I fear that the war on terror™? has locked us into a cycle of conflict with muslim nations and Al-Qaeda that we may not get out of for a generation. Blair's unwavering support of Bush has brought terror to our doorsteps. I don’t think that saying this makes me an apologist for Saddam's oppressive regime or the Taleban.

I have, many times, listened to Guardian*-reading friends (self-styled liberal intellectuals) harping on about how Islam oppresses women and wondered to myself just exactly what business is it of our to try and impose our own socio-cultural values on another religion. To do assumes that christianity/western society is inherently superior to Islam (and every other Eastern religion), which smacks of imperialism and the days of Empire.

(*NB I still read the Berliner & Independent)