In every Tory leadership election since Thatcher, the bookies’ favourite has lost. And while you cannot easily discern where the winner would come from on the economic left/right scale, the authoritarian/libertarian scale is absolutely significant. In every single case the winner has been the Tory of the most authoritarian views, and the losers – think Ted Heath, David Davies, Ken Clarke, Michael Portillo – have been on the socially liberal side of conservatism.
Our political “journalists” only think left/right. So Cameron’s victory was a Tory move to the “left”. In fact it was not about that at all. David Davies, the favourite defeated by Cameron, has described the new Tory anti-trade union bill as “Francoist”. He opposed control orders, stop and search, detention without trial and the banning of protest from around Westminster. That is why he lost – the Tories have a dog whistle reaction to follow authoritarian figures. Cameron’s Old Etonian patrician authoritarianism is what they wanted.
That is why Theresa May is going today to give a bloodcurdling speech attempting to stir up racism against immigrants by saying they are making us poor and making our society less cohesive. She will even pander to the ludicrous notion that an economy is of a fixed size no matter how many people are in it, with a fixed number of jobs, so “they” are taking “our” jobs. Doubtless she will also outline yet more definitions of thought crime and new reasons to lock up young Muslims.
She may be vicious and dangerous to our society, but she is not stupid. It is the way to become Tory leader.
Nobody ever lost money overestimating the viciousness of the Tories. In fact the arms and security industries and the bankers, the private health companies, the hedge funds and the private agencies enforcing government policy make fortunes out of it every day.
Giyane, I’ve been rather puzzled by a number of your contributions recently – they often contain errors of logic and non-sequiturs that make for confusing reading. Your item at 8:33 is much in the same vein.
Craig make the basic assertion that the Koran is derivative, and I think you are unreasonably taking offence at that. But being “derivative” is value neutral: it means “to be derived from something” i.e. it contains stories and writing that came from earlier centuries. That is not an attack on your faith, nor does it question whether you should believe in god. In fact, if anything, it helps defend you against the idea that recent carbon dating invalidates everything you believe in.
Furthermore, it does not imply any support or opposition to Western policy in the Middle East, so it is no wonder that Craig is baffled.
Giyane: May I help clarify a point, and perhaps you’d like to discuss it. The Koran, together with the Torah, Bible and all the other ancient texts, were clearly written by people who didn’t understand why it got dark at night, and would have been baffled at how one might operate a wheelbarrow.
A good number of the instructions served society, in its primitive form, fairly well after a fashion. Now, it serves only to give the repressive and warmongering among us yet more excuse to dish out hurt while increasing their wealth and power.
Do yourself a favour, Giyane, and study other religions in some depth. Then try to explain why every last one of them – without exception – claims their own to be the One True Faith, and yet they’re all wrong. Because, of course, yours is the One True Faith.
As Stephen Hawking put it, religion is a set of fairy tales for people who are afraid of the dark. Put the lights on, mate, and rid yourself of this god delusion.
Jon
06/10/2015 8:44pm
C.S. Lewis (in God in the Dock) tackled head-on the accusation that the resurrection of Christ was itself derivative, i.e. that Christ was merely the latest of a long list of dying and resurrected gods.
His answer was that this single event in history produced a kind of mythical echo backwards in time, so that people in earlier periods of history had prevenient (if rather hazy) knowledge that this would come about, and so told similar stories beforehand.
If one believes in the Koran as a divine document, I imagine that a very similar argument could be made regarding its allegedly derivative character. It is not that the Koran derives itself from earlier sources, but that the earlier sources prefigured the Koran.
Kind regards,
John
“Craig
6 Oct, 2015 – 4:16 pm
Baal
You are being deliberately obtuse. The “social cohesion” which is being disrupted is plainly a racial construct “damaged” by incomers of another race.”
_______________
Good admonishment there of an Original Troll. Craig at his crispest and clearest best.
I have formed an impression of the regular people who write their thoughts here. Some I skip all of the time, some I scroll by some of the time but your comments Clark I read. My impression of you is that you are genuine, thoughtful, well meaning, intelligent and kind.
JSD: “His answer was that this single event in history produced a kind of mythical echo backwards in time, so that people in earlier periods of history had prevenient (if rather hazy) knowledge that this would come about, and so told similar stories beforehand.”
That is hilarious! A theologian tying himself in knots, attempting to explain away the undeniable. Perhaps Oasis is really the One True Band, and an earlier attempt by the Beatles was simply a bit of plagiarism in advance? They recognised that a Truly Great Band would one day come about, perhaps within mere decades, and thus set about their tribute as soon as possible.
Now, now, Glenn. As any fule kno, it’s all because of morphic resonance…and stuff…
John SD, I am not sure I follow. Are you arguing that the resurrection of Christ was predicted before it happened? I have no opinion on that, other than to say that one would need to have some sort of faith in order to believe that the future can be foretold.
It sounds like a rather convoluted proposition, in any case. When a book is written it is highly likely to absorb some of the culture that prefigured it, so it seems to be a stretch to say that the earlier material is evidence of prescience. I am certainly willing to believe that some people believe that, of course!
Giyane, I’ve been rather puzzled by a number of your contributions recently – they often contain errors of logic and non-sequiturs that make for confusing reading.
Me too. But if you observe the distinction that is sometimes, but not always, made between ordinary salafists* and takfiris (takfiris being the Provisional wing of salafism, as it were) you might come to the conclusion that while Giyane supports the Islamisation of the planet, and regards non-Muslims as dogs and cockroaches, even he is repelled by IS’s technique for doing so. Small mercies.
*as in ultraconservative Saudi Wahhabis.
“The UK and French govts recognised the Caudillo’s govt on 27 February 1939 when the Republican govt was very obviously on its last legs: the Caudillo’s govt controlled most of Spain by then, Barcelona had fallen a few days previously and the last of the Republican forces surrendered on 31 March.”
_________________
Habb.
I suppose really it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, that the upper echelons of British society openly supporting Franco’s Falange, a fascist party. Edward VIII also had form when it came to backing fascist dictators.
Then again Britain has a history of backing brutal tyrants, Craig has first hand knowledge, I’m sure you know what I mean.
It’s not calling facing up to facts Habb, its called crushing communism, at any cost, not that I have any love for communism, but do please call a spade a spade.
Both, Edward VIII, and the British government under Chamberlin, saw Fascism as a bulwark against communism.
In Franco’s Spain, all opposition was ruthlessly dealt with, the nation had to endure the activities of a secret police force, all the aspects of politics that would have been taken
for granted in Europe, such as fair elections and political opposition, were not tolerated in Franco’s Spain.
In July 1947, a law was passed that made Franco head of state for life.
Say what you will, but please, for God’s sake, see that we are Medieval Man living in a Type Zero GlobalCivilisation.
Modern man we shall be when we learn to use technology solely for the overall improvement of the quality of life of all human beings, and stop raping the planet.
There may be, is technological evolution, but is there such a thing as psychological evolution? Man killing fellow man, his own species, the very contemplation of that is first a psychological act.
The lack of a clear understanding of “what is”, diluted by “what should be”, is in actual fact a denial of what is.Is non-violence the opposite of violence?
“I wonder if I’m the only one on here who finds it strange that a certain “commenter” is happy to tell us the various places where he served in the military but is unwilling to reveal at which Oxford college he allegedly studied.”
_______________________
Habb old boy
Yes you are the only one that finds it strange.
“As new people enter an economy, it creates new economic activity, which creates new jobs.”
– – – –
“new people” cost the economy ~£100K per person as they need to be accomodated **immediately** upon their landing in your country.
“new people” also cost another ~£200K in public infrastructure that needs to be in place as it is needed. Or, public services are degraded by that amount if that infrastructure is not immediately available. Currently, The English-speaking West has a massive deficit in construction of public infrastructure owing to the “taxation is evil” doctrine that dominates the establishment narrative.
But then it gets worse. Consumers who are not producers are a net burden on the economy. Who are they? Children, the unemployed, the elderly, the sick and the criminal. Add all of those minority groups up and you have a sizeable drain on the rest of the community. Now how many of those refugees (and the members of their families who reunite with them) are skilled/educated, of good character and health and ready to be employed in a modern, growing industry??
You can’t just imagine that it all works out good on the ledger and leave it at that. And you can’t pretend that land, fresh water, energy supplies, natural habitat, atmosphere, ocean and fish stocks all mysteriously grow with this runaway juggernaut population and happy economy.
Here are some very very simple questions for you that even a child can answer prior to indoctrination by Leftist ideology. I don’t know why I should ask them when you have never answered a single question of mine without resort to evasion and sophistry. But here they are –
1. Will the population of the UK/world grow indefinitely/infinitely?
2. If no, what will cause the halt and what will the consequences be?
3. If yes, where will the resources come from as the population hits one trillion people and still growing?
4. If there are hundreds of millions of people living in poverty today, with no credible solution on offer, how many hundreds of billions will live in poverty tomorrow?
5. Is it morally acceptable to allow the indefinite growth of an impoverished population?
6. Given the destruction wreaked upon the environment by the global industrial revolution and concommitant population growth, and the looming mass extinction that scientists have stated as being well underway, is it morally acceptable to be growing our populations with such devastating ill effects to the non-human world?
7. Have our growing economies improved our quality of life or has technology achieved that?
I have many more questions, Jon. But I will stop with those seven questions in the faint hope that at least one can be correctly answered.
Entirely inappropriate lyrics if you listen beyond the first couple of lines but offered in the spirit of those who post uplifting and encouraging stuff from modern music, here’s my message to Jeremy via Nat:
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=stay+as+sweet+as+you+are+nat+king+cole
If a need should arise for care/treatment from the NHS, will any of you complain if the nurse, doctor, radiographer, radiologist, phlebotomist, health care assistant, cleaner, ward maid, cook, porter, secretary, pharmacist or any other of the PEOPLE are involved in that care are from foreign countries?
I only experienced the greatest loving kindness from every member of the team who saved my life and cared for me over the last 18 months. I met men and women from many countries, all decent people.
I omitted the paramedics who came here five times and literally saved my life when I could not breathe. Truly amazing.
Alcyone – “The lack of a clear understanding of “what is”, diluted by “what should be”, is in actual fact a denial of what is.”
– – –
I have commented on David Hume’s “is versus ought” problem several times with no takers. Only you seem to have grasped the significance, independently I imagine, Alcyone.
John Spencer-Davis. How are things now? Better news I hope.
Jon
06/10/2015 9:29pm
No, although that claim is of course explicitly made in the Christian faith, that the coming of Christ was predicted in the Old Testament, in Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.
I will quote Lewis directly.
“Now as myth transcends thought, Incarnation transcends myth. The heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact. The old myth of the Dying God, without ceasing to be myth, comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination to the earth of history. It happens – at a particular date, in a particular place, followed by definable historical consequences. We pass from a Balder or an Osiris, dying nobody knows when or where, to a historical Person crucified (it is all in order) under Pontius Pilate. By becoming fact it does not cease to be myth: that is the miracle.”
This seems to me to be very representative of Craig’s assertion that “the divine origin of the Koran is a matter of belief, and as far as I could see not affected one way or the other by the fact that the Koran has antecedents.” Something similar to Lewis’s assertions could easily be adopted by believers in the divinity of the Koran.
Kind regards,
John
The Spectator, the Telegraph, the Institute of Directors and Craig, are absolutely furious about Theresa May’s speech. Actual lol.
Improvements to NHS paramedic services just announced –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3MhVdLgJfo
Mary “will any of you complain if the nurse, doctor… are from foreign countries?
I crossed off one of the Doctors at the practise on my mental list of who I’d want to see because his level of English didn’t inspire confidence. Then, I’ve pretty much crossed of most of the others for various other reasons too…
Female litteracy is the most effective form of contraception, at least in statistical terms. It even works on Catholics.
Hi John Spencer-Davis!
Have you decided on my supposed motive for sock-puppeting on the other thread as you accused me of having done?
Any ideas, yet?
Mary
06/10/2015 9:51pm
I am in a difficult position. I don’t have consent to share nor is it necessarily my business to do that. Please forgive me for not necessarily responding in the way you would wish.
I continue to do my best. Please check the site regularly.
Kind regards,
John
Jemand
06/10/2015 9:55pm
I look forward to seeing your evidence. Do take that as a standard response.
John
Giyane,
Let me put it this way. The story of Abraham/Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice his son to God is important in the Koran. But obviously that story already existed in the Torah/Bible and elsewhere. So plainly the Koran is derivative.
But that does not affect anybody’s belief that the Koran was divinely inspired. I understand the explanation of Islam is that God gave the same story to successive prophets, of whom Muslims believe Mohammed is the last and greatest. Given that Islam specifically believes in a line of Prophets, it would be strange if the Koran didn’t have antecedents.
I respect anybody’s faith. But not if it obscures the ability to think rationally, or causes you to take offence for reasons of blind dogma. I find most Muslims are ale to discuss these things perfectly rationally.
Jemand, junior doctors are to have their pay cut by 30%…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcJ9mY1jxr8
There’s this wonderful dichotomy between what the government, media and the trolls say about the NHS, and what is actually happening in reality (it’s being deliberately run down to provide an excuse for privatisation that the public will swallow, and the Tory vermin don’t care about how many people die in the process).
They should all be in jail.
Well, here’s one of the responses to Massie’s Spectator piece on May’s speech:
What a tissue of wet, self satisfied evasions, Massie. Tawdry, was it? To express with measured sobriety nothing but the plain truth? None of your examples of past migration match up to the current crisis. We took forty thousand Ugandan Asians – full stop. We are currently taking a third of a million people a year and rising. Southern England will require forty of its towns to double in size. The intrusion of whole rafts of low standard, mass produced buildings, the pressure on water supplies, the crowding of schools and the erosion of green belt, not to mention the strains on transport, will seriously affect our quality of life. More importantly, your reaction is nothing but a despicable knee jerk. It shows that anything, said by anyone, even remotely critical of these unprecedented and invasive levels of immigration, will be condemned. But let us examine the condemnation; what does it amount to? A trick of rhetoric designed to portray the critic as socially low and morally suspect. In using this rhetoric you expose yourself as contemptible, not Mrs May: you are a prig, a snob, and a moral coward, spinelessly going along with the suicide of Europe and her culture. This same slimy proceeding, of course, was used in response to Powell by the prigs, snobs and time serving eunuchs of his day. But he referred to “grinning picaninnies” and repeated unverified accusations against minorities. Has May done the same? Has she hell, but she still gets the treatment, doesn’t she? What is remotely “inflammatory” about the observation that mass immigration produces rapid change and alienates the hosts? Where is the racial slur? Where the ethnic caricature? You will ferret around in vain to them in Mrs May’s brave speech. But that doesn’t matter, does it? Caught in the narrowing tunnel of your multi-culti bigotry nothing can halt the juggernaut of “progress” towards a faceless and placeless nirvana. Frankly, my feelings for you, your media class, your waffling, unnecessary profession and your fellow reds are very close to unmitigated hatred. Only my heritage, my Christian heritage, stands against it. When you and your friends have destroyed that – well, what on earth will happen?
The bit in bold certainly resonates.
Liked this one, too.
I submit that a country in which 15 million people will watch a cake-making competition is not a country on the abyss or one ripe for revolution.
I submit that it is a country in deep political sedation.
“Jemand
06/10/2015 9:55pm
I look forward to seeing your evidence. Do take that as a standard response.
John”
So you would like me to prove that I did not sock puppet, as you accused me with no evidence and no suggested motive.
Puzzling logic given that you confected the issue and now refuse to do what is easy in support of your unsubstantiated claim in preference for my having to go to much greater effort.
I’m not used to people reversing the burden of proof for their unsubstantiated allegations that carry no accompanying motive. You seem to have bound yourself up in a predicament where your credibility has been lost in an attempt to damage mine.
You can take my standard reply, JSD, as the one above – ie what was my motive?