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.
Goss
Read the OSCE and other accounts in respect of Shirokino, which is where the line was post ceasefire – the rebels are the ones doing most of the bombarding with shells that should not be there, they are the ones denying access to the OSCE and western journalists. The rebel commanders now claim to hold all of Shirokino yet a few days ago they claimed to the OSCE that they held only 50%. The fact that the Ukrainians respond is not at all surprising.
Thankfully the ceasefire has been holding on the new line for the past few days.
Goss
Is Mariupol part of the homeland you claim for Russia?
Jemand
Of course it wouldn’t be poor taste to speculate if the crash in the Alps was co-ordinated from Israel – Israel being closer to the crash site than Diego Garcia was to the East Java Sea when Mr Goss raised similar speculation about US involvement in that tragedy. I’m afraid Mr Goss to be worrying about the stink of hypocrisy before what he might taste in his mouth.
In case we need reminding how the homeland treats those who do not “belong” there. I wonder how Putin would react if parts of the Russian Federation invite in little green men and start holding their own independence referendums?
http://www.interpretermag.com/russians-repress-ukrainians-in-far-east-and-threaten-to-deport-crimean-tatars-there/
When looking at the page I linked to in my last post the more intelligent might like to reflect on the assurances that Putin gave to protect the rights of the minority Tatars in the Crimea at the time of the Anschluss.
To Fred: Having been in aberdeen for most of my life and having had direct experience of the Education system I was curious to see the link to the ‘outraged’ parent whose daughter had been interviewed by the ‘nurse’. I am almost certain I could pinpoint the department of the education and children’s service responsible and possibly even the senior members of the dept responsible for the action.
The issue is actually rather complex and the idea that it can be clarified by the kind of manichean paranoia sometimes exhibited on these pages is rather dispiriting. The truth is that the event may have been caused by a referral by responsible adults who have contact with the young person. It is possible, as is always the case, that someone has over reacted and there is no justification to the action but in my experience a body of evidence usually has to become evident to trigger any action, and that action would be then be cautious and tentative.One can never dismiss the possibility of misjudgement so maybe that was the case here.
The issue is actually rather deeper and is part of a pattern of change as the nature of services related to child care has evolved and state agencies have responded to information that has become clearer pver the years where the traditional sacrosanct nature of parent-child relationships, and the dominating patriarchal societal relationships has given cover to exploitative abuse, both within the established conventional mode of childcare i.e. nuclear/sightly extended family and within the state institutions set up to provide alternatives to that model.
The change towards a professionalisation and outside assessment of parenting skills and actions is undoubtedly the case. Parents have come under a growing scrutiny. The issues related to Savile and the BBC are also highly pertinent as these are in some way a reflection of the dominant attitudes and values that have percolated into the institutional behaviour in the past. That we are lifting an uncomfortable lid off these matters is not such a bad thing. The problem is that the fully functioning parent(s) child relationship is a wonderful starting point for any life and creates the sense that such a precious aspect of ones experience-both a child’s and a parent’s-should not be interfered with. I don’t actually have much doubt that such an attitude prevails within these professional circles-even if there is occasional heavy handedness. Be assured.
The other issue that irks is the idea of the Bad Russians/slightly better yanks/british or vice versa interfering in Ukraine that is apparently endlessly driveled over inthis blog. I watched a Storyville(BBC4) episode recently about George Blake, the spy who escaped in the sixties. Very interesting indeed. However, the curious thing was that as I watched my resentment grew at the naivete of numerous players in this ancient drama-Blake himself , and the people who helped him escape, and some of the officials who obviously had very little insight into the kind of person Blake was. However the assistants in the escape turned out to be rather ordinary-CND sympathisers and highly liberal and well intentioned, rather gentle people , now of advanced years. Even more ludicrous was the escape. Talk about inept!
However,somewhat to my surprise, my reaction was that these people, despite their appearance of gentility and advanced years should, even now, be called to account for their actions. Blake caused the death of others. It is bad enough that he evaded his prison sentence.
Retribution is on my mind at this moment. As I watched in the dark quite late in the wee hours in bed, I heard a strange creaking sound at the door. I thought it might be the wind or somesuch , but got up out of bed to find someone entering, very slowly and very obviously with ill intent. He had taken a step inside.
also somewhat to my surprise, as someone who NEVER acts violently- I had grabbed a kitchen knife that I had been using to cut up an apple and gave chase, screaming blue murder. The reaction was almost instantaneous and obviously driven by adrenalin. I am certain that I would have had no hesitation in following through with a blow. He took off, with the handle to my door still in his hand.
I suppose I am still trying to process this event, thankfully never experienced before. But I am also conscious that events and actions are at least partly driven by fear . I suspect this may apply both at the personal and institutional and the societal level. Or maybe more correctly, that institutions and countries/states reflects the realities of the personal.
However it is quite well within the bounds of reality that if the intruder had been less quick, I would have been trying to explain how a dead or injured body was lying at my door. (I have not a shred of doubt that i would have used the weapon and indeed swung it past his nose).
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
Wearying …
Almost satanic, this distortion. Must be an Anon busy in Manchester?
Ever since I found on your advice that Shirokino was held by the Pro-Russians at the time of the ceasefire you have consisterntly defended the NAZI AZOV forces attempts to capture the village despite there being a ceasefire. I’ve no time for you Nazi supporters. Get back under your stone.
So good to have Villager’s solicitous comments which have now disappeared. Then we have Jemand’s poisonous ad hominem against Clark followed by five comments in a row from RD.
If Craig cannot or does not wish to post more frequently, I suggest the comments on a post should be closed down after a set period of time, say one week.
:::
John Spencer Davis. The comment from a nameless person was @ 11.45pm. Sorry.
JeSuisTravesty. Don’t give the Zs here any ideas. 😉
Oh I see Villager is still there.
“Shirokino was held by the Pro-Russians at the time of the ceasefire”
The ceasefire line was through Shirokino – at the time of the ceasefire it was not entirely held by one side or the other, despite what your propaganda might say.
Just a few photos of the kind and caring Ukrainian forces, fighting a proxy war on behalf of Pyatt and the US, and their allegiances. Written on the missile carried by the female fighter is “смерть православным” which means “death to Russian Orthodox Christians”. It is the Russian Orthodox Christians that Putin is trying to prevent from being killed by these kind militants that RD supports.
Источник: http://politikus.ru/events/46603-nacistka-vita-zaveruha-obstrelivaet-selo-ili-hde-vi-videli-nacistov-v-ukraine.html
Politikus.ru
http://infopolk.ru/1/U/events/46603-nacistka-vita-zaveruha-obstrelivaet-selo-ili-hde-vi-videli-nacistov-v-ukraine.html#21a416da-878e-49ac-1c45-047028f1fb7f
I agree Mary @10:01 the thread is anesthetized by betraying generosity, accomodation and welcome.
Lock up your kids. The Yanks are coming.
http://sputniknews.com/us/20150327/1020096757.html
Goss
Putin is not trying to prevent anyone being killed – where is the evidence of Russians being attacked in Ukraine and especially Eastern Ukraine before Putin became involved?
@deepgreenpuddock
In these parts the Orkney child abuse scandal is still very much in people’s memories. Not only because of the harm done to the children by the state but because of the racist element to the case. People’s children were used as weapons against them by the state authorities and new legislation seems designed to make it easier for it to happen again.
Resident Dissident continues to support the fascists in Kiev. He does this by trying to make it look like the proxy civil-war engineered by Geoffrey Pyatt, US ambassador to Ukraine, was started by Russia. I despise Fascist supporters. Look at the pictures RD in my comment at 10.33 am and see whose side you are on. Everybody else with an open mind can see it. Why can’t you?
Although I regard Jemand as this Blog’s most dangerous & sinister person, in my experience, his comments about Clark are exactly spot on; Clark does operate in exactly the way described, and indeed does intentionally reveal confidential information, as he did about about me, just to get back at me in a nasty snark;
https://squonk.tk/blog/2015/03/15/the-general-discussion-thread/comment-page-8/#comment-4694
It used to be that Habbabkuk was the most detrimental poster on this Blog, but since his incessant trolling has considerably abated as compared to what is was like before, I sorry to say that I believe that Clark is now the most detrimental poster here; he doesn’t argue from conviction or logical reasoning, but purely out of blind faith to loyally support whatever he thinks is Craig’s position on any issue, and he does it in the most loathsome & underhanded manner possible.
Since it’s a slow day on the blog, and as a tribute to Anon’s encouragement to boycott Israel, I’ll publish the first reply to the letter I wrote yesterday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Asda :
Thanks for taking the time to contact Asda about Israeli goods. Asda requires its suppliers of fresh produce to comply with the DEFRA technical advice for the labelling of product grown in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
I’ve included a web link with the relevant information, should you want to read the full document, http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/pdf/labelling-palestine.pdf.
All our suppliers of fresh produce were been contacted, and we can confirm that none is procured from the West Bank or Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition to the above, Asda has also issued and received back signed undertakings from its fresh produce suppliers that any fresh produce procured from occupied territories is labelled “Produce of the West Bank (Israeli Settlement Produce)”, and that produce from other areas of the West Bank should be labelled “Produce of the West Bank (Palestinian Produce)”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’ve replied :
I am a little confused. You say ….
“we can confirm that none is procured from the West Bank or Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
…. but later you say ….
“Asda has also issued and received back signed undertakings from its fresh produce suppliers that any fresh produce procured from occupied territories is labelled “Produce of the West Bank (Israeli Settlement Produce)” ”
These statements seems contradictory. I would be grateful for your clarification on this point.
Deeppuddleduck
The vote in the commons this week illustrates that the authorities have no intention of allowing any meaningful investigation of the historic child abuse, while the rumor mill grinds on clouding the picture. The agencies that you describe represent the body that voted to keep the lid on the evidence…. you seem to imply that the public should trust and understand child welfare authorities current approaches but why should they? Don’t current events make it impossible for the public to trust any UK institution involved in child welfare? Wouldn’t that require a huge leap of faith under the circumstances?
Macky
You reveal far more about yourself and your nature from your posts and the manner of your attacks on those who disagree with you than Clark ever did (and I am still far from clear what he did reveal). Whatever your politics or views you are just a thoroughly nasty person who is entirely incapable of seeing your own imperfections.
Fred
I’m afraid nearly all abuse arises because you have ill intended people in positions of power – be they company executives or their employees, government officials, politicians or yes even parents. I’m afraid that their have to be checks in place to monitor for and stop such abuses of power – my all means argue that such checks go too far and penalise the innocent parent who love their children and may even interpret love differently from others (the various childcare manuals show as many different approaches to such love as there are authors – and I would probably be nearer the tough love end of the scale) but surely the argument should be about where the balance should be struck rather than there is one to be struck? The Orkneys case was step too far – but there are others were the authorities were far too lax. It is not a simple matter with simple solutions I’m afraid.
Clark might be right that this could all be addressed by us becoming beautiful people – but the practical reality is that it just will not happen overnight if at all.
Jermand, as usual, is on the right track about NATO orchestrating the germanwings crash.
Remember when Turkey infiltrated NATO’s bombing campaign on Serbia – causing a three-day campaign that Bubba’s White House planned in order for Slobodan Milosovic to toe the line on Kosovo into a three-months nightmare – resulted in a laser satellite attack on it, resulting in the Ismit earthquake which led to the overthrow of the nationalist Bulent Ecevit government which had informed the Serbian President of what was planned.
What country would be hoping now to make such a change in Germany through a false-flag use of NATO?
“Jermand, as usual, is on the right track about NATO orchestrating the germanwings crash.”
Yes and I blame any illness or ill luck in my family on Putin!
Didn’t surprise me in the slightest RD, but still want to know what country now is misusing NATO through the crash?
The Cockpit Door Operating System: Taken from the A320 series Flight Crew Operating Manual:
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/11q_157.jpg
Node
28/03/2015 12:29 pm
Asda procures none of its produce from the West Bank or Occupied Palestinian Territories, but that does not mean their suppliers do not. Their suppliers may procure such produce and sell it elsewhere than Asda. Asda wishes to ensure its suppliers are acting in an ethical fashion.
That’s probably what they mean.
I must say I’m impressed with Asda.
Kind regards,
John
Can I just say that non of what villager wrote here about ClarkI can recognise as anything that is right or especially devious, indeed nothing that other individuals here are equally guilty of.
The inherent need to know of each others weak points and stab at it is a dark practise by many who frequent blogs. What now follows is called ganging up and it is detestable.
Germanwings fantasisers still see conspiracy behind not so perfect recruitment practises, for example, there is no need, as yet, for doctors to require informing flight/train companies that one of their pilots/drivers is mentally unfit to fly, a simple measure that could be assigned with a simple signature of all pilots and or train drivers at their interview.
The chaps girlfriend is talking about why they broke up, his dark night terrors about flying, clearly not a fit person.
That said he was also a coward, not able to just involve himself, he had no qualms to use the passengers to end his tortured life.
This tragic terror came from his depressed mind and it is as ruthless as any other terror. It will change the security arrangements of the cockpit crews world wide, forever.
Resident Dissident
28/03/2015 12:38 pm
From reading Macky’s link it appears that she supplied Clark with her private e-mail address, and this address revealed her gender, presumably because it bore a female name. She says she had deliberately not disclosed her gender on this forum. By referring to her as “she”, Clark revealed her gender, which is something she did not want disclosed, or may not have wanted disclosed.
That is how I read the history I have seen today.
Kind regards,
John