The Labour Party is being remarkably coy about releasing the actual result of its Scottish accounting unit leadership election, giving only a percentage. The entirely complacent unionist media is complicit in what amounts to a deception. The stunning truth is that in a one person, one vote election among the entire membership of the Labour Party in Scotland plus trades union supporters, Dugdale won with 5,217 votes (out of a claimed electorate of 21,000, many of whom do not exist or could not be arsed to choose between two right wing numpties).
UPDATE: A second Labour figure just rang me to assure me my information – which was from a good source – is wrong. She would not give the actual figure and only said it was “higher”. I offered to take down the post and publish an accurate figure if she would give it, but this was declined.
I will believe the establishment of a sea route from Gaza when I see it.
“The Free Gaza movement made a monumental effort to break Israel’s siege and provide a sea route into and out of Gaza. If Israel had allowed the sea blockade to lapse and permitted regular ship sailings between Gaza and Cyprus, the pressure cooker effect of blockade and siege from air, land, and sea might have eased, encouraging Gazans to build on the opening and end rocket fire into Israel. This is largely prompted by isolation, ostracism and frustration as no Palestinian believes a few rockets can liberate the land held by Israel.
When PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat returned to Gaza on July 1, 1994, Palestinians had great expectations. They believed that the Oslo accords would end the Israeli occupation, bring them economic development, democracy, freedom and, ultimately, statehood. Palestinian businessmen saw Gaza as a major exporter to Europe of winter fruit and flowers, a tourist destination, and a centre of manufacturing.”
Michael Jansen: Freedom flotilla
August 21, 2015
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/beb8d7b1-0b02-4fe0-ad53-46526ea7380b.aspx
All of us from Free Gaza should be proud that we contributed to the possible opening of a sea route.
—
Greta Berlin, Co-Founder, the Free Gaza movement
24 August, 2015 16:21
Mary cheers for Prof. James Petras Piece
23 Aug, 2015 – 4:48 pm
From that Piece –
”
It is time to wake up!
It is time to stop the US – EU headlong race to World War III!
Where to start? Libya has been irrevocably destroyed; it is too late there! Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are aflame. We are being plunged deeper into war while being told we are withdrawing! Ukraine sucks in more guns and more troops!
Can we really have peace with Iran if we cannot control our own government as it dances to the Israelis tune? And Israel insists on war – our waging war for them! As the Israeli war criminal General and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon once told some worried American Zionists: “Trouble with the US? We lead them by the nose…!”
Just look at the terrified families fleeing carnage in the Middle East or Mexico.”
Also From G.R –
We are living in a (western) world dominated by neoliberal dictators, criminals and crooks. And many of us, impregnated with the human idiocy, as so well described by Andre Vltcheck (The West Spreads Intellectual Idiocy) are every day deeper and deeper immersed into fear – fear of action, fear of what’s next – fear of losing our comfort zone. The western propaganda machine paid for by the corporate and financial oligarchy through the presstitute media is constantly indoctrinating the little we have left of our free-thinking brains…
” People take-up arms in self-defense. The west calls them terrorists. A term popularized by the media. A term that instills fear. – Imagine a world where the Judo-Christian aggressors would suddenly see the light and stop spreading wars and conflicts and subjugating the world – peace would break out and settle in – terrorism, one of the key reasons for fear, would have no purpose to persist – fear would die, trust and solidarity would grow. The empires worst enemy: solidarity, friendship, and trust among people.
All wars and conflicts are multi-purpose. They boost the elite-dominated war industry; in the US more than 50% of GDP; they help dominate and subjugate people, exploit their resources, and are trailblazing a path towards Full Spectrum Dominance – world hegemony. They also help one of the ‘elite’s’ key objective – depopulating the world, so the elite may live longer with the ever scarcer resources of our gradually depleted planet. Reducing world population is a key objective of the Bilderberg Society – voiced by Henry Kissinger already in the 1960s. Recently I overheard one buddy telling another: I hate wars; but the only good thing about wars is – they reduce world population.
That is the horrendous level of immorality and greed to which humanity has sunk. – We the over-fed west may not get enough in an ‘overpopulated world’ (sic), therefore let’s reduce the human stock by killing off the under-people.”
“Breaking the Fear Factor”: Opposing War, Financial Fraud and State Terrorism, Dismantling Propaganda –
http://www.globalresearch.ca/breaking-the-fear-factor-opposing-war-financial-fraud-and-state-terrorism-dismantling-propaganda/5471172
P.s. This very afternoon i seen the horrendous level of immorality,
as i showed a Lady Friend the Photo of the crying Laith Majid, From Syria, with his small daughter’s arms around his neck..as they made it onto Kos, Ignorant features pipes up ” My taxes will end up paying for them “… The seething aggression of the Numpty…Could not be told his taxes were Part of the cause of it all…
Then my Lady friend gave me into trouble For Letting the Numpty see the picture.
Macky, if you’re retracting your accusation of widespread “blind support” for CM, say so and have done. You might come out of it with a shred of credibility too. At present you’re in the shameful position of letting the accusation stand, but have abandoned even trying to defend it.
I’m not even ridiculing your point – just wondering what evidence gave rise to it 🙂
And quit your bitchy campaign against Clark too, particularly when he’s not even here.
Another version Herbie.
Ah! A sealion trainer.
‘The press release issued with the appointment boasted that Danon has been involved in the field of hasbara and the development of international ties for over two decades.
Danon has been a Knesset member since 2009 and participated in many hasbara missions over the past few years. He has been serving as the chairman of the World Likud for the past 9 years, where he was responsible for hasbara efforts and foreign relations of World Likud.
In addition, Danon served as an emissary for the Jewish Agency in Florida, where, among other things, he helped encourage aliyah and did hasbara in US universities. Danon graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Florida International University (FIU), and earned a master’s degree in Public Policy from Hebrew University in Jerusalem.’
Danny Danon appointed Israel’s next ambassador to the UN
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4690778,00.html
What are they going to do with old Ron Prosor, a loyal servant to the entity? Once in Kensington Gardens and now in NY.
Glenn; “if you’re retracting your accusation of widespread “blind support” for CM”
There you go again, misquoting me,are you really that careless or is it deliberate ?
I never side “widespread blind support”, just that there are certain individuals who seem to act as gatekeepers here, trying to suppress any criticism of CM; Suhayl Saadi was kind enough to list them out the other day if you were paying attention.
Fedup
24/08/2015 3:36pm
Okay. Here’s a bit of background on Maximus, your mate Gillian Guy’s great hope for the future, having replaced Atos as provider for the Work Capability Assessments.
Australian state broadcaster ABC found that:
“MAX Employment put unemployed clients through pointless training courses in order to receive payment from the Australian government, and claimed government money for putting 141 people through a training course in Sydney, when the room was only able to take 15 people. Four Corners also claimed that MAX Employment had “parked” many clients who were thought to be harder to place in jobs, and made little or no attempt to find them work. And the programme alleged that Maximus had taken part in the apparently widespread practice of placing unemployed people in jobs the company knew would only be temporary because they came with short-term government wage subsidies. When the subsidy period of 12 or 26 weeks ran out, the client would return to unemployment, while Maximus would send the employer another client to begin a short-term subsidised position.”
http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwps-new-fitness-for-work-provider-faces-fresh-allegations/
Maximus Gulf are very happy to advertise themselves as an equal opportunity employer.
“MAXIMUS is an equal opportunity employer. We are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity as a matter of sound business policy, as well as corporate responsibility and compliance with the Equality Act. It is the policy of MAXIMUS to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all segments of its workforce without regard to race, color, gender, age, religious beliefs, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law.”
How many women can you see in their photographs? They are delighted to work with the Saudis in their male-only workplaces.
http://www.maximusgulf.com/en/careers
Space prevents, but here’s plenty more.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-944e-From-one-toxic-corporation-to-another#.Vds-mf2FNLM
http://www.progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2013/08/15/activists-want-immediate-end-illinois-medicaid-privatization-contract
https://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/a-truly-chilling-move-now-maximus-are-trying-to-buy-remploy/
Kind regards,
John
Macky, you’re not particularly honest. I clearly put quotes around “blind support”. You changed the position of the quotes to make it say “widespread blind support”, and then argued against that (known as the “straw man fallacy”).
All that shucking and jiving aside, I see you have still provided no evidence for your accusation. Kindly put up, or retract, if you have any honour at all.
“Under UK and international law, visiting heads of foreign governments, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, have immunity from legal process, and cannot be arrested or detained.
The British Government has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as head of the Israeli Government, to visit the UK in September. Under UK and international law, certain holders of high-ranking office in a State, including Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs are entitled to immunity, which includes inviolability and complete immunity from criminal jurisdiction.
We recognise that the conflict in Gaza last year took a terrible toll. As the Prime Minister said, we were all deeply saddened by the violence and the UK has been at the forefront of international reconstruction efforts. However the Prime Minister was clear on the UK’s recognition of Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself, within the boundaries of international humanitarian law. We condemn the terrorist tactics of Hamas who fired rockets on Israel, built extensive tunnels to kidnap and murder, and repeatedly refused to accept ceasefires. Israel, like any state, has the right to ensure its own security, as its citizens also have the right to live without fear of attack.
The UK consistently urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, to exercise restraint, and to help find ways to bring the situation to an end. The UK continues to urge the parties to give priority to reaching a durable solution for Gaza which addresses the underlying drivers of conflict, and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery.
We welcome the fact that Israel is conducting internal investigations into specific incidents during Operation Protective Edge. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing those responsible must be held accountable whatever their position in society. Both parties must also demonstrate robust and credible internal investigations which are in line with international standards. We have also encouraged the Israeli authorities, as we do all countries, to cooperate with the independent Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the preliminary examination into the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 13 June, 2014, whilst noting that Israel is not a State Party to the ICC.
The UK is a close friend of Israel and we enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship, built on decades of cooperation between our two countries across a range of fields. Our priority for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the achievement of a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders. We continue to believe that negotiations will be necessary in order to achieve this, and that both parties need to focus on steps that are conducive to peace. The UK Government will reinforce this message to Mr Netanyahu during his visit.”
A typical government response in support of Netanyahu. If the law is an ass, the law needs amending. No war-criminal should be allowed free movement throughout the civilisaed world. Blair cannot go to Malaysia. The petition now requiring just over 20,000 signatures for parliament to consider.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105446
Glenn; “Macky, you’re not particularly honest. I clearly put quotes around “blind support”.”
LOL !! But you put the word “widespread” before my words !!
Now this is the bit where I get accused of being uncivil & insulting, but I’m just being honestly, but bluntly, frank; Glenn consider this conversation close, as it’s apparent we are not on the same page for rational debating, as this is mind-numbing painfully similar to debating one of the resident intellectually challenged trolls !
John Goss
24/08/2015 5:37pm
Utter bullshit. Under those principles, Netanyahu would be entirely free to do whatever he liked while on UK soil. He could kill his police bodyguards. He could set fire to his hotel. Anything he liked, and enjoy immunity from legal process without any arrest or detention.
http://www.ejil.org/pdfs/12/3/1534.pdf
“It is generally agreed that an exception to functional immunity exists in cases where the individual is responsible for crimes under international law. The consequence is that the state official, including a Head of State, is personally responsible for his or her crimes.” (Page 601).
They are such downright liars I wonder that their own spit does not choke them.
Let’s see what Francis Boyle has to say about this latest effort.
Kind regards,
John
Unfortunately I have to correct myself.
It does in fact seem that Netanyahu could murder whoever he liked while on UK soil, and nobody could do anything at all about it in terms of criminal responsibility.
The law certainly is a ass.
Kind regards,
John
FAO Craig Murray
Reposted from John Goss posting 5:37pm
Craig, what’s your view on this? Is the UK Government correct?
Kind regards,
John
“Under UK and international law, visiting heads of foreign governments, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, have immunity from legal process, and cannot be arrested or detained.
The British Government has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as head of the Israeli Government, to visit the UK in September. Under UK and international law, certain holders of high-ranking office in a State, including Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs are entitled to immunity, which includes inviolability and complete immunity from criminal jurisdiction.”
Interesting discussion of recent geopolitical developments.
Subjects covered:
US efforts at a colour revolution in Kyrgyzstan. Caught red-handed.
Turkey providing false passports to Uyghurs for ISIS. China getting a bit pissed off with Turkey.
Taliban, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Syria
http://porkinspolicyreview.com/
John I put up that HMG response on here on 22 August saying I objected to being addressed as ‘Hi Mary …..’. I also said ‘Don’t you just love the sound of fascism in the morning.’
The number of signatures then was 74,864.
Today it is 79,679.
@Mary
24 Aug, 2015 – 4:02 pm
Today’s just the start of it, and it will probably get much worse over the coming months. What’s happening in China is an almost exact re-run of the 1929 crash (a wildly over-inflated market fueled mostly by small investors, and fueled by greed and stupidity). The dynamics this time are slightly different, though, because finance is now truly global: expect some of the big boys to go bust sometime soon, a la Lehman Brothers in 2007, as the house comes tumbling down.
In the meantime here’s some soothing music, which has DON’T PANIC written on the cover…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg94cXAqPcs
Herbie
Nice Site Cheers.
Node
are you still in Edinburgh… try checking out some Japanese Taiko Drummers –
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/japan-marvelous-drummers
Mary and John Spencer-Davis,
Thanks for your support. Few people who comment here, other than a coterie with a certain mindset, have any support for apartheid Israel. Mary it is encouraging that since I put up the link at 5.37 the figure has increased by some 200 or more signatories. This debate must be brought before the house. Obviously the neocons of all parties are likely to support Israel, as are the sycophantic bought voices of the various Friends of Israel groups.
Our own complicity in that dreadful bombing of Palestine by Israel, which started on the same day MH17 was blown out of the skies, should not be glossed over. Let it not be forgotten that for the first time ever the ambassadors from, US, UK and Canada, were Jewish – yet their duty was not to Israel but to the countries they represent.
There have long been laws protecting criminals like Netanyahu and Mrs Thatcher intervened to save Pinochet from extradition to Spain on torture charges which were and still are grossly indecent. “One law for the rich . . . ”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/304516.stm
So Mr Goss only started commenting on line in 2011 hmm..
So?
You have nothing to say but the urge to take a pop at gets the better of you doesn’t it?
===============
John Spencer-Davis thanks for the Maximus data.
Laws are for you and I.
“Are you arguing there that the US and UK position is a principled one, an honourable one?
_____________________
Herbie I hope you had your tongue in your cheek when you asked the above question.
**************
You say subsequently that it’s all just money.
___________________________
Herbie.
Of course it’s all about the money or in some cases lands and mineral assets, you dont actually think we go to countries to help them, do you?
******************
If they’re all dishonourable, how can the Russians and Chinese be “less than honourable”.”
____________________
Herbie I thought you would’ve known how the game is played by now, China and Russia, are less reputable only by those who oppose them and vice versa.
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations, on behalf of the blog, to the Americans and Briton upon their receipt of the Legion d’Honneur from the French President, for bravely tackling the Islamic fanatic on board the Paris train and saving so many innocent lives.
I’m sure you will all join me in offering our sincerest gratitude to these courageous men for their courage and quick thinking in preventing a potentially appalling terrorist atrocity.
Spencer Stone
Alek Skarlatos
Anthony Sadler
Chris Norman
WE SALUTE YOU.
Anon 1
Seconded.
“I put it up to please Habbabkuk who wanted a more recent picture. 🙂 Not really. Odd though how he makes these demands of others without providing any information about himself!”
_______________________
John Goss my eyesight is bloody terrible I can’t make out if you have a moustache or not, please don’t take offence but you kind of look like a white haird Joseph Stalin, do you have any Tartar blood flowing through your veins?
As for my own claim to fame doppelganger, I was once told by a drunken competitor at a quiz night that I made Oliver Cromwell in his “warts and all painting” look like Adonis.
Are these the books Mr Goss reads?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/14/hitler-was-an-anglo-american-stooge-the-tall-tales-in-a-moscow-bookshop
RoS
Right.
So it’s not about who’s more honourable. That’s just propaganda.
We got there in the end.
I enjoyed the deliberate staging of the photograph in front of a book case to give the impression of a man of learning*, the stance modelled on that of an important left pedagogue.
*though we may find these are lovingly preserved back issues of Pravda.
Thanks RoS. I’ll try and live with my warts. Stalin? Well, I hope nobody accuses my humble offerings of being subservient to his poetry. Stalin was ruthless, especially to poets. And to poetry.
He was also responsible for the deaths of thousands, just as Tony Blair, Adolf Hitler, David Cameron, George W. Bush, his daddy and many other world leaders were and are. At least that’s what I’ve learned. Yes, you made me smile, with Habbabkuk’s former obsession with Joseph Stalin and trying to draw a parallel with me. 🙂 🙂 🙂
On my dad’s side they were all miners or colliery-workers going back to the 18th century. No evidence of any Tartars. On mum’s side they cutlers and brushmakers. No evidence there either. But who knows?
Ba’al
So sorry about the temple. Don’t worry, bits of it will turn up in auction sales very soon. They didn’t film the explosion. Some polytheist idols are just too expensive to blow to smithereens.
Have Anon 1 and Resident Dissident heard about the Frenchman involved in the scene who has mysteriously disappeared without trace. His disappearance was noted by Hugh Schofield in his report on BBC News yesterday from Paris. où est le Français?
Msr Hollande was certainly giving it full welly today in true Charlie Hebdo style.
The three Americans were touring Europe visiting friends. Yeah right!
The American Ambassador has good credentials.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_D._Hartley
From 1994 until 2007, Hartley worked for the G7 Group, serving as CEO from 1995 until 2007.[2] Beginning in 2007, she became the chief executive officer of the Observatory Group, which is an economic and political consulting advisory firm with offices around the world.[5]
Hartley is married to investment banker and Evercore Partners CEO Ralph Schlosstein.[13]
She has been a member of the Council on Foreign Relations for more than 10 years.[14]
On January 11, 2015, Hartley represented the United States at a unity march in Paris in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting.[11]
Schlossstein is extremely wealthy.
http://www1.salary.com/Ralph-L-Schlosstein-Salary-Bonus-Stock-Options-for-EVERCORE-PARTNERS-INC.html
More “left” wing supporters for Macky’s collection of Putin supporters – remember Marine Le Pen has got rather more in loans out of the Kremlin than Greece to date.
http://imrussia.org/en/analysis/world/2368-europes-new-pro-putin-coalition-the-parties-of-no
As for Macky’s lie about no left wingers opposing Putin’s interference in Ukraine
http://leftfootforward.org/2014/03/what-the-british-left-is-saying-about-ukraine/
But then show trials and air brushing of those who fail to follow the line, not to say alliances with Nazis, is of course an old favourite of Vshinsky and his pals