A particularly mendacious lie by Danny Alexander puts the institutional start-up costs of Scottish Independence at £1.5 billion. That is a cool half billion pounds cheaper than Scotland’s share of the costs of the Iraq and Afghan wars, even on the Westminster government’s blatant under-estimate of the war costs.
So Scotland can afford criminal invasions killing hundreds of thousands to ‘bring freedom’, but cannot afford the smaller cost of its own freedom!!!
The £1.5 billion estimate is mendacious in two ways. Firstly, it is a simple recycling of a Canadian lie at the time of the Quebec independence referendum, apportioning with no argument 1% of GDP to startup costs.
Secondly, as nearly all the money will be spent in Scotland it is not a loss at all, but actually an increase to GDP, as any but the most nutty neo-con would be forced to acknowledge. And it would be the precursor of government money spent annually in Scotland rather than England for ever thereafter.
Thankfully Alexander won’t have a job much longer – and if he thinks a penny of Scottish public spending is going in future to support his huge arse and deceitful mouth, he is very wrong.
…terrifying your own civilians on a mass scale like this is absolutely not the way a newly-elected leader should behave.
No indeed. Wonder where he got the idea?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chechen_War
…though ‘elected’ might be putting it a little strongly in Putin’s case. Newly, yes.
Tony Blair’s Sissi in Egypt has just extended voting to an unprecedented third day because the turn out has been too low to lend legitemacy to his election.
This is a system that the EU has not thought of yet,the election marathon. Just keep voting until you are past some post.
Who said unpopularity should get in the way of winning democratically ?
“Some were confused by the latest bout of radiosilence emanating from the Kremlin in the aftermath of both the “Chocolate King” winning the Ukraine presidential election, and the most recent escalation of fighting in self-proclaimed as independent Republic of Donetsk, in which more than 50 “separatists” were killed. This ended moments ago when the Russian foreign ministry issued a press release that it has received appeals for humanitarian aid from the “conflict zone” in east Ukraine, and that more importantly, it is is ready to the “provide the population with the required assistance’.”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-05-28/russia-tells-kiev-it-ready-provide-humanitarian-aid-east-ukraine
Blair update: he’s in/ just been to Berlin. Why? Think EU Presidency, again.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2641199/Tony-Blairs-rank-hypocrisy-He-threw-open-Britain-millions-immigrations-sneers-Ukip.html#readerCommentsCommand-message-field
That guy hates Blair almost as much as I do…
PS, this survey wasn’t done in a Ramsgate pub, obviously –
http://www.natcen.ac.uk/news-media/press-releases/2014/january/more-than-3-in-4-want-reduction-in-immigration/
This ended moments ago when the Russian foreign ministry issued a press release that it has received appeals for humanitarian aid from the “conflict zone” in east Ukraine, and that more importantly, it is is ready to the “provide the population with the required assistance’.”
Poroshenko is obviously a man Putin can do business with. Stress business.
Dreoilin @1.26
I’m sure that aid will include a few Manpads as well, if they are not already being driven into the country late at night, in rusty old Ladas.
I am unconvinced that most of the startup money will stay in Scotland.
Take for example, the IT infrastructure costs. To bootstrap a new bureaucracy, you will need servers, networks, software, terminals, etc.
Since you are in a hurry, you will likely end up going for off the shelf solutions from the large systems integrators (so everything works together). This means buying large quantities of boxes and cables (made in China, but from companies traded on the NYSE). You then hire armies of international consultants (because Scotland does not have the spare IT people to put it all together in the time frame you want to boot strap Scotland.)
Therefore, a lot of the money spent on setting up the IT systems will leave Scotland. (and the IT systems will be thoroughly penetrated by the NSA and its English friends).
I noticed that they were using those see-thru perspex ballot boxes in the oligarch’s election.
Seems that’s standard practice in Ukraine.
What has surprised me is that habby and his groupies haven’t been complaining about them as they did when they were used in the Crimea.
Funny, that.
Seems they just invent things to get excited about. Total fraudsters.
I never saw it before but Russia Today has shown footage of a school that was bombed by Willy Wonka’s forces (fortunately no casualties). Wonka said “The suspense is terrible – I hope it lasts”.
Gallows humour, John. It’s the only sane response.
Maybe they’re using UN helicopters to murder old women. Another useless organisation that only jumps when America says so.
AEL,2.25m,
” (and the IT systems will be thoroughly penetrated by the NSA and its English friends).”
Which,of course,in turn,will be thoroughly penetrated by their Chinese and Russian friends…
Obamas to fight terrorism with a multi billion dollar fund.
Try employment you Schmuck!
Oh that’s his plan,
Herbie … have a look at these ballot boxes … amazing how ballots supposedly dropped from the top align themselves so neatly at the bottom!
http://edge.liveleak.com/80281E/ll_a_s/2014/May/25/LiveLeak-dot-com-7c0_1401048702-ElectionfraudUkraine2_1401048716.jpg?d5e8cc8eccfb6039332f41f6249e92b06c91b4db65f5e99818bdd7974f4ddbd1ec4e&ec_rate=230
It’s the same principle as a street busker: put some of your own money in the hat to give the impression that someone thought your performance was worth paying for. 🙂
Life in a Surrey prison in 2012. Yet we criticize foreign countries for similar barbarity. 1103 inmates.
High Down mentally ill inmates ‘make jail like asylum’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-27603969
‘It’s now a prison and one in 10 of the prisoners there are so ill that they are in touch with the prison’s mental health services. And there are others who have a lot of mental health problems.”
“We have to see them as people who are ill or need care, rather than simply as criminals who need punishment.” Nick Hardwick Chief inspector of prisons
He said all prisons, not just High Down, increasingly held a high proportion of mentally-ill people.
“I think there needs to be a better way of dealing with those people than simply through the criminal justice system,” he said.
NB
High Down prison morale ‘through the floor’ according to report on ‘dreadful’ 2013
Mar 30, 2014
A report released by the Independent Monitoring Boards has raised major concerns with staffing and funding levels at HMP High Down
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/high-down-prison-morale-through-6889609
Don’t forget how children are being traumatised as they were and are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Vietnam, Korea, in fact every one of the 360 post Second World War incursions the US has spearheaded. That’s why when someone mentions Chechniya to villainise Putin it is a disproportionate response, though it is the same for children everywhere.
“It’s terrifying for children” said Anna a 30 year old teacher from Slvyansk. Nights, when they jump out of bed from an explosion stick in their minds for life. It is very complicated to explain who is shooting, and why. See, for children everything is simple: they shoot the enemy. My 10 year old son asked: “Momma, but why has the enemy got a Ukrainian flag with BTP on it? I try to explain that it is not the enemy, but the Ukrainian Army. But the child does not calm down: “Then why are they shooting at us.” How do you explain to a child what is going on?
That is the extract ringed in the article here:
http://www.rightnow.io/breaking-news/donbass-russian-ussr-wars_bn_1398943504133.html
Note: BTP (Общество с ограниченной ответственностью “БТП”) Society with Limited Responsibility. I suppose all military units could be so described.
Slyvansk = Slavyansk
The drone warrior has been droning on for what seemed like hours at the passing out ceremony at West Point. The best bit for them was hearing that they won’t be sent to wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. He did not outline his future plans for war in other countries but promised $5bn to fight terrrrrrism. No mention of cause and effect.
US gives $5bn to global terror fight
President Barack Obama has announced a “terrorism partnership fund” for other countries to tackle extremists, in a landmark foreign policy speech at a military academy in New York.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27606536
The new headline at 16.30 is ‘Obama: US must show restraint abroad’.
mike 28 May, 2014 – 3:11 pm
My understanding is that the UN helicopters were decommissioned by the UN and sold to Ukraine. They were supposed to have removed the UN logos before using them. But what would you expect from these cowardly thugs?
‘Would you trust private companies like G4S, Atos or Serco to look after vulnerable children? Or to influence decisions about taking children into care? Protecting children is one of the most difficult and sensitive roles for a government to perform. But education secretary Michael Gove is consulting on whether to outsource this role to profit making companies. [1]
If we want to stop this, we don’t have long – the consultation closes this Friday. So far, the issue’s had very little media coverage, and the consultation has barely been publicised. If thousands of us write in today, we can show Michael Gove that we’re watching – and make sure he drops these plans.
Please can you write to the consultation today:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/childprotection
Decisions by child protection professionals affect lives and can break up families, these decisions should be kept miles away from any hint of a profit motive. Adoption services have already been protected from privatisation. And there’s no evidence to suggest that outsourcing services is a good idea anyway. [2]
The government’s proposal argues that letting private companies provide children’s services will encourage innovation.[3] But we all saw the mess that G4S made of providing security at the Olympics, would we really want them to care for vulnerable children’s lives?
Experts have already voiced outrage at the plans, now we need to hammer the message home with people power. [4] Previously when 38 Degrees members have responded to Michael Gove’s consultations, our voices have been heard loud and clear. Last year, he dropped his plans to remove climate change from school curriculums after we wrote in our thousands to oppose them. [5]
Can you write into the consultation and help stop these plans today:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/childprotection
Thanks for everything you do
Robin, Ali, Blanche and the 38 Degrees team’
NOTES:
[1] The Guardian – Privatise child protection services, Department for Education proposes: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/16/privatise-child-protection-services-department-for-education-proposes
[2] Public Finance – Child protection: not for sale: http://opinion.publicfinance.co.uk/2014/05/child-protection-not-for-sale/
[3] The government proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/304660/Powers_to_Delegate_Con_Doc.pdf
[4] The Guardian – Child protection services too important to be privatised: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/16/child-protection-privatised
[5] 38 Degrees blog – Victory: Climate change will stay in the curriculum: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/07/09/victory-climate-change-will-stay-in-the-curriculum
HMG’s Mr Hunt proposes to dole out £100m to Weight Watchers. Ostensibly a good idea Jeremy.
Little known is the fact that from 1978-1999 WW was owned by Heinz, producers of processed food some containing high levels of sugar and salt. No conflict there.
Corporate history
From 1978 until 1999, Weight Watchers was owned by the H. J. Heinz Company, which continues to produce packaged foods bearing the Weight Watchers brand (and with point values clearly identified). Weight Watchers was acquired in a leveraged buyout in 1999 by Artal Luxembourg and went public in 2001. Artal continues to own over 50% of the shares of Weight Watchers as of 2010.
Corporate governance
The current members of the board of directors of Weight Watchers are Philippe Amouyal, John Bard, Raymond Debbane, Marsha Evans, Jonas Fajgenbaum, Linda Huett, Sacha Lainovic, Steven M. Altschuler and Christopher Sobecki.
Now a corporation based in NY.
Revenue $1.724 billion (2013)
Operating income $460.757 million (2013)
Fat people = Fat profits.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2012/09/04/the-mystery-man-behind-weight-watchers-and-the-private-equity-deal-of-the-century/
” My understanding is that the UN helicopters were decommissioned by the UN and sold to Ukraine. ”
The helicopters always belonged to Ukraine, the UN doesn’t own any military hardware it relies on member states operating their own equipment on it’s behalf. If reports are true Ukraine should’ve removed the markings but then as UN markings have never proved to be any protection in the past how is “cowardly”?
Well spotted, Pykrete.
The chocolate oligarch was desperate to get over 50% on the first round to avoid the necessity of a second.
Knowing that there’d be a very low turnout, I suppose they just decided to help things along by stuffing the ballot.
===============================
We’re moving towards the end of the project now, and it’s interesting to look back at how they began and still continue today, managing every aspect of your life:
Norman Dodd, who was involved in banking in the early days, and subsequently involved in a Congressional enquiry into endowed foundations explains:
“This is about The Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Ford Foundations who since the turn of the century have set out to influence and manipulate the education and morals of not only the USA but Countries Globally. Reduced standards of Education and sexual promiscuity of today have their roots in these Foundations. He states that the foundations were very influential in instigating conflicts around the world. “This may be one of the most important videos you will ever see””
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUYCBfmIcHM
Danny Alexander really ought to do the maths!
Ba’alZevul
“..then in the interests of sending a clear message as well as retaining a vital transport hub, the state IMO has a right to use force majeure.”
__________________
While I agree with the contents of your response to candidate-Eminence “Peacemaker”, I must point out, à la Michael Gove, that your use of “force majeure” is incorrect. “Force” would have been sufficient.
Keep up the good work.
Jake
“What prominence will this be given by the BBC I wonder, very little I suspect”
___________________
You suspect wrongly, you fool. A lot about it on BBC Radio 4 at 16h00 and 17h00 UCT.
Mary
“NB
High Down prison morale ‘through the floor’ according to report on ‘dreadful’ 2013
Mar 30, 2014
A report released by the Independent Monitoring Boards has raised major concerns with staffing and funding levels at HMP High Down”
_________________–
On a point of information, Mary, is that one of the privately-run prisons you’ve complained about in the past, or is it a state-run prison?
********************
Commit no crime, stay out of prison!
Pykrete’s link to the prefilled Ukraine ballot boxes works on:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7c0_1401048702
So blatant.
Herbie
“Knowing that there’d be a very low turnout, I suppose they just decided to help things along by stuffing the ballot.”
_____________________
Well, perhaps the national turnout – although respectable enough – would have been even higher of fascist bullyboys and masked thugs in eastern Ukraine had not done their best to intimidate people against voting.
Thankfully the good guy won fairly and squarely and all reasonable people would agree that he now has a solid mandate to crack down strongly on said bullyboys and fascist thugs.
‘On a point of information, Mary, is that one of the privately-run prisons you’ve complained about in the past, or is it a state-run prison?’
Has the poster @ 6.49pm not heard of Google?
I notice no concern expressed for those in need of psychiatric care. Some will be past members of HM Forces.