It is amusing that Polly Toynbee attacks Russell Brand on the grounds there is a real difference between Labour and the Conservatives, on the day Ed Balls argues immigrants must be kept out by amending the EU treaties – in the same paper!
I have never been a great fan of Russell Brand’s media persona, and for a revolutionary to be shacked up with Jemima Khan’s millions is perhaps some kind of extended exercise in post-modern irony as performance art. But Brand’s perception that the neo-con political parties are all the same is absolutely correct, and his is almost the only voice the media will broadcast saying it. When I have been saying precisely the same thing for a decade it is not news. News, apparently, lies not in what is said, but whether or not it is a celebrity who says it.
Not voting is a perfectly reasonable choice. I would prefer that people voted Green, or independent, or SNP in Scotland or Plaid Cymru in Wales. But Brand’s option of not voting is also valid – the entire system of corporations, media and politicians is designed to block real change.
Polly Toynbee is a very rich woman compared to the rest of us, with a great deal of inherited wealth and a Guardian salary well into six figures, for writing a constant stream of tribal pro-Labour drivel. She quotes with approval John Lydon’s observation:
it’s clear, if you’ve got a pile of money in the bank, you vote for people with piles of money in the bank
Which is absolutely true, and why Polly Toynbee votes Labour. Another irony which flies over the head of the humourless old moneybag-toting harridan.
Toynbee is delighted to discover that the rambling Lydon is not really a revolutionary. The rest of the world had known it was only a money-spinning pose for forty years, and he is pretty right wing.
Extraordinary that Toynbee points out the strangeness of treating Russell Brand as a political guru, and then sets up John Lydon instead. The silly old bat really, really doesn’t get irony, does she? Or is Polly Toynbee in fact herself some kind of monumental performance art installation, designed on every level to project the futility and hypocrisy of New Labour?
@Ian Orr: Sorry I missed your request to gather signatures, being out of the country for a few days (and your post might have been lost in the noise here). Thanks to Habbabkuk for highlighting it so well here.
If you would like me to sign, and look at the draft, I’d be most happy to do so.
Still, many do not. DVLA being one that comes instantly to mind, a Ministry of Defence being another but that wadsn’t what i was referring to.
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Kempe
I don’t know what planet you were on during the Scottish referendum but sharing the DVLA was recognised by both sides, just like sharing the pound it made sense as for defence again you, weren’t paying attention Faslane was to be the Scottish defence headquarters.
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Absolutely correct. I base my opinions on evidence and so far we have very little. You can indulge in as much wild specualtion as you like but without evidence to back it up it’s worthless.
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Kempe
Without evidence absolutely worthless, Jesus, what a sterile minded person you are, imagine if astrophysicists, had your limited vision, we’d know nothing of the universe, no conjecture no theories no visionaries, have you never heard the expression “Think Tank.”
YouKnowMyName. 1 24pm
Re Internet of Things.
This will make us traceable 24/7, unless we’re naked and unchipped.
This development will leave an esteemed one a lot of explaining to do!
🙂
Re Internet of Things.
This will make us traceable 24/7, unless we’re naked and unchipped.
This development will leave an esteemed one a lot of explaining to do!
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Sofia
Is that a picture of Fred?
““The potential is whether your dishwasher works out that its motor is about to pack up before it does or your washing machine tells itself not to run a spin cycle to lower peak-time electricity usage in your house,” says Segars. “Or you could just remote control them.””
Sofia and YKMY;
It’s not all bad news. Marketing the features and benefits makes it all good. Just don’t have any funny pics on your smartphone you’re reticent to put on Instagram. They might launch themselves, and the sheep might object. 🙂
RoS.
If I told you I’d break my confidentiality clause and lose my security clearance.
I would advise that we take cover and see from which direction the denials come.
Nuff said.
Republicofscotland (to Kempe)
“you offer no theory yourself, just a wait and see attitude, combined with a scornful attitude to other who dare speculate, dear oh dear.”
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Yes, but where does all that speculation actually get you, apart from making you feel clever and/or good about yourself? Does it bring clarity as to what happened any nearer?
Given that there are no new elements in the public domain yet, I fail to see what Kempe – or any other private individual for that matter – should or could be doing other than to wait and see.
If I told you I’d break my confidentiality clause and lose my security clearance.
I would advise that we take cover and see from which direction the denials come.
Nuff said.
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Brilliant Sofia
Every time I looked at that picture, I laugh out loud, because of you know who.
Republicofscotland (to Kempe, again)
“Without evidence absolutely worthless, Jesus, what a sterile minded person you are, imagine if astrophysicists, had your limited vision, we’d know nothing of the universe, no conjecture no theories no visionaries”
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That made me laugh, RoS.
Surely you’re not trying to kid us that your approach to these msyteries is one of rational, scientific enquiry, are you?
Or that you are a “visionary”?
Whom are you trying to kid, RoSN
££££££££££££££££££££££ – $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Anybody got any idea what kind of bike this is and who owns it?
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2737495
“approach to these msyteries”
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Habb
What does msyteries mean?
You see I would never pull anyone else up for a spelling mistake but you’re so shallow you pull everyone else up, I thought I’d turn the tables on you.
Nevermind.
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Its a Rolls Canardly bike, it rolls down one hill, and can hardly get up the next. lol.
Republicofscotland (to Kempe, again)
“Without evidence absolutely worthless, Jesus, what a sterile minded person you are, imagine if astrophysicists, had your limited vision, we’d know nothing of the universe, no conjecture no theories no visionaries”
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That made me laugh, RoS.
Surely you’re not trying to kid us that your approach to these mysteries is one of rational, scientific enquiry, are you?
Or that you are a “visionary”?
Whom are you trying to kid, RoSN
££££££££££££££££££££££ – $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
RoS
Would you prefer to be known henceforth as “the astrophysicist” or “the visionary”?
Let me know!
LOL
“Fred: Go fuck yourself, you retard.”
“Fuck off and die retard.”
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Fred did you see Sofia’s picture you’ve got to admit Fred, it was funny.
“Fred did you see Sofia’s picture you’ve got to admit Fred, it was funny.”
Fuck off and die retard.
” I don’t know what planet you were on during the Scottish referendum but sharing the DVLA was recognised by both sides, just like sharing the pound it made sense as for defence again you, weren’t paying attention Faslane was to be the Scottish defence headquarters. ”
Sharing DVLA was only an interim measure, the SNP were proposing to set up their own agency within the lifetime of the first Scottish parliament post-independence.
https://www.scotreferendum.com/questions/will-an-independent-scotland-have-its-own-driver-and-vehicle-licencing-and-driving-standards-agency/
I seem to recall that sharing the pound was one of the major stumbling blocks and having an HQ for Sctoland’s MoD is a long way from actually having a functioning ministry.
Globalresearch and Professor Michel
One of the Eminences has just quoted – yet again – from the egregious and pretentiously-named “Globalresearch” (well, only the “global” bit is pretentious, the “research” has to be taken with a pinch of salt).
Can anyone tell us who actually runs Globalresearch – eg, who’s on the editorial board, who’s the editor or boss man, what’s the management structure and so on – and how and by whom they’re financed?
I apologise for this appeal for information, but Globalresearch’s website remains silent on those questions, which is of course surprising for an outfit which frequently criticises govts for secrecy and opaqueness.
No mention of the Begg case in this report.
16 October 2014
Theresa May: We need to collect communications data ‘haystack’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642607
The war on terrrrr contd. How about this nonsense? Who ordered it? Who authorised it?
Several dozen vehicles inc military. Is the UK a police state?
‘Counter-terrorism ‘training exercise’ causes alarm as mass convoy of emergency service vehicles speed through Surrey
A flurry of unmarked police cars, vans and military vehicles caused concern on Tuesday evening as they sped through Guildford town centre with sirens blaring.
They had apparently come off the M25 and A3, before going through Guildford and then out on the A281 through Shalford and Bramley, towards Cranleigh.
Surrey Police later said the convoy was on a “training exercise”, which was being run by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU).
A spokesman for SECTU said on Wednesday: “The exercise was part of the government’s contest strategy, which sets out guidance to prevent, pursue, protect and prepare, ensuring a multi-agency approach in the event of a terrorist act.
“Multi-agency vehicles spent Tuesday afternoon and evening going through Guildford.”
The number of vehicles involved was estimated to have been several dozen.’
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/counter-terrorism-training-exercise-causes-alarm-7939930
Mary
“Several dozen vehicles inc military. Is the UK a police state?”
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Because of a counter-terrorism exercise?
Surely not.
Don’t you believe that such exercises might be useful, rather than the forces of law and order having to improvise on the day or any future terrorist act itself?
As for any “alarm” caused, well, lots of people get alarmed about lots of things. In this case, any “alarm” caused has to be set against the obvious benefits of such an exercise.
“improvise on the day of any future terrorist act itself”
Mary
Would you have similar objections to an exercise by your local fire brigade, for example?
If not, why not?
Dad! 4 49pm
“Whose sock or glove puppet are you?”
You know everything I am as a troll I owe to you. If you were a half decent father you would feel a tinge of pride at my halting attempts. You might even give me a few tips.
I never asked to carry the cursed Habbagene. Most of the time I manage to keep the lid tightly shut on my dark compulsions.
I know I’ll never attain the lofty heights of trollery where we watch you, awestruck, as you soar with such dazzling magnificence.
Since I recognized that I was destined to be just another troll I’ve tried so hard to keep my hands well away from the keyboard, but every now and then I can’t hold it any longer and watch helplessly as another trollsome demon emerges onto my screen and swims off to wreak havoc.
…
Fred.
Everyone else was getting flamed recently and I wanted a bit. I was unkind.
I know you didn’t really deserve it. Please accept my apology.
In fact I owe you better than that for showing me ages ago how italics work, thusly providing me with a new torment the High Priest of Pedantry…..
You see how hard it is for me. Even when I try to be nice I still end up trolling!
…
Re Russell Brand.
IMO he is getting things that matter into the public conversation. Surely if human society is to course-correct we need to make use of every opportunity. Isn’t it the message what matters? If you don’t like his style you can get more grown-up stuff from the likes of Chomsky and Uncle Craig to name but two, but don’t expect to have a conversation about it with your neighbour on the train.
Habbabkuk (La vita è bella) !
16 Oct, 2014 – 10:52 pm
“Don’t you believe that such exercises might be useful, rather than the forces of law and order having to improvise on the day [f]or any future terrorist act itself?”
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Such exercises are useful Habbabkuk but they are usually publicised beforehand to minimise an unintended tragedy like a member of the public being killed by one of the vehicles involved in the false alarm exercise.
You may or may not be interested to hear that John Lydon is appearing live on the BBC’s ‘This Week’ with the Andrew Neil in a few minutes time.
Anarchy will not ensue.
I’m not sure if he’s being ironic, I don’t think so, but Lydon has told us 3 times that anger restored his memory after a bout of meningitis. Hmmm.
He also expressed admiration for Andrew Neil, told him he was solid, had been for years, put his arms round him. Don’t think he was being ironic that time either.
So forgetful and confused, then.
And anarchy did not ensue.
I saw it A Node. It was an exercise in mutual admiration.
Nevermind – Pretty sure that’s a Russian Ural or Dnepr. Exported in quite large quantities during the Soviet era; 650cc flat twin quite faithfully copying the wartime Wehrmacht BMW. The early ones were alleged to still have a machinegun mount on the sidecar. Had a Dnepr once. The welding was crap, the carburettors were unsynchronisable, and at any speed over 60 (assuming you could get that far) the wheel spokes broke. But it was very solid and designed to be serviced by a Siberian kulak with a hammer in a snowfield.
@Glenn_uk at 3.16 pm on 16 October. Thanks for your support. Send me your email address (mine is [email protected] )and I will send you the text of the letter that issued and suggestions for follow-up action.