AIRCRAFT TERROR THREATS AND THE WAR ON ERROR …

THE STIRRER'S BRUMMIE BLOG FOR THURSDAY

10-08-2006

Who knows, maybe the police and MI5 truly have foiled a conspiracy today that would have seen ten transatlantic planes targetted by terrorists.

If they have, they deserve our eternal gratitude - after 9/11 and 7/7 we are sadly aware that there are people, some from within our own community, who are only too willing to blow their fellow citizens to smithereens.

But until charges are brought and convictions secured please forgive our scepticism - because we also know that in the war on terror, as in any war, truth is the first casualty.

From the moment Tony Blair's “45 minute warning” about Saddam's WMD was exposed as nothing more than wishful thinking, truth and this government have walked on different sides of the street.

No, dammit. They've lived in different towns altogether, and Truth now feels so unwanted, it's applied for a visa andplans to emigrate.

Our counter-terrorism measures don't exactly ooze credibility either.

Jean Charles De Menezes shot dead, Mohammed Abdul Kahar wounded …not forgetting of course that curious evening when Birmingham city centre was completely evacuated because…because…well, just because.

Er, hasn't anyone heard of the War on Error?

This is not to belittle those charged with the vital job of protecting our nation.

But in assessing the credibility of any threat made against us, we must first trust the credibility of those issuing the warnings.