October 2, 2006
A lot of people have ideas on how to fight terrorism. Some are good and others are not so good. Here’s one that is really bad.
British police have agreed to consult Muslim leaders before conducting counter-terrorist raids or arrests. Members of a special panel will offer their assessment of whether information police have on a suspect is too flimsy and will also consider the consequences on community relations of a raid.
This is not how you fight a war. This is how you lose one. Britain’s has let too many people into their country who do not embrace the values of Britain. And now they are paying a price for it.
Instead of all this touchy-feely business, why don’t we get about the business of actually winning this war? What nation has ever won a war by consulting people who have mostly been opposed to their side? Polls show a substantial number of Muslims in Britain oppose the British presence in Iraq and see nothing wrong with homicide bombings. Why would Britain consult people who think like this? It’s all part of the false notion that what our side does affects what their side does.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
