Shame in our own backyard.
IN the wake of the first salvos in the war against humanity we called for caution.The Sunday Mail feared a shoot-first, ask-questions-later approach from President George Bush.
Thankfully, the President seems to have regained his calm and poise, supported by a statesmanlike performance by Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The world realises we are engaged in a war like no other. A war without a visible enemy or frontiers.
And a war that, unless we are very careful, could trigger a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan of Biblical proportions.
As Bush himself said, our war is against terrorism - not innocent men, women and children who saw their country brought to its knees by the USSR.
Now is the time for patience and consensus. The coalition will use every means possible to flush out prime suspect Osama bin Laden.
Politics, economics, diplomacy and military operations will all play a part in this fight. A new consensus is the one good thing that has come out of this global conflict.
After years of isolation, Iran and Libya are on board with the international coalition against terror.
Even the Israelis and Palestinians have agreed a fragile ceasefire.
These are moves that will help bring stability to the world as the West scours the earth for terrorist cells.
This is a war that will touch all of us.
It may mean some personal liberties that we take for granted may become restricted as security is stepped up. And we must all be on guard for reprisal racist attacks.
Ethnic leaders gathered in Glasgow to meet senior police officers last week. Fears of increased racist incidents are real for Scotland's thousands of Muslims, Sikhs and asylum-seekers.
Scotland's biggest force sent out the strongest possible message to those community leaders.
Chief constable Willie Rae spelled out to ethnic leaders that Strathclyde will employ a zero-tolerance policy towards racism.
Every physical and verbal attack will be looked into by the police at this time. Racist graffiti will be investigated. Intelligence against the BNP and other bigots will be stepped up as the West goes to war with the terrorists.
We cannot tolerate attacks against minorities in our community. If we do, our own children could be next.
It is just a shame that at a time when a new consensus is emerging among long-established foes a small corner of Scotland is stuck in the past.
What should have been a celebration at the Mod that would bring together Catholics and Protestants has reopened the sectarian split that is the scourge of our country.
The small group of Free Presbyterian ministers who decreed that both religions could not take part in an ecumenical service should be ashamed of themselves.
While the rest of the world takes on the might of terrorism, some still revel in intolerance.
It has no place in a 21st-century Scotland.
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Sunday Mail Opinion |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Sep 23, 2001 |
| Words: | 475 |
| Previous Article: | Top Scots cop hears the fears of ethnic leaders and promises a zero-tolerance policy towards the racists; A man's a man for a' that..the world o'er... |
| Next Article: | YOU'RE NAILED; Joiner who said he earned just pounds 7000 in five years will lose the pounds 250,000 fortune he made from dealing drugs. |
| Your Views: Stealing scum. |
| Letter: Last resident. |