The London Olympics are already achieving the number one aim of the politicians who brought them here, which is making our politicians feel very important indeed.
The media is quite frenetic in its efforts to make us all believe we should be terrifically proud of the fact we are hosting the Olympics, as though there were something unique in this achievement. If we can’t competently do something that Greece, Spain and China have done in recent years, that would be remarkable. Of course the Games will be on the whole well delivered, sufficient for the media and politicians to declare it an ecstatic success. Some of the sporting moments will be sublime, as ever.
But did it have to be in London? We won’t know the total cost of the Games for months, but it will cost the taxpayer at least £9 billion and I suspect a lot more. I also suspect the GDP figures will, in the event, show that the massive net fall in visitor numbers has hurt the already shrinking economy further.
But to take the most optimistic figure, holding the Olympics in London has cost every person in the country an average of £150 per head in extra taxes. That is £600 for a family of four. Actually it is in the end going to be well over £2,000, as of course the money has been borrowed on the never never, and taxpayers are going to be paying it off their whole lives, along with the sum ten times higher they are already paying direct into the pockets of the bankers through their taxes.
The very rich, of course, don’t pay much tax, so they are not worried.
But to take just the figure of £600 extra taxes for a family of four, the lowest possible amount, and not including the interest. Is having the Olympics here really worth paying out £600 for? If Tony Blair had approached the head of the family and said “We are going to have the Olympics in London, but it’s going to cost you £600, would the answer have been from most ordinary people: “Yes, great idea, this is that important to us”?
People are not disconcerted because they don’t see that they have to pay. There is no special Olympics tax, and they pay their taxes in a variety of ways, and individuals are not the sole source of taxation. But this is nonetheless real money taken from the people in pursuit of the hubris of politicians.
I love sport. I hate the corruption of the International Olympic Committee, Fifa and the rest; I hate the vicious corporatism and militarisation of our capital and absurd elitism of the transport lanes; the sport itself I love. But with the economy contracting, and the NHS being farmed out for profit, is it really worth £600 for a family – and many families are really struggling in a heartbreaking way – is it worth the money to have the Olympics here rather than in Paris?
Of course it isn’t. I think many of us will feel an extra pleasure watching the Opening ceremony because it is British. Patriotic pride will surge. It is not wrong to enjoy the spectacle tonight on TV. The corporate well connected and ruling classes will enjoy it in the stadium.
But after you have watched it on TV, ask yourself this question. How much more did you enjoy it than enjoy watching the Beijing ceremony, and was that margin of extra enjoyment something that everybody in the room would have paid out £150 for?
Because they just did.
“within a few days Obama was conveniently trying to push through a ban on all automatic weapons.”
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He was? Can you provide a source for that Chris?
Allgemeine Zeitung has an english translation, but this is the German version and sports appear under society, who would have thought…
http://www.presseurop.eu/de/content/source-profile/807-frankfurter-allgemeine-zeitung
I was banned from that shitty board (guardian) years ago, for mentioning the unmentionables and keeping at mentioning them, have not read it for years now, there are those of us whom consider getting banned by that bunch of showers is right of passage into the real world.
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The Syrian “defector” (ex PM) seems to have been spying on Syrians at least for the last five months, and the explosion killing the intelligence chief, which was not done by a suicide bomber but a young intern recruited for one hundred thousand dollars and given a batch of particular explosives that is only used by western intelligence services.
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The subsequent mole hunt has flagged up the “defector” whom duly made a quick disappearance and the “media” started to cover up for the infiltration and direct involvement of the US an toadies in Syria.
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So much for accountability, but hey you all get to tick a box every so often then shut the fuck up, you know you live in a democracy already!
Democratic changes in Uzbekistan!!!
There was demonstration outside Swiss embassy on Saturday. The only demonstration against acts of other countries was organized by….. Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of the dictator.
She was not happy with the arrests of her slaves by authorities in Switzerland. Two slaves were money laundering and buying multimillion worth properties on her behalf.
http://www.centrasia.ru/news.php?st=1344254280
Morrissey compares Britain to Nazi Germany during Games
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/morrissey-compares-britain-nazi-germany-games-150836831.html
“Facebook was the reason we invented the internet” say the CIA. According to this short vid Zuckerberg and his outfit are integral to the domestic spying national security apparatus.
http://www.realecontv.com/videos/the-stock-market/facebook-users-overestimated.html
LOL!
“Amardeep Singh, program director of the Sikh Coalition, said Sikhs had become “collateral damage” in a 24-hour news machine that uses dark-skinned, bearded, turbaned men as visual shorthand for terrorists.”
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/07/us-usa-wisconsin-shooting-idUSBRE8740FP20120807
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I lose patience with ignorant Americans and their corporate MSM so often, it’s bad for me. Visual shorthand my arse. Do they EVER read anything? I notice that “Infographics” are highlighted in large letters at the end of links given on Twitter by Americans. As much as to say, “You won’t have to read anything – it’s all laid out in a picture for you”.
In my post on the contribution of propaganda to acts of violence, as well as the White Supremacist terrorist murderer of Sikhs in the USA this week, I gave an example of the Muslim terrorist who murdered Jewish kids, teachers and parents at the Jewish school in Toulouse as an example. But that is not enough, I see. Now I have to answer for “those guys in Rochdale” as well. “Those guys in Rochdale” were also infected by the virus of hate, by propaganda, to behave in that way towards women, specifically white women, whom they regarded as disposable commodities. So that reinforces my point about the power of hate speak, of racist propaganda.
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I do not know why the right of freedom of speech is being conflated with a plea to analyse/critique the impact of propaganda – yes, speech and writing filled with hate for specific groups – Jews, Muslims, Blacks, women, immigrants, whoever. There is a constant stream of propaganda ainmed at stigmatising specific groups, blaming them/their presence in this country for all manner of ills. It’s clearly to distract attention from the real power blocks/dynamics, to stop people uniting against these power blocks.
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This leads to an increased incidence of violence (and much else). I’m not really sure why this would be a contentious issue. The dynamics have been analysed many times by academics and organisations who study the media/politics. Yet what one seems to get here when one makes these suggestions, is yet more of the same old, same old propaganda and/or justification for propaganda statements in the media being viewed as self-evident truth. This in itself goes some way towards illustrating the point about the power of such ‘PR’.
Passerby – He’s probably right in his analysis yet he supported the little terror state by performing in Tel Aviv last month. Was that for the money? Or does he support Israel?
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http://www.touristisrael.com/morrissey-to-give-concert-in-tel-aviv-israel/6396/
Nuid, absolutely agree (7th August, 12:40pm) – and it was my absolutely pleasure (7th August, 10:25am)!
I’m not arguing in good faith and I’m a cleverclogs, eh, Nuid?
Well that addresses all possible arguments I may make, doesn’t it?*
Sun reader.
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*Sarcasm, if your lips are moving. Not sincerely postulated**
**Look it up in your thesaurus.
Nuid –
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‘Obama Calls For Government Action On Guns In The Wake Of Colorado Shooting’
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” “But I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals — that they belong on the battlefields of war and not on the streets of our cities.”
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….in the hands of soldiers and members of Al Qaeda invading foreign countries and killing THEIR civilians
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http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/obama-calls-for-gun-control-after-colorado.php
Haven’t used an English dictionary/thesaurus since I was 12. FACT.
Kinda brings us full circle, doesn’t it? It’s acceptable to deprecate facility in the English language beyond the bare minimum required for the communication of simple concepts. Running very fast in circles is on the other hand considered to be the ultimate in human endeavour. This is not my chosen planet.
I am attempting to get a friend in Turkey to go to the Syrian border East side of Kargamış close to the Euphrates river where I believe a terrorist camp and base for incursion operations is setup.
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I want a permanent record of Turkish influence and valid reports of the covert demise of a sovereign country by external powers.
Suhayl Saadi – reading up a bit on false flags,psy ops etc might help you to look at the bigger picture a bit more
I do not know why the right of freedom of speech is being conflated with a plea to analyse/critique the impact of propaganda –
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Because (I assume you are referring to my post) analysis and criticism only have a point if they result in remedial action. And when that occurs, freedom of speech is very definitely an issue. It’s switched from your freedom to their freedom, that’s all.
Look at it, as I am trying to do, from the other side. Social education can equally be interpreted as propaganda. Coercion is obviously the work of sinister interests bent on subjugating the Real Locals. Anything which does not involve a straight legal framework (or which changes our traditional legal base, Gawd bless it) can be interpreted as social engineering. And as I said, identification and distrust of the outsider is in the human genome.
DonnyDarko
“I don’t really understand Turkey’s position. They have made their own border unstable by permitting the rebels to arm,group ,train, and be sent into Syria to fight Assad’s army.”
Turkey is part of NATO. The USA controls NATO. EU countries are part of NATO. Turkey wants to join the EU. Turkey is host to two USA air-force bases. The one at Incirlik is near the border with Syria and close to Aleppo.
Latest news: Syrian forces encircle rebels in Aleppo stronghold
Rebel fighters say running low on ammunition, as fighting continues after prime minister’s defection. (Haaretz.com)
“I’m not arguing in good faith and I’m a cleverclogs, eh, Nuid?
Well that addresses all possible arguments I may make, doesn’t it?”
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It wasn’t intended to. Clark had accused Tech of not arguing in good faith. I’m asking if arguing with “a portion of your tongue … in your cheek”, is arguing “in good faith”.
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“Haven’t used an English dictionary/thesaurus since I was 12. FACT.”
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LMFAO! And you think Tech and I and others do? Maybe it’s you who should check out “sarcasm” in the dictionary. ROTFL!! Oh heavens, I’ll have to get my breath back …
P.S. I do not support Assad or his regime but the USA, EU and Britain have in the past. He (Assad) has had tea with the Queen. Assad will have to go eventually but what awaits the Syrian people if the rebels win? – peace and love???
The USA, Britain and others, including Israel support terrorism when it suits thier interests. Getting this message across to the world is nigh-on impossible with the state of the western media.
All praise to Terry Bryan, the nurse who blew the whistle on the abuse and ill treatment at Winterbourne View. And so much for the Care Quality Commission, the police and the South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board who ignored reports of the abuse. And so much for Anne Milton Health Minister who has just uttered some platitudes on the 1pm News. ‘Shocking… deplorable…measures are in place to stop it happening again’ etc etc.
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You can read all the apologies here.
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Winterbourne View abuse report calls for changes to care
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-19162516
Farewell to dear old Sir Bernard Lovell who has just died aged 98. He leaves behind the Jodrell Bank telescope which I can remember being inaugurated.
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There is a potted history of his full and interesting life in this obituary.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/science-obituaries/9458836/Sir-Bernard-Lovell.html
“Was that for the money? Or does he support Israel?”
Mary, having observed the ziofuckwits for sometime, and becoming familiar with various support structures readied to support the cause of eretz yisreal. It can be safely adduced there are many organisations, each have a remit and peculiarity, ranging from softly, softly catchy monkey to darn hard in your face terror techniques.
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I don’t know about Morrissey, in fact I don’t know much about singers, dancers ( a dullard and a technocrat of the 56th order of the 34th root, no not a Freemason , either, would not join in, despite the kind offers: only criminals and ne’erdowells, along with banksters strive for anonymity) and other luminaries in the domain of entertainment. However given the fate of one Michael Jackson (I knew of this one, a girl friend of mine was infatuated) and his fall from grace upon his coming out against the ziofuckwits running the whole scam of show business in US. Then perhaps Morrissey was somehow compelled to appear and sing in tel aviv.
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Mind I am not excusing his conduct, because no amount of money would buy integrity and steadfast defense of justice, that is natural justice based on the old fashioned and now defunct notions of thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, or covet thy neighbours ass, really quaint and “unpractical” lines of thought.
Chris:
‘Obama Calls For Government Action On Guns In The Wake Of Colorado Shooting’
” “But I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals — that they belong on the battlefields of war and not on the streets of our cities.”
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Chris, Obama was simply reiterating/reflecting what half of America was saying at the time about automatic and semi-automatic weapons. I don’t think that quite means that he was “trying to push through a ban.” Obama has a reputation for talking about things that he subsequently does nothing about.
But thanks for the link.
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“It’s acceptable to deprecate facility in the English language beyond the bare minimum required for the communication of simple concepts.”
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No, Komodo, you’ve got it arse-backwards. It’s apparently ok for you to write “I keep forgetting about people whose lips move when they read, and take everything literally, too” — which implies that there are folks here too ‘dim’ to engage with you. And that’s unacceptable.
Sad to hear of the death of Sir Bernard Lovall. I’ve had an 8″ telescope since I was a young man. It has given me years of pleasure.
Nuid, have I misunderstood you? The alternative interpretation is that you feel offended as being characterised as a dictionary user, and needed to point this out. Unnecessarily. No-one had characterised you thus. My point: some people are as thick as pigshit, and take things literally that aren’t meant literally.
Example: Powell’s “rivers of blood” speech: Powell was quoting the Sybil’s prophecy in the Aeneid, which was about the Trojans and Greeks. He was a classical scholar, and had forgotten that approximately 0.01% of his audience would get the allusion and interpret it as he intended. Which was in a somewhat deprecatory self-criticism of his own prophecies of doom, recognising that he had already gone OTT. (IMO) End of career. The lip-readers won.
“Powell” is of course a trigger word. Not many remember that he was the ONLY MP to protest against atrocities conducted in Kenya by the British Army. (In which he attained the rank of Major, and was decorated)
Mark Golding,
Commendable as though your efforts are, but keep in mind the border with Iraq too, that falls under the Kurdish Regional Authorities jurisprudence, remembering the extensive isareli infiltration into that area, and the purchase of huge tracts of land in that area by various agents of the theocracy residing in tel aviv.
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This also goes for Jordan, that so far has been hamstrung into factional (pro, and anti Assad, as well as pro and anti zofuckwitry) fighting that sometimes boils into the open. (hence the fear to own up: the ex Syrian PM is there or not?)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_IBXA9cmyE
Who are “the Real Locals”, Komodo? Or are those brands of ale? What is your definition of ‘a Real Local’?
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And what precisely do you mean by “our traditional legal base”? And since when has this “traditional legal base” not changed?
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What is your definition of “social engineering”? Are the media/politicial organs to which I referred – in this schema, the purveyors and instrumentalisers of propaganda against various minority groups – not engging in constnat “social engineering”? And is our financial system – fundamentalist ideological capitalism, deregulation, privtaisation, etc. – not also a great, ideologically-driven machine of “social engineering”?
Some would argue that indoctrination starts when we are able to hear, understanding the sound does not come into it. Example my son was born after having to listen to John Peel’s nightly programs, every night, to say that he likes all sorts of music would be an understatement.
Humans learn the moment their cognitive abilities are developed. Our bodies are amazing.
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I agree that the din of propaganda and further clamping down on our past liberties rises with greater economic instabilities. When there are too many of us, we seemingly forget our intelligence, we start lashing out at each other.
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When those at the top see their unsustainable system collapsing, their reactions mirror that of last years rioters, but their London are the world markets, regulatory frameworks, anything that stops them from making more money. 1 billion people go hungry every day, can’t afford the control over markets, for them globalisation has failed to solve their problems and they are scape goated for it with a myriad of labels and connotations, we are sad to comply and amplify these labels, like a drug it is hard to give up labelling people.
These economic disturbances pitch indigenous unemployed against incoming immigrants, first generation immigrants, a terrible term in itself, are not immune of these feelings, there are constant rivalries and clashes over social provisions and, for example from the west Indian community vs. the Indian community in mainly metropolitan areas.
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Best example is Blackburn, here there are low vote wards of indigenous white’s mainly, who are not heard and who vote for the BNP because the social provisions during the last 30 odd years have been managed by Jack Straw, who favoured all those who voted for him and Labour, the Bangladeshi, Punjabi, and other from Jammu and Kashmir, they are all kept sweet, get new community centres road repairs, have their rubbish collected regularly.
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Party politics as it exists has furthered the bad rhetoric which emanates from the MSM and its pundits, they are largely responsible by their policies and agendas for the widened split between communities due to their partial provisions of some services.
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And its them who always manage to pursuade some that they can make it better, with more fine words of multiculturalism. Nobody should be allowed to set up ghettos, however much they want to live next to their own kind, whether they are gated or open.
Words can hurt and we all must remember this.
Actions speak louder than words, so what about this by election in Corby I mentioned in my disappeared post from this morning?
And what, in your opinion, Komodo, did Enoch Powell intend by giving that speech?
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And what do you think he meant wrt the ‘rivers of blood’ reference vis a vis contemporary Britain?
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And what did his subsequent political activism suggest was his primary concern?
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And finally, Komodo, did/do you agree with him?