone burned down a Mosque or two, then who could be surprised?

When I calmed down a bit, I was rational. The overwhelming majority of muslims in the UK had nothing to do with the attack, and many were as shocked as I was, condemning the attack and its barbarity. Many muslims have publicly expressed the embarrassment they felt that these men claim to have acted in the name of Islam. It is totally unjust to make muslims across the UK suffer for the actions of a couple of fanatical killers who justify their vile acts in the name of religion. And yet two days after the attack over 800 attacks were reported in the news against muslims in the UK who are unconnected to this event. It saddens me greatly to hear of innocent people targeted for the actions of unconnected fanatics. Mob rule is not the way to go, lest we accept it like the Nazi gangs of the 1930's were accepted in Germany. Moreover, targeting innocent people polarises views which make matters more inflammatory and divisive.

As to the perpetrators, they should face trial. I am glad they were not killed, since we can learn from them, so it is harder for these things to happen in the future. We cannot abandon the rule of law, otherwise we just become barbarians like those two if we do. I think a guilty verdict is highly likely on the evidence. I hope that they get life for the rest of their natural life and are not segregated. I don't expect they will like prison much, assuming they survive the experience. Prison isn't a safe place if you're widely hated. I hope they will have time to reflect on their evil and now wasted lives, since public support for the dead soldier and his family has been massive here. If they wanted to demoralise us, they are wrong. It is a sad but uniting event.

Pretty much where I stand on this, especially the last paragraph