The nation that supplied Baroness Ashton to head EU foreign policy describes Juncker as a non-entity. This causes much mirth in Brussels. One fact that the British media have singularly failed to address is that UKREP Brussels (the UK’s Embassy to the EU) has reported that Juncker is believed to be sympathetic to the idea of continuing Scottish membership of the EU after independence. That makes sense given his record as an EU expansionist and his own background from the small independent state of Luxembourg. It helps explain Cameron’s furious opposition.
The Tories’ frenetic attempts to find an alternative candidate to Juncker are floundering. This is in part because of a fundamental illogicality in the British position. Cameron claims that he wants to reform the EU in part to address its “democratic deficit”. But he wants to start by cancelling the most important democratic advance the EU has made – that the Commission President should be nominated by the winning party in the European Parliament elections. On top of which, in 2010 Cameron pulled the Conservatives out of that winning party in order to form an alliance with the anti-semites of Poland’s Law and Justice party. He now wants this losing party to choose the Commission President.
The Tories are hoping Merkel can produce an alternative candidate from Central and Eastern Europe. The problem is that the parties like Civic Platform in Poland which are in the winning European People’s Party in the European Parliament and in government, are anathema to the right wing loonies with whom the British Tories are grouped. As a result the names being canvassed by UKREP Brussels are now so obscure as to make Junckers look like Ronaldo, and British diplomats are being obliged to extol the virtues of obscure Czech politicians that they have never heard of. Meanwhile Carl Bildt is quietly involved in pushing on Merkel a candidate directly involved in the persecution of Julian Assange. My money is still on Juncker.
The issue thrown up by the report which clearly did not support the aquisations levelled at these schools are many.
1. Why should one particular religion be singled out to be radicalising pupils? How many Christians have become fighters for Academi due to their beliefs?, how many Zionists are finishing Jewish faith schools? Should we stop jewish schools organising school trips to Israel, because of how they treat children over there?
2. Saudi Arabia is our ally, apparently, Cameron, Hague and a motley crew of arms dealers visit regularly, so why should a school not organise a trip there, a socalled friendly country?
That it is involved in stopping the majority of Bahrains populus asking for Independence, with violence, does not register, not with the school or the BBC.
3. Ofsteds report should have repercushions as it is the Government who thrown a light on imaginary threats, and they stick, as all these schools have been put into a bad light and will be watched in future. The psychological damage is done.
Gove and May should both apologise for shining a OTT 20.000 watt light on something they could have seen by the light of a candle. Government made a mountain out of a molehill, creating suspicions and ill feelings among parents, teachers and children alike.
Gove and May are guilty of fighting their pathetic succession battle on the backs of schools reputations, they should damnwell apologise.
Speaking of illegality, taken from the WL Twitter stream:
http://www.weourselves.com/herald-blows-lid-clean-off-camerons-covert-operations/
“The diplomatic cables reveal the Devolution Unit, meant to assist the Scottish Government’s transactions with foreign governments, is functioning as a hostile covert agency of Cameron’s government.”
And ““… [T]he FCO has contacted the governments of China, Russia, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the 28 EU nations about the Scottish referendum in a global search for allies who might oppose independence.”
Alleges Cameron even tried to enlist Putin. This is beyond dodgy. Cameron clearly saw his hero Blair escape censure, so figures he can do what he likes. Figures correctly, sadly. Even I’m surprised at this story, and I don’t put much past our idiot PM. This whole anti-independence thing is turning out very weird indeed. What exactly is bothering the establishment, I wonder?
Just to follow up one aspect of the
Eek, Jihadis Taking Over Our Jolly Good Schools faith school controversy:http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2013/10/jewish-faith-school-caught-censoring-questions-on-science-exam-papers
Intriguing. I think Michael needs to send the inspectors in. With a list of targets to be destroyed :
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/07/trojan-horse-infiltration-faith-schools-secular-education
And –
http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/community/community-news/tough-action-may-be-taken-at-islamic-faith-school-after-inspectors-find-books-which-promotes-stoning-lashing-and-execution-1-6108170
No doubt they did find those books. Gove spent £3M of our money in providing every school with a copy of the KJV Bible, didn’t he*?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num.+15%3A32-36&version=KJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+22%3A13-22&version=KJV
*with his name on.
(Let’s try that again, switching off the strikeout this time. Mods – please delete previous botched attempt)
Just to follow up one aspect of the
Eek, Jihadis Taking Over Our Jolly Good Schoolsfaith school controversy:http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2013/10/jewish-faith-school-caught-censoring-questions-on-science-exam-papers
Intriguing. I think Michael needs to send the inspectors in. With a list of targets to be destroyed :
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/07/trojan-horse-infiltration-faith-schools-secular-education
And –
http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/community/community-news/tough-action-may-be-taken-at-islamic-faith-school-after-inspectors-find-books-which-promotes-stoning-lashing-and-execution-1-6108170
No doubt they did find those books. Gove spent £3M of our money in providing every school with a copy of the KJV Bible, didn’t he*?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num.+15%3A32-36&version=KJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+22%3A13-22&version=KJV
*with his name on.
Brendan
New oil discoveries off the West Coast of Scotland they have tried to hide for the last decade because of US nuclear bases? Check out Aanirfan.blogspot:
http://aanirfan.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/major-find-of-oil-on-scottish-west-coast.html
conjunction
10 Jun, 2014 – 9:53 am
“…I don’t want schools in this country to be taken over by people putting forward an extremist Islamic agenda.”
Perhaps the answer is to abolish all religious schools; they are, after all, divisive as are private schools.
A fully comprehensive school system would be inclusive and aid integration across religions and class.
But it won’t happen because of the powerful religious lobby groups and the well connected upper-class.
If Poison Gove won’t elucidate about ‘British values’ then perhaps Dave might let us in on the secret.
PM backs drive for ‘British values’
Plans for schools in England to promote “British values” are likely to have overwhelming support of people in the UK, the prime minister has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27778272
He talks about ‘freedom, tolerance, respect for the rule of law, belief in personal and social responsibility and respect for British institutions’.
So much for his hypocrisy in view of his war on Libya and his proposed war on Syria.
“This whole anti-independence thing is turning out very weird indeed. What exactly is bothering the establishment, I wonder?”
You surely didn’t think it would be a simple matter of a vote.
It surprises me that Scots don’t look closer to the Irish experience, from the late 1800s and on up to the present day.
Admittedly the Irish were having to contend with a UK which was a major world power, but they still fancy themselves, and haven’t yet quite fully undergone the decline one would normally expect. Scotland’s leaving would be a serious body blow.
I’d be surprised if you got away with just a majority vote, though I do wish you well in that endeavour.
You need allies. Big allies.
I don’t see much happening on that score.
Two politicians could serve British interests better than Baroness Ashton – MP George Galloway and Mayor Lutfur Rahman, but sadly none of the EU leaders would dare to support either of them.
That’s what I call the “European Democracy”!
http://rehmat1.com/2014/06/10/uk-jewish-lobbys-problem-with-bengali-mayor/
Anyway, here’s the FoI response on the Firth of Clyde exploration in the 1980s:
There’s a map of the specific license and then their response:
“It is our understanding that, while under licence, some geological / seismic surveys may have been carried out within the licence area but we are not aware of any exploration drilling taking place. The licence was relinquished in 1988 and the area is currently unlicensed.
For further information on the exact nature of any activities undertaken within the
licence, you may wish to contact BP, who were the licence holder at the time.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oil-gas-exploration-in-the-firth-of-clyde-foi-130568
BP has come out quite strongly against Scottish independence:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/10616789/BP-chief-Bob-Dudley-attacks-Scottish-independence.html
Hmmmm…
You got to be kidding, oil discovered south of Arran, and the seismic data lost!
Arran is at the west end of the Comrie Highland Fault, and say that a US special op sub, like the USS Connecticut, starts pounding the ocean floor with its lasers – the public told that it’s just more oil exploration or drilling – and a Pentagon-made earthquake occurs, like what the USS Jimmy Carter caused southwest of New Zealand just before Christmas 2004, and the great earthquake and tsunamis occurred a few days later in the Indian Ocean.
And it’s not only Islamic schools:
It is difficult, for example, to conceive of a school more openly rejecting of Britain’s predominantly secular culture than the Cardinal Vaughan comprehensive in Kensington, London, where 99.7% of the pupils are Catholic, the principal activity is “the apostolic mission of the Church” and “the teachings of Christ permeate all areas” – unless it is the Yesodey Hatorah Senior girls’ school, a state-funded institution serving the Orthodox Jewish Charedi community in Stamford Hill in London.
An Ofsted inspection in 2006 noted: “The Charedi community do not have access to television, the internet or other media. All members of the community aim to lead modest lives governed by the codes of Torah observance.”
It was marked grade one, “an outstandingly effective school”.
Supposing the Charedi set-up should therefore appeal more widely, in the same way that outstanding Anglican schools have reached out to formerly godless politicians, the school website makes clear (as far as is practicable in the prohibited, online format) that its voluntary-aided status entitles the governors to keep out atheists and incompatibles, staff as well as pupils.
Although some state-funded faith schools must now let in a fixed quota of infidels, to the fury of Catholics who, nowadays, prefer preaching to the converted, Yesodey is legally entitled, despite being funded by taxpayers, to discriminate against virtually all its benefactors.
Parents will need a signed form confirming their commitment to the faith and, as for the girls, “any disputes as to whether a child is Jewish will be settled by reference to the Rabbinate of the Union of Hebrew Congregations”.”
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/07/trojan-horse-infiltration-faith-schools-secular-education
You know, if you Scotsmen/women really want to break away from the Duchy of Saville (or Cool Brittania or whatever it calls itself these days,) all you have to do is execute the Convention Against Torture and the Rome Statute in Scottish municipal law, as required. With all these English war criminals, torturers, and aggressors hiding from the law, you’ll be out like shit through a goose.
Mary
It’s a joke, us Brits are disgusting, we are nearly all addicted to one thing or another we too often over indulge which is totally detrimental. Most of us don’t properly exercise and we all know the effects our lifestyles have on us and the state.
The value of being British (neoliberal) is that we have no values.
Our language is disgusting and our culture worse.
All our common words and phrases are horrid. What are we teaching are children.
Hypocrisy.
Alleges Cameron even tried to enlist Putin. This is beyond dodgy. Cameron clearly saw his hero Blair escape censure, so figures he can do what he likes. Figures correctly, sadly. Even I’m surprised at this story, and I don’t put much past our idiot PM. This whole anti-independence thing is turning out very weird indeed. What exactly is bothering the establishment, I wonder? {Brendan]
Please see my comment on ‘BBC Lawbreaking’ thread, 10th June, 1.26 pm, third link, for details. Originally reported by Itar-Tass. Of course this may just be Putin stirring it. Or not.
Well, you do tend to get oil trapped in those faults.
And it’s certainly strange that a major company like BP would just lose the data, though that’s how their response has been reported.
Then the BP CEO comes out with some waffle against Scottish independence.
All very convenient, eh.
Has BLiar had anything to say yet on Dave’s ‘Junk the Juncker’ gambit?
‘In the name of God, go’ department
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-06-09a.264.0&s=speaker%3A10574#g270.2
Straw’s in there. Puke alert.
And here’s Liam Byrne being shut down by the Speaker. Why? His question wasn’t substantially longer than some others.
Byrne:… Parents, who should have been the first to know, have been the last to know about the contents of these reports. I am sure that the Secretary of State will want to apologise to the House for the contempt with which parents have been treated in this debate. Secondly, he knows that I have been at the forefront in calling for this Ofsted process. I am glad that Sir Michael Wilshaw has today said that there is no evidence of an organised plot to radicalise our children or introduce extremism into schools, but four out of the six academies—
Bercow:…his question, which is not yet a question, is far too long—[Interruption.]…
There IS a use for sarin. There IS.
Here’s a large mote in the eye of the Jewish chronicle.
What a nerve. I can think of plenty of others about whom we could have a similar vote.
http://www.thejc.com/poll/should-stephen-sizer-be-sacked
The history of the campaign waged against him. Good for the Rev Nick Howard.
http://archive.thejc.com/searchn/index.jsp
A Ms Pinch of the LD Friends of Palestine is also on their hit list.
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/117741/lib-dems-palestine-group-says-sorry-over-links-holocaust-denial-website
I was going to link to the website which is the subject of the complaint but decided it would bring the trolls and the thought police in here.
It’s a US site where the page goes on for ever and archived back to 2006. No owner identity. The name on the donate page is MRKGlenn at a Yahoo e-mail address.
http://archive.thejc.com/searchn/index.jsp That was NBG
Go to their website http://www.thejc.com/ and enter sizer in the search box.
I see a Reuven Rivlin will replace Peres. Comms minister in Sharon’s govt.
http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/119647/reuven-rivlin-elected-new-president-israel
More truths from Jonathan Cook from within the belly of the beast.
Hamas-Fatah Reconciliation
by Jonathan Cook / June 10th, 2014
In the celebratory atmosphere last week as the Palestinian unity government was sworn in, ending a seven-year feud between Fatah and Hamas, it was easy to overlook who was absent.
Hamas had agreed to remain in the shadows to placate Washington, which is legally obligated to refuse aid to a government that includes a designated terrorist group. The new Palestinian cabinet looked little different from its predecessor; Hamas’ input was limited to three independents, all in low-level ministerial positions.
And because this transitional government is still operating within the confines of Israeli occupation, the three ministers from Gaza were refused permits to travel to the West Bank for the swearing-in ceremony on June 2.
/..
http://dissidentvoice.org/2014/06/hamas-fatah-reconciliation/
Tony Blair ‘in quite a tragic position’ – Charles Clarke
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27776951
‘Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is “in quite a tragic position” because he cannot find a role in national politics, an ex-Home Secretary says.’
What a terrible shame. We could find a role for him – cleaning the lavs in Wormwood Scrubs for starters.
It’s not often I have anything positive to say about the old lizard’s contributions, bit his offering of 11:44 am is exactly what I’ve been hoping for. More in that vein please! 🙂
OT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27778112
Very droll Anon. An anon with a different avatar to that shown a day or so ago. Another anon? An anon on a different e-mail address? Another anon in a different country? I think we should be told.
Bangkok or Istanbul are cities where water cannons used against rioters. Coming to London now as Boris Johnson has given his permission to the Met to purchase three machines. What a thug. Must keep the plebs in line.
Metropolitan Police given permission to buy water cannon
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27781673
Hi Mary, just the avatar I use when posting from my Haifa address – nothing more sinister than that I’m afraid.
Again very droll. Presumably you will have no interest in this further plan to privatize one of the few remaining public services by Agent Cameron and his mob. From 38 Degrees.
‘Plans are underway to privatise one of our best-performing public services, the Land Registry – the government body that records the sale of all houses and land. [1]
The Land Registry has a 98% satisfaction rating with people who’ve used it. It’s also entirely self-financing, and passes its profits on in reduced fees. [2] But the sell-off hasn’t hit the headlines, and many of us haven’t even heard about it.
James is a 38 Degrees member, who works for a legal services company and uses the Land Registry on a daily basis. He’s started a petition on Campaigns by You to stop the sell-off and already has strong support from high street solicitors behind the campaign.
But if thousands of 38 Degrees members sign the petition, together we could force the government to scrap their plans. Plans to privatise the Land Registry are being drawn up right now, so if you agree with James, please sign the petition:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/LandRegistry
Aside from providing a great service, the Land Registry produces data on house prices, that the government uses to make policy decisions. [3] Privatisation would put this data in the hands of profit-making companies – and could give them influence on government policy.
James, who started the campaign, says:
“The Land Registry is well run, efficient and professional. If the government is to sell off one of our best performing public services, the wider public needs to be able to have its say.”
Together 38 Degrees members can show ministers that we want the Land Registry to stay in public hands. Please click here to sign the petition now:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/LandRegistry
PS: Here’s what some of us have been saying about the Land Registry sell-off on the 38 Degrees Facebook page:
Marguerita: “There is no need to privatise the Land Registry. It is a successful public organisation. Privatisation could open it up to corruption and greed.”
Colin: “Selling off services like this brings increased costs to the customers, a poorer service, and a further reduction in our nation’s assets.”
Keith: “I use The Land Registry for work most days and on the whole find it very efficient. What will happen will be the Staff will be cut back and cost increased If privatised.”
Sandra: “Roll up! Roll up! Massive sale! UK going cheap to friends and cronies! Get some before it’s all gone!”
NOTES
[1] The Guardian, Land Registry privatisation plans revealed in leaked document:
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/05/land-registry-privatisation-plans-revealed
The recently closed government consultation on the Land Registry:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/land-registry-new-service-delivery-company
[2] Save the Land Registry campaign site:
http://www.savethelandregistry.co.uk/#!about-us/c3f7
[3] Save the Land Registry campaign site:
http://www.savethelandregistry.co.uk/#!the-facts/csgz ‘
Thanks for that, Mary. I don’t, as yet, have an opinion on the proposed privatization of the Land Registry, but I promise to make sure you will be the first to know once I have one.
Do one.