UPDATE
Minutes after I posted this article, the ludicrous Jess Phillips published an article in the Guardian which could not have been better designed to prove my thesis. A number of people have posted comments on the Guardian article pointing this out, and they have all been immediately deleted by the Guardian. I just tried it myself and was also deleted. I should be grateful if readers could now also try posting comments there, in order to make a point about censorship on the Guardian.
Catching up on a fortnight’s news, I have spent five hours searching in vain for criticism of Simon Danczuk from prominent or even just declared feminists. The Guardian was the obvious place to start, but while they had two articles by feminist writers condemning Chris Gayle’s clumsy attempt to chat up a presenter, their legion of feminist columnists were entirely silent on Danczuk. The only opinion piece was strongly defending him.
This is very peculiar. The allegation against Danczuk which is under police investigation – of initiating sex with a sleeping woman – is identical to the worst interpretation of the worst accusation against Julian Assange. The Assange allegation brought literally hundreds, probably thousands of condemnatory articles from feminist writers across the entire range of the mainstream media. I have dug up 57 in the Guardian alone with a simple and far from exhaustive search. In the case of Danczuk I can find nothing, zilch, nada. Not a single feminist peep.
The Assange case is not isolated. Tommy Sheridan has been pursuing a lone legal battle against the Murdoch empire for a decade, some of it in prison when the judicial system decided his “perjury” was imprisonable but Andy Coulson’s admitted perjury on the Murdoch side in the same case was not. I personally witnessed in court in Edinburgh last month Tommy Sheridan, with no lawyer (he has no money) arguing against a seven man Murdoch legal team including three QCs, that a letter from the husband of Jackie Bird of BBC Scotland should be admitted in evidence. Bird was working for Murdoch and suggested in his letter that a witness should be “got out of the country” to avoid giving evidence. The bias exhibited by the leading judge I found astonishing beyond belief. I was the only media in the court.
Yet even though the Murdoch allegations against Sheridan were of consensual sexual conduct, Sheridan’s fight against Murdoch has been undermined from the start by the massive and concerted attack he has faced from the forces of feminism. Just as the vital messages WikiLeaks and Assange have put out about war crimes, corruption and the relentless state attack on civil liberties have been undermined by the concerted feminist campaign promoting the self-evidently ludicrous claims of sexual offence against Assange.
As soon as the radical left pose the slightest threat to the neo-con establishment, an army of feminists can be relied upon to run a concerted campaign to undermine any progress the left wing might make. The attack on Jeremy Corbyn over the makeup of his shadow cabinet was a classic example. It is the first ever gender equal shadow cabinet, but the entire media for a 96 hour period last September ran headline news that the lack of women in the “top” posts was anti-feminist. Every feminist commentator in the UK piled in.
Among the obvious dishonesties of this campaign was the fact that Defence, Chancellor, Foreign Affairs and Home Secretary have always been considered the “great offices of State” and the argument only could be made by simply ignoring Defence. The other great irony was the “feminist” attack was led by Blairites like Harman and Cooper, and failed to address the fact that Blair had NO women in any of these posts for a full ten years as Prime Minister.
But facts did not matter in deploying the organised feminist lobby against Corbyn.
Which is why it is an important test to see what the feminists, both inside and outside the Labour Party, would do when the leading anti-Corbyn rent-a-gob, Simon Danczuk, was alleged to have some attitudes to women that seem very dubious indeed, including forcing an ex-wife into non-consensual s&m and that rape allegation.
And the answer is …nothing. Feminists who criticised Assange, Sheridan and Corbyn in droves were utterly silent on the subject of Danczuk. Because the purpose of established and paid feminism is to undermine the left in the service of the neo-cons, not to attack neo-cons like Danczuk.
Identity politics has been used to shatter any attempt to campaign for broader social justice for everybody. Instead it becomes about the rights of particular groups, and that is soon morphed into the neo-con language of opportunity. What is needed, modern feminism argues, is not a reduction of the vast gap between rich and poor, but a chance for some women to become Michelle Mone or Ann Gloag. It is not about good conditions for all, but the removal of glass ceilings for high paid feminist journalists or political hacks.
Feminism has become the main attack tool in the neo-con ideological arsenal. I am sceptical the concept can be redeemed from this.
Although Birmingham Trojan Horse letter ‘no hoax’
@ Why be Ordinary : Immediately prior to 2001 Tajik resistance (with support from all Afghanistan’s neighbours except Pakistan) against the Taliban (backed by Pakistan) would fit most people’s definition of civil war and the current situation is an extension of that with different foreign backers but still largely Afghans fighting other Afhgans
So you are saying that the current war in Afghanistan IS a civil war. Then why did the United States describe its intervention as an invasion?
“Just checking whether you believe all wars are civil wars. What about the current war in Afghanistan? is it a civil war?”
Currently there is an armed conflict between the government forces and another internal group, the Taliban, so therefore there is a civil war in Afghanistan.
Do you understand yet? If it meets the criteria it is a civil war whether you like it or not.
Node
An invasion can have a civil war as a consequence and the consequence can last when the invasion ceases. The end of Soviet intervention in Afghnaistan still left an ongoing civil war. As far as I know the US no longer describes itself as an invader in Afghnaistan but there still seems to be a war going on largely involving Afghans. Ande before you ask, I think a drugs war can also be a civil war too,
Node
Give up, there’s a good chap.
I now see clearly why you’ve declared you won’t engage with me.
I’d make mincemeat of your “arguments”.
Just look what occasional commenters like Why Be Ordinary manage to do to you.
LOL
Fred : Do you understand yet?
Still trying, Fred. Hypothetical scenario:
In the near future Scotland achieves independence from the UK and forms its own government. Shortly afterwards, there are unmistakable signs that Westminster is coveting Scotland’s share of North Sea oil but Holyrood declares that Scotland will defend its resources if necessary. Every single person in Scotland supports the legitimate Scottish government except one single crofter who has never been reconciled to independence.
This crofter forms a one-man political party demanding re-unification. Westminster gives him an AK-47 and sends in thousands of troops to support him, has undercover SAS units disguised as Catholics bomb Protestants and visa versa, declares a no-fly zone within 300 miles of Caithness and bombs every road, bridge, electricity station, water plant and hospital in Scotland.
Would that be a civil war?
The Spanish ‘Civil War’began with an invasion from North Africa in which thousands of Moroccan soldiers was involved, a German Air Force and several divisions of Italian Army personnel.
It really doesn’t matter what you call the Syrian war so long as it is recognised that it exists entirely because foreign powers-the same ones involved in the destruction of Libya and a few more- have organised, armed and paid a variety of militias to attack the Syrian government and those living under its rule.
It is certainly true that among the anti-government forces are several thousand Muslim Brethren from Syria and a few hundred opportunists and traitors who saw the likely outcome of the war as being a few months in luxurious exile, paid for by the poor bloody NATO taxpayers, followed by years esconced in power in Damascus, under the sponsorship of the tyrants of the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia.
If that makes it a Civil War, so be it. But if foreigners stepped aside, took their weaponry with them and stopped pouring money into the coffers of the ‘rebels’ it would be over tomorrow.
I like that hypothetical scenario Node. I had the theme of “Only the lonely” playing in my head as I read.
The mods appear to have gone to bed. Can I refer them to my comment earlier today regarding persistent persecution of Muslims.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2016/01/feminism-a-neo-con-tool/comment-page-25/#comment-575963
“It really doesn’t matter what you call the Syrian war so long as it is recognised that it exists entirely because foreign powers-the same ones involved in the destruction of Libya and a few more- have organised, armed and paid a variety of militias to attack the Syrian government and those living under its rule.”
Of course the locals were too thick and stupid to want to get rid of the benevolent state set up by the Assad monarchy – which had an impeccable human rights record and wonderful policemen.
Of course people like Bevin and his ilk are the only ones that know what racism really is?
Why Be Ordinary
I agree that a large conflict can contain within it a smaller element which is a civil war. The question is whether it is sensible to characterise the larger conflict as a civil war.
Imagine you saw a crowd of thousands containing fifty Scots. It would be accurate to say you’d seen a crowd of Scots but it would not be a sensible characterisation of the crowd.
“But if foreigners stepped aside, took their weaponry with them and stopped pouring money into the coffers of the ‘rebels’ it would be over tomorrow.”
of course this doesn’t apply to foreigners from Russia, the fascist terrorists of Hezbollah or the Republican Guard from Iran – they were invited in by the legitimate government just as occurred in Budapest, Prague, Warsaw etc. etc.
This one is for Chris Spivey…Yes I did send him £10 a couple of years ago…long before he was arrested. I tried to send Tom Feeley in California $10 a couple of weeks ago…and the Americans would not only not accept my £7.02 – or something like that…the Americans cancelled my debit card..My British Bank texted me the next morning so I phoned them up.. They wanted to check all my payments…it was like Tony – why are you trying to send any money to the USA??…I says cos I like Tom Feeley. I think he is a top guy…
It is not the kind of question you can ask – but I got very close last night…he sure as hell looked like the actor Ricky Tomlinson – but the girl he was with looked absolutely nothing like Sue Johnston, and well – I would just love to meet Caroline Aherne who wrote all the scripts and appeared in The Royle Family too (I heard she has had cancer – I hope she is O.K.)…
But the band last night were so much better than staying in watching Casualty and Come Dancing….
I will start again. There is this bloke who over the past couple of years or so occasionally comes down our local pub … and it seems everyone knows him – he seems to know my wife really well – but his other friends – who are always there…much better…
And he is there like regular…and then he ain’t…
Well I can’t remember all the details of the tattoos..but yes – he has tattoos – and he is The Spittin’ Image of Chris Spivey
I can’t ask – are You Chris Spivey?? The pub is just opposite one of the biggest Cop Shops in London…
Anyway…I ain’t there now…(cos I got a sore throat) I did take my wife there though..dropped her off and came home…
If the band do this (cos they do) – that girl headbanging at the front with the long blonde hair…That is my Missus you are talking to.
She doesn’t do conspiracy theories and is very fit.
My “Sis” is in Cardiff with her Son visiting her Dad – who is about 90. She is Very “Fit” Too.
They do this song…(he’s a fat bloke – and he can sing…)
“Velvet Revolver – Slither”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKz2U4fvA4U
Tony
“The mods appear to have gone to bed. Can I refer them to my comment earlier today regarding persistent persecution of Muslims.”
_________________
zzzzzzzzzz
Bevin
If the foreigners stepped aside with their demands of installing a replacement stooge from the Muslim Brother hood, big if, and Saudi Arabia stopped funding takfiri hate, then both the sides of the civil war, the Sunni defenders of the Republic and the sunni revolution would join sides against Assad.
The removal of Assad is the only carrot the foreigners have to give their mercenaries.
The mercenaries have always known they were not bein offerred power for themselves.
The foreigners just want to divide and rule while gloating over the misery of the Muslims. Come here and we will steal your savings, stay there and we will steal your lives.
Assad was delivering torture rendition before and was entertained in foreign lands.
“Would that be a civil war?”
No that is a fully brainwashed member of the England hating Braveheart cult having a wet dream.
For someone so preoccupied with the exact nature of a “civil war”, Node is remarkably lax in his use of the word “genocide”.
.Z.
ZXZ
.Z.
Fred : No that is a fully brainwashed member of the England hating Braveheart cult having a wet dream.
I’ll ignore your personal attack on me. You’re trying to turn a losing argument into a slanging match.
Why is my hypothetical scenario not a civil war? Amongst the warring parties are two factions from the same country.
Hospbot
Long word for you ‘pre- occupied’
let me make it easier for you – occupy pride
Of course all of this was inspired by foreign powers given that the locals were not “clever” enough to do it themselves.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring
And I suspect that Bevin and Goss believe that the collapse of the Soviet Empire and all the various colour revolutions can all be attributed to the same source.
Perhaps Mr Goss and Bevin might wish to enlighten us one day as to their theories as to how the collapse of the Soviet empire came about?
“I’ll ignore your personal attack on me. You’re trying to turn a losing argument into a slanging match.”
Good.
Now fuck off and die.
You can ignore that as well.
DesRes
” locals were not “clever” enough to do it themselves.”
Clever enough to have the shit beaten out of you with cables, genitals electrocuted, hung upside-down, water-boarded, drilled into skulls, shot into mass-graves.
Shut up troll.
DesRes:
“enlighten us one day as to their theories as to how the collapse of the Soviet empire came about?”
After its revolution the soviet union relapsed into the incompetence of its imperial past.
After its near defeat in WW2, the UK has relapsed into the incompetence of its imperial past.
Plus cha change, plus ch’est la meme, shucking chose. Collapse of UK imminent.
Giyane
“Collapse of UK imminent.”
______________________
I wager 100 New Israeli Shekels that you’ll collapse a long time before the UK does.
Are you on?
“Ban whaling”
and breeching
______________
Good ones there, Why Be Ordinary! and Itsy. Just in case you thought no one here has a sense of humour.
I was already laughing at how John Goss takes himself so seriously, egged on, or not, by Fedup; and, the latter’s familiar rants.
But the whole childish deal about asking for x, y or z to be banned, really does come from a loser’s mind.
“I wager 100 New Israeli Shekels that you’ll collapse a long time before the UK does.”
_____________
Depends what you mean by collapse, Brexit, could see the break up of the UK.
And those squatting in the North, who hadn’t a good word to say, would slink across the border, or they could FOAD.
Incidentally I couldn’t possibly take your wager, blood money and all that.
I knew what it was, but was myself never diagnosed – well except for a bit in Boundary Park Hospital (right Next to Latics) where Louise Brown conceived in a test tube was born).
So far as I am aware…there is nothing in my Medical Records about it..I have got the same extremely rare inherited muscular disease as one of my older sisters and one of my older brothers…
It just made us TRY even Harder so that no one would notice.
I have never taken any drugs for it ..and I have never declared it – even when I was learning to Fly and Dive…they never knew – cos I pre-preapared and tensed my muscules…
Even now – well hardly anyone knows…and it has not been passed on to our Children who are incredibly fit, healthy and diving buddies (with Full PADI certification (junior course under 15(same as The Senior course in The Maldives). Our kids are like Fish.. My Son doesn’t even bother with any Oxygen..He Free Dives..I bet he can’t go so deep without his Flippers…but he probably can.
Its Myatonia Congenita – and Now I am an Old Man…but still fit and health so far as I know…
We are going to see The Young Fathers on Wednesday at The Brixton Academy (we have never been there before)
I am taking my Walking Stick
“Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmrfgj0MZI
Tony
Giyane
There is a reason why the “clever” was in inverted commas – it is not me that is claiming that the local population are unable to deal with their own tyrants. Irony is clearly wasted on you.