they are the albatross around humanities neck

That's an odd phrase sprint.

- just googled it - it's a rather ironic choice of phrase given the topic.

"Acting head of Jemaah Islamiah jailed: Print April 21, 2008 08:19pm

AN Indonesian court has jailed the acting head of regional terror network Jemaah Islamiah (JI) for 15 years.

South Jakarta District Court found Zarkasih guilty of terrorism charges and jailed him for 15 years.

He was convicted of possessing firearms and explosives to commit terrorism.

The court also declared JI a forbidden organisation, and fined it  $A1165.

It comes after the head of the group's military wing Abu Dujana, 37, was jailed by the court for 15 years.

During Dujana's hearing the court ruled JI was a "forbidden corporation'', the first time it has done so.

Dujana was convicted of possessing and hiding ammunition and explosives with the intention of committing terrorism.

He was also found guilty of giving money to and hiding perpetrators of terrorism, including Bali bombings mastermind Noordin M Top.

Terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna described the move to declare JI a banned group as "a huge victory against terrorism''.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23576555-5003402,00.html

freediver - that is excellent news.
That is about the best news we could get.

As you are aware indonesia is very close and very over populated.
And very torn between islam and democracy.
That is why we were quick to east timor and got bombed in retaliation in bali.
This shows their intended direction.

And very torn between islam and democracy.

Can you elaborate on this please?

I mean, specifically with regard to Indonesia. What are they having problems with? Is the Muslim 'church' (don't know the correct word) trying to destroy the democracy?

Britain monitoring 30 terror plots

April 13, 2008 05:33am

Article from: Reuters

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23531638-38200,00.html

BRITISH police and security agencies are monitoring 30 terrorism plots, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said in extracts of a newspaper interview released today.

"We now face a threat level that is severe. It's not getting any less, it's actually growing," she said in an interview to be published tomorrow in News of the World.

"We task the police and the security agencies with protecting us ... There are 22,000 individuals they are monitoring. There are 200 networks. There are 30 active plots," she said.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour government is seeking to extend pre-charge detention of terrorism suspects to 42 days from the current 28-day limit.

But Smith faces a tough task steering the controversial provisions through parliament.

The opposition Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have both said they will vote against extended detention.

Labour backbenchers are also threatening to rebel and vote down the clause in the Counter-Terrorism Bill.

"We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers," Smith said. "We've got to stay ahead.

"Because we now understand the scale of what is being plotted, the police have to step in earlier, which means they need more time to put evidence together."

Britain has seen a marked increase in militant Islamist plots since it joined the US in invading Iraq in 2003.

In 2005 four British suicide bombers killed 52 people in London. Other attempts have been thwarted by police or failed when devices did not detonate.

"Since the beginning of 2007, 57 people have been convicted on terrorist plots," said Smith.

"Nearly half of those pleaded guilty so this is not some figment of the imagination. It is a real risk and a real issue we need to respond to."

Yes, I do.
Please see previous posts and join the dots.

There have been a few 'moderate' muslims, speaking out about the fundamentalists taking over the political agenda in indonesia, I don't have the links, but I am sure someone could google them.
A few were interviewed by the ABC, so may even be links there.

We should not be too disrespectful of other peoples religious beliefs, unless those beliefs lead them to behave in a reprehensible manner.
Not many people stood up for the Ku Klux Klan, as good christian patriots, they were seen as vile and repugnant nutjobs.

Fundamentalist Muslims fall into exactly the same category, and deserve nothing but our total contempt. They are vile, violent, hateful bigots, and not ones it would be wise to turn the other cheek to, they would shoot you in it.