A Horror We Made 589

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We are directly responsible for the disasters in the Mediterranean. The bombing of Libya into failed state status is now coming back to haunt us. The ludicrous idea, propounded by Blair, Robert Cooper and the Henry Jackson Society, that you could improve dictatorial states by massive bombing campaigns that targeted their basic infrastructure, is now a total bust. Sadly so are Iraq and Libya, to the permanent detriment of many millions of people. We caused both the Islamic State and the Mediterranean boat disasters, and we caused them with bombs.

But the lack of any effective policing is only part of the problem. What makes people so desperate that they are prepared to give all of the small amount they own, to ruthless gangs, in exchange for a dreadful sea crossing with a one in ten chance of drowning? Most of the refugees are sub-Saharan African. We only see the European end of the saga, not the terrible conditions on the cross Saharan journeys that they start with.

There will be no security anywhere if the world does not address the terrible scourge of African poverty and under-development. That is a huge subject on which I have written extensively and worked much of my life, and I do not wish to open it here. But what it does show is the utter stupidity – inhumanity yes, but also stupidity – of UKIP in thinking that cutting development aid will increase the economic security of the UK.

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589 thoughts on “A Horror We Made”

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  • Ba'al Zevul

    You have to get your news from Russian sources about what’s happening in Ukraine because otherwise you might get a bad impression of Mother Russia. 32 violations of the ceasefire in 24 hours today.

    FIFY…

    and from the other side, in the interests of balance being deeply unfair to that very wonderful human being, Vladimir Putin, God’s Own Anointed Autocratic Tsar (is that OK, John, or should I link to a picture of Vlad with a cuddly puppy?)

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/monitoring/how-russian-tv-misleads-viewers-about-ukraine

  • John Goss

    “FIFY…

    and from the other side, in the interests of balance being deeply unfair to that very wonderful human being, Vladimir Putin, God’s Own Anointed Autocratic Tsar (is that OK, John, or should I link to a picture of Vlad with a cuddly puppy?)”

    Well, it is the BBC, so questionable by that very nature. The Azov forces which continually bombard Shirokino should have been withdrawn according to the Minsk Protocol. That those who were there at the ceasefire continue to defend themselves does not seem unreasonable. If the BBC chooses to describe that as violations on both sides it is what I have come to expect from the BBC.

    Putin, according to the Kremlin website, has an interest in saving big wildcats (two of them tigers) among other endangered species. Last night I went to a poetry reading in support of a charity ‘Born Free’ where I learnt that a species of leopard will die out this year. The Amur leopard is considered to be most at risk.

  • Ba'al Zevul

    The Azov forces which continually bombard Shirokino should have been withdrawn according to the Minsk Protocol. That those who were there at the ceasefire continue to defend themselves does not seem unreasonable.

    And the forces wholly unconnected with anything even slightly Russian who are still mortaring the outskirts of Mariupol? They should still be there, right? To save their persecuted Russian-speaking chums and take over nasty Pinchuk’s (I can actually agree with that) pipeworks for the greater Russian economic good? Sure, John.

    If the BBC chooses to describe that as violations on both sides it is what I have come to expect from the BBC.

    Well, if you never listen to the BBC, that’s perhaps not so surprising.

    Re cuddly tiger cubs/whatever, precisely. See also, Cameron bottle-feeding his future Sunday dinner. Honestly. Pffft.

  • John Goss

    Thanks Macky for the voice of sanity. Pilger is a great journalist – mild-mannered but dogged in seeing justice done. He makes good points about so many of us (I don’t mean me and you) colluding with the warmongering presidents with ameliorative phraseology like it can’t be as bad as John Goss and Macky paint it. Such people are the appeasers as they were in Hitler’s Germany. There has never been such a time as now for decent people to stand up and be counted, to tell the NAZI fascist Yanks to go back home. Even today it is being reported that exercises are to take place in Southern States for the National Guard to conduct exercises against civilians (national guardspeople in civilian clothes) preparing for what? And where have we seen this before. Wake up world!

    I liked the bit about Jimmy Carter which, although East Timor happened during his watch, was given some credibility for having been a decent president.

    Carter is fond of Dylan Thomas as I am. On a visit to Laugherne in 1987 I got chatting in Brown’s Hotel to a biographer of Dyland Thomas called George Tremlett who described himself as a left-wing Tory. I picked up a little anecdote that Jimmy Carter had visited Brown’s Hotel because of his fondness for Dylan Thomas. Two security men were with him and my understanding was that when the ex-president wanted to relieve himself one of these gorillas checked out the toilets to make sure there was nobody in then stood guard, and the other accomnpanied him to the bog. The joys of being an ex-president!

  • Daniel

    “‘Them.’ Are you enormously stupid, or a simply a manipulative weasel? Who do you think you convinced with ‘them?’ Have you ever been in a place where that kind of half-assed stab at argumentation can cut it? If so, tell us where. It must be very sad.

    Oh god, it’s not a school of some sort is it?”

    To paraphrase Fred, “fuck off and die, cunt.

  • ------------·´`·.¸¸.¸¸.··.¸¸Node

    Dear Marjorie Proops,

    I know this cyberunionist who regularly swears at and lies about the SNP. Nobody pays much attention any more. We all feel a little sorry for him. However now he’s started criticising a cybernat who has made some comparatively mild remarks about Unionists. He doesn’t seem to be aware he’s being a hypocrite. I’m afraid if I mention it to him he’ll call me a retard and tell me to fuck off and die, but it doesn’t seem right to just let him carry on making a fool of himself. What should I do?

  • Danielbots

    No really, Daniel, old boy, never met a person like you, who actually believes what the US government tells you. Remarkable. Are you one of those people who believes Jesus rode dinosaurs and women have more ribs? Do those Nigerian fellows repeatedly diddle you out of lots of money? How does one come to be such a helpless credulous dupe? Is it a short-term memory issue?

    Jesus loves you! I have cancer, would you like to contribute to my treatment? I need 20 thousand quid.

  • Republicofscotland

    Firstly I’d like wish eveyone in England a happy St George’s Day.

    Now I find this very disturbing and divisive to say the least,the phrase,”Hamas Killing Jews” has been allowed to be displayed on New York city buses.

    US Federal judge,John Koelti said the advertisment from a pro-Israeli group,led by Pamela Geller,didn’t incite racial violence therefore the add on all of MTA’S buses should keep on being displayed.

    A quite remarkable assuption by a Federal judge,in my opinion,and an insight into how persuasive certain religious/political factions in the USA,have become.

  • lysias

    I used to know John Koeltl. He went to the same high school in New York City that I did. Disappointing to read about his decision.

  • lysias

    For those who subscribe to the Financial Times, there are interesting profiles of a number of SNP candidates in Wave of SNP wins to bring culture shock to Westminster. This, for example, from the profile of Tommy Sheppard, 56, candidate for Edinburgh East, a former senior Labour official who represented the party on Hackney council in London in the 1980s:

    So for Mr Sheppard, who was born on the north coast of Ireland, it is important that the SNP’s brand of nationalism is welcoming of those whose roots lie outside Scotland. “I quite like the ‘New Scot’ concept,” he says. “But I’m not a big identity person.”

    Like many who came to the SNP after joining the wider Yes campaign for independence, Mr Sheppard argues that action to promote greater equality and social justice is more likely to succeed in a small nation with a left-leaning political discourse than in the UK as a whole.

    He sees himself as a representative of the shift to the SNP from a Labour party that he feels no longer stands for its socialist traditions. “I put it that the Labour party left me rather than the other way round,” he says.

  • Republicofscotland

    I used to know John Koeltl. He went to the same high school in New York City that I did. Disappointing to read about his decision.
    ___________________________

    Yes Lysais the running of the ad is very disappointing indeed,it does nothing to heal wounds inflicted by both sides,I wonder how those of a certain persuasion would feel if the ad read “Mossad kills Arabs” I’m pretty sure they’d be very upset.

    Meanwhile Israel came to a stand still yesterday it was “Memorial Day” honouring the fallen Israeli soldiers.

    This years commemorations,comes after the recent 50 days conflict in Gaza,73 Israeli’s were killed,and on the otherside,the casualties amounted to 2,200.

    Its a stark reminder that they’re no winners in a bloody conflict,mothers sisters,brothers and fathers,shed the same tears,no matter what side they support.

  • Republicofscotland

    Hong Kong residents are again up in arms over Beijing’s interference into election reforms,the problem now is although Hong Kong residents will be allowed to choose between three electoral candidates,the candidates will be picked by officials in Beijing.

    A very undemocratic process,which could lead to conflict within Hong Kong.

  • lysias

    In the United States, the people we can vote for are picked in advance by the rich, through the money primary that precedes the official party primary. Third parties in practice cannot win, because the election laws so favor the two major parties.

  • Ba'al Zevul

    Vlad’ll do me. That resonance with the Impaler is too good to sacrifice to pedantry…

    Talking of the democratic process, which Lycias may have been, I think:

    This year’s forum will focus on the strategy of the United States and the world’s democratic community in navigating an unprecedented range of global crises…….the democratic nations of the world face extraordinary challenges – economically, politically, militarily and ideologically.

    However, the event is not open to the public and local media was not invited to cover the event as in previous years.

    No local officials are expected to attend the event.

    (McCain’s *secret* Sedona forum for global world leadership leaders to lead at: http://www.redrocknews.com/news/20-news-stories/11568-expect-traffic-delays-friday-due-to-sedona-forum.html )

    Wouldn’t do to let the plebs know what’s in store for them, would it?

  • lysias

    Vlad’ll do me. That resonance with the Impaler is too good to sacrifice to pedantry…

    Which is why I object to it. It’s part of the anti-Putin propaganda.

  • Porkfright

    Daniel you are quite unbelievable. Do you really believe that the biggest Psy-Op ever carried out was really as we were told in the “Official Version”? Especially as it has facilitated regime change, destabilisation, and neoconic expansionism which is still being processed forward as of right now? My money is on a picture I found of a 747 with a giant laser mounted on the front. Or maybe it was indeed the Alien Greys. Doesn’t matter, really. Because the job’s been well and truly done. But I guess you knew that anyway.

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