It is sickening that Spanish courts continue to jail, and remove from political life, Catalan politicians who are the victors in democratic elections. That the European political class and media is almost entirely complicit and supportive in this truly vicious repression of the Catalan people, has shocked many of us to our core, and made us realise how thin is the veneer of democracy and how fragile are the rights we believed we held.
If the UK were any kind of a democracy, opposition parties would have held firm against the rush to conflict with Russia, until serious and thorough investigation of the Skripal case had yielded real results. At the very least, you would expect to see a select committee of the House of Commons call the head of Porton Down to give evidence and quiz him about the level of certainty they have of the identity and the Russian manufacture of the substance which poisoned the Skripals.
Instead, we have seen all the establishment parties fall over themselves to appear as belligerent and faux-Churchillian as May and her pipsqueaks, in order to placate the tabloids. This is ludicrous. You cannot out-jingo the Tories, and the rush to increase international tension benefits nobody except the armaments and security industries.
I am obliged to say I was disgusted by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP leadership and their premature condemnations of Russia. By coincidence I spent much of last week at pro-Indy events and I have to say I found this disgust almost universal.
The odd voice was prepared to offer the usual Nicola excuse of “She is trying not to alienate the Unionists”. But what is the point of not alienating the Unionists by, to all intents and purposes, becoming a Britnat yourself? The continued failure – for years now – of the SNP to argue to the public the case for Independence, the attempt to dodge Indyref2, all of it leaves me to feel that the SNP leadership have got their feet under the table within the UK, as a form of controlled opposition.
The SNP leadership are far happier talking about which powers devolve to Holyrood from Brussels, and which stay at Westminster, than they are talking about Independence. I don’t give a damn about the precise contours of the devolution settlement; I want my country to be free of Westminster entirely, and soon.
We are not yet subject to the extreme state repression afflicting our counterparts in Catalonia, but you can be certain the Tories have noted the template, and that other Western political leaders will support them if they start putting people like me in the pokey for thirty years for sedition. Sadly it has become abundantly clear that there is no danger of the highly paid SNP elected representatives, their SPADs, and party bureaucrats, ever putting themselves in that position.
They would be with those handing down the sentences, as their attitude to Carla Ponsati shows.
Just as MEPs lined up one after another in the European Parliament to defend Francoist thugs batoning grandmothers trying to vote as the “rule of law”, and use the same excuse for lengthy sentences for political prisoners, so there was an echo of this distancing in Nicola Sturgeon’s response to the extradition of Catalan campaigner Carla Ponsati through the Scottish courts, potentially to spend the rest of her life in a Spanish jail just for peacefully campaigning for freedom for her country.
Nicola referred to “the fact our justice system is legally obliged to follow due process in the determination of extradition requests”. She too is hiding behind “the rule of law” and thus turning a blind eye to the Francoist attack on fundamental rights.
Very few voters of the SNP put Nicola Sturgeon into parliament in order to warm her toes at the Robert Adam fireplaces at Bute House, while Catalan leaders are dragged from Scotland to a terrible repression. The SNP leadership have become far too adept at speaking with British Establishment voices and thinking with British Establishment minds.
At some stage they have to accept that achieving Scottish Independence is in itself a revolutionary act, and that it will never be achieved without real constitutional conflict with the UK, the sort of political conflict which has attended the birth of every independent state. If you are afraid to do something “unconstitutional” under the present repressive system, you have no right to pretend to be a part of the Independence movement.
For Sturgeon to hide behind the Edinburgh High Tory Scottish legal establishment and wash her hands, Pontius Pilate like, over the extradition of Carla Ponsati is simply unacceptable.
Saving this brave woman is as noble a cause to launch a constitutional crisis as one might wish for. The Holyrood parliament must pass a Bill forbidding the extradition of Ponsati and the Scottish government must order Police Scotland to enforce it. We need finally to show we are serious about challenging the UK. If Sturgeon declines, then the Scottish people must physically defend Ponsati. And the Independence movement must fundamentally reconsider its leadership and strategy.
It seems that not a single “journalist” had the temerity to ask the deranged NATO secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, whether Britain had invoked Article 5. He refers to a Russian “attack” in Salisbury, but stops short of saying it was an attack on a NATO member state, calling it instead an action on “NATO territory” (Salisbury residents may be surprised to learn that their city is NATO territory!) and “reckless”. If someone had isolated Sergei Skripal and then stabbed him, that would have been more prudent and careful, would it?
Stoltenberg, as well as being a cultist nutcase you are a f***ing silly sod!
Craig,
You were the darling of the press in regards to the Skripal case. Everybody was quoting you. But, just when it became interesting, you lost your voice? Why? Could it because Porton Downs confessed that it had the so-called novichok nerve agent in its storage at the time of the Skripal attack? Doesn’t this suggest that the Skripal attack could be a MI6 operation? Or could you have perhaps listened to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s meeting with the 150 ambassadors? If you haven’t, here is the transcript translated into
english:http://thesaker.is/full-translated-transcript-of-the-russsian-mfa-on-the-skripal-false-flag-operation/
A few days later, the Ministry reported that they found a 1998 database in which the U.S. reported that they had developed a novichok type of nerve agent. How interesting! Could the Skripal attack be a joint MI6/CIA operation?
Any thoughts?
“At some stage they have to accept that achieving Scottish Independence is in itself a revolutionary act,” Smacks of your ill conceived UDI adventure of some time back. I thought independence was meant to be:-
1. A means to an end, NOT the utopian end you seem to think is attached to it.
2. An expression of the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland. Not some ex soviet block kid on republic.
As for Nicola Sturgeon, she is limited in her statements by the responsibilities of office, the highesr office in the country. You are not.
As regards Independence. Brexit was always going to sideline that ambition. And why wouldn’t it? Predicating a second referendum on the back of the Brexit result was a non starter. Obvious to a lot of people, if not Nicola Sturgeon.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Scottish Independence will not be achieved through the ballot box. The BritNat establishment has already shown this to be true. The sooner Scots realise this the sooner we will have independence.
The ONLY way independence will be acheived in Scotland is through the ballot box. To attempt this in any other way will not be legitimate.
The Scottish people will not accept it. I, as a supporter of independence (long before it became fahsionable to do so) will NOT accept anything other than a majority vote. The EU won’t accept it, the UN won’t accept it. World governments would not recognise it as valid.
To think otherwise is exremely naive & does the independence movement no good at all.
If the Indepnce movement cannot persuade a majority too vote in it’s favour, you know what? Too bad.
The Catalans had a democratic vote which was subverted and sabotaged by violence on the part of the Spanish state. Despite being legal the EU, the UN and other world governments did not accept the result. Further, many have failed to condemn the facist actions of the Spanish state at all. I am particularly disappointed by the EU’s response. When it comes to some unproven allegations about Russia the EU is quick to take action, yet verifiable fascism is ignored.
Make no mistake, Scotland’s fate will be the same as Catalonia’s should we not go back in our box and hold another referendum without the English government’s approval. To say otherwise is delusion.
If Scotland’s people are sovereign, then by extension our elected representatives exercise sovereignty on our behalf. A vote in the Scottish Parliament to repeal the Act of Union should be enough to dissolve the current constitution insofar as Scotland is concerned.
And finally, your statement: “To attempt this in any other way will not be legitimate.” is simply nonsense. Had there been no other way to achieve independence but through a plebiscite then world would still be controlled by the British Empire.
You miss the point. The Catalan vote was illegal under Spanish Law. Therein lies the issue that Catalonia & Spain badly need to address. The EU will not support regions (as they see it) trying to break away from the member state. Where is the Eu’s support for Scotland? Nowhere to be seen. Despite the overwhelming Remain vote in Scotland. The Russian allegations may “unproven” in your eyes. The reaction of world governments suggest they are convinced of the case against Russia. Far too many people jump to the defence of an obnoxious regime led by a cohort of crooks.
There is so such thing as an “English Government”
The Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament exist through a legally binding agreement. Constitutional arrangements between the UK Government & the devolved governmnets are reserved matters. The Scottish Government, the Parliament & it’s elected representatives have no legal compentency to change it. Therefore they are not “sovereign” at all.
You cannot switch a democracy on & off simply because you disagree with the result, or don’t like how it looks. If you wish to change it, make a case, convince the voters of it and go from there.
Let’s agree to disagree and leave it at that.
Craig, you have hit the nail on the head here. For some time I have believed that the upper echelons of the SNP have been ‘got at’.
To paraphrase Gramsci ‘ if you become part of the establishment, you will never change it’. And that is where we are with the SNP. Way too cosy being a devolved government (accepting the rules of the game set out by WM) rather than being a genuine vehicle for independence. If they really were committed to independence they would see the obvious problem of not standing up for Ponsati and handing her over to the Francoists, contrary to the rights and legal protection we all thought we had as EU citizens.Because the logical extension is that WM will do the same thing to them. But WM won’t need to because the Catalonians have far braver, more principled and less obsequious politicians than we are ‘blessed’ with in Scotland.
Craig,
Are you in favour of Scottish “independence” within the EU? Or do you support complete independence outside the EU? The former is the SNP position and I have surmised this to be the Marxist synthesis since the EU is fully committed to a technocratic dictatorship in due course; with a fine hazy covering of “democracy” for public consumption.
“(Theresa May) told MPs she had seen no evidence that UK democratic processes had been successfully interfered with by Russia.”
Well the rest of us have! How does she think she got her arse into No.10? Remind me which channel it was that UKIP leader Nigel Farage (remember him?) used to appear on so much?
BBC?
And Russia Today.
Without Nigel Farage, Theresa May would not be prime minister now.
(And if Farage spoke like David Cameron and had the same background, he would be prime minister now. But that’s another point, and doubly counterfactual because he wouldn’t have won the referendum had he been in the elite.)
Craig, the international community of thinking people needs your posts! Please don’t stop sharing your thoughts on the Skripals’ affair despite all possible pressure! Your input is invaluable.
Did the sad Skripal attack happen co-incidentally around this time
© 2018 Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie Aktualisiert am: 27.03.2018 11:00:00
BSH approves Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Hamburg, 27.3.2018 On 27 March 2018, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency issued a permit for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Baltic Sea.
Following intensive review, including the conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment, BSH has been granted a permit for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in particular for shipping and the marine environment, for a requested length of approx 31km in the German EEZ.
BSH President Monika Breuch-Moritz explains: “In addition to technical specifications for safe construction and operation, the protective measures ordered and implemented by Nord Stream 2 also include a window of opportunity to avoid effects on resting birds.”
As part of the procedure in Germany, the other Baltic Sea countries were also involved in a transboundary environmental impact assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Espoo Convention. The comments received during the approval procedure were discussed in Stralsund from 17 to 21 July 2017 together with the Bergamt Stralsund, the project sponsor and authorities, including Polish authorities and associations.
Now that the Bergamt Stralsund has already granted the necessary permits under mining law, with the approval of the BSH, all permits required in Germany for the project are now available. The permits from Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia are still outstanding.
The entire pipeline runs about 1225 km through the Baltic Sea from the Russian Narva Bay to Lubmin. The pipeline system comprises two parallel pipeline strands with a diameter of 1.2 m each and a transport capacity of approx. 27.5 billion cubic meters per year. Nord Stream 2 will mainly be laid in parallel with the Nord Stream pipeline system, which has been in operation since 2011, and will be operational in autumn 2019.
more at German Federal Agency for Maritime Navigation and Hydrography website here:- http://www.bsh.de (Their website seems a bit poorly at present, I could only grab a text cache of the above info)
How precisely could the Scottish gvnm intervene? If the exec were to interfere with the judiciary, wouldn’t this be setting a dangerous precedent? And couldn’t the judiciary simply refuse to do what Sturgeon tells them to do? We are banging against the limits of devolution.
‘i’ve seen a lot of positioning by people who – quite rightly – support the Catalan struggle for independence [and] support the position of Clara Ponsati. But the position is fundamentally correct, that the Scottish Government has taken, and the Justice Secretary has taken, and Nicola Sturgeon has taken: it is not for government ministers to interfere in the judicial process in this country. We have an independent judiciary, and due process will take place.
Clara Ponsati welcomes the support of the Scottish Government, she welcomes the support of the Scottish people, but she also has stated it is correct that the courts in this country will now decide what is her fate. That’s due process – that’s the way the system works in this country.
If there’s any further interference, then the real question that will be asked is what will be the difference between our courts or our government and the Spanish Government? It’s really not for government ministers to interfere.’ Aamer Anwar Ponsati’s Lawyer.
If you believe in an Independent Judicial system, you likely also believe in the Tooth Fairy. There are so many ways to influence a Judicial system and we have seen it so many times, with the Dr David Kelly Enquiry, the Chilcott enquiry, The Birmingham 6 and Guldford 4 judgements.et al.
British Justice is a farce and dressed up in solemn décor to bamboozle the little people. Pigs and lipstick come to mind.
The recent Skirpal affair should remove all illusions of an impartial system, conviction before proof.
There is little faith in the political, Police or Judiciary system left. This is very dangerous. Lack of faith in the system is the road to anarchy.
The internet has revolutionised the flow of information. It is difficult to hide the truth.
Unfortunately many are disengaged and are unprepared for the coming turmoil.
The Internet has made it incredibly easy to hide the truth, just in plain sight rather than behind lock and key.
It is possible to use a number of little truths to peddle a viewpoint that is, in itself inaccurate, but reinforces misconceptions that people hold. That is the truth behind the CA/SCL/FB story.
In a world where the normal purveyors of truth can be shown to be inaccurate where do people go for their truth? Some people be able to analyse news sources in a sceptical manner so as to take into account the underlying agenda. To look at “why are they telling me this” as well as what is being said. In reality most seem to surround themselves with sources that support their previously held views. That includes this blog and the viewpoints of our host.
Society is built on a set of core beliefs. One of ours is the impartiality of the British Justice system. As with all systems it is open to abuse and can be manipulated. Should that mean it is cast aside? What would you replace it with? Pigs?
Turkish government-paid imams told their flocks that the Kurds in Afrin were non-believers and to make jihad against them. President Erdogan is responsible for this latest twist against truth in the middle East. Erdogan is accountable for his actions to NATO, but NATO has been completely silent over Erdogan’s Islamist crimes for a very long time. The fixing of elections, enabling autocratic governments to over-ride the will of the people will result in consequences like Leave the EU, a pure rebellion against Cameron.
I draw a parallel between this and the EU’s position that Catalan Independence is un-democratic. The fact that it may have by-passed certain rules of the Spanish constitution does not make it un-democratic just because the EU says it is. Further down the line either the Spanish or the Ctalans will rebel, even to the extent of leaving the EU. Like Brexit that may be good or it may be bad for Spain, but either way it will be the result of trying to manipulate the democratic principle.
The Salisbury farce will give the Tories a slap in the face at the next election, back to where they should have been before Nick Clegg shoe-horned them back into power. The Tories broke the economy of the entire world by their stupid economics. Then they broke international peace by openly backing Al Qaida, whom they are now rescuing frpm Eastern Damascus to Idlib. Now they are busy breaking international justice, by pre-judging the Skirpal case before seeing the evidence. World leaders have become accustomed to overriding democracy at their own peril. The backlash will be very severe.
There’s a crowdfunder well underway to help Clara Ponsati’s defence against extradition
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/defendclara/
This is important, not just for the obvious moral reasons. If a Scottish court decides that extradition endangers her human rights, that sends a strong message to the EU that sanctions need to be applied to Spain.
Sadly (and unusually), I disagree with Craig’s position that the SG should apply pressure to the judiciary. It’s vital for freedom that governments should not interfere with the application of the law.
I agree totally.
In an independent Scotland would Craig really, seriously want the judiciary to be seen as a mere organ of the government, whatever its colour?
In the present case, it really is not for Scotland’s government to intervene, but to allow due process to follow its course, including if necessary an appeal to the ECHR.
Otherwise I do agree the independence movement needs to remain solid and united and to continue to focus on the ultimate goal of a fully independent, sovereign Scottish state, and to use all means at its disposal to that end.
.
Robert
Yes an amazing Leval of support Re the Clara Ponsati fund..it smashed the original target in just two hour..The National reported the fund at over £69.000 at 10;16 am..and now it’s at Over £94.000
it has went up by almost £5.000 since I started typing this ..Brilliant
Is this really all the information the UK has published to the USA and the other countries to “prove” Russian involvement in the Skirpal case? Surely there just be something more! It seems to me to be just accusations not proof.
https://www.kommersant.ru/docs/2018/UK_Briefing.pdf
Thanks Jim. That is so feeble, and factually/legally inaccurate.
The document is completely void of evidence and intentionally misleading. The war in Afghanistan was apparently prosecuted on as little substance, essentially a list of talking points delivered to the international community. It still rumbles on.
Indeed. So still no actual evidence of any kind, just ludicrous assertions and speculation. The whole thing is a farce.
Well each page elicited a “wow” from me. There is zero fact in this ; only allegations and lies. There might be facts behind the scenes, but we have not been made privy to them.
It is difficult to conceive of these people as being “in charge”. It has all the hallmarks of simple propaganda.
Indeed. It’s nonsense and looks like it was drawn up by a student or someone on work experience.
The media is embroidering the story today. His next door neighbour came on saying what a nice man Mr Skripal is, remembering his birthdays and so on. Then we have had his niece being interviewed in Russia, quite tearful and worried that Mr Skripal’s mother has not been told he has been ‘poisoned’ and is in hospital.
The media are unsure whether to keep going on Salisbury in order to smear Putin and Russia, or to concentrate on the disaster in Siberia – poor construction, bribery on safety certificates, no fire alarms. Of course that was all Putin’s fault.
Has Her Maj’s ‘government’ sent condolences to Russia on the tragedy of the Keremovo fire disaster?
What about the governments of Scotland and Wales??
>
I believe May has indeed sent condolences to Putin regarding the Keremovo fire. The BBC however could not quite bring itself to report that the fire had happened in Russia, reporting only that it had happened in Siberia.
Yes. Theresa was at her most sympathetic (if that is possible) yesterday in the HoC. I don’t suppose she has dropped a line to Putin though.
Theresa May …’As I have made clear before, we have no disagreement with the Russian people who have achieved so much through their country’s great history. Indeed, our thoughts are with them today, especially the friends and families of those who died in the awful shopping centre fire in Kemerovo in Siberia.’.
Boris Johnson…’Like many on both sides of the House, I have been very careful to make the distinction between our quarrel with the Russian state and our position with the Russian people. I echo the heartfelt sympathy voiced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister about the horrific fire in the shopping centre in Kemerovo in Siberia, which claimed the lives of scores of people, including children. It is vital to state that our differences have never been with the Russian people, whose artistic, cultural, literary and musical achievements are matchless. Our quarrel, as I say, is with the Kremlin, whose approach is to conjure up the spectre—the turnip ghost, if you like—of foreign enemies to cement domestic support.’
Compare the two. She does not love the Russians. Boris actually sounds more compassionate.
https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-03-26/debates/B5EF4CEE-D0E9-4613-81C4-DDD9F03015EE/NationalSecurityAndRussia
‘ Dear President Putin, I am writing to express my condolences following the tragedy at the Winter Cherry shopping complex in Kemerovo.
“The thoughts and prayers of the British people are with the families who have lost loved ones in such terrible circumstances.”
https://www.facebook.com/ukinrussia/
Big deal Theresa.
Nothing, of course, about they got what they deserved for voting for him overwhelmingly despite the massive efforts against him by the UK”s deep state.
Sharp Ears, did you miss…
“PS. Thank you so much for encouraging your comrades to make donations to the Conservative Party. Their cash was a vital component in our last election!”
Here is the next door neighbour.
‘Salisbury nerve agent attack: Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia ‘should be allowed to die’
Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia remain in a critical condition in hospital after a nerve agent attack earlier this month.
08:43, UK,
Wednesday 28 March 2018
Video:
‘Show spy mercy – let him die’
The best friend of Sergei Skripal believes the poisoned double agent and his daughter Yulia are so critically ill they should be allowed to die.
Ross Cassidy, a haulage contractor, met Mr Skripal when he moved in next door in Salisbury in 2010, shortly after the Russian arrived in a spy swap with Moscow.
/..
https://news.sky.com/story/salisbury-nerve-agent-attack-sergei-skripal-and-daughter-yulia-should-be-allowed-to-die-11306692
Jeremy Corbyn and Jennie Formby plan to appoint a general counsel and in-house legal team to deal with anti-semitism – as number of unresolved cases is revealed to be ‘around 70’. Just a third have been sent for full investigation.
Good thing Chakrabarti got a peerage for finding no anti semitism in the Labour party…
Much more interested in North Korea giving what nukes it had, ones which could not withstand re-entry into the atmosphere to China, so it and Russia would defend it if the mad Yanks went along with John Bolton for nothing!
“£600,000+ in donations to a group whose specific stated purpose is to fight elections, and not a penny of it apparently declarable.”
Could it be that the Electoral Commission are tacit on doing anything because SIU, was backed by extremely rich and well connected English businessmen and women celebrities and politicians.
Their details were released to a third party but not made public, because London’s very best lawyers stopped the third party doing so.
Here is the EC’s timid response.
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/journalist/electoral-commission-media-centre/news-releases-donations/statement-on-scotland-in-union
Treeza passed the buck in reply to Ian Blackford and Caroline Lucas in today’s PMQs when they raised the issue of dodgy donations via the back door.
Ian Blackford
We know that before the EU referendum the Democratic Unionist party received £425,000 from the Conservative-run Constitutional Research Council, chaired by Richard Cook, the former vice-chair of the Scottish Tories. We know that some of that money was given to Aggregate IQ, a reported franchise of Cambridge Analytica. We know that Chris Wylie is “absolutely convinced” of a common purpose between Vote Leave, BeLeave, Veterans for Britain and the DUP. The shady business of data mining and undermining electoral laws goes right to the heart of the Prime Minister’s party. Will the Prime Minister issue the full details of the transactions between the DUP and the Scottish Tory-linked CRC?
The Prime Minister
The right hon. Gentleman refers to the issue of Vote Leave. As I have just said, I understand that this matter has already been investigated twice by the Electoral Commission. He raises questions about inquiries. If there is an allegation of criminal activity, that should be taken to the police. The regulator of election spending is the Electoral Commission, so if there is an allegation of breaches of campaign spending or campaign funding rules, that should be taken to the Electoral Commission. My understanding is that the Electoral Commission does indeed investigate these and will continue to do so when allegations are brought to its attention.
_______
Caroline Lucas
The Cambridge Analytica revelations suggest that there is something rotten in the state of our democracy. The current electoral law is woefully inadequate at dealing with the combination of big money and big data, so will the Prime Minister commit to urgent cross-party talks to kick-start a process to ensure that we have a regulatory and legal framework that is up to the challenge of dealing with the digital age?
The Prime Minister
As I have said previously, clearly the allegations relating to Cambridge Analytica are concerning, because people should be able to have confidence about how their personal data is being used. It is right that we are seeing the Information Commissioner investigating this matter. I expect Facebook, Cambridge Analytica and any others involved to co-operate fully with the Information Commissioner’s Office in the investigation that is taking place. As I said earlier, our Data Protection Bill will strengthen the powers of the Information Commissioner, but it will also strengthen legislation around data protection, as will the other steps that the Government are taking—for example, through our digital charter. This is a Government who are committing to making sure that this is a safe place to be online.
https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-03-28/debates/0CC1ED1A-90AA-4066-97BE-7BED0A1AD745/Engagements
Sociologist Ivan Ermakoff examines the complex processes whereby groups collectively abdicate power in his excellent book Ruling Oneself Out – A Theory Of Collective Abdications.
Using the two paradigmatic cases of the German Reichstag’s passing of the Enabling Bill in March 1933 and the French National Assembly’s surrender of all legislative and constitutional powers to Marshal Petain and his Vichy regime in July 1940, Professor Ermakoff delineates the processes that can see political peer groups and reference groups relinquish power to unscrupulous challengers.
At a time when the authoritarian Tory government is pushing to divest Holyrood and the Senedd of meaningful power there are a few paragraphs in the early part of chapter two in Ermakoff’s 2008 book which articulate the situation Scotland and Wales face:
“Groups that abdicate their constitutional authority abdicate their capacity to determine their own fate. They consent to abandoning their right to setting regulating principles for themselves. Once this constitutional authority has been transferred without institutional guarantee the challenger cannot properly speaking abuse his power. Any constitutional act falls within the scope of the delegation. Therefore the challenger cannot credibly commit himself not to abuse his power. His verbal promises, whatever they may be, have no binding quality.”
“Note furthermore that constitutional requests disregarding accountability and institutional guarantees would have little raison d’etre if they were not motivated by an authoritarian agenda. What is the point of requesting unrestricted constitutional capacity if not to maximize power? Groups faced with such requests have good reasons to suspect that the claimant harbors authoritarian goals. His demands are revealing of a broader political project: he seeks unrestricted power. Legal interpretations confined to formal issues miss the point if they do not take into account this political subtext. A legal exegesis reveals the scope of the power transfer. A political interpretation lays bare its underlying agenda and motivations.”
A lot of truth in that reel guid.
Meanwhile as the Labour councillor who racially abused Humza Yousef is urged to resign. A Perth Tory councillor links to pages that shows Humza Yousef’s head photoshopped onto the body of an Iraqi soldier, in a derogatory way.
The page also has a heading using a derogatory term of Alex Salmond.
Solution? Ruthie will call for the usual “diversity training” but the truth of it all is sheer hatred.
http://www.thenational.scot/news/16120191.perth-tory-councillor-apologises-over-salmond-social-media-row/?ref=mrb&lp=6
Ros
There have been a few antics from Perth & Kinross Tories lately. And there is a by-election in the Highland ward for P & K Council in three weeks.
In 2017 the Tories had 45.4% in 1st preferences and the SNP had 36.5% 1st preferences.
What is particularly interesting is that last year a young left leaning pro-federalism and pro-remain guy got elected with 10.6% of 1st prefs. Since he’s one of the incumbents he isn’t standing in the by-election and it’s not likely many of his votes will head to the Tories.
Should have mentioned the pro-federalism guy is an independent councillor.
Meanwhile the Fluffmeister, David Mundell, acts against Scotland’s interests again. As Scotland and Wales are seen as comparable to a English County Council.
http://www.thenational.scot/news/16120073.david-mundell-argues-against-scotland-having-a-say-in-immigration/?ref=mr&lp=3
Because of course the Tory plan is to run Scotland from the new purpose built Scottish Office HQ in Leith. With Holyrood rendered a talking shop for a while until they start a campaign that says it isn’t needed at all.
This article makes clear the priorities for the Tories elected here in Scotland. Beggars belief why a Scotsperson would vote for these aliens.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/if-the-scots-had-won/
An update on Syria from the carpet seller in Coventry.
”Syria Observatory for Human Rights; so far 25,000 people transported to Idlib from Easternghouta ; new convoy expected to depart from Erbeen today; 101,000 people crossed into govt controlled territory; 37,000 stayed in their towns under govt control”
Bad news for the resident Bin Laden lovers. Even their own supporters can’t hide the reality of the Syrian war. A tiny minority of US/Brit/EU/Israe/Saudi funded slags terrorizing Syrian men, women and children as prisoners in their own homes as human shields.
All for the 1%.
I wonder what Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell, Total, BAE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin et al next move will be? More Russian diplomatic expulsions? More manufactured ”aggression”? More death and destruction?
You betcha.
@ knuckles March 28, 2018 at 12:59
I agree with all that, except the ‘Bin Laden’ quip. There was and is no evidence he was guilty of what he was accused of, much like Russia now in the Skripal case – just allegations and faked videos and audio tapes. As that subject is verboten here, I’ll just say I accept your intended meaning, which I take to be ‘Western proxy mercenary headchopper lovers’.
And don’t expect our intrepid MSM to be breaking their necks to cover the joy of the released ‘hostages/human shields’, any more than they did when Aleppo was liberated.
Dear Craig
You are right on Catalan but badly wrong on Russia.
No civilised person cannot support people pursuing democratic freedoms. However on Russia, you sound like Mr Corbyn ie the right answer is doing the exact opposite of Western policy and siding with our enemies. Some people’s hatred of this country can cloud their judgement
All the best
Mr Millwall Emperor, please explain Western policy and who our enemies are.
The grand game is over, its big business and NATO that are singing for you and its out of tune.
let us know what you think of this professionally carried out false flag in Salisbury, or go back to the DM readers blog.
‘Some people hatred of this country’ should have read ‘this belligerently held back country’.
When you offend a lot of countries and people for decades/hundred of years, then step back leaving your rubble in their hands, you must not wonder that some are left bereft of civility, having learnt all the bad habits from their colonialists.
And you must understand the difference between hatred and pity.
Have you ever felt betrayed by y/our country? Do you think you have a fair democratic vote in y/our country?
If the Catalans can’t determine their own future, you weren’t able to since Cromwell died, then nobody in the world can. I hope you are blessed enough to understand that Scottish, NI and Welsh self determination will bust even the last pretensions of empire in y/our heads.
How many more catastrophic wars do these people need to lie us into before you start questioning what they’re telling you?
As far as I was aware, Russia is an ally. Which enemies are you talking about?
@ Mr Millwall March 28, 2018 at 13:15
Jeremy Corbyn was the only one to strike the correct note – no condemnation without evidence.
If you can’t see that, you need to go to more than Specsavers.
The deplorable denunciation he got for doing the right thing, matches up with what happened to the previous ‘JC’, 2000 years ago.
So Kim Jong Un, has made his first foreign visit since taking power in North Korea on 2011.
He visited China, probably summoned by Xi Jingping, to not only reaffirm their alliance whifh has suffered somewhat lately with Kim’s very public spat with Donald Trump, a few months back.
No doubt Xi would’ve spoken to Kim about nuclear weapons, and that his ideal boast to use them if attacked could destabilise the region. Xi would’ve been realky pointing out that, that would damage not only NK’s weak economy but China’s as well, something Xi won’t tolerate.
Kim is due to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April, and US President Donald Trump in May.
Meanwhile as Donald Trump said, that he could not rule out military intervention in Venezuela, which has the world’s largest oil reserves.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves_in_Venezuela
The US military are holding exercises ten miles from Venezula, they have also done so in the past, claiming they’re just practicing in the region.
It’s no secret that the Great Satan ( consecutive US administrations foreign policies) wants a regime change in Venezula. To install a compliant puppet that will allow big oil and gas to virtually rob Venezula of its mineral wealth, a rerun of Iraq, or Afghanistan or Libya if you like.
US unjust sanctions and biased news reports, along with CIA backed anti-government groups, have to some extent destablised the Venezulan economy.
Ros
Not to mention a rerun of Iran and Mossadeq in the 1950s. That was the template. Lovely Britannia was also very much involved in that.
Forgot link apologies.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article206634549.html
reel guid.
Yes indeed, Mark Curtis’s book Secret Affairs touches on that, I recommend it.
Don’t see why you posters aren’t interested in Kim Jong-un’s concessions and far-seeing compromises are of no importance.
https://www.ft.com/content/8836cff0-31a6-11e8-ac48-10c6fdc22f03
“German politicians divided over expulsion of Russian diplomats
Left deeply split on Moscow, while right says move is against national interest”
So May, Boris and company have even caused fractures in Merkel’s fragile coalition. Everything is working out perfectly and going to plan with lots of unexpected bonuses!
What could possibly go wrong?
The OPCW investigation report is going to be pored over in great detail with many looking for any wording that has been altered added by the UK government. OPCW reputation is on the line with this one.
I sent an e-mail to the OPCW reminding them of this, expecting not to get and answer….I didn’t.
As with a lot of pieces of important declarations, agreements, investigations over the centuries it will probably be worded to be vague so all sides will interpret it to their own satisfaction. Can’t remember the name that describes that.
Investigation is pointless. It will just say what we already know – i.e that a novichok was used (presumably) and that it is a formula that was at once time made in the USSR.
So no evidence whatsoever of Russian involvement. Any lab in any country could have manufactured this. More likely to be US/Western intelligence than Russia.
@ Dave Edwards March 28, 2018 at 14:36
Anodyne?
Actually, I suspect it will lean ‘pro-USUK’, as all UN bodies have been seriously compromised by ‘the man who pays the piper’ calling the tune.
O/T
Is this is true it’s very worrying:
https://t.co/QNVvtGBo7b
Poor Julian
Wish someone would cut off my connection to the internet and the outside world.
Perhaps they will soon, Trowbridge 🙂 Yesterday I thought I’d fill some jerrycans with diesel, just in case. Then when I went to the fuel station they were out of petrol, for the first time I can ever remember. They had diesel, but I thought wow, am I ahead of the curve or what? I asked them what it was about, but they said it was just an issue to do with them in particular.
@ Aidworker1 March 28, 2018 at 14:58
Ecuador elected a new Presiident, Lenin Moreno, in 2017 (Rafael Correa was not eligible to stand, as he had done two terms).
Moreno soon showed he was more ‘US friendly’ than Correa. Though he had not expressed these tendencies previously, as soon as he won, they became apparent.
I had been apprehensive of Julian’s position since (and indeed before) the election, knowing Correa couldn’t stand again.
Aidworker.
I’m sure about the Ecuadorian government, “being got at” however, as to Julian Assange’s lack of access to the internet at the Ecuadorian embassy. I read somewhere that the ambassador, wasn’t too keen on Mr Assange using their internet to release shall we call them controversial items or statements.
Can anyone confirm a leak of anthrax or CJD or something from Porton Down a few years ago, maybe 5, i can’t find it on the internet, but remember it on the main tv news, and so does one of my neighbours. Just odd that the spokesman from Porton Down denies any leaks of material.
@ Dave54 March 28, 2018 at 15:12
This is probably what you’re looking for:
‘Revealed: 100 safety breaches at UK labs handling potentially deadly diseases’:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/04/-sp-100-safety-breaches-uk-labs-potentially-deadly-diseases
That’s it. Thank you.
Wonder what Craig’s stance on the Nazi pug trial is
I’m training my dog, Domino, no, not to make pizza, but to become aa internet poster.