Sunday, November 08, 2009
Why the Afghanistan war ? - IT'S THE PIPELINE, STUPID
Former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, Craig Murray, who insists - probably correctly - that "CIA sent people to be ‘raped with broken bottles" asserts:
'The primary motivation for US and British military involvement in central Asia has to do with large natural gas deposits in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. As evidence, he points to the plans to build a natural gas pipeline through Afghanistan that would allow Western oil companies to avoid Russia and Iran when transporting natural gas out of the region'.
in the late 1990s the Uzbek ambassador to the US met with then-Texas Governor George W. Bush to discuss a pipeline for the region, and out of that meeting came agreements that would see Texas-based Enron gain the rights to Uzbekistan's natural gas deposits, while oil company Unocal worked on developing the Trans-Afghanistan pipeline.
"The consultant who was organizing this for Unocal was a certain Mr. Karzai, who is now president of Afghanistan," Murray noted.
Murray said part of the motive in hyping up the threat of Islamic terrorism in Uzbekistan through forced confessions was to ensure the country remained on-side in the war on terror, so that the pipeline could be built.
"There are designs of this pipeline, and if you look at the deployment of US forces in Afghanistan, as against other NATO country forces in Afghanistan, you'll see that undoubtedly the US forces are positioned to guard the pipeline route. It's what it's about. It's about money, it's about oil, it's not about democracy."
IMO: Sounds reasonable.
The CIA relied on intelligence based on torture in prisons in Uzbekistan, a place where widespread torture practices include raping suspects with broken bottles and boiling them alive, says Craig Murray.
IMO: Murray is probably still somewhat miffed about losing his job, but in the past he has written at length and whilst we perhaps do not find the degree of detail provided by, say, Sibel Edmonds, his work is intriguing if at times amusingly informal and would be worth Googling at depth. Murray is still rector of the University of Dundee AFAIK and accusations by a person of his stature are surely worth considering.
In 2007, Human Rights Watch declared that torture is "endemic" to the Uzbekistan's justice system, so it would seem that at any rate the CIA may find it an adequate replacement for GITMO.
'The primary motivation for US and British military involvement in central Asia has to do with large natural gas deposits in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. As evidence, he points to the plans to build a natural gas pipeline through Afghanistan that would allow Western oil companies to avoid Russia and Iran when transporting natural gas out of the region'.
in the late 1990s the Uzbek ambassador to the US met with then-Texas Governor George W. Bush to discuss a pipeline for the region, and out of that meeting came agreements that would see Texas-based Enron gain the rights to Uzbekistan's natural gas deposits, while oil company Unocal worked on developing the Trans-Afghanistan pipeline.
"The consultant who was organizing this for Unocal was a certain Mr. Karzai, who is now president of Afghanistan," Murray noted.
Murray said part of the motive in hyping up the threat of Islamic terrorism in Uzbekistan through forced confessions was to ensure the country remained on-side in the war on terror, so that the pipeline could be built.
"There are designs of this pipeline, and if you look at the deployment of US forces in Afghanistan, as against other NATO country forces in Afghanistan, you'll see that undoubtedly the US forces are positioned to guard the pipeline route. It's what it's about. It's about money, it's about oil, it's not about democracy."
IMO: Sounds reasonable.
The CIA relied on intelligence based on torture in prisons in Uzbekistan, a place where widespread torture practices include raping suspects with broken bottles and boiling them alive, says Craig Murray.
IMO: Murray is probably still somewhat miffed about losing his job, but in the past he has written at length and whilst we perhaps do not find the degree of detail provided by, say, Sibel Edmonds, his work is intriguing if at times amusingly informal and would be worth Googling at depth. Murray is still rector of the University of Dundee AFAIK and accusations by a person of his stature are surely worth considering.
In 2007, Human Rights Watch declared that torture is "endemic" to the Uzbekistan's justice system, so it would seem that at any rate the CIA may find it an adequate replacement for GITMO.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Academics attack Professor Nutt over 'incorrect statements' on drugs
Some of Britain's leading drug experts yesterday launched an attack on Professor David Nutt, who was sacked as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) after he argued that alcohol and tobacco were more dangerous than cannabis.
Professor Andy Parrott, the country's foremost authority on ecstasy, accused him of making "misleading and factually incorrect" comments. He said: "Professor Nutt has stated that ecstasy/MDMA is 'less pleasurable' than cocaine or nicotine, and hence less damaging. This is nonsense." He said such mistakes are "very worrying" and "may help to explain his recent dismissal", he added.
And Professor Robin Murray, a cannabis expert at the Institute of Psychiatry, added to his previous criticism of Professor Nutt when he said the ACMD hadn't "covered itself with glory in its understanding of cannabis" and has "always been several years behind the evidence". "It isn't an exclusively expert scientific body... and has been badly led by a few individuals," he said.
IMO: I still hope this is little more than a 9 day wonder, as it does not reflect well on science in general.
Professor Andy Parrott, the country's foremost authority on ecstasy, accused him of making "misleading and factually incorrect" comments. He said: "Professor Nutt has stated that ecstasy/MDMA is 'less pleasurable' than cocaine or nicotine, and hence less damaging. This is nonsense." He said such mistakes are "very worrying" and "may help to explain his recent dismissal", he added.
And Professor Robin Murray, a cannabis expert at the Institute of Psychiatry, added to his previous criticism of Professor Nutt when he said the ACMD hadn't "covered itself with glory in its understanding of cannabis" and has "always been several years behind the evidence". "It isn't an exclusively expert scientific body... and has been badly led by a few individuals," he said.
IMO: I still hope this is little more than a 9 day wonder, as it does not reflect well on science in general.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Iraq apparently using bogus UK bomb detectors
The fact that UK bomb detectors which do not work are being sold to the Iraq army for $US15,000 to $US60,000 dollars appears to have been exposed by the New York Times. Apparently these are supposed to work somewhat like dowsing, and they do not do anything at all. 1500 believed sold so far. They have also been exposed by bloggers and seem laughable, if the matter were not so serious.
IMO: So this is how the UK intends to bolster its trade deficit - by continuing to kil Iraquis. Maybe the Prime Mentalist Gordon Brown hopes they will work as well as his public-private-partnerships, or maybe Prof. "Nutty Nutt" suggested their sale before he was fired. Lets hope a lot of these have not been sold on to Drayson or somebody as well, or are the cause of the Britsh deaths in Afghanistan, as on the description given they are certainly bogus.
IMO: So this is how the UK intends to bolster its trade deficit - by continuing to kil Iraquis. Maybe the Prime Mentalist Gordon Brown hopes they will work as well as his public-private-partnerships, or maybe Prof. "Nutty Nutt" suggested their sale before he was fired. Lets hope a lot of these have not been sold on to Drayson or somebody as well, or are the cause of the Britsh deaths in Afghanistan, as on the description given they are certainly bogus.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Laika - 52 years
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Pakistan terror in Iran - India tries to assist USA
Extremely poor, and deeply impoverished India is nonetheless heading towards becoming the new English speaking superpower and Britain is heading towards becoming a bankrupt state with a devalued currency.
India and Iran share deep historical and cultural relations. And, as per diplomatic sources, Washington wants New Delhi to use its influence and bring Iran onboard vis-à-vis its controversial nuclear programme. Cross Border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is expected to top the agenda of talks between foreign ministers of India and Iran due to be held in mid-November in the national capital.
After India and Afghanistan, Iran has become the latest neighbourhood victim of Pakistan sponsored terrorism through Pakistan-based Jundollah (or, God’s soldiers); recently suicide bomber killed 29 people, including several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders, in southeastern Iran.
India has been crying hoarse over the Pakistan sponsored terrorism for almost two decades, the Taj Mahal attacks on Mumbai beng only the tip of the iceberg.
IMO: Lets hope, also, that the Pakistan prime minister eventually comes to terms with his obligations to the world and to his own people. India only wants to be Pakistan's friend but Pakistan has so far been jinxed by bad leadership and foreign involvement.
India and Iran share deep historical and cultural relations. And, as per diplomatic sources, Washington wants New Delhi to use its influence and bring Iran onboard vis-à-vis its controversial nuclear programme. Cross Border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is expected to top the agenda of talks between foreign ministers of India and Iran due to be held in mid-November in the national capital.
After India and Afghanistan, Iran has become the latest neighbourhood victim of Pakistan sponsored terrorism through Pakistan-based Jundollah (or, God’s soldiers); recently suicide bomber killed 29 people, including several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders, in southeastern Iran.
India has been crying hoarse over the Pakistan sponsored terrorism for almost two decades, the Taj Mahal attacks on Mumbai beng only the tip of the iceberg.
IMO: Lets hope, also, that the Pakistan prime minister eventually comes to terms with his obligations to the world and to his own people. India only wants to be Pakistan's friend but Pakistan has so far been jinxed by bad leadership and foreign involvement.
Tory U-turn
The Tories do seem to have done a U-turn on the EU referendum promised to the UK voters, as there are obviously many ways that, effectively, a referendum situation could still be fairly imposed upon the EU, whilst clearly furthering the liberty and rights of its citizens without upsetting the EU applecart, such as it is.
Nigel Farage says: “We can now see how gutless and dishonest the Conservative Party has been about their intentions on a referendum.”
Average bloggers say "What chump would believe a word from “Cast Iron Daves” mouth now? His credibility is in shreds".
IMO: A difference between Afghanistan and the UK: In Afghanistan attempts are being made to give the public a chance to vote. In Britain overpaid politicians simply tell lies to the public and try wholeheartedly to remove the public's right to vote to further their personal ends.
Nigel Farage says: “We can now see how gutless and dishonest the Conservative Party has been about their intentions on a referendum.”
Average bloggers say "What chump would believe a word from “Cast Iron Daves” mouth now? His credibility is in shreds".
IMO: A difference between Afghanistan and the UK: In Afghanistan attempts are being made to give the public a chance to vote. In Britain overpaid politicians simply tell lies to the public and try wholeheartedly to remove the public's right to vote to further their personal ends.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Cameron warns of climate change “disaster,” but Tory bloggers are skeptical
And, it seems, Maggie Thatcher, John McCain and other prominent right wing people also see the danger of global warming.
IMO: Global warming problems are now physically obvious to the point where entire nations are starting to disappear because of global warming. It is said that the next UK Govt is likely to be Tory. Cameron already seems to be doing a U-turn over his EU referendum promises. If there is any chance there will also a U-turn on global warming, a Tory vote is ill-advised. Gobal warming is currently much more serious than any other matter. At least almost all the MPs seem to have had some common sense over Nutt, and effectively agreed with Johnson, so we may still hope for common sense on global warming.
IMO: Global warming problems are now physically obvious to the point where entire nations are starting to disappear because of global warming. It is said that the next UK Govt is likely to be Tory. Cameron already seems to be doing a U-turn over his EU referendum promises. If there is any chance there will also a U-turn on global warming, a Tory vote is ill-advised. Gobal warming is currently much more serious than any other matter. At least almost all the MPs seem to have had some common sense over Nutt, and effectively agreed with Johnson, so we may still hope for common sense on global warming.
Richard Baum, M.P. on Johnson and Nutt
Baum says, inter alia, "I don’t think that Nutt's criticism of Mr Johnson is motivated by a respect for science. I think it’s motivated by a dislike for the government. On this occasion, I think that it is Professor Nutt who has overstepped the mark, not Mr Johnson. Ministers set policy, so that we can vote them in or out for doing so. The day that unelected advisers think that they set policy, no matter how informed their advice, is not a good day.
IMO: Bravo ! Some sense at last !
Mr Johnson writes: “There are not many kids in my constituency in danger of falling off a horse – there are thousands at risk of being sucked into a world of hopeless despair through drug addiction.”
IMO: Fair enough.
Sacked scientist Prof Nutt has said he doubts any “true” scientist could work for Mr Johnson.
IMO: Does Nutt therefore mean that unelected advisors should set public policy . But surely that is Stalinist and reeks of a wouldbe dictatorship. I do not want a dictator, whether he be a jumped-up scientist, an Imam, or the Pope. When I ran a scientific journal, for 7 years, I kept running up against guys like Nutt, usually ignorant types without any broad, human view - but with a deep sense of self-importance and unenlightened self-interest. Let's hope this is a usual 9 day wonder.
(added 4 Nov 09 : I feel I have to mention this post as it puzzles me. These people are usually trying to be sincere but they seem to have missed the true situation here, as for example on Nutt's obvious bias against Labor, his apparent personal involvement and his foolish horseriding comment. I am off to India and I do not have time to follow this up, but just hope the amateur scientists do not go overboard in favor of the overpaid Guardianista lobby in a foolish way. As just said, I've sure seen those Asperger's types before, and their approach is a problem in science dissemination - I have two big cases of that type currently in mind.)
IMO: Bravo ! Some sense at last !
Mr Johnson writes: “There are not many kids in my constituency in danger of falling off a horse – there are thousands at risk of being sucked into a world of hopeless despair through drug addiction.”
IMO: Fair enough.
Sacked scientist Prof Nutt has said he doubts any “true” scientist could work for Mr Johnson.
IMO: Does Nutt therefore mean that unelected advisors should set public policy . But surely that is Stalinist and reeks of a wouldbe dictatorship. I do not want a dictator, whether he be a jumped-up scientist, an Imam, or the Pope. When I ran a scientific journal, for 7 years, I kept running up against guys like Nutt, usually ignorant types without any broad, human view - but with a deep sense of self-importance and unenlightened self-interest. Let's hope this is a usual 9 day wonder.
(added 4 Nov 09 : I feel I have to mention this post as it puzzles me. These people are usually trying to be sincere but they seem to have missed the true situation here, as for example on Nutt's obvious bias against Labor, his apparent personal involvement and his foolish horseriding comment. I am off to India and I do not have time to follow this up, but just hope the amateur scientists do not go overboard in favor of the overpaid Guardianista lobby in a foolish way. As just said, I've sure seen those Asperger's types before, and their approach is a problem in science dissemination - I have two big cases of that type currently in mind.)
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Sri Lanka outcry over police brutality
Sri Lanka's war ended in May but there has been an outcry against the police over brutal acts they are said to have committed. A focus for public anger is the impoverished village of Angulana, half an hour to the south of the capital, Colombo. Another such public anger area is Maligawatte, an old Muslim quarter of Colombo.
Complaints concern matters like extrajudicial killings and other serious brutality.
It is important to stress that this alleged police brutality is not near the former war zone and seems to be against anyone, particularly Muslims if a group has to be singled out. A few more details here, but Press censorship is still severe and breaching censorship rules can lead to imprisonment or death.
IMO: I have long held the view that either the Singhalese are basically very stupid and/or more likely their administration is. They only seem to have won the war with a lot of Chinese aid, and they were effectively Goliath against David and without Chinese help would still have lost. Now the Tamils are often held in concentration camps, where comparisons to a rather stupid Auschwitz situation is far from irrelevant. Obviously the West largely does not care and India is not in a position to act. Compared to the Allied win in WW2, this is a stupid and bad result and need not have happened. I do not necessarily know that the Singhalese are actual Nazis, they just seem to have behaved stupidly.
Complaints concern matters like extrajudicial killings and other serious brutality.
It is important to stress that this alleged police brutality is not near the former war zone and seems to be against anyone, particularly Muslims if a group has to be singled out. A few more details here, but Press censorship is still severe and breaching censorship rules can lead to imprisonment or death.
IMO: I have long held the view that either the Singhalese are basically very stupid and/or more likely their administration is. They only seem to have won the war with a lot of Chinese aid, and they were effectively Goliath against David and without Chinese help would still have lost. Now the Tamils are often held in concentration camps, where comparisons to a rather stupid Auschwitz situation is far from irrelevant. Obviously the West largely does not care and India is not in a position to act. Compared to the Allied win in WW2, this is a stupid and bad result and need not have happened. I do not necessarily know that the Singhalese are actual Nazis, they just seem to have behaved stupidly.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Nutt again
Nutt revealed some of his children – he has two sons and two daughters, aged 18 to 26 – had perhaps taken ‘soft drugs’ before - he didn't seem sure - and that he was more concerned about drinking habits. He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m sure my children have tried drugs. In fact, some have told me they have. But I’m not as concerned about this as I am about alcohol. I’ve always told them about the dangers of drugs, but teenagers are at greater risk from alcohol, because it is so cheap, readily available and accepted.'
IMO: I'm fairly appalled by this. For a start Nutt has admitted to not knowing what his own kids are doing, secondly he does not seem to realise that even drugs like cocaine appear readily available and often enough cheaper then lager. Also there are often 'free trial offers' of narcotics, anyone must know this. AFAIK crystal meth may be becoming a current problem, particularly among the gay community, and crystal meth is even relatively easily made at home. I think the problem that the highfalutin profs who seem to support Nutt have to note is that they have to face the facts of soft sciences like those of ethics and social culture if they want to front against the Government in the way Nutt tried to do, and apparently Nutt at any rate cannot do this. Some say Nutt has done good work in related fields to his previous advisory Govt role, but now he sadly seems to have gone astray. Lets hope the scientific community think a little more before supporting him. I certainly agree that alcohol is another problem, but in the UK alcohol is firmly entrenched, unlike other countries like India which hopefully may still reduce alcohol consumption without undue social repercussions. I am more appalled than Nutt claims to be (after his having had to converse with the drunken louts styled as MPs, Lords and Ladies) when I notice even relatively reputable firms like Waitrose (where the drunken old harridan Mrs. Margaret Thatcher seems to have bought a lot of the booze which caused her downfall) still sells alcoholic goods, but surely other drugs were also his remit which he appears to have handled badly. I certainly would not allow the traditional 'teachers and nurses' Guardian newspaper, whose grossly overpaid staff have little real knowledge of current science, to sway my views. At their salaries they can afford to take recreational drugs, and dountless most do so. I think the crux of the matter is less the question of whether cannabis is B or C , as whether the scientific panel are capable to judge morals in the way they seem to try to do.
IMO: Oh, the rift is not between scientists and politicians, but crudely and roughly, between high-functioning Asperger's cases and overpaid drunks. And if I had to chose, in this case I would choose the overpaid drunks as being right.
Dr Les King, a respected chemist and former head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit in the Forensic Science Service, said that anger over the "disgraceful" decision by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, to remove Professor David Nutt could lead to a meltdown in the 40-year-old organisation. He claimed that as many as six of its scientists will resign from the independent organisation, putting further pressure on the Government over its handling of the affair. Dr King cautioned that the Government's whole drugs programme could be at risk.
IMO: Deplorable, as are a lot of things in the UK. To the anger of scientists, Mr Johnson accused Professor Nutt of "lobbying for a change in policy". But, what else can Johnson say to that loony bunch of 'mad scientists'. People say about expenses, MPs "do not get the message". But those loonytune scientists "do not get the message" in this case, but MPs of both parties hopefully DO "get the message". I agree with Johnson on known facts, which could take an extremely unpleasant turn. Joe McCarthy must be turning in his grave, and for once I would not blame him.
IMO: I'm fairly appalled by this. For a start Nutt has admitted to not knowing what his own kids are doing, secondly he does not seem to realise that even drugs like cocaine appear readily available and often enough cheaper then lager. Also there are often 'free trial offers' of narcotics, anyone must know this. AFAIK crystal meth may be becoming a current problem, particularly among the gay community, and crystal meth is even relatively easily made at home. I think the problem that the highfalutin profs who seem to support Nutt have to note is that they have to face the facts of soft sciences like those of ethics and social culture if they want to front against the Government in the way Nutt tried to do, and apparently Nutt at any rate cannot do this. Some say Nutt has done good work in related fields to his previous advisory Govt role, but now he sadly seems to have gone astray. Lets hope the scientific community think a little more before supporting him. I certainly agree that alcohol is another problem, but in the UK alcohol is firmly entrenched, unlike other countries like India which hopefully may still reduce alcohol consumption without undue social repercussions. I am more appalled than Nutt claims to be (after his having had to converse with the drunken louts styled as MPs, Lords and Ladies) when I notice even relatively reputable firms like Waitrose (where the drunken old harridan Mrs. Margaret Thatcher seems to have bought a lot of the booze which caused her downfall) still sells alcoholic goods, but surely other drugs were also his remit which he appears to have handled badly. I certainly would not allow the traditional 'teachers and nurses' Guardian newspaper, whose grossly overpaid staff have little real knowledge of current science, to sway my views. At their salaries they can afford to take recreational drugs, and dountless most do so. I think the crux of the matter is less the question of whether cannabis is B or C , as whether the scientific panel are capable to judge morals in the way they seem to try to do.
IMO: Oh, the rift is not between scientists and politicians, but crudely and roughly, between high-functioning Asperger's cases and overpaid drunks. And if I had to chose, in this case I would choose the overpaid drunks as being right.
Dr Les King, a respected chemist and former head of the Drugs Intelligence Unit in the Forensic Science Service, said that anger over the "disgraceful" decision by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, to remove Professor David Nutt could lead to a meltdown in the 40-year-old organisation. He claimed that as many as six of its scientists will resign from the independent organisation, putting further pressure on the Government over its handling of the affair. Dr King cautioned that the Government's whole drugs programme could be at risk.
IMO: Deplorable, as are a lot of things in the UK. To the anger of scientists, Mr Johnson accused Professor Nutt of "lobbying for a change in policy". But, what else can Johnson say to that loony bunch of 'mad scientists'. People say about expenses, MPs "do not get the message". But those loonytune scientists "do not get the message" in this case, but MPs of both parties hopefully DO "get the message". I agree with Johnson on known facts, which could take an extremely unpleasant turn. Joe McCarthy must be turning in his grave, and for once I would not blame him.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Nutt sacked
Professor David Nutt has been sacked as the government's top drugs adviser after a rollercoaster of a relationship with two home secretaries over the last 12 months. It was his job to provide hard scientific facts to the government on the harm of drugs.
He seems to have argued the harm from illegal drugs could be equal to harm in other parts of life, such as horse-riding. He did not seem to have accurate statistics to this effect.
He reproduced a chart of drugs and other substances, based on their risk to health. The chart stated that alcohol and tobacco were more harmful than many illegal drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and cannabis. Again, adequate statistics, directly relevant to the existing social context, do not seem to be there.
But he then went beyond that and criticised the moral tone of policy decisions.
IMO: The Government were right to sack Nutt. Firstly, he publically cricitised their moral view which was well outside his remit. Secondly, alternative statistics and anecdotal observation suggest his views are in considerable variance with fact. It is clear that the Government may well be ruing some actions (e.g. on removing marriage tax reliefs) it has taken, allegedly in the interests of Socialism, but in fact far from both that and far from the public good, and they may well be trying rather clumsily to correct some earlier errors. So Nutt can't stand the heat and has had to be taken out of the kitchen. Clumsy well-wishing scientists are only likely to anger the public and defeat their own profession if their arguments in Nutt's favour do not actually prove him right, which is most unlikely - there are many literature references and much anecdotal evidence which can be quoted to this end, and in any case the onus is on him to prove his controversial points. We cannot accept scientific advice ex cathedra, science is no religion.
He seems to have argued the harm from illegal drugs could be equal to harm in other parts of life, such as horse-riding. He did not seem to have accurate statistics to this effect.
He reproduced a chart of drugs and other substances, based on their risk to health. The chart stated that alcohol and tobacco were more harmful than many illegal drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and cannabis. Again, adequate statistics, directly relevant to the existing social context, do not seem to be there.
But he then went beyond that and criticised the moral tone of policy decisions.
IMO: The Government were right to sack Nutt. Firstly, he publically cricitised their moral view which was well outside his remit. Secondly, alternative statistics and anecdotal observation suggest his views are in considerable variance with fact. It is clear that the Government may well be ruing some actions (e.g. on removing marriage tax reliefs) it has taken, allegedly in the interests of Socialism, but in fact far from both that and far from the public good, and they may well be trying rather clumsily to correct some earlier errors. So Nutt can't stand the heat and has had to be taken out of the kitchen. Clumsy well-wishing scientists are only likely to anger the public and defeat their own profession if their arguments in Nutt's favour do not actually prove him right, which is most unlikely - there are many literature references and much anecdotal evidence which can be quoted to this end, and in any case the onus is on him to prove his controversial points. We cannot accept scientific advice ex cathedra, science is no religion.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Clinton scolds Pakistan over inaction on al-Qaida
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chided Pakistani officials Thursday for failing to press the hunt for al-Qaida inside their borders, suggesting they know where the terror leaders are hiding.
"I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to," Clinton said.
IMO: Exactly.
It would be unthinkable, Clinton said, for the U.S. government to decide, "Let the Taliban have Washington (state)" first, then Montana, then the sparsely populated Dakotas, because those states are far from the major centers of population and power on the East Coast".
IMO: Of course, and most modern nations would hopefully think the same. Basically the great difference between Pakistan and USA emerges. Hard to say what the ultimate consequences will be. 'Go America Go' does not seem to suit. Pakistan in its brief history seems to have become a disgrace. There are clearly many ways to remedy this, but will any be applied in time. Some would blame Saudi and US imperialism but that is an oversimplification. To say 'Go America Go' is like a juvenile delinquent knifing Santa Claus.
"I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to," Clinton said.
IMO: Exactly.
It would be unthinkable, Clinton said, for the U.S. government to decide, "Let the Taliban have Washington (state)" first, then Montana, then the sparsely populated Dakotas, because those states are far from the major centers of population and power on the East Coast".
IMO: Of course, and most modern nations would hopefully think the same. Basically the great difference between Pakistan and USA emerges. Hard to say what the ultimate consequences will be. 'Go America Go' does not seem to suit. Pakistan in its brief history seems to have become a disgrace. There are clearly many ways to remedy this, but will any be applied in time. Some would blame Saudi and US imperialism but that is an oversimplification. To say 'Go America Go' is like a juvenile delinquent knifing Santa Claus.
Dorries wins allegedly 'substantial' settlement from McBride
According to Guido.
IMO: £1000 is hardly 'substantial' by the standards of the people involved, who clearly have interests.
The gossip blogs comment:
" The alleged utter tool Damian McBride has decided to avoid the litigation risk of testing his disgraceful Guido Fawkes / Paul Staines alike smearologist behaviour in the libel court and has paid an undisclosed sum (£1,000 we're told) to Ms Nadine Dorries MP,
Seems that Guido also profited by charging Ms Dorries' lawyer Donal Blaney £75/hour for serving the legal letter on the former Number 10 man.
Dorries's daughter Jennifer is telling people an absolutely ridiculous figure for her parliamentary wages from mum. Probably twice the going rate. Twice what Conway was paying IIRC. Her big sister Philippa is the one listed in the RMI Part 2 for 2-9 and also 14-10 though she is believed to be in Australia. But Jennifer - mentioned in HoC on 06-07-09 as hopeless unemployed graduate is now being paid sackfuls of taxpayer money for a job she says herself she has little clue about performing. And little experience. And no interview or selection process. That's the scandal. By employing two of her kids who have little skills, knowledge or experience Ms Dorries is now screwing the taxpayer".
IMO: It is all quite a lot of money to many impoverished people, not so much to these epeople
IMO: £1000 is hardly 'substantial' by the standards of the people involved, who clearly have interests.
The gossip blogs comment:
" The alleged utter tool Damian McBride has decided to avoid the litigation risk of testing his disgraceful Guido Fawkes / Paul Staines alike smearologist behaviour in the libel court and has paid an undisclosed sum (£1,000 we're told) to Ms Nadine Dorries MP,
Seems that Guido also profited by charging Ms Dorries' lawyer Donal Blaney £75/hour for serving the legal letter on the former Number 10 man.
Dorries's daughter Jennifer is telling people an absolutely ridiculous figure for her parliamentary wages from mum. Probably twice the going rate. Twice what Conway was paying IIRC. Her big sister Philippa is the one listed in the RMI Part 2 for 2-9 and also 14-10 though she is believed to be in Australia. But Jennifer - mentioned in HoC on 06-07-09 as hopeless unemployed graduate is now being paid sackfuls of taxpayer money for a job she says herself she has little clue about performing. And little experience. And no interview or selection process. That's the scandal. By employing two of her kids who have little skills, knowledge or experience Ms Dorries is now screwing the taxpayer".
IMO: It is all quite a lot of money to many impoverished people, not so much to these epeople
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
India, China and Russia on the same page on terror
Significantly, Russia and China said they “understand and support” India’s aspirations to play a greater role in the U.N. and condemned the attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul.
Without mentioning Mumbai, they highlighted the need to bring to book the perpetrators of all terrorist attacks. In turn, India and China backed Russia’s efforts to stabilise the Caucasus.
This occurred at the ninth trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) that concluded in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Without mentioning Mumbai, they highlighted the need to bring to book the perpetrators of all terrorist attacks. In turn, India and China backed Russia’s efforts to stabilise the Caucasus.
This occurred at the ninth trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) that concluded in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Patricia Howe
Pauline Howe, 67, wrote a letter to Norwich Council objecting to a local gay pride march. She used the word “sodomites” and objected to “perverted sexual practices”. That is something Guido at least would perhaps be embarrassed by if his aunt blurted it out at Christmas. Subsequently two police officers turned up on her doorstep to warn her that she had committed a “hate crime”.
IMO: At least the lady was not given a beating by 'gay' police officers, in the traditonal Gilbert and Sullivan manner. In fact the incident reminds of the 'Neasden Police' regularly featured in 'Private Eye'. We have to hope that Mr. Paddick, a hopefully quite suitable potential replacement for Boris Johnson (who appears himself to have some strange background on that matter), has got it a bit more accurate. Current comments suggest that Paddick has, and to promote a long standing realistic and indeed sensitive view is a good deal different to - say - bashing of a so-called gay police trainee, as we so recently had in Liverpool and which Paddick commented on. Such violence is not the way forward and culprits undoubtedly should be dealt with. Basically reasoned disagreement, as seems to have been the case with Patricia Howe, is a valued part of the democratic process. If the situation is made too different to that, people will not tolerate it.
IMO: At least the lady was not given a beating by 'gay' police officers, in the traditonal Gilbert and Sullivan manner. In fact the incident reminds of the 'Neasden Police' regularly featured in 'Private Eye'. We have to hope that Mr. Paddick, a hopefully quite suitable potential replacement for Boris Johnson (who appears himself to have some strange background on that matter), has got it a bit more accurate. Current comments suggest that Paddick has, and to promote a long standing realistic and indeed sensitive view is a good deal different to - say - bashing of a so-called gay police trainee, as we so recently had in Liverpool and which Paddick commented on. Such violence is not the way forward and culprits undoubtedly should be dealt with. Basically reasoned disagreement, as seems to have been the case with Patricia Howe, is a valued part of the democratic process. If the situation is made too different to that, people will not tolerate it.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Threats to Obama
Threats to the president's life are up a whopping 400% over previous presidents and that is putting serious pressure on the Secret Service to keep up with its task of investigating and protecting against those threats. The Secret Service has, in turn, increased its employees by just 5.3% from two years ago. Not nearly enough. apparently.
IMO: Interesting. It shows at least two things 1. Why he got the Nobel prize - not much use after death. 2. Obama's government is working and somewhat reputable, otherwise the wingnuts would not be taking that trouble, nor would the Republicans. Can't think why any other significant minority would increase threats by 400% over Dubya.
IMO: Interesting. It shows at least two things 1. Why he got the Nobel prize - not much use after death. 2. Obama's government is working and somewhat reputable, otherwise the wingnuts would not be taking that trouble, nor would the Republicans. Can't think why any other significant minority would increase threats by 400% over Dubya.
UK corruption
The Committee on Standards and Privileges has so far administered only the gentlest of slaps on the wrist to the Wintertons and Jacqui Smith, both beneficiaries of £100,000 plus scams. Guido has almost given up hope of porcine politicians being ordered to repay their ill-gotten gains. Do the punishments really deter the crimes? With the Lords establishment ruling that the Sunlight Centre’s complaint against Lord Rennard could not be upheld, because the Lords had no definition of main residence, Guido is sceptical that a penny will ever be repaid by Lords for lying about their main residence. So far not one single penny has been shamed out of these troughers of the realm.
IMO: The trouble is that this overt bad behaviour by the authorities will lead to even more widespread corruption, civil violence, and voter appointment of almost anyone who will try to put a stop to the criminality. One can imagine a party whose sole real aim is, for example, the advancement of pedophilia as picking up an excellent vote if hand on heart it offered to put an end to this awful Westminster corruption. It is not a joke - without taking a view on personal ethics, the fact remains that even a few years ago the term "Gay Christian" would have seemed an oxymoron and now many Christian churches seem to be crammed with buggers, at least if they ever show up. In the UK the slogan "success breeds success" has now become "corruption breeds corruption" with the sad effect on real growth in the economy that this will lead to. You only have to read the comic 'Dilbert' to see how far corruption has spread in business society in the US, and what damage it has done there. And in the UK it is even worse - the UK is now handing over its national sovereignty to the inchoate EU so that all UK politicians can benefit from more bribes, without offering a referendum for obvious reasons.
And Armando Iannucci says of the prospect of a Tory government…“I don’t think there’s going to be dancing in the streets. It will be like knowing you have to go in for a knee operation.”
IMO: Yeah, the sort of knee operation you would get on the NHS - you'd probably wait 20 years, have to pay some prat at a clinic anyway, and when you get it, be crippled for life - hardly able to get past the piles of shit and vomit in the NHS wards.
IMO: The trouble is that this overt bad behaviour by the authorities will lead to even more widespread corruption, civil violence, and voter appointment of almost anyone who will try to put a stop to the criminality. One can imagine a party whose sole real aim is, for example, the advancement of pedophilia as picking up an excellent vote if hand on heart it offered to put an end to this awful Westminster corruption. It is not a joke - without taking a view on personal ethics, the fact remains that even a few years ago the term "Gay Christian" would have seemed an oxymoron and now many Christian churches seem to be crammed with buggers, at least if they ever show up. In the UK the slogan "success breeds success" has now become "corruption breeds corruption" with the sad effect on real growth in the economy that this will lead to. You only have to read the comic 'Dilbert' to see how far corruption has spread in business society in the US, and what damage it has done there. And in the UK it is even worse - the UK is now handing over its national sovereignty to the inchoate EU so that all UK politicians can benefit from more bribes, without offering a referendum for obvious reasons.
And Armando Iannucci says of the prospect of a Tory government…“I don’t think there’s going to be dancing in the streets. It will be like knowing you have to go in for a knee operation.”
IMO: Yeah, the sort of knee operation you would get on the NHS - you'd probably wait 20 years, have to pay some prat at a clinic anyway, and when you get it, be crippled for life - hardly able to get past the piles of shit and vomit in the NHS wards.
Nick Griffin's mother-in-law says the BNP leader is a 'racist'
Mrs Cook, 72, is the mother of Griffin’s wife Jackie. She has said the BNP leader is a “racist”.
IMO: If true, I think that's cute. Nobody really cares what any politican says nowadays.But, there may be ways that this can be put right. Here and Here.
IMO: If true, I think that's cute. Nobody really cares what any politican says nowadays.But, there may be ways that this can be put right. Here and Here.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
BNP success
Simon Bennett, the BNP's webmaster, declared. "In the Euro elections, we gained 40,000 enquiries, but spent £500,000 to do so – on Question Time we spent peanuts but gained almost 25% of the Euro election total in eight hours! We had to upgrade our server capacity enormously, which allowed us to cope with extra traffic."
And I gather that 1 in 5 people said that they would seriously consider backing the BNP from an apparently independent poll.
IMO: I'm not at all surprised. As I have said, Griffin's opponents overall give the impression of being mindless louts and everyone sees the sad state of UK politics. MPs are like evil greedy pigs who could not care less about voters, and of course there are many other important factors, almost too many to delve into here. I would say, however, do not vote BNP. Further, last election I was so sickened by ALL the candidates that I did not vote, and even a year or two ago I would have thought that public duty required me to vote for someone. My best advice would to deface your ballot paper giving clear brief and precise reasons on it as to the reasons for defacement. But do not let the electoral officals see you doing it as, crazily, you might be arrested, even jailed ! I never thought, even in such a place as the UK, it would come to that. I will not spell out my reasons against minority candidates, but believe me, those exist too. Would any reasonable person vote for the sick crowd hanging around "Question Time", for example, many escorted away by police ? I think not. I am not actually advising anyone to spoil their ballot paper, because the stinking corrupt cabal of MPs have probably made even to do that illegal by now, but I am simply expressing my thoughts as a good citizen.
And I gather that 1 in 5 people said that they would seriously consider backing the BNP from an apparently independent poll.
IMO: I'm not at all surprised. As I have said, Griffin's opponents overall give the impression of being mindless louts and everyone sees the sad state of UK politics. MPs are like evil greedy pigs who could not care less about voters, and of course there are many other important factors, almost too many to delve into here. I would say, however, do not vote BNP. Further, last election I was so sickened by ALL the candidates that I did not vote, and even a year or two ago I would have thought that public duty required me to vote for someone. My best advice would to deface your ballot paper giving clear brief and precise reasons on it as to the reasons for defacement. But do not let the electoral officals see you doing it as, crazily, you might be arrested, even jailed ! I never thought, even in such a place as the UK, it would come to that. I will not spell out my reasons against minority candidates, but believe me, those exist too. Would any reasonable person vote for the sick crowd hanging around "Question Time", for example, many escorted away by police ? I think not. I am not actually advising anyone to spoil their ballot paper, because the stinking corrupt cabal of MPs have probably made even to do that illegal by now, but I am simply expressing my thoughts as a good citizen.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pollution in China
Too many sordid pictures to display but they can be found here.
IMO: This is a hideous picture, and a warning to countries like India to be very careful indeed with increasing industrialisation. The penalties are not worth it. I can well remember when in Sheffield, England, at times you could not see your own hand in front of you for misty polluted smoke in your own front hall. Those days are thankfully long gone in Sheffield, but if allowed nowadays they could become irreversible..
IMO: This is a hideous picture, and a warning to countries like India to be very careful indeed with increasing industrialisation. The penalties are not worth it. I can well remember when in Sheffield, England, at times you could not see your own hand in front of you for misty polluted smoke in your own front hall. Those days are thankfully long gone in Sheffield, but if allowed nowadays they could become irreversible..
Shree Vivek Pandit elected in Vasai
Vasai-Virar: Shramajivi Sanghatana's Vivek Pandit has won the Vasai assembly seat with a margin of 16,737 votes after defeating Bahujan Vikas Aghadi's candidate Narayan Mankar.
The controversial issue of inducting 53 villages into the jurisdiction of the newly-formed Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), and the protest against this move, proved fruitful for Pandit. The state formed the VVMC in March and inducted these villages in the civic corporation.
After the move, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi's legislator Hitendra Thakur and newly-elected MP Baliram Jadhav had to face the ire of villagers. For two days in August, Vasai saw violent protests. Pandit started an indefinite hunger strike against the induction, and ultimately, the government had to take note and appointed a committee to review the move.
The Gaon Bachao Aandolan Samiti, which was formed to protest against the VVMC, offered support to Pandit on the condition that he would have no truce with the Sena or other parties. Pandit agreed and polled 81,249 votes, while his rival Mankar got 64,512 votes. "I will now ensure that villages don't come under the ambit of the VVMC," said Pandit.
IMO: So the strongman has been trounced, and the Vasai area will hopefully benefit even more from Vivek Pandit who has done much useful work in areas like social work and combating slavery. The light of hope arises, like a great beacon, from Vasai !
(Note added 2/10/09: of course AFAIK Vivek Pandit actually stood as Sena candidate a year or so ago as for some reason Congress did not want to support him, but he definitely sounds a very good choice and many Sena views have been fair and uplifting - apparently even MNS Sena were getting some Muslim votes !)
The controversial issue of inducting 53 villages into the jurisdiction of the newly-formed Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), and the protest against this move, proved fruitful for Pandit. The state formed the VVMC in March and inducted these villages in the civic corporation.
After the move, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi's legislator Hitendra Thakur and newly-elected MP Baliram Jadhav had to face the ire of villagers. For two days in August, Vasai saw violent protests. Pandit started an indefinite hunger strike against the induction, and ultimately, the government had to take note and appointed a committee to review the move.
The Gaon Bachao Aandolan Samiti, which was formed to protest against the VVMC, offered support to Pandit on the condition that he would have no truce with the Sena or other parties. Pandit agreed and polled 81,249 votes, while his rival Mankar got 64,512 votes. "I will now ensure that villages don't come under the ambit of the VVMC," said Pandit.
IMO: So the strongman has been trounced, and the Vasai area will hopefully benefit even more from Vivek Pandit who has done much useful work in areas like social work and combating slavery. The light of hope arises, like a great beacon, from Vasai !
(Note added 2/10/09: of course AFAIK Vivek Pandit actually stood as Sena candidate a year or so ago as for some reason Congress did not want to support him, but he definitely sounds a very good choice and many Sena views have been fair and uplifting - apparently even MNS Sena were getting some Muslim votes !)
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