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As England play their first games of Euro 2012, I'd like to be an England fan. But even though I'm English, it's hard. For a start, as a British Muslim, I am unsettled by the sight of England supporters dressed as Christian knights and jovially waving Crusader shields at the European championships in Poland and Ukraine. Footage of last night's cagey opener with France was interspersed with close-ups of young men dressed in the armour of Knights Templar hordes. There's an irony in the fact that images of Polish supporters chanting antisemitic slogans and giving Nazi salutes have been met with such deserved outrage, but to brandish a sword and recall the brutal and bloody invasion of Muslim lands is portrayed as harmless banter. There is an obvious difference of course. I don't for a second believe that those dressed as Christian knights do so to offend Muslims – I hope not, anyway – whereas there is obvious menace in the sickening behaviour by neo-Nazis. But this doesn't make it any less disturbing an image for the Muslims in this country and around the world. The Crusades are romanticised in the west as heroic battles to win back the holy lands in the name of Christianity. But for Muslims they are remembered as two centuries of brutal and unprovoked attacks on Arab lands. To celebrate this in fancy dress recalls a bloody and divisive chapter in Muslim-Christian relations. That may not be the intention of those donning the fake chainmail and helmets but there's no denying it's a uniform of war that certainly doesn't instil a feeling of inclusiveness in me. I wonder how England supporters would react to scenes at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, were masses of Arab fans to dress up in Saladin turbans and brandish Saracen swords emblazoned with Qu'ranic verse. I'm not sure it would be seen as friendly high jinx. As a British Asian, moreover, I find it very difficult to get behind Team England because I abhor the fact that it includes an individual facing criminal charges for racist abuse in the workplace. The fact that the accuser's brother is missing from the squad and hasn't been picked on merit makes me feel extremely uncomfortable about supporting my country. John Terry may be innocent until proven guilty, but he and his legal team forfeited an opportunity to clear his name by requesting a delay to the court case until after the tournament. If I was facing such serious charges, I would have been suspended pending trial. I find the FA's decision to strip him of the captaincy and yet allow him to play both inconsistent and disgraceful. I've been among England supporters in the past and felt less than welcome. They've chanted various songs either in my presence or even in my direction. I particularly enjoy the pointed lyrics "You never had an empire!" – and I suppose I should be flattered that so many of my fellow countrymen would rather be of Pakistani origin than Turkish extraction. It goes hand-in-hand with the jingoistic nationalism we're subjected to by certain sections of the press. Not for nothing is it called a campaign. On one level it's just plain xenophobia. On another level it's a handy reminder that we were at war with many of these beastly foreigners at one time or another, and we killed lots of them and came out on top. I say we, although I'm not entirely sure I want to be included in that number. And I guess the feeling's mutual. Don't get me wrong, the John Terry issue is the obstacle for me in getting behind the England team. It genuinely offends me and it sends out a horrible message. It tells me that if I'm racially abused by someone at work who is seen as good at their job, I should keep my mouth shut. I am sure the whole Crusader-fancy-dress-thing is done in all innocence. But in the context of the English Defence League and their anti-Islam rhetoric it doesn't exactly fill me with patriotic fervour. It makes me feel Muslim, rather than English, and I'd much rather feel both.
Could this be something like the new home strip? http://footballcommentsandreviews.b.../sunderland-secured-new-sponsorship-deal.html
Moors murderer Ian Brady has been taken to hospital after falling ill at the high-security psychiatric clinic where he has been held since 1985. A spokesman for Ashworth Hospital said the killer had become "acutely physically unwell" on the ward and was sent to Fazakerley Hospital in Aintree for tests. "As a precaution he will be kept in, at least for the next 24 hours," the spokesman said. His legal team described his condition as "very poorly". Jackie Powell, Brady's mental health advocate of 15 years, told Sky News: "He collapsed at Ashworth with a seizure. He was rushed to hospital. He became very very unwell and they have been carrying out tests." Brady, 74, is being kept in a single room and has two nurses from Ashworth Hospital with him at all times. Two other Ashworth staff members are on duty outside. The murderer has been at the psychiatric hospital since he was declared criminally insane almost 30 years ago. He has been fed through a tube in his nose since going on hunger strike in 1999. His illness comes days before he is due to attend a public mental health review tribunal next week. Brady is set to argue for a transfer from Ashworth Hospital into prison
Sounds like a collision to me..................... Rescue teams will resume the search later for two RAF airmen who went missing after a pair of Tornado jets crashed off the north coast of Scotland. Four personnel from RAF Lossiemouth were involved in the incident, in which the Tornado GR4s came down in the Moray Firth on Tuesday. A rescue helicopter picked up two people who were taken to hospital in Inverness. A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the search for the remaining airmen had been suspended at around 7.30pm last night. Aberdeen coastguard contacted the RNLI for assistance at about 1.50pm after reports that the jets came down about 25 miles south of Wick. About 15 lifeboat volunteers joined the rescue operation in boats from Wick, Invergordon and Buckie, the RNLI said. The boats headed for the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway in the Western Isles. Crew from the Buckie boat reported that two people were taken from the sea by helicopter and flown to Raigmore Hospital, although their condition is not known. A Tornado GR4 jet similar to those that crashed Group Captain Ian Gale, the station commander, said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those involved. "It is with great regret that I must confirm the loss of two Tornado GR4 aircraft, from this station, in an incident in the Moray Firth today," he said in a statement released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). "The circumstances remain uncertain but clearly this is a very serious incident. "This incident involved four aircrew, all personnel from this station, and the thoughts of everyone here are with the families and friend of those involved." He would not comment on the aircrews' condition or the circumstances of the incident. He added: "I am confident that the Tornado aircraft on this station are operated as safely as they possibly can be - however, today's incident is a stark reminder that the military operations and training we conduct are not without risk. "What happened today is under investigation and more details will be released by the Royal Air Force in due course. First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is clearly a very serious incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected." Tornado aircraft have been involved in crashes in Scotland in recent years. In January last year two RAF crew were rescued after their Tornado GR4 jet came down in the sea off the west coast of Scotland. The crew, from RAF Lossiemouth, ejected from the plane before it landed in the waters at Loch Ewe, near Gairloch, Wester Ross. RAF Lossiemouth, on the Moray Firth coast, is home to three squadrons of Tornado GR4s. The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft, capable of delivering a variety of weapons and reaching a maximum altitude of 50,000ft (15,240m). In July 2009 an RAF pilot and navigator were killed when their Tornado jet crashed into a hillside in Argyll. Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson, 27, and Flight Lieutenant Nigel Morton, 43, died in the crash near the village of Arrochar. The aircraft was a RAF Leuchars-based Tornado F3 on a routine flight.
Two builders go into the pub after a hard day's work. They're sat drinking for a while when a very smartly dressed man walks in and orders a drink. The two began to speculate about what the man did for a living. "I'll bet he's an accountant." said the first builder. "Looks more like a stockbroker to me." argued the second. They continued to debate the subject for a good while until eventually the first builder needed to use the toilet. On walking in, he saw the smartly dressed man standing at a urinal. "Excuse me mate, but me and my friend have been arguing over what a smartly dressed fella like you does for a living?" the builder said to the man. Smiling the man replied, "I'm a logical scientist." "A what?" asked the builder. "Let me explain" the man continued, "Do you have a goldfish at home?" A bit puzzled, but intrigued the builder decided to play along, "Yes, I do as it happens." "Well then it's logical to assume that you either keep it in a bowl or a pond. Which is it?" "A pond" the builder replied. "Well then it's logical to assume that you have a large garden." The builder nodded his agreement. So the man continued, "which means it's logical to assume you have a large house." "I have a 6 bedroom house that I built myself." the builder said proudly. "Given that you have such a large house, it's logical to assume that you are married..." The builder nodded again, "Yes, I'm married and we have three children." "Then it's logical to assume that you have a healthy sex life." "Five nights a week!" the builder boasted. The man smiled a little, "Therefore it's logical to assume you don't masturbate often." "Never!" the builder exclaimed. "Well there you have it" the man explained, "That's logical science at work. From finding out that you have a goldfish, I've discovered the size of your garden, all about your house, your family and your sex life!" The builder left, very impressed by the man's talents. On returning to the bar the other builder asked, "I see that smart bloke was in there, did you find out what he does?" "Yeah," replied the first, "He's a logical scientist." "A what?" the puzzled second builder asked. "Let me explain" the first builder continued, "Do you have a goldfish at home?" "No" replied his mate. [NSFW] "Well, you're a wan ker then!"[/NSFW]
Bucking hilarious. Only in the U s of A [video=youtube;Y8_UG8ETLJA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8_UG8ETLJA[/video]
Seems like you've been awaking wet quite a lot lately Syd. Maybe a visit to the local Doc's inorder.....
