To almost feel a shred of sympathy for Tommy Robinson

[lazyahzydaysofsummer]

He did a debate against Oxford university students recently.

His entire argument was destroyed. Every single point. Even Jacob Rees Mogg had to comment on how stupid he was.

It’s exposed what he really is - an ignorant, uneducated man who is so gripped by fear caused by a misunderstanding of the world around him, and it’s almost made me feel sorry for him. People like him have been failed - by society, by the education system, and by the people around them.

I got one for my first marriage, in case I ever wanted to remarry, which I did.

Its that simple in your wee head only.

Most normal people hate all violent thugs and rapists, regardless of colour, religion or politics.

But you hate the white ones the most, mainly because they are talking about migrant rape.

Stephen Yaxley aka Tommy Robinson is a horrible little man. Everything he does/says is for him to remain in the press and make money for himself.

Do not think for 1 minute he is fighting the good fight and working for the people.

Some people must be hard of understanding.

I said the belief is similar. I didn’t account for every single person in either religious/ denomination. Obviously there’ll be a range of believes and reactions to what others do in each religion.

I’m just saying, it’s not that weird to be against images for gods, saints, prophets.

But yes some members of Protestant denominations are very extreme! As with all religions, there are extremists.

Nah, I hate them all. And I had great respect for Andrew Norfolk.

Well of course he isnt

But the motion apparently put forward, is just a motion. You can answer the question without any having any regard to him at all.

I agree with you but every time we dismiss him and his followers he gains too more as we give his views power by dismissing them.

It's good that Oxford allowed him to debate as you don't defeat vile ideology by shutting it down you defeat by listening and debating with a cool head. It's the hardest thing to do but by acknowledging and listening you remove the power and then folk like Robinson can't use the excuse that his views are right because the establishment want to silence him.

Are you talking about the people inside the room or outside?

I’m no fan of Tommy R or Laurence Fox but I think that people’s political opinions can be influenced depending on where you grow up. TR grew up jn Luton & I don’t know if you have seen the Stacey Dooley documentary about Luton? I think it would make someone question Islam more than someone who has grown up in a white middle class suburb. I think he is a product of his environment. I wouldn’t say I feel sorry for him as he now lives in Spain.

I think there are increasing numbers of Muslim people in charge in the UK - Sadiq Khan Mayor of London, Humza Yousaf was First Minister of Scotland, more are running councils in areas in Lancashire & West Midlands.

I think there are increasing numbers of Muslim people in charge in the UK - Sadiq Khan Mayor of London, Humza Yousaf was First Minister of Scotland, more are running councils in areas in Lancashire & West Midlands.

Isn’t that part of integration?

Yes. Just as importantly, though, concede the points on which he is right and address them (or at least seriously engage with them) so that the pathway is removed.

TR: "Pakistani Muslims are raping white and Sikh girls and it's disgusting."
Everyone else: "Yes, we know about that and stopped it as fast as we realised there was an issue. Anything else to add?
TR: "Deport all Muslims?"
Everyone else: "Don't be silly. That would be an absurd over-reaction".

versus what actually happened.

This is why listening and debating while keeping a cool head is incredibly hard I can't claim I can do it all this time I would be a liar if I said I could but it's a step in the right direction. We also have to be realistic and accept that there's never going to be a perfect middle ground or answer to everything.

I feel more sorry for the people who had to talk to him.

He’s a vile little man.

I do have a little sympathy for some of his followers though.
They are not intelligent enough to see through him.

He preys on the vulnerable and stupid, making them believe he’s on their side when in reality he doesn’t give a shit about them.

Do people really think he cares about women and children or illegal immigration.
He doesn’t even live in this country.

He is an immigrant in the country that he lives, but apparently it’s immigrants that are the problem - make it make sense.

Absolutely this!!

He is literally preying on the vulnerable and stupid to fund his lifestyle.

It’s not fair.

Yes, exactly, this is his main point - his world aka Luton is a horrible place.

This is a great post and something I will remember.

I often wonder why he’s allowed to spout so much crap and why he’s given a platform because there are people who blindly believe what he says but actually I always hear people defending him saying how he’s being silenced.

You are correct that letting him speak and then correcting his lies is better than not letting him speak at all.

He doesn’t live in Luton.

He lives in Spain and has a second home in the Canary Islands.

He doesn't live in Luton.

After Leave won in 2016 he got his skates on, applied for an Irish passport and moved to Spain.

It's important to remember you have to debate without emotion or anger though as simply calling things out as lies is as bad as being dismissive. It's a stupidly hard thing to bite your tongue and take a deep breath and try to respond calmly and with respect to views you find vile but if we can at least try I think it would go a long way to fixing some of the division we've created.

Which lies do you mean?

It was taught at my school!

We had a debate about something or other every year; a lower 6th proposed the motion and 4th former seconded, same for the opposition, then open to the floor. Each form could submit a motion, but I can't remember how the topics were decided. In the summer term, one English period a week was spent on it.

His world is Luton, the same Luton where five Muslim men were found guilty of yelling abuse at British soldiers and calling them rapists, murderers and baby killers during a homecoming parade.

Five Luton men found guilty after abusive chants at soldiers | Military | The Guardian

And if a vile man flags up facts, what facts stop being facts because they were voiced by a vile man?

Get a grip.

He lives in Spain, thanks to the donations of his loyal followers.