The Respectability of Torture
St Mary’s University College, Thurs 1st August, 7.30pm
Craig Murray, former British ambassador to Uzbekistan, was a whistleblower who was removed from his ambassadorial post by Tony Blair for exposing the Tashkent regime‟s use of rape and systematic torture, including the boiling to death of political opponents. He has also spoken out against Central Asia‟s appalling dictatorships, regimes which are allies of the West, involved in torture and rendition, and was accused of threatening MI6‟s relationship with the CIA. Now a human rights activist, author and broadcaster, he outlines the dynamics of torture and the hypocrisy of incriminated Western governments.
My first public appearance for a while will be in Belfast on 1 August where I shall be giving a talk. Long term readers of this blog will recall that, while my focus is largely on international affairs, the domestic political achievements I most hope to see are a united Ireland and an independent Scotland.
“How many smokes have you had today?”
It must have been quite a few for Ben to produce the following gem a little later at 22h40 :
“The carpet-bagger havasack declines to provide fodder for the demise of his handler’s ideology.”
“..provide fodder for the demise…..”?
It’s barely English, is it.
From the FP at 22h39 yesterday:
“Where is Sofia when she’s needed?”
___________________
Who knows? Perhaps she’s already answered your call…..
What we already knew.
Wages: UK Workers In Europe’s Bottom Four
Official figures show only three countries – Greece, Portugal and the Netherlands – have had a steeper decline in pay than the UK.
http://news.sky.com/story/1127184/wages-uk-workers-in-europes-bottom-four
~~~
There is a good article on DV (with a strange title) which describes a modern working life in the US under the control of billionaires like Bezos. They are now buying up the press, eg Bezos and the Washington Post.
http://dissidentvoice.org/2013/08/on-line-dildo-salesman-bezos-is-the-news-fit-to-print/
‘Conspiracy theories’ label => a campaign by the CIA to discredit truth-seekers
SCADs => State crimes against democracy
‘Abby Martin talks to Lance deHaven-Smith, Florida State University professor and author of ‘Conspiracy Theory in America’, about some the USA’s most controversial events and how labeling truth-seekers as ‘conspiracy theorists’ damages democracy.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm3Z-cKRMN4
Some covert propaganda here concerning Scottish independence written from the perspective of how it would affect England.
‘A vote for full independence may seem unlikely now, but such a result would bring into question Britain’s permanent seat on the UN security council and the future of the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent. The state would suddenly seem absurdly top heavy with the apparatus of a great power. Without Scotland, the country would appear less coherent, a lot less impressive and somehow less stable. Foreign governments would wonder about the Lesser Britain’s identity and purpose. This is to say nothing of how the English – expansionist colonisers for the last 400 years – will think of themselves after the break. To leave a relationship is one thing, to be left quite another.’ LOL
England needs to start thinking about itself before it is too late
Scottish eyes are trained on their coming referendum, but the English are still not addressing their future
Henry Porter
The Observer, Saturday 10 August 2013
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/10/scotland-independence-referendum-alex-salmond
I deplore Russia’s legislation against homosexuals and and those with gender disphoria, off course one should support a drive to more open condemnation, but why should we postpone sports events?
Secondly, Stephen Fry’s comparison was forked as in two tongues. Yes Homosexuals have been put into concentration camps with Gypsies, Catholics and Jews, not a singular oppression.
Should the 1948 Olympics have been abandoned because of regular gay bashing, every weekend?
Stephen Fry’s inexperience with standing up for more than just one’s own cause showed itself insofar that he included his personal religious heritage, I not say that he is a believer, and the widely promoted, ergo perceived persecution of it.
If he wanted to make a point about homosexuals being persecuted and violently ‘man handled’ by burly navy sailors and policemen, then why include some stale propaganda which is bound to bring in a multi faceted argument/debate distorting the issue he most dearly wanted to highlight?
just sayin’
Thanks for the Video of Craig’s speech Jon, he had a good reception and he comes over looking much better, healthier.
Thanks very much, Nevermind, for the link to the lit. fest., looks good! One day, perhaps…
Perhaps Habbabkuk would like to listen to this World Service programme and tell us what he thinks about it and the subject. No hurry. There is a year left to listen to it. That is so unlike many other BBC programmes for which iPlayer links are needed which are marked as unavailable.
Tel Aviv Come Out
Duration: 55 minutes
First broadcast:Sunday 11 August 2013
In many Middle East countries being gay can lead to the death penalty, but why is Tel Aviv investing so much in promoting the city as a place that accepts and welcomes gay men and women? As thousands of gay men and women from around the world travelled to Tel Aviv for Pride week in June, Tim Samuels reveals how Tel Aviv has become a leading gay city following a concerted campaign by the Mayor. Critics accuse Israel of ‘pink-washing’ to soften its image – but Tel Aviv stands out as an oasis of gay tolerance in an otherwise hostile region.
Amidst the carnival atmosphere, Pride week brought to light the fascinating nuances and tensions within Israeli society. Pride is a public assertion not just of gay rights, but of secular strength. Also ‘covertly’ attending Pride were West Bank Palestinians, whose sexuality can bring risks to their personal safety.
Tel Aviv’s march to gay epicentre hasn’t always been smooth – or organic. In 2009, the Mayor embarked on a multi-million dollar mission to rebrand the city as the ultimate gay destination. In that same year, a gunman – who has never been caught – opened fire on a gay youth club killing two people. Hostility is never far away.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dpcxd
Fatty B at 10.15 last night. You will probably not get a response as the person’s name you use is the MkI version. It was changed at the end of last year by the addition of an extra ‘b’ in the middle.
Halibaba
I am enchanted by your repeated use of the word “yiddistani”. It is a delightful little expression possibly related to the legendary place called “Yidistan” (no double d is necessary here) that flows quite naturally through your lips. The logical construct here is, Yid + istan = Yidistan. Not even Einstein could conceive an equation of such an outstanding beauty. But strangely enough, you seem to think it is racist. Why? I guess that even you may have heard of countries like Pakistan or Turkmenistan. What is so racist about the names of these wonderful countries or saying “Pakistani”? Yid is just a plain Yiddish word so what is so bad about using good old Yiddish expressions?? I thought you love the Jews but I must have been wrong all along and only now have realized that you are a closet antisemite.
Confronted with your recent verbal tantrums emanating from an apparent state of frenzy, I have noticed your gradual mental decline. Just try to reduce your daily dose of crack or coke or best both of these unhealthy substances. It may work wonders for you.
Nevermind,
no prizes to be won for pointing out that Fry or Frei is a foolish liar. Under German occupation it was easy to end up in a concentration camp without having to belong to any of the categories you have listed. My fathers uncle landed there for no obvious reasons and was shot short time later apparently for being a member of the resistance (had he not been described as a terrorist then, he would be certainly called a terrorist today). Likewise, my grandmothers sister was interned because her husband was a general in the airforce before the war and as they could not get him (he escaped to the UK) they got her. Like many others, she has never returned. Most people nowadays are so brainwashed that they think that only Jews and homosexuals landed in concentration camps. One should realize that this opression of homosexuals happened the thirties and fourties and in those days one could easily be imprisoned for any such improper deeds commited in the UK.
Peace talks?
This latest pronouncement is so hideous it is almost comic.
11 August 2013 Last updated at 13:34
Israel backs new Jewish settlement homes
A picture taken on April 24, 2012 shows the Jewish outpost of Bruchin, near the West Bank city of Nablus The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks
Mid-East crisis
Core issues
Subdued hopes
Frank Obama
Ending the deadlock
The Israeli government has approved the construction of nearly 1,200 new homes in Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian areas.
Construction Minister Uri Ariel said they would be built in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to meet the needs of Israeli citizens.
It comes three days before peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians are due to resume in Jerusalem.
The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks.
These collapsed in September 2010.
/..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23655661
The attempts at tit-for-tatting, point-scoring and one-up-manship here are getting very boring. Unfortunately.
“Most people nowadays are so brainwashed that they think that only Jews and homosexuals landed in concentration camps.”
Anyone could get sent to a concentration camp but Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals were the main groups sent to death camps which were not the same thing. I can’t find any reference by Fry to either, he just compares the situation with the award of the 1936 Olympics to Germany despite the Nazis anti-gay and anti-semitic laws.
Zion Koan – If there were only 3.2 million jews in Europe in 1932, how many million hassidics must have died from sexual exhaustion from trying to make the “6 million” target of 1944, mentioned in the final few ballpoint pen written chapters of Ann Frank’s Diary?
Kempe
you are deliberately obfuscating the issue. Neither of my relative was sent to what you call a “death camp” but this insignificant fact did not help much to delay their ultimate deaths.
The quotation was not mine but came from “Nevermind” so stop confusing the reader.
Perhaps if Putin was awared nobel peace prize, like Obama, his heart of stone my soften up to embrace the gay community. Cannot you bribe anyone to nominate Putin??
“Tech Savage’s hate-filled post”
Astute observers will note the blatantly ridiculous assertion being made there. Is there no room to criticise Israel, even in sarcastic terms? How pathetic to feel so insecure that such a throw away comment warrants such a response. How one can equate my comment as being ‘hate-filled’ and racist when it is clearly sarcasm based on the typical response one gets from criticising Israel is beyond any attempt at reason. Anyone that reads the comments on the Israeli press will understand what “hate-filled” actually means. This must be the new Hasbara tactic when faced with undeniable realities “No! YOU’RE the racist… No! YOU’RE the war criminal… No! YOU’RE the ethnic cleanser… No! YOU’RE committing genocide…” etc. etc.
The real point being made (before the grenades of mindless accusations were thrown) was that no one has any faith in Israel seeking peace with the Palestinians, giving up stolen land and resources and declaring final borders all in return for a few bottle rockets that usually land in the desert and which usually occur at convenient times for the regime in Tel Aviv to cease. Even an idiot can see that there is no incentive for Israel, only the urge to create more ‘facts on the ground’. The offensive timing of their actions and decisions leave no doubt about their true intentions when dealing with Palestinians, such as approving yet more illegal settlements even as peace talks were being announced and knowing that the Palestinians will not talk while settlements continue to be constructed.
Should you want to visit UEA, Suhayl, you can stay at ours. Missis promises a stonking curry…. vegetarian or otherwise.
@Karel. I do not think Stephen Fry is a liar, nor is he a fool. he merely mixed a single human rights issue with a hornets nest.
Habbabkuk (La vita è bella!)
10 Aug, 2013 – 10:22 pm
@ Mr Scorgie
“What do you see as the best chance for peace between the state of Israel and a proposed state of Palestine?”
Don’t try to be cute, Mr Scorgie. Unlike you and your fellow Luminaries and Excellences, I am not so pretentious as to believe that I have the solution to all the world’s problems.
“All the world’s problems” Habbabkuk? I only asked about Israel/Palestine.
Anyway your reply (not an answer) to my question was expected.
You, like all Zionist supporters, have no answers; only silence, distraction and obfuscation.
But this behaviour is not limited to Zionists; it is also the norm for the politically right-wing who fear the proles wising-up.
I was looking to see if Craig’s speech in Belfast had been recorded. I did not know he had a namesake treading the boards.
‘Currently fronting a national advertising campaign for Plusnet Broadband
A highly sought-after act on the UK comedy circuit and one of comedy’s fastest rising stars.
An instant crowd pleaser, Murray’s charismatic, mock-confrontational style makes him popular with audiences wherever he gigs. Craig was a Finalist at the Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year 2009.
‘Craig Murray knows his comedy roots… his material was well presented and
recognisably funny’ (http://www.chortle.co.uk).
See more info at thecraigmurray.com ‘
Tweedle-dum
“I am the life patron of the Oxfordshire Beekeepers’ Association. I think I have been neglecting my duties in not being able to give her a better answer today, but I know how important this issue is. If we do not look after our bee populations, very serious consequences will follow.” [A lie – Cameron had resigned as President]
Tweedle-dee
“They Kill Bees Don’t They?”
Obama signs So-Called “Monsanto Protection Act” – Gives Monsanto “Immunity from Federal Courts”
Russia Warns Obama: Global War Over “Bee Apocalypse” Coming Very Soon:
http://worldtruth.tv/russia-warns-obama-global-war-over-bee-apocalypse-coming-very-soon/
Another ‘little’ dig
Life is good!
nevermind,
someone who makes constant comparisons of XYZ with Hitler is a fool. You are free to think otherwise but you might also like to read Gilad Atmons article at
http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/fry-up.html#entry34104130
if Fry as a person is of such a great interest to you.
Someone who makes comparisons with Hitler:
‘Joachim Prinz, president of the American Jewish Congress, followed, recalling his time as a rabbi in Berlin under Hitler: “A great people who had created a great civilisation had become a nation of silent onlookers. They remained silent in the face of hate, in the face of brutality and in the face of mass murder,” he said. “America must not become a nation of onlookers. America must not remain silent.”‘
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/09/martin-luther-king-dream-speech-history
Mark; Not to worry. Monsanto has prescribed ‘bee washing’ as the solution to neonicotinoids.
Huzzaahhh !
Flaming June (12h32)addresses me thus :
“Perhaps Habbabkuk would like to listen to this World Service programme and tell us what he thinks about it and the subject.”
_______________
I’ll certainly think about your invitation, but it would be helpful if you’d let me know what the “it” is and on which specific aspect or aspects of that “it” you’d like me to offer you my thoughts.
@ Mr Golding (15h23)
Perhaps, you have, in your haste to accuse David Cameron of lying, overlooked the difference between a “life patron” and a “president”?
@ Mr Scorgie
“All the world’s problems” Habbabkuk? I only asked about Israel/Palestine”
_______________
Oh, very sorry! I had, perhaps, naively, thought that Israel/Palestine was one of the world’s major problems?
Perhaps I was misled into so thinking by the inordinately high number of posts on that subject on this blog. How silly of me!
@ Hasbarista
“Zion Koan – If there were only 3.2 million jews in Europe in 1932,..”
________________
Source?
David Irving? Paul Rassinier? Roger Garaudy? …..
@ Mr Scorgie, addressed to me (15h17) :
“You, like all Zionist supporters,….”
______________________
References and quotations, please.
Thank you!
Habby. Wrong again!!
“David Cameron was mistaken over his claim to be life patron of a beekeeping association, its chairman says.”
“Mr Chaunt said he had written to Mr Cameron informing him of the error.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-22323880
Anyway. Plenty of other of the liar’s lies to consider:
http://cameron-cloggysmoralcompass.blogspot.co.uk/p/coalition-christmas.html
Why does habby insist on associating with people who tell such horrid lies.