Bahrain GP situation: postponed, reinstated, cancelled

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

It would not need a suicide invader to cause havoc. Just one Molotov slinger getting access to the track would be enough. I'm totally convinced that the authorities cannot provide enough security forces around the facility to prevent pig headed demonstrators gaining illegal access over a period of 72 hours.

Im not saying its impossible to throw a molotov cocktail onto a track, but a Bahraini rebellious group wanting to make a political statement will not want to endanger the lives of other nationals to do so.

This is not Somalia or Sudan.

If any driver or mechanic is injured from these aggresive actions, it gives the government legitimate capital in the worlds eyes to crack down on terrorists.
So an act of aggression from the rebels would in fact benefit the government, and set back the rebels.
We also need to realise that even though there is a Shia majority, they are split from within, dependant on their leanings to the Koran ie. moderate, liberal or hard-liners.

The race will go ahead, and if it passes off peacefully with attention drawn to the Shia majorites current situation, then it will be the best thing possible for everyone involved.

[myurr]

It would not need a suicide invader to cause havoc. Just one Molotov slinger getting access to the track would be enough. I'm totally convinced that the authorities cannot provide enough security forces around the facility to prevent pig headed demonstrators gaining illegal access over a period of 72 hours.

We should not give in to threats of violence - that is to let the terrorists and the criminal elements in society win. If the protestors want western rights then they should be judged by western moral standards. That means condemning violence and violent protest. Likewise if the state sponsors violence against their own people they should be judged and condemned by the western world.

But we should not give in to cowardice and fail to hold an event just because of a perceived possibility or threatened act of violence. Instead we should stand shoulder to shoulder with those peaceful protestors and campaigners who wish to bring greater transparency, accountability and democracy to the region.

[bhall]

Im not saying its impossible to throw a molotov cocktail onto a track...

I generally agree with the essence of what you've said, but it does imply a level of organization that's rarely present in such political unrest. At least at this stage.

Either way, providing security for a grand prix is one of the easier tasks faced by the Bahraini government these days, because...

If the protestors want western rights then they should be judged by western moral standards. That means condemning violence and violent protest.

...the protestors want a revolution, and should that happen, it's liable to be very bloody.

[jenkF1]

It would not need a suicide invader to cause havoc. Just one Molotov slinger getting access to the track would be enough. I'm totally convinced that the authorities cannot provide enough security forces around the facility to prevent pig headed demonstrators gaining illegal access over a period of 72 hours.

We should not give in to threats of violence - that is to let the terrorists and the criminal elements in society win. If the protestors want western rights then they should be judged by western moral standards. That means condemning violence and violent protest. Likewise if the state sponsors violence against their own people they should be judged and condemned by the western world.

But we should not give in to cowardice and fail to hold an event just because of a perceived possibility or threatened act of violence. Instead we should stand shoulder to shoulder with those peaceful protestors and campaigners who wish to bring greater transparency, accountability and democracy to the region.

I doubt there would be more than severe protest and trouble making. The GP would be a focus point for attention but no violent havoc as it a symbol of the West the Shia uprising majority want on their side. More blocking car parks, maybe even breaching security and invading the track but certainly not molootov cocktails to the face of an oncoming driver

You say condemn violence, but let me tell you the unfortunate truth that violence is sometimes required to overthrow tyranical regimes. The Bahrain government wont even wince under Western pressure, which will be severely limited and probably wouldnt even go further than sanctions. The GP should go ahead as a symbol 'violence' won't win? But the Bahrain government who are running the GP are using violence???

I think you will have to remember in light of recent comments from Bernie, this isn't going to be no Bob Marley concert where he links the hands of the leaders of the two factions as a symbol of peace . Its going to be him parading around with the Bahrain royal family on the grid walk, then going behind the paddock for some wheeler dealering.

And all this is going to look pretty bad for F1 on the News on the Sunday night...

[andartop]

So an act of aggression from the rebels would in fact benefit the government, and set back the rebels...

It would be fairly easy for the government then to send a few of their boys dressed as rebels to cause havoc just to undermine the rebels' cause. It's happened before!

[Shrieker]

Hell look at Turkey and their treatment of Kurds!

Here we go again...

Go on and believe everything you read ....head.

[myurr]

You say condemn violence, but let me tell you the unfortunate truth that violence is sometimes required to overthrow tyranical regimes. The Bahrain government wont even wince under Western pressure, which will be severely limited and probably wouldnt even go further than sanctions. The GP should go ahead as a symbol 'violence' won't win? But the Bahrain government who are running the GP are using violence???

I agree that violence is sometimes required to overthrow tyrannical regimes, however that violence should never be directed at innocent bystanders such as GP personnel. That is terrorism pure and simple. Whether their cause is just or not were the protestors to attack a driver or throw a molotov cocktail at the GP itself then they should be condemned and appropriate action to punish them should be taken.

[myurr]

Hell look at Turkey and their treatment of Kurds!

Here we go again...

Go on and believe everything you read ....head.

This is true of most situations - I bet you could find some Argentinians who believe the UK should not have a GP because of the 'Falklands situation', or some Scots who believe that England represses them in some way.

The world is full of 7 billion people and getting them to all agree with each other is impossible. Heck we can't even get a couple of hundred people on this message board to agree about anything!

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

@ Myurr

Agreed 100%.

Although my information pertaining to the kurds comes from my local kebab shop...3 brothers who told me everything I need to know. The rest is corroborated from what I have read and seen in the news. Funny also that Istanbul is a full 1100 miles from kurdish populated Turkey.
Im sure if the Sunni were a majority in Bahrain it would be a similar situation. Dismiss the complaints of maltreatment as usual minority squabbling we find in most societies.

I fear after shriekers post, constructive discussion will become harder.

[bhall]

...constructive discussion will become harder.

That's what she said.

(Levity is good for any conversation.)

[Shrieker]

There are many kurdish terrorists in Turkey yet the reverse isn't correct, many kurds aren't terrorists. Yet the ones who do flee are either former pkk terrorists or their sympathizers, they have to run since terrorists aren't liked here as anywhere in this world. You can believe whatever 3 little terrorists would have you believe, it doesn't save you from being a ....head though.

And it's not a coincidence either that a bloody terrorist organisation responsible for the deaths of some 30.000+ civilians and army members here in Turkey are branded as "rebels" in the western media. They aren't rebels. They're terrorists, and Kurdish people or people who have Kurdish origins despise them a lot more than Turks do.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

There are many kurdish terrorists in Turkey yet the reverse isn't correct

Of course it wouldn't be, How can you have a a Turkish terrorist in a non existent country?
What has this to do with the topic at hand?

I can go on about Turkish death squads, hunting down Kurdish dissenters or Turkish transgressions of Human rights(persistently).
All very eerily reminiscent of Bahrain.

Oh and those men you just labelled as Terrorists shrieker, thats just downright childish. You dont even know them, yet you brand them like that.
Thanks for giving us this insight into your psyche...

[Shrieker]

Ps: The U.S. has murdered countless millions of civilians through the wars they waged in the last half century or so, and Britain has more or less been their accomplice all the way through. This is how I see things.

Yet I don't bring it up everytime there's an opportunity, saying "oh noes ! there shouldn't be a gp there!".

Why ?

Because it's a political debate, and does not fit in an F1 forum, and it's specifically BANNED here.

So hopefully next time your thick head will be able to distinguish between the two.

That might also give you a perspective about high horses, but I seriously doubt it.

[bhall]

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Were that a strict law worldwide and not a verse from the Bible, you'd never have to worry about being hit the head with a rock.

(First time I've ever quoted the Bible. Feels weird.)

[Hail22]

I think a decision will be made after the Australian GP.

Lets get back on the topic, Shrieker you cannot force your opinion to johnson and vice versa, you gave information he decided to not take it on board he has that right.

Bahrain will most likely be dropped as there is too many variables that are in play if it goes ahead (team sabotage, ambush in low security areas thus creating panic for tourists etc.