[Photograph added 13.55] The murder of David Haines in Northern Iraq yesterday brings terrorism by proxy into our lives in Scotland. My heart goes out to his family in Perth, just as my heartfelt condolences also went out to the two American journalists’ families.
It makes me wonder if, after 3 and a half years of real progress here, ‘is it now time to go ?’ Mr Haines was trying to make a difference – a shared goal via a different avenue.
For me there is an obvious ‘closer to home’ link with the man from Scotland. I know Perth well, have walked the same streets as this good man. He’s a Brit.
I am sat on the edge of this cauldron of hate and barbarism, this abyss of inhumanity.
Again today we are in security lock-down, not because of any perceived threat from the Shia or Sunni Muslim in this area [Basrah] but because any non-believer of the IS death cults’ methods is at risk – whatever you’re religion or view. It is religious fascism.
We however, as non-Moslem, European British, Scottish, English etcetera, are the preferred target for kidnapping. We make, in their warped vision of right and wrong, the largest media impact.
I have to relate my position here to the current goings on in the UK and Scotland. As the pope so rightly said: ‘We are in a third world war’. The pope also abhors war in the name of god or religion, believes in global unity, global peace… He also believes in direct intervention in the fight against IS – and the fight against evil wherever it may take place.
What part would an Independent Scotland be able to play in this global war ?
I marched against the Iraq war, came here because I thought – and still think I can make a difference. I didn’t simply chase the green back. Believe me, there are easier and safer places to earn the same money.
What would an Independent Scotland have to offer in regards to action against the horrors we are seeing unfolding? What protection can an Independent Scotland offer me when I am abroad, when I am home? What responsible and humanitarian action could we take when it comes to taking up arms and fighting for one’s right to live.?
Having a Scottish civil defence force smacks of hiding, shirking our responsibilities on a world stage, on an international humanitarian interventionist stage.
Will those carrying our Scottish warrior instinct for truth and justice, the Scottish men and women of the British army, have to join a British type Légion étrangère [the legion of Foreigners] to be able to put into action their sense of responsibility for truth and justice?
Karl Hughes
Note The photograph above has been described by Karl Hughes as follows:
I am the handsome one in the middle…geezer with the body armour.
The European gent is an Environmental consultant.
The men with me are IA Iraqi Army, my initial protection when I refused ex-pat security… (that changed 6 mths ago)
To the best of my knowledge all 6 of these Basrah men died in the initial IS assault.
They were my friends for nearly 2 years.
KH