Here are some brief comments on events while I was busy biographing:
Prince William to wed Kate Middleton
I really don’t give a fuck. Have you noticed he is strangely getting less bald? They’ll both be middle aged and ugly before they come to the throne. Or hopefully not.
Coalition launch “Starve the feckless” scheme
Multiple orgasms at the Mail, Express and Telegraph at launch of amusingly impossible policy guaranteed to increase crime rate.
Demonstrators trash Tory Party HQ
I don’t really approve of riot as people get hurt. But the only thing that makes me angrier than the tuition fee increases, are the NUS leadership hacks who support New Labour who brought in tuition fees in the first place.
Interesting moral conundrum as to whether pre-emptive murder of NUS executives can be justified. Looking at Straw, Clarke and Aaronovitch, it is certainly a debate worth having.
Possible voluntary reduction in London bankers’ bonuses from £7 billion to £4 billion and then £3 billion later. Anyone remember why the public finances are bankrupt? The bonuses are justified by record profits based on funding and administering government debt, which was incurred by governments borrowing to give to the bankers. What?
I am now working from home, which gives me the freedom to pop into Birmingham city centre and join a demo. As luck would have it, today our lovely Business Secretary Mr. Cable was in town, so I went along to wave a few placards at him, and sing some songs about him becoming a Tory. I had a daydream that, being a Lib Dem, he’d come out and speak to us directly, but alas it was not to be.
I voted for the yellow party, and they’ve delivered a series of crashing disappointments. First it was Clegg denouncing the idea that the LDs could be ‘a left wing alternative to New Labour’ – when there is an electoral space for them to do just that (yes, even after the Labour leadership change).
Of course, we’ve also got Clegg doing a reverse ferret on tuition fees, of which much has been said on this blog already. And we have the unpleasant spectre of the Liberals propping up the ‘starve the feckless’ and ‘Dickensian workhouse’ approaches to working people.
I know it’s been asked here before by some adversarial Labour party members, but if I pose the question – since I am of no party – perhaps we’ll get some fruitful discussion. What is the current position of Liberal Democrat members here – not just Craig – on their continuing membership? For my money, supporting the coalition at its infancy was a risk worth taking, given the benefit to civil liberties and the possibility that the Liberals would apply a restraining hand against class-based unpleasantness. But what now?
Oh yes, on the student demo on Wednesday. Been sheltering from the news recently, on account of it all being (a) bad news and (b) presented through dull and predictable mainstream/corporate filters. Finally saw what’s been happening in the Morning Star, which seems to approve of the hullabaloo. (I’d say ‘rioting’ was too generous: I believe some windows got smashed, but I think you’d need more people involved, and more windows smashed, for it to Constitute A Proper Riot. But I digress.)
Anyway, I think I approve of the hullabaloo too. I don’t like people getting hurt, but the responses to Aaron Wossname of the NUS have been straight to the point. Since when did an authorised, contained and diverted march ever achieve anything? And what a disappointment to have yet another New Labour clone as NUS prez! Time was when you had to be a left-wing radical to be part of the NUS leadership at all…
So, I think we need to get behind the students on this one, even if direct action isn’t your cup of tea. They aren’t just angry about the potential for £9K annual tuition fees, but are connecting government leniency on tax-avoiders (Vodafone) with the attacks on students and the public sector generally. For anyone hopping mad about the public sector cuts, and the hypocrisy of the millionaire cabinet telling us that “we’re all in this together”, the students have made a good start on the fight back.
I am sticking with it for the moment, buoyed by the striking defeat of the leadership at conference on academy and free schools despite the leadership pulling out all the stops. Not that that had any immediate effect, but it gave me hope the liberals can take nack control of the party – which is not as internally undemocratic as New Labour.
So sorry, will try to stop typing soon! But it’s all reasonably relevant – or is at least intended to be 🙂
There is a campaign at the moment to stop Rupert Murdoch taking over control at BSkyB. Commentators have said that his increased control of this corporation will worsen ‘media plurality’ in the UK, which is generally not good if you think that this odious man has stuck his unwelcome nose too much into British affairs already. Some say, in all seriousness, that the last 30 years of UK elections have been affected by Murdoch’s personal views on particular politicians.
Campaign group 38 Degrees have therefore been urging people to write to OFCOM to get this deal stopped. 38D won the referral to the regulator in the first place, so a win on this is quite possible. Click the link where my name is, and it will take you to the relevant web page.
* If you want to do this, you must do it before Friday – the consultation closes at that time! *
So sorry, will try to stop typing soon! But it’s all reasonably relevant – or is at least intended to be 🙂
There is a campaign at the moment to stop Rupert Murdoch taking over control at BSkyB. Commentators have said that his increased control of this corporation will worsen ‘media plurality’ in the UK, which is generally not good if you think that this odious man has stuck his unwelcome nose too much into British affairs already. Some say, in all seriousness, that the last 30 years of UK elections have been affected by Murdoch’s personal views on particular politicians.
Campaign group 38 Degrees have therefore been urging people to write to OFCOM to get this deal stopped. 38D won the referral to the regulator in the first place, so a win on this is quite possible. Click the link where my name is, and it will take you to the relevant web page.
* If you want to do this, you must do it before Friday – the consultation closes at that time! *
^ duplicate on account of dodgy connection, apologies. Feel free to delete one!
??? ?????Eid Mubarak??? ?????
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to ?????? transliterated with a K and the rest of you.
Does anyone want any Eid meat?
To keep with the topic, yes he is getting bald. But I couldn’t give a fig, about his hair and lack of it, what I don’t like is the stuff he does to support the war, or what I call it, Murder of Muslims.
The Rupert Murdock papers support starving people here, because the more people starve here, the more money the government has left over to give to Israel, or sorry should that be bankers?
I really can’t see the difference?
Students and riots?
If they didn’t riot would we notice the demonstration?
Would the Libs, claim that the students don’t mind because they didn’t riot?
Craig you can replace the word Libs with Comrade in your reading of what I just wrote if you want Craig?
to be honest I found the police shutting down fitwatch.org.uk a lot more worrying than the actual riot. what they posted was wrong and should have probably been taken down but shouldn’t their have been a lot more trials and court orders and shouting about freedom of speech and stuff before it was. if it had been a more liberal blog talking about Iraq or something there would have been a ethical debate about it in the press (such as the wikileaks it endangers lives vs its freedom of speech discussion. And the laws wikileaks broke were far more serious (national security vs helping people accused of property destruction)) instead we have an unanimous, they’re anarchists, they’re evil, shut them down. dosn’t it worry anyone that the police have the power to take down blogs critical of the police without anyone challanging them or even asking questions?
add ‘as far as i can tell from what little has been reported’ to that. pressed post to soon
Craig, riots are good. Just look at other countries, if we did not riot the governments would take the piss even further….in some countries they beat the living daylights out of MPs for stepping out of line, maybe we should start kicking the shit out of some MPs and they might stop lying and cheating, …fucking cunts
“maybe we should start kicking the shit out of some MPs and they might stop lying and cheating”
I fear not – I think its genetic.
Craig says in reference to another round of gargantuan bankers’ bonuses ?” “Anyone remember why the public finances are bankrupt?”. Actually, Craig, I think you very succinctly hit the nub of the problem with your November 5th article’s headline ?” It’s a “Stew of Corruption”
im staggered that anyone didnt understand the regime changes in our political parties that ensured that whomever won the election a neo con was at the helm.
recognising this fact , then as with obama no one can be surprised by the political outcomes.
as for the marriage i suppose what a let down to their mother i would think – war-mongering sons endorsing illegal wars – killing muslims .. considering that she was about to get married to a muslim .. they might have had a different perception .. who knows
anyway the untimely death brought about the re establishment of the way it ever was ..
rejoice! rejoice!
meanwhile obamas war against pak continues whilst uk generals confirm that we’re not going anywhere even though the war is lost in afghansitan.
@ Craig,
“Possible voluntary reduction in London bankers’ bonuses from £7 billion to £4 billion and then £3 billion later. Anyone remember why the public finances are bankrupt?”
I do.
CB
@ All,
“It’s a “Stew of Corruption”
@ Craig,
“I don’t really approve of riot as people get hurt… .”
And last time I checked:-
A lot of people got hurt in the First World War, the Second one too, the Vietnam War, the illegal attack on Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and many other conflagrations that are … well … .a bit more significant than a little “riot” in which “people get hurt” in the UK.
CB
@ Craig,
“I don’t really approve of riot as people get hurt… .”
And last time I checked:-
A lot of people got hurt in the First World War, the Second one too, the Vietnam War, the illegal attack on Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and many other conflagrations that are … well … .a bit more significant than a little “riot” in which “people get hurt” in the UK.
CB
@ Craig,
“I don’t really approve of riot as people get hurt… .”
And last time I checked:-
A lot of people got hurt in the First World War, the Second one too, the Vietnam War, the illegal attack on Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and many other conflagrations that are … well … .a bit more significant than a little “riot” in which “people get hurt” in the UK.
CB
wendy,
Talking about ‘neocon’ I note that Peter Riddell who wrote the book, ‘Hug Them Close: Blair, Clinton, Bush and the “Special Relationship” has been elected to the Privy Council, joining John Reid and Jack Straw.
“Riddell would be one of three members of an inquiry to determine whether British intelligence officers were complicit in the torture of detainees, including those from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp or subject to rendition flights. Riddell will join the Privy Council to permit easier access to secret information.”
Ah! so that’s the reason, to permit access to secret information no less.
“Mr Cameron told MPs there was no evidence that British intelligence officers were directly involved in torturing these detainees. But the 12 had alleged that UK personnel “may have witnessed mistreatment such as the use of hoods and shackles”, he said.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a00ba278-892e-11df-8ecd-00144feab49a.html
Smells like a white-wash – remember Riddell (PC) was US Editor and Washington Bureau Chief at The Financial Times between 1989 and 1991.
We have to keep the ‘special relationship’ going at all costs – even if it drags Great Britain into the gutter!
Sorry I’m biased; the murder and crippling by fire and explosives of, yes thousands of Iraqi babies and children in an illegal war based on WMD lies has made a great big hole in my oath of allegiance.
I joined Britain’s Royal Navy under a Royal Prerogative to fight for my country not illegally invade and destroy another sovereign state.
Even the Lords Spiritual have condemned the preemptive attack and looting of Iraq.
“I really don’t give a fuck. Have you noticed he is strangely getting less bald? They’ll both be middle aged and ugly before they come to the throne. Or hopefully not…”
Oooh, get you, Mr Grumpy.
Fox News revelation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFPobKeSzKQ
Absolutely unmissable – remarkable, phenomenal, extraordinary, salient.
Time to rethink everything going forward.
The website has been down since early this morning. What is happening?
The website has been since early this morning. What is happening?
test
The last bit sounds like a Ponzi scheme. The way the bastards steal our money is a Ponzi scheme. Dirty bastards. Yes the site was unreachable earlier. Some government cunt unable to get it in to his thick fucking skull that he and his co-workers are communist cunts and the tool of oppression, no arse lickers, no oppression. I met Hitler in Hamburg , he was a right evil bastard, anyone who says he was misunderstood and a good bloke is an arsehole and knew nothing.
The royal fucking wedding will give those useless cunts at press something to talk about. Help cover up the fucking steep hill we are currently traveling financially. Look at the long positions and commodities getting murdered. We voted in arseholes who know nothing about business and start complaining they fucked up, well fuck them and fuck the stupid cunts who voted for them.
Merry Christmas to the decent people on here. Apologies if you find my post offensive.
Craig:
I’m curious whether you know Andrew Heyn the British ambassador to Burma? Watching his reaction to Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, he seemed to be genuinely moved by it and he struck me as good man. I just hope the Burmese junta allow Aung San Suu Kyi enough freedom to affect some real change.
I have found it both interesting and depressing that during the largely forgotten oppression of the Burmese, it has been grass roots US Christian organisations that have been most consistent with their support of the Burmese people (or at least of the Karen).
Craig:
I’m curious whether you know Andrew Heyn the British ambassador to Burma? Watching his reaction to Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, he seemed to be genuinely moved by it and he struck me as good man. I just hope the Burmese junta allow Aung San Suu Kyi enough freedom to affect some real change.
I have found it both interesting and depressing that during the largely forgotten oppression of the Burmese, it has been grass roots US Christian organisations that have been most consistent with their support of the Burmese people (or at least of the Karen).
“what a disappointment to have yet another New Labour clone as NUS prez! Time was when you had to be a left-wing radical to be part of the NUS leadership at all…”
Like Jack Straw was ?