As long term readers know, I love the Eurovision Song Contest. It is just so much fun and so resoundingly daft. Graham Norton’s comment last night, “it’s like the gay wedding I’ll never have”, summed it up rather well. We also learnt that Danish humour is impenetrable. Having once spent a week there living with Danish friends, I guess a country that seems to live on raw fish and raw eggs will forever shimmer beyond my comprehension. Like Hamlet’s mind – impossible to understand completely, but marvelous.
I was however saddened by the audience booing of the two young Russian girls. That was really nasty and unfair. They were scarcely more than children, for goodness sake. Putin is not their fault. That booing was an exhibition of racism; nothing else you can call it. If people wanted to make a point, they could have screamed for the Ukrainian girl – they didn’t have to boo the young Russians.
People always complain about political voting, but I think that’s half the fun. I always enjoy the voting far more than most of the singing. Last night, I think, was political voting in a wonderful way. It was a joyful expression of approval for the idea that human beings can and should be what they want to be. It wasn’t the first time either – I remember a similarly gender challenging singer from Israel winning some years ago. What was even better this year, was that another stereotype was also challenged, in that Conchita swept up much support from Eastern as well as Western Europe. Let it be said that she had a damn good song too.
We voted for the Polish girls. I thought the honesty of their approach was brilliant, and reminded me of so many happy days in Warsaw in my youth. Good to see women doing the washing too.*
All in all, great fun and a life-affirming evening. Now to clear away all the mess – why did I stick all those empty Prosecco bottles on the front garden railings?
*Private joke for my friends at Russia Today media (formerly trading as Indymedia).
Further to Ben’s earlier comment about who is buying up petro-dollars you can really see the difference between confetti money and gold. The US appears to have given that NAZI leader Yatsenyuk confetti-dollars in exchange for gold which was flown out as security it would seem. Although published earlier on Craig’s blog people might be able to put two and two together with this comment from Brian Fujisan on Squonk’s blog.
https://squonk.tk/blog/2014/04/19/ukraine-russia-the-west-and-what-comes-next/comment-page-2/#comment-7355
Kelly, sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Your portrayal shows him to have been a helpful soul. I remember when I was learning Russian, not very well, I sought the help, and God did I need it, of a friend whose Russian was superb. i could not get my head round three words which were similar and confused me proizvodstva (production), proizvoditel’nost’ (productivity) and promyshlenost (industry). He taught me by saying proizvodstva had the same number of syllables as production, proizvoditel’nost’ has the same number of syllables as productivity, and proizvodstva is industry. I never forgot though I have forgotten much.
When you get over the loss please come back. People are not bad on here. We just all get frustrated with our pet topics and slanted opinions and get a bit entrenched. Like Mary I am a supporter of the Palestinian cause but would like to see an integrated Middle East containing people of all religions and political views living amicably together. We are all the same really.
Mr Scorgie
“I wonder what you (and the MSM) would say if two Jewish teenagers were shot dead while throwing stones at Palestinian police officers for example.”
______________________
If the stone-throwing you postulate was not an isolated incident but took place against the background of several years of stone-throwing by bands of Jewish teenagers, then I would say the following : I regret that they were shot by Palestinian police officers, but they would still be alive and with their families if they had had the good sense – knowing the risks – not to engage in stone throwing against police officers.
Mr Scorgie
And just to counter your usual selective quoting, here again is the FIRST part of my comment to Mary:
“No one on this blog – I hope, at least – enjoys hearing of the mistreatment of children, whether in the West Bank, Nigeria, Pakistan, even in the UK.”
Do you agree with that, you dishonest scallywag?
Corporate media speaks to power and evil.
Not
IDF kill 2 Palestinians and injure protesters on 66th anniversary of Israeli Occupation
Instead
Clashes on West Bank as Palestinians remember the founding of Israel (Sky News)
Not
USUKIsNATO meet in London to discuss arming rebels and ways to assassinate President Assad
Instead
UK’s William Hague attacks Assad’s Syria elections plan (BBC)
The latter commenced as ”Friends of Syria’ group set for London talks’. On the fourth it had been changed to the one above.
http://www.newssniffer.co.uk/articles/780483/diff/0/1
In version 3, you can see how they introduce Kerry’s accusation that ‘chlorine’ is being used as a chemical weapon by Assad. Another unfounded lie as are the ‘barrel bombs’.
Yes very sad when friends die. Condolences. Many of mine have also died.
Especially harrowing when friends are murdered by evil regimes and there is no possibility of justice being meted out.
PS Ms ben-Maimon. I have already acknowledged that you were open about your name and affiliations. I hope that the Conservative candidate you proposed/seconded for the Lambeth elections is successful and sorry that you have not been successful in your own quest to be a councillor.
I am as real as you are. I can laugh and I can also weep real tears.
Hope Ms Livni’s evening went well for the JNF and followers and that no protesters were killed or injured.
Both Livni and Abbas met Kerry in London yesterday.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/kerry-to-meet-with-livni-in-london/
On Wednesday Kerry — who was in London for talks on Syria — stressed to Abbas that the fate of the talks lies in the hands of the Israelis and Palestinians.
Kerry “reiterated the need for any Palestinian government to recognise Israel, commit to non-violence, and abide by previous agreements,” a US official said in a statement.
While Abbas met Cameron…
http://www.timesofisrael.com/kerry-abbas-meet-for-first-time-since-end-of-talks/
President Abbas outlined his plans for a new, technocratic Palestinian government, committed to the Quartet principles, including non-violence and the recognition of Israel,” a Downing Street spokesman said.
“He also expressed his readiness to resume peace talks with Israel and his hope that this could be achieved rapidly.”…
Job done. Well done Abbas. Oh. Er…
But Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman told Israeli lawmakers “the impasse in negotiations with the Palestinians is expected to continue.”…if Avigdor has anything to do with it, and he does.
Will follow comments you make on your website John and will get others to take a look. So if you get an influx, it is because some of the good people in London are taking a look. Will ask each person to recommend 10 further individuals. That is one way of growing and engaging.
Expect a lot of zionism, John.
Same old. Same old. More privatisation.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/soma-mine-operator-praised-lucrative-cost-reductions-in-previous-interview.aspx?pageID=238&nID=66448&NewsCatID=345
Harrowing pictures. The people are completely devastated.
Reduced production costs per ton from $130-140 to $28. Appalling. And the deal between the TKI the state energy producer and Gurkan the privateer is complicated. Safety went out of the window in the process.
There is something especially searing seeing tough, hard working, blackened men in tears.
“Oh God that bread should be so dear and flesh and blood so cheap” – again we say.
How about the Ergodan thug kicking a protester.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27415822
There was a large protest against Livni last night. Several photos, a video and news here.
https://twitter.com/pscupdates photos and tweets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX86wvYLvaU
http://www.demotix.com/news/4747728/israeli-minister-tzipi-livni-meets-large-nakba-day-protest-london#media-4754724 many photos
Protests against Livni in London: ‘War Criminal’
Despite enjoying diplomatic immunity in Britain, the minister in charge of now-defunct peace process faced pro-Palestinian demonstration.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4520418,00.html
Woohoo! Barking mad article by Canadian diaspora lunatic!
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/its-time-to-end-israels-special-relationship-with-the-u-s/
Do it. Just do it.
More fraud not referred to the police.
“Energy giant E.On is to pay a record £12m penalty [which will be recouped anyway] following an investigation into mis-selling [FRAUD] by the industry regulator.”
“Ofgem has carried out a series of mis-selling investigations, and in December imposed a £3.5m penalty on Npower.”
“The energy supplier apologised for the “completely unacceptable” failings.”
The same happened with the banks payment protection “mis-selling”
The same happens with MPs expenses fraud.
Then there was the BAE fraud investigation:
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said the SFO was “discontinuing” its investigation into Britain’s biggest defence company, BAE Systems.
The level of fraud, bribery, blackmail and other forms of high-level corruption must be staggering but it’s all swept under the carpet by the so called watchdogs.
Any chance on a hasbarita perspective on the opinions of these Jewish people?
http://jfjfp.com/?p=59620
BTW. Kelly. Awesome!
Seems evidence to me of another unexpected by-product of Nasa hi-tech.
“Excrescrape” TM.
For when that barrel’s been well and truly scraped!
Only “Excrescrape” TM removes those stubborn smears.
I suggest your employers dispose of the scrapings a bit more hygenically rather than dumping them here.
http://flaash.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/belgradedogpoo.png
Hi John, momentarily came back to cut and paste link, to you website. On route to Reform, near Trafalgar Square to pick up a letter, a friend had written. Hope that you continue to write, as I for one will certainly be following. You’ll see a difference to traffic in about 3/4 weeks time, hopefully. Need time to get over loss of one of my best friends. Who happened to describe himself as a Marxist.
Respect your views because, you are exceptionally good at articulating. Sincerely hope our paths cross, in the future, as would make an effort to come and listen to you, regardless of political persuasion etc. We have the ability to agree to disagree, unlike some. They would prefer to insult some one by not referring to that individual by name and calling them, now what was it “Zippidy do dah” and not handle it, when it is thrown back. Such is life. Incidentally, we have just finished discussing a buzz word “microaggression” as published in April edition of Time magazine. According to some professor at Columbia University, we are going to be hearing phrase a lot. Probably arriving on our shores soon.
Mary please don’t feel sorry for me in my quest in not becoming a councillor. More recently, it was a Labour stronghold, but I exercised my democratic right to take part. A few years ago, I was invited to put in an application for submission on to the ill thought out Conservative A List. At informal interview, in my own case, responded that I would prefer to go and stand at the back of the queue and let the others, who had been members of the Party beforehand for years, have a chance first. This was because of the integrity and principles I hold on to, so dearly.
Demonstration last night in London Mary? I was at St Thomas’ Hospital, with my close friends. An eclectic group at that. 2 are atheists, 1 a devout catholic, another born again Christian, McPherson who would describe himself as a “Scottish Nationalist & staunch Socialist.” Apologies – lied. Did see images on tv screen of Ukraine unrest. Think some people had been murdered there by the Nazi regime. It was a blur as I was not listening to words, having been consumed by grief.
Over & out for good.
and not handle it, when it is thrown back.…
Yeah. So, before you go, how about handling this? For the third time:
“I’d be interested to know whether you think there is any kind of genuine desire on Israel’s part to achieve a fair settlement with the Palestinians it is so blatantly displacing and marginalising?”
And your evidence for that conclusion?
Ba’al (12h07)
Have you really not understood? 🙂
If you’re going, go and take the Israhell propaganda and the Hasbara grooming with you.
You’ll see a difference to traffic in about 3/4 weeks time, hopefully.
It’s called a DDOS attack, John. 🙂 (do check your site’s security).
PS For fuck sake Mary, you really, really need to get out more. Just seen above, as left link open on my iPhone and glanced down. Have never been groomed but with your conspiracy theory mind set block is never going to accept that. When I get home intend to throw Craig Murray’s book in the bin, as he clearly entertains obnoxious characters like you! And btw STILL love Israel. Will delete all trace to this website NOW!
Sofia:
Glad to see you’re not fooled, anyway. Your comment reminded me of a forum I used to frequent, one of whose regulars had a sick, bitter and twisted sense of humour, which it took me years to fully appreciate – my own proudly SB&TSOH doesn’t come near his. New arrivals greasily introducing themselves to the locals would be received by his simple welcome: ‘Fuck off.’ This (with imaginative and offputting embellishments) later became traditional on the forum. And not a bad principle. I submit it for general consideration.
Marcy Wheeler has bowed out of the The Intercept. I thought she would. Taibbi? What’s happenin’ dood?
http://www.emptywheel.net/2014/05/16/announcement/
Kelly Please stop addressing me. I do not want to hear from you. Instead should you not be at home mourning the death of your friend or canvassing for the Tory you proposed and seconded in Lambeth.
Also please do not throw Craig’s book away. Give it to a student. There is a lot of information within which young people need to be made aware of.
~~~
Ba’al. Too right about DDOS. A friend of mine who was going on a Free Gaza voyage had the hard drive wrecked on his computer. All the passengers including women featured on some American website belonging to a Israel First loon who was advocating their deaths with photos and details. Absolutely vile. Some years ago and we are wise to the stuff now.
If Kelly was Hasbara, she won.
She made supportive comments about Israel, then was provided with an excuse (a wall of aggression) to leave without defending them.
If Kelly was not Hasbara, we lost.
We had an opportunity to explore the mindset of a defender of the indefensible and we didn’t take it.
By now and after many years of experience, I know enough about the mindsets of the defenders of Israel to be going along with. Sorry A Node.
Mary
“Kelly Please stop addressing me. I do not want to hear from you.”
__________________
Not your blog, Mary dear, and it’s a free country, so as far as I can see she’s as entitled to address you as you are to comment on here.
If you’re trying to take over from Mr Goss as the Insolent Squatter, you’re making a good job of it.
Mary
I’ve noticed you always round on people who’ve ticked you off.
You must develop a thicker skin, remembering that you’re not the owner of the blog but merely a guest like the rest of us.
You’d agree with that, wouldn’t you?
*******************
La vita è bella, life is good!
I do not like being addressed as ‘dear’ by anyone, especially by people I don’t know. I wasn’t aware that anyone had ‘ticked me off’. That is up to Craig and/or the mods.
A Node. 6 20pm
I’ve been thinking about Kelly. I had to because your posts are always worth considering.
Was she authentic and treated badly? Or was she just another hasbara fiction and quickly recognised?
Of course I can’t be sure, but I’ve read through her posts again and, if I was a betting person I’d confidently put my tenner on the hasbara explanation.
We’ve had over sixty years of opportunities to explore that mindset and over a year’s experience of “public diplomacy” at work here. If we don’t know it by now….
http://www.richardsilverstein.com/2009/07/10/the-israel-projects-secret-hasbara-handbook-exposed/
Anyway, if I am wrong, she has my apology and I would love for her to explain clearly and rationally why the current state of Israel is worthy of our support.
Otherwise I’ll stick with Ba’al’s wise suggestion (1 00pm), complete with “imaginative and offputting embellishments”. 🙂
Just who are we dealing with? http://richards10.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/mysh-a-problem-of-self-image.jpg
While I was worrying about fairness to Kelly thank goodness there were Jewish people concerning themselves with fairness to Palestinians.
http://jfjfp.com/?p=59730
Identity Crisis: The Israeli ID system and the segregation of Israel/Palestine
The Nakba, which refers to the ethnic cleansing of over 50% of the Palestinian population, was a defining moment of the long and ongoing history of forced displacement and separation of the Palestinian people that began with the events leading up to the creation of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948.
Today, 66 years after this date, the fragmentation of the Palestinian people both inside and outside of historic Palestine remains as concrete as ever.
This infographic represents each population group falling under de-facto Israeli sovereignty today. It deconstructs how different groups of Israelis and Palestinians experience segregation based on an Israeli-controlled system of colored ID cards. The graphic is based on data from UN agencies, and from Israeli and Palestinian government sources and NGOs.
The issue of prolonged Israeli sovereignty over Palestinians is also pertinent in light of growing talk among prominent Israeli politicians such as Naftali Bennet of permanently and unilaterally annexing large portions of the occupied Palestinian territory, and by Avigdor Lieberman of de-nationalising some Palestinian citizens of Israel. A recent Associated Press article discusses how a shifting demographic balance and continuing de-facto Israeli control over the Palestinian population weigh heavy in Israel’s calculations.
/..
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/05/identity-segregation-israelpalestine.html
The infographic
http://f8wee1vvia32pdxo527grujy61.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/VP-ID-OpChart-FINAL-EN-20140515.png