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.
“You cannot stand for parliament if you are a Communist”
Of course this is not true – the Communist has not been banned and the court case to do so has been continually postponed (and long may this continue to be the case). On the other hand Mr Goss with his Russian expertise will be able to tell us about all the parties and candidates banned from Russian elections – but he might wish to address the homelands question first.
The Tory candidate in a key general election marginal has been suspended after allegedly hatching a plot with far-right extremists to win votes by stirring up racial hatred.
Afzal Amin is accused of plotting with the English Defence League (EDL), for the group to announce an inflammatory march against a new ‘mega-mosque’ in the seat of Dudley North.
But, according to the Mail on Sunday, the idea was for the protest to be scrapped with Mr Amin taking the credit for defusing the situation.
In return he allegedly promised that he would be an “unshakeable ally” for the EDL in parliament and help bring their views to the mainstream.
Another prime example of the anti-Islam agenda,that’s being pushed by not just the Tories, but other parties at Westminster.
In my opinion Islam in the UK,isn’t subversive
,but its being promoted in that fashion,by the media,and Westminster,to a certain degree
“If they’re not whining on about a government whose popularity as a party has rocketed,to over 100.000,they’re bitching about,peurile things like who pulished,who’s book.”
I don’t suppose all those nats who are boycotting the BBC will have seen their fuhrer plugging his new book an the Marr show.
Maybe as well.
“You’re saying Ukraine made an immoral choice in becoming independent from Russia, yes?”
I’m saying your claims that a Yes vote would have been an end to nationalism in Scotland are rubbish.
Resident Dissident, I think you should look more closely into the Neocon incitement of violence in Kiev which supported US manipulation of Ukrainian political appointments. Did you read the second Parry article I linked? The Neocons’ agenda is pursued through private and covert means, not official US government policy:
https://consortiumnews.com/2015/03/11/nulands-mastery-of-ukraine-propaganda/
This interference has set back Ukrainian independence by decades. Such movements must not be pushed, because when triggered prematurely they lack the proper internal support and consensus required for long-term success. This has been a disaster for Ukraine, and the means by which such interference is achieved have to be found and restricted to prevent it from happening again.
Fred, I’m not saying a Yes result would have been an end to Scottish nationalism, though the No result has clearly given it a boost. I’m saying that the SNP would have started to diminish in popularity, and Scottish nationalism would have been tempered.
Ukraine is another good example. They got their Yes result, but not true independence. So nationalism increased and hardened.
“Ukraine is another good example. They got their Yes result, but not true independence. So nationalism increased and hardened.”
Don’t you just love nationalist logic? You can make it say anything you want it to regardless of reality.
I don’t suppose all those nats who are boycotting the BBC will have seen their fuhrer plugging his new book an the Marr show.
Maybe as well
……………………
Another infantile comment,from you know who, Ive no idea what you mean by fuhrer,Alex Salmond,isn’t the leader of the SNP its Nicola Sturgeon.
As for plugging his book,wouldn’t you’ve done the same given the opportunity? I know I would’ve.
You’re more than titled to your opinion,god knows after 2 years of the media,and press,and David Cameron, pleading with every nation in the world,to publicly oppose Scottish independence,I’m pretty sure nationalists,can handle,just about anything that unionists, and Westminster can throw at them.
We shall overcome,eventually.
Fred, it’s just action and reaction. When only the action is considered the model gives results at odds with reality.
Still, I’ll leave you to mull it over now. The No result tripled SNP membership, and more SNP MPs will be heading to Westminster in May than ever before.
“Still, I’ll leave you to mull it over now. The No result tripled SNP membership, and more SNP MPs will be heading to Westminster in May than ever before.”
We will see. There are grass roots movements forming among the more patriotic of Scotland who will not be campaigning for any political party, they will be campaigning against the SNP.
This is an example of why.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAtU3JsWQAApNOT.jpg
Reuven Rivlin, President of Israel,has called for a healing between the peoples of Israel,after, Netanyahu’s Lukid party,took most seats,in the election.
Rivlin,whose position as president,is mainly a ceremonial one,appears to be a far more sensible individual than the blood thirsty Netanyahu.
The fact that the majority of Israeli people,returned Netanyahu to office,speaks volumes,it, in my opinion,gives him a virtual free hand, to continue his,slaughtering,of Palestinian people,followed by a land grab.
Republicofscotland
“You know I often wonder why some folk move to Scotland,when all they do is continually bitch about it.”
____________________
And I wonder why some folk – like yourself – who spend all their time bitching about England and extolling the virtues of the SNP govt in Edinburgh don’t move to Scotland.
Fred, funny point; the top comment on the image you linked to is in response to “SkelMawhrin”. That’s derived from a pseudonym “Mawhrin Skel” of a character, a Culture Special Circumstances drone called Flere-Imsaho, in the Iain M banks book The Player of Games. One of my favourite books, so it happens.
Dreoilin
“Yes, and that’s irritating. Anyway, I don’t like this unipolar world we find ourselves in, and for that reason (while I’m no fan of Putin, and I have no doubt that he’s involved in all sorts of nefarious activities in Ukraine and elsewhere) I like the idea of a second power that will/would poke the US in the eye.”
_______________
Others also on occasion recall their fondness for a multi-polar world; Herbie is one of the leading proponents.
Must we infer that proponents of a multi-polar world look back to the geo-political reality of the decades up to 1990 with nostalgia? The Cold War and the balance of terror (including an unending series of dirty proxy wars)?
Most we infer that proponents of a multi-polar world find that precise scenario as portrayed in Orwell’s “1984” one to look forward to?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BTW Dreoilin, I feel you were rather harsh with Clark yesterday. It is not he, after all, who takes the initiative of diverting every single fucking thread into a argument about Ukraine and Russia. It is Macky, backed up by Mr Goss.
Fred, 2:25 pm:
I suppose I should point out that I’m not nationalist, Scottish or otherwise. I support Scottish independence because it will increase democracy and it’s a step towards decentralisation, and because it will remove a big chunk from the Westminster warmongers’ power-base.
“I suppose I should point out that I’m not nationalist…”
Well no, nationalists never are.
Clark
22/03/2015 3:20 pm
O/T, sorry.
Iain M. Banks was a terrific writer, it’s tragic he died relatively early.
I don’t find the cruelty in his books easy to read, but he is extraordinarily good at dissecting the lust for power. I think the best things about his work are the depiction of a society without scarcity and the normalization of artificial intelligence. My favourite passage in all of his work I have read is the “house the shape of the Galaxy” in “Surface Detail”.
I like “Excession” best and I am looking forward to reading “Look to Windward”, which I haven’t got around to yet.
If you like his work try the “Hyperion Cantos” by Dan Simmons.
Kind regards,
John
And I wonder why some folk – like yourself – who spend all their time bitching about England and extolling the virtues of the SNP govt in Edinburgh don’t move to Scotland.
…………………………
WRONG!
I have much respect for the good people of England,I would never degrade the common man or woman,god knows,they’ve got their hand full,dealing with Westminster.
I however have no problem berating,Westminster,and its politicians,in what I and many others,see as a foreign government,meddling in Holyrood affairs.
And even though,you’re an establishment mouthpiece,whose remit,is to rebuff,criticism of Israel and Westminster,and the west in general,I don’t hate you,though,I’m very disappointed,you support,the Palestinian genocide.
I suppose I should point out that I’m not nationalist, Scottish or otherwise. I support Scottish independence because it will increase democracy and it’s a step towards decentralisation, and because it will remove a big chunk from the Westminster warmongers’ power-base.
…………………………..
Yes Clarke, When Scottish independence is obtained,and I say when,because I feel optimistic about it,as more folk in Scotland became politically aware,after the Scottish referendum,the removal of Trident,could herald a new dawn in these islands.
A dawn of hope,and education,that WMD’s are not relevant in this day and age.
Of course my detractors will,say I’m naive,but change has to come from somewhere,right now we’re heading for a new and protracted cold war with Russia,are we going to let the men in grey suits,take us back to the bad old days?
I hope not.
Habbabkuk; “It is Macky, backed up by Mr Goss.”
LOL ! The new comment counter for this shows that Clark is far in the lead, double that of the next most prolific poster being you, and then followed by Resident Dissident !
So looking like a repeat of the positions for the last thread for the usual suspects !
“I have reached the age of 56 before I realised it. A very great many people have still not realised it at all… there is no obligation on me to follow the laws of the state” – Congratulations on your realisation, Craig! It seems to me that the reason many people do not see this clearly must be down to the enormous weight of brainwashing that is applied to the people. I think trying to understand how one can be so misguided as to think that the system is in any way “fair”, is a very useful undertaking, and when one has the benefit of having recently been in that benighted state oneself, it may be possible to see to some extent why so many good people are so screwed up. The downside is that you have now shifted your position so that you are not now working to reform the state, you are working to overthrow it. And it has been digging itself in for many centuries. The failure of otherwise sane people to recognise the depths of the misinformation supplied to us from childhood onwards, is precisely why some have advocated quite drastic approaches to changing people’s perceptions, such as giving LSD to as many people as possible. Until you reaslise that there is another way of seeing things, you don’t see it, obviously.
Resident Dissident 9:58 am
That Wikipedia page on Dmitry Rogozin says he isn’t a Rodina party member any more.
Clark; “ Macky, I have NEVER see you find ANY fault with Russian policy.”
Added to by Resident Dissident; “And you never will “
Do you both have goldfish like memories, as I have addressed this so many times now;
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2015/02/amnesty-international-conference-on-torture/comment-page-17/#comment-513468
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2015/02/amnesty-international-conference-on-torture/comment-page-17/#comment-513461
One of the things that troubles me is that no doubt many who comment here see the significance of the United Kingdom sending troops and equipment to the Ukraine on taxpayers money without parliamentary debate (dictatorship) yet how many have contacted their MPs for allowing it?
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2015/03/impunity/comment-page-4/#comment-515060
I feel that having written to my MP questioning him about allowing this to go ahead without debate at least I have tried to make some contribution to the peace process. I cannot of course force him to take action. Perhaps others have made their contributions towards peace in different ways, demonstrations, letters to the press. It just seems very hopeless at the moment seeking justice in an unjust world.
Macky
My comment didn’t address the number of times you or anyone else have posted on this thread.
It merely pointed out (to Dreolin) that it was you – seconded by Mr Goss – who were the first to divert this thread onto your obsession about Ukraine and Putin’s Russia.
Do stop trying to attract attention all the time and do try to get over your dislike of Craig for having admonished you for a couple of stupid remarks some time ago. After all, you’re not a child anymore, are you.
Mr Goss
Your appeals for other posters to “do something” toward “seeking justice” would carry more weight if you were to be more honest and to lie somewhat less in your everyday posts.
Resident Dissident; “Your lies will always find you out in the end.”
No, my name is not Habbabkuk; as I have too much respect for the Truth, and too much self-respect to degrade myself by having to deliberately lie; yes it’s not easy find old quotes on this site, especially as this was an exchange in the comments section for a Post Craig put up a year ago at the start of the Ukraine crisis. I had picked up on some of Craig anti-Russian sentiments in his Post, and instead of addressing these, he instead he asked me why I chose “sides” ? I think I replied that the West, especially the US, doesn’t have a glorious record, and that many people regarded the US that the most dangerous & out of control country in the world, and his reply was that he considered Putin/Russia as the “greatest evil”; ok all this from memory which is why I’m not sure if he used “Putin” or “Russia”, but it makes no difference , or indeed any sense to claim the Putin the person, was more evil that the US’s bloodsoaked history of meddling in the World.
Habbabkuk; “the first to divert this thread onto your obsession about Ukraine and Putin’s Russia.”
Another one with a goldfish memory;
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2015/03/impunity/comment-page-2/#comment-514539
“yes it’s not easy find old quotes on this site,”
Try Google Advanced search it allows you search this site for the particular phrase you quoted. And you will find none of the 8 results for “the greatest evil” are from Craig in respect of Putin/Russia – I would cut the talk about goldfish memory if I were you.
Habbabkuk; “Craig for having admonished you for a couple of stupid remarks some time ago”
I have no recollection of such like, so perhaps you are not telling the truth again ?
I must also say that Craig has not covered himself in glory when it comes to debating his povs either !