I was momentarily speechless, until I realized this lets America off the hook for a day or so (with regards for the utter lunacy created by the War on Terror).
The War on Terror has created many absurd things, from our omnipresent N$A spying to not taking liquids and toothpaste on the airplane.
Now, Great Britain has surged ahead in the contest of who can adopt the craziest nonsense in the name of "fighting terror".
New British policy forces day care staff to report ‘at risk’ toddlers who might become terrorists
“Senior management and governors are expected to assess the risk of pupils being drawn into terrorism, including support for the extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology,” says the Prevent Strategy consultation document, which accompanies a Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill that is currently before Parliament.
The document goes on to say that child care staff would be ordered to “identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism,” according to the Independent.
People, of course are scoffing and complaining. It is a very good question as to how people trained in child care are going to become "sensitive to young personalities that may in the future become radicalized" or words to that effect.
One human rights advocate had this to say:
“Turning our teachers and childminders into an army of involuntary spies will not stop the terrorist threat,” she explained. “Far from bringing those at the margins back into mainstream society, it will sow seeds of mistrust, division and alienation from an early age.”
The Big Dog there brushes this all aside and says "look...just do it and stop whining".
“We are not expecting teachers and nursery workers to carry out unnecessary intrusion into family life, but we do expect them to take action when they observe behaviour of concern,” the statement said. “It is important that children are taught fundamental British values in an age-appropriate way. For children in the early years, this will be about learning right from wrong and in practitioners challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes.”
“We would expect staff to have the training they need to identify children at risk of radicalisation and know where and how to refer them for further help if necessary.”
I can see a developing cottage industry in training nannies to spot radical Islamic rhetoric in their charges day-to-day babble.
So, yeah, if but for a fleeting moment, Great Britain is taking the lead in General Islamophobia and the utter craziness of the 'war on terror'.
Congratulations, UK!