After such an extended break from blogging, you will be deeply disappointed that I restart with something as mundane and trivial as Jeremy Clarkson. I have defended the man in the past, because I much enjoy Top Gear and consider that much of what he has been criticised for in the past had been an amusing winding-up of the po-faced of the kind I employ myself. But nasty, indeed vicious bullying of a subordinate should always be a sacking offence.
That did not ought to be the question, though. He hit someone and they had to go to hospital. Where are the police? They are incredibly fond of sweeping up scores of teenagers for thought crime, but here we have an actual violent assault that spills blood, and it seems completely out of the question the perpetrator is brought to account. Why is that? I had a personal experience a couple of years ago when I was very mildly hurt – less than young Oisin – in an assault, and the police insisted on arresting the perpetrator despite my repeated requests to them not to do so. They told me rather firmly that the idea that it is the victim who has a say in pressing charges, is a myth. Why was Clarkson not arrested?
I cannot in my mind dissociate this from the non-arrest of Jimmy Savile for his crimes, despite their being well-known and reported at the time. That seems to link in to the wider paedophilia scandal, and the question of why no action was taken even in the most blatant of cases when there was compelling evidence, such as that of the extremely nasty Greville Janner MP.
But then I think still more widely as to why, for example, Jack Straw has not been charged with the crime of misfeasance in public office after boasting of using his position to obtain “under the radar” changes in regulations to benefit commercial clients, in exchange for cash. I wonder why a large number of people did not go to jail for the HSBC tax avoidance schemes or the LIBOR rigging scandal, which involved long term dishonest manipulation by hundreds of very highly paid bankers.
At the top of the tree is of course the question of why Blair has not been charged for the crime of waging illegal war. The Chilcot Inquiry heard evidence that every single one of the FCO’s elite team of Legal Advisers believed that the invasion of Iraq was an illegal war of aggression. Yet now the media disparage as nutters those who say Blair should be charged.
Then I think of all the poor and desperate people who get jailed for stealing comparatively miniscule amounts in benefit fraud, or the boy who was jailed for stealing a bottle of water in the London riots.
The conclusion is that we do not have a system of justice in this country at all. We have a system where the wealthy and governing classes and those associated with them enjoy almost absolute impunity, broken in only the rarest of cases. At the same time those at the bottom of the pile are kicked hard to keep them there. There is no more chance of justice against those in power in the UK than there is of the killers of Nemtsov being brought to book in Russia.
But what has really scared me is this thought. This situation has been like this my entire life: and I have reached the age of 56 before I realised it. A very great many people have still not realised it at all.
What does not scare me is this. I realise that if the system of justice is completely corrupted, then there is no obligation on me to follow the laws of the state. In fact it would be wrong of me to do so. I must seek my ethical compass elsewhere than in the corrupt power structure which weighs so hard upon the people.
“Every time Resident Dissident gets beaten in an argument he comes back with an ad hominem.”
Are you denying that you have called for Russian to intervene militarily to take what you call Novorossiya? If this isn’t warmongering hypocrisy then what is?
And of course you again use bluster to avoid a question about what you mean by the Russian “homeland”?
As for the rebels positions in Shirokino Mr Goss if he bothers to check he will find they have gone nowhere – but they have been used to launch attacks on Ukrainian held positions, and not unsurprisingly the Ukrainians have responded.
Is the coastal strip to the Crimea part of the homeland that Mr Goss is now encouraging Russian troops to invade in his peace loving manner? Where are the boundaries to his “homeland”. On what is his “homeland” based? So many questions so few answers.
@John Goss
“Technicolour, if those links are not satisfactory, here is an appeal from a man in Novorossiya who has good reason for his people to seek protection from Russia against the fascists.”
Given the link was to a Ukrainian woman living in Kyiv – perhaps Goss could confirm whether or not he sees Kyiv as part of his “homeland”. Or is this just yet another example of his posting while drunk?
“As for the rebels positions in Shirokino Mr Goss if he bothers to check he will find they have gone nowhere – but they have been used to launch attacks on Ukrainian held positions, and not unsurprisingly the Ukrainians have responded.”
Proof? And don’t give me one of those pro-Nazi sites you keep linking to.
As for ad hominems I though I had been pretty restrained – unlike this “He would much prefer more spilling of blood. It is plain evil.” which Mr Goss can add to his long list of personal insults aimed against me and my family, which really just demonstrate how he has lost the argument again and again.
Given that any site that doesn’t support you and Mr Putin is by your definition pro Nazi I rather doubt that any evidence meeting your standards would be possible. Let us not forget that you are someone who can blame the US for Ebola, argues that the East Java Sea is in the vicinity of Diego Garcia and that the UK?US have just been thwarted in their attempt to launch WW3 – and will of course deny any evidence from the Dutch MH17 enquiry when it finally reports.
The original question you posed was who held Shirokino at the time of the ceasefire. It was the Novorossiyans. Since then it has been relentlessly attacked by Nazi Azov forces (who you claim not to support) breaking the ceasefire. At first you were claiming it was the pro-Russians who were breaking the ceasefire. You have never budged a mm in your support for the neo-Nazis. Every comment is anti-Russian, pro Kiev. That is why I believe you to be a fascist. Because even here when you were proved to have been wrong you still behave as though you were right. I have no time for your bigotry.
I believe in peace, the peace that Russia brought to Crimea. If they can do it for Novorossiya too it will be worthwhile. However many arguments you try to put forward for the neo-Nazis (at the same time saying you don’t support fascists) you cannot gainsay that Russia prevented war in Crimea. You cannot say that there was a civil-war before this western-installed fascist coup came to power since 1921. The facts stare you in the face and you are still in denial. That’s why I have no time for you.
“Or is this just yet another example of his posting while drunk?” Another ad hominem slur. If I choose to have a drink what’s that to you?
I’m out of here.
Just before I go can anyone please give a rational reason why my emails from Reprieve and Clive Stafford Smith end up in my Junk folder? I had to retrieve two this morning again.
Goss
If you bother to look at the OSCE reports you will find that the DPR commanders locally only claimed to hold half of Shirokino and they denied access to OSCE observers to see what was going on. The OSCE observers noted fire coming from both directions. But then the OSCE are a fascist organisation so they don’t count do they?
Might I suggest you look at the link you posted and you could also ponder an apology for the racist link you posted in response to my link to Rationalwiki, which occurred while under the influence.
You have of course not defined what is meant by Novorossiya or “homeland” – I suspect that this is a concept that will expand to support whatever military action you are now supporting.
As for the fascist/Nazi rubbish and other ad hominems you spout – they speak volumes for you rather than my self.
Perhaps Microsoft got confused between Mr Goss’s main mail folder and his junk folder – I suspect even GCHQ would have difficulties telling the difference.
And Mr Goss – I am anti Putin and pro Russian, not that I expect you to understand the distinction.
RobG; “They are both an embarrassment to the concept we call ‘democracy’, and also to Craig’s blog.”
Peacewisher; “However… as this is hardly a pro-establishment blog that does surprise me!”
It took me also quite a long time to understand how this Blog works, & how it draws people to it under false pretenses.
Anyhow, I’m glad I missed out on last night’s exchanges, as the dissemblers were out in force; here’s a little collection of their offerings;
“Do you really think it would have helped matters if Russia had started pouring arms and/or forces into Chile?”
“Yes, you’ve stated the official public position of the Russian state. This does not prove that the Russian state isn’t being expansionist.”
“So do you think that there is any possibility that the Russian state is on the offensive, as well as the Western elites?”
“I’m really sick of reading that “Russia’s the victim!””
Back to the topic; “national security concerns” will always be the default euphemism that really is a smokescreen for Establishment Cover-ups;
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/20/uk-met-police-snowden-investigation-secret/
Hello! Anyone fancy a chat?
Clark
Yes. After you and others have read these links to the recent Chagos MPA arbitration
• Award dated 18 March 2015
• Dissenting and Concurring Opinion of Judge James Kateka and Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum
• Press Release and Summary of Award
I’d be grateful for ideas on how to get the BBC and any of the MSM to give space to this shattering judgement on one of the worst examples of HMG (of different parties over 60 years) playing the Bulldog poodle to Uncle Sam. It’s also a reminder of how bad a Foreign Secretary David Miliband was.
See above. Sorry that these links do not work. The three documents I mentioned need to be downloaded from this page:
http://www.pca-cpa.org/showpage.asp?pag_id=1429
Iain, I have your e-mail; thanks. I’ve only skim-read it so far, but here are the links to the articles:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/19/un-ruling-raises-hope-of-return-for-exiled-chagos-islanders
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foley-hoag-legal-team-contributes-to-mauritius-victory-in-indian-ocean-dispute-with-the-uk-300053472.html
I’ll read more thoroughly after I’ve had something to eat.
Hell of a punch-up here last night. Shame they seem unable to do anything useful with all that energy.
Iain, you could try interesting the two Davids at Medialens; they might send out one of their Media Alerts. I know that their message board is, well, a bit like the current problems at this place, but I think their readership is considerably wider than that.
“The day the Daily Telegraph doesn’t slag off Salmond, I’ll know he’s sold out. Thanks once again for the comforting reassurance.”
Alex sell out? Never, he’ll stand true to the cause till the day he dies.
Was his book published in Scotland BTW, or did he use a London based publisher owned by Rupert Murdoch?
Macky
Since you accuse people of dissembly you could at least have the common courtesy of letting us know what you think they are hiding. Do you think that people may disagree with you simply because they have a different viewpoint and values from your own rather than having to resort to lying to conceal their real views? Or is it that you are not that smart and don’t really understand the words that you use?
Anyway I now have to take Clark’s advice and go and do something useful namely take my son to watch at shout at 22 men chasing a bag of wind.
Oh, sure, Clark.
How about one regarding eavesdropping cover ups by allowing credible writers to get inside information about vile government agencies, like America’s NSA and Britain’s GCHQ?
I am thinking about James Bamford getting all kinds of tidbits from them for his Body of Secrets, a process which helped cover up their murder of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold.
There is no mention of it in the book while NSA’s USS Oxford, its top eavesdropping ship, is conveniently missing in the book for over a year during which the murder occurred.
So called-ground-breaking accounts are just a good way of covering up continuing dirty bits.
Fred : “Alex sell out? Never, he’ll stand true to the cause till the day he dies. Was his book published in Scotland BTW, or did he use a London based publisher owned by Rupert Murdoch?”
Ha ha, thanks again, Fred.
Don’t you get it yet? When you try so hard to dig up criticisms of Salmond and that’s the best (or worst) you can find, you’re actually giving him an endorsement. You’re the SNP’s secret weapon.
Clark
Thanks for the Medialens tip: I’ve emailed them.
Ensuring we have strong partners on the EU’s border is not only essential for Britain’s security but our long term prosperity. UK expertise can play a crucial role in bringing about the reforms needed to build lasting stability in the region, especially in the face of Russian intimidation, and it is right we that we step up our efforts alongside international partners.
Agent Cameron March 2015
New UK funding to help build stronger and more democratic nations in the Eastern neighbourhood and Balkans.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-funding-to-help-build-stronger-and-more-democratic-nations-in-the-eastern-neighbourhood-and-balkans
What’s Left of Syria?
50% of the Syrian population has been displaced…
36% of hospitals have been destroyed…
1,200,000 Homes have been destroyed…
4,000 Schools have been destroyed…
1,549 Places of worship have been destroyed…
290 heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed…
50% of Syria’s major cities have been destroyed…
10.9 million people have been displaced…
210,000 folks have been killed…
Who cares a shit? Let’s start a new war… while we argue the pros and cons of who is responsible!
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2015/03/left-syria-150317133753354.html
Ed Milband, could sign up to Nicola Sturgeon’s,demands,which could see billions of pounds spent on public services,but it would also allow Miliband,to reach the UK’s financial targets.
The IFS,Institute of Fiscal Studies,said that Scotland’s First Minister,had a feasible plan.
No surprise there then,that it takes a canny Scot to show those,Oxbridge educated buffoons how to balance the books.
John Swinney,would have field day,with those fiscally inept politicians at Westminster.
Sniping,at London’s Labour branch,in Scotland has reached fever pitch,it’s all down Glasgow’s East End candidate,Margaret Curran,receiving preferential treament,in the run up to May’s vote.
Curran is likely to lose her seat,as voters attitudes towards Labour in her constituency,are currently hostile,so much so that,locals have,dubbed her,”Kodak” because she only appears,when there’s a camera around.
It speaks volumes for Labour,and their right wing policies that hedge fund managers,are donating to,Ed Milbands party.
Martin Taylor,of Nevsky Capital LLP,has donated 600 thousand quid,hedge fund managers have donated £10million quid to David Cameron’s Tory party,since he came to power in 2010.
No doubt,Mr Taylor,will one day,be generously rewarded,by Labour.
In a clear sign of sheer desperation,at a half full conference in Aberdeen,Lib/Dem Paddy Ashdown,sent out a plea, for help from the Tories and Labour, to vote tactically to thwart Alex Salmond,and his chances of winning the Gordon seat.
Ashdown,who called Mr Salmonds book literal masturbation,is himself,acting like a bit of a tosser,by imploring his rivals to halt Mr Salmond in his tracks.
The recent Scottish attitudes polls,shows that,if voting intentions remain in favour of the SNP,then the old panda joke will not only apply to the Tories,but it will also be relevant to the Lib/Dems.
Here’s hoping.
Re my previous comment,anyone wishing to view pictures of the scant,attended Lib/Dem conference,then click the link.
I’ve seen more smiles at a funeral.
http://wingsoverscotland.com/heartless-clueless-reckless-voteless/