Another telling post from The Baghdad Blogger
:: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 ::
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr .. I am angry now .. I AM angry .. and "THEY" come and ask you "why don't you like us?" ... I will tell you why .. >>>> I was just stopped by an American check point .. they let me stand under the rain .. in the mud .. for more than 15 minutes .. a soldier pushed me in a very strong way that I nearly fell down, and the other was investigating me: Why do you have a camera in your car? haaa? !!!!!! What the hell !!! I mean !! duh ?? I have a camera? why not? then came the other americano with a smile asking me: do you film porn? !!! I heard that but I asked him: what sir? and he replied: PORN pee ooo are enn ,, ha ha ha .. (is that funny?) .. Soldiers stopping people in the EID (these are the Muslims' festival days) asking them whether they film porn and pushing them in mud .. I DON'T LIKE "THEM" .. Soldiers are not the best representatives of any culture .. Grrrh ///////////// (new paragraph) SALAAAAM?! where the peep are you? I'll change the title to WHERE IS SALAM.. call me for god's sake .. stronso
:: raed 6:59 PM [+] ::
...
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Nice one, Benjamin
Benjamin Zephaniah, the poet has publicly refused an OBE. This is one of the most principled and honourable decisions that I have heard in a long, long time. Go on - click on the link. He articulates the case against Blair and the Monarchy so well that anybody who is interested in Britain must read it. He makes a powerful argument against these awards, from a black person's perspective. I humbly support you, Mr Zephaniah 1000%.
BBC Interview (real audio)
Benjamin Zephaniah, the poet has publicly refused an OBE. This is one of the most principled and honourable decisions that I have heard in a long, long time. Go on - click on the link. He articulates the case against Blair and the Monarchy so well that anybody who is interested in Britain must read it. He makes a powerful argument against these awards, from a black person's perspective. I humbly support you, Mr Zephaniah 1000%.
BBC Interview (real audio)
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Nice one, Hari
Hari Kunzru, the young British author has turned down a literary award sponsored by the Mail on Sunday, in protest at their published comments about migrants.
This is a noble and brave stance to take against this reactionary and revolting newspaper group [Associated Newspapers], which never hesitates to criticize refugees and asylum seekers. Mr Kunzru, whom I met some weeks ago in a Soho restaurant is included in the Best of Young British Novelists a publication by Granta in 2003 that identified the most talented writers of the decade. It includes a story, Lila.exe from his forthcoming novel, Transmission. His first novel was The Impressionist.
Hari Kunzru, the young British author has turned down a literary award sponsored by the Mail on Sunday, in protest at their published comments about migrants.
This is a noble and brave stance to take against this reactionary and revolting newspaper group [Associated Newspapers], which never hesitates to criticize refugees and asylum seekers. Mr Kunzru, whom I met some weeks ago in a Soho restaurant is included in the Best of Young British Novelists a publication by Granta in 2003 that identified the most talented writers of the decade. It includes a story, Lila.exe from his forthcoming novel, Transmission. His first novel was The Impressionist.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Take a look at this discussion on the Beeb. I think it says something about Bush and his "economic" policy.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
Michael Moore
I am attending a lecture tonight by this activist/filmaker/writer . Odd thing is that I have not read any of his books yet. I have a read a lot of articles [both by him and about him] in newspapers. I guess I will purchase a copy his latest Dude, Where's my Country? . Seen him a lot on tv - seems to talk a lot sense - sadly. Must see his documentary movie - Bowling for Columbine too.
Since I have blogged here last, I have stumbled across a few conservative blogs - mainly US based. What a distinctly spooky lot they are. The arrogance, ignorance, self-righteousness, dare I say it - fascism - go on - look up its full meaning - is staggering. I think occasionally, they are well meaning people - but they really do need to "wake up and smell the coffee". They could do worse than dig out an unbiased history of the 20th Century. Read carefully the bits on totalitarianism - both of the left and the right, and the civil rights movement in the US - and while they're at it they might also dip into the histories of imperialism and slavery.
I am attending a lecture tonight by this activist/filmaker/writer . Odd thing is that I have not read any of his books yet. I have a read a lot of articles [both by him and about him] in newspapers. I guess I will purchase a copy his latest Dude, Where's my Country? . Seen him a lot on tv - seems to talk a lot sense - sadly. Must see his documentary movie - Bowling for Columbine too.
Since I have blogged here last, I have stumbled across a few conservative blogs - mainly US based. What a distinctly spooky lot they are. The arrogance, ignorance, self-righteousness, dare I say it - fascism - go on - look up its full meaning - is staggering. I think occasionally, they are well meaning people - but they really do need to "wake up and smell the coffee". They could do worse than dig out an unbiased history of the 20th Century. Read carefully the bits on totalitarianism - both of the left and the right, and the civil rights movement in the US - and while they're at it they might also dip into the histories of imperialism and slavery.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Monday, November 03, 2003
Bill Gates and his evil empire want to take over Google, which in turn, owns Blogger
Ownership of such a dominant tool as Google, bestows on a business huge power in global information - which to date has been exercised benignly. Microsoft does not have a very benign reputation in terms of information usage and exploitation of its monopolistic position. Does this man not own and control enough already? That is the trouble with this system, people eventually become megalomaniacs and want everything. Are he and his cohorts not rich enough, for crying out loud? What's next - the air we breathe? Don't even mention Rupert shagging Murdoch and his sons. It's Monday morning and in not in form for these tossers...
Ownership of such a dominant tool as Google, bestows on a business huge power in global information - which to date has been exercised benignly. Microsoft does not have a very benign reputation in terms of information usage and exploitation of its monopolistic position. Does this man not own and control enough already? That is the trouble with this system, people eventually become megalomaniacs and want everything. Are he and his cohorts not rich enough, for crying out loud? What's next - the air we breathe? Don't even mention Rupert shagging Murdoch and his sons. It's Monday morning and in not in form for these tossers...
Sunday, November 02, 2003
I went to the Tricycle Theatre again on Friday night - this time to see Justifying War - scenes from the Hutton Enquiry.
I would say that it was what the edited highlights of the judicial enquiry into the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly, the scientist/civil servant responsible for investigating weapons of mass destruction at the Ministry of Defense - would look like if the proceedings had been recorded. It was non-partizan.
What struck me about it was;-
1. The manner in which Foreign Minister, Jack Straw humiliated Kelly, by making a reference to his being some sort of junior in the civil service, whereas he was a very senior scientist and authority on his subject.
2. The extremely moving account of Mrs Kelly on the last few days of her husband's life and the understandable way he felt in the circumstances of a very sensitive, intelligent and modest man being suddenly cast into the media spotlight.
3. The very odd and vague testimony of Jeffrey Hoon, the Minister for Defense.
4. The power that the Blair's media advisor, Alistair Campbell had throughout (couldn't help thinking of Josef Goebbels - in an obviously much more grave situation).
5. The absence of the Blair questioning from the production.
After the play, I approached the Director, Nicholas Kent about this last point. He said that Blair didn't add anything of significance to the proceedings and to include him would just be sensationalist.
I am not so sure I agree with this. I feel that because Blair was the main instigator of Britain's going to war, his eminence gris should at least make an appearance.
Anyway, we found the production absorbing and quite moving.
Also had a pleasant drink with Joe and his good lady.
I would say that it was what the edited highlights of the judicial enquiry into the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly, the scientist/civil servant responsible for investigating weapons of mass destruction at the Ministry of Defense - would look like if the proceedings had been recorded. It was non-partizan.
What struck me about it was;-
1. The manner in which Foreign Minister, Jack Straw humiliated Kelly, by making a reference to his being some sort of junior in the civil service, whereas he was a very senior scientist and authority on his subject.
2. The extremely moving account of Mrs Kelly on the last few days of her husband's life and the understandable way he felt in the circumstances of a very sensitive, intelligent and modest man being suddenly cast into the media spotlight.
3. The very odd and vague testimony of Jeffrey Hoon, the Minister for Defense.
4. The power that the Blair's media advisor, Alistair Campbell had throughout (couldn't help thinking of Josef Goebbels - in an obviously much more grave situation).
5. The absence of the Blair questioning from the production.
After the play, I approached the Director, Nicholas Kent about this last point. He said that Blair didn't add anything of significance to the proceedings and to include him would just be sensationalist.
I am not so sure I agree with this. I feel that because Blair was the main instigator of Britain's going to war, his eminence gris should at least make an appearance.
Anyway, we found the production absorbing and quite moving.
Also had a pleasant drink with Joe and his good lady.
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Howards [is the] End
Michael Howard is to be the next leader of the Tory party. Heheheheheheheheheheh haahahahahahah. They can not be serious!!!
This right-wing slimeball should have no place in a respectable political party, let alone as leader.
But hold on... the Conservatives are not a respectable political party. Maybe they deserve each other. The Conservatives have become such a nasty cult since Thatcher arrived - that maybe he is just what they deserve. One thing is for sure, They will never be elected as long as he is leader.
The only hope for Britain is that there is a putsch within the Labour party and their right-wing liars, Blair, Straw and Blunkett are ousted ASAP.
Michael Howard is to be the next leader of the Tory party. Heheheheheheheheheheh haahahahahahah. They can not be serious!!!
This right-wing slimeball should have no place in a respectable political party, let alone as leader.
But hold on... the Conservatives are not a respectable political party. Maybe they deserve each other. The Conservatives have become such a nasty cult since Thatcher arrived - that maybe he is just what they deserve. One thing is for sure, They will never be elected as long as he is leader.
The only hope for Britain is that there is a putsch within the Labour party and their right-wing liars, Blair, Straw and Blunkett are ousted ASAP.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Friday, October 24, 2003
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Bush can't have it both ways
Have you heard the neocons critizise the Europeans in their super-arrogant way for always having to call on the US to get them out of defense problems - like ww2, etc?
Yes, well maybe there was some justification in it.
What happens when the Europeans try to do something about it. Like TALK ABOUT setting up a Europe-wide army. The Bushshites go awol. The Europeans are accused of threatening the pre-eminance of NATO (the "North Atlantic Treaty Organisation" don't you just love the orwellian doublespeak - see also the Patriot Act). Blair, the bush stooge, says that he doesn't want to "undermine" the "special relationship". Right, a give-and-take relationship, they give and the rest of the world has to take any old imperialist crap that they chose to dish out. The last time I looked at the Globe, the Atlantic did not stretch to Afghanistan - but then most of the dumb conservatives don't know where anything is - outside of the states.
These are indeed dark days for the US. They will be looked back with the same melacholia that one reserves for the Nixon and McCarthy eras.
When will some educated democrat (small "d") emerge with a sense of America's proper role in the world and replace this dreadful un-elected regime?
Have you heard the neocons critizise the Europeans in their super-arrogant way for always having to call on the US to get them out of defense problems - like ww2, etc?
Yes, well maybe there was some justification in it.
What happens when the Europeans try to do something about it. Like TALK ABOUT setting up a Europe-wide army. The Bushshites go awol. The Europeans are accused of threatening the pre-eminance of NATO (the "North Atlantic Treaty Organisation" don't you just love the orwellian doublespeak - see also the Patriot Act). Blair, the bush stooge, says that he doesn't want to "undermine" the "special relationship". Right, a give-and-take relationship, they give and the rest of the world has to take any old imperialist crap that they chose to dish out. The last time I looked at the Globe, the Atlantic did not stretch to Afghanistan - but then most of the dumb conservatives don't know where anything is - outside of the states.
These are indeed dark days for the US. They will be looked back with the same melacholia that one reserves for the Nixon and McCarthy eras.
When will some educated democrat (small "d") emerge with a sense of America's proper role in the world and replace this dreadful un-elected regime?
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Mystic River
Saw this movie in the Tricycle Cinema today. What a powerful piece! The main actors Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins and Lawrence Fishburn put in very strong performances. Penn was amazing. It held my attention throughout, even though I guessed the culprit after about an hour. The Irish-American working class Boston thing was fascinating - the noirish environment, strong sense of community, thugish bully-boys - called the Savage Brothers! ( "Savage" is quite a common Irish surname).
The Tricycle is one of the better cinemas in London, but I found it difficult to catch some of the lines - I don't know whether this is because of the mega bass, the Boston accent, or the way the actors chose to articulate the words - maybe it's a combination of all three.
I do hope Hollywood is going to give us more of this grown-up entertainment.
Anyway, great direction, Mr Clint Eastwood. Can't wait for your next one!
Saw this movie in the Tricycle Cinema today. What a powerful piece! The main actors Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins and Lawrence Fishburn put in very strong performances. Penn was amazing. It held my attention throughout, even though I guessed the culprit after about an hour. The Irish-American working class Boston thing was fascinating - the noirish environment, strong sense of community, thugish bully-boys - called the Savage Brothers! ( "Savage" is quite a common Irish surname).
The Tricycle is one of the better cinemas in London, but I found it difficult to catch some of the lines - I don't know whether this is because of the mega bass, the Boston accent, or the way the actors chose to articulate the words - maybe it's a combination of all three.
I do hope Hollywood is going to give us more of this grown-up entertainment.
Anyway, great direction, Mr Clint Eastwood. Can't wait for your next one!
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Waiting for Concorde
Way back in '79 or '80, I sailed a dinghy from Howth, County Dublin to Port Saint Mary in the Isle of Man. This is a round-trip of about 250 nautical miles - in unpredictable and dangerours waters for an open boat. I asked a good friend, who had sailed across the Atlantic and to the Arctic a number of times and was later to work as yachtmaster in the Caribbean, to join me. This guy was Robert Fannin.
We had an exciting and enjoyable trip. We bumped into an old salt we knew - a tax exile fom Ireland who put us up for a few days. I wrote up the voyage in a light-hearted piece in an Irish yaching magazine. Rob did the illustrations - he comes from a family of artists.
I was delighted to hear his new play, Waiting for Concorde broadcast on BBC Radio 4 yesterday. I think this story is mainly about bereavement [and how the spirit "lives on"], which sadly the author experienced shortly before he penned the work.
Robert has been working hard at developing his writing over many years. I hope he goes on to achieve great success. He has a lot of talent.
Anway, when we completed the trip, I lived off the minor fame/notoriety of the voyage for some time. I remember admitting to a group "How could we fail with such an experienced blue-water sailor on board? His only comment was "I have never been so scared in all my life - as I was on that trip".
Way back in '79 or '80, I sailed a dinghy from Howth, County Dublin to Port Saint Mary in the Isle of Man. This is a round-trip of about 250 nautical miles - in unpredictable and dangerours waters for an open boat. I asked a good friend, who had sailed across the Atlantic and to the Arctic a number of times and was later to work as yachtmaster in the Caribbean, to join me. This guy was Robert Fannin.
We had an exciting and enjoyable trip. We bumped into an old salt we knew - a tax exile fom Ireland who put us up for a few days. I wrote up the voyage in a light-hearted piece in an Irish yaching magazine. Rob did the illustrations - he comes from a family of artists.
I was delighted to hear his new play, Waiting for Concorde broadcast on BBC Radio 4 yesterday. I think this story is mainly about bereavement [and how the spirit "lives on"], which sadly the author experienced shortly before he penned the work.
Robert has been working hard at developing his writing over many years. I hope he goes on to achieve great success. He has a lot of talent.
Anway, when we completed the trip, I lived off the minor fame/notoriety of the voyage for some time. I remember admitting to a group "How could we fail with such an experienced blue-water sailor on board? His only comment was "I have never been so scared in all my life - as I was on that trip".
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
The con-man is supreme
I see a former con-man has won the Man Booker literary prize. DBC Pierre, (aka Peter Finlay) won the award with his novel Vernon God Little. The Australian, who now lives in County Leitrim, Ireland once sold a friend's house and trousered the takings. This is his first novel and he said that if he had not have written this book, he would "have ended it all".
Asked by RTE, the Irish broadcaster why he chose a quiet place like Leitrim, he said that he wanted to get partly out of the rat race. He did not mention that novelists do not pay income tax in Ireland.
Don't tell [his lordship] Jeffrey Archer - mind you, the tax code requires the work to be original and of artistic merit.
I see a former con-man has won the Man Booker literary prize. DBC Pierre, (aka Peter Finlay) won the award with his novel Vernon God Little. The Australian, who now lives in County Leitrim, Ireland once sold a friend's house and trousered the takings. This is his first novel and he said that if he had not have written this book, he would "have ended it all".
Asked by RTE, the Irish broadcaster why he chose a quiet place like Leitrim, he said that he wanted to get partly out of the rat race. He did not mention that novelists do not pay income tax in Ireland.
Don't tell [his lordship] Jeffrey Archer - mind you, the tax code requires the work to be original and of artistic merit.
Saturday, October 04, 2003
Ignorance is bliss with the Services and the Daily bigots Mail
One of the compensations of being single and male is that you can take off to a pub and and have a few beers by yourself, not worry what time you get home, get mildly or moderately pissed and just "hang out" by yourself. The problem is that you are likely to attract the attentions of one of the pub bores.
I drifted over to the "local" this afternoon to watch the the soccer results. . Sitting at the bar, I ordered a pint of Stella (Artois). I became aware of the presence of this guy, out of the corner of my eye, and said to myself, "I hope to Christ he stays where he is" ( sitting about 3 metres away).
No such luck! What does he do - but sit beside me at the bar.
Is it chicken or egg? What is it about soldiers and ex-soldiers that makes them so aggressive in conversation? He's of mixed parentage - Irish mother and English father - or is it the other way around?
Anyway - he wants to argue at every point. It's not the drink, he's perfectly sober. He makes a comment, such as the Chelsea team selection - he's a fan - I'm not. His point seems to be so laced with passion - no more than that - venom, that I just let him rant on. Then he goes on... and... on about various issues of Irish history, some of which I agree with, others I don't - the admission of which is a mistake. Then he says that he was accused of being a racist, by some LIBERAL (why do I hear the fucking Daily Mail voice here) in a the Crown Pub (Cricklewood), for using the word "darky" (about a black person), and that if he wants to use that word or "nigger", he can, and that he doesn't "necessarily" mean any offence to anybody. He then went on to criticise the EU, quoting the Daily shagging Mail.
Then he stopped, and said "you seem very quiet".
I was quiet because I was fuming, and told him that I was in full agreement with the "LIBERAL" who was offended by his truly rascist comments concerning black people. To a lesser extent I disagreed with his anti-European rant - saying that I thought he was still fighting WWII and that Europe had moved on - He was being misguided by The Mail and the rest of the fucking right-wing press, the proprietors of which had a different agenda to ordinary person and that Britain will be left behind in a great European renaissance - even Blair and Brown know this.
With that he started to climb down and said his "bark was worse than his bite".
I moved away, only to be engaged by another bore going on about West Ham United.
Maybe single is not all that wonderful....
One of the compensations of being single and male is that you can take off to a pub and and have a few beers by yourself, not worry what time you get home, get mildly or moderately pissed and just "hang out" by yourself. The problem is that you are likely to attract the attentions of one of the pub bores.
I drifted over to the "local" this afternoon to watch the the soccer results. . Sitting at the bar, I ordered a pint of Stella (Artois). I became aware of the presence of this guy, out of the corner of my eye, and said to myself, "I hope to Christ he stays where he is" ( sitting about 3 metres away).
No such luck! What does he do - but sit beside me at the bar.
Is it chicken or egg? What is it about soldiers and ex-soldiers that makes them so aggressive in conversation? He's of mixed parentage - Irish mother and English father - or is it the other way around?
Anyway - he wants to argue at every point. It's not the drink, he's perfectly sober. He makes a comment, such as the Chelsea team selection - he's a fan - I'm not. His point seems to be so laced with passion - no more than that - venom, that I just let him rant on. Then he goes on... and... on about various issues of Irish history, some of which I agree with, others I don't - the admission of which is a mistake. Then he says that he was accused of being a racist, by some LIBERAL (why do I hear the fucking Daily Mail voice here) in a the Crown Pub (Cricklewood), for using the word "darky" (about a black person), and that if he wants to use that word or "nigger", he can, and that he doesn't "necessarily" mean any offence to anybody. He then went on to criticise the EU, quoting the Daily shagging Mail.
Then he stopped, and said "you seem very quiet".
I was quiet because I was fuming, and told him that I was in full agreement with the "LIBERAL" who was offended by his truly rascist comments concerning black people. To a lesser extent I disagreed with his anti-European rant - saying that I thought he was still fighting WWII and that Europe had moved on - He was being misguided by The Mail and the rest of the fucking right-wing press, the proprietors of which had a different agenda to ordinary person and that Britain will be left behind in a great European renaissance - even Blair and Brown know this.
With that he started to climb down and said his "bark was worse than his bite".
I moved away, only to be engaged by another bore going on about West Ham United.
Maybe single is not all that wonderful....
Did you know that Orwell's real name was Blair?
Yes, the author of Animal Farm and and 1984 had the same surname as the current Prime Minister. That's where the similarity ends.
I am getting the distinct feeling of deja vue about Blair. It is quite obvious now that in many ways, Bambi sees himself as another Margaret Thatcher. And just like Thatcher his hubris will be his downfall.
Blair's statement to the Labour Party annual conference during the week that he had no reverse gear is so like Thatcher's, "the Lady is not for turning" , that he is likely to be sued for plagiarism.
Interesting too, that the sad Tories have nowhere to go but straight into the arms of the right-wing New Labour camp.
The Conservatives (Tories) are in total disarray.
The only oppostion to New Labour is provided by the Labour back benchers.
The third party - the Liberal Democats, are having to be all things to all men/women. Right-wing in a Tory marginal ( which is just about any Tory held seat), left-wing in any Labour seat (vide, Brent East). Such is the crazy world of British politics, right now.
But many think that Blair's days are numbered. He has totally screwed up, in the eyes of the British electorate, by going to war (compare Thatcher's poll-tax), and on deterioration of delivery of public services. Even Bush is furious with him for going back to the UN for the second (doomed) Iraq vote, and getting Dubya locked into the WMD issue.
Yes, the author of Animal Farm and and 1984 had the same surname as the current Prime Minister. That's where the similarity ends.
I am getting the distinct feeling of deja vue about Blair. It is quite obvious now that in many ways, Bambi sees himself as another Margaret Thatcher. And just like Thatcher his hubris will be his downfall.
Blair's statement to the Labour Party annual conference during the week that he had no reverse gear is so like Thatcher's, "the Lady is not for turning" , that he is likely to be sued for plagiarism.
Interesting too, that the sad Tories have nowhere to go but straight into the arms of the right-wing New Labour camp.
The Conservatives (Tories) are in total disarray.
The only oppostion to New Labour is provided by the Labour back benchers.
The third party - the Liberal Democats, are having to be all things to all men/women. Right-wing in a Tory marginal ( which is just about any Tory held seat), left-wing in any Labour seat (vide, Brent East). Such is the crazy world of British politics, right now.
But many think that Blair's days are numbered. He has totally screwed up, in the eyes of the British electorate, by going to war (compare Thatcher's poll-tax), and on deterioration of delivery of public services. Even Bush is furious with him for going back to the UN for the second (doomed) Iraq vote, and getting Dubya locked into the WMD issue.
Plastic Fantastic
My credit card company wrote to me during that week to say that as I was now a valued customer who was with them for all of n months, I was now entitled to a Silver card.
Great! appreciated at last. When I phoned, I was told by a pleasant sounding woman of the Manchester variety, that yes - I was now entitled to a Silver card. No strings attached, no extra charges etc.
Great, so what to I get, a higher credit limit, discount shopping? No sir, you get a card that says Silver.
"Is that all there is..." as the song goes.
Bastards... the least they might do is change their crappy on-hold music. Can they not personalise it in the Amazon manner. I hate the Beatles - I want the Stones or Bob Marley...please.
And that interest rate - you can not be serious!
My credit card company wrote to me during that week to say that as I was now a valued customer who was with them for all of n months, I was now entitled to a Silver card.
Great! appreciated at last. When I phoned, I was told by a pleasant sounding woman of the Manchester variety, that yes - I was now entitled to a Silver card. No strings attached, no extra charges etc.
Great, so what to I get, a higher credit limit, discount shopping? No sir, you get a card that says Silver.
"Is that all there is..." as the song goes.
Bastards... the least they might do is change their crappy on-hold music. Can they not personalise it in the Amazon manner. I hate the Beatles - I want the Stones or Bob Marley...please.
And that interest rate - you can not be serious!
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Constitution is a good idea
Looks like the good folks of America are beginning to see the light as regards George Bush. A criminal inquiry is taking place about the alleged leaking of a CIA woman's name. Dubya is looking unsure of himself- the bluster is gone, and he is seen repeatedly blowing air in the manner of a child blowing out the candles on a birthday cake - a sure sign of stress. His opinion poll ratings are plumetting.
This inquiry is taking place because the business of government is controlled by a written constitution - backed by a proper legal framework.
Britain does not have a written constitution or bill of rights. There is supposed to a system of parliamentary democracy, where parliament controls the executive.
What they have is an elective dictatorship. Thatcher showed utter contempt for Parliament. Blair is even worse. He has built up Downing Street into a quasi-presidential fortress, without any meaningful controls. He communicates by leak and spin, parliament has no role in his scheme of things - presidential goverment in the South American model. This has arisen because Britain is basically a feudal state with control residing in a ludicrous system called monarchy. A Prime Minister has amazing powers of patronage - very few British people (even socialists) would not crawl to get a Knighthood (Sir Mick Jagger), or a peerage, (Lord Attenborough), and he can invoke the royal assent - a mere formality - to put through many laws. Dear old Queen Liz has no effective say in the matter.
That's why he doesn't give a toss what people think about the war and his granting of carte blanche to the Washington neo-con "crazies" (as per G. Bush snr). He is secure and nothing will unseat him now.
When will the British people get some cop-on and ditch this archaic state of affairs.
Don't hold your breath!
Looks like the good folks of America are beginning to see the light as regards George Bush. A criminal inquiry is taking place about the alleged leaking of a CIA woman's name. Dubya is looking unsure of himself- the bluster is gone, and he is seen repeatedly blowing air in the manner of a child blowing out the candles on a birthday cake - a sure sign of stress. His opinion poll ratings are plumetting.
This inquiry is taking place because the business of government is controlled by a written constitution - backed by a proper legal framework.
Britain does not have a written constitution or bill of rights. There is supposed to a system of parliamentary democracy, where parliament controls the executive.
What they have is an elective dictatorship. Thatcher showed utter contempt for Parliament. Blair is even worse. He has built up Downing Street into a quasi-presidential fortress, without any meaningful controls. He communicates by leak and spin, parliament has no role in his scheme of things - presidential goverment in the South American model. This has arisen because Britain is basically a feudal state with control residing in a ludicrous system called monarchy. A Prime Minister has amazing powers of patronage - very few British people (even socialists) would not crawl to get a Knighthood (Sir Mick Jagger), or a peerage, (Lord Attenborough), and he can invoke the royal assent - a mere formality - to put through many laws. Dear old Queen Liz has no effective say in the matter.
That's why he doesn't give a toss what people think about the war and his granting of carte blanche to the Washington neo-con "crazies" (as per G. Bush snr). He is secure and nothing will unseat him now.
When will the British people get some cop-on and ditch this archaic state of affairs.
Don't hold your breath!
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Norman Mailer
2 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet the great American author, Norman Mailer (OK, I'm a name dropper). I had been attending a literary award ceremony as a friend of one of the shortlisted authors. I was overwhelmed to meet the veteran writer who proved to be most friendly and amusing. His is one of the great intellects of our age.
Norman Mailer has said recently that America has now become a pre-fascist state.
This statement is referred to in John Pilger's latest television programme "Breaking the Silence". One of the interviewees in the piece, a former CIA bigwigs commented that this may be good news, as many people in the US and beyond now feel that the "pre-" can be left out.
The US does not count and is not concerned about how many innocent Iraquis have been killed in the invasion. Independent studies put this figure at 3,000-10,000. They are not Americans, so they don't count. Likewise ask your average American student how many people were killed in Vietnam and he/she will say 58,000.
There have been 71 military interventions by the US since WW2. Innocent non-Americans have been killed by US forces in these actions. Many have been carried out by proxy warlords of the US. By any definition, these warlords and guerilla groups are terrorists.
2 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet the great American author, Norman Mailer (OK, I'm a name dropper). I had been attending a literary award ceremony as a friend of one of the shortlisted authors. I was overwhelmed to meet the veteran writer who proved to be most friendly and amusing. His is one of the great intellects of our age.
Norman Mailer has said recently that America has now become a pre-fascist state.
This statement is referred to in John Pilger's latest television programme "Breaking the Silence". One of the interviewees in the piece, a former CIA bigwigs commented that this may be good news, as many people in the US and beyond now feel that the "pre-" can be left out.
The US does not count and is not concerned about how many innocent Iraquis have been killed in the invasion. Independent studies put this figure at 3,000-10,000. They are not Americans, so they don't count. Likewise ask your average American student how many people were killed in Vietnam and he/she will say 58,000.
There have been 71 military interventions by the US since WW2. Innocent non-Americans have been killed by US forces in these actions. Many have been carried out by proxy warlords of the US. By any definition, these warlords and guerilla groups are terrorists.
Monday, September 22, 2003
Holiday exhaustion
Returned from Greece yesterday. Back at work today. Feeling tired. Weather changed in London today - downpour in the afternoon. Sunburn turning to tan. I tried to use a high protection sunblock this year. Had to have suspect mole removed a few years ago after falling asleep under Paros sun. Reading Underworld by Don De Lillo. What a great writer! A friend has a play coming up on BBC Radio 4 soon. Hope I haven't missed it. There was a bye-election in my constituency, while I was away. Seems as though many people think the way I do - that Blair let us down in so many ways - that they overturned his party's huge majority and elected a Liberal Democrat. As the great bard (Bob Dylan) said "You don't need a weatherman to tell you how the wind blows".
Must sign off now to watch another controversial film by John Pliger.
Returned from Greece yesterday. Back at work today. Feeling tired. Weather changed in London today - downpour in the afternoon. Sunburn turning to tan. I tried to use a high protection sunblock this year. Had to have suspect mole removed a few years ago after falling asleep under Paros sun. Reading Underworld by Don De Lillo. What a great writer! A friend has a play coming up on BBC Radio 4 soon. Hope I haven't missed it. There was a bye-election in my constituency, while I was away. Seems as though many people think the way I do - that Blair let us down in so many ways - that they overturned his party's huge majority and elected a Liberal Democrat. As the great bard (Bob Dylan) said "You don't need a weatherman to tell you how the wind blows".
Must sign off now to watch another controversial film by John Pliger.
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Greetings from Rhodes
Greetings to all my friends from the beautiful Dodecanese Greek island of Rhodes. Spent 2 night in the Old Town of Rhodes. A wondrous place in the medievel style, tastefully restored. Prices have increased of course, but so has the standard of living of the average Greek. The involvement with the EU and the EURO has improved life all round. More beaches have the EU blue flag and health and safety standards have improved.
There has been a falling off in tourism from everywhere but the UK and this reflects the difficult economic times in some of the Nordic countries, Germany and France. We are now based in Pevkos [Pine Trees] in the south East of the island. Lots of swimming, sunbathing, beer drinking (Mythos - the local brew is excellent), Took a trip in a glass-bottomed boat to the historic town of Lindos, swam in Navarone bay (yes, where they made the movie) from the boat - crystal clear water. Food is good and have had no mossie stings - yet.
The guitarist, David Gilmore of Pink Floyd has houses in Pevkos and Lindos. He's the guy who donated his GBP3M to Shelter, the homeless charity. Nice one, sir - even if it can't have done your new album sales any harm!
Passed through the town of Falaraki, which has received a lot of adverse publicity in the British media recently following the death of a young man in a fight, and rumours of outrageous hedonistic activities of the part of all the young holiday-makers.
All the locals I spoke to on the island, believe this has been hugely exagerrated by the said media to sell their programmes/newspapers. Somehow, I am inclined to believe the Greeks.
That's it for now. Back Saturday 20th.
Peace and love to all
- except the dreadful US neo-conservatives and their war-mongering!
Greetings to all my friends from the beautiful Dodecanese Greek island of Rhodes. Spent 2 night in the Old Town of Rhodes. A wondrous place in the medievel style, tastefully restored. Prices have increased of course, but so has the standard of living of the average Greek. The involvement with the EU and the EURO has improved life all round. More beaches have the EU blue flag and health and safety standards have improved.
There has been a falling off in tourism from everywhere but the UK and this reflects the difficult economic times in some of the Nordic countries, Germany and France. We are now based in Pevkos [Pine Trees] in the south East of the island. Lots of swimming, sunbathing, beer drinking (Mythos - the local brew is excellent), Took a trip in a glass-bottomed boat to the historic town of Lindos, swam in Navarone bay (yes, where they made the movie) from the boat - crystal clear water. Food is good and have had no mossie stings - yet.
The guitarist, David Gilmore of Pink Floyd has houses in Pevkos and Lindos. He's the guy who donated his GBP3M to Shelter, the homeless charity. Nice one, sir - even if it can't have done your new album sales any harm!
Passed through the town of Falaraki, which has received a lot of adverse publicity in the British media recently following the death of a young man in a fight, and rumours of outrageous hedonistic activities of the part of all the young holiday-makers.
All the locals I spoke to on the island, believe this has been hugely exagerrated by the said media to sell their programmes/newspapers. Somehow, I am inclined to believe the Greeks.
That's it for now. Back Saturday 20th.
Peace and love to all
- except the dreadful US neo-conservatives and their war-mongering!
Saturday, August 30, 2003
We're all Americans Now!
Gee whizz Tony Blair. This is rilly Coo-al. We're all Amuricans now. We gat coo-al coke (all varieties), McDanalds, we gat you, Mr President in yer Whide House in Downing Steet. We gat our own war - alongside our brothers from across the pond with the Iraquanians out thur in the Mid East. We gat drive thru's, we gat smoothies, we gat mega power cuts, sorry...outages, jest like in Noo Yoik - coo-al. We gat diners, we gat crap tv from Murdoch, we gat gunfights on our steets - jest like the folks in LA, we gat automobile sireens like in the States. We gat Arnie Swartzenegger, J-Lo, we gat all dat crap. We don't know where anywhere outside of our own territory is anymo' jest like Yanks. We don't need the poncy Europeans with their consciences and their stoopid Euros. We gat shrinks, SUVs, 4wheel drives. Gee, some of us even gat condos in Florida. Thanks Mr President, Tony, guy, man, far-out, motherfucker badda-bing. We gat sick-bags too... (man).
Gee whizz Tony Blair. This is rilly Coo-al. We're all Amuricans now. We gat coo-al coke (all varieties), McDanalds, we gat you, Mr President in yer Whide House in Downing Steet. We gat our own war - alongside our brothers from across the pond with the Iraquanians out thur in the Mid East. We gat drive thru's, we gat smoothies, we gat mega power cuts, sorry...outages, jest like in Noo Yoik - coo-al. We gat diners, we gat crap tv from Murdoch, we gat gunfights on our steets - jest like the folks in LA, we gat automobile sireens like in the States. We gat Arnie Swartzenegger, J-Lo, we gat all dat crap. We don't know where anywhere outside of our own territory is anymo' jest like Yanks. We don't need the poncy Europeans with their consciences and their stoopid Euros. We gat shrinks, SUVs, 4wheel drives. Gee, some of us even gat condos in Florida. Thanks Mr President, Tony, guy, man, far-out, motherfucker badda-bing. We gat sick-bags too... (man).
Thursday, August 28, 2003
The International Criminal Court
It is clear to see why the US Administration will not accept the International Criminal Court where those charged with war crimes can be tried. One just has to consider Henry Kissinger and his illegal invasion of Cambodia, where more civilians were killed than even that following the bombing of Japan (and that's another reason) and his complicity with the bombing of Timor by Indonesia. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The US will apparently accept the Court if US citizens are exempted....er right.
Who are the terrorists?
It is clear to see why the US Administration will not accept the International Criminal Court where those charged with war crimes can be tried. One just has to consider Henry Kissinger and his illegal invasion of Cambodia, where more civilians were killed than even that following the bombing of Japan (and that's another reason) and his complicity with the bombing of Timor by Indonesia. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The US will apparently accept the Court if US citizens are exempted....er right.
Who are the terrorists?
Saturday, August 23, 2003
More thoughts on Doublespeak
It is clear what Tony Blair meant by New Labour was in fact New Conservative and what their election anthem It Can Only Get Better (by D-ream) meant was, It Can Only Get Worse, and to take it a step further: When Ma Blair decided to call him Tony Blair, what she meant was Tory Blair . For there is little doubt that this party, this cabal based in Downing Steet run along presidential lines is as right-wing as anything concocted by the Major Bufton Tuftons and the white thrash Essex boys and gels of the Official Tory party.
Two examples of their laissez faire dogma will strike UK residents, this holiday weekend.
Their creation, The Office of Telecommunications - OFTEL has introduced "competition" into the Directory Equiries service. So instead of simply dialling 192 and being charged 40 pence to use the service, from today the public will have to chose between 16 services beginning each beginning with 118 ... followed by 3 further digits. The 192 service was run by BT, the new "services" will no doubt be run by pillars of the Institute of Directors, who will be either Lord this or Lady that, employing sweatshop call-centre workers in Mumbai, India on £1,250 per annum. Meanwhile research has shown that the cost of the new services to consumers is likely to increase by at least 30%.. More for mobiles/cellphones. Note too that the call will be charged on a time basis. Bear in mind that some of the new entrants have inadequate databases and funding and you can see in whose interests this farago will be run. Hint: It's not the consumer. So much for the Gordon Brown clamp down on Rip-off Britain
The other example is public transport. Blair's other creation the not for profit Network Rail formerly the non-profit making (but dividend paying and fat-cat over-remunerating) Railtrack has virtually closed down the railways for the holiday to make the railways a safe means of transport. This will put 30% more private vehicles on the roads - a situation which will make the normal gridlock seem like Silverstone on Grand Prix day. This has virtually killed the chance of the ordinary family getting away for the weekend. Won't affect Blair though, newly refreshed after his Summer Holiday at "Sir" Cliff Richard's villa in Barbados. [Cool Britannia!]
Now you, the reader might think that the person who writes this is a card-carrying member of a socialist party. I am not a member of a political party, never have been. I am a democratically-minded person who voted for Labour in the 1997 election and was delighted when they trounced the pathetic Tories. I did not vote for Labour in 2002. I feel terribly let down by this government. The final insult was the way Blair took Britain, (against the wishes of the British electorate, by lieing to that electorate and Parliament) into the illegal invasion of Iraq with the fascistic US neo-conservatives and hand Bush carte blanche to engage in any form of totalitarianism in the name of the deeply flawed logic of The War on Terror and extracting vengence for the unspeakable tragedies of Sept 11, 2001 to bolster a poorly informed US public. New Labour's gross incompetance at home, their adoption of discredited neo-conservative ideology means they should give Blair his walking papers.The consequences of outrageous adventure into Iraq are too terrible to contemplate.
I strongly recommend that persons interested in New Labour should re-read Animal Farm by George Orwell, persons interested in world domination should read 1984 by George Orwell, persons who want to know where Britain should be going, should read The World We Are In (2003) by Len Hutton and everybody should read anything they can get their hands on by John Pilger
It is clear what Tony Blair meant by New Labour was in fact New Conservative and what their election anthem It Can Only Get Better (by D-ream) meant was, It Can Only Get Worse, and to take it a step further: When Ma Blair decided to call him Tony Blair, what she meant was Tory Blair . For there is little doubt that this party, this cabal based in Downing Steet run along presidential lines is as right-wing as anything concocted by the Major Bufton Tuftons and the white thrash Essex boys and gels of the Official Tory party.
Two examples of their laissez faire dogma will strike UK residents, this holiday weekend.
Their creation, The Office of Telecommunications - OFTEL has introduced "competition" into the Directory Equiries service. So instead of simply dialling 192 and being charged 40 pence to use the service, from today the public will have to chose between 16 services beginning each beginning with 118 ... followed by 3 further digits. The 192 service was run by BT, the new "services" will no doubt be run by pillars of the Institute of Directors, who will be either Lord this or Lady that, employing sweatshop call-centre workers in Mumbai, India on £1,250 per annum. Meanwhile research has shown that the cost of the new services to consumers is likely to increase by at least 30%.. More for mobiles/cellphones. Note too that the call will be charged on a time basis. Bear in mind that some of the new entrants have inadequate databases and funding and you can see in whose interests this farago will be run. Hint: It's not the consumer. So much for the Gordon Brown clamp down on Rip-off Britain
The other example is public transport. Blair's other creation the not for profit Network Rail formerly the non-profit making (but dividend paying and fat-cat over-remunerating) Railtrack has virtually closed down the railways for the holiday to make the railways a safe means of transport. This will put 30% more private vehicles on the roads - a situation which will make the normal gridlock seem like Silverstone on Grand Prix day. This has virtually killed the chance of the ordinary family getting away for the weekend. Won't affect Blair though, newly refreshed after his Summer Holiday at "Sir" Cliff Richard's villa in Barbados. [Cool Britannia!]
Now you, the reader might think that the person who writes this is a card-carrying member of a socialist party. I am not a member of a political party, never have been. I am a democratically-minded person who voted for Labour in the 1997 election and was delighted when they trounced the pathetic Tories. I did not vote for Labour in 2002. I feel terribly let down by this government. The final insult was the way Blair took Britain, (against the wishes of the British electorate, by lieing to that electorate and Parliament) into the illegal invasion of Iraq with the fascistic US neo-conservatives and hand Bush carte blanche to engage in any form of totalitarianism in the name of the deeply flawed logic of The War on Terror and extracting vengence for the unspeakable tragedies of Sept 11, 2001 to bolster a poorly informed US public. New Labour's gross incompetance at home, their adoption of discredited neo-conservative ideology means they should give Blair his walking papers.The consequences of outrageous adventure into Iraq are too terrible to contemplate.
I strongly recommend that persons interested in New Labour should re-read Animal Farm by George Orwell, persons interested in world domination should read 1984 by George Orwell, persons who want to know where Britain should be going, should read The World We Are In (2003) by Len Hutton and everybody should read anything they can get their hands on by John Pilger
Friday, August 08, 2003
Orwellian Doublespeak now order of the day
I heard an interesting item on the BBC news bulletin this morning.
"The Americans are considering developing mini-nukes (that is, small nuclear bombs) to blow up bunkers that may contain al-Quaeda weapons of mass destruction."
What?
The question arises: Who presents the greater danger to world peace today?
I humbly submit that the present regime in the US presents a much greater danger than a gang of ultras in the in the Middle East. The Americans will set a precedent by resorting to the horror of nuclear weapons and opening the floodgates. This is a scenario that is too frightening to contemplate.
I heard an interesting item on the BBC news bulletin this morning.
"The Americans are considering developing mini-nukes (that is, small nuclear bombs) to blow up bunkers that may contain al-Quaeda weapons of mass destruction."
What?
The question arises: Who presents the greater danger to world peace today?
I humbly submit that the present regime in the US presents a much greater danger than a gang of ultras in the in the Middle East. The Americans will set a precedent by resorting to the horror of nuclear weapons and opening the floodgates. This is a scenario that is too frightening to contemplate.
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Desist from Stereotyping
I suppose we all stereotype people. It's a kind of short-cut, a lazy way to get us through life... keep us out of trouble.
Big muscular guys with skin-head hairstyles, tattoos from neck to ankle, Doc Martin boots - we will tend to give them a wide berth at 2 am on a Sunday morning. Yet such people may be the most gentle of souls. It's just that for safety's sake we will not give them the benefit of the doubt.
Now I tend to stereotype tv presenters, especially those who may appear in the "family slot" like 5-8 pm at the week-end. I do not watch much tv, but I avoid this segment as Tony Blair avoids his constituency's rubber chicken darts nights.
One such presenter is David Dickensen, the camp (though, apparently straight - not that it matters) presenter of some antique show that crops up around this time. The guy, is not in the first flush of youth (note, ageism on my part , though I have long since been expelled from the 18-30 travel club for failure to know about the 60's - I was there...) He has this amazing tan that any Costa residing Brit would kill for, and he can jabber on about Chippendale furniture till Thomas Adam fireplaces go up in smoke.
So this bloke has a unfailing talent to send me to sleep after less than 3 minutes "viewing". I might add that I deeply resent antiques. They get in the way of all the stuff we should be designing today for today - instead of sitting around this old crap, that class-conscious Brits feel they need to clutter up their physical space - Is it any wonder they cannot cope with the 21st Century. I say physical space... I am not a phillistine. I enjoy history, dead poets, writers, objects d'art. It's just the physical space. It's so damn finite.
Anyway, looks like I got this Dickensian Dickensen geyser totally wrong. Asked in an interview what living person he most admired...(I was expecting, in my prejudice, the toxic Margaret Thatcher, or the pretzel-choking, Bush Jnr.) He only says John Pilger... John Blooddy Pilger. Are my ears playing tricks?... only the bravest, most admirable Australian, that ever struck the keys of a Remington typwriter. The ballsiest journalist living today. (I'm not Australian, by the way).
John Pilger has said recently
"The conscious nature of Tony Blair's lies and distortions over Iraq is now clear. Collectors will have their favourites. Mine is his statement in Parliament on 29th January that "we do know of links between al-Quaeda and Iraq". As the Intelligence agencies have repeatedly confirmed, there were no links and Blair would have known this. Looking back this lie sought to justify his statement, in October 2001, that there would be a "wider war" against Iraq only if there was "absolute evidence" of his complicity in 11 September. Of course there was no evidence and Blair would have known this too......"
Thank you John Pliger, and thank you Mr Dickensen.
I suppose we all stereotype people. It's a kind of short-cut, a lazy way to get us through life... keep us out of trouble.
Big muscular guys with skin-head hairstyles, tattoos from neck to ankle, Doc Martin boots - we will tend to give them a wide berth at 2 am on a Sunday morning. Yet such people may be the most gentle of souls. It's just that for safety's sake we will not give them the benefit of the doubt.
Now I tend to stereotype tv presenters, especially those who may appear in the "family slot" like 5-8 pm at the week-end. I do not watch much tv, but I avoid this segment as Tony Blair avoids his constituency's rubber chicken darts nights.
One such presenter is David Dickensen, the camp (though, apparently straight - not that it matters) presenter of some antique show that crops up around this time. The guy, is not in the first flush of youth (note, ageism on my part , though I have long since been expelled from the 18-30 travel club for failure to know about the 60's - I was there...) He has this amazing tan that any Costa residing Brit would kill for, and he can jabber on about Chippendale furniture till Thomas Adam fireplaces go up in smoke.
So this bloke has a unfailing talent to send me to sleep after less than 3 minutes "viewing". I might add that I deeply resent antiques. They get in the way of all the stuff we should be designing today for today - instead of sitting around this old crap, that class-conscious Brits feel they need to clutter up their physical space - Is it any wonder they cannot cope with the 21st Century. I say physical space... I am not a phillistine. I enjoy history, dead poets, writers, objects d'art. It's just the physical space. It's so damn finite.
Anyway, looks like I got this Dickensian Dickensen geyser totally wrong. Asked in an interview what living person he most admired...(I was expecting, in my prejudice, the toxic Margaret Thatcher, or the pretzel-choking, Bush Jnr.) He only says John Pilger... John Blooddy Pilger. Are my ears playing tricks?... only the bravest, most admirable Australian, that ever struck the keys of a Remington typwriter. The ballsiest journalist living today. (I'm not Australian, by the way).
John Pilger has said recently
"The conscious nature of Tony Blair's lies and distortions over Iraq is now clear. Collectors will have their favourites. Mine is his statement in Parliament on 29th January that "we do know of links between al-Quaeda and Iraq". As the Intelligence agencies have repeatedly confirmed, there were no links and Blair would have known this. Looking back this lie sought to justify his statement, in October 2001, that there would be a "wider war" against Iraq only if there was "absolute evidence" of his complicity in 11 September. Of course there was no evidence and Blair would have known this too......"
Thank you John Pliger, and thank you Mr Dickensen.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Faustian Pact
What is truly outrageous about the Blair Government today is that it is manipulated by the eminance gris of Rupert Murdoch. A few months before New Labour was elected in 1997, Blair was invited to attend a meeting of senior executives of Murdoch's News International, publishers in the UK of The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, News of the World and controlling interest in Sky TV.
Blair sold his soul to the evil one at that meeting. In return for Blair taking a pro-Republican, pro-Neo-Conservative, pro-business deregulation and anti-EU (especially single currencey) line, Blair would receive the full support of the Murdoch media in the UK. The rest, as they say, is history. Some of these demands may have caused Blair a little indigestion, especially the anti-Euro stance. He took some decongestant, and with Gordon Brown concocted the quasi-economic 5 tests for Euro membership, which surprise, surprise, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has recently scored the UK as a "fail".
Blair lives in daily fear of getting the thumbs down from the unspeakable one.
It was not really surprising, when Blair replaced the shambolic John Major, the first thing he did was to visit the toxic Margaret Thatcher, the very one who "de-regulated" sensible legislation that handed the Times, The Sun, Sky, etc. to RM on a plate. (It is still not possible for an equivalent situation to arise in the US.)
And what about the recent row between the Government and the BBC. Not a big surprise that the Murdoch media comes out on the side of the Government, when his low-rent organisation is likely to be the bigest beneficiary of any weakening of the public broadcaster. It is ominous therefore, that Government is making threatening noises about the future of the Governors of the BBC.
So there you have it. A person who is neither a resident nor citizen/subject of the UK, is controlling issues such as Britain invading Iraq and the future of the one world-leading institution in the UK, the BBC.
Nice democracy from the gushing & sermonising Tony Blair!
What is truly outrageous about the Blair Government today is that it is manipulated by the eminance gris of Rupert Murdoch. A few months before New Labour was elected in 1997, Blair was invited to attend a meeting of senior executives of Murdoch's News International, publishers in the UK of The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, News of the World and controlling interest in Sky TV.
Blair sold his soul to the evil one at that meeting. In return for Blair taking a pro-Republican, pro-Neo-Conservative, pro-business deregulation and anti-EU (especially single currencey) line, Blair would receive the full support of the Murdoch media in the UK. The rest, as they say, is history. Some of these demands may have caused Blair a little indigestion, especially the anti-Euro stance. He took some decongestant, and with Gordon Brown concocted the quasi-economic 5 tests for Euro membership, which surprise, surprise, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has recently scored the UK as a "fail".
Blair lives in daily fear of getting the thumbs down from the unspeakable one.
It was not really surprising, when Blair replaced the shambolic John Major, the first thing he did was to visit the toxic Margaret Thatcher, the very one who "de-regulated" sensible legislation that handed the Times, The Sun, Sky, etc. to RM on a plate. (It is still not possible for an equivalent situation to arise in the US.)
And what about the recent row between the Government and the BBC. Not a big surprise that the Murdoch media comes out on the side of the Government, when his low-rent organisation is likely to be the bigest beneficiary of any weakening of the public broadcaster. It is ominous therefore, that Government is making threatening noises about the future of the Governors of the BBC.
So there you have it. A person who is neither a resident nor citizen/subject of the UK, is controlling issues such as Britain invading Iraq and the future of the one world-leading institution in the UK, the BBC.
Nice democracy from the gushing & sermonising Tony Blair!
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Blair was given approval to go to war against Iraq, by the UK Parliament on the basis that Sadam had weapons of Mass Destruction, which he could fire within 45 minutes. If Blair exaggerated or lied on this matter, then it is a resigning matter. Where are these WMDs?
I say he should resign and let's get a Prime Minister who is not the poodle of the most craven US Administration ever to see the light of day.
I say he should resign and let's get a Prime Minister who is not the poodle of the most craven US Administration ever to see the light of day.
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
Interesting that the Bush regime plans to try unilaterally members of the Iraq regime for war crimes without recourse to the international war crimes convention - which it has not signed up to anyway. A bit rich from the country that gave us Mai Lai, (Vietnam), Hiroshima & Nagasaki, El Salvador, Somalia and the present deaths of innocents in Iraq to add to a long list. Sadam is bad, sure, but surely a Christian*, as Bush allegedly is (and Blair too), born again, or otherwise, can see the hypocisy in this position.
*And I would add any unbiased Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Rastafarian, Atheist or [fill in your own belief sytem] would come to the same conclusion.
*And I would add any unbiased Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Rastafarian, Atheist or [fill in your own belief sytem] would come to the same conclusion.
Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Speaking of disingenuous, what on earth is Blair doing inviting Bush to Northern Ireland? Asked what city he knew in northern Ireland, Dubya said Dublin! What can such an ignoramus possibly contribute to a complex situation like Northern Ireland. What have the ordinary peace-loving folks of those counties done to deserve the presence of such a warmonger ( or 2 warmongers, for that matter)?
Well the thing is, it is the only place already adequately saturated by troops safe enough for the texas ranger.
Mark my words, Blair will go the same way as the dreadful Thatcher. He has become so puffed up by his treatment in the US, that he has forgotten that it is the better-informed electorate in the UK that really matters for his future.
Well the thing is, it is the only place already adequately saturated by troops safe enough for the texas ranger.
Mark my words, Blair will go the same way as the dreadful Thatcher. He has become so puffed up by his treatment in the US, that he has forgotten that it is the better-informed electorate in the UK that really matters for his future.
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Speaking of extreme Republican right-wingers (what an example of tautology!), as I was in my last blog, how interesting to see Richard Perle, one of the godfathers of the Party having to resign because of "a possible conflict of interest", i.e. making money out of the war. Watch out for more resignations for this little matter. The whole raison d'etre of this sordid war is money and power.
Somebody said to me the other day that Blair is a brilliant actor. This seemed to me an odd statement, at the time. However, the more I think of it, the truer it seems. Everybody says that Blair truly believes what he says, and whatever you think about his views on the War, you have got to give him the benefit of sticking to what he believes.
Well, I'm not sure about that. How could an intelligent person like the PM accept every piece of nonsense that Bush Jnr. spouts out. For one example the "The Roadmap for peace in the Middle East" [including independence for the Palestinian people]. What a cynical device that was to get countries on board for the War. Blair surely knows this is total bullshit , and doesn't stand a chance of being implemented, with Zionist power deeply "embedded" on the levers of US power, yet he tries to deceive his audience that it is a goer. Blair is as devious as any any politician, he just puts it over in a way that the great Jack Nicholson couldn't compete with. You don't get to where Blair is without pulling mucho strokes.
Meanwhile this immoral unjust war claims more lives. The Republican guard are human beings too and zapped tanks contain ordinary fathers and sons and brothers and grandsons!
Somebody said to me the other day that Blair is a brilliant actor. This seemed to me an odd statement, at the time. However, the more I think of it, the truer it seems. Everybody says that Blair truly believes what he says, and whatever you think about his views on the War, you have got to give him the benefit of sticking to what he believes.
Well, I'm not sure about that. How could an intelligent person like the PM accept every piece of nonsense that Bush Jnr. spouts out. For one example the "The Roadmap for peace in the Middle East" [including independence for the Palestinian people]. What a cynical device that was to get countries on board for the War. Blair surely knows this is total bullshit , and doesn't stand a chance of being implemented, with Zionist power deeply "embedded" on the levers of US power, yet he tries to deceive his audience that it is a goer. Blair is as devious as any any politician, he just puts it over in a way that the great Jack Nicholson couldn't compete with. You don't get to where Blair is without pulling mucho strokes.
Meanwhile this immoral unjust war claims more lives. The Republican guard are human beings too and zapped tanks contain ordinary fathers and sons and brothers and grandsons!
Thursday, March 27, 2003
The extreme Republican right-winger, Rupert Murdoch is ensuring that his rubbish UK titles are following his hardline lead on the War. The vile Sun, the overblown and much reduced Times and his medium for Gameboy enthusiasts, Sky TV, all slavishly follow Rhubarb's diktat. It's laughable to consider that when he was given approval to take over The Times, he gave a solemn undertaking not to control the editorial line.
Looking at another press baron, it is surprising that the Murdoch Lite, Tony (sorry) "Sir" Dr. (honorary) Anthony JF O'Reilly, has not thus far interfered with the Independent's admirable anti-war editorial.
Looking at another press baron, it is surprising that the Murdoch Lite, Tony (sorry) "Sir" Dr. (honorary) Anthony JF O'Reilly, has not thus far interfered with the Independent's admirable anti-war editorial.
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Article 1441 alone does not permit the US or anyone else to go to war
The US administration and its supporters (including the UK Prime Minister) claim that no further UN declarations are necessary to comply with International Law. This is untrue. It was made perfectly clear in November 2002 when 1441 was passed, and this was emphasised by the US administration as the time, that no "automaticity" would result in war or force of arms. Of course, having obtained the passing of the sanction, the Administration and its friends are conveniently forgetting this.
A further sanction is most definetly required and this was implied by UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan earlier this week.
Of course the fallback stance of the Administration and its cronies is that if the UN declines to confirm war then it is a useless and demoralised entity. In other words, if you don't agree with us we will do what we want anyway.
What they really want to do is get rid of the UN and act in a unilateral manner - just like the loonies in the militias in the redneckland of Montana or where ever it is that they hang out. Law of the jungle will ensue.
The US administration and its supporters (including the UK Prime Minister) claim that no further UN declarations are necessary to comply with International Law. This is untrue. It was made perfectly clear in November 2002 when 1441 was passed, and this was emphasised by the US administration as the time, that no "automaticity" would result in war or force of arms. Of course, having obtained the passing of the sanction, the Administration and its friends are conveniently forgetting this.
A further sanction is most definetly required and this was implied by UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan earlier this week.
Of course the fallback stance of the Administration and its cronies is that if the UN declines to confirm war then it is a useless and demoralised entity. In other words, if you don't agree with us we will do what we want anyway.
What they really want to do is get rid of the UN and act in a unilateral manner - just like the loonies in the militias in the redneckland of Montana or where ever it is that they hang out. Law of the jungle will ensue.
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
US Vice-President receives income from War Contractor
Dick Cheney continues to receive money from Halliburton, one of the major contactors of the so-called "War on Terror".
Although declared as "Deferred Compensation" in Mr Cheney's 2001 financial disclosure statement, it is not clear how the payments ranging from $100,000 to £1,000,000 per year are calculated.
It was announced the other day that a subsidiary of Halliburton received a defense department contract to control oil fires, if Saddam Hussein sets the well heads alight; and this will put the Group in excellent position to bid for huge contracts when Iraqi oil is rehabilitated. KBR (the subsidiary) has already benefited to the tune of $33M for building the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba.
Dick Cheney retains $8M of stock options in Halliburton. He has arranged to pay any profits on these options to charity.
It is reliably estimated that Halliburton has made $2.3bn. from the government contracts while Cheney was Chief Executive.
We believe that Sept 11, was an outrage and that there should be no hiding place for the perpetrators of that foul deed. We believe Saddam Hussein is a war criminal, who should be brought to justice.
We do however, suspect the motives of the Bush government and it's apparent unilateral rush to war without regard to International Law.
Dick Cheney continues to receive money from Halliburton, one of the major contactors of the so-called "War on Terror".
Although declared as "Deferred Compensation" in Mr Cheney's 2001 financial disclosure statement, it is not clear how the payments ranging from $100,000 to £1,000,000 per year are calculated.
It was announced the other day that a subsidiary of Halliburton received a defense department contract to control oil fires, if Saddam Hussein sets the well heads alight; and this will put the Group in excellent position to bid for huge contracts when Iraqi oil is rehabilitated. KBR (the subsidiary) has already benefited to the tune of $33M for building the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba.
Dick Cheney retains $8M of stock options in Halliburton. He has arranged to pay any profits on these options to charity.
It is reliably estimated that Halliburton has made $2.3bn. from the government contracts while Cheney was Chief Executive.
We believe that Sept 11, was an outrage and that there should be no hiding place for the perpetrators of that foul deed. We believe Saddam Hussein is a war criminal, who should be brought to justice.
We do however, suspect the motives of the Bush government and it's apparent unilateral rush to war without regard to International Law.
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Sounds a bit fishy to me
Halibut? No Haliburton. What's that then?
It's the company to which the Bush regime has just announced that it has granted one of the major contracts for rebuilding Iraq.
Has Bush taken over Iraq? Not yet.
See what you mean about fish.
Who are Haliburton then?
Dick Cheney's (Vice President) "former" employer.
This war is not about oil, you know.
Right.
Halibut? No Haliburton. What's that then?
It's the company to which the Bush regime has just announced that it has granted one of the major contracts for rebuilding Iraq.
Has Bush taken over Iraq? Not yet.
See what you mean about fish.
Who are Haliburton then?
Dick Cheney's (Vice President) "former" employer.
This war is not about oil, you know.
Right.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Candidate for New Leader of the Tory Party
Here's my suggestion for the new leader of Britain's "loyal Opposition" - Step forward Tony Blair.
It is quite clear that Blair is a Tory at heart. Didn't he steal all their policies, and one of his first guests on his appointment as PM, was the arch Tory witch, "Baroness" Thatcher? Don't even mention the War.
As soon as the Labour faithful awakens and smells the coffee, it may be too late for all of us.
Here's my suggestion for the new leader of Britain's "loyal Opposition" - Step forward Tony Blair.
It is quite clear that Blair is a Tory at heart. Didn't he steal all their policies, and one of his first guests on his appointment as PM, was the arch Tory witch, "Baroness" Thatcher? Don't even mention the War.
As soon as the Labour faithful awakens and smells the coffee, it may be too late for all of us.
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Parliamentary Opposition
Everybody in Britain, right now recognises that there is no effective opposition to the New Labour government. "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition" (what a typically pompous term!) whose role is currently filled by the Conservative or Tory Party is a joke. It is quite clear that the only electable position is to the left of the New Labour, ( and let's face it that could still mean right-wing) but all theTories can do is move yet further to the right and self-destruct by internal feud.
It is also quite clear that with average membership age at 67, no modernisation move is going to get passed by this reactionary group to make it electable. So it would appear they are in melt-down.
It has been said that any opposition there is, is being provided by the Labour back-benchers, and the media. The former have some strength at present, with their constituents seething about Blair's arrogance in ignoring the electorate's opposition to supporting Bush's adventures in the Middle East; but they are also constrained by the Party's whips and the immense machine that is Blair's Downing Street, which the PM has largely turned into a White House in London, a flagrant contradiction to Britain so-called parliamentary democracy. That leaves the media.
The newspapers in Britain are overwhelmingly controlled by foreigners. The megalomaniac, Rupert Murdoch, an Australian turned US citizen and "Sir" Conrad Black, a Canadian. Both are extreme right-wingers and have agendas that are not those of ordinary British residents. Blair has made a Faustian pact with Murdoch to moderate democratic reforms to Britain's medieval "constitution" and links to Europe in return for support from the odious Sun and the overblown and rubbishy Times .
Much more here on the British media soon.
Everybody in Britain, right now recognises that there is no effective opposition to the New Labour government. "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition" (what a typically pompous term!) whose role is currently filled by the Conservative or Tory Party is a joke. It is quite clear that the only electable position is to the left of the New Labour, ( and let's face it that could still mean right-wing) but all theTories can do is move yet further to the right and self-destruct by internal feud.
It is also quite clear that with average membership age at 67, no modernisation move is going to get passed by this reactionary group to make it electable. So it would appear they are in melt-down.
It has been said that any opposition there is, is being provided by the Labour back-benchers, and the media. The former have some strength at present, with their constituents seething about Blair's arrogance in ignoring the electorate's opposition to supporting Bush's adventures in the Middle East; but they are also constrained by the Party's whips and the immense machine that is Blair's Downing Street, which the PM has largely turned into a White House in London, a flagrant contradiction to Britain so-called parliamentary democracy. That leaves the media.
The newspapers in Britain are overwhelmingly controlled by foreigners. The megalomaniac, Rupert Murdoch, an Australian turned US citizen and "Sir" Conrad Black, a Canadian. Both are extreme right-wingers and have agendas that are not those of ordinary British residents. Blair has made a Faustian pact with Murdoch to moderate democratic reforms to Britain's medieval "constitution" and links to Europe in return for support from the odious Sun and the overblown and rubbishy Times .
Much more here on the British media soon.
Friday, February 21, 2003
Happy Birthday, Yvonne. Your looking great and of course, you're still in a different decade of life to me. Glad we are still great friends. It was "touch and go" for a while, as you know.
Jamaicans and Irish should get on well. Although I am saddened and annoyed by stories of racism that are increasingly common from the old country these days. More about this later.
Glad also that you have taken to the blogosphere so well, hardly surprising, when you think of your kids' success in writing.
"Old media" card later
Enjoy tonight.
Jamaicans and Irish should get on well. Although I am saddened and annoyed by stories of racism that are increasingly common from the old country these days. More about this later.
Glad also that you have taken to the blogosphere so well, hardly surprising, when you think of your kids' success in writing.
"Old media" card later
Enjoy tonight.
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
I'm back. I was away but now I'm here again. Stronger than ever. Leaner, fitter, raring to go. Don't hold me back. I'm a man in a hurry. A positive, cando type of guy. No time for begrudgers. Feeling empowered... Sober, steadfast, upright, no time for fools.
Great! Must have a lie down after all that.
Great! Must have a lie down after all that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)