I am happy to say a busy time ahead:
18 January in Aytoun Village Hall, Berwickshire at 7pm for Yes Berwickshire documentary film London Calling talking about BBC Bias in the Independence Referendum, and how to prevent and counter it next time.
19 January Montrose, George Hotel, 7.30pm talking about Alexander Burnes just fifty yards from the family home where he was born
21 January 2pm Perth, Soutar Theatre, for Yes Perth City. London Calling, post film discussion also with Alan Knight and Allan Grogan. Register here.
23 January 2.30pm Jaipur India Sikunder Burnes. Talk at the Jaipur Literature Festival – the World’s largest with 330,000 visitors.
27 January 7.30pm Edinburgh for Edinburgh SNP Club. Talk on the situation in Iraq and Syria.
As I visit London, frankly, as seldom as possible, I thought I might give an early shout out for what seems to be an excellent event on 25 February at University College, London, a colloquium entitled “Noam Chomsky: The Responsibility of Intellectuals”. Half hour papers will be presented by Neil Smith, Milan Rai, Hilary Rose, Chris Knight, Krizta Szendroi, Nicholas Allott, Jackie Walker and finally by me; I am genuinely worried about following some brilliant minds. After which Noam Chomsky will respond by video-link. I can’t let this pass without noting my book Murder in Samarkand has an American edition, Dirty Diplomacy, which has strong cover quotes from Harold Pinter and Noam Chomsky commending it. My Edinburgh publisher wouldn’t put the Chomsky quote on the UK edition, arguing that nobody had heard of him!
The perceptive among you may have noted that I face a hell of a dash from Perth to Jaipur. It is however possible. But yesterday I received an email from Jaipur stating that they had changed my talk from 23rd to 20th, when I will get a larger audience. I have replied that this is impossible for me. I am waiting to hear back, but this has potential to go wrong.
When I published my offer to take over Bella Caledonia if the alternative was it folding, I received a surprisingly large number of offers from Independence supporters offering to write. Some – but by no means all – were excluded from writing for Bella because of what many perceived as that website’s rather specific ideological focus. As there are a number of good pro-Independence people anxious to express themselves in writing but with no outlet, I was wondering about starting up a new pro-Indy compendium site that gives a voice to every shade of opinion supporting Independence, providing it is not racist. It would run on the basis of minimal cost and not paying anybody, including me. I probably need friends to talk me out of this venture!
One place I am not speaking is at today’s Scottish Independence Convention. I asked but was turned down. This saddens me as I addressed the SIC by invitation twice when it was a bit in the doldrums, years before the referendum. I fear that this is another example of ideological narrowness taking hold.
I hugely enjoy speaking and the intellectual interaction of discussion with people in a meeting, and please do invite me to talk to your group. I do not charge any fee. I am however horribly disorganised, so do not be scared to keep sending me constant reminders. It is helpful rather than annoying. I am pretty sure for example there are engagements in Lanark and Aberystwyth I have lost touch with. Anybody expecting me do get repeatedly in touch!
Why do you avoid London as much as possible?
Is it the distance, the traffic, the weather, the architecture?
Don’t worry, we all feel the same.
Its an interesting thought – a magazine site with no particular agenda, just independence related.
However a general problem is the lack of journalism, which as I understand it the communication of important facts and perhaps an attempt to analyse them. – far too much of what we see is mere comment (take a look at the National ‘newspaper’). If I want to hear opinions I can pop down to the pub, no need to switch on the PC.
Sites like Wings Over Scotland and ScotGoesPop are successful because they are ‘journalistic’: you can discover things you didn’t know and read rational analysis of those things, all with fully cited sources. Comment alone, to be readable, must be lively (e.g. Wee Ginger Dug) but I’m afraid most of it just isn’t. I can see little point in adding to it.
The MSM have abandonded any pretence of journalism, vide the current tweets from newspapers and TV newsrooms asking if anyone has a sad story to tell about their experience of the NHS. The tales they receive will be used to suggest that there is a terrible problem with the NHS, with the SNP to blame (of course) and (a few months from now) privatisation as the solution. A journalist would seek to answer these questions: how does performance in our NHS compare with other countries? If we are worse, why? How valid are these comparisons? What actions are indicated? But that would take money, time, effort and intelligence – scarce commodities in the MSM.
So I think you should abandon your ‘zero cost’ model. Think about establishing a team of experienced researchers and one or two good writers, find out what the fuck is going on, and tell us.
Excuse the O/T so early in a new post but do you know about this ominous tweet from Wikileaks, Craig?:
Are they worried that something is about to happen?
https://wethevigilant.com/2017/01/14/wikileaks-posts-ominous-tweet-claiming-no-staff-have-medical-conditions-that-could-lead-to-sudden-death/
Does delusional paranoia constitute a potentially fatal health risk? I certainly hope not, or this blog might be deprived of many valuable contributors.
The link above leads to an article which describes Rich as a “possible Wikileaks source” before claiming categorically he “was a key component of the leaks revealing damaging information about Crooked Hillary and the Democratic party.” These two statements are contradictory in their level of certainty.
Only if a source and a key component are considered to be the same thing.
This is why I keep coming back here. Good rebuttal MJ.
The linked article does not, however, provide any detail into how he was a “key component” or provide even a snippet of information as to how the author sourced information that Rich is, in fact, a “key component” (assuming that he is). The use of “Crooked Hillary” does reveal author’s bias, though.
Seriously? We can argue about MSM’s sourcing practices and journalistic integrity any day, but this stuff is supposed to be accepted as truth simply because it is not MSM?
I imagine the tweet in question is indicative of their fear that the Powers That Be are planning to “take out” a number of key Wikileaks staff: sudden heart attacks, mysterious fatal car accidents, fatal muggings and so on.
and, of course, unexplained suicides defying the laws of mechanics and physics.
It is heartening to note your interest in unexplained suicides and by extension other odd or unusual deaths.
Perhaps you have some concern about the extremely odd death of John Ashe. Ashe was a former President of the UN General Assembly who tragically died when he dropped a set of weights onto his own throat and asphyxiated himself. This fatal accident occurred only days before he was due to testify in court in a case involving corruption and Hillary Clinton.
Alternatively perhaps you have some expertise with regard to nail guns. If so consider the case of one Richard Talley, Talley was CEO and founder of an entity called American Title Services Talley shot himself in the head and torso no less than 8 times with a nail gun.
Maybe you like cars. If so consider the case of investigative journalist Michael Hastings who tragically died when his Mercedes suffered 2 small explosions moments before he crashed into a tree and the car exploded. Whilst Mercedes may seek exploding demand I feel it unlikely that they are seeking an exploding product.
Or consider the case of Gareth Williams – a man who apparently padlocked himself into a sports holdall and then awaited death.
Do please let me know if you would like any further examples – they are not hard to find.
It seems fairly obvious to me that Habba was merely saying that an odd death is not necessarily a sinister death. I think that’s a fairly mundane assertion to make. Are you trying to prove something with this list of, admittedly, curious deaths?
PSA: Always use a spotter when bench pressing
It is more likely that Habbabkuk was insinuating that Wikileaks are engaged in self promotion through either delusional or paranoid thinking that someone may be “out to get them”
I was not trying to prove anything beyond noting that there is no shortage of strange and unexplained deaths, the official accounts of which do not readily correspond with the observed reality of most people.
No doubt Wikileaks are aware that Democratic Party strategist Bob Beckel is on public record calling for Assange to be illegally assassinated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rImgsRg-a-8
Some may think that there would be laws that limit freedom of speech when it comes to such matters as publicly calling for the murder of named individuals.
How long can one rationalise before it becomes irrational?
No need for any examples at all and therefore no need for any further examples, Loony, for the simple reason that my post was not indicative of any interest – sudden or otherwise – in the phenomena mentioned; I was simply trying to be helpful by attempting to answer your question, which read “Are they worried that something is about to happen?”
That’s the last time I shall try to be helpful to you. 🙂
Craig,
all the best with the speaking engagements. Any idea who this is and why they are claiming that they hacked into the DNC and Clinton servers and leaked what they found onto Wikileaks?
https://guccifer2.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/fake-evidence/
Thanks,
N
A message from the organisers of the Black Hat Hacking Convention, could the person who hacked the DNC computer form an orderly queue outside their office please.
Best regards to Neil Smith, from a (very) former student of his U.C. Grammar lectures along with Deirdre Wilson……
“My Edinburgh publisher wouldn’t put the Chomsky quote on the UK edition, arguing that nobody had heard of him!”
That’s the most depressing thing I’ve read this year.
“One place I am not speaking is at today’s Scottish Independence Convention. I asked but was turned down.”
That’s a very close 2nd.
Watched some live stream from the SIC meeting. You had a lucky escape, Craig.
“One place I am not speaking is at today’s Scottish Independence Convention. I asked but was turned down.”
You were probably too young, try in a few years when you have our bus pass.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2Ib807XUAIi3vK.jpg
You could get more speaking engagements if you played the accordion as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emel8bnYA5g
Craig,
You are invited to stay at my place in the Caribbean for free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umqOv9ul5-0
In the course of a week I am sure I would like to hear your talks.
Just finishing a 5 star Villa – so you will soon have a choice.
Cheers and all the best.
Courtenay
A villa in the Caribbean, huh??
You are living dangerously by telling us that.
Why, only a short while ago a well-known and celebrated “commenter” was lambasting Mr David Cameron on here for enjoying a brief holiday in the Caribbean!
and now he’s in Bahrain dans le style de Tony Blair or maybe he’s following in Treeza’s and P Charles’ footsteps.
David Cameron, former PM, visits Bahrain: Is he following Tony Blair’s lead?
Pro-democracy campaigners fear he may use his position to provide political support for the Gulf kingdom
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/former-pm-david-cameron-visits-bahrain-amid-concern-he-may-follow-blair-s-footsteps-1110109896
What position? He’s a failed spiv.
Hab,
It’s all above board.
Nothing wrong with a nice, legitimate stay in the Caribbean – huh?
Courtenay
No such thing as a free lunch or a stay in a Caribbean villa?
Resident,
Doubting Thomas you surely are.
Courtenay
“stay at my place in the Caribbean for free.” !!!
For free? Don’t you have any class, man? How about: ‘as my guest’?
Alcyone,
” For free? Don’t you have any class, man? How about: ‘as my guest’?”
Almost got me. The explanation is that the booking agent I normally work through refer to the paying visitors as “guests”; so ‘for free’ distinguishes between those and someone like Craig or any friend of mine who stays – ‘for free’.
Cheers.
Courtenay
Jaipur or Perth? Ooh, tricky. Not. You can always reschedule Perth.
Why don’t you just host other writers here, and save all the hassle of running two websites? See Juan Cole as an example.
Totally right about the former. For God’s sake, please no to the latter!
“I thought I might give an early shout out for what seems to be an excellent event on 25 February at University College, London, a colloquium entitled “Noam Chomsky: The Responsibility of Intellectuals”. Half hour papers will be presented by Neil Smith, Milan Rai, Hilary Rose, Chris Knight, Krizta Szendroi, Nicholas Allott, Jackie Walker and finally by me; I am genuinely worried about following some brilliant minds. After which Noam Chomsky will respond by video-link.”
Ye gods, that should be worth attending. It’s free, too (see link). I’ll be delighted to see Chomsky, Craig, Milan Rai and Jackie Walker in particular.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/noam-chomskys-the-responsibility-of-intellectuals-50-years-on-tickets-30951713408
Never thought of you as much of a Chomsky enthusiast, Craig – his politics are too socialist, I would have thought.
I think you can be proud to hold your head up in such company, you don’t have anything to worry about intellectually. Cheers.
Perhaps I am just a humble, workaday sort of person – an ignoramus, even** – but I have never heard of any of these good people (Chomsky excepted).
____________________
( ** Cue : cries of “you certainly are!” or “he’s right for once1” )
It’s quite fascinating to see these people play the game of: Oh I like him or another, I don’t like her or another etc etc; all the while operating cluelessly in the real world. They still have to get out of the delusory oh it could be, should be ideological crap and being unable to see the reality of ‘what actually is’.
Craig
Well you are going to be busy. Good for you.
One thought, though. Have you thought about your personal security while on your travel?.
My advice would be to avoid cars (risk of crashes) and Mercedeses in particular (it seems they are prone to explode); also avoid airliners (unless you fancy visiting Diego Garcia). Carry your personal effects in a suitcase much smaller than yourself and on no account in a large sport bag with a zip. You should put both wrists into plaster casts lest someone should attempt to suicide you by slashing your wrists with a Gillette blade. Last but not least, do any stapling of papers at home before leaving – you don’t want to be carrying a stapler gun on your person, do you
The best thong would probably be for you to travel with a bodyguard or two. Perhaps one or two of your most loyal supporters would oblige for free – for ease I would suggest people who live relatively near to you. Step forward RepublicofScotland and Brian Fuji-san !
Can anyone enlighten us of Chomsky’s credo in a few essential lines please?
Major intellectual in the field of linguistics, pioneering the concepts of transformational grammar and syntactic structures among other things. More prominent in political matters in his latter years.
From what little I understand there seems to be a world of scientists, including many former colleagues/students/ex-defenders, who question and reject Chmosky linguistics. He is still held in high regard in US and some UK universities but less so in the rest of the world. Detractors argue he led linguistics into half a century of wasted time. Certainly the US military have long abandoned the project to build a transformational universal translation machine (the reason they had funded his research). Others, like Pinker, argue Chomsky’s reputational demise is overstated because he really wasn’t so important in the first place. More a celebrity. It also seems a frustration of critics that Chomsky no longer publishes peer review papers but prefers books and articles.
Some of it does sound intuitively bonkers. For example, Chomsky’s premise that language is innate led him to argue that all humans hold the basis for every word ever said, and every word that ever could be said, in a brain ‘module’ (that did not evolve but appeared spontaneously, perhaps in a mutating burst of space radiation). So, as an example, every neolithic goat keeper held the word “eurocrat” somewhere, somehow in his head. This module did not evolve but was a spontaneous mutation in an individual which enabled improved thinking and evolutionary success. Thus, according to Chomsky, language is primarily for thinking to oneself, and that communicating with others is just a secondary by product.
Phil ..Don’t you think he might mean useful words like… nutcase
Johnstone
I’m not sure what you mean so forgive me if I misunderstand.
“Eurocrat” was a real example that Chomsky acknowledged when he was challenged about this. The other word was “carburettor”. I know, it’s hard to believe but I think it’s going a bit far calling Chomsky a nutter.
I’m not an expert on Chomskyan linguistics, but that sounds rather like a caricature. I would be interested to see chapter and verse for these principles that Chomsky allegedly holds:
– language is innate;
– all humans hold the basis for every word ever said, and every word that ever could be said, in a brain ‘module’;
– this module did not evolve but was a spontaneous mutation in an individual which enabled improved thinking and
evolutionary success;
– language is primarily for thinking to oneself;
– communicating with others is just a secondary by product.
I would wager that these are highly simplified and distorted versions of what Chomsky has actually stated.
JSD
Having zero expertise in linguistics I might well be presenting a caricature. I am busy right now. Let me get back to you with a more satisfying response later today or tomorrow.
JSD
Here are Chmosky quotes which seem to answer your questions.
– language is innate;
source
source
– all humans hold the basis for every word ever said, and every word that ever could be said, in a brain ‘module’;
source
source
source
– this module did not evolve but was a spontaneous mutation in an individual which enabled improved thinking and evolutionary success;
source
– language is primarily for thinking to oneself;
– communicating with others is just a secondary by product.
Well I suppose that once you argue that language appeared as a mutation you have no choice but to say it is not primarily for communicating with others. For how might an improvement not able to be expressed suceed? So:
source
Perhaps Chomsky’s words do not convey what he actually means. However, that would be surprising for such a master communicator. Perhaps these quotes lack context that changes their meaning. That I don’t know. If so, maybe you can shed some light on that.
I appreciate the time you’ve taken very much, Phil, thank you. Some of these assertions do seem rather strange, although looking at the sources they seem quite nuanced. One at least is referred to as a “fable”, so it seems that Chomsky himself does not take it that seriously.
I will wade through them, can’t promise an immediate reply. If I can’t make head or tail of what he is saying, the simplest solution will be to ask him. He’ll answer. I try not to bother him too much because he’s getting on in years and I’m sure he gets thousands of emails. But if I put questions to him, he’ll answer. Cheers. John
JSD
Blimey, you get responses from Chomsky? To let you know before you email him all those quotes are lifted from Knight’s book (which doesn’t impress Chomsky). Presumably Chomsky might recognise that.
I’ve got a document that Knight distributes at his talks about Chomsky. It has a bunch of referenced quotes that might interest you. If you give your consent we might be able to convince the mods to give each other our email addresses and I’ll send it to you.
Otherwise I look forward to your response. I am interested to hear your opinion on this.
There’s no virtue in that. Chomsky answers everybody who writes to him. He always has. He’s well known for it.
Cheers, John
JSD
Here’s a newly published article by long term critic of Chomsky’s linguistics, Daniel Everett. Very interesting, very accessible. I didn’t realise Tom Wolfe has been wading into the argument.
https://aeon.co/essays/why-language-is-not-everything-that-noam-chomsky-said-it-is
The comments on the article are a good mix of praise and criticism. The most succinct rebuttal quoting a joke from elsewhere:
“So, as an example, every neolithic goat keeper held the word “eurocrat” somewhere, somehow in his head.”
This seems to be the discussion with Chomsky which is being referred to here.
” As for “carburetor” and “bureaucrat,” I have to say that my friend Jerry Fodor was a little offended by the fact that the statement you quoted was attributed to me in a recent article (actually it’s his). His proposal, and he wrote to me that he’s sorry that it came up because he can prove that the notion carburetor isn’t innate since he doesn’t even know to spell it. But the fact is that he was making a very serious point. His point was that we have to somehow account for the fact that terms like “carburetor” and “bureaucrat” we do understand, just as we understand “river,” and “tree,” and “person,” and very simple words, and we understand them on the basis of very limited evidence. And we have a rich and complex understanding of them. [1:02:09]
So we’re back to the problem of why we grow arms rather than wings. You can’t just waive your hand about it and say, “well, it’s the culture” because then we have to ask, “How did we acquire the culture?” And as I said, it’s not by taking a pill. The culture is a construction of the mind based on scattered experience. So the answer that Fodor (Fodor takes a stronger position that I do; I don’t want to defend his position); but in general, this is the problem: What is it about the intrinsic nature of our minds that allows us to acquire concepts like “river,” “person,” “tree,” “water,” “book,” “carburetor,” “bureaucrat,” even though we have very scattered experience. And that’s the problem of developmental biology. And the only answer is the only one that anyone knows is the one I just quoted from Hume, talking about our moral nature 250 years ago, and the one that’s assumed by every biologist for everything except human mental qualities. It’s got to come somehow from the intrinsic nature of our minds. And in that respect, it’s innate. The fact that it’s difficult to accept is a sign of our irrationality, because it’s got to be that way, unless it’s a miracle. It’s either a miracle or it’s pretty much along the lines that Fodor suggested, maybe not as extreme as his position.”
http://childsplay.scientopia.org/2010/09/02/754-revision/
Distilling from this long statement, it seems that Chomsky is saying that the ability to acquire concepts like “carburettor”(sp?) and “bureaucrat” is something to do with the innate, intrinsic nature of our minds. Not exactly rocket science, but a long way from the assertion that “every neolithic goat keeper held the word “eurocrat” somewhere, somehow in his head”.
JSD
Chomsky said (source):
Note, he includes ‘book’.
Although in the quote you link to he attributes the quote to Fodor, this is from a book by Chomsky (source):
Here’s Chomsky on language as communication (source):
Really I am only repeating what I grasp from Knight and run a risk of misprepresenting him and/or Chomsky. I am happy to try to continue doing this, later when I have more time, but I will probably not be able to convincingly escape the accusation of quoting out of context. There are also a couple of videos of Knight talking about his book. Although I have not seen them I very much expect he discusses the points I repeat. I’ve got to go to bed now. I’ll look to see if you have responded tomorrow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6SHbCz20Fk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Xn6dZkS2k
“The five chapters that follow are modified versions of the five 1988 Massey lectures I delivered over Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio in November 1988.
These lectures suggest certain conclusions about the functioning of the most advanced democratic systems of the modern era, and particularly, about the ways in which thought and understanding are shaped in the interests of domestic privilege [….] As references indicate, some of the topics touched upon in the text and appendices are explored in further detail elsewhere. Many of them merit serious research projects.
The issues that arise are rooted in the nature of Western industrial societies and have been debated since their origins.
In capitalist democracies there is a certain tension with regard to the locus of power. In a democracy the people rule, in principle. But decision-making power over central areas of life resides in private hands, with large-scale effects throughout the social order.
One way to resolve the tension would be to extend the democratic system to investment, the organization of work, and so on. That would constitute a major social revolution, which, in my view at least, would consummate the political revolutions of an earlier era and realize some of the libertarian principles on which they were partly based.
Or the tension could be resolved, and sometimes is, by forcefully eliminating public interference with state and private power.
In the advanced industrial societies the problem is typically approached by a variety of measures to deprive democratic political structures of substantive content, while leaving them formally intact. A large part of this task is assumed by ideological institutions that channel thought and attitudes within acceptable bounds, deflecting any potential challenge to established privilege and authority before it can take form and gather strength. The enterprise has many facets and agents. I will be primarily concerned with one aspect: thought control, as conducted through the agency of the national media and related elements of the elite intellectual culture.
There is, in my opinion, much too little inquiry into these matters. My personal feeling is that citizens of the democratic societies should undertake a course of intellectual self-defense to protect themselves from manipulation and control, and to lay the basis for more meaningful democracy. It is this concern that motivates the material that follows, and much of the work cited in the course of the discussion.”
Noam Chomsky: “Preface”, Necessary Illusions, Pluto Press, 1989.
Politically Chomsky is an anarcho-syndicalist.
His linguistic work may confirm Hume’s view that reason, like language, is a kind of instinct.
An anarcho-syndicalist who advocates voting democrat at that.
No, I do not think he’s nutcase, far from it ..even through I struggle to understand what he’s talking about most of the time. I just thought it was a more useful random word than ‘eurocrat’. Isn’t he referring to language structure rather than words..but I’m an uncurable dyslexic so no word is innate in my brain, language is a pain and the running spell check a godsend!
Johnstone
Sorry, I was joking about you calling Chomsky a nutter. It was intended to gently deflect from what I suspected may have been aimed at me.
I too do not understand his linguistics. I have only tried briefly but it was immediately unfathomable. However, what I wrote might be understood from Chomsky quotes talking about his linguistics. See my comment above.
Not him nor you..thanks for the backwards link ..the first time I read them I was none the wiser and the second time I was none the wiser. Perhaps when he is listening to his own thoughts, ideas and concepts they make sense but when he writes them down or speaks them out loud they become so complex and convoluted that they are impossible for the average person to follow. Heck it just occurred to me.. Could this indicate an intent at bafflement? Oh dear I hope I’m wrong.
Chomsky uses governments’ own documents to expose their true, rather than their stated stated, policy objectives. He has written a book (with Edward S. Herman) called Manufacturing Consent, about the generation of propaganda and the use of public relations companies to influence voting patterns.
I know nothing about his linguistics.
Craig:
“The perceptive among you may have noted that I face a hell of a dash from Perth to Jaipur. It is however possible. But yesterday I received an email from Jaipur stating that they had changed my talk from 23rd to 20th, when I will get a larger audience. I have replied that this is impossible for me. I am waiting to hear back, but this has potential to go wrong.”
When Murphy set out his law ‘What can go wrong, will go wrong’, he very much had India in mind, so be prepared.
Despite that, I would consider getting there for the first day rather than the last. Btw, I looked at the programme and can’t spot you there nor in the list of speakers?
https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/speakers/
(Pretty crap website for 2017, but that’s India, no vision and declining aesthetics. Unmanageable country; the Chinese continue to whip their ass. India would do better to turn communist. Through this negation, I give credit to the Chinese.)
Yes. On the other hand they only asked for my photo yesterday. Hopefully I shall end up on the list by a couple of days after the end of the event.
I have persuaded them to switch back to the 23rd and I shall dash from Perth. It does mean I shall only have a few hours at the festival, which is not indeed sensible, but I have this obsessive over-sensitivity with not letting people down. I don’t say that to make myself sound good, it’s unhealthy. I remember three times missing speaking engagements this last ten years.
The most spectacular was when I went to Swanwick in Hampshire when I should have been at Swanwick in Derbyshire. I had simply bought a train ticket – the “correct” Swanwick doesn’t have a railway station.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2007/03/things_fall_apa/#respond
The next was when a flight problem out of Ghana caused me to miss an engagement in Reading. The last was much more recent when I found I just couldn’t get from Kyle of Localsh to Stonehaven in less than a great many hours.
The point being that I still experience very strong feelings of shame and guilt when I think about any of them, beyond what is rational. I would be in anguish about cancelling Perth for weeks, no matter how much people tell me the don’t really need me and it won’t be a problem.
I don’t have the same responsible attitude to correspondence. I have come to accept that I just have so much it would be physically impossible to reply to all, or even to all the sensible ones.
Unless someone is paying for you to fly flat-bed business, I would skip it. Even then I would think twice, after all it’s my body being jerked across time-zones back and forth. There are literally hundreds of speakers, it sounds unfocussed. Screw the over-sensitivity (which btw I understand, and you understand from my chiding the more classless commenters here), get over it. Perth is a small event and I understand relative impact. Impact, that is the litmus test.
I would instead focus on promoting the book in India through publisher and usual channels. Go next year, properly planned in advance, get on stage at the weekend, tell them and Dalrymple now. Include a couple of talks/readings well in advance at least in Delhi–India international Centre and Habitat, they are very open to suggestion.
Travel wise, especially at this time of year, be careful with fog etc and transfers between Delhi and Jaipur; although motorable, horrendous; make sure you have adequate travel/life/ad&d insurance fwiw.
Btw like you, I have thousands of unread mails; creative living is worth much more than that!
So as the man said Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Y3KfJs6T0
A great start to 2017, Craig.
Keep on keepin’ on.
Having just got through reading ‘Sikunder Burnes’, I must say I was much more appreciative of Craig’s two previous books.
I do appreciate the historical stuff, but history has always been a bummer to me – who killed who and ruled the roost.
But, it certainly has enlightened me on some aspects of Britain’s damnable role in history.
Also, unlike probably 95% of the readers of this blog, I have actually been in many of the towns involved – ‘frinstance Mashad, Tehran, Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta, Calcutta, Khyber Pass, and more.
Could it be that Murder In Samarkand is based more on first hand experience and is therefore a first hand account?
The latter is, of course, a second or even third hand account.
I wouldn’t read a history book if I had a gun put to my head.
Russia saved Syria from the Libyan genre of chaos and incurred a cost, a retaliation with vengeance i.e a getting even from the US and the West. The 2,700 US troops reported by Reuters accompanied by tanks are moving across Poland toward the Russian border; a binary provocative exercise that consigns Russia to ‘bogeyman’ or threat status while the US military, the CIA, and their whores in the US media are undemocratically pursuing their own agenda independently of the policy of president-elect Trump.
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.764711
Tossers!
http://www.hangthebankers.com/obama-sends-troops-russian-border-ww3-trump-inauguration/
A piece in the Express about how Russia interfered in the independence referendum.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/754332/russia-spies-scotland-independence-referendum-aid-snp-claims-security-expert
Explains a lot.
Explains what exactly? From another “security expert” no less. Sitting up late with his Biggles and Horlicks.
Do you believe the Express story, Fred?
I believe what fits the known facts.
It’s better than the “the BBC always lies and Sputnik always tells the truth” philosophy so prevalent in these parts.
I believe what fits the known facts. It’s better than the “the BBC always lies and Sputnik always tells the truth” philosophy so prevalent in these parts.
Translation : “No I don’t believe the story but other people have an agenda so why shouldn’t I?”
You should learn to think outside your conditioning.
It makes sense that Scottish independence and the weakening of Britain and NATO would benefit Russia doesn’t it?
Isn’t it logical that Russia would use their resources to help a cause which would benefit them?
You should learn to think outside your conditioning.
Anybody that believed Scottish independence would weaken Britain and NATO would have a motive to interfere with the referendum, wouldn’t you agree?
Isn’t it logical that Westminster, the USA, and Nato would use their resources to help a cause which would benefit them?
I think members of the British government certainly did use their resources to campaign for the Union and quite understandably so. Scotland is a part of Britain and a part of NATO, a strong Britain and a strong NATO is in all our interests. Why wouldn’t the people of Britain want what is best for the people of Britain?
… and do you think the British government stopped stop short of using undemocratic means to influence the referendum?
I have no reason to think they didn’t.
Do you think Russia interfered in the democratic process of Britain? Tried to influence British voters to vote for the interests of Russia and against British interests?
To use your formula : I have no evidence that they did. Least of all from the Express story you cited which does not include one single verifiable fact.
You must have been reading the wrong article, the one I posted a link to contained plenty of verifiable facts.
“do you think the British government stopped stop short of using undemocratic means to influence the referendum?”
There is nothing democratic about MI5 and I’m sure most of the UK establishment would see it their duty to deploy in defence of the union.
The question is Node: can you imagine how an independent Scotland might emerge out of this process without a secret police?
I bet a sum of your choice it would exist before the first election. That might not be what you’re fighting for but that’s what will happen.
…. for example?
“…. for example?” was aimed @ Fred.
@Phil Ex-Frog. I wasn’t thinking of MI5. I was thinking of Westminster using the state broadcaster for Unionist propaganda. As much as the Express article says anything, it seems to be suggesting that Russia used its media influence to promote Russian interests. I was probing Fred’s double standards.
And incidentally, I’m not a Nationalist, I’m anti-Westminster. I’ll grasp at any slim chance of escaping that puppet government. At the next election, if I judge Corbyn has more chance of upsetting the PTB than SNP, Labour will get my vote.
Ah, OK. I guess it would have helped had I read the article before commenting. I assumed the resources you were discussing included secret agencies. Well I suppose the same question could be asked of a state broadcaster. For sure an independent Scottish state would have that tool of coercion too.
good luck with your engagements and tight time table. Should ‘fake news’ come up in any of your Q&A sessions, please bear in mind the obsession and guilt of the MSM purveyors who for years have ploughed this furrow to its muddy depth.
Their guilt is dripping from between the layers of half truth and diversions and outright fabrications, like fat from a rendered bull.
The prospect of thinly veiled racism and misogyny that is going to be prevalent when dealing with the next Potus does not disturb them, they will be falling over themselves to cover racist actions this year, from Hungary and Austria to France and Germany’s election campaigns. I’m not worried about Marie le pens Front National being unable to find a loan to finance their campaign, as banks close ranks for fear of being struck down by powerful people in Europe, there will be secret backers found in a world that is turning harsh and nasty.
Next Friday is inauguration day in the US and there are actions planned all over the world including in Glasgow, London, Norwich and some 20 other Cities here in the UK.
It is inevitable that our politicians will deal with this kind of human abomination, they have done this before when their greed and proliferation of trade was more important than any human principles, but it does not mean we have to agree with them.
Please support, and or tell others to turn up and ‘oppose Trump and his racism’ on the steps of City Hall, Norwich next Friday 4-6pm, or Saturdays national demo’s, supported by the TUC, in London Glasgow or elsewhere if you can.
Thanks in advance.
Good luck to Trump, I hope he manages to drain the swamp.
LOL. How many Goldman Sachs appointments does it take to do this draining you speak of?
So far as I am aware Trump has only made one appointment from Goldman. Namely Gary Cohn will head Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers. So I guess the answer to your question is one.
It is true that both Bannon and Mnuchin worked for Goldman in the past – but in both cases that was quite a few years ago.
It is not really important whether someone has worked for Goldman. What is important is whether Goldman have recommended the appointments – i.e. they are Goldman men. It is my understanding that both Bannon and Mnuchin are their own men and not Goldman men.
I would very much second the points made by Loony, which seem to me to be an appropriate corrective to the mindless, knee-jerk comments regarding a “Goldman Sacks conspiracy” one frequently reads on here.
@ Habbabkuk January 15, 2017 at 17:55
‘….which seem to me to be an appropriate corrective to the mindless, knee-jerk comments regarding a “Goldman Sacks conspiracy” one frequently reads on here.’
Exactly, Habs! Almost as ludicrous as asserting that an Israeli associated with the Israeli Government and working out of the Israeli Embassy in London would try to undermine British democracy.
It’s your “understanding”. How quaint. But it’s convinced me. All these brand new faces with brand new ideas. The privileges of the rich are doomed and the poor will soon be free. Ttttttrump!
He is a creature of the swamp. Ask David Attenborough about camouflage. I believe some cat-fish can survive for decades in drought conditions. I think he’s already indicated he’s not going to put the neo-cons in jail even though Hillary reckoned he’d hang the lot of them, if he won.
I have been watching Tillerson’s appearance at the Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation as Secretary of State. It is being shown on Ch 131 BBC Parliament.
http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/011117_Tillerson_Opening_Statement.pdf
Another nasty old male warmonger whose bogeyman is ‘radical Islam’. He repeated the phrase 8 times . Destroying ISIS too is a priority for him but h e was not sufficiently warlike on Russia for Sen. Rubio who gave him a hard time. Sour grapes I assume.
http://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-hearing-011117 9hrs 16mins
A female protester was taken out when he spoke of having ‘the world’s finest fighting force’ meaning the US and other environmental protesters made their ‘Reject Rex’ feelings known. Outside they were wearing dinosaur costumes. Not a popular choice of Trump’s obviously.
@ Sharp Ears January 15, 2017 at 12:59
‘…Destroying ISIS too is a priority for him…’
Well, be interesting to know what he makes of Michael Flynn’s (Trump’s choice for his National Security Adviser) exposure of a 2012 DIA report: ‘Former DIA Chief Michael Flynn Says Rise of Islamic State was “a willful decision” and Defends Accuracy of 2012 Memo’: https://levantreport.com/2015/08/06/former-dia-chief-michael-flynn-says-rise-of-islamic-state-was-a-willful-decision-and-defends-accuracy-of-2012-memo/
Oppose Trump by demonstrating in Norwich – do you have any idea how totally asinine such an idea is? Only a narcissistic virtue signaler could possibly consider such a proposal as anything other than inane.
Obama will leave power as the only US President ever to have been at war for every single day of his Presidency – and yet Trump must be stopped. My God the man is a lunatic – he does not want to go to war with Russia, and he wants to stop funding ISIS.
Trump wants to bring jobs back to the US (and is already succeeding in doing so even before his Presidency has begun). What an horrendous policy. This must be opposed at all costs.
You label Trump a racist but conveniently omit to provide any examples of his racism. Such a tactic is most normally described as a smear, for no other reason than it is the most accurate description.
There is no need for you to become overly exercised regarding “fake news” as you appear to be an expert purveyor of the same.
Calm down dear loony, why would he indulge Marie Le Pen in his Trump tower?
I have not organised this meeting, but I can see what the normalisation of despotic rule in the US could do for its already rotting system.
Who does he mean when he talks of ‘brown people’? does that mean to be you loony?
BTW. I predicted his win 13 month before it happened, because America is broken, polarised led by the nose and dangerously inept to see what’s coming for them.
Since you label me as an ‘expert purveyor of the same’ and conveniently omit any example of this ‘purveying’ you are no more than smearing here, your very own accurate description, now go find your bin.
I have no idea who Trump means when he talks of “brown people” In order to have an idea it would be necessary to know when he said it, who he said it to, and in what context he was speaking.
Even if we are to assume the most pejorative meaning possible then it still seems pretty tame. Certainly tame in comparison to have overseen the bombing and killing of people for every single day of an 8 year Presidency.
Presumably you are (repeatedly) confusing Marie Le Pen with Marine Le Pen. Perhaps your refusal to refer to her by her given name could be interpreted as either racism or sexism – certainly if you applied the same standards to yourself as you are so keen to apply to Trump.
You appear confused. You label Trump a racist but provide no evidence that this is so. The making of evidence free claims is the modus operandi of purveyors of fake news. It is on this basis that I identified you as a purveyor of fake news. You latest offering merely confirms the accuracy of my observation.
I very much hope the “commenter” to whom you are responding will draw the necessary conclusions about himself.
Why would Marine Le Pen need secret backers? “Il nous manque pour la présidentielle de 2017 20 à 25 millions d’euros que les banques françaises refusent de nous prêter. Il n’est donc pas exclu que nous fassions appel à nouveau à des banques russes” declared Wallerand de Saint-Just, treasurer of the Front National.
All part of the fake news agenda so remorselessly pushed by nevermind. Perhaps he is creating a record of his abilities to get a job with the Washington Post.
“Please support, and or tell others to turn up and ‘oppose Trump and his racism’ on the steps of City Hall, Norwich next Friday”
Sorry, have work that day.
Can you PLEASE speak something on Yemen, its getting to be a blot on our entire humanity now, except the chosen,saud/wahab and zio Christians.
You are right: the situation in Yemen is not only disastrous but attributable in considerable measure to the British government which is not only authorising the export of weapons that make the famous ‘barrel bombs’ in Syria seem trivial but are doing so in a country which has long standing connections with Britain.
And all this is being done-tens of thousands of people killed, hundreds of thousands starved, with a generation of children suffering from malnourishment- because a small number of rich people in London will do anything that the Saudi or Bahraini kleptocracies ask of them.
They are serving Roast Arab babies on the menu of the House of Commons today.
Craig
““Noam Chomsky: The Responsibility of Intellectuals”. Half hour papers will be presented by Neil Smith, Milan Rai, Hilary Rose, Chris Knight, Krizta Szendroi, Nicholas Allott, Jackie Walker and finally by me;”
That is a very disappointing format. Knowing the organisers surprising too. In the age of the internet such set pieces make little sense. No debating? Nothing welcome from the floor? Sounds all very academia/public school. Fuck that.
Yeah, up the floor, and down with the capitalistic scum and their bourgeois set-piecism.
Right on comrade Anon1. Onwards to the cliches.
As I’ve already said, with the exception of the great linguist Chomsky I’ve never heard of any of those others characters.
Who are they – leading UK intellectuals or what?
Sharp Ears to do some of her famous “digging” and to report back smartish, thanks.
I don’t watch TV, but This interview by two people that Craig Murray probably doesn’t like – is an Education with regards to what is really going on in American and British politics. Their analyses and honesty is profound.
https://www.rt.com/shows/sputnik/373678-arron-banks-history-politics/
Intro
“Not many rich men put serious money into politics in Britain, and why should they? This is a country where the expenditure of mere thousands can secure a “K” – a knighthood – and a single million can buy you a “P” – a peerage and a seat in Parliament and for life. Arron Banks is unique. Not only has he put many millions of pounds into British politics, he has put it into people, parties and causes which the political class and its media echo chambers agreed were cranks, eccentrics, and above all, had no chance of winning. The rest is history, of course. Farage, UKIP and Brexit have changed the course of that history and none of it could have happened without Arron Banks. And not just his money either. As others have been slow to grasp, Banks is his own man with his own ideas and his own ambitions. He’s even up close and personal with Donald Trump. So we invited him into the Sputnik studio to hear his thoughts about the state of the world today.”
Tony
Well, since Sharp Ears isn’t doing any digging, here is something from Wikipedia about Craig’s co-speaker
HILARY ROSE
A feminist (careful, Mr Goss!). Doesn’t seem too impressive. Note the “Palestinian” connection.
“Hilary Rose has published extensively in the sociology of science from a feminist perspective and has held numerous appointments in the UK, the US, Australia, Austria, Norway, Finland and at the Swedish Collegium for the Advanced Study of the Social Science. She is visiting research professor of sociology at the London School of Economics and Professor Emerita of Social Policy at the University of Bradford. She was the Gresham Professor of Physic between 1999 and 2002.[1] In 1997 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Uppsala University, Sweden [2] for her contribution to the feminist sociology of science.[3] In 2001 her book Love, Power and Knowledge: Towards a Feminist Transformation of the Sciences was listed one of the “101 Best Books of the 20th Century” published by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture.[citation needed] She collaborated for a number of years with the European Commission research division on mainstreaming women scientists in the European research system.[citation needed]
Together with British neuroscientist Steven Rose she gave a three-year lecture series on “Genetics and Society” as joint Professors of Physick at Gresham College London. One of the products of this collaboration was the edited book Alas Poor Darwin: Arguments Against Evolutionary Psychology published in 2000.[4][5] Her most recent books, with Steven Rose, are Genes, Cells and Brains: The Promethean Promises of the New Biology (Verso, 2012) and Can Neuroscience Change Our Minds? (Polity, 2016)
Hilary Rose was one of the founders of the British Committee for Universities of Palestine.[6]
She is widely published, having authored, co-authored or co-edited 13 books and over 150 articles.”
Wait until you get to Jackie Walker – not very nice I’m afraid.
My God, yes – she is really awful. The worst kind of far-left sleazebag.
It is fun digging up all the dirt on all these people and posting it on here, isn’t it.
I’m beginning to see why anther “commenter” likes doing it.
Very selectively, of course 🙂
If you refer to the accusations of Walker’s anti-semitism that really was bullshit. She was just guilty of stupidity and is not at all racist.
What makes you assume that Res Diss was referring to those particular accusations?
Cause it’s the obvious guess. Seems I was correct looking at Res Des comment below.
Jackie Walker is herself of Jewish ancestry and her long-term partner is a respected Jewish Labour activist. The idea that she is anti-Semitic is hilarious.
Did your research on Hilary Rose indicate any hobbies? Maybe home improvements requiring the use of a nail gun, or an interest in weight training?
And here’s Wikipedia on another of Craig’s co-speakers, one
MILAN RAI.
A self-appointed professional demonstrator and disruptor by the sound of it and a jailbird to boot.
He seems to be of Hong King origin. Perhaps he should consider returning to HK and doing a bit of demonstrating and disrupting there against the shenanigans of the Chinese govt.
That would of course probably be rather more dangerous than London so he probably won’t consider it.
“Milan Rai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Milan Rai is a British writer and anti-war activist from Hastings. Along with fellow activist Maya Evans, he was arrested on 25 October 2005 next to the Cenotaph war memorial in London, for refusing to cease reading aloud the names of civilians by then killed in Iraq in the course of the Iraq war. Rai was convicted under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA) for organising an illegal demonstration in the vicinity of Parliament.
In December 2006, Rai and Evans lost an appeal against their convictions. For refusing to pay a fine of £350 (and £150 court costs), Rai was sent to Wandsworth prison in south London for 14 days on 23 August 2007.[1] [2]
This was his fourth prison sentence. Previous prison sentences (14 days in Pentonville in 1995, seven days in Wormwood Scrubs in 1996, and 28 days in Lewes in 2005) were all imposed for similar anti-war protests.
Also taken into account in his 2007 sentencing was a further fine of £100, imposed for organising and participating in anti-war protests during the “No More Fallujahs” tent city demonstration in Parliament Square. Rai’s fine for these offences was imposed in May 2007 – Maya Evans was his co-defendant.
Evans is best known for being the first person to be convicted of participating in an unauthorized demonstration in the vicinity of Parliament under SOCPA. Rai was the first person to be convicted of organizing an unauthorized demonstration in the vicinity of Parliament. Evans and Rai were also, through their May 2007 convictions, the first people to be convicted in the same trial of organizing and participating in unauthorized demonstrations in the vicinity of Parliament – at different parts of the same two-day event.
Their appeal against their SOCPA convictions is currently before the European Court of Human Rights (as of February 2009).
As well as being a co-ordinator of anti-war group Justice Not Vengeance, Rai is co-editor with anti-war artist Emily Johns of the London-based monthly magazine Peace News. Their co-editorship began in March 2007. Rai was a Peace News seller while at school, selling copies to peace activist and poet Stephen Hancock, later a co-editor of the magazine.
Milan Rai became politically active in the campaign against Pershing II and Ground Launched Cruise Missiles – nuclear weapons scheduled to be deployed in Western Europe in the late 1980s.
Rai’s primary organizational affiliations have been with the British Ploughshares movement (1988–1993); ARROW (Active Resistance to the Roots of War; 1990–2003); the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND; 1992–1997); Voices in the Wilderness UK (1998–2003) [3] and Justice Not Vengeance (2003–present).
The Ploughshares movement is an international campaign of direct citizen disarmament of nuclear and other military equipment. ARROW was a London-based affinity group which organized mass actions and carried out a wide variety of campaigns, including a weekly vigil (1991–2003) against the economic sanctions – and then the impending war – on Iraq. CND is Europe’s largest peace organization, devoted to British unilateral nuclear disarmament. Voices in the Wilderness UK, which Rai founded in 1998, a British arm of Voices in the Wilderness in the US, began life as a campaign of direct action against the economic sanctions on Iraq – breaking unjust laws by carrying children’s medicines and other critical civilian goods to Iraq without an export licence. It developed a research function, and became an important part of the British anti-war scene. Justice Not Vengeance, which Rai co-founded in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, is an anti-war campaigning group dealing with an array of issues around the “war on terror”.
Rai has been awarded the Frank Cousins Peace award from the Transport and General Workers’ Union (shared, 1993), and the Peace Award of the Christian peace group Pax Christi (2007).”
Habbabkuk,
I have never come across the name Milan Rai before. Thanks for bringing him to my attention.
He seems like a complete hero to me. The kind of immigrant the UK really needs.
Instead of sending him back to Hong Kong, can we send you back to wherever you have come from?
Don’t you find it, somewhat dark, brown and smelly with your head still stuck up there?
Pull it out, and instead of war – see the sunshine.
Tony
Don’t be vulgar, Opmoc.
Yeah I didn’t know of Rai either. He does sound interesting.
Milan Rai is the author of Chomsky’s Politics, the best introduction to Chomsky’s political thought of which I am aware. I’ll be taking my copy for his signature on the 25th, if he’s willing. He is also a very brave activist who has been to jail for his willingness to act in support of his beliefs, for which, naturally, he is jeered at by people without a fraction of his integrity and guts.
JSD
Hopefully you’ll join us for a drink afterwards.
Very kind of you, thanks! I don’t drink, as I had some problems with it when I was younger. But I’ll be glad to join the throng. J
Hi Tony, can we please have a translation for your Welsh prose.
In return, and because you have given us so many anecdotes from your life, I let you have one of mine.
I have met Milan Rai at a Green party Conference, a quietly spoken but passionate individual who has got lots to say. At that time I happened to be on the peace and defence committee group.
I was surprised that after his excellent speech, he bedded down with us on the cheap £2,- floor accommodation, a sleeping bag was all you needed. He travelled around the world fully equipped, I remember him having a tent on him as well, the man was prepared and speaking up against all sorts or armaments, for peace.
Since I was active in doing my bit at Greenham common, we hit it off talking about it, the psychology of NVDA and why it is miles above anything else.
“At that time I happened to be on the peace and defence committee group.”
__________________
That’s curious. I wouldn’t have put you down as a peaceful man, whether politically in general or on a personal level; after all, have you not announced on a couple of occasions that you were looking forward to giving me a good punch on the nose? And as for defence, I get the impression you would be more than happy to see Western states give up any defence capabilities they may possess.
you see, habby, despite your dire efforts here to illicit information out of people, your lacking humanity and lick spitteling to a rogue state, you know very little about me or the human psyche.
@ Habbabkuk January 15, 2017 at 16:13
‘..A self-appointed professional demonstrator and disruptor by the sound of it and a jailbird to boot….’
Yuk! A jailbird to boot! What a despicable wretch, protesting about illegal wars which put millions into the coffers of our armaments companies and Banksters.
And to round off – Ms KRIZTA SZENDROI.
Well, she’s an academic at UCL (that’s University College, London for the benefit of those Oxford Greatsmen who never heard of the Bullingdon Club) specialising in linguistics.
Sounds pretty innocuous politically .
One of her current research projects is likely to cause at least one frequent “commenter” on here to come out in a rash and it is for that reason that I shall immediately communicate it:
Ҥ Yiddish syntax
I am working with both secular and ultra-orthodox (Hassidic) native speakers of Yiddish living in London on the syntax of pre-WW2 Central Yiddish and current-day Haredi Yiddish spoken in the Stamford Hill Community in London. The research targets various areas of Yiddish syntax, including basic word order, determiner doubling, the syntax and prosody of focus, deaccenting and the acquisition of Yiddish by children in the community.”
Welsh syntax,
Habbabkuk, nad ydych yn unig yn hollol ddiflas, rydych hefyd yn mor drwchus â cachu mochyn.
Tony
Habbakuk
Chris Knight is an anthropolgist who has made a genuinely original, if controversial and marginal, contribution to the understanding of the origins of human culture. But you should definitely beware, he is a filthy commie bastard prone to wearing silly outfits. I like him.
Knight is a long term critic of Chmosky’s linguistics and recently wrote a book arguing (in his own words) why Chomsky’s nonsense became so widely accepted. It’s a fascinating romp. review
Thanks for that heads-up ‘cos I wasn’t meaning to look him up ; three were enough for me.
But, as I said, it’s great fun looking up people and bringing all sorts of things about them – relevant or not – to readers’ attention (“digging up the dirt” is the expression, I believe) and I now understand why some “commenters” devote so much time and effort to the pastime. Let me reassure those “commenters”, if they’re reading this, that I shall endeavour to match them in objectivity and selectivity!
As someone or other said in Dad’s Army “they don’t like it up them, do they”
🙂
I think you will find that even the moderate wing of the Momentum Party have not a few problems with Jackie Walker and her friends from the Trotskist Alliance for Workers’ Liberty – and that’s even before the Israeli Embassy get involved.
https://jillsmomentumblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/jackiew-2/
Yeah that blog post is weak. But I am interested in why you say Walker is awl. I’ve not heard that but awl are certainly trying to take over momentuim. Where did you get that Walker is awl?
Des Res, From your link:
“The Facebook post for which Walker was suspended from the Labour Party in May this year (then quickly reinstated) did not mention Israel either: it complained about insufficient attention to African suffering through the slave trade, and said: “Many Jews (my ancestors too) were the chief financiers of the sugar and slave trade which is of course why there were so many early synagogues in the Caribbean”.
“Walker explains this as a meditation on her personal background. It is hardly just that. In any case, it is not about Israel.”
It’s obviously a thought crime to hate historical acts of apartheid, colonial greed.
The next comment to follow might draw attention to contemporary apartheid colonial greed.
Let’s keep the discussion limited to whether it’s better to nationalise or privatise, because in effect if New Labour were to indicate that they opposed apartheid , colonial greed against any ” other ” group , including Muslims, it would be un-electable, i.e. arranged not to be elected by the MIs.
I thought that catch- phrase was a reference to Kitchener’s campaign against the Mahdi and the fuzzy-wuzzies, the full gory details of which are still subject to the Official Secrets Act
Thanks for the link. It adds to my feeling that the panel discussion will be very interesting. glad to see that poor Jackie Walker, a victim of the Regev’s Embassy dirty tricks will be there. Wish that I could be.
The complete and utter crazy neocon loon in Westminster finally says something funny. Boris does it all the time – naturally (yes I have heard about the allegations – but I have no evidence that they are true)
“Britain will ‘not take it lying down’ if UK is banned from EU markets after Brexit”
says Philip Hammond
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/15/britain-will-not-take-lying-uk-banned-eu-markets-brexit-says/
(they are not doin’ jigi jigi together are they)?
Tony
Tony
You try talking sense with a poker up your backside, and ventriloquist like Theresa May. Humour often derives from incongruity, and every good ventriloquist takes the mick out of their dummy, or lets the dummy take the mick out of their puppet master. While we are watching the comedy show, dirty deals are being done in the background about which we are not supposed to know.
“The most spectacular was when I went to Swanwick in Hampshire when I should have been at Swanwick in Derbyshire. I had simply bought a train ticket – the “correct” Swanwick doesn’t have a railway station.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2007/03/things_fall_apa/#respond ”
Made me laugh. Thanks. We have a friend who does that kind of thing all the time. Leaves us with lots of anecdotes for the get-togethers we no longer throw.
Ms G Karimova’s Swiss court appointed lawyer has been to see her with Swiss prosecutors. She is under house arrest in Tashkent. WSJ today.