I have been gently chided for not giving my reactions to the SNP conference, which I attended as a delegate.
Nicola’s major speech was very good. The media universally attempted to characterise it as kicking a new Independence referendum into the long grass. I did not hear it that way at all. I think they are clutching at the straw of her single mention of patience and perseverance, against the fact she used the word “Independent” or “Independence” an extraordinary 31 times in her speech. Of course she wishes to retain flexibility and an element of surprise, but as someone who has studied the matter extremely closely and who distrusts the highly paid SNP professional “elite” on this issue, I was reassured as to Nicola’s intentions.
The members are in extremely good heart and very confident. I was personally much touched by the many scores of individuals who bothered to come up to me and say they followed the blog. The conference agenda was somewhat bland, though fizzing with righteous anger at the effects of austerity on the vulnerable. My major criticism would be that far too high a percentage of total speaking time on the conference floor is given to MP’s, MSP’s and MEP’s. Constituency proposed motions, for example, were too often used as a showcase for the MP/MSP rather than introduced by an ordinary party member.
I dislike the political class now attached to the SNP in just the same way that I distrust the professional political class in every political party. The horrible Alex Bell should be a serious warning of the kind of false hypocrites that a salary will attract “to the cause”. Seeing MPs I knew as just punters campaigning in 2014, now walking proudly before power dressed entourages of paid staff, was a strangely unpleasant experience.
My major concern is that the SNP’s foreign policy and defence teams at Westminster appear to have been entirely captured by the UK establishment and indeed the security services. They have been willing and instant amplifiers of the Tories’ Russophobia.
It appears to me truly remarkable that I was not allowed to hire a room for a fringe meeting on Independence campaigning, but that the “Westminster Foundation for Democracy” – which is an FCO front and 90% FCO and DFID funded – was allowed a room on the fringe to hold this anti-Russian propaganda fest with a Ukrainian MP imported by the FCO.
Furthermore the meeting was co-hosted by the SNP and “Westminster Foundation for Democracy” and featured two SNP MPs.
I took issue with two other senior SNP figures last month over the party’s slavish devotion to what the UK intelligence services tell them.
The problem here is of course that the SNP is accepting a UK-centric vision of the world. This is a fundamental error, a category mistake. Because Russia is in an antagonistic relationship with the UK does not mean Russia should or will have an antagonistic relationship to an Independent Scotland.
Whatever happened in Salisbury, the root cause was spy games between Russia and the UK. Precisely the kind of spy games an independent Scotland must have no part of.
MI6 recruited Sergei Skripal as a traitor to Russia, who for money revealed secrets of his nation to MI6, including identities of agents. That is the root of the Salisbury events, and it is not the sort of thing an Independent Scotland will be doing. If an Independent Scotland is just going to behave like the UK in foreign affairs, carrying on neo-con foreign policy by illegitimate methods, I see no point in Scotland being independent. The Skripal affair, whatever really happened, is part of an entire system which most people in the Yes movement wish to get out of. We do not see the UK’s enemies as our enemies.
But the UK security services are our enemies. Scottish nationalism is defined in security service tasking as a threat to the UK and we are targets of the UK security services. The British government is not going to agree to another Independence referendum and we are going to have to win Independence, like the Catalans, in the teeth of every dirty abuse of British state power.
I would feel very much better if the SNP leaders, like Chris Law and John Nicholson both of whom I count as friends, would sometimes draw a deep breath, forget what they imbibed as Westminster MPs, and remember which side they are on.
The BBC’s Simon Jack justifies BAE’s planned attendance at a Saudi jamboree in Riyadh.
‘The UK wants to have a national aerospace contractor like BAE – both for national security reasons and for the nearly 40,000 high-skilled, high-paying UK jobs it creates.
But a company that size cannot live by the bread the UK government gives it alone. Since the mid-1980s, defence spending as a proportion of UK national income has fallen 60%.
To keep a British flag flying in the world of defence contracting, you need other customers. Over that same 30-year period, Saudi Arabia has been one of the UK and BAE’s most loyal – and most controversial – customers.’
BAE Systems will go to the Saudi ball
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45882301
Today marks the date of two Catalan civil leaders being held in prison in Spain without trial for a year.
The UN and the EU should ashamed of themselves allowing a member state to hold for a whole year untried political prisoners.
They’re henious crime, helping to facilitate a democratic election.
http://www.catalannews.com/news/item/16-oct-18-tv-news-one-year-since-first-leaders-incarcerated
And it’s on the basis of the EU turning a blind eye to this that I intend to vote against full EU membership once Scotland achieves independence and we are asked to look at this.
I was radically pro-European all my life until this happened. And there’s no excuse for letting Spain away with that.
No more Spanish holidays for me…. oh well.
Hatuey, I understand your sentiment about not holidaying in Spain. I’ve often had similar thoughts when considering the destination for our next holiday but the list of countries with an even half-decent record on politics and human rights is so small that if, we let conscience dictate, we’d end up staying home in our own neocon US vassal country (Australia).
We should do a house swap…
It’s a national issue, not one for the EU. It’s that simple. You’re condemning the EU for something which isn’t their business.
Absolutely correct.
And let no one say “oh, but what about Hungary” – the two matters are entirely different (doubters are advised to read the Commissions reasoned opinions about Hungary).
Shhh, let’s not allow facts to get in the way. Where EU-bashing is concerned, clear-headedness is the last thing brexiteers want.
Sure, keep bashing those Catalonian grandmothers upside the head and imprison their grandsons.
Kosovo, of course, was an entirely different matter, wasn’t it? After all, there was no reliable f*cking monarch in Belgrade..
Who would want to be part of either of these organisations? The EU is a super-union in the making and the UN constantly persecutes Russia, Iran and Syria
Not a ”super union”, oh the humanity……………………….those commie bastards……………good point well made guy.
“Today marks the date of two Catalan civil leaders [ I think you mean “politicians” ] being held in prison in Spain without trial for a year.”
Yes indeed, and it’s been a year since Senor Carlos Puigdemont had the courage to flee the country, leaving others to face the music,
“They’re henious crime, helping to facilitate a democratic election.”
Fact check necessary here : it was an illegal referendum.
Sorry for the off-topic I think this news may be worth your attention.
Jesse Russell and Ronald Cohn – non-existent authors of more than 300 THOUSANDS books. Different themes and languages e.g. “Малые ГЭС Карелии”, “Возрождение (Крым)”, “Foreign relation of Spain”, “Nicolino Locche”. The books are available at Amazon, Ozon, books.ru and other marketplaces. https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=sr_st_price-desc-rank?rh=n%3A916520%2Cp_27%3ARonald+Cohn+Jesse+Russel&qid=1539700968&sort=price-desc-rank
The books contain Wikipedia pages AND many Wikipedia pages link to these books as prooflinks. Google-search
site:wikipedia.org “Jesse Russell” OR “Ronald Cohn”
Jesse Russell – one of the inventors of the modern mobile phone.
Ronald Cohn – employee of the Koko Gorilla Language Learning Experiment.
—–
Source (in russian) https://m.pikabu.ru/story/kak_stat_avtorom_300_tyisyach_knig_ili_afera_na_million_6221017#comments
I think this may be another person with the same name. Jesse Eugene Russell does have some patents:
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/searchResults?ST=singleline&locale=en_EP&submitted=true&DB=&query=Jesse+Eugene+Russell&Submit=Search
I don’t see how he could get patents if he didn’t exist.
I don’t think it is possible to write this great amount of books during any human life. Don’t forget about diferent languages and topics.
It is definitely a fraud, someone is using his name.
What’s worse is, the “books” copypasted FROM Wiki are used as proof source IN Wiki. Awsome!
I’m surprised none of Wikipedia’s guard dogs has noticed this. They notice me in an instant if I use dodgy sources.
To avoid another mistaken identity, I should point out that User:TheBlunderbuss is not me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:TheBlunderbuss
I use a different name on Wikipedia.
Yes they’re the (non existent) house authors of on demand printers Bookvika Publishing, a Russian based scam outfit who just copy Wikipedia articles.
Avoid.
Thanks, Kempe.
Searching for Bookvika I’ve found this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RB3IPJIBXIZW4
See a review from Dmason about AbeBooks.
AbeBooks was bought by Amazon in 2008.
Interesting Tatyana, do you think it could be a way to hire/pay for the services of wikipedia ‘editors’ to maintain pages on the platform? Definitely a money cleaning situation of some sort going on. As long as amazon get their cut…….
I recall a story in the news regarding a pedophile ring operating something similar on Amazon a few years ago. Books of gibberish being used as a link/pass to gain access to disturbing places.
@books, here is one of possible explanations
“… marketplaces such as Amazon work by subscription, they pay for reading the book, and not for the fact of purchase. Well, with rare exceptions.
If a 100 pages book will be downloaded 100 times and read completely, its author will earn $ 1000…
The most difficult thing is to place the book in the register of publishers. To do this, such people register LLC, and publish books… The books must pass through the readability and originality test (Amazon runs the test before placement). There are many criteria, but the main one is that there are key pages that are calculated by the formula. For example, the first 4 pages, then 47-52, then several pages at the end of the book. These pages should be readable. They are visible in the preview of the book. They are tested by real people. The remaining pages are filled with either randomly generated text or articles with a small citation index.
After that, the book is published. But who will read this nonsense?
There is a system that calculates how much the author should receive. Someone writes special scripts, which use proxy, scroll through the first 30 pages for several hundred times… Then scroll further. Read the middle. And so on. It turns out that the book has thousands of readings…
In 2015, when this system was introduced, even if you did it all manually… Monthly income was about $ 10,000.”
(C)Lion295
https://m.pikabu.ru/story/kak_stat_avtorom_300_tyisyach_knig_ili_afera_na_million_6221017?cid=123921555
Thanks for that Tatyana. I have used Abe Books for some time as a way of avoiding Amazon, now I find they are one and the same. Boy to I feel stupid. I’ve just searched for the Book Depository and I see on wiki that Amazon has acquired them too, I will have to give up reading.
I’m glad if it helps, @pete
—
So, this is how it works:
1. A person “publishes” a book, e.g. “Tatyana, the russian troll. Real story of investigative journalism”.
2. This person places a page in Wiki e.g. “Russian trolls. Tatyana”.
3. Links the Wiki page to the Amazon page, refers to “the published investigation” as the source.
4. Done. Reputation ruined.
Why put it in the dishwasher?
Or have I missed something? Is this a coded reference to a non-stick EU? If so, Britain could slide off it quite easily.
“Here Are the Demands Ecuador Has Given Julian Assange in Order to End His Isolation”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/50449.htm
Extract
” By Cassandra Fairbanks
October 15, 2018 “Information Clearing House” – Despite numerous reports claiming that the communications of Julian Assange have been restored, they are not yet — and there will be a severe regime of penalties and sanctions on his speech and writing when they are.
The team at WikiLeaks was informed on Friday that his communications would be restored on Monday, October 15, but so far there has not been any change. In a grave violation of free speech, Assange was also presented with a nine page document that includes outlining limitations and restrictions on what he will be able to do and say online.
The new rules also promise to potentially use the UK police against visitors or to sieze communications equipment.
The protocols Assange will be forced to agree to in order to end his isolation have been leaked online in Spanish
The draconian document demands that he avoids any activities that could be political or would interfere in interior matters of other states — essentially squashing his freedom of speech and his ability to publish.
It also provides new rules for visitors……”
” In a grave violation of free speech, Assange was also presented with a nine page document that includes outlining limitations and restrictions on what he will be able to do and say online.”
If you choose to live under my roof you have no rights to free speech. By choosing to live outside the reach of the law Assange has long abandoned any right to protection from it. The Ecuadorian embassy is free to impose whatever restrictions on Assange they want.
“It also provides new rules for visitors……”
C’est la vie.
Andrew H: If you choose to live under my roof you have no rights to free spech.”
Yes, that’s why I alway think all the Neocons and Clintonistas who whine about Putin’s alleged restrictions of freedom of expression and harassment of journalists are such embarrassing, hypocritical clowns. And by the same token I would say to the Syrian “rebels”/White helmets and Iranian “dissidents” who complain about repression and lack of free speech in these countries, if you don’t like these places, why not apply for asylum in Israel, and see how how kindly the authorities there treat your application.
“If you choose to live under my roof you have no rights to free speech.”
Wow Andrew H I didn’t know you had your own dictatorship. Though it figures. Assange is living in an Ecuadorian embassy so should be under Ecuadorian law. As he is there for political asylum and he hasn’t been found guilty of any crimes by the Ecuadorians whilst there, he should be still allowed the same rights as an Ecuadorian .
Can I suggest you run the following 2 google searches:
employee fired over facebook post
can you get fired over social media
Free-speech doesn’t mean you may embarrass your host or your employer. Free-speech is for the unemployed who don’t live with their parents. Sorry, if you lived in my home, you would likely have your internet rights suspended too until you agreed to new rules.
What are you scared of?
Just love these people who swan around redefining free speech, etc.
“Sorry, if you lived in my home, you would likely have your internet rights suspended too until you agreed to new rules”.
Then we must all be grateful that we don’t live in your home.
This argument is the epitome of censorship on this site. Try criticising certain nations/political parties or alleged criminals. The irony is that you all believe you’re able to exercise your right to free speech here…….
Don’t be surprised if this post is removed to protect your sensibilities.
It’s still here at 12:32.
The least Mr Assange can do is not to abuse the “facility” (= refuge) the Ecuadorian government has offered him. He was acting ungraciously (to put it mildly) – what a sense of entitlement!
Perhaps when the policies of governments, their choices of war and peace, and thus the fate of millions of people depend on what you have done and are doing, good manners may not always be the most important thing.
Mr Chamberlain was very polite to the Chancellor of Germany, but perhaps he should have been less polite and more insistent.
So we are comparing Munich to Mr Assange not being entitled to abuse the privilege of “asylum”.
Your argument appears to be that Mr Assange’s doings, past and present, are of importance tor the “the policies of governments, their choices of war and peace, and thus the fate of millions of people”? I beg to differ.
But it is true that his doings apparently put into danger a number of people….
The only danger created by Wikilieaks was to the neo-con thugs like Bush, Blair, Clinton, Reagan etc etc activities being discovered by their misled, kept ignorant, electorate.
I beg to differ, Ingwe. Publishing the leaked telegrams without redacting certain names put those names in danger. I recall that even Craig admitted as much.
“Squashing”[sic]? Don’t they mean “quashing”?
Charming bunch these Assads.
Not nearly as charming as the Saudi funded, NATO supported, Jihadi head choppers who delight in public execution of children, throwing gays of buildings, crucifying prisoners, cannibalism, using civilians as human shields and using chemical weapons in civilian areas.
Any thoughts on the regime of the Saudi ruling family?
“Charming bunch these Assads.”
Yeah, those jihadis are really so much more noble.
Pointing out that the family firm of Assad & Sons (“murder, torture, forcing into exile our speciality”) is a horrible bunch does not imply support for the Saudi regime or for jihadis. The two above comments are classic examples of whataboutery and, seen objectively, appear to be attempts to exonerate the family firm.
Well, you can’t condemn the one without condemning the other (did I mention the Saudi’s? I don’t believe I did, nor did Cohen). Only it is Netanyahu’s policy to condemn the Syrians, and never to mention the jihadis he’s supporting against them. It’s not difficult to understand why you take the line you do.
Maybe the term ‘ Saudi Friends of Israel’ is more appropriate when talking about these cocksure murderers.
How many beheadings/month do these allied desperados excuse?
“The two above comments are classic examples of whataboutery”
Considering that the Saudi regime is currently topping the news agenda it is valid to ask the question as a counterweight to a totally random comment about Assad, which lacks any sort of topicality, substance or analysis and amounts to little more than a snide remark.
Have you been watching the latest episode of the BBC propaganda against the Assad family? They are still obsessing about Asma.
Of course I haven’t seen any of the BBC rubbish. I never watch or listen to any of their political material, any more than I would drink horse piss or eat rotten meat – and for similar reasons.
The documentary series Syrian School from 2010 is a much truer picture of Syria before the need for propaganda pieces.
And when you analyse the ‘evidence’ put forward in the documentaries about inter-family competition/feuds it’s all convenient non-attributed statements which don’t appear to have any specified foundation e.g. Asma’s mother in law objected to Asma referring to herself as ‘the first lady’. Says who? Bashar’s sister would have liked to be President. Says who? Bashar’s brother in law has aspirations to be President. Says who? ‘Asma is kept in the background rather than feed her thirst for power’. Really? Firstly, the family doesn’t subscribe to the pitiful UK and US nonsense of playing happy families at every official photo opportunity and, secondly, I have seen many videos on the Internet of Asma focusing on charity and humanitarian work, supporting the Syrian population, but that never gets any coverage on Western media.
And allegations that Bashar reneged on diplomatic agreements – ‘showing what sort of person he is’. Maybe, just maybe, he was intelligent enough to realise he was being conned before he naively succumbed. Naturally, nobody is interviewed in the documentary to recount the Syrian Government’s position.
I’d rather have my eyes put out with rusty needles than watch such BBC propaganda. I can no longer listen to ‘From our own correspondent’ or most of BBC’s current affairs output, so unashamedly stilted and perverse their ‘reporting’
I realise that, for a long time, the Murdoch owned and financed shit-sheets have been gunning for an end to the BBC licence fee so that they can have the sole control of new output but so biased is the BBC that I don’t want my licence fee to be available to them.
I would like to see you try to rule a country like Syria in its present state. You would either use as much harshness and violence as Mr Assad has done, or your enemies would rapidly do away with you and ravage your country at will.
Anyone who has studied history will readily understand the need to impose forms of government appropriate to local conditions and people.
The state of Israel uses a great deal of overt violence, as well as explicitly refusing to recognise or obey any form of international law. The reasons are similar, except that the founders of Israel created those conditions themselves; whereas Mr Assad has had them forced on him by hostile foreign powers.
Welsh
“Anyone who has studied history will readily understand the need to impose forms of government appropriate to local conditions and people.”
I have ti say it again – that’s a deeply racist way of thinking. The implication is that certain peoples are incapable and will never be capable of achieving democratic forms of government, human rights and the rule of law. That they are simply unfit. It is what the apartheidists of South Africa used to say about the blacks and coloured (to use their terminology).
“I have to say it again – that’s a deeply racist way of thinking. The implication is that certain peoples are incapable and will never be capable of achieving democratic forms of government, human rights and the rule of law.”
On the contrary, I’d say those who prefer more traditional forms of govt, look down upon victims of the Enlightenment fraud.
A Gnostic fraud that lives on only in abstractions these days, Material evidence so at odds with the fine words and values expressed.
The state of Israel uses overt, covert, psychological and disabling/dismembering forms of violence, Tom and no tag team here has any answer to their nastiness.
Just to add, above violence is metted out to all ages that oppose this rogue state.
Be well at home with the Netanyahus and other crooks.
A debatable article here from an Estate Agency website, established 2014
https://www.propertyindustryeye.com/toxic-effect-for-sellers-in-salisbury-as-house-prices-plummet-since-russian-spy-poisoning/
The trade-rag claims that whilst most Wiltshire prices have gorn up one or two percent, Salisbury is down about nine percent, for novi apparent reason.
Private Eye used to have a regular feature, exposing companies using major news memes to frame their own advertising.
Why not.
Govts have been using this trick for ages.
I agree whole heartedly with Mr.Craig Murray .I believe he has a much better insight into the devious workings of the establishment as to how they view the Scottish independence movement.The English establishment still have delusions as to how important they are in the world. They refuse to accept they no longer have an empire and without Scotland`s natural resources keeping them propped up they would soon find themselves as insignificant (how they think of Scotland) as any other small country.
As an English person, I have to say that is one of the strongest arguments for Scottish Independence. Perhaps afterwards we would be in a better position to understand that we don’t need nukes.
As a Scottish person, I’d want independence even if it made me a thousand times poorer than I am now.
I don’t think there’s anything particularly exceptional about Scottish people. Actually I think there’s a lot of them living in denial about Scottish history and the current state of Scottish society, things that can’t so easily be attributed to the country’s vassal status or blamed on England.
But the political culture here is different and speaking both generally and personally, I think what passes for middle ground politics in England is highly offensive to anyone who has concerns for things like giving the disadvantaged a fair deal and those of us who value society.
The middle classes in England, looking at voting patterns, are particularly nasty, selfish, and obnoxious. They’re not much better here but thanks to our general impoverishment at the hands of England, there’s less of them to deal with.
Sometimes I think prosperity and wealth ruins people as it ruins societies; America is an obvious example. Maybe independence, by making people better off, would ruin Scotland.
Hateuy, fancy a pint? I agree with you.
I actually don’t drink but thanks for the invitation. For the record, I have no reason not to drink or any moral point to make; I’m just a nutter who likes to be sober.
Hatuey: “Maybe independence, by making people better off, would ruin Scotland”
Fear not Hatuey, Scotts with money will always move to England.
A strange thing to say. I wish it was true. Traditionally it’s poor Scottish people who go south looking for work and opportunity.
Not that I care.
“As a Scottish person, I’d want independence even if it made me a thousand times poorer than I am now.”
But it wouldn’t make Scotland a thousand times poorer and it wouldn’t lake you, personally, poorer at all. These sorts of comment are characteristic of people who advocate a particular course of action in the full knowledge that they themselves would not be negatively affected; it’s like people calling for swingeing death duties which would only affect others but not themselves (to take just one example).
Try telling the bbc that. According to ‘project fear’, Scottish independence would lead to the end of western civilisation itself.
Hatuey
We obviously disagree.But tell me – would Scottish independence make you personally any poorer? I don’t believe it would.
I’m certain that Scottish independence would make everyone in Scotland wealthier.
The recent decision to recognise an autocephalous Ukrainian orthodox church – a decision taken by Patriarch Bartolemeos of Constantinople, the “supreme head” of the Orthodox Church – has roused the ire of the Russian Orthodox Church, which had previously exercised hegemony over Ukrainian orthodox believers. It also appears to have roused the ire of President Putin, who has declared that Russia will “defend the interests” of those Ukrainians unhappy with the creation of this autocepalous church if necessary. And so has been created another possibility, another pretext, for possible Russian interference in the affairs of its independent neighbour Ukraine. It is perhaps of relevance here that the Russian Orthodox Church is widely seen as being one of President Putin’s greatest supporters.
It’s just another schism.
You get these every 500 years or so.
So, we had one about 500 years ago. They had one 1000 years ago.
It’s their turn again.
Worth noting that schisms in the secular realm are of much much greater frequency. by factors of ten and multiples of, and highly erratic in distribution.
Almost as if it were not Logos at work, but teenagers or something, just twiddling knobs in Simworld, whilst partying.
Line 2: “You get these every 500 years or so.”
Should be, “You get these every 1000 years or so”
Line 5: “by factors of ten and multiples of”
Should be, “by a factor of ten and multiples of”
Judging by the attendees, I think a more apposite name for “Davos in the Desert” is “Shit in the Sand”.
A list of those few still attending.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/15/business/saudi-arabia-conference-attendees/index.html
and in an earlier article, I see Branson had been in talks with the Saudis to develop ‘Red Sea tourism’. There is no show without him.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/12/business/saudi-arabia-khashoggi-business-backlash/index.html
Egypt has been making serious efforts to develop and upgrade Red Sea tourism (it exists, so there is no need to put it into inverted commas). It is unfortunate that those efforts were set back by a number of terrorist attacks.
The problem is, although the SNP is a vehicle for independence, its not an independence party. It was once, but to progress into office its rowed back on independence or its rowed back on independence to gain office. This doesn’t mean the idea is dead, but as Craig fears, the careerists and opportunists have joined the bandwagon, as they do, and are now happy to be well furnished EU devolutionists rather that suffer the consequences of being nationalists, hence the anti-Russian rhetoric.
Being anti-Russian to sabotage Brexit fits with being pro-EU, but a anti-EU nationalist would see Russia as a natural ally outside the EU.
Craig has questioned SNP strategy, nothing more, and certainly hasn’t written it off as you have suggested.
As for this bright little idea that the SNP is anti-Russian and pro-EU, I think you’ll find the SNP has been pro-EU for the last 20 years at least, and since well before Russia fell out of favour.
It’s odd that you equate opposition to alleged Russian misdeeds as pro-EU when Rule Britannia is leading the charge. Is Britain pro-EU too?
A little knowledge eh… you haven’t thought any of this through, have you?
Many Scottish questions for Mundell to reply to today.
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmagenda/OP181017.pdf
and note that just 30 minutes has been allotted for these Q&As.
PMQs at noon. Theresa is away in Brussels, again.
Yes, Mrs May is in Brussels for a meeting of the European Council. That’s part of a PM’s duties, you know, so sarcasm or implied criticism is silly.
What, if anything, has May got to say to Tusk and Barnier this time? Anything new?
I suppose it will give her a chance to display her latest designer clothes and costume jewellery.
She has started off at PMQs.
What, if anything, has May got to say to Tusk and Barnier this time? Anything new?
I suppose it will give her a chance to display her latest designer clothes and costume j.wellery.
She has just started off at PMQs.
Its just a fact that as a party grows it attracts new members with their own agenda and change the party. As I said the independence idea remains alive, but I’m sure a big part of SNP voters support them as a stronger voice in UK party, whilst others want to be independent but outside the EU. Whereas the present leadership are EU devolutionists.
The SNP has been pro-EU for a long time since Jim Sellars ‘independence in EU’, which was a clever formulation, to remove the thought of separation resulting in isolation, but its not really independence, and putting your faith in the EU is a big risk for a small nation, if Catalonia and Greece are anything to go by.
The government/establishment is pro-EU. May wants to sabotage Brexit, but its being drawn out to ‘honour the referendum the result’ and the anti-Russian narrative is part of that, by creating a contrived enemy, outsider, to rally the insiders, the EU. The neo-cons have a separate reason for the anti-Russian demonization, which overlap and can confuse matters.
A flame still precariously flickers in the Kingspalace maelstrom or is it a fig leaf?
“Let us get it straight. Neoliberalism has ripped you off and robbed you blind. The evidence of that is mounting up – in your bills, in your services and in the finances of your country.
• Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist and senior economics commentator”
Yes I read that. Jolly good stuff.
Britain fell for a neoliberal con trick – even the IMF says so
Aditya Chakrabortty
The fund reports that Britain’s finances are weaker than all other nations except Portugal, and says privatisation is to blame
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/17/economic-lies-neoliberalism-taxpayers
Another good read is Neil Clark on RT with his review of the awful propaganda being spewed out against President Assad. Pt 2 of 3 was broadcast last night.
New BBC documentary ‘Dangerous Dynasty’ ignores the West’s role in destabilizing Syria
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/441427-assad-bbc-propaganda-syria/
I have a feeling that there is input from the US in the making of these programmes.
Since Neil Clark’s been mentioned, what news, if any, on his legal action against Oliver Kamm for harassment? There is still nothing on Clark’s website (radio silence for many months now).
Suggest you ask your friend, Kamm.
Why should I ask Kamm, Sharp Ears? It’s not Kamm who’s been soliciting money for his legal expenses, it’s Clark. When he last bothered to tell the pub anything, the fund was apparently standing at £15ooo or thereabouts. Would be interesting to learn how it’s been spent.
https://tinyurl.com/yahowsyb
Is it a memory problem with you chum?
You asked the same question not many moons back and were directed to Neil Clark’s Twitter page.
The problem, Keith, is that Neil Clark has said nothing about the matter on Twitter.
So your suggestion, while obviously well intended, wad nor useful.
Funnily enough, he does let folk know what’s happening. But then you’d need to help and that isn’t your forte, is it…
“Funnily enough, he does let folk know what’s happening.”
But where? There’s nothing on his website/blog and nothing on his Twitter…..
So as we get ready for todays dingdong PMQ – You all will like this too – a comment from Consortium on a FBI whistleblower article there (not related to the subject of that) – i’ll quote it in full as not sure how to link directly to that comment.
“jean
October 16, 2018 at 5:13 pm
This should get interesting…….
“Getting Some Disclosure”: Carter Page Sues DNC And Clinton Law Firm Over Sham Dossier Used To Spy On Him
“FBI represented to a federal judge that investigators knew for certain that Carter Page met w/ Igor Sechin and Diveykin. Except, the FISA app acknowledges this intel came from Steele dossier. And FBI has acknowledged dossier was not verifieid. http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/21/doj-release-carter-page-fisa/ …
Of note, both Rosenstein and Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson have suddenly refused to speak to Congressional investigators, with Rosenstein bailing on scheduled testimony last week and Simpson’s lawyer announcing his client plans to invoke his fifth amendment right not to incriminate himself.”
Trending Articles
“It’s All About Space”: Trump Says Russia And China Are…
The US needs its own space force because China and Russia have already gotten a head start, but American ingenuity and…
“Rosenstein’s decision not to testify may be due in part to statements made by former FBI top lawyer James Baker, who told Congressional investigators in early October that Rosenstein wasn’t joking about secretly recording President Trump right around the time former FBI Director James Comey was fired, then trying to impeach Trump by invoking the 25th amendment with the recordings. ”
Moreover FBI spy Stephen Halper – a US citizen and Cambridge professor, reportedly conducted espionage on Trump advisers Page and Papadopoulos on British soil months before the 2016 US election. Halper’s consulting firm was granted over $1 million in contracts from the Obama Pentagon, with nearly half of it coming directly before the 2016 election. Once the election was over, Halper continued to spy on Page. ”
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-10-16/getting-some-disclosure-carter-page-sues-dnc-and-clinton-law-firm-over-sham-dossier
Collision
Sedition”
The wheels look rakitty.
I have a genuine question concerning Julian Assange.
Given that the Met withdrew its police presence outside the Ecuadorian embassy months ago, what is there to to stop Julian, armed with his Ecuadorian passport, from leaving the embassy early in the morning or at night or whenever, and going to Heathrow to board a plane to Ecuador (via, probably, another Latin American country)?
I have a genuine answer – ‘like you care’
Come on, it was a serious question. Whether I care or not is irrelevant.
I have a genuine lol
So, if you don’t preface your quesions with ‘genuine’, you’re just trolling Charles?
The answer is they took away uniformed police only .
“Whilst no tactics guarantee success in the event of Julian Assange leaving the embassy, the MPS will deploy a number of overt and covert tactics to arrest him.”
How do you rate his chances of boarding without incident at Heathrow, Charles?
Happy Birthday Craig. May your good work continue.
and so say all of us. And many more.
Craig made it onto this page for 17th October
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_17#Births
In that year, CND were holding demonstrations against nuclear weapons.
‘Demonstrators call for a ban on nuclear weapons in 1958.’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/16/nuclear-war-north-korea-russia-what-will-happen-how-likely-explained#img-2
Vladimir sends his warmest regards (and a small token of his appreciation!). It’s just unfortunate that Craig’s efforts all went to waste.
If his work is so good ( as I think it is) why so slow for Channel 4 News to ask even one of the questions raised by Mr Murray?
Happy Birthday Craig.
…. and Brian Fujisan too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxwWf-MfZVk
It was hard to pick out the most evil of the Assads from last night’s documentary. There was the father, bombing and gassing his own people. The psychotic brother, who likes to film executions of protesters on his mobile phone. Then there was the mother, apparently the driving force behind the ruthlessness of the regime. It was obvious that Bashar was a little unsure of himself at first, but it didn’t take long for him to embrace the family tradition of brutality.
Goodness. No wonder the humanitarians in DC and Riyadh have been wanting to overthrow him and replace him with the black flag men.
“How unlike,how very unlike, the family life of our own dear queen”: remark overheard at theatre performance of the
original “The King and I’.
Obviously Hafez should have kept stumm in lycee ,embraced the Gaullist/Petainist reconquista and learnt nothing from Churchill’s early bombings of Iraqi villages.Which of Britain’s Nuri al Said’s 35 coup attempts againt Syria should he have supported?
Why cannot the BBC accept or acknowledge the broad support for the Assad couple as the best hope for Syria ?
Could they not give time even to a comment Robert Fisk who has travelled the winding road from Beirut to Damascus so often?
Hell yeah, would fit in really well in Likud!
To be honest, David Cohen, Assad the father probably wins hands down. Let’s face it, son Basil managed to kill himself driving his expensive sports car too fast before he could take over. And young Bashir did take the Hippocratic oath as part of becoming a doctor, so he must be alright deep down.
I refer you to my earlier comment Mr Cohen.
‘Another good read is Neil Clark on RT with his review of the awful propaganda being spewed out against President Assad. Pt 2 of 3 was broadcast last night.
New BBC documentary ‘Dangerous Dynasty’ ignores the West’s role in destabilizing Syria
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/441427-assad-bbc-propaganda-syria/
I have a feeling that there is input from the US in the making of these programmes.’
I will try and keep on Topic as i do agree with your appraisal Craig , thats maybe why your route to management in the SNP was blocked , who would be able to interview someone like yourself who actually has an opinion and wasnt just there for the probably quite reasonable salary , and a quiet life , your a loose cannon they cant control Craig , but a bloody good speaker and motivator of people , your talents are in short supply and should be utilised to the full , in my opinion .
As for the folks below do try and at least attempt to address the subject rather than fly off at a totally weird tangent that dosnt even come close to the subject .
Haven’t heard much from Frank Gardner since he “explained” how Khashoggi probably had a heart attack in the Saudi embassy.
Maybe the treatment, Saudi-style, for a heart attack really is summary dismemberment.
What is truth compared to BAE Systems’ share price?
A comfortable retirement hangs in the balance…
What did I tell you?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/17/court-quashes-excessive-sentences-of-fracking-protesters
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/10/direct-action-and-the-british-state/comment-page-2/#comments
What did I tell you?
Well, shortly after Lybia was bombed into a stone-age bloodbath you told me the country would soon recover and be grateful to the West for it’s ‘intervention.’ How’s that working out?
Where/when did I ever say that?
On this blog, to me. If I find it, will you apologise to the Libyan people for supporting the devastation of their country?
Doesn’t sound like a Kempe sort of statement to me; Kempe isn’t usually that talkative. I suspect demolition theory is clouding your memory, Node. It can do that.
Found it yet?
Wonderful news. V signs to Altham and his freemasonry mob up there.
Good on Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and the pro bono lawyers. These men should not have been treated like this. They now have criminal records.
Julian Brock from Torquay who received a 12 month suspended sentence did not have his sentence changed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-45888172
Kempe, thanks for the good news; it seems they weren’t looking to be “martyrs” after all, then:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/10/direct-action-and-the-british-state/comment-page-2/#comment-791480
Now we need to get Centrica Storage and their government cronies into the dock, for wilful endangerment of the UK population for personal gain by permitting the gas storage infrastructure at Rough to fall into disrepair.
Well, the appeal judge did say that had these three individuals not already spent 2 weeks in custody (equivalent to 6 weeks in the nick) he would have imposed “substantial” community service on them
And of course their convictions were not overturned, which means that they are fingered as having a criminal record. That might make others think twice….
And who’s going to make the energy companies and their government cronies think twice, Charles?
Clark,
I have to confess. Together with my wife, I was one of the main opponents significantly reducing the UK’s capability with regards to gas storage. I don’t know the details of the North Sea and “Rough to fall into disrepair”
But Star Energy about 10 years ago wanted to drill an enormous Great Hole in an area of complete and utter Natural Beauty where we go walking near Shere in Surrey.
Yes we both signed The Petition against it, and we Won.
And you are right, we are liable to be in deep shit – if it gets really cold this winter. We were on the edge last year.
So by all means blame me for opposing Gas Storage in what is probably the best location for it in Surrey.
I think I probably made the wrong decision, but I often make mistakes.
I’m ordering more “smokeless” coal
I don’t like freezing to death. I have been close a few times.
Tony
Naughty naughty Tony, signing a petition! But I bet you didn’t pocket any cash for your trouble.
There must be dozens of off-shore depleted gas fields like Rough, with well-heads already in place. But it’s dividends to the shareholders that attracts the bonuses, not shelling out profit on infrastructure to keep the old folk warm through winter.
More shootings in Crime-ear today, surprungly they’re being reported on by Russia’s media.
At first they thought it was a terror attack they could blame on Ukraine. No doubt the Putin-Bots on this blog will still try and convince themselves that it was although had it been yet another school shooting in the US it would undoubtedly be dismissed as another hoax/false flag.
Murder and not ‘terror’ Clarityn.
‘Russia’s Investigative Committee said that everyone killed in the attack on the Crimean college died of gunshot wounds and not in the explosion. It is now being treated as a murder investigation.
[Read more Kerch attack suspect identified as college student, killed himself ]
Authorities earlier classified the college attack as an act of terror, but have now revised their assessment. The preliminary examination of the bodies of the victims indicates that they died of gunshot wounds. Nobody was killed by the blast that rocked the college earlier on Wednesday, the Investigative Committee said.’
https://www.rt.com/news/441511-crimea-college-investigated-murder/
It’s from a state media outlet so not worth a fig. Any word on least weeks shooting from your “journalists”
This is an almost identical report from OUR own state broadcaster which confirms the shootings and then the suicide. OK?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45891201
I don’t agree with Craig’s assertion that Scotland will not engage in spy wars, they’ll be better than these clowns.
http://www.atimes.com/article/russias-spies-red-faced-after-multiple-plots-uncovered/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Come on – Post the Scottish Version of This. Even most Americans and English like Craig Murray (despite serious Censorship)
“60th Birthday with 60 candles”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZQtEPRkRng
Tony
O/T, but of relevance to Assange fans:
http://www.codigovidrio.com/code/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/protocolo-assange-final.pdf
New, tighter rules on access to Assange, also a request to look after his ‘mascot’ (#embassycat) or they’ll give it to someone who will.
It appears that after 6 years in an exclusively Spanish-speaking environment, Assange hasn’t yet learned the language, and is awaiting a translation…I hope this isn’t true.
“And remember what side they are on.”
Just wondering what side you’re on? Constantly using your site to slag the SNP isn’t helping us to get our Independence. Isn’t helping the 100,000 independence supporters who marched in Edinburgh recently. Far from it in fact. Time to put your ego, hurt feelings and dashed aspirations to one side and trot them out again, if you so wish, AFTER we get our independence.
Petra,
Fair comment, but I am convinced that Craig Murry is an honest man of great courage. Don’t you?
I think he wants Scottish Independence even more than most of the SNP Leadership who have been bought and paid for.
Yes Craig was born in England, and was very much a part of The British Establishment.
He not only rejected all that – They tried very hard to destroy him.
So he moved back to Scotland where most of his family come from.
Even I and my wife were born in England but we got married in Scotland, where most of my Clan (on my Mother’s side) come from.
You seem somewhat prejudiced and ill-informed.
I suggest you read Craig Murray’s books starting with Murder in Samarkand
Craig Murray is an extraordinary man, and I like him, even if he is English – like me.
Tony
Petra.
When it gets to the stage that you can’t criticise the SNP, then you’ve lost your objectiveness.
I support an independent Scotland, but I’m not above criticising the SNP from time to time, neither should you be.
Heavy rumour at Westminster that the SNP has done a deal to save the Tory Government over Brexit by abstentions in exchange for IndyRef2 Same old Tories, same old SNP.
https://mobile.twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/
Ach
https://mobile.twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1052561715852955648
Thanks Scotsnats.
Signed,
The British Left.
Can’t find anything yet substantiate Galloway’s claim. I’d be very surprised if the SNP voted with the Tories, yet if so, it leads to a second indyref, and possibly independence.
Of course the SNP once supported Labour at Westminster in return for a favour on which Labour never followed through on. The outcome was years of Tory rule under Thatcher.
‘It took the SNP decades to live down their 1979 waltz with Mrs Thatcher. Let’s see how they fare after dancing with Mrs May’
-Galloway.
I hope you are right RoS, coz that is poison.
Mog.
They didn’t need to live down anything in 79, Labour reneged on the deal. The SNP withdrew their support, and the Tories under Thatcher formed a government.
Labour were to to blame, of course the unionist media and politician’s over the decades spun it to blame the SNP. Nothings changed.
I can read that either way, and I am not a Labour faithful (as is GG).
But the upshot was 18 years of Tory shite -for Scotland too !
The upshot this time will, if this is true, be far worse in my opinion.
Mog.
How so if it it leads to a second indyref, isn’t that the goal? Amidst all the propaganda, soundbites and platitudes at Westminster, the aim is for Scottish independence is it not.
Keep your eye on the ball.
“I’d be very surprised if the SNP voted with the Tories”
Abstentions.
Disturbing that the faithful are indicating they’ll swallow this shit and call it sugar. Caveat emptor.
If it’s not intended as divide and rule, pure and simple, I’d be very surprised. I understand the need for independence, but do it clean, the way Craig suggests, not this filthy underhand way. If SNP support the Tories they’re on my shit list, same as all the Blairite Labour and Lib Dem filth who did the same.
Happy birthday to Craig Murray, sincerely. All the best to you, my captain.
Seconded, many happy days ahead I hope. ?
RoS, according to Galloway we have other reasons to be cheerful too… if true, I might crack open a bottle of whisky.
Here’s one, the majority of people in Scotland couldn’t give a rubber duck about the prospect of a new royal baby.
http://www.thenational.scot/news/16987119.here-is-conclusive-proof-scotland-really-doesnt-care-about-the-royal-baby/?ref=mr&lp=3
Pretty sure that I read yesterday, that as the news of the pregnancy of Megan Markle broke, and the media salivated over it, like Pavlov’s Dog, the government were quietly raising the state pension age again.
Hatuey
“I might crack open a bottle of whisky.”
but , a few hours earlier, this :
“I actually don’t drink but thanks for the invitation”
To use Keith’s expression directed at me (13:46 today): is it a memory problem with you, chum?
No, I don’t drink. I have no problem with drink as I said, no moral issues or anything, but I just prefer to be sober.
However, when on holiday in hot climates, and on very special occasions, I do occasionally drink. A beer lasts me about. 4 hours though…
Three cheers.
Good question from Alastair Carmichael today:
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
Q6. The Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied Palestinian territories faces imminent demolition and is currently being swamped with sewage from the nearby settlement of Kfar Adumim. Just this morning Israeli forces have tasered and pepper-sprayed activists there. Will the Prime Minister make it clear to the Prime Minister of Israel that this is occupied territory, that these are refugees—protected people whose forcible removal would constitute, as the United Nations has stated, a war crime? [907110]
The Prime Minister
My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East met the Israeli ambassador on 11 October. He made clear the UK’s deep concerns about Israel’s planned demolition of the village of Khan al-Ahmar. Its demolition would be a major blow to the prospect of a two-state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital, and I once again call on the Israeli Government not to go ahead with its plan to demolish the village, including its school, and displace its residents.’
Anyone reading the PM’s response and not knowing of her affiliations, could not guess that she is a fervent member of CFoI.
I’ve still got some
https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/loch-lomond/glengarry-single-malt-whisky/
Tony
Meanwhile a company founded by an Israeli, is hired by the UAE to assassinate people in Yemen, using American mercenaries.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/aramroston/mercenaries-assassination-us-yemen-uae-spear-golan-dahlan
O/T on this thread but relevant to several others.
Luke Harding has reviewed Mark Urban’s book on Salisbury and declares it excellent!
The Skripal Files by Mark Urban review – the Salisbury spy’s story
He did it for the money and still loved mother Russia … a fascinating book based on conversations with Sergei Skripal
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/17/skripal-files-mark-urban-review
He concludes:
‘The Skripal Files is a compelling first instalment of a story that will continue. Urban’s deadline came too early to include details of the suspected would-be killers – a pair of career GRU officers, caught on CCTV. They were mocked at home and abroad after explaining in an interview that they went to Salisbury twice to see the city’s beguiling cathedral spire – and turned back on the first trip because of daunting slush. But there is nothing funny about Moscow’s efforts to reshape the world. Putin, it appears, is fond of using exotic state murder as a way of instilling terror. The GRU has had a bad few months. But it will carry on, plotting new crimes and tracking new targets.
!
Not sure who are worse, the GRU 2 or the Saudi 15. I suppose at least the Saudi 15 got their man if that’s how you measure these things …
Mary, Rise to the occasion, Take a Break. I know what they tried to do to you on this blog. I have always been on your side, mainly because you write very well and post brilliant links.
It’s Craig Murray’s 60th Birthday today.
I think we should all celebrate that.
Unlike many others who have posted here over the last 10 years or so, I have never actually met him, though came close on several occassions, when he really inspired me.
I was about to leave for Westminster to be a witness at The House of Commons and he asked if anyone could record it. I thought I might be able to do that, but didn’t know how. I was amazed I got it working with less than 1 minute to spare.
“Craig Murray – Torture 1 of 7”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF9spgagSHI
Tony
Indeed Tony, we all have received and enjoyed/endured what Craig has so valantly written and explained so well.
Thanks for your wisdom insight and organising (DTRH) from my wife and myself.
Herzlichen Geburtstag, Gesundheit und Gluecklichkeit mein Freund.
“MI6 recruited Sergei Skripal as a traitor to Russia, who for money revealed secrets of his nation to MI6, including identities of agents. That is the root of the Salisbury events”
The final senstence is nonsense. Skripal’s status as a spy is over. He has nothing left to tell the UK and has no current knowledge of active Russian intelligence operations. He was released by Russia because he was no threat to them then and is less so now, as far as intelligence goes. He is just an ongoing expense for the UK intelligence services with no real return. Having learned from the failures of the Litvinenko false flag, the UK SIS have used him as a convenient patsy for their shenanigans against Russia for i) blocking UK (plus US / French) machinations in Syria ii) revealing UK involvement in CW flase flag attacks by the (largely) UK funded White Helmet terrorist outfit iii) and distraction from UK involvement in the anti-Trump coup via their dodgy dossier. You could also add in public school indoctrination against Russia. They can’t seem to get over the fact that the UK is no longer a world power and the Empire is gone.
I love the way the sundry posters emphasise that Skripal the traitor did it for money, as if that was a first in world history. Traitors through history tend to have traitored for money (various American traitors of recent decades refer). I suppose they think a traitor’s less of a traitor when he/she does it for ideological reasons, lolz
True.
He wouldn’t be the first and he won’t be the last and Urban who also does these things ” for money ” will trot out another tome after he’s been told a few things from his sources.
I can only say that working myself as a Double Agent suits me and is well worth it – as you get paid twice.
Downside – two houses – two kitchens and bathrooms, two families to pay for etc etc.
These capitalists are not fools so I’m shouldn’t be surprised.
What they give is what they get.