What is really happening in England these days??

I'm starting this thread not to incriminate or flame anyone but to get more opinion about some weird things happening in the United Kingdom. I am not British citizen, neither a British resident - even I'm traveling extensively there - but, as a European citizen, I am more and more concerned about the social and political issues in the E.U. at this time.

Since years ago, England adopted a strange immigration policy, allowing countless foreigners to enter the country, relocate there, offering them social welfare (I hope it's the correct term). The immigration per se isn't such a big problem, since since the Human Rights Chart is granting the freedom of movement for every person. Neither the fact that most of the immigrants are from the former British colonies isn't a surprising fact; France also seem to have a similar attitude, allowing zillions of its former subjects to relocate on its territory.

The problem with England reside on the fact that they are starting to push the concept of "politically correctness" too far, IMO.
- first of all, was the ban of "Merry Christmas", this one being replaced with "Happy Holidays", in order not to offend the non-Christians;
- there were cities where local authorities even banned the Christmas tree being placed in the city square, for the same reason: not to offend the non-Christians;
- the immigrants are favorites on job openings: this is crazy, because when hiring someone, the criteria should be based on competence, not to the fact that you are from Pakistan, India, Poland or whatever;
- there were some cases when Romanian gipsies occupied houses of people who were in vacation; when the owners returned, they found their houses devastated and whole families of gipsies comfortably installed there, wearing their clothes, eating their food, selling their things and police said that the laws does not allow them (the police) to evict those people - strange enough!
- there are discussions about instating some principles of Sharia law in the British legal system, which is, IMHO, a wide open gate for a new Caliphate there... again, this is MY opinion;
- British government is allowing Muslims to defame England in public speeches, with posters and with offending websites as "Muslims against crusades" which, beside the offensive content, are actually inciting to a war against "Rotten Britain", as they are writing but, the same government is blocking the website of "England Defense League" who is opposing the M.A.C. In my country, speaking offensive and swearing the country is absolutely illegal and the penalty is harsh - few years in prison. (you can curse the government, but NOT the country as entity);

... and countless more.

Lately, the UK authorities came with two new crazy things:
- they will dismantle a complex traffic lights system in London because of the switches which have to be pushed by pedestrians in order to get the green lights; the reason is that religious Jews aren't allowed on Sabbath to use electricity so the modern system will be replaced with another one, which will cost 3,000,000 pounds; all the money will come from the city;
- another strange decision is to change the British passports: for children, the terms "Mother" and "Father" will be replaced by "Parent 1" and "Parent 2", in order not to offend the gay community.

Now, British government don't want to piss off Muslims, don't want to piss off Jews, don't want to piss off gipsies, gays, non-Christians, Pakistanis, lesbians but it looks like the same government is doing everything they can think of to piss off their own citizens. Is this a normal thing to do? I mean, politically correctness, okay but how far this term can be pushed?
Is there a hidden plan behind all of these? Is the government planning to exacerbate the discontent there, trying to get some more social unrest? Lately, they are talking about leaving the E.U. and - this IS nuts! - their Secretary of State for Internal Affairs (I hope the title is correct) is talking about a request for invalidation of Human Rights Chart...

I'm quoting Cartman from South Park: "'the f....k??'" (for mods: not intended to be profanity...)

What is going on there, folks? Are the Brits gradually losing their common-sense?

Seriously, do you only read the Daily Mail for new on the UK? Everyone of your "headlines" look straight out of that TABLOID.

British government is allowing Muslims to defame England in public speeches, with posters and with offending websites as "Muslims against crusades" which, beside the offensive content, are actually inciting to a war against "Rotten Britain", as they are writing but, the same government is blocking the website of "England Defense League" who is opposing the M.A.C. In my country, speaking offensive and swearing the country is absolutely illegal and the penalty is harsh - few years in prison. (you can curse the government, but NOT the country as entity);

Freedom of speech, no matter how vile or how much you may disagree with it, is a fundemental right in a democracy.

reply to post by shansen


I think some people in high places are setting all the pieces for a religious based war between christians and muslims and both sides of the fence are being played right into it. I wish everyone would wake up and stand up to this with love and kindness for one another. Also, by no means should someone be allowed to move into a christian town and start complaining about the tradition. If the local traditions are unbearable then move.

reply to post by shansen

The problem with England reside on the fact that they are starting to push the concept of "politically correctness" too far, IMO.
- first of all, was the ban of "Merry Christmas", this one being replaced with "Happy Holidays", in order not to offend the non-Christians;
- there were cities where local authorities even banned the Christmas tree being placed in the city square, for the same reason: not to offend the non-Christians;
- the immigrants are favorites on job openings: this is crazy, because when hiring someone, the criteria should be based on competence, not to the fact that you are from Pakistan, India, Poland or whatever;
- there were some cases when Romanian gipsies occupied houses of people who were in vacation; when the owners returned, they found their houses devastated and whole families of gipsies comfortably installed there, wearing their clothes, eating their food, selling their things and police said that the laws does not allow them (the police) to evict those people - strange enough!
- there are discussions about instating some principles of Sharia law in the British legal system, which is, IMHO, a wide open gate for a new Caliphate there... again, this is MY opinion;

Most of what you say is false. Could you provide proof please?

British government is allowing Muslims to defame England in public speeches, with posters and with offending websites as "Muslims against crusades" which, beside the offensive content, are actually inciting to a war against "Rotten Britain", as they are writing but, the same government is blocking the website of "England Defense League" who is opposing the M.A.C. In my country, speaking offensive and swearing the country is absolutely illegal and the penalty is harsh - few years in prison. (you can curse the government, but NOT the country as entity)

As the above poster stated, there is freedom of speech in Britain, people are entitled to say what they want.

edit on 3-10-2011 by doubleplusungood because: (no reason given)

edit on 3-10-2011 by doubleplusungood because: quotes added