Guardian: 'People are definitely sceptical'

[cal04]

When the government announced last Thursday that it had foiled a massive terror plot, broadcasters and newspapers were barraged with a wave of sceptical views from listeners and readers. Nearly a week on, are people still so distrustful? Patrick Barkham takes to the streets to find out

(snip)
As it turns out, the prime minister would be heartened by the views of the individuals on his doorstep. Unfortunately, the largely sympathetic crowds outside Downing Street are overwhelmingly made up of non-voter tourists. A Brazilian who has lived in London for five years mentions his innocent countryman, Jean Charles de Menezes, shot dead after botched intelligence following 7/7 last year, but says that, relatively speaking, he trusts the authorities more here than in his home city of Sao Paulo. Similarly, American visitors to the capital say they are impressed with the "very British, very discreet" security and the post-alert calm of the population. But they are bewildered by the sceptical reaction of some Britons to what they see as a war.

(snip)
Scepticism about the plot is shared by many in the area and not just by Muslims, says Qurban Hussain, a local resident and the deputy leader of Luton borough council. "People are definitely sceptical. They are not sure whether these claims are just to clamp down on British Muslims. Is it scaremongering tactics by the government or another reason to harass more innocent people?

"It's a perception held by a lot of my constituents of all backgrounds. When you look back on the WMD, the information was wrong. Then we have the case of Jean Charles de Menezes. We picked up the wrong person altogether. Then the raid in Forest Gate in which a man was shot. There are so many cases people can refer to. It makes them feel they cannot trust the government."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1851078,00.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Trusting Brit cops more than Sao Paulo cops is VERY FAINT PRAISE

I would be ashamed to cite such words as evidence of public support of police officers in a major newspaper.

[tsuki]

2. Shades of the Balfour Declaration. nt

[TahitiNut]

3. The sceptic held a skepter.

:dunce: :rofl: