Subject: Formal notice
To the citizens of the United States of America:
In light of your failure in recent years to nominate competent candidates
for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give
notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.
Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties
over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she
does not fancy).
Your new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will appoint a Governor for America
without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be
disbanded.
A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of
you noticed.
To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following
rules are introduced with immediate effect:
You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.
1. Then look up aluminium, and check the pronunciation guide. You will be
amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.
2. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour', 'favour'
and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without
skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the
suffix '-ise'.
Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable
levels. (look up 'vocabulary').
3. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such
as 'like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of
communication. There is no such thing as US English. We will let Microsoft
know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell- checker will be adjusted to take
account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of -ize.
4. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.
5. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers,
or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows
that you're not adult enough to be independent.
Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort
things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're
not grown up enough to handle a gun.
6. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more
dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish
to carry a vegetable peeler in public.
7. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start
driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go
metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables.
Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British
sense of humour.
8. The Former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been
calling gasoline)-roughly $6/US gallon. Get used to it.
9. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries
are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips
are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat,
and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.
10. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually
beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as
beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred
to as Lager. South African beer is also acceptable as they are pound for
pound the greatest sporting Nation on earth and it can only be due to the
beer. They are also part of British Commonwealth - see what it did for
them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so
that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.
11. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good
guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play
English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in
Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears
removed with a cheese grater.
12. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of
proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in
time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American
football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or
wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies). Don't
try Rugby - the South Africans and Kiwis will thrash you, like they
regularly thrash us.
13. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host
an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of
America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware that there is a world beyond
your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we
will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their
deliveries.
14. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.
15. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's
Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all
monies due (backdated to 1776).
16. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 pm with proper cups, with saucers,
and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus
strawberries (with cream) when in season.
God save the Queen.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Our dhimmi media
CPA says,"ITV & BBC Censor London Mayoral Election
Broadcast "in Fear of Radical Islam"
Alan Craig says Closing Down Debate Fuels Islamaphobic Paranoia
Papers are being filed Tuesday morning at the Royal Courts of Justice after the BBC
and ITV instructed London Mayoral Candidate Alan Craig to censor his Party Election
Broadcasts aired last Wednesday (23rd April). The two broadcasters demanded
that The Christian Choice candidate not criticise radical Islamist group, Tablighi
Jamaat, over their plans to build Europe's biggest mosque next to the Olympics
site in West Ham. Use of the word 'separatist' was ruled out by both ITV & BBC.
Alan Craig is asking the High Court to ensure the electoral process and freedom of
speech is not threatened by fear of Islam. He is calling on the other Mayoral
candidates to endorse his concern about political censorship. Commenting ahead
of the action against the BBC, Alan Craig said:
"Elections are about open discourse and a free exchange of views. The action
of the broadcasters closed down democratic discussion and showed the fear of
both ITV and the BBC in offending a radical Islamic group. In preventing rational
and moderate comment, the BBC and ITV have fuelled the sort of paranoia which
extreme groups like the BNP have fed-off in this election."
Under BBC duress, Alan Craig changed his factual description of Tabliqi
Jamaat from "separatist" to “controversial”. Then late in the day, ITV insisted
that the agreed word “controversial” should be applied to the mosque plans not
to the Islamic group. But Alan Craig’s objections to the mega-mosque have
consistently been related to the nature of the Islamic group behind the project;
the plans have not yet been submitted to Newham.
Alan Craig represents the local ward on Newham Council where the Mosque is
to be built and so has a direct constituency interest in the proposal. He claims
not only ‘political interference’ by the broadcasters, but says such action
breaches his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, which
protects freedom of speech. He says political interference has taken place
because whilst forbidding the use of the word 'separatist' in the election
broadcast, the BBC had already published identical comment in three separate
webpages on the BBC Elections 2008 website (see NOTES below), as well as
news reports by BBC Newsnight and BBC London TV News where Cllr Craig
was quoted making the same 'separatist' point, but before the elections.
Alan Craig added:
"Nationally and locally, leading Muslims share my objections to the mega-
mosque yet two national broadcasters have attempted to close down the
democratic debate, through misplaced concern. Two years ago, Trevor
Phillips warned against the "stifling suppression of free expression" and said
"barriers to honesty and understanding are a disaster for race relations". When
it comes to the political crunch, the BBC were not listening and have learnt nothing. "
In their warning to Alan Craig, BBC and ITV officials instructed the Christian Choice
to ‘tone down’ its views and change the sense if a Party Election Broadcast was to
be approved. The legal language of ‘libel’ was mentioned by the BBC and in the
case of ITV, Alan Craig was forced to go back to the studios at the last minute to
record a second censored version.
The Christian Legal Centre is acting in the case. It is calling for a Judicial Review of
the BBC’s decision and will ask the judge to order, as a matter of urgency,
for the unedited Party Election Broadcast to be shown by election day. "
Broadcast "in Fear of Radical Islam"
Alan Craig says Closing Down Debate Fuels Islamaphobic Paranoia
Papers are being filed Tuesday morning at the Royal Courts of Justice after the BBC
and ITV instructed London Mayoral Candidate Alan Craig to censor his Party Election
Broadcasts aired last Wednesday (23rd April). The two broadcasters demanded
that The Christian Choice candidate not criticise radical Islamist group, Tablighi
Jamaat, over their plans to build Europe's biggest mosque next to the Olympics
site in West Ham. Use of the word 'separatist' was ruled out by both ITV & BBC.
Alan Craig is asking the High Court to ensure the electoral process and freedom of
speech is not threatened by fear of Islam. He is calling on the other Mayoral
candidates to endorse his concern about political censorship. Commenting ahead
of the action against the BBC, Alan Craig said:
"Elections are about open discourse and a free exchange of views. The action
of the broadcasters closed down democratic discussion and showed the fear of
both ITV and the BBC in offending a radical Islamic group. In preventing rational
and moderate comment, the BBC and ITV have fuelled the sort of paranoia which
extreme groups like the BNP have fed-off in this election."
Under BBC duress, Alan Craig changed his factual description of Tabliqi
Jamaat from "separatist" to “controversial”. Then late in the day, ITV insisted
that the agreed word “controversial” should be applied to the mosque plans not
to the Islamic group. But Alan Craig’s objections to the mega-mosque have
consistently been related to the nature of the Islamic group behind the project;
the plans have not yet been submitted to Newham.
Alan Craig represents the local ward on Newham Council where the Mosque is
to be built and so has a direct constituency interest in the proposal. He claims
not only ‘political interference’ by the broadcasters, but says such action
breaches his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, which
protects freedom of speech. He says political interference has taken place
because whilst forbidding the use of the word 'separatist' in the election
broadcast, the BBC had already published identical comment in three separate
webpages on the BBC Elections 2008 website (see NOTES below), as well as
news reports by BBC Newsnight and BBC London TV News where Cllr Craig
was quoted making the same 'separatist' point, but before the elections.
Alan Craig added:
"Nationally and locally, leading Muslims share my objections to the mega-
mosque yet two national broadcasters have attempted to close down the
democratic debate, through misplaced concern. Two years ago, Trevor
Phillips warned against the "stifling suppression of free expression" and said
"barriers to honesty and understanding are a disaster for race relations". When
it comes to the political crunch, the BBC were not listening and have learnt nothing. "
In their warning to Alan Craig, BBC and ITV officials instructed the Christian Choice
to ‘tone down’ its views and change the sense if a Party Election Broadcast was to
be approved. The legal language of ‘libel’ was mentioned by the BBC and in the
case of ITV, Alan Craig was forced to go back to the studios at the last minute to
record a second censored version.
The Christian Legal Centre is acting in the case. It is calling for a Judicial Review of
the BBC’s decision and will ask the judge to order, as a matter of urgency,
for the unedited Party Election Broadcast to be shown by election day. "
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Drivers urged against fuel rush
BBC says,"Ministers and trade bodies have urged motorists not to panic-buy fuel, as some petrol stations across Scotland reported shortages."
I can think of no better way to encourage people to fill up their cars with fuel,
BTW, can one find out the source of the fuel one has to buy? I have a desire to stop financing Saudi, Iran and other Arab oil producers with the exception of Iraq.
I can think of no better way to encourage people to fill up their cars with fuel,
BTW, can one find out the source of the fuel one has to buy? I have a desire to stop financing Saudi, Iran and other Arab oil producers with the exception of Iraq.
Supporting Iraqi Christians
Encouraged by the Barnabas Fund (link in title) I have written to my MP and encourage you to do so also. Here is my letter
'It may come a surprise to you to have a second communication from me in support of government policy. I have always supported the invasion of Iraq. In fact I think we should have done it when we liberated Kuwait. It would have saved Labour a lot of problems :-)
So I am calling for more involvement there, specifically to protect the Christian minority who are being persecuted by those opposed to the occupation. In the eyes of good Muslims there is no separation of religion and politics. They wrongly see all Christians as supporters of the invasion. So Iraqi Christians who were no threat to Saddam are viewed as friends of the invaders and suffer with little apparent protection from the Coalition forces. They are being forced to flee their country.
It is estimated that over one million Christians have fed the country since persecution started after the first Gulf war in 1990. This is two thirds of the Christian population. Many staying in the country have fled, unsupported to the Kurdish north where the invasion was welcomed.
So what is our government and the Coalition doing about this? What will you do to protect Christians in Iraq? You and I know the invasion is no Crusade. Muslims do not and are therefore persecuting their Christian compatriots. We owe these Christians special protection do we not?'
I await his reply. He is a sincere Catholic who I consider a friend though our politics, apart from pro-life, are far apart.
Please let me know what you will do to raise this with our government and what more will be done. Saddam had Christians in his government. Are there any in the present one? It is not protecting Christians.
'It may come a surprise to you to have a second communication from me in support of government policy. I have always supported the invasion of Iraq. In fact I think we should have done it when we liberated Kuwait. It would have saved Labour a lot of problems :-)
So I am calling for more involvement there, specifically to protect the Christian minority who are being persecuted by those opposed to the occupation. In the eyes of good Muslims there is no separation of religion and politics. They wrongly see all Christians as supporters of the invasion. So Iraqi Christians who were no threat to Saddam are viewed as friends of the invaders and suffer with little apparent protection from the Coalition forces. They are being forced to flee their country.
It is estimated that over one million Christians have fed the country since persecution started after the first Gulf war in 1990. This is two thirds of the Christian population. Many staying in the country have fled, unsupported to the Kurdish north where the invasion was welcomed.
So what is our government and the Coalition doing about this? What will you do to protect Christians in Iraq? You and I know the invasion is no Crusade. Muslims do not and are therefore persecuting their Christian compatriots. We owe these Christians special protection do we not?'
I await his reply. He is a sincere Catholic who I consider a friend though our politics, apart from pro-life, are far apart.
Please let me know what you will do to raise this with our government and what more will be done. Saddam had Christians in his government. Are there any in the present one? It is not protecting Christians.
Question Time.
I rarely watch it but wanted to see the big three London mayoral candidates. They are not impressive. nor were the questions, all except for the one about their private lives which have been made public. It was astonishing to see Paddick take the moral high ground over the promiscuous heterosexuals on either side. Neither of them had the nous to ask him if he is in a civil partnership and if so, is he faithful. Perhaps someone can answer for him? It will not influence my vote :-)
The burial place of Calvin
Today I read in Wikipedia that Big John did not get the unmarked grave he wanted.
"John Calvin died in Geneva on May 27, 1564. He was buried in the Cimetière des Rois under a tombstone marked simply with the initials "J.C.", partially honoring his request that he be buried in an unknown place, without witnesses or ceremony."
Would it dishonour his wishes to visit it?
"John Calvin died in Geneva on May 27, 1564. He was buried in the Cimetière des Rois under a tombstone marked simply with the initials "J.C.", partially honoring his request that he be buried in an unknown place, without witnesses or ceremony."
Would it dishonour his wishes to visit it?
Humphrey Lyttelton has died aged 86.
BBC sadly says,"The chairman of BBC Radio 4's comedy panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue recently had surgery in an attempt to repair an aortic aneurysm. The latest series of the quiz programme was cancelled after Lyttelton was admitted to Barnet Hospital in north London on 16 April."
He will be missed. I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue who else will chair the funniest show on the radio.
He will be missed. I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue who else will chair the funniest show on the radio.
Good Muslim ancestry
Lest I be accused of only mentioning one London mayoral candidate, click the title for the low down on where the Boris blonde locks did not originate. An extract from the Spectator article now.
"Boris Johnson is one eighth Turkish. His great-grandfather (there is, if you abstract the fez and the moustache, a family resemblance) was a well-known writer, Ali Kemal (1868–1922) who came, because of his politics, to a tragic end. He knew England very well, and when the British occupied Constantinople for four years at the end of the first world war, he collaborated with them. They had left the Sultan on his throne, and there was a puppet government which controlled a few back-streets. Poor Ali Kemal made the awful mistake of becoming its minister of the interior for some three months. ... Then he spent his time on journalism, and taught at the university: he knew a great deal about literature. But a nationalist resistance built up in the interior (based on Ankara) and when, late in 1922, it triumphed, Ali Kemal did not leave.
It was crazy: the Sultan himself was smuggled out in a British ambulance to Malta, and the Ottoman dynasty was thrown to the four winds. History does not reveal the reasons for Ali Kemal’s staying. At any rate he was picked up, while being shaved at the Grand Cercle d’Orient in the European city — it was the Levantines’ club, and only Turks of a high rank were admitted — and put on a train for trial in Ankara. His captor, Nurettin Pasha, had lost his two sons in the war, and had gone a little mad. Somehow, he allowed a mob to take Ali Kemal off the train at Izmit, the old Nicomedia, and they lynched him. ...
The story ends, none the less, with some uplift. He had had two wives, one British — hence the Boris connection — and, after her death from childbirth, one Turkish. Boris (and his father, Stanley Johnson) has done him proud. On the Turkish side, there was a boy, Zeki Kuneralp, who was very bright and needed a state scholarship. Kemal Atatürk, the chief target of Ali Kemal’s journalistic attacks, was by then the Turkish equivalent of de Gaulle. He said: give that boy the money. Zeki’s son is now a chief negotiator on the subject Turkey-in-Europe. Another son is a leading publisher."
"Boris Johnson is one eighth Turkish. His great-grandfather (there is, if you abstract the fez and the moustache, a family resemblance) was a well-known writer, Ali Kemal (1868–1922) who came, because of his politics, to a tragic end. He knew England very well, and when the British occupied Constantinople for four years at the end of the first world war, he collaborated with them. They had left the Sultan on his throne, and there was a puppet government which controlled a few back-streets. Poor Ali Kemal made the awful mistake of becoming its minister of the interior for some three months. ... Then he spent his time on journalism, and taught at the university: he knew a great deal about literature. But a nationalist resistance built up in the interior (based on Ankara) and when, late in 1922, it triumphed, Ali Kemal did not leave.
It was crazy: the Sultan himself was smuggled out in a British ambulance to Malta, and the Ottoman dynasty was thrown to the four winds. History does not reveal the reasons for Ali Kemal’s staying. At any rate he was picked up, while being shaved at the Grand Cercle d’Orient in the European city — it was the Levantines’ club, and only Turks of a high rank were admitted — and put on a train for trial in Ankara. His captor, Nurettin Pasha, had lost his two sons in the war, and had gone a little mad. Somehow, he allowed a mob to take Ali Kemal off the train at Izmit, the old Nicomedia, and they lynched him. ...
The story ends, none the less, with some uplift. He had had two wives, one British — hence the Boris connection — and, after her death from childbirth, one Turkish. Boris (and his father, Stanley Johnson) has done him proud. On the Turkish side, there was a boy, Zeki Kuneralp, who was very bright and needed a state scholarship. Kemal Atatürk, the chief target of Ali Kemal’s journalistic attacks, was by then the Turkish equivalent of de Gaulle. He said: give that boy the money. Zeki’s son is now a chief negotiator on the subject Turkey-in-Europe. Another son is a leading publisher."
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Portrait of Blair as PM unveiled
Click on title to see it.
BBC says,"The portrait was painted in Mr Blair's last months in office
A portrait of Tony Blair, painted in his final few months as prime minister, has been unveiled in Westminster.
Mr Blair sat for artist Phil Hale in the PM's official country residence at Chequers for the portrait, which will be hung in Portcullis House.
Mr Hale said Mr Blair had had "more pressing concerns than prettifying himself for a picture". In an e-mail he said he was "tired and distracted"."
Tony was no king, but his picture could be entitled, "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown".
BBC says,"The portrait was painted in Mr Blair's last months in office
A portrait of Tony Blair, painted in his final few months as prime minister, has been unveiled in Westminster.
Mr Blair sat for artist Phil Hale in the PM's official country residence at Chequers for the portrait, which will be hung in Portcullis House.
Mr Hale said Mr Blair had had "more pressing concerns than prettifying himself for a picture". In an e-mail he said he was "tired and distracted"."
Tony was no king, but his picture could be entitled, "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown".
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Strike to disrupt 7,800 schools
BBC says, "This is the first national strike by teachers for two decades
The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 7,800 schools in England and Wales.
Warnings to parents from 132 local authorities - three-quarters of the total - so far show that 32% of schools are expected to face disruption.
The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers."
The NUTs are not professionals. Other teachers, like PAT, are and will not strike. They put children first unlike the NUTs who cost my granddaughter a day's schooling.
The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 7,800 schools in England and Wales.
Warnings to parents from 132 local authorities - three-quarters of the total - so far show that 32% of schools are expected to face disruption.
The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers."
The NUTs are not professionals. Other teachers, like PAT, are and will not strike. They put children first unlike the NUTs who cost my granddaughter a day's schooling.
Strike to disrupt 7,800 schools
BBC says, "This is the first national strike by teachers for two decades
The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 7,800 schools in England and Wales.
Warnings to parents from 132 local authorities - three-quarters of the total - so far show that 32% of schools are expected to face disruption.
The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers."
The NUTs are not professionals. Other teachers, like PAT, are and will not strike. They put children first unlike the NUT.
The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 7,800 schools in England and Wales.
Warnings to parents from 132 local authorities - three-quarters of the total - so far show that 32% of schools are expected to face disruption.
The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers."
The NUTs are not professionals. Other teachers, like PAT, are and will not strike. They put children first unlike the NUT.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ex-extremists call for 'Western Islam
Click title for story. I wish them well politically but think theologically they do not have a case. Can the leopard change its spots? It needs to.
Cancelled on police advice: St George's Day parade
Click on the title for the story. Does it prove the good bishop of Rochester is right? There are no go areas in our country. Bradistan has one of them. I sent this comment to the mail but it has not been published :-(
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Somme
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, fought from July 1916 to November 1916, was among the largest battles of the First World War. With more than 1.4 million casualties, it is also one of the bloodiest military operations recorded. The Allied forces attempted to break through the German lines along a 12 mile front north and south of the River Somme in northern France The battle is best remembered for its first day, 1 July 1916, on which the British suffered 67,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead — the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army.
I drove 100 miles to visit the grave of Katy's great uncle, a driver who died of pneumonia a week before the war ended. The telegram arrived on Armistice day. As far as we know out of several family members who served in WWI he is the only one to die here.
It was a cold day.
Most of the men buried here were younger than my sons pictured here The graves are mainly of men in their twenties, a few teenagers and the odd older man in his thirties.
Musing on the beautifully kept cemeteries one is impressed by the symmetry of the layout with more order in death than these men had seen in life at war. In the one we visited, British, French and Germans are united in death distinguished only by different headstones. Each cemetery has a memorial stone and a cross. With all graves facing the memorial stone at the east end they look like a church congregation facing the altar. But here it is the congregation who have been sacrificed. All over the countryside there are large and small resting places.
On the cross is a sword. Unfortunately The war to end wars did not put the sword to death. It was resurrected after just 21 years. So I find these cemeteries very impressive, moving yet ironic. With bodies never repatriated, these soldiers enjoy more grandeur at rest than the graves of the families which at home are not usually so well cared for.
A few French crosses among the British headstones which here are behind a row of German graves.
The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, fought from July 1916 to November 1916, was among the largest battles of the First World War. With more than 1.4 million casualties, it is also one of the bloodiest military operations recorded. The Allied forces attempted to break through the German lines along a 12 mile front north and south of the River Somme in northern France The battle is best remembered for its first day, 1 July 1916, on which the British suffered 67,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead — the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army.
I drove 100 miles to visit the grave of Katy's great uncle, a driver who died of pneumonia a week before the war ended. The telegram arrived on Armistice day. As far as we know out of several family members who served in WWI he is the only one to die here.
It was a cold day.
Most of the men buried here were younger than my sons pictured here The graves are mainly of men in their twenties, a few teenagers and the odd older man in his thirties.Musing on the beautifully kept cemeteries one is impressed by the symmetry of the layout with more order in death than these men had seen in life at war. In the one we visited, British, French and Germans are united in death distinguished only by different headstones. Each cemetery has a memorial stone and a cross. With all graves facing the memorial stone at the east end they look like a church congregation facing the altar. But here it is the congregation who have been sacrificed. All over the countryside there are large and small resting places.
On the cross is a sword. Unfortunately The war to end wars did not put the sword to death. It was resurrected after just 21 years. So I find these cemeteries very impressive, moving yet ironic. With bodies never repatriated, these soldiers enjoy more grandeur at rest than the graves of the families which at home are not usually so well cared for.
A few French crosses among the British headstones which here are behind a row of German graves.
Prescott tells of bulimia battle
BBC says,"Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has confessed to suffering from the eating disorder bulimia.
He told BBC News 24 that he suffered in misery and in silence for 10 years because of the shame of being a high-profile man with the illness.
He writes in the Sunday Times that he would gorge on food and then vomit."
Prescott is one of my least favorite politicos but I admire him for his confession.
He told BBC News 24 that he suffered in misery and in silence for 10 years because of the shame of being a high-profile man with the illness.
He writes in the Sunday Times that he would gorge on food and then vomit."
Prescott is one of my least favorite politicos but I admire him for his confession.
What have Islam and homosexuality in common?
It is a provocative question I know but one which seriously exercises me as a Christian. In short, I am against them both but want to be friends with Muslims and homosexuals. I have an obligation as a follower of the friend of sinners. And who else is there to befriend but sinners.? "For all have sinned....."
But there you are. I keep on introducing troublesome topics and joining them together.
It has take me some time and thought to blog on this subject as one thing they have in common is that when I talk about either of them I am likely at best to be accused of Christian fundamentalist bigotry and thus abused. At worst I could have my collar felt by Plod for hate crime. Or I might not be protected against violent opponents.
But note carefully I am writing under the title of Islam and homosexuality, not Muslims and homosexuals. I am able to distinguish between a religion or sexual orientation and the people who follow or advocate them. But because religion and sexuality are of the fabric of a persons life, it comes as no surprise that most people cannot distinguish criticism of a religion or orientation and the people who follow these ways.
Then there is the victim culture which links the followers of both causes. Criticise Islam and you are Islamophobic. Refuse to call them gay and you are homophobic. Personally I am pleased to have only one phobia but it is not a figment of the politically correct imagination. "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom".
As a Christian I believe I have a duty to witness to the truth and oppose error in religion and sexual conduct. I also have to love all people. Speaking the truth in love is not an easy task.
I am a political animal and a Christian witness. I want to oppose Islam politically but love Muslims. The same goes for homosexuality. I oppose the political agenda which has been so cleverly done. But I want to keep my friends who are this way.
I do not only enjoy blogging but all forms of communicating. My boast is that my most unusual speaking invitation was to address the West London Campaign for Homosexual Equality. At least I think that was their title. We might have disagreed on most things but they were a very civil and hospitable bunch.
So if you are a Muslim or homosexualist I will debate these matters but I will not abuse you nor will I probably publish abusive comments you make unless I want to expose incivility.
Ok. Time for church. Asbestos suit is ready for my return to the blog.
But there you are. I keep on introducing troublesome topics and joining them together.
It has take me some time and thought to blog on this subject as one thing they have in common is that when I talk about either of them I am likely at best to be accused of Christian fundamentalist bigotry and thus abused. At worst I could have my collar felt by Plod for hate crime. Or I might not be protected against violent opponents.
But note carefully I am writing under the title of Islam and homosexuality, not Muslims and homosexuals. I am able to distinguish between a religion or sexual orientation and the people who follow or advocate them. But because religion and sexuality are of the fabric of a persons life, it comes as no surprise that most people cannot distinguish criticism of a religion or orientation and the people who follow these ways.
Then there is the victim culture which links the followers of both causes. Criticise Islam and you are Islamophobic. Refuse to call them gay and you are homophobic. Personally I am pleased to have only one phobia but it is not a figment of the politically correct imagination. "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom".
As a Christian I believe I have a duty to witness to the truth and oppose error in religion and sexual conduct. I also have to love all people. Speaking the truth in love is not an easy task.
I am a political animal and a Christian witness. I want to oppose Islam politically but love Muslims. The same goes for homosexuality. I oppose the political agenda which has been so cleverly done. But I want to keep my friends who are this way.
I do not only enjoy blogging but all forms of communicating. My boast is that my most unusual speaking invitation was to address the West London Campaign for Homosexual Equality. At least I think that was their title. We might have disagreed on most things but they were a very civil and hospitable bunch.
So if you are a Muslim or homosexualist I will debate these matters but I will not abuse you nor will I probably publish abusive comments you make unless I want to expose incivility.
Ok. Time for church. Asbestos suit is ready for my return to the blog.
You need to think about this one
The Generic Ethnic Joke
A person, belonging to an ethnic group whose members are commonly considered to have certain stereotypical mannerisms, met another person belonging to a different ethnic group with a different set of imputed stereotypical mannerisms.
The first person acted in a manner consistent with the stereotypes associated with his ethnic group. He proceeded to make a remark, which might be considered to establish conclusively his membership in that group. Whereupon his companion proceeded to make a remark with a double meaning. The first meaning of which could be interpreted to indicate his agreement with his companion. But the other meaning of which, serves to corroborate his membership in his particular ethnic group.
The first person took offence at his remark, and reacted in a stereotypical way.
A person, belonging to an ethnic group whose members are commonly considered to have certain stereotypical mannerisms, met another person belonging to a different ethnic group with a different set of imputed stereotypical mannerisms.
The first person acted in a manner consistent with the stereotypes associated with his ethnic group. He proceeded to make a remark, which might be considered to establish conclusively his membership in that group. Whereupon his companion proceeded to make a remark with a double meaning. The first meaning of which could be interpreted to indicate his agreement with his companion. But the other meaning of which, serves to corroborate his membership in his particular ethnic group.
The first person took offence at his remark, and reacted in a stereotypical way.
The Christian Choice in London
There is BBC coverage of the
Christian Choice London election campaign as it is now
on Youtube and on the BBC elections website.
Visit:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7302944.stm
and watch BBC1 London News at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49MuLpL1Bc
London voters have a Christian Choice.
Christian Choice London election campaign as it is now
on Youtube and on the BBC elections website.
Visit:
and watch BBC1 London News at:
London voters have a Christian Choice.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Politically Correct Dictionary
This is a Canadian production. Here are some gems.
"BCE Battling Christianity everywhere. Used to be BC or AD but the minority who dictate what is allowed in our democracy and who hate Christianity virulently will not even give credit to the religion that named it to be 2007 in the year of our Lord. That’s a Christian lord, but secular types who might one day start charities rivaling the evil Christians are oblivious.
Bigoted - used to describe those who refuse to view all lifestyles, religions, cultures and deviances as equally valid.
Bilingual - someone who gets more money because they can speak two languages. One of which no one they work with will care about.
Choice - genocide: where a baby is killed with no choice in the matter, the father has no choice in the matter nor do parents waiting 16 yrs to adopt. In Canada we have killed 1,500,000 women for this womyns right.
Climate change event- Previously weather. Thus snow, floods, draughts, are all climate change events the only possible cause for them is Global Warming. If its too cold that’s always a normal 3 month fluctuation.
Evolutionist - science. A person who believes that nature selects species for extinction yet gets upset and wants to raise taxes if a species nears extinction.
Experts - someone paid a lot of money by the government to promote their own job security whether daycares or global warming. What ever they say should automatically be law. Also see taxes.
Gay - homosexual, not to be confused with happy.
Genocide - what happens when you kill 1/4 of your children. see Abortion,
Global Warming- Religion - an area where science is so weak that any heretic who disagrees must be called names and censored. Data is usually unavailable for actual scientific analysis.
Hate-crime - same as ‘normal’ crime as far as victims are concerned - but much more distressing for Lefties.
Human rights - using the legal system to pursue political ends.
Intolerance - This can only committed against certain defined groups of people. These do not include, Americans, the middle class, white males, rural people, business and obviously Christians.
Islamophobic - anyone who objects to having their transport blown up on the way to work.
Justice - Government: as in ‘social justice’. Means taking money earned by the general taxpaying public to give to particular groups that Lefties approve of. Replaces market economics. Does not apply to legal system.
Marx - a Victorian gentleman whose theories cannot be disproved by observation, experience or factual evidence. See ‘religion’ and ‘post-modernism’.
Multi-cultural - All culture is valid - unless Western, Christian or white in some way.
Phobia - ie homophobia, anything less than total agreement with the political agenda of homosexuals.
Post-modern - modern French ‘philosophical’: literature claiming that no account of events can be trusted. ‘Texts’ must be ‘deconstructed’ for their hidden meanings - except those by post-modernists, to be taken at face value.
Positive discrimination - This means that all discrimination is evil unless it’s against those nasty white evil oppressors, in which case it’s wonderfully positive.
Al Qaeda - Muslim ‘militants’ who for some reason or other continue to kill far more Muslims than people of any other faith. Heroes to the left, even though lefties like homosexuals and,… Al Qaeda likes to kill homosexuals.
Racist - means “shut up!” - and is much, much worse than being genocidaly violent, thoughtless or unkind. In fact, easily the worst crime ever conceived of. Only white males are capable of this crime. ie Robert Mugabe throwing whites off farms isn’t racist not having a hiring quota is.
Relevant - education: something badly written, with references to sex and full of swear-words. Always better than literature by ‘dead white people’.
Social exclusion - where bad people, behaving badly, somehow became our fault.
Socialism - The concept that everyone in the world should have the same amount of money regardless if they work hard or save up. few of the people who believe in it give up their pensions to people who don’t get one.
Stereotype - disapproval of any attempt to describe the general characteristics of a group favoured by Lefties. You can only do this to Christians, whites, males and the Zionist entity.
Stigmatize - what we do to anti-social people if we ask them to stop.
Tolerance - The act of accepting that everyone else is right and you are always wrong.
Victim - see ‘Terrorist’, ‘Palestinians’, ‘gender issues’, ‘race issues’ and ‘social exclusion’, usually caused by you not giving enough of your money or existing."
Interestingly, years ago I posted a PC Primer and it also came from Canada.
http://www.christiansquoting.org.uk/page7.html#PC%20PRIMER
"BCE Battling Christianity everywhere. Used to be BC or AD but the minority who dictate what is allowed in our democracy and who hate Christianity virulently will not even give credit to the religion that named it to be 2007 in the year of our Lord. That’s a Christian lord, but secular types who might one day start charities rivaling the evil Christians are oblivious.
Bigoted - used to describe those who refuse to view all lifestyles, religions, cultures and deviances as equally valid.
Bilingual - someone who gets more money because they can speak two languages. One of which no one they work with will care about.
Choice - genocide: where a baby is killed with no choice in the matter, the father has no choice in the matter nor do parents waiting 16 yrs to adopt. In Canada we have killed 1,500,000 women for this womyns right.
Climate change event- Previously weather. Thus snow, floods, draughts, are all climate change events the only possible cause for them is Global Warming. If its too cold that’s always a normal 3 month fluctuation.
Evolutionist - science. A person who believes that nature selects species for extinction yet gets upset and wants to raise taxes if a species nears extinction.
Experts - someone paid a lot of money by the government to promote their own job security whether daycares or global warming. What ever they say should automatically be law. Also see taxes.
Gay - homosexual, not to be confused with happy.
Genocide - what happens when you kill 1/4 of your children. see Abortion,
Global Warming- Religion - an area where science is so weak that any heretic who disagrees must be called names and censored. Data is usually unavailable for actual scientific analysis.
Hate-crime - same as ‘normal’ crime as far as victims are concerned - but much more distressing for Lefties.
Human rights - using the legal system to pursue political ends.
Intolerance - This can only committed against certain defined groups of people. These do not include, Americans, the middle class, white males, rural people, business and obviously Christians.
Islamophobic - anyone who objects to having their transport blown up on the way to work.
Justice - Government: as in ‘social justice’. Means taking money earned by the general taxpaying public to give to particular groups that Lefties approve of. Replaces market economics. Does not apply to legal system.
Marx - a Victorian gentleman whose theories cannot be disproved by observation, experience or factual evidence. See ‘religion’ and ‘post-modernism’.
Multi-cultural - All culture is valid - unless Western, Christian or white in some way.
Phobia - ie homophobia, anything less than total agreement with the political agenda of homosexuals.
Post-modern - modern French ‘philosophical’: literature claiming that no account of events can be trusted. ‘Texts’ must be ‘deconstructed’ for their hidden meanings - except those by post-modernists, to be taken at face value.
Positive discrimination - This means that all discrimination is evil unless it’s against those nasty white evil oppressors, in which case it’s wonderfully positive.
Al Qaeda - Muslim ‘militants’ who for some reason or other continue to kill far more Muslims than people of any other faith. Heroes to the left, even though lefties like homosexuals and,… Al Qaeda likes to kill homosexuals.
Racist - means “shut up!” - and is much, much worse than being genocidaly violent, thoughtless or unkind. In fact, easily the worst crime ever conceived of. Only white males are capable of this crime. ie Robert Mugabe throwing whites off farms isn’t racist not having a hiring quota is.
Relevant - education: something badly written, with references to sex and full of swear-words. Always better than literature by ‘dead white people’.
Social exclusion - where bad people, behaving badly, somehow became our fault.
Socialism - The concept that everyone in the world should have the same amount of money regardless if they work hard or save up. few of the people who believe in it give up their pensions to people who don’t get one.
Stereotype - disapproval of any attempt to describe the general characteristics of a group favoured by Lefties. You can only do this to Christians, whites, males and the Zionist entity.
Stigmatize - what we do to anti-social people if we ask them to stop.
Tolerance - The act of accepting that everyone else is right and you are always wrong.
Victim - see ‘Terrorist’, ‘Palestinians’, ‘gender issues’, ‘race issues’ and ‘social exclusion’, usually caused by you not giving enough of your money or existing."
Interestingly, years ago I posted a PC Primer and it also came from Canada.
http://www.christiansquoting.org.uk/page7.html#PC%20PRIMER
Lionheart arrested.Racial hatred arrest for internet blogger
From the Luton on Sunday url, "A blogger from Dunstable has been arrested and released on bail for allegedly stirring up racial hatred.
Paul Ray, who uses the pseudonym Lionheart on his provocative online diary, was arrested two weeks ago after returning from South Carolina, America where he was seeking political asylum.
He had already been warned via email on January 3 by Bedfordshire Police that he would be arrested if he returned.
Last month he attended Greyfriars police station in Bedford, was arrested then bailed and told to return in May to either be released or charged.
His blog includes his opinions on the heroin trade, Islamic fundamentalism and alleged police corruption.
He told Luton/Dunstable on Sunday: "I felt it was right to come back. I handed myself in at a Bedford police station.
"I was arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred. They questioned me on parts of my blog. Compared to what's happening out there I haven't done that much.
"I'm a Christian - that's my defence.
"My belief it that it's my rights and responsibility to say what some people may not like, which may hurt feelings.
"My blog is a response to what is happening. I have not called for violence.
"You have got some Muslims calling for followers to overpower the state, opening recruiting for a global jihad and raising funds for this.
"I've written a few words on a blog." A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police said: "I can confirm that someone has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and has been released on police bail to return in May.
"He hasn't been charged but if he chooses to identify himself then that's his concern.""
I am praying for you, Paul!
Paul Ray, who uses the pseudonym Lionheart on his provocative online diary, was arrested two weeks ago after returning from South Carolina, America where he was seeking political asylum.
He had already been warned via email on January 3 by Bedfordshire Police that he would be arrested if he returned.
Last month he attended Greyfriars police station in Bedford, was arrested then bailed and told to return in May to either be released or charged.
His blog includes his opinions on the heroin trade, Islamic fundamentalism and alleged police corruption.
He told Luton/Dunstable on Sunday: "I felt it was right to come back. I handed myself in at a Bedford police station.
"I was arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred. They questioned me on parts of my blog. Compared to what's happening out there I haven't done that much.
"I'm a Christian - that's my defence.
"My belief it that it's my rights and responsibility to say what some people may not like, which may hurt feelings.
"My blog is a response to what is happening. I have not called for violence.
"You have got some Muslims calling for followers to overpower the state, opening recruiting for a global jihad and raising funds for this.
"I've written a few words on a blog." A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police said: "I can confirm that someone has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and has been released on police bail to return in May.
"He hasn't been charged but if he chooses to identify himself then that's his concern.""
I am praying for you, Paul!
The family in France
When you have 14 of the family on holiday it takes several photos to get everyone looking good.
The Dying Peacher
An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his Doctor and his Lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything.
Both the Doctor and Lawyer were touched and flattered that the old preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moment. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them.
They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed, covetousness and their avaricious behavior that made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the doctor said, "Preacher, why did you ask the two of us to come?" The old preacher mustered up some strength, then said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves..... and that's how I want to go."
Both the Doctor and Lawyer were touched and flattered that the old preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moment. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them.
They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed, covetousness and their avaricious behavior that made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the doctor said, "Preacher, why did you ask the two of us to come?" The old preacher mustered up some strength, then said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves..... and that's how I want to go."
Commitment
Yesterday, hearing of the death of Gwyneth Dunwoody MP, I came across
this great quote from her "My commitment to the Labour Party is
total. My commitment to what is done in the name of the Labour Party
is sometimes less."
I thought it most useful in Christian debate. I shall in future tell
critics, "My commitment to Jesus Christ is total. My commitment to
what is done in the name of Christ is sometimes less."
this great quote from her "My commitment to the Labour Party is
total. My commitment to what is done in the name of the Labour Party
is sometimes less."
I thought it most useful in Christian debate. I shall in future tell
critics, "My commitment to Jesus Christ is total. My commitment to
what is done in the name of Christ is sometimes less."
London elections
I shall vote for the Christian Choice candidate on principle, then for Boris just to get red of Ken. Here is my party's press release
"Christian leaders are urging London voters to back Alan Craig of the Christian
Choice in his campaign for Mayor and the London Assembly. The group come
from a range of church backgrounds - Anglican, Roman Catholic, the Black
Majority Churches and Free Church and say Alan Craig is the outstanding
candidate to run the capital. Cllr Craig also tops the London List of Assembly
candidates for the Christian Choice and needs just 5% to qualify for a seat.
Human rights campaigner and a Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords,
Baroness Cox of Queensbury said:
"Among all the candidates running for London Mayor, Alan Craig stands out above
the crowd. He has shown leadership in industry and for years he's been devoted to
bringing change to the inner-city through serving the community in London's East End.
But it is his Christian qualities which make him distinctive - brave in facing-up to
political correctness, standing by ordinary Londoners and confronting issues like the
threatened Mega Mosque, which other politicians won't touch. London won't do
better than to choose Alan for Mayor."
Mgr John Armitage, Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood
praised Alan Craig for his years of service in London's East End:
"He is a committed Christian, a man of integrity who has a passion for the common
good. His service of the people in one of the most socially deprived areas in the country
has given hope and encouragement to many people. He has a true desire to serve and
help to build strong local communities in London."
Prominent leader in the Evangelical Alliance and founder of Icthus Christian Fellowship
Roger Forster said:
"A vote for Alan Craig of The Christian Choice can put the name of Christ officially onto
the Greater London Authority, which after so many years must be a good thing. I have
every confidence concerning the Christian commitment, integrity and intelligence of Alan."
Dr Sola Fola Alade leads the Trinity Chapel congregation of major black church,
RCCG. He wrote:
"Alan is an honourable and compassionate Christian man. I know him to be a visionary
leader who is not afraid to stand for justice and truth. He has shown himself to be selfless
leader, one who has now become a voice of the voiceless and a defender of the helpless.
Though a Christian he is one who reaches out to people regardless of class, colour or creed."
Rev Lyndon Bowring, Executive Chairman of campaign group CARE said:
"Alan Craig is an outstanding Christian leader and a man of the people. London and the
GLA needs him and I wholeheartedly commend him to you in the forthcoming Mayoral
and GLA Elections."
Writing in Christianity Magazine, Premier Christian Radio broadcaster and
Chief Executive Peter Kerridge wrote:
"Personally, I hope Alan Craig gets onto the London Assembly where I believe his
influence would make a positive difference."
Former London Mayoral candidate for the Christian Peoples Alliance,
Ram Gidoomal CBE praised Alan Craig's business credentials:
"London deserves better than simply a politician for Mayor. That's why Alan Craig
is so different - he walks the talk - spending years in sacrificial service in one of
London's most deprived communities. But unlike other mayoral candidates, he comes
with significant business experience. He understands that to stay ahead, the capital
has to stay competitive, have a high quality of life for all its citizens and be the British
engine-room of innovation and investment. He makes a formidable candidate."
Christian author, speaker, writer and founder of Pioneer Gerald Coates concluded:
"Alan Craig is just what we need and is suitably equipped to be Mayor of London. He
was a successful senior businessman, has more recently worked among the deprived
and vulnerable and is a politician with considerable experience and expertise."
Colin Dye of Kensington Temple and JJohn of the Philo Trust are also backing the
campaign.
The Christian Choice is the united electoral option of the Christian Peoples Alliance
and Christian Party. It is committed to serving all Londoners regardless of race, faith
or background."
"Christian leaders are urging London voters to back Alan Craig of the Christian
Choice in his campaign for Mayor and the London Assembly. The group come
from a range of church backgrounds - Anglican, Roman Catholic, the Black
Majority Churches and Free Church and say Alan Craig is the outstanding
candidate to run the capital. Cllr Craig also tops the London List of Assembly
candidates for the Christian Choice and needs just 5% to qualify for a seat.
Human rights campaigner and a Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords,
Baroness Cox of Queensbury said:
"Among all the candidates running for London Mayor, Alan Craig stands out above
the crowd. He has shown leadership in industry and for years he's been devoted to
bringing change to the inner-city through serving the community in London's East End.
But it is his Christian qualities which make him distinctive - brave in facing-up to
political correctness, standing by ordinary Londoners and confronting issues like the
threatened Mega Mosque, which other politicians won't touch. London won't do
better than to choose Alan for Mayor."
Mgr John Armitage, Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood
praised Alan Craig for his years of service in London's East End:
"He is a committed Christian, a man of integrity who has a passion for the common
good. His service of the people in one of the most socially deprived areas in the country
has given hope and encouragement to many people. He has a true desire to serve and
help to build strong local communities in London."
Prominent leader in the Evangelical Alliance and founder of Icthus Christian Fellowship
Roger Forster said:
"A vote for Alan Craig of The Christian Choice can put the name of Christ officially onto
the Greater London Authority, which after so many years must be a good thing. I have
every confidence concerning the Christian commitment, integrity and intelligence of Alan."
Dr Sola Fola Alade leads the Trinity Chapel congregation of major black church,
RCCG. He wrote:
"Alan is an honourable and compassionate Christian man. I know him to be a visionary
leader who is not afraid to stand for justice and truth. He has shown himself to be selfless
leader, one who has now become a voice of the voiceless and a defender of the helpless.
Though a Christian he is one who reaches out to people regardless of class, colour or creed."
Rev Lyndon Bowring, Executive Chairman of campaign group CARE said:
"Alan Craig is an outstanding Christian leader and a man of the people. London and the
GLA needs him and I wholeheartedly commend him to you in the forthcoming Mayoral
and GLA Elections."
Writing in Christianity Magazine, Premier Christian Radio broadcaster and
Chief Executive Peter Kerridge wrote:
"Personally, I hope Alan Craig gets onto the London Assembly where I believe his
influence would make a positive difference."
Former London Mayoral candidate for the Christian Peoples Alliance,
Ram Gidoomal CBE praised Alan Craig's business credentials:
"London deserves better than simply a politician for Mayor. That's why Alan Craig
is so different - he walks the talk - spending years in sacrificial service in one of
London's most deprived communities. But unlike other mayoral candidates, he comes
with significant business experience. He understands that to stay ahead, the capital
has to stay competitive, have a high quality of life for all its citizens and be the British
engine-room of innovation and investment. He makes a formidable candidate."
Christian author, speaker, writer and founder of Pioneer Gerald Coates concluded:
"Alan Craig is just what we need and is suitably equipped to be Mayor of London. He
was a successful senior businessman, has more recently worked among the deprived
and vulnerable and is a politician with considerable experience and expertise."
Colin Dye of Kensington Temple and JJohn of the Philo Trust are also backing the
campaign.
The Christian Choice is the united electoral option of the Christian Peoples Alliance
and Christian Party. It is committed to serving all Londoners regardless of race, faith
or background."
Friday, April 18, 2008
It's a mad world
The Christian Institute reports,"The council which recently banned a Christian couple from fostering because of their views on smacking will happily consider couples with a criminal record.
Somerset County Council recently rejected a fostering application from David and Heather Bowen because they have lawfully smacked their own child when necessary.
Although the Bowens have been banned, the council's website says it will consider couples who have a criminal record.
A spokesman for the council says a person with a criminal record who has learned from their mistakes could even be an "asset" in helping children in care.
The council's fostering policy states, "If you have a criminal record of any kind we will do a check with the Criminal Records Bureau at an early stage and a senior manager will decide if you can proceed."
Even a conviction for harming another person doesn't mean a couple will be automatically banned from fostering. The council says it is merely "unlikely" that such a couple would be successful.
The council issued a statement clarifying its position on foster applicants who have a criminal record. According to the council, the policy "makes it clear that any criminal offence could bar someone from fostering but does leave it open for there to be a discussion about what happened and when.
"It recognises that people can change, an offence of criminal damage at the age of 18 for example may not be so serious as to preclude someone from ever working with or caring for children.
"Our policy acknowledges people's ability to develop and learn from their mistakes which may be an asset when assisting young people in care.
"However we are absolutely clear that we would never approve a carer who would pose any kind of risk to a child or be an inappropriate role model."
Critics have accused the council of warped standards. Lib Dem MP, John Hemming, said: "There are very strange senses of priorities in children's services."
"Those people who work in public family law seem to believe that they create their own law - and they are a law unto themselves," he added.
The council's decision to ban the Christian couple because of their views on smacking goes beyond the requirements of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), which advises local authorities. A BAAF spokesman said: "Our only guideline is that foster parents abide by the law."
In England it is lawful for parents to use 'reasonable chastisement' as long as it does not leave more than a transitory mark on the child.
The Christian couple is appealing against the decision of Somerset County Council and consulting with the Christian Legal Centre over filing a Judicial Review."
Somerset County Council recently rejected a fostering application from David and Heather Bowen because they have lawfully smacked their own child when necessary.
Although the Bowens have been banned, the council's website says it will consider couples who have a criminal record.
A spokesman for the council says a person with a criminal record who has learned from their mistakes could even be an "asset" in helping children in care.
The council's fostering policy states, "If you have a criminal record of any kind we will do a check with the Criminal Records Bureau at an early stage and a senior manager will decide if you can proceed."
Even a conviction for harming another person doesn't mean a couple will be automatically banned from fostering. The council says it is merely "unlikely" that such a couple would be successful.
The council issued a statement clarifying its position on foster applicants who have a criminal record. According to the council, the policy "makes it clear that any criminal offence could bar someone from fostering but does leave it open for there to be a discussion about what happened and when.
"It recognises that people can change, an offence of criminal damage at the age of 18 for example may not be so serious as to preclude someone from ever working with or caring for children.
"Our policy acknowledges people's ability to develop and learn from their mistakes which may be an asset when assisting young people in care.
"However we are absolutely clear that we would never approve a carer who would pose any kind of risk to a child or be an inappropriate role model."
Critics have accused the council of warped standards. Lib Dem MP, John Hemming, said: "There are very strange senses of priorities in children's services."
"Those people who work in public family law seem to believe that they create their own law - and they are a law unto themselves," he added.
The council's decision to ban the Christian couple because of their views on smacking goes beyond the requirements of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), which advises local authorities. A BAAF spokesman said: "Our only guideline is that foster parents abide by the law."
In England it is lawful for parents to use 'reasonable chastisement' as long as it does not leave more than a transitory mark on the child.
The Christian couple is appealing against the decision of Somerset County Council and consulting with the Christian Legal Centre over filing a Judicial Review."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Selective broadcasting?
"Terrorism is part and parcel of Islam." Not my words but from Muslim preacher Abu Izzadeen, now a convicted terrorist caught on video http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7353089.stm
This is the BBC url report
"A man who heckled the Home Secretary John Reid during a speech has been convicted of terrorist fundraising and inciting terrorism overseas.
Muslim preacher Abu Izzadeen was among six men convicted of supporting terrorism in London speeches in 2004.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge against Izzadeen of encouraging terrorism. Sentencing is on Friday.
Shah Jalal Hussain, guilty of terrorist fundraising, remains missing after failing to appear at court on 8 April.
The charges related to speeches made at London's Regent's Park mosque on 9 November 2004, as US troops were engaged in a fierce battle in the Iraqi city of Falluja.
'No other weapon'
Clips of the accused men speaking about jihad, Osama bin Laden and prejudice towards Muslims were played to the jury during the three-and-a-half month trial at Kingston Crown Court.
Co-defendant Simon Keeler was convicted of the same two charges as Izzadeen.
Abdul Saleem, 32, and Ibrahim Hassan, 25, were convicted of inciting terrorism overseas but cleared of fundraising for terrorists. Abdul Muhid, 25, was found guilty of fund-raising for terrorists.
The court heard that Izzadeen, of Leytonstone, east London, told his audience at the mosque: "Allah gave mujahideen chance to kill the American."
But the 32-year-old, tried under the name Omar Brooks, argued in court that he and other British Muslims had "no other weapon than our tongue" to fight against what they saw as a "massacre" by British and American forces in the city.
Izzadeen told the jury that asking people to support terrorist organisations was illegal and he had never done so.
The defendants denied all charges against them.
Six convicted
Rajib Khan, 29, was found not guilty of terrorist fundraising, while the jury could not reach a verdict for 28-year-old Omar Zaheer, of Southall, west London.
The jury could not reach a verdict on the charge of inciting terrorism overseas against Mr Khan, of Luton, Bedfordshire, or on a third offence of encouraging terrorism faced by Izzadeen.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of missing Hussain, 25, of Whitechapel.
The six men are due to be sentenced on Friday.
Izzadeen hit the news in 2006 for heckling as Home Secretary John Reid delivered a speech, in Leytonstone, about targeting potential Muslim extremists. "
Interestingly this quote is not printed nor broadcast on the TV news I watched which showed only some of the video. All the men were part of a group now banned who had a meeting I attended at our local town hall.
This is the BBC url report
"A man who heckled the Home Secretary John Reid during a speech has been convicted of terrorist fundraising and inciting terrorism overseas.
Muslim preacher Abu Izzadeen was among six men convicted of supporting terrorism in London speeches in 2004.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge against Izzadeen of encouraging terrorism. Sentencing is on Friday.
Shah Jalal Hussain, guilty of terrorist fundraising, remains missing after failing to appear at court on 8 April.
The charges related to speeches made at London's Regent's Park mosque on 9 November 2004, as US troops were engaged in a fierce battle in the Iraqi city of Falluja.
'No other weapon'
Clips of the accused men speaking about jihad, Osama bin Laden and prejudice towards Muslims were played to the jury during the three-and-a-half month trial at Kingston Crown Court.
Co-defendant Simon Keeler was convicted of the same two charges as Izzadeen.
Abdul Saleem, 32, and Ibrahim Hassan, 25, were convicted of inciting terrorism overseas but cleared of fundraising for terrorists. Abdul Muhid, 25, was found guilty of fund-raising for terrorists.
The court heard that Izzadeen, of Leytonstone, east London, told his audience at the mosque: "Allah gave mujahideen chance to kill the American."
But the 32-year-old, tried under the name Omar Brooks, argued in court that he and other British Muslims had "no other weapon than our tongue" to fight against what they saw as a "massacre" by British and American forces in the city.
Izzadeen told the jury that asking people to support terrorist organisations was illegal and he had never done so.
The defendants denied all charges against them.
Six convicted
Rajib Khan, 29, was found not guilty of terrorist fundraising, while the jury could not reach a verdict for 28-year-old Omar Zaheer, of Southall, west London.
The jury could not reach a verdict on the charge of inciting terrorism overseas against Mr Khan, of Luton, Bedfordshire, or on a third offence of encouraging terrorism faced by Izzadeen.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of missing Hussain, 25, of Whitechapel.
The six men are due to be sentenced on Friday.
Izzadeen hit the news in 2006 for heckling as Home Secretary John Reid delivered a speech, in Leytonstone, about targeting potential Muslim extremists. "
Interestingly this quote is not printed nor broadcast on the TV news I watched which showed only some of the video. All the men were part of a group now banned who had a meeting I attended at our local town hall.
Our police state
BBC says."Misplaced fears about terror, privacy and child protection are preventing amateur photographers from enjoying their hobby, say campaigners.
Phil Smith thought ex-EastEnder Letitia Dean turning on the Christmas lights in Ipswich would make a good snap for his collection.
The 49-year-old started by firing off a few shots of the warm-up act on stage. But before the main attraction showed up, Mr Smith was challenged by a police officer who asked if he had a licence for the camera.
After explaining he didn't need one, he was taken down a side-street for a formal "stop and search", then asked to delete the photos and ordered not take any more. So he slunk home with his camera.
"People were still taking photos with mobile phones and pocket cameras, so maybe it was because mine looked like a professional camera with a flash on top," he says.
"I wasn't very pleased because I was taken through the crowd and through the barriers at the front and people were probably thinking 'I wonder what he was doing.'
"To be pulled out of a crowd is very daunting and I wasn't aware of my rights.
"It's a sad state of affairs today if an amateur photographer can't stand in the street taking photographs."
But he's not the only snapper to fall foul of the authorities while innocently pursuing a hobby or working.
Austin Mitchell MP has tabled a motion in the Commons that has drawn on cross-party support from 150 other MPs, calling on the Home Office and the police to educate officers about photographers' rights.
Mr Mitchell, himself a keen photographer, was challenged twice, once by a lock-keeper while photographing a barge on the Leeds to Liverpool canal and once on the beach at Cleethorpes.
"There's a general alarm about terrorism and about paedophiles, two heady cocktails, and police and PCSOs [police community support officers] and wardens and authorities generally seem to be worried about this."
Photographers have every right to take photos in a public place, he says, and it's crazy for officials to challenge them when there are so many security cameras around and so many people now have cameras on phones. But it's usually inexperienced officers responsible.
"If a decision is made to crack down on photographers, it should be made at the top. It's a general officiousness and a desire to interfere with people going about their legitimate business."
Furtive photos
Steve Carroll was another hapless victim of this growing suspicion. Police seized the film from his camera while he was out taking snaps in a Hull shopping centre. They later returned it but a police investigation found they had acted correctly because he appeared to be taking photographs covertly.
And photography enthusiast Adam Jones has started an online petition on the Downing Street website urging the prime minister to clarify the law. It has gained hundreds of supporters.
He says it has become increasingly difficult to take photos in public places because of terrorism fears.
Holidaymakers to some overseas destinations will be familiar with this sort of attitude - travel guides frequently caution readers that innocently posing for a snapshot outside a government building could lead to some stern questions from local law enforcers.
But in Britain this sort of attitude is new. So what is the law?
"If you are a normal person going about your business and you see something you want to take a picture of, then you are fine unless you're taking picture of something inherently private," says Hanna Basha, partner at solicitors Carter-Ruck. "But if it's the London Marathon or something, you're fine."
There are also restrictions around some public buildings, like those involved in national defence.
Child protection has been an issue for years, says Stewart Gibson of the Bureau of Freelance Photographers, but what's happened recently is a rather odd interpretation of privacy and heightened fears about terrorism.
"They [police, park wardens, security guards] seem to think you can't take pictures of people in public places. It's reached a point where everyone in the photographic world has become so concerned we're mounting campaigns and trying to publicise this."
It seems to be increasing, he says.
"There's a great deal of paranoia around but the police are on alert for anything that vaguely resembles terrorism. It's difficult because the more professional a photographer, paradoxically, the more likely they are to be stopped or questioned.
"If people were using photos for terrorism purposes they would be using the smallest camera possible."
The National Union of Journalists has staged a demo to highlight how media photographers are wrongly challenged by police.
In May last year, Thames Valley Police overturned a caution issued to photographer Andy Handley of the MK News in Milton Keynes, after he took pictures at the scene of a road accident.
Guidelines agreed between senior police and the media were adopted by all forces in England and Wales last year. They state that police have no power to prevent the media taking photos.
They state that "once images are recorded, [the police] have no power to delete or confiscate them without a court order, even if [the police] think they contain damaging or useful evidence."
And in the case of Phil Smith, an official complaint about the Christmas lights incident helped sort matters out. Not only did he receive a written apology from Suffolk Police, but also a visit from an inspector, who explained that the officer, a special constable, had acted wrongly."
My blog on 22 October last year says,"Tally Ho!, the pub where I take my staff when we lunch out. This photo brought me to the attention of a police officer. The Chief Rabbi's office is along the street and the building was bombed in 1995. So I was asked to explain my photography to Plod. This was anti-terrorist policing."
I was also stopped by the police in Buckinghamshire. I may return to repeat my snap of Chequers, the PM's country residence. There is a public right of way with a good view of the house. I climbed the video surveyed stile to see the view. On my return there were armed police asking what i was doing. I said I was exerting the right of a free born Englishman to walk on a public path. They drove off.
Phil Smith thought ex-EastEnder Letitia Dean turning on the Christmas lights in Ipswich would make a good snap for his collection.
The 49-year-old started by firing off a few shots of the warm-up act on stage. But before the main attraction showed up, Mr Smith was challenged by a police officer who asked if he had a licence for the camera.
After explaining he didn't need one, he was taken down a side-street for a formal "stop and search", then asked to delete the photos and ordered not take any more. So he slunk home with his camera.
"People were still taking photos with mobile phones and pocket cameras, so maybe it was because mine looked like a professional camera with a flash on top," he says.
"I wasn't very pleased because I was taken through the crowd and through the barriers at the front and people were probably thinking 'I wonder what he was doing.'
"To be pulled out of a crowd is very daunting and I wasn't aware of my rights.
"It's a sad state of affairs today if an amateur photographer can't stand in the street taking photographs."
But he's not the only snapper to fall foul of the authorities while innocently pursuing a hobby or working.
Austin Mitchell MP has tabled a motion in the Commons that has drawn on cross-party support from 150 other MPs, calling on the Home Office and the police to educate officers about photographers' rights.
Mr Mitchell, himself a keen photographer, was challenged twice, once by a lock-keeper while photographing a barge on the Leeds to Liverpool canal and once on the beach at Cleethorpes.
"There's a general alarm about terrorism and about paedophiles, two heady cocktails, and police and PCSOs [police community support officers] and wardens and authorities generally seem to be worried about this."
Photographers have every right to take photos in a public place, he says, and it's crazy for officials to challenge them when there are so many security cameras around and so many people now have cameras on phones. But it's usually inexperienced officers responsible.
"If a decision is made to crack down on photographers, it should be made at the top. It's a general officiousness and a desire to interfere with people going about their legitimate business."
Furtive photos
Steve Carroll was another hapless victim of this growing suspicion. Police seized the film from his camera while he was out taking snaps in a Hull shopping centre. They later returned it but a police investigation found they had acted correctly because he appeared to be taking photographs covertly.
And photography enthusiast Adam Jones has started an online petition on the Downing Street website urging the prime minister to clarify the law. It has gained hundreds of supporters.
He says it has become increasingly difficult to take photos in public places because of terrorism fears.
Holidaymakers to some overseas destinations will be familiar with this sort of attitude - travel guides frequently caution readers that innocently posing for a snapshot outside a government building could lead to some stern questions from local law enforcers.
But in Britain this sort of attitude is new. So what is the law?
"If you are a normal person going about your business and you see something you want to take a picture of, then you are fine unless you're taking picture of something inherently private," says Hanna Basha, partner at solicitors Carter-Ruck. "But if it's the London Marathon or something, you're fine."
There are also restrictions around some public buildings, like those involved in national defence.
Child protection has been an issue for years, says Stewart Gibson of the Bureau of Freelance Photographers, but what's happened recently is a rather odd interpretation of privacy and heightened fears about terrorism.
"They [police, park wardens, security guards] seem to think you can't take pictures of people in public places. It's reached a point where everyone in the photographic world has become so concerned we're mounting campaigns and trying to publicise this."
It seems to be increasing, he says.
"There's a great deal of paranoia around but the police are on alert for anything that vaguely resembles terrorism. It's difficult because the more professional a photographer, paradoxically, the more likely they are to be stopped or questioned.
"If people were using photos for terrorism purposes they would be using the smallest camera possible."
The National Union of Journalists has staged a demo to highlight how media photographers are wrongly challenged by police.
In May last year, Thames Valley Police overturned a caution issued to photographer Andy Handley of the MK News in Milton Keynes, after he took pictures at the scene of a road accident.
Guidelines agreed between senior police and the media were adopted by all forces in England and Wales last year. They state that police have no power to prevent the media taking photos.
They state that "once images are recorded, [the police] have no power to delete or confiscate them without a court order, even if [the police] think they contain damaging or useful evidence."
And in the case of Phil Smith, an official complaint about the Christmas lights incident helped sort matters out. Not only did he receive a written apology from Suffolk Police, but also a visit from an inspector, who explained that the officer, a special constable, had acted wrongly."
My blog on 22 October last year says,"Tally Ho!, the pub where I take my staff when we lunch out. This photo brought me to the attention of a police officer. The Chief Rabbi's office is along the street and the building was bombed in 1995. So I was asked to explain my photography to Plod. This was anti-terrorist policing."
I was also stopped by the police in Buckinghamshire. I may return to repeat my snap of Chequers, the PM's country residence. There is a public right of way with a good view of the house. I climbed the video surveyed stile to see the view. On my return there were armed police asking what i was doing. I said I was exerting the right of a free born Englishman to walk on a public path. They drove off.
Say hello!
I regularly look and see how many are looking at the blog and from where.
United Kingdom
United States
Poland
Japan
France are in the last 20. The next adds
India
Netherlands
Italy
Australia
20 more add
Brazil
Estonia
Spain
Then in 20 more
New Zealand
Korea, Republic of
Mexico
and completing 100 visitors
Hungary
Germany
So 17 countries in 100 visits. Most are from Uk and USA. Few of you leave comments. May I encourage you to do so. If you Skype, try ollycrom for sound and vision too.
Later today the next 20 have added
Canada
Reunion
Croatia
Now two days later we add
Thailand
Kuwait
Dominican Republic
Slovenia
Ireland
Philippines
Turkey
Another morning add we add
Hong Kong
Sri Lanka
So 28 so far.
Egypt
Cote D'Ivoire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Portugal
Turkey
Israel
Pakistan
Taiwan
So 36 countries in a week.
United Kingdom
United States
Poland
Japan
France are in the last 20. The next adds
India
Netherlands
Italy
Australia
20 more add
Brazil
Estonia
Spain
Then in 20 more
New Zealand
Korea, Republic of
Mexico
and completing 100 visitors
Hungary
Germany
So 17 countries in 100 visits. Most are from Uk and USA. Few of you leave comments. May I encourage you to do so. If you Skype, try ollycrom for sound and vision too.
Later today the next 20 have added
Canada
Reunion
Croatia
Now two days later we add
Thailand
Kuwait
Dominican Republic
Slovenia
Ireland
Philippines
Turkey
Another morning add we add
Hong Kong
Sri Lanka
So 28 so far.
Egypt
Cote D'Ivoire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Portugal
Turkey
Israel
Pakistan
Taiwan
So 36 countries in a week.
Jewish Divorce
Seasonal humour via a good friend.
An elderly man, in Miami, calls his son in New York
and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell
you that your mother and I are divorcing. Forty-five
years of misery is enough."
"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,"
the old man says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm
sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in
Chicago and tell her," and he hangs up.
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on
the phone, "Like heck they're getting divorced," she
shouts, "I'll take care of this."
She calls her father immediately and screams at the
old man, "You are NOT getting divorced! Don't do a
single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother
back and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then,
don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?"
"Yes, I hear you," says the father.
"Good," says the daughter.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his
wife...
"Okay," he says, "They're coming for Passover and
paying their own airfares. Now, what are we going
to do for Rosh Hashanah?
An elderly man, in Miami, calls his son in New York
and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell
you that your mother and I are divorcing. Forty-five
years of misery is enough."
"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,"
the old man says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm
sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in
Chicago and tell her," and he hangs up.
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on
the phone, "Like heck they're getting divorced," she
shouts, "I'll take care of this."
She calls her father immediately and screams at the
old man, "You are NOT getting divorced! Don't do a
single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother
back and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then,
don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?"
"Yes, I hear you," says the father.
"Good," says the daughter.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his
wife...
"Okay," he says, "They're coming for Passover and
paying their own airfares. Now, what are we going
to do for Rosh Hashanah?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Warning over jail radicalisation
BBC News says, "Officers are "insufficiently trained" to combat radicalisation at a major jail housing prisoners on terrorism offences, says the prisons watchdog.
Chief prisons inspector Anne Owers said Muslim chaplains were doing "excellent work" at Belmarsh in south-east London but needed more support.
She warned prison officers may not fully understand the complexities of tackling terrorism recruitment.
Efforts to counter extremism risked alienating Muslims prisoners, she said.
Belmarsh, partly built to house IRA prisoners, now holds the majority of those awaiting trial on terrorism offences.
There was a real danger that the alienation of Muslim prisoners in general, and the suspicion with which they perceived they were treated, would in fact feed radicalisation
However, the great majority of the 200 Muslim prisoners at the jail are inside for ordinary criminality and are not associated with those being held under special high security conditions.
In the report, Ms Owers said Belmarsh had improved thanks to efforts by managers to incrementally change its culture rather than attempt a sequence of quick wins.
But she warned staff needed more support to perform "the delicate task" of countering the risk of radicalisation from terrorism convicts - while at the same time avoiding alienating the general Muslim inmates.
"This group [terrorism prisoners] provided a challenge to staff and managers, both in relation to their own approach and behaviour, and the risk that they might influence other disaffected prisoners," said Ms Owers.
"There was clearly a concern that these minority views should not spread.
"But conversely there was a real danger that the alienation of Muslim prisoners in general, and the suspicion with which they perceived they were treated, would in fact feed radicalisation."
In evidence before MPs in November last year, Belmarsh's governor Claudia Sturt said she did not want her staff to fall back on "shorthand thinking" which would lead all Muslims prisoners to be labelled extremist.
But Ms Owers' report waned that actions by officers risked being interpreted by disaffected Muslims as "deliberately provocative". Some prisoners had already accused female officers of "inappropriate behaviour", said the report.
She warned against wrongly interpreting conversions to Islam inside the jail, or gatherings for communal prayer, as signs of a threat or evidence of radicalisation.
She praised the two full-time imams at the jail, and the support they got from governors, but added that less than half of the Muslim inmates felt they were treated with respect.
"These are very important and difficult issues," said Ms Owers. "It was not apparent that all staff understood the complexities within and around their Muslim population, or were able to establish effective and appropriate relationships with them.
"This is something that requires attention throughout the Prison Service, though it is particularly acute at Belmarsh."'
What is not reported is that this prison has over 20% Muslim prisoners. Surely such a disproportionately high rate says something? What does it say? You tell me. Remember the report says most terrorist suspects are held there but most Muslims are not on terrorist charges. Draw your own conclusions. Perhaps the police are targeting them :-) We know that is why there are so many blacks in prison don't we? It is wicked white prejudice.
Of course prison is the academy of crime but surely being a radicalised Muslim had nothing do do with crime has it?
PS Is there a smiley for sarcasm?
Chief prisons inspector Anne Owers said Muslim chaplains were doing "excellent work" at Belmarsh in south-east London but needed more support.
She warned prison officers may not fully understand the complexities of tackling terrorism recruitment.
Efforts to counter extremism risked alienating Muslims prisoners, she said.
Belmarsh, partly built to house IRA prisoners, now holds the majority of those awaiting trial on terrorism offences.
There was a real danger that the alienation of Muslim prisoners in general, and the suspicion with which they perceived they were treated, would in fact feed radicalisation
However, the great majority of the 200 Muslim prisoners at the jail are inside for ordinary criminality and are not associated with those being held under special high security conditions.
In the report, Ms Owers said Belmarsh had improved thanks to efforts by managers to incrementally change its culture rather than attempt a sequence of quick wins.
But she warned staff needed more support to perform "the delicate task" of countering the risk of radicalisation from terrorism convicts - while at the same time avoiding alienating the general Muslim inmates.
"This group [terrorism prisoners] provided a challenge to staff and managers, both in relation to their own approach and behaviour, and the risk that they might influence other disaffected prisoners," said Ms Owers.
"There was clearly a concern that these minority views should not spread.
"But conversely there was a real danger that the alienation of Muslim prisoners in general, and the suspicion with which they perceived they were treated, would in fact feed radicalisation."
In evidence before MPs in November last year, Belmarsh's governor Claudia Sturt said she did not want her staff to fall back on "shorthand thinking" which would lead all Muslims prisoners to be labelled extremist.
But Ms Owers' report waned that actions by officers risked being interpreted by disaffected Muslims as "deliberately provocative". Some prisoners had already accused female officers of "inappropriate behaviour", said the report.
She warned against wrongly interpreting conversions to Islam inside the jail, or gatherings for communal prayer, as signs of a threat or evidence of radicalisation.
She praised the two full-time imams at the jail, and the support they got from governors, but added that less than half of the Muslim inmates felt they were treated with respect.
"These are very important and difficult issues," said Ms Owers. "It was not apparent that all staff understood the complexities within and around their Muslim population, or were able to establish effective and appropriate relationships with them.
"This is something that requires attention throughout the Prison Service, though it is particularly acute at Belmarsh."'
What is not reported is that this prison has over 20% Muslim prisoners. Surely such a disproportionately high rate says something? What does it say? You tell me. Remember the report says most terrorist suspects are held there but most Muslims are not on terrorist charges. Draw your own conclusions. Perhaps the police are targeting them :-) We know that is why there are so many blacks in prison don't we? It is wicked white prejudice.
Of course prison is the academy of crime but surely being a radicalised Muslim had nothing do do with crime has it?
PS Is there a smiley for sarcasm?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Montreuil sur Mer
It used to be on the sea via a navigable river, but this fine walled town is now miles inland with a silted up river. We were surprised to find free parking. we all walked the city walls and were surprised to see there are no barriers to stop the careless falling off. When after lunch we went to visit the citadel it was shut until 3 pm so we missed seeing where Protestant women who refused to recant were imprisoned by the Catholic state after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. France never recovered from her persecution of Protestants. England benefited from the resulting Hugenot refugees. We tried the church. Shut too like nearly all the shops. is Monday a secular sabbath in France?
By 1567, military engineers had made Montreuil a French border stronghold against the might of Spain - with a bastions along the walls, earthworks, and a new citadelle on the weakpoint where there was a gentle slope to the river. Only two entrance towers remained of the old medieval castle.
By the 19th century, Montreuil was a sleepy medieval town on the coaching road from Calais to Paris. Famous writer Victor Hugo spent a brief stay here and was inspired to use it as the setting for his famous novel about the turbulent years of the Napoleonic Empire and the 1830 revolution. You can see an outdoor spectacle based on the novel, and tours of places in the town connected with the story.Later, Montreuil was the headquarters of the British Army in France during World War I. General Haig stayed in a chateau near the town
The citadel has ts own moat.
Gate of the citadel.
Nautilaa, Boulogne.
I was not impressed by the French national aquarium. A nation goes totally secular yet still preaches. Never have I been round an exhibition with so much propaganda. It appears it is up to us to stop the oceans dying and we should write down what we are to do about it. I am going to tell Greens to get of my back and shut up. Before lunch we enjoyed the penguins. Lunch was the second gripe, an expensive restaurant or all of two dishes at the bar. No notices telling us there was food in the main exhibit too. We went outside to a very basic cafe. Then we rushed back and through the main exhibit to see the sea lions fed and at their tricks. they were very good but when we tried to find the start of the tour again the lifts were slow and not much help. We split up. I thought I would go out and round again but could not get back in on my tiket so I give Nautilaa about 2 or 3 out of 10. The sealions were full of tricks and very intelligent.
Over the Channel
Katy and I drove to Dover on Saturday morning, March 28 in good time for the noon ferry to Dunkirk. It was only half full. The sea was a little choppy but not so rough as a couple of hours later when a couple of the family were sick. Here ae the white cliffs of Dover. Lunch was a lot better than our last ferry experience on P&O whose abysmal catering was only just above Afghan airline standards. Our new sat nav had a little problem leaving the ferry as there has been new road construction but it was fine taking us about 70 miles to Rimboval, Pas de Calais, though not to our destination, Rainbow Farm. We were the first of our four family vehicles to arrive as we had come on three different ferries. It needed son in law Adrian to get the central heating going and to take us to the nearest shop for supplies. The only thing cheaper that home seems to be the alcohol. Rachel did us a good pasta bake for supper. We are nine adults and our five grandchildren.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Terror threat to UK is growing
BBC sas, "Police are currently tracking a number of suspected terror plots
The home secretary has described the terrorism threat facing the UK as "severe" and "growing".
In an interview for the News of the World, Jacqui Smith said it was imperative for the police to be able to detain suspects for longer.
She also said security services were investigating up to 30 terror plots.
Ms Smith is facing a Labour rebellion over plans to extend the time which suspects can be held without charge from 28 to 42 days.
She said: "We now face a threat level that is severe. It's not getting any less, it's actually growing.
"There are 2,000 individuals they are monitoring. There are 200 networks. There are 30 active plots.
"That has increased over the past two years. Since the beginning of 2007, 57 people have been convicted on terrorist plots.
"Nearly half of those pleaded guilty so this is not some figment of the imagination. It is a real risk and a real issue we need to respond to.
"We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We've got to stay ahead."
Under the proposals the home secretary would be able to immediately extend the detention limit of a suspect to 42 day, so long as it was supported by a joint report by a Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The extension would then have to be approved by the Commons and the Lords within 30 days. But if either House voted against it, the power would end at midnight on the day of the debate.
The proposals are supported by some senior police officers - but could face a court challenge from the Equality and Human Rights Commission if passed."
Of course no mention of religion or ethnicity here. We should at least be told the Irish are off the hook and it is not Tamil Tiger suicide bombing in London.
The home secretary has described the terrorism threat facing the UK as "severe" and "growing".
In an interview for the News of the World, Jacqui Smith said it was imperative for the police to be able to detain suspects for longer.
She also said security services were investigating up to 30 terror plots.
Ms Smith is facing a Labour rebellion over plans to extend the time which suspects can be held without charge from 28 to 42 days.
She said: "We now face a threat level that is severe. It's not getting any less, it's actually growing.
"There are 2,000 individuals they are monitoring. There are 200 networks. There are 30 active plots.
"That has increased over the past two years. Since the beginning of 2007, 57 people have been convicted on terrorist plots.
"Nearly half of those pleaded guilty so this is not some figment of the imagination. It is a real risk and a real issue we need to respond to.
"We can't wait for an attack to succeed and then rush in new powers. We've got to stay ahead."
Under the proposals the home secretary would be able to immediately extend the detention limit of a suspect to 42 day, so long as it was supported by a joint report by a Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The extension would then have to be approved by the Commons and the Lords within 30 days. But if either House voted against it, the power would end at midnight on the day of the debate.
The proposals are supported by some senior police officers - but could face a court challenge from the Equality and Human Rights Commission if passed."
Of course no mention of religion or ethnicity here. We should at least be told the Irish are off the hook and it is not Tamil Tiger suicide bombing in London.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
10 things that make me happy
Recently on holiday a friend encouraged me to be positive and count my blessing so here goes. The list is under construction and not in order of priority as yet. It is sacred and profane but I trust honest.
1. Helping someone come to faith in Christ.
2. Being appreciated.
3. My children following Christ.
4. Grandchildren.
5. Good corporate worship.
6. Enthusiastic prayer.
7. Good preaching.
8. Really understanding something for the first time..
9. Brethren dwelling together in unity.
10. Food, drink a good cigar.
1. Helping someone come to faith in Christ.
2. Being appreciated.
3. My children following Christ.
4. Grandchildren.
5. Good corporate worship.
6. Enthusiastic prayer.
7. Good preaching.
8. Really understanding something for the first time..
9. Brethren dwelling together in unity.
10. Food, drink a good cigar.
'World peace' hitcher is murdered
BBC says,"
An Italian woman artist who was hitch-hiking to the Middle East dressed as a bride to promote world peace has been found murdered in Turkey.
The naked body of Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, 33, known as Pippa Bacca, was found in bushes near the city of Gebze on Friday.
She had said she wanted to show that she could put her trust in the kindness of local people."
Pity she did not ask the advice of Armenians before being trusting in Turkey.
An Italian woman artist who was hitch-hiking to the Middle East dressed as a bride to promote world peace has been found murdered in Turkey.
The naked body of Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, 33, known as Pippa Bacca, was found in bushes near the city of Gebze on Friday.
She had said she wanted to show that she could put her trust in the kindness of local people."
Pity she did not ask the advice of Armenians before being trusting in Turkey.
Mother denied daughter's organs
BBC says, "A mother who urgently needs a kidney transplant has branded the system which denied her the organs of her dying daughter as "ridiculous".
Laura Ashworth, 21, from Bierley, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, died on 2 April, two days after an asthma attack.
Her mother Rachel Leake, 39, has kidney failure, but Ms Ashworth's kidneys were given to strangers.
Despite her personal wish to help her mother Ms Ashworth's organs went to others on the transplant waiting list.
Ms Ashworth, the mother of a two-year-old girl, was on the NHS Organ Donor Register, which records a person's wish to donate organs after death.
She had also told her mother she would be prepared to be a "living donor", but had not begun the formal process.
As a result Ms Ashworth's kidneys and liver were given to three patients on the UK Transplant waiting list.
Mrs Leake said the regulations should be changed.
"I believe it should be overturned, I really do," she said.
"It's an absolutely ridiculous law. Laura's helped three people through this, but Laura would have wanted to help me. To help her mum."
The 21-year-old, who had always been an asthmatic, had a coughing fit on 31 March and collapsed at the home which she shared with her daughter and mother.
By the time the ambulance arrived, Ms Ashworth's brain had been starved of oxygen.
She died two days later in the intensive care unit of Bradford Royal Infirmary.
A person cannot choose to whom their organ can be given when they die; nor can their family
Her mother has suffered from kidney failure for seven years after developing complications from diabetes.
The Human Tissue Authority (HTA), the body responsible for implementing the consent requirements of the Human Tissue Act 2004, defended its decision to allocate Ms Ashworth's organs to strangers.
Adrian McNeil, chief executive of the HTA, said: "The central principle of matching and allocating organs from the deceased is that they are allocated to the person on the UK Transplant waiting list who is most in need and who is the best match with the donor.
"In line with this central principle, a person cannot choose to whom their organ can be given when they die; nor can their family.""
However, he said the HTA recognised there may be exceptional situations when this rule might be reconsidered and it was taking soundings from professionals and organisations representing families before deciding if the rules should be changed.
In the meantime, it had decided there should be no change to the current system of allocating an organ according to need.
The family's MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: "This is a very sad and tragic case.
"You can understand the unique circumstances of a family where the mother needs to have a transplant and the daughter wants to help.
"One would hope that in a situation like this they [the HTA] could be very flexible; they have not been flexible in this case.""
One more case of the medics playing God when doctors can override a will.
Laura Ashworth, 21, from Bierley, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, died on 2 April, two days after an asthma attack.
Her mother Rachel Leake, 39, has kidney failure, but Ms Ashworth's kidneys were given to strangers.
Despite her personal wish to help her mother Ms Ashworth's organs went to others on the transplant waiting list.
Ms Ashworth, the mother of a two-year-old girl, was on the NHS Organ Donor Register, which records a person's wish to donate organs after death.
She had also told her mother she would be prepared to be a "living donor", but had not begun the formal process.
As a result Ms Ashworth's kidneys and liver were given to three patients on the UK Transplant waiting list.
Mrs Leake said the regulations should be changed.
"I believe it should be overturned, I really do," she said.
"It's an absolutely ridiculous law. Laura's helped three people through this, but Laura would have wanted to help me. To help her mum."
The 21-year-old, who had always been an asthmatic, had a coughing fit on 31 March and collapsed at the home which she shared with her daughter and mother.
By the time the ambulance arrived, Ms Ashworth's brain had been starved of oxygen.
She died two days later in the intensive care unit of Bradford Royal Infirmary.
A person cannot choose to whom their organ can be given when they die; nor can their family
Her mother has suffered from kidney failure for seven years after developing complications from diabetes.
The Human Tissue Authority (HTA), the body responsible for implementing the consent requirements of the Human Tissue Act 2004, defended its decision to allocate Ms Ashworth's organs to strangers.
Adrian McNeil, chief executive of the HTA, said: "The central principle of matching and allocating organs from the deceased is that they are allocated to the person on the UK Transplant waiting list who is most in need and who is the best match with the donor.
"In line with this central principle, a person cannot choose to whom their organ can be given when they die; nor can their family.""
However, he said the HTA recognised there may be exceptional situations when this rule might be reconsidered and it was taking soundings from professionals and organisations representing families before deciding if the rules should be changed.
In the meantime, it had decided there should be no change to the current system of allocating an organ according to need.
The family's MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: "This is a very sad and tragic case.
"You can understand the unique circumstances of a family where the mother needs to have a transplant and the daughter wants to help.
"One would hope that in a situation like this they [the HTA] could be very flexible; they have not been flexible in this case.""
One more case of the medics playing God when doctors can override a will.
The greatest Englishman
I you are on Facebook click on the title and join my group. I need help to know how to upload from U tube to the group.
Doctors attack 'supersize' drinks
BBC says, "
Increasingly large pub measures are pushing customers towards unsafe levels of drinking, the Royal College of Physicians has warned.
RCP president Ian Gilmore accused the pub industry of acting irresponsibly and urged it to put its house in order.
Some 14% of licensed premises say they now offer only 250ml sized wine glasses - equivalent to a third of a bottle.
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers hit back that it was in the business of offering customers choice.
The 125ml wine glass used to be the standard size but now just 16% of pubs and bars say it is their normal size.
Some 73% say 175ml is the new "standard" and 250ml the large.
Meanwhile, many premises have increased spirit measures from 25 to 35ml and offer doubles as standard.
BBC correspondent Keith Doyle said there was even anecdotal evidence that some pub staff were under pressure to maximise profits by encouraging customers to opt for larger drinks.
Industry magazine The Publican recently advised landlords to "train and incentivise staff to upsell products such as larger measures of wine and spirits".
Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: "Our view is that customers should be offered a choice of different wine glass sizes when they are drinking in a pub or restaurant."
Mark Hastings, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the larger glasses were a result of consumer outcry during the 1980s.
"People felt short-changed in pubs because we were selling 125ml glasses," he told the BBC.
"So the pub sector moved to serving us in exactly the same way as people drink in their own homes. In other words it's what people want to buy."
If people were asking for smaller measures, he continued, "you can guarantee pubs will start producing them, because they want customers to be happy".
Safe limits
However, as fears about a binge drinking epidemic mount, the trend has triggered a backlash from senior doctors and politicians.
Professor Gilmore warned: "There is no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise.
"People are aware of units, they want to stay within safe limits, but they are being pushed up way over those limits by just not realising what they are drinking.
"I think the industry is being irresponsible and needs to put its house in order.""
How patronising can you get? I think it is yet more from nanny.
One is reminded of the differnce between God and a doctor
God does not think he is a doctor.
Increasingly large pub measures are pushing customers towards unsafe levels of drinking, the Royal College of Physicians has warned.
RCP president Ian Gilmore accused the pub industry of acting irresponsibly and urged it to put its house in order.
Some 14% of licensed premises say they now offer only 250ml sized wine glasses - equivalent to a third of a bottle.
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers hit back that it was in the business of offering customers choice.
The 125ml wine glass used to be the standard size but now just 16% of pubs and bars say it is their normal size.
Some 73% say 175ml is the new "standard" and 250ml the large.
Meanwhile, many premises have increased spirit measures from 25 to 35ml and offer doubles as standard.
BBC correspondent Keith Doyle said there was even anecdotal evidence that some pub staff were under pressure to maximise profits by encouraging customers to opt for larger drinks.
Industry magazine The Publican recently advised landlords to "train and incentivise staff to upsell products such as larger measures of wine and spirits".
Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: "Our view is that customers should be offered a choice of different wine glass sizes when they are drinking in a pub or restaurant."
Mark Hastings, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the larger glasses were a result of consumer outcry during the 1980s.
"People felt short-changed in pubs because we were selling 125ml glasses," he told the BBC.
"So the pub sector moved to serving us in exactly the same way as people drink in their own homes. In other words it's what people want to buy."
If people were asking for smaller measures, he continued, "you can guarantee pubs will start producing them, because they want customers to be happy".
Safe limits
However, as fears about a binge drinking epidemic mount, the trend has triggered a backlash from senior doctors and politicians.
Professor Gilmore warned: "There is no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise.
"People are aware of units, they want to stay within safe limits, but they are being pushed up way over those limits by just not realising what they are drinking.
"I think the industry is being irresponsible and needs to put its house in order.""
How patronising can you get? I think it is yet more from nanny.
One is reminded of the differnce between God and a doctor
God does not think he is a doctor.
Advanced
Back from two weeks in N France and Belgium I note it is warmer here and spring more advanced like other things in England.
Shop opening hours.
Service culture.
Nanny state.
Surveillance by cameras.
A proper understanding of who won at Waterloo. All the souveniers there are of Nappy the loser.
Numbers of immigrants.
No so advanced here are,
Prices except for booze and tobacco but not food and fuel.
The natives ability to speak other languages.
Viewing football without Sky high prices on TV.
The strength of beer.
Roman Catholicism.
Health care.
Shop opening hours.
Service culture.
Nanny state.
Surveillance by cameras.
A proper understanding of who won at Waterloo. All the souveniers there are of Nappy the loser.
Numbers of immigrants.
No so advanced here are,
Prices except for booze and tobacco but not food and fuel.
The natives ability to speak other languages.
Viewing football without Sky high prices on TV.
The strength of beer.
Roman Catholicism.
Health care.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Freedom threatened
Lionheart is a Christian blogger from near London. Click on the title for his story. He faces arrest for a blog critical of Islam. Followers of Mohammed complain and are listened to. Christians are fearful of writing what they believe about about the "religion of peace". Freedom of speech has done. Feardom has come.
Lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth
BBC says, "A trader in the Indian state of Bihar has lost his life savings after termites infesting his bank's safe deposit boxes ate them up.
Dwarika Prasad had deposited currency notes and investment papers worth hundreds of thousands of rupees in a bank safe in the state capital Patna.
The bank says it put up a notice warning customers of the termites.
Mr Prasad says he did not see it in time as he did not go to the bank for months after the notice went up.
Bank officials admit they did not inform the customers individually about the termite problem.
'Shattered'
"I'm shattered. I do not know what to do as I had kept the money for my old age," Mr Prasad said.
The trader says he had deposited 450,000 rupees ($11,000) in currency notes, investment papers worth 232,000 rupees ($5,660) and some gold and silver jewellery in a safe deposit box of the government-owned Central Bank of India.
Mr Prasad says that relations with his wife and children were strained and he wanted to put the money in the safe box to keep it safe from them.
The locker had currency notes and documents worth thousands of dollars
He started using the safe box in September 2005.
He says when he opened it on 29 January, there was nothing in the safe except termite dust and remains of currency notes and that his investment papers were "badly perforated".
The white ants did not even spare the ornaments and their sheen has vanished, he says.
"I wrote to the head office of the Central Bank of India and the regional offices of the Reserve Bank of India," Mr Prasad says. "Even after two months, I'm waiting for a response from them."
'Not liable'
Bank authorities say they put up a notice, dated 8 May 2007, outside the locker room warning customers about the termite infestation.
They advised customers to remove their documents and papers from their safe.
"We received a few complaints of termites in safe deposit boxes so after putting on the notice, we got pesticides sprayed in the bank," said bank manager YP Saha.
Mr Saha says the customer cannot blame the bank because he did not find his locker broken or damaged.
"The bank is not liable for the deposits kept inside the safe as it is only when a locker is found broken that the bank is answerable," he said.
Bank authorities say they have forwarded Mr Prasad's complaint to higher authorities but they say he is not entitled to any compensation for his loss."
Some of my books still bear the marks of Nigerian termites!
Dwarika Prasad had deposited currency notes and investment papers worth hundreds of thousands of rupees in a bank safe in the state capital Patna.
The bank says it put up a notice warning customers of the termites.
Mr Prasad says he did not see it in time as he did not go to the bank for months after the notice went up.
Bank officials admit they did not inform the customers individually about the termite problem.
'Shattered'
"I'm shattered. I do not know what to do as I had kept the money for my old age," Mr Prasad said.
The trader says he had deposited 450,000 rupees ($11,000) in currency notes, investment papers worth 232,000 rupees ($5,660) and some gold and silver jewellery in a safe deposit box of the government-owned Central Bank of India.
Mr Prasad says that relations with his wife and children were strained and he wanted to put the money in the safe box to keep it safe from them.
The locker had currency notes and documents worth thousands of dollars
He started using the safe box in September 2005.
He says when he opened it on 29 January, there was nothing in the safe except termite dust and remains of currency notes and that his investment papers were "badly perforated".
The white ants did not even spare the ornaments and their sheen has vanished, he says.
"I wrote to the head office of the Central Bank of India and the regional offices of the Reserve Bank of India," Mr Prasad says. "Even after two months, I'm waiting for a response from them."
'Not liable'
Bank authorities say they put up a notice, dated 8 May 2007, outside the locker room warning customers about the termite infestation.
They advised customers to remove their documents and papers from their safe.
"We received a few complaints of termites in safe deposit boxes so after putting on the notice, we got pesticides sprayed in the bank," said bank manager YP Saha.
Mr Saha says the customer cannot blame the bank because he did not find his locker broken or damaged.
"The bank is not liable for the deposits kept inside the safe as it is only when a locker is found broken that the bank is answerable," he said.
Bank authorities say they have forwarded Mr Prasad's complaint to higher authorities but they say he is not entitled to any compensation for his loss."
Some of my books still bear the marks of Nigerian termites!
Nanny is watching!
BBC says" Poole council admitted using RIPA powers on six occasions
A council has admitted spying on a family using laws to track criminals and terrorists to find out if they were really living in a school catchment.
A couple and their three children were put under surveillance without their knowledge by Poole Borough Council for more than two weeks.
The council admitted using powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) on six occasions in total.
Three of those were for suspected fraudulent school place applications.
It said two offers of school places were withdrawn as a consequence.
Human rights pressure group Liberty called the spying "ridiculously disproportionate" and "intrusive".
James Welch, legal director for Liberty, said: "It's one thing to use covert surveillance in operations investigating terrorism and other serious crimes, but it has come to a pretty pass when this kind of intrusive activity is used to police school catchment areas.
Liberty's Alex Gask describes the use of powers as 'ridiculous'
"This is a ridiculously disproportionate use of RIPA and will undermine public trust in necessary and lawful surveillance."
RIPA legislation allows councils to carry out surveillance if it suspects criminal activity.
On its website, the Home Office says: "The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) legislates for using methods of surveillance and information gathering to help the prevention of crime, including terrorism."
It goes on to say the act allows the interception of communications, carrying out of surveillance and the use of covert human intelligence sources.
Poole council said it used the legislation to watch a family at home and in their daily movements because it wanted to know if they lived in the catchment area for a school, which they wanted their three-year-old daughter to attend.
It said directed surveillance was carried out by a council officer who was fully trained and authorised to exercise RIPA powers, once it had decided it may be a criminal matter."
Rarely am I a fan of Liberty but here they are spot on.
A council has admitted spying on a family using laws to track criminals and terrorists to find out if they were really living in a school catchment.
A couple and their three children were put under surveillance without their knowledge by Poole Borough Council for more than two weeks.
The council admitted using powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) on six occasions in total.
Three of those were for suspected fraudulent school place applications.
It said two offers of school places were withdrawn as a consequence.
Human rights pressure group Liberty called the spying "ridiculously disproportionate" and "intrusive".
James Welch, legal director for Liberty, said: "It's one thing to use covert surveillance in operations investigating terrorism and other serious crimes, but it has come to a pretty pass when this kind of intrusive activity is used to police school catchment areas.
Liberty's Alex Gask describes the use of powers as 'ridiculous'
"This is a ridiculously disproportionate use of RIPA and will undermine public trust in necessary and lawful surveillance."
RIPA legislation allows councils to carry out surveillance if it suspects criminal activity.
On its website, the Home Office says: "The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) legislates for using methods of surveillance and information gathering to help the prevention of crime, including terrorism."
It goes on to say the act allows the interception of communications, carrying out of surveillance and the use of covert human intelligence sources.
Poole council said it used the legislation to watch a family at home and in their daily movements because it wanted to know if they lived in the catchment area for a school, which they wanted their three-year-old daughter to attend.
It said directed surveillance was carried out by a council officer who was fully trained and authorised to exercise RIPA powers, once it had decided it may be a criminal matter."
Rarely am I a fan of Liberty but here they are spot on.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Yorkshire Airlines
The language may be a bit ripe for some but it is the one ethnic joke I can post with no fear of PC criticism.
My favorite atheist
Click on the title for a BBC interview. Of course the interviewer sounds like a dhimmi accusing her of being provocative when she merely speaks the truth about the reality of "The religion of peace". One is reminded, when he says that she is as provocative as an Islamist in the eyes of Muslims, of the movie quote, "Truth? You can't take the truth". I must read her book when it comes out. No doubt her publisher is due to be threatened.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
You have to check it is not dated April 1st
Sometimes I read something so ridiculous I have to check it is not a joke. Sadly this comes from the Daily Mail on April 4th not April 1st.
"When it comes to avoiding a ban for speeding, the courts hear every excuse in the book. But yesterday one motorist offered what must be a unique reason why he should keep his licence. Mohammed Anwar said a ban would make it difficult to commute between his two wives and fulfil his matrimonial duties. His lawyer told a Scottish court the Muslim restaurant owner has one wife in Motherwell and another in Glasgow - he is allowed up to four under his religion - and sleeps with them on alternate nights. He also needed his driving licence to run his restaurant in Falkirk, Stirlingshire. Airdrie Sheriff Court had heard that Anwar was caught driving at 64mph in a 30mph zone in Glasgow, fast enough to qualify for instant disqualification. Anwar admitted the offence, but Sheriff John C. Morris accepted his plea not to be banned and allowed him to keep his licence. Instead, he was fined £200 and given six penalty points. "
I wonder if this Muslim had been over the drink driving limit, not speeding, would this fine judge have been so lenient? It gives a new twist to "Scot free".
"When it comes to avoiding a ban for speeding, the courts hear every excuse in the book. But yesterday one motorist offered what must be a unique reason why he should keep his licence. Mohammed Anwar said a ban would make it difficult to commute between his two wives and fulfil his matrimonial duties. His lawyer told a Scottish court the Muslim restaurant owner has one wife in Motherwell and another in Glasgow - he is allowed up to four under his religion - and sleeps with them on alternate nights. He also needed his driving licence to run his restaurant in Falkirk, Stirlingshire. Airdrie Sheriff Court had heard that Anwar was caught driving at 64mph in a 30mph zone in Glasgow, fast enough to qualify for instant disqualification. Anwar admitted the offence, but Sheriff John C. Morris accepted his plea not to be banned and allowed him to keep his licence. Instead, he was fined £200 and given six penalty points. "
I wonder if this Muslim had been over the drink driving limit, not speeding, would this fine judge have been so lenient? It gives a new twist to "Scot free".
Sunday, April 06, 2008
They're Back! Those Wonderful Church Bulletins!
Thank God for church ladies with word-processors. These sentences appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services. Read on....
----------------------------------------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
----------------------------------------------------------
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
-------------------- ------ --------------------------------
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall.
Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
----------------------------------------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
----------------------------------------------------------
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love.
Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
---------------------------------------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
---------------------------------------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure
to the congregation.
----------------------------------------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
----------------------------------------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing:
"Break Forth Into Joy."
---------------------------------------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
---------------------------------------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?"
Come early and listen to our choir practice.
---------------------------------------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members
and to the deterioration of some older ones.
---------------------------------------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.
Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------------------------------------
-
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you
want remembered.
---------------------------------------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
-------------------------------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow..
------------------------------------------------ ---------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind.
They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
----------------------------------- ------ -----------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church.
Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
---------------------------------------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to
lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
----------------------------------------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their
electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
---------------------------------------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement
Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.
Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign
slogan last Sunday : "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours".
----------------------------------------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
----------------------------------------------------------
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
-------------------- ------ --------------------------------
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall.
Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
----------------------------------------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
----------------------------------------------------------
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
----------------------------------------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love.
Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
---------------------------------------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
---------------------------------------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure
to the congregation.
----------------------------------------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
----------------------------------------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing:
"Break Forth Into Joy."
---------------------------------------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
---------------------------------------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?"
Come early and listen to our choir practice.
---------------------------------------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members
and to the deterioration of some older ones.
---------------------------------------------------------
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.
Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
--------------------------------------------------------
-
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you
want remembered.
---------------------------------------------------------
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
-------------------------------------------------
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow..
------------------------------------------------ ---------
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind.
They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
----------------------------------- ------ -----------------
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church.
Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
---------------------------------------------------------
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to
lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
----------------------------------------------------------
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their
electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
--------------------------------------------
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
---------------------------------------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement
Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------------
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.
Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign
slogan last Sunday : "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours".
'Christian Choice' Mayoral Candidate tells 32,000 about Opposition to Olympics Mega-mosque
" A rally of 32,000 church-goers at the Dockland's Excel Centre this weekend
heard Christian Choice mayoral candidate Alan Craig explain one of his key
priorities for London Mayor and the London Assembly. The Newham councillor
formally started his campaign outside City Hall on Friday lunchtime, before
addressing the Festival of Life event, which went on through the night.
At the prayer rally he focused on his election campaign stance against the
proposed Olympics Mega Mosque in West Ham. Commenting about the
scale of the event, Alan Craig said:
"I was pleased to speak to so many Londoners and explain our reasoned
and reasonable objections to this huge landmark mosque - planned to be
Europe's largest.
"As more Muslim leaders are publicly coming out against the mega-mosque,
I was able to show the massive crowd that this is not a 'Christians against
Muslims' issue but rather a 'moderates against fundamentalists' matter. The
Muslim Education Centre's bold statement of opposition in the national
press on Friday morning dramatically illustrated my point."
The Festival of Life is a bi-annual event organised by the Redeemed
Christian Church of God and supported by over 150 churches in the United
Kingdom. It is now the largest all night non-denominational gathering of
Christians in Europe."
So says the press release. Interesting it is black Christians who an draw the biggest crowds.
heard Christian Choice mayoral candidate Alan Craig explain one of his key
priorities for London Mayor and the London Assembly. The Newham councillor
formally started his campaign outside City Hall on Friday lunchtime, before
addressing the Festival of Life event, which went on through the night.
At the prayer rally he focused on his election campaign stance against the
proposed Olympics Mega Mosque in West Ham. Commenting about the
scale of the event, Alan Craig said:
"I was pleased to speak to so many Londoners and explain our reasoned
and reasonable objections to this huge landmark mosque - planned to be
Europe's largest.
"As more Muslim leaders are publicly coming out against the mega-mosque,
I was able to show the massive crowd that this is not a 'Christians against
Muslims' issue but rather a 'moderates against fundamentalists' matter. The
Muslim Education Centre's bold statement of opposition in the national
press on Friday morning dramatically illustrated my point."
The Festival of Life is a bi-annual event organised by the Redeemed
Christian Church of God and supported by over 150 churches in the United
Kingdom. It is now the largest all night non-denominational gathering of
Christians in Europe."
So says the press release. Interesting it is black Christians who an draw the biggest crowds.
Think about what you are reading ok. because it's the truth.
Why do we ((sleep)) in [[church]],
But stay ((awake)) through a [[2 hour movie]]?
Why is it so ((hard)) to talk about [[God]],
but so ((easy)) to [[Gossip]]?
Why are we so ((bored)) when we look at a [[Christian magazine]],
but find it ((easy)) to read [[Playboy]]?
Why is it so easy to ((ignore)) a [[Godly]] Facebook Wall Post,
Yet we ((repost)) the [[nasty]] ones?
Why are ((churches)) getting [[smaller]],
But ((bars and clubs)) are [[growing]]?
Think about it, are you going to repost this?
Are you going to ignore it, cause you think you'll get laughed at?
Would You Have Opened This if it Said.... Read This In Gods Name.
80 % of you wont repost this.
Jesus Christ said:
"If you deny me in front of your friends I will deny you in front of my father
But stay ((awake)) through a [[2 hour movie]]?
Why is it so ((hard)) to talk about [[God]],
but so ((easy)) to [[Gossip]]?
Why are we so ((bored)) when we look at a [[Christian magazine]],
but find it ((easy)) to read [[Playboy]]?
Why is it so easy to ((ignore)) a [[Godly]] Facebook Wall Post,
Yet we ((repost)) the [[nasty]] ones?
Why are ((churches)) getting [[smaller]],
But ((bars and clubs)) are [[growing]]?
Think about it, are you going to repost this?
Are you going to ignore it, cause you think you'll get laughed at?
Would You Have Opened This if it Said.... Read This In Gods Name.
80 % of you wont repost this.
Jesus Christ said:
"If you deny me in front of your friends I will deny you in front of my father
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Families in meltdown, judge says
BBC says, "A senior family court judge has hit out at the government over what he says is an "epidemic" of family failure that will have "catastrophic" effects. In a speech, Mr Justice Coleridge, a Family Division judge for England and Wales, warned the results could be as destructive as global warming. He said ministers are not doing enough about a "meltdown" in family life.
The government defended its record on the family and said most children were "safe, healthy, and achieve well".
In a speech in Brighton to lawyers from Resolution, formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association, the judge warned of a "cancerous" increase in broken families and said the government must take "comprehensive action".
The judge said those who witnessed the goings-on inside family courts would be aware of it being a "never ending carnival of human misery - a ceaseless river of human distress". Using very strong language, Mr Justice Coleridge warned of a bleak future if the UK did not address the problems he described. He said "the effects of family breakdown" would, within the next 20 years, be "as marked and as destructive as the effects of global warming".
"We are experiencing a period of family meltdown whose effects will be as catastrophic as the meltdown of the ice caps," said the judge, who added that its effects pose "as big a threat to the future of our society as terrorism, street crime or drugs".
Mr Justice Coleridge said the collapse of family life is at a scale and severity that would have been unimaginable even 10 years ago. "What is certain is that almost all of society's social ills can be traced directly to the collapse of the family life," he said.
However, Mr Justice Coleridge, who heads family courts in the south west of England, did not criticise single parents directly.
"I am not saying every broken family produces dysfunctional children but I am saying that almost every dysfunctional child is the product of a broken family. "What is government doing to recognise and face up to the emerging situation? The answer is: very little and nothing like enough. "It is fiddling whilst Rome burns."
Mr Justice Coleridge outlined a number of recommendations to improve the societal ills he described.
The suggestions included placing family justice at the top of the political agenda; allocating more staffing and money to family issues; better funding for contact centres to aid family cohesion; and extensive reforms of the laws relating to divorce, cohabitation and financial relief. On the issue of legal reforms, Mr Justice Coleridge said divorce law and those relating to financial orders were "last properly reformed two generations ago, in the mid-60s, when society was altogether different.
"The current laws are not suited to modern social mores of the way we live now."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Families and Schools said: "Most children and young people in England today are safe, healthy, and achieve well." She added: "We do not agree that there has been a breakdown in the family - 70% of families are headed by a married couple. "And a recent BBC poll suggests that three-quarters of people in Britain are optimistic about the future of their families, 24% higher than when the same question was asked in 1964."
David Laws, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for children, schools and families, said the judge was highlighting trends dating back at least 20 years. "This government is not the source of the family breakdown problem but policies such as the operation of tax credits have made it more difficult for some families to bring up children in stable, two-parent households," he said. "
Here we have a judge who is not out of touch with contemporary society and a government that is. What has any government in the last 20 years done to promote marriage? All we have had is a redefinition of family to include cohabitees and other alternatives like social partnerships. There is only one proper definition of family. Those linked by blood, marriage or legal adoption.
The government defended its record on the family and said most children were "safe, healthy, and achieve well".
In a speech in Brighton to lawyers from Resolution, formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association, the judge warned of a "cancerous" increase in broken families and said the government must take "comprehensive action".
The judge said those who witnessed the goings-on inside family courts would be aware of it being a "never ending carnival of human misery - a ceaseless river of human distress". Using very strong language, Mr Justice Coleridge warned of a bleak future if the UK did not address the problems he described. He said "the effects of family breakdown" would, within the next 20 years, be "as marked and as destructive as the effects of global warming".
"We are experiencing a period of family meltdown whose effects will be as catastrophic as the meltdown of the ice caps," said the judge, who added that its effects pose "as big a threat to the future of our society as terrorism, street crime or drugs".
Mr Justice Coleridge said the collapse of family life is at a scale and severity that would have been unimaginable even 10 years ago. "What is certain is that almost all of society's social ills can be traced directly to the collapse of the family life," he said.
However, Mr Justice Coleridge, who heads family courts in the south west of England, did not criticise single parents directly.
"I am not saying every broken family produces dysfunctional children but I am saying that almost every dysfunctional child is the product of a broken family. "What is government doing to recognise and face up to the emerging situation? The answer is: very little and nothing like enough. "It is fiddling whilst Rome burns."
Mr Justice Coleridge outlined a number of recommendations to improve the societal ills he described.
The suggestions included placing family justice at the top of the political agenda; allocating more staffing and money to family issues; better funding for contact centres to aid family cohesion; and extensive reforms of the laws relating to divorce, cohabitation and financial relief. On the issue of legal reforms, Mr Justice Coleridge said divorce law and those relating to financial orders were "last properly reformed two generations ago, in the mid-60s, when society was altogether different.
"The current laws are not suited to modern social mores of the way we live now."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Families and Schools said: "Most children and young people in England today are safe, healthy, and achieve well." She added: "We do not agree that there has been a breakdown in the family - 70% of families are headed by a married couple. "And a recent BBC poll suggests that three-quarters of people in Britain are optimistic about the future of their families, 24% higher than when the same question was asked in 1964."
David Laws, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for children, schools and families, said the judge was highlighting trends dating back at least 20 years. "This government is not the source of the family breakdown problem but policies such as the operation of tax credits have made it more difficult for some families to bring up children in stable, two-parent households," he said. "
Here we have a judge who is not out of touch with contemporary society and a government that is. What has any government in the last 20 years done to promote marriage? All we have had is a redefinition of family to include cohabitees and other alternatives like social partnerships. There is only one proper definition of family. Those linked by blood, marriage or legal adoption.
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