Why Were The Edinburgh New Year Celebrations Cancelled?

[Khandro]

Was it really because of a bad weather forecast, or did the Islamists win again? 

[jackthehat]

There were celebrations cancelled all over the place due to the weather, or the anticipated weather at any rate. We were supposed to have a fireworks display but the wind and rain put paid to that - this has happened on several occasions over the years. We certainly have enough steel/concrete security measures to protect revellers and I anticipate that larger towns and cities have the same.

The issue about islamists carrying out terror attacks is, of course, something with which to be rightly concerned but crediting (if that's the right word) them with the ability to stop daily life continuing in this country is granting them far too much power, real or imagined.

[naomi24]

DDIL, I agree that the event was cancelled due to bad weather - I never thought differently - but you haven't explained why you consider khandro's post at 07.57 to be the work of someone suffering from insanity.

[Untitled]

because he's inventing conspiracy theories involving muslims. this is practically textbook paranoia. 

[naomi24]

He didn't invent what he said at 07.57.

[Rosetta]

Authorities being risk averse +  the compensation culture we, as a society, have developed would be the obvious guess

[Untitled]

yes naomi but the thread consists of more than that doesn't it

[naomi24]

It does, untitled - but given global experience over the past several years, and the prevalence of barriers and security checks that have become the norm in many areas, it should come as no surprise that suspicion exists.  That doesn't indicate mental illness.

[Khandro]

One of those days:  accused of being a 'rabid islamophobe' and 'insane' before I'd even had my breakfast, & now of 'textbook paranoia'.

I must be doing something right! 😄 

[pastafreak]

I doubt Khandro is mentally ill. But his statement...whether deliberate or innocent...just adds unnecessary fuel to the fire. I don't particularly want to live a life of constant suspicion...which statements of this sort encourage. 

[THECORBYLOON]

"Was it really because of a bad weather forecast," Yes.

"or did the Islamists win again?" No.

"If you organise an outdoor event for New Years Eve in Edinburgh and Blackpool would you be expecting a tropical evening?" No.

[Peter Pedant]

but you haven't explained why you consider khandro's post at 07.57 to be the work of someone suffering from insanity.

because this is AB world and you can do that - especially but not solely if you are a mod

[jackthehat]

Oh, Peter Pedant, who do you insist on mentioning mods in almost every post you make?

Most of us manage to get our thoughts across without randomly dragging in our pet peeves...

[sp1814]

Khandro

You asked:

"Was it really because of a bad weather forecast, or did the Islamists win again?"

Yes, it was really because of the bad weather.

JTH's answer at 11.14am was spot on. In our village, we've had a couple of Christmas / New Year celebrations cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Doesn't surprise me about Edinburgh (bigger crowds so more chance of injury).

[curlyfries81]

The weather for NYE didn't look that bad for back in the UK.  We heard ourselves that the REAL reason was nothing to do with the weather.  

So it's funny, innit, that there were terrorist attacks in New Orleans, etc... 

When are we going to stop being lied to? 

[Canary42]

Lies when it doesn't suit your outlook, truth when it does. Right ho!

[curlyfries81]

Get a grip, my yellow-feathered friend.

[Untitled]

that's exactly it canary. 
 

this thread is the modern day equivalent of the "red scare" panic of the 1950s. was there a hostile communist state out there? yes. was there a vast conspiracy of communists hiding behind every corner whose influence could be felt in everything? no, this was a paranoid delusion. it's just the same here. 

[davebro3]

Oh no it's not - muslims ARE here, in their millions.

[naomi24]

Quite Dave.

[Untitled]

and there were millions of communists too. did that justify paranoid speculation and conspiracy theories about their hidden influence? of course not. it's just the same here. 
 

the only people who support this kind of paranoia are those who wish to encourage the maximum possible level of suspicion and hostility toward muslims around us in our daily life. in other words -- creeps.