Something missing

The story of the two Christian preachers who were warned off by a highly unpleasant Police Community Support Officer for handing out gospel leaflets in what the man described as a Muslim area has, quite understandably, upset people both in the MSM and in the new(ish) media. One wonders whether similar warning would be issued to sellers of Koran or handers out of Nation of Islam leaflets in what might be described as predominantly Christian areas. After all, more people consider themselves to be Christian than go to church.

One aspect of this disgraceful story has not been aired much by those on the internet who mentioned it.

A police community support officer (PCSO) interrupted the conversation and began questioning the ministers about their beliefs.

They said when the officer realised they were American, although both have lived in Britain for many years, he launched a tirade against President Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Cunningham said: "I told him that this had nothing to do with the gospel we were preaching but he became very aggressive."

After that came all that stuff about it being a Muslim area and threats to have the two preachers beaten up.

One wonders why the officer thought it was his job to interrupt a conversation unless it was getting violent and on whose side the violence was evinced. But what is so extraordinary or would be if one did not live in modern Britain is that the said officer and, clearly, his superiors, who are now, I am glad to say, being sued, thought that all can be excused by anti-American ranting.

A police officer should not be expressing political opinions publicly. If there is any training to be done it should not be "in understanding hate crime and communication" though, clearly, the latter is something of a problem among the West Midlands police, but in that simple point.

Apparently, expressing hate towards America, her democratically elected President and Americans in general is not a hate crime but an acceptable point of view.