Still at Schiphol 1154

 in Life by

I am becoming quite fond of my little corner of Schiphol airport. I have put up my Christmas cards and a few bits of tinsel. I now have a boarding card for the 0800 to Manchester. This is the sixth boarding card I have had. It is very hard to understand why, time after time, they don’t know a flight is cancelled until some time after it was due to leave and all the passengers have queued at the gate for hours.

Of course, Manchester is a lot further from Ramsgate than Schiphol is, so even if the flight atually goes, this represents rather dubious progress.

Happy New Year everybody.

Remarkably, KLM delivered my lost luggage, including my laptop, at 9.30 pm on New Year’s Eve. At that time a pretty lively party was already in full swing,much improved by the presence of a great many beautiful young women, mostly from Latvia. I am not sure why; my life as ever consists of a bewildering succession of chance encounters with really nice people. I am in the fortunate position of being able to say that Nadira was the most lovely of all, without indulging in dutiful hyperbole.

It was an extremely happy Christmas. Having my mum, both my brothers and all my three chidren together was as great as it was rare.

We have been through the laptop in lost luggage discussion before. The problem is that my shoulders dislocate at the drop of a hat, and I travel without hand luggage to avoid an accident.

2011 is going to be a very important year for me. particularly the first quarter. A number of crucial events are going either to set me up financially for the rest of my life, or result in real distress and failure. At present I have reason to be very optimistic. I am also very absorbed in my life of Alexander Burnes, which I hope will help establish a serious academic reputation.

The Portuguese edition of Murder in Samarkand has sold unexpectedly well in Brazil. The translation of the Turkish edition has just been finished.

I hope to do a Wikileaks retrospective in the next couple of days. Just a quick thought on the case of the poor young gardener in Bristol. Of the Jill Dando case, long before Barry Bulsara’s succesful appeal I blogged that this appeared to be a miscarriage of justice in which the police had fitted up the local weirdo.

Despite not being enamoured of landlords in general, I fear the same dynamic is at work in Bristol, albeit Chris Jefferies is much more intellectually capable than Bulsara. My instinct is that the police have picked up on Jefferies for being camper than a boy scout jamboree and archer than Trajan.

Jefferies’ release on bail has me worried that there was nothing against him other than the “He’s a weird one, guv” instinct of some not very bright cop. The case needs to be closely watched as history shows that the powers of the police to make the evidence fit the suspect are considerable.

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1,154 thoughts on “Still at Schiphol”

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  • dreoilin

    One link and I’m off to see to the turkey:

    “A former White House spokesman has lashed out at the US government for using ‘Osama bin Laden’ as a pretext to continue its occupation of Afghanistan.

    “Since 2004, we have seen no new bin Laden videos,” wrote ex-spokesman Robert Weiner and James Lewis, a US national security analyst at Robert Weiner Associates, suggesting bin Laden may be dead” …

    continues

    http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157032.html

  • Clark

    Merry Christmas, Dreoilin! Ingo, thanks.

    Ingo, I think it’s like chess, and WikiLeaks is a good player against an established opposition with hugely greater resources. According to this article (from Dreoilin’s post of December 24, 2010 9:38 AM):

    http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/136564-wikileaks-to-release-israel-documents-in-six-months.html

    mainstream papers were reluctant to print the material on Israel. But that information will come out later, and the mainstream bias will thus be revealed.

  • Anonymous

    “It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories. And to render even them safe, their minds must be improved to a certain degree.” –Thomas Jefferson

  • Larry from St. Louis

    Mark Golding – you need to get your legalities straight.

    What’s it like running an illegal charity?

  • dreoilin

    Thanks Clark – I wonder if an article such as that (‘bin Laden dead’) has appeared in the U.S. MSM before. It’s about time anyway.

    Happy Christmas Mark, Ingo!

  • Mark Golding - Children of Iraq

    By comparison one begins to immediately realise the insidious and surreptitious nature of western main stream media and their disciples who omit, conceal, obfuscate, circumvent, evade and elude information that the public needs to form rational and lucid decisions from multifaceted leaked sources.

    In other words Frost sucks!

  • Larry from St. Louis

    Mark Golding, why are you evading the fact that you’re running an illegal charity?

  • dreoilin

    Hi again everyone

    Came down this morning and found ChebaCow shagging fucking Father Christmas!

    He claimed he was teaching him yoga and checking out his sac before he put him back on his sleigh.

    A likely bloody story! No fen shui for Cheba!

    To make my day angrisoba came round and told us……

    “Happy Xmas yer cunts!”

    That’s me done for another year!

    Love to all,

    Dre

  • Clark

    While looking up “Boxing Day” on Wikipedia, I discovered that in Ireland, December 26 is La an Dreoilin, or Day of the Wren, so special greetings to Dreoilin. I don’t like the sound of some of the traditions associated with this; don’t let them catch you, Dreoilin!

  • Suhayl Saadi

    Hope everyone had a good Christmas Day.

    Here is a book I’d recommend to everyone: ‘Baghdad’s Spy’, by Corinne Souza (Mainstream Publishing).

    It’s Souza’s account of life with her Iraqi father, Lawrence de Souza who, for many years, worked for British Intelligence, not as staff but as an agent, a spy.

    Once you’ve read the book, not only will you gain an insight as to the impact of espionage on families. However, you also will be in no doubt that the sort of harassment described by Roderick Russell and Ruth on this blog is by no means unusual and that it is usually ‘unprovable’. Such harassment – psychological terrorism – which often is completely out-of-proportion to the ‘offence’ which triggered it. As with Denis Lehane, that’s Denis with one ‘n’ – in his book, ‘Unperson’, simply refusing a ‘request’ to work for the intelligence services (Denis Lehane, Corinne de Souza), or attempting to resign (Lawrence de Souza, Roderick Russell; the former from SIS work itself, the latter from a company with alleged systemic intelligence links), can be enough in some situations.

    Read the book and then also ask yourself whether an intelligence and security sector which would undertake such persecution of former and prospective employees/associates, etc., would not also undertake systemic targeting of oppositional blogs such as Craig Murray’s blog.

    I fully anticipate a volley of abuse now from the usual sources. Good, that will support what Corinne de Souza, Denis Lehane, Roderick Russell and Ruth have been saying and writing for years. They are telling the truth.

  • Clark

    Suhayl, thanks, I did have a nice day; I hope you did, too.

    I think that the ‘unprovable’ nature of such harassment is an important part of the technique of abuse. When I was little I was scared of ghosts, or something. I spent many a lonely evening, before getting to sleep, wondering just what it was I was scared of. I imagined different things that could happen, and gauged how scary they seemed. It didn’t matter what the event was; weird sounds, ghosts, holes appearing in space, whatever. I decided that my main fear was experiencing something inexplicable or unbelievable whilst alone, so that no other person could verify my experience. It was the fear of being thought mad, or of having to conceal my experience and never mention it. Any scary scene I dreamed up seemed much less scary if I imagined just one other person being there with me, and able to back my story up.

    Nothing very odd has ever happened to me, so presumably this fear of mine is dormant.

  • dreoilin

    (I don’t suppose I need to say that it wasn’t me who posted at December 25, 2010 9:49 PM, but I’ll confirm it anyway.)

    I have no great difficulty believing that trolls are deliberately trying to wreck this blog — and up to a point they have succeeded. Many good people have left. Hopefully Jon/Craig and whoever else, will get some moderation and/or blocking going soon.

    People like Angry or even Alfred who argue against us are worthwhile having here. The juvenile bullshit gets my goat (as I’m sure you noticed … lol.) I hope I didn’t offend anyone before Christmas. It wasn’t my intention.

    Clark yes, ‘The Wren Boys’ are still on the go, only now An Dreoilin is not killed. I hope not anyway. I have enough to do today without being chased around the place in fear of my life!

  • ingo

    Happy wrenday dreolin and thanks for some of the excellent links over the last few days folks, cold in Norfolk today, despite the sunshine.

    here is something to cheer you you up, a man with knowledge and courage to speak out, well, to give it a blast.

    I cracked up when I listrened to him, apparently he’s becoming a cult hero in Ireland and on fartbook.

    http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkoY6kXhQDQo%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded&h=a6715

  • technicolour

    hello, all, happy post prandial days/daze.did not realise I could eat quite so much, and let me warn you off Nigella’s chocolate mousse; it is basically melted chocolate, with cream. And more cream.

    dreoilin, no need to apologise, although the cockroach/pizza image sounded like the most serious of Irish curses. Glad you’re not being hunted!

    Clark, whenever odd things have happened to people I know, it’s made it worse when someone else has witnessed them. I can see why: on your own, you think you’re going mad, but that’s bearable, it’s just a thought. But when two or more see the same thing it’s either a collective hallucination (me, I’d rather go bananas quietly alone) or real (triple scary). For example, the two people who clearly saw hooded monks heading up a hill to an ancient place of worship and when they followed *there were no monks there*…

  • Courtenay Barnett

    @Suhayl,

    You said:-

    “Hope everyone had a good Christmas Day.”

    And I reply:-

    Pleased to report that on Christmas day I had a wonderful Christmas dinner with in-laws on my former wife’s side of the family ( some might grimace and think ?” didn’t he mean wonderful ?” without in-laws). Not so ?” we had a wonderful ( and scrumptious ) Christmas dinner. Not least of all, Aunt Vera, a young lady in her advancing 80s was the star of the show. One gem coming from her was about her recent visit to the doctor for a full medical examination, and the exchange she says, went like this:-

    Doctor: Are you married?

    Vera: No.

    Doctor: Do you sleep with anyone?

    Vera: What do you mean?

    Doctor: Does a man sleep with you in your bed?

    Vera: Doctor ?” I assure you if there was a man in my bed he would not be sleeping.

    ( I kid you not).

    Laugh if you will ?” enjoy if you choose ?” and have a safe and productive 2011, when it comes, with or without a man or woman in your bed.

  • Courtenay Barnett

    A CHALLENGE – CAN ANYONE CONNECT THE GLOBAL DOTS TO GET THE TRUE PICTURE? – JUST TRY:-

    Commentary: Placing ‘offshore’ in context in the Turks and Caicos

    Published on December 11, 2010

    By Courtenay Barnett

    The term “offshore banking” has pejorative connotations.

    In the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), as in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, the use of banks to attract money is a constructive way of saving Her Majesty’s Treasury moneys that would otherwise have to be found for overseas territories sustenance.

    The question should be posed, whether the use of banks in an overseas territory is at core so significantly different than so-called “onshore banking”. Anonymity at the Companies’ Registry does not imply that the client is unknown to the professionals and bank dealing with the beneficial owner of the company. Nor ultimately is the company owner beyond the long reach of the law. Tax benefits attend the use of a company incorporated in one of Her Majesty’s territories.

    We can further consider that many “offshore banks” have “onshore” parent banks, which benefit significantly from overseas financial transactions. In every large financial funds transfer there is an unavoidable interface with the international banking system.

    It is impossible for London to deny that it too has received significant transfers from Russia, Eastern Europe, Nigeria and other sources that bank in England, even as broad suspicions may be raised as to the source of the moneys. One example might suffice. The ruling Karimov family from Uzbekistan purchased a premier league football team and has invested heavily in England. The fact is that the Karimov regime is quite unsavory. Its routine use of torture is well documented, but business is business as Her Majesty’s government well knows.

    It seems a bit disingenuous by way of imposing the OECD’s so-called “black”, “white” and “grey” lists as if it is all that difficult for Her Majesty’s government simply to establish banking regulations and police same in an efficient manner. Why stigmatise? The banks are here in the TCI because British policy has permitted legislation that proves attractive to international financiers and business. The Islands should not be tarnished when the administrative policies did not have a genesis here.

    Under our Constitution the British Governor has, and always had, a veto power. It is the Governor who presides over Cabinet and is constitutionally head of the Executive and the Secretary of State in London receives regular reports from the Governor. For approximately six years, the Governor as executive head over the Misick administration saw documents related to every land transaction involving Crown land, and gave final approval to every land deal presently being investigated. Now that very serious assertions have been made about misuse and dishonest dealings with Crown lands, there will have to be prosecutions. The question must be asked: were the Governor and Secretary of State not culpable since they always had constitutional duties to perform and ultimately are accountable for shared maladministration?

    We need to move on with HMG’s responsible help and lift ourselves out of the economic quagmire in which we now find ourselves. We ought to remind ourselves of the duty imposed on Her Majesty’s Government under Article 73 of the United Nations Charter, stipulating that member states, which have assumed responsibilities for the administration of territories whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self-government, should ensure:

    “… the well-being of the inhabitants of these territories, and, to this end:

    a. to ensure, with due respect for the culture of the peoples concerned, their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses;”

    It is self-evident that Her Majesty’s government, having suspended elected representative government in these islands, now bears a direct economic as well as political responsibility for the TCI. And, do recall Lord Acton’s dictum in the prevailing situation, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The entire islands’ population should not be treated like criminals and second-class persons.

    Considering the ill-conceived incursion into Afghanistan, significant sums have been wasted from Her Majesty’s Treasury in a war that from the onset was unwinnable — indeed we are yet to unearth the true definition of what is to be won! There are, however, better uses for British money than fighting wasteful wars.

    It stands to reason that, after British domestic expenditures are met, responsibility for British overseas territories fall next in line for economic provisions, inclusive of such needs being met by the quite considerable amounts of British money allocated for overseas grants and aid.

    It must only be right that before money is allocated to independent countries adequate provision must be made for British territories overseas. Notably, Pakistan recently received 70 million pounds in aid money. HMG annually allocates billions of pounds in aid money.

    The TCI does now need direct British economic assistance as a British dependent territory. By using Grand Turk, the capital, as a reference point, it is not hard to conceive of ways in which the Islands can be assisted constructively.

    There is an impressive underutilised international airport in the capital. Increased traffic through the airport would generate significant money. Investment by HMG in building a 150-room hotel would accomplish a lot. Grand Turk is not presently serviced by any direct international flights, which itself relates to lack of volume to sustain an international airline service. The hotel could be built with grant money, then sold or leased at a profit and the proceeds might be returned to the Treasury in London. A British construction company would be the beneficiary of the construction expenditure, and the Treasury in London would be replenished upon a long lease or sale, without any lasting debt burden on the TCI or HMG. The beneficial owner upon a lease would remain the TCI government.

    Clearly, with a sizeable hotel in place, there will be increased demand for air travel and reputable airlines will eventually and inevitably, schedule regular flights to the capital. Further, the land surrounding the airport is large enough for location of a fuel depot and enough land exists for establishing an exclusive private jet facility. Landing fees, jet fuel sales, sales taxes, employment opportunities, a broadened tax base and HMG’s sound management and generous contribution duly acknowledged in a win-win formula.

    Three million pounds was granted for construction of the Grand Turk prison. It is therefore not unreasonable to indicate a need for the construction of an income generating asset such as a hotel for growth and development. I seek here a decisive break with historical colonial exploitative behavior and urge the establishment of an economic system which actually develops the islands’ resources in a manner that is of mutual benefit for the TCI and HMG.

    The expenditure of 2 to 3 million pounds to establish a marina at North Creek, itself an excellent natural harbour, can easily provide good earnings for a British construction firm, with significant multiplier effect opportunities for local employment. Each island in the archipelago has its own unique features and offers significant opportunities for constructive growth and development.

    There are not merely investment needs, for HMG should be vigilant about development of the islanders in their education. There is latent talent in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which will not be actualised unless resources, proper training and development of the human being is made a British priority for the islands’ proper administration.

    An injection of sums into primary education as well as the provision of grants for higher education is both a worthy and necessary investment for the long-term development of the people. Imagine the bright future of the TCI if the indigenous youngsters are afforded generous educational opportunities.

    Conversely, a certain type of inverse political Darwinism might operate, with competent and experienced island civil servants being replaced by less than able and sufficiently experienced British bureaucrats, whose allegiances and priorities of policies are inverted. Then who serves the people’s interests?

    Without proactive steps the economy will stagnate. Imposing public sector layoffs while not offering constructive income earning alternative opportunities must be seen as a derogation of administrative duty. Sensibly, it must be accepted that taxes cannot be paid by persons who earn no income. Policies of raising the tax levels, while reducing public salaries and terminating certain public sector jobs does not accord with sound economic management. Worse yet, this ongoing approach is a recipe for social chaos and economic depression. It is one thing to re-structure for efficiency, but quite another willfully to stagnate a territory’s economy.

    Without timely British financial assistance, the crime rate will continue to rise, and with stronger sentencing laws put in place, the alternative expenditure being compelled will be that of building a 7 or 8 million pound prison or prisons, for unemployment does give rise to higher crime, and reduces the potential tax and revenue base. Continuation with the present administrative approach to the islands will also encourage increased drug trafficking.

    There is much to be done and HMG has a golden opportunity to prove itself a responsible non-colonialist steward and caring custodian in areas such as maintaining a clean environment while devising a sensible national policy of waste disposal, poverty reduction, constructing affordable and decent houses for the majority, devising a national sustainable alternative energy policy, and addressing several other social and economic needs. Surely, this is what good governance demands ?” or ?” maybe I am just being naive ?” or – is it that HMG commandeered political power avowing good governance but just cannot disengage from a historically oppressive and exploitative past?

    The Dutch and French overseas territories consistently appear to be provided for and treated far better than the British ones ?” why so? This is not the present looking at the past with a modern set of eyes, it is the past so far refusing to demonstrate itself willing or able to move to the present with acceptable contemporary political behavior, while pretending to be honourable.

    These thoughts are offered to the Consultative Forum, and for Governor Wetherell’s attention. His Excellency is the political master who has taken full control. I accept that there is more than one side to the story. It is now time to turn a new page from the colonial past, ironically by reversing the book to a pre-1976* state of affairs — nevertheless with a promise that colonialism is dead or dying.

    This direct power, as the United Nations Charter reminds us, comes with significant responsibility for “… economic, social, and educational advancement,… ” and the just treatment of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Truth be told, financial support is not being begged by the TCI ?” only attention to a duty of compliance with UN stipulations, once those in high office act responsibly. Is it not supremely ironic that the powers who are preparing to prosecute for non-conformity with the law are themselves seen as ignoring lawful duty at the highest level under international law?

    I trust that these few thoughts will assist His Excellency and HMG all the more in constructive discharge of those duties in a timely manner. Do the right and honourable thing and disengage from negligence, neglect, and derogation from international duty.

    * 1976 ?” the year of TCI’s first Constitution.

    Courtenay Barnett is a graduate of London University. His areas of study were economics, political science and international law. He has been a practising lawyer in the Turks and Caicos Islands for almost twenty five years. He has been arrested for defending his views, has faced a death threat and a threat of arson on his home. He has argued many public interest and human rights cases.

  • Courtenay Barnett

    @ Somebody,

    My life experiences lead me to be triple cautious when any mainstream media publishes anything. In the course of legal proceedings a lawyer becomes privy to certain confidential information – then when one reads the information disseminated for public consumption – relative to what one actually one knows to be the truth ?” then one immediately discerns a point of reference for purposes of “public perception case management” – then the subtleties of the world sink deep into one’s psyche. It will be fully 30 years come 2011 that I have been defending people’s rights – if I make it.

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