Friday, February 28
Who Paid For The Arming Of Iraq? - The British taxpayer, thanks to the Blessed Margret of Grantham
The total loss to the taxpayer on military and civil credit sales her administration carried out with Iraq now exceeds £1bn.
Racal, Thorn-EMI and Marconi secretly supplied President Saddam's army with artillery control, anti-mortar radar and secure radio systems, much of which it is believed still to possess. The firms are all now subsidiaries of defence giants BAE and Thales.
Military deals also included generators to start up military jets and helicopters from Houchin Ltd and Braby Auto Diesels; air force reconnaissance cameras from Vinten; and an electron microscope from Cambridge Instruments.
The giant construction firm John Laing, and a smaller firm, Tripod Engineering, were given government insurance for a £23m contract to build a training complex for Iraqi fighter pilots. Whitehall paid out £2.9m on the collapse of the project when the Gulf war broke out. .
Needless to say this was all going on whilst Mr Hussain was merrily gassing the Kurds.
Funnily enough, the Kurds are going to be big losers of this was as the Turkish army is going to be following the Americans deep into Northern Iraq to ensure they don't get the independence they have been fighting for.
In Blair's world, it, apparently is moral to save the Iraqi people and stuff the Kurds.
Meanwhile President Karzai is begging the US not to forget about Afghanistan even as the UN suspends aid operations because of the fighting and instability between rival warlords.
The Us is already talking about getting out of Iraq as fast as it can, so it doesn't bode too well. And don't pin your hopes on the Reverend Blair - he couldn't even run the Millenium Dome.
The total loss to the taxpayer on military and civil credit sales her administration carried out with Iraq now exceeds £1bn.
Racal, Thorn-EMI and Marconi secretly supplied President Saddam's army with artillery control, anti-mortar radar and secure radio systems, much of which it is believed still to possess. The firms are all now subsidiaries of defence giants BAE and Thales.
Military deals also included generators to start up military jets and helicopters from Houchin Ltd and Braby Auto Diesels; air force reconnaissance cameras from Vinten; and an electron microscope from Cambridge Instruments.
The giant construction firm John Laing, and a smaller firm, Tripod Engineering, were given government insurance for a £23m contract to build a training complex for Iraqi fighter pilots. Whitehall paid out £2.9m on the collapse of the project when the Gulf war broke out. .
Needless to say this was all going on whilst Mr Hussain was merrily gassing the Kurds.
Funnily enough, the Kurds are going to be big losers of this was as the Turkish army is going to be following the Americans deep into Northern Iraq to ensure they don't get the independence they have been fighting for.
In Blair's world, it, apparently is moral to save the Iraqi people and stuff the Kurds.
Meanwhile President Karzai is begging the US not to forget about Afghanistan even as the UN suspends aid operations because of the fighting and instability between rival warlords.
The Us is already talking about getting out of Iraq as fast as it can, so it doesn't bode too well. And don't pin your hopes on the Reverend Blair - he couldn't even run the Millenium Dome.
posted by quarsan at
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Thursday, February 27
The Dishonesty Of Blair as he gets his arse kicked by parliament. Sadly one victim was Charles Kennedy, who blew his chance of making the Liberals appear relavent or an alternative third party. It's time all three parties had new leaders. Democracy can no longer work with the presidential Blair, the inward looking incopmetence of Smith and the sheer invisibility of Kennedy.
What was revealing was a 10 minuite slot on ITV, where a group of dissenters were taken to the vicarage to discuss the war over tea and biccies with the Reverend blair. He just fumbled and blustered his way though it. Essentially all he could say was I'm a really nice guy, you should trust me.
Trust him? Yesterday in the debate he promised MP's that they would have a further opportunity to vote before war war started. This morning the laothsome Margret Beckett was explaining that a further vote would be trecherous and wouldn't happen on the Today programme.
In the debate Blair said that passing the UN resolution doesn't mean war. Yesterday his minister Mike O'Brian said passing the UN resolution would mean just that.
When Blair tries to justify his actions all we get is deciet and downright lies. How can a war be morally right if all you can offer to justify it is patent bollocks?
meanwhile American Intelligence has not exactly shone and Bush's Climate change plan has been described as useless by the scientists he asked to verify it.
Why is bush doing this? This is why, meet the deeply scary Project for a New american Century, whose raison d'eter is the premise: if it's good for America, it's good for everyone.
What was revealing was a 10 minuite slot on ITV, where a group of dissenters were taken to the vicarage to discuss the war over tea and biccies with the Reverend blair. He just fumbled and blustered his way though it. Essentially all he could say was I'm a really nice guy, you should trust me.
Trust him? Yesterday in the debate he promised MP's that they would have a further opportunity to vote before war war started. This morning the laothsome Margret Beckett was explaining that a further vote would be trecherous and wouldn't happen on the Today programme.
In the debate Blair said that passing the UN resolution doesn't mean war. Yesterday his minister Mike O'Brian said passing the UN resolution would mean just that.
When Blair tries to justify his actions all we get is deciet and downright lies. How can a war be morally right if all you can offer to justify it is patent bollocks?
meanwhile American Intelligence has not exactly shone and Bush's Climate change plan has been described as useless by the scientists he asked to verify it.
Why is bush doing this? This is why, meet the deeply scary Project for a New american Century, whose raison d'eter is the premise: if it's good for America, it's good for everyone.
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Tuesday, February 25
War - The Love That Dare Not Speak It's Name - The resolution tabled by the Tweedlebush and Tweedleblair's Axis Of Weasel Words is a new high in political spin and a new low in morality.
Unlike the first Gulf War, where a resolution specifically authorised military action, the present resolution is adonyne, antiseptic and bland. It makes no hint that war is the result of voting for this motion. UK Minister, Mike O'Brien said on Newsnight that the resolution will be voted on before Hans Blix makes his presentation on the 15th March. That's right, before it. Watch it here - streaming ra file.
Will they win the vote? That largely depends on how successful they are in bribing other nations to support them. What does that say about morality?
I still ask why are we doing this? It makes no sense. Afghanistan is in a real mess with utter chaos and instability, even in Kabul. Beyond the city limits anarchy still rules and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are re-grouping.
the North Korea crisis grows ever deeper as they lob a WMD in Japan's direction, something that Mr Hussain of Baghdad isn't doing.
So, Al-Qaeda are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is a real threat that WMD may be used by North Korea, who are happily selling them to anyone who wants them.
Why all the fuss about Iraq when these other issues seem to be much more urgent? I think there are a few reasons:
1, Try as they might, they just can't catch Bin Laden. Perhaps they don't want to. Big Brother needed a Goldstien, and you only have to see the US media and politicians to realise that, over the pond, every week is hate week now.
2, They can only fight a weak enemy. North Korea, after all, would fight back, so it's off to the broken demoralised Iraqi army we turn our guns towards.
3, The main reason. This is about the US running the world unchallenged. everything else is but a small part of this overall strategic aim.
This is an excellent article on this strategy.
Of course, none of this explains why the Reverend Blair is so eager to throw away any independence the UK may still possess.
Unlike the first Gulf War, where a resolution specifically authorised military action, the present resolution is adonyne, antiseptic and bland. It makes no hint that war is the result of voting for this motion. UK Minister, Mike O'Brien said on Newsnight that the resolution will be voted on before Hans Blix makes his presentation on the 15th March. That's right, before it. Watch it here - streaming ra file.
Will they win the vote? That largely depends on how successful they are in bribing other nations to support them. What does that say about morality?
I still ask why are we doing this? It makes no sense. Afghanistan is in a real mess with utter chaos and instability, even in Kabul. Beyond the city limits anarchy still rules and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are re-grouping.
the North Korea crisis grows ever deeper as they lob a WMD in Japan's direction, something that Mr Hussain of Baghdad isn't doing.
So, Al-Qaeda are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is a real threat that WMD may be used by North Korea, who are happily selling them to anyone who wants them.
Why all the fuss about Iraq when these other issues seem to be much more urgent? I think there are a few reasons:
1, Try as they might, they just can't catch Bin Laden. Perhaps they don't want to. Big Brother needed a Goldstien, and you only have to see the US media and politicians to realise that, over the pond, every week is hate week now.
2, They can only fight a weak enemy. North Korea, after all, would fight back, so it's off to the broken demoralised Iraqi army we turn our guns towards.
3, The main reason. This is about the US running the world unchallenged. everything else is but a small part of this overall strategic aim.
This is an excellent article on this strategy.
Of course, none of this explains why the Reverend Blair is so eager to throw away any independence the UK may still possess.
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Sunday, February 23
War Is Peace In Blair's Britain as the Reverend Blair makes a last bid for peace by making war a certainty. Indeed, in these times the use of language as a weapon of war, together with the US position of 'Our Way Is The Only Way' and their ability to bully and bribe their will is an affront to the democratic values they claim to hold so dear.
This war is not about Oil, it's about the US dominating the world, forcing it's vision on us all. The war with Iraq is just a demonstration, for there is more to come.
If you want a vision of the future, imagine a cowboy boot stamping on a human face — forever......
Meanwhile in Airstrip One the BBC will censor anti-war statements.
This war is not about Oil, it's about the US dominating the world, forcing it's vision on us all. The war with Iraq is just a demonstration, for there is more to come.
If you want a vision of the future, imagine a cowboy boot stamping on a human face — forever......
Meanwhile in Airstrip One the BBC will censor anti-war statements.
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Friday, February 21
Does Blair Holiday With a Paedophile? Still tracking the leading Labour figures who are under investigation by Operation Ore. A story that has been banned by a D-Notice.
I hear from a friend that the Blairs are regular guests at a well known person's home. This host is described as 'a nasty piece of work' and is known locally for his frequent visits to some destinations known for their child sex trade.
My source, who worked for this host, says that they 'just can't believe that Blair's associates aren't checked out'.
It's only a whisper, but someone who certainly knows the names of the paedophiles at the heart of the Blair administration is George W. Bush.
I hear from a friend that the Blairs are regular guests at a well known person's home. This host is described as 'a nasty piece of work' and is known locally for his frequent visits to some destinations known for their child sex trade.
My source, who worked for this host, says that they 'just can't believe that Blair's associates aren't checked out'.
It's only a whisper, but someone who certainly knows the names of the paedophiles at the heart of the Blair administration is George W. Bush.
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Wednesday, February 19
Belgium's Far-Right Eurovision Troubled Diva is not going to like this. Because Belgium is a divided country because of it's three official languages, and believe me they do not get on at all. As an example we phoned to see about our house insurance bill, and the official refused to speak in French, so we still haven't been billed.
Anyway, there has to be a certain amount of jiggery-pokery going on to keep the lid on language tensions. This even extends to the choice of entry for theEurovision song contest. They've just chosen Urban Trad who are offering something in the ' Riverdance tradition ' - but with arms presumably. The dot Eurovision report is suitably mystified by the Belgian approach.
The main reason they were chosen, apart from Belgium's deep desire never to host the show, is that the song is mostly sung in a made up language. Therefore it won't upset the Flemish or French speakers.
but there's a tiny little problem. They're well to the right of sensible and under surveillence for neo-nazi activity:
A 25-year-old singer from the band is currently under surveillance by the state's security service. She was detained on two occasions during actions organised by Flemish right-wing extremist organisations and is also alleged to have attended a commemoration ceremony for nazi official Rudolf Hess.
Stop Press: They've been ditched on order of the Prime Minister - Far-right Eurovision singer dropped
Anyway, there has to be a certain amount of jiggery-pokery going on to keep the lid on language tensions. This even extends to the choice of entry for theEurovision song contest. They've just chosen Urban Trad who are offering something in the ' Riverdance tradition ' - but with arms presumably. The dot Eurovision report is suitably mystified by the Belgian approach.
The main reason they were chosen, apart from Belgium's deep desire never to host the show, is that the song is mostly sung in a made up language. Therefore it won't upset the Flemish or French speakers.
but there's a tiny little problem. They're well to the right of sensible and under surveillence for neo-nazi activity:
A 25-year-old singer from the band is currently under surveillance by the state's security service. She was detained on two occasions during actions organised by Flemish right-wing extremist organisations and is also alleged to have attended a commemoration ceremony for nazi official Rudolf Hess.
Stop Press: They've been ditched on order of the Prime Minister - Far-right Eurovision singer dropped
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My Part In The Liberal Conspiracy I confess. Belgium doesn't exist. We just made it up to spread our insideous liberal ideas.
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Error 404 Cannot find Weapons of Mass destruction
The weapons you are looking for are currently unavailable. The country might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your weapons inspectors mandate.
The weapons you are looking for are currently unavailable. The country might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your weapons inspectors mandate.
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More WMD Planned as the increasingly unrestrained bush administration plans to blow apart several key nuclear treaties with it's secret plans for a new generation of nukes, including mini nukes and bunker busters. And they've got a new list of targets:
The starting point for the January discussion was Mr Rumsfeld's nuclear posture review (NPR), a policy paper published last year that identified Russia, China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya as potential targets for US nuclear weapons.
This is the menu of weapons being actively considered by the Pentagon. Low-yield means tactical warheads of less than a kiloton, "mini-nukes", which advocates of the new arsenal say represent a far more effective deterrent than the existing huge weapons, because they are more "usable".
This is frightening. The implications are clear. nuclear arms are to be used in conventional battle scenarios. Bush has already authorised nuclear weapons to be used in Iraq, should chemical weapons be used, but these proposals take that one large, dangerous step further.
Meanwhile In Airstrip One the massive security operation around Heathrow was called off yesterday morning, to little fanfare. Well, now the march was over it had served it's purpose, or as much as it was going to. I suspect that most people thought it was a cynical attempt to scare people into supporting Blair's war.
Funnily enough, there were few hints about what caused this scare. there were rumours of Sam7 missiles being smuggled into the UK. These missiles were the ones that the SAS were training Afghans how to use in Scotland some years ago.....
The starting point for the January discussion was Mr Rumsfeld's nuclear posture review (NPR), a policy paper published last year that identified Russia, China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya as potential targets for US nuclear weapons.
This is the menu of weapons being actively considered by the Pentagon. Low-yield means tactical warheads of less than a kiloton, "mini-nukes", which advocates of the new arsenal say represent a far more effective deterrent than the existing huge weapons, because they are more "usable".
This is frightening. The implications are clear. nuclear arms are to be used in conventional battle scenarios. Bush has already authorised nuclear weapons to be used in Iraq, should chemical weapons be used, but these proposals take that one large, dangerous step further.
Meanwhile In Airstrip One the massive security operation around Heathrow was called off yesterday morning, to little fanfare. Well, now the march was over it had served it's purpose, or as much as it was going to. I suspect that most people thought it was a cynical attempt to scare people into supporting Blair's war.
Funnily enough, there were few hints about what caused this scare. there were rumours of Sam7 missiles being smuggled into the UK. These missiles were the ones that the SAS were training Afghans how to use in Scotland some years ago.....
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Monday, February 17
The Best Anti-War Slogan seen on the demos.... Brussels: was this one, translation: Monica occupy yourself with Bush also. I also liked the tribute to the Belgian foreign minister: Belgium stops the war.
London: Tony Fetch from the lovely Abraxas.
Toronto: These three from Trevor Wilker
Please add good ones you've seen to the comments thread.
London: Tony Fetch from the lovely Abraxas.
Toronto: These three from Trevor Wilker
Please add good ones you've seen to the comments thread.
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The Reverend's Sermon was one of the most repulsive yet. Taking the moral high ground he claimed that going to war would be moral and humane. Oh yes? Well would it also be moral to rid Zimbabwe of Mugabe or North Korea of Kim Jong II? So, why aren't we doing that? The reason is simple. Blair's morality hypocrisy is highly selective. Selected by George Bush that is.
But these bogus arguments of morality are the last card of a desperate man, as the Guardian says:
Downing Street is at panic stations as the full implications of Hans Blix's inspections report sink in. The two main US-British arguments in favour of launching a war on Iraq next month - that Saddam currently possesses deployable weapons of mass destruction and poses an immediate or near-term threat to the region and to us - already had few takers before Friday's UN meeting.
In his peculiarly dispassionate, persuasive way, Blix further undermined and, for many, destroyed the credibility of the Anglo-American case for an early, pre-emptive attack.
How moral is it, to take one aspect, to wreck an inspections process unanimously agreed by the UN?
Exactly how moral is it, as is now the US-British plan in the next fortnight, to gerrymander UN backing for war by buying votes with US financial largesse?
The onus is surely on Blair, not his opponents, to explain the morality of rejecting Blix's provisional conclusion that his inspections are beginning to work.
The onus is surely also on Blair to show the Vatican and, say, Britain's Anglican and Muslim leaders, why and on what grounds his moral authority exceeds theirs.
For a party conference is was unfortunate that there were more of his party delegates protesting outside the meeting than inside. But those inside weren't impressed by the party's big guns being wheeled out to support Blair. These guns turned out to be John Prescott and the Chairman, John Reid, who said that those protesters who took part in the massive anti-war march would share in the moral responsibility if Saddam Hussein remains in power to torture and kill his own people. He also dismissed the marchers as "Trots and the misguided".
Latest Airport Scores After all the terror scares and disruption, including 1,700 soldiers, tanks, helicopters and, unbelievably, a Nimrod patrolling London, which led to a total of nine arrests, I can now give you an update: Eight have been released without charge.
Yes, all of that fuss netted only one arrest.
But these bogus arguments of morality are the last card of a desperate man, as the Guardian says:
Downing Street is at panic stations as the full implications of Hans Blix's inspections report sink in. The two main US-British arguments in favour of launching a war on Iraq next month - that Saddam currently possesses deployable weapons of mass destruction and poses an immediate or near-term threat to the region and to us - already had few takers before Friday's UN meeting.
In his peculiarly dispassionate, persuasive way, Blix further undermined and, for many, destroyed the credibility of the Anglo-American case for an early, pre-emptive attack.
How moral is it, to take one aspect, to wreck an inspections process unanimously agreed by the UN?
Exactly how moral is it, as is now the US-British plan in the next fortnight, to gerrymander UN backing for war by buying votes with US financial largesse?
The onus is surely on Blair, not his opponents, to explain the morality of rejecting Blix's provisional conclusion that his inspections are beginning to work.
The onus is surely also on Blair to show the Vatican and, say, Britain's Anglican and Muslim leaders, why and on what grounds his moral authority exceeds theirs.
For a party conference is was unfortunate that there were more of his party delegates protesting outside the meeting than inside. But those inside weren't impressed by the party's big guns being wheeled out to support Blair. These guns turned out to be John Prescott and the Chairman, John Reid, who said that those protesters who took part in the massive anti-war march would share in the moral responsibility if Saddam Hussein remains in power to torture and kill his own people. He also dismissed the marchers as "Trots and the misguided".
Latest Airport Scores After all the terror scares and disruption, including 1,700 soldiers, tanks, helicopters and, unbelievably, a Nimrod patrolling London, which led to a total of nine arrests, I can now give you an update: Eight have been released without charge.
Yes, all of that fuss netted only one arrest.
posted by quarsan at
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Saturday, February 15
On The March I'll write more later but here's some photos of todays march in Brussels.
posted by quarsan at
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Friday, February 14
Terror Scare Results So Far : So after some "sorry we can't tell you anything" undisclosed high security nonsense from Blunkett, who won't even discuss this with parliament, thousands have been severely inconvenienced and a nation alarmed.... and for what?
After all the fuss we have the following:
1 Venuzualan held who arrived with a possible grenade in his bag
2 a couple of guys arrested near the airport "as a percautionary measure"
3 four people nicked in Langley described as "precautionary and not significant"
4 the airport shut down because of an unattended bag
In other words, a complete waste of time and money with no real purpose other than to scare a nation into backing an unpopular war and prime minister.
Meanwhile 1,700 armed soldiers wander around, helicopters and a Nimrod patrol London's skies and the police are stopping anyone who looks like a foreigner.
If Blair doesn't go, every day will be like today in Britain. Bye, Bye centuries of democracy.
After all the fuss we have the following:
1 Venuzualan held who arrived with a possible grenade in his bag
2 a couple of guys arrested near the airport "as a percautionary measure"
3 four people nicked in Langley described as "precautionary and not significant"
4 the airport shut down because of an unattended bag
In other words, a complete waste of time and money with no real purpose other than to scare a nation into backing an unpopular war and prime minister.
Meanwhile 1,700 armed soldiers wander around, helicopters and a Nimrod patrol London's skies and the police are stopping anyone who looks like a foreigner.
If Blair doesn't go, every day will be like today in Britain. Bye, Bye centuries of democracy.
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Chaos In Britain as some idiot smuggles a granade into Gatwick airport and chaos follows. Unfortunately for Blair, the culprit was Columbian, and not Iraqi. But it is just insane to close an airport over this. I cannot believe any other explanation other than Blair is trying to scare people ahead of todays UN debate and tomorrows protests.
Meanwhile.. Gordon Brown continues his leadership bid at the Labour spring conference. This will be a very important gathering were the few remaining party members can badger the leadership about the war whilst the party goes round the unions with a begging bowl.
And In Belgium a court rules that Israeli premier Sharon can be tried for his part in the Shabra and Chatilla camp massacres. Certainly he is guilty - he even had to resign because of it. I am not sure that this route is worthwhile but Netenyahu went nuts is an extraordinaary rant:
The Israeli justice minister described Belgium as a "small and insignificant" country... Mr Netanyahu told the ambassador: "Israel will not accept another blood libel against the Jewish nation.
"It's an outrageous decision and it reminds us of 'Old Europe', and all its sicknesses."
The Ashkenazi chief rabbi, Yisrael Meir Lau, said he was outraged that Belgium was taking on the role of world policeman. "It is regretful that a state which remained quiet at a time when it should have been screaming out in the name of humanity, is now expressing itself with such a pretentious and hypocritical voice," he said.
I think I should point out that Rabbi Lau may have forgotten that the Nazi's invaded Belgium - who, incidentally put up a much more fierce resistance than France - which, shall we say, limited their oportunities to object to Nazi policy.
I may also ask the Rabbi if he was screaming out in the name of humanity when 800 refugees were being butchered in the Shabra and Chatilla? Or was he cheering the murderers as they shot, stabbed and clubbed men, women and children to death?
Meanwhile.. Gordon Brown continues his leadership bid at the Labour spring conference. This will be a very important gathering were the few remaining party members can badger the leadership about the war whilst the party goes round the unions with a begging bowl.
And In Belgium a court rules that Israeli premier Sharon can be tried for his part in the Shabra and Chatilla camp massacres. Certainly he is guilty - he even had to resign because of it. I am not sure that this route is worthwhile but Netenyahu went nuts is an extraordinaary rant:
The Israeli justice minister described Belgium as a "small and insignificant" country... Mr Netanyahu told the ambassador: "Israel will not accept another blood libel against the Jewish nation.
"It's an outrageous decision and it reminds us of 'Old Europe', and all its sicknesses."
The Ashkenazi chief rabbi, Yisrael Meir Lau, said he was outraged that Belgium was taking on the role of world policeman. "It is regretful that a state which remained quiet at a time when it should have been screaming out in the name of humanity, is now expressing itself with such a pretentious and hypocritical voice," he said.
I think I should point out that Rabbi Lau may have forgotten that the Nazi's invaded Belgium - who, incidentally put up a much more fierce resistance than France - which, shall we say, limited their oportunities to object to Nazi policy.
I may also ask the Rabbi if he was screaming out in the name of humanity when 800 refugees were being butchered in the Shabra and Chatilla? Or was he cheering the murderers as they shot, stabbed and clubbed men, women and children to death?
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Thursday, February 13
A Family Outing this weekend. After celebrating Valentines Day with sweet, cuddly and soppy Zoe we're taking the kids to the Brussels anti-war demo on Saturday. It looks like we won't be alone as it is expected that ten million will attend worldwide demos.
It has been a while since I was on a real demo, so I'll be practising by wandering around the house shouting "Tony, Tony, Tony! Out! Out! Out!"
It has been a while since I was on a real demo, so I'll be practising by wandering around the house shouting "Tony, Tony, Tony! Out! Out! Out!"
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Blair's Sickening Morality It is a sad sign of the times that someone who has always voted Labour, like myself has to write what I do about the first Labour government since I left school.
However, Blair just gets worse by the day. Here he is explaining why war is the moral choice:
Prime Minister Tony Blair has outlined the "moral" case for war against Saddam Hussein, saying the alternative is sanctions that could result in the deaths of thousands of Iraqis.
So, according to the Reverend Blair, killing people in war is moral. At least more moral than sanctions. But why did it take our leading theologian so long to realise this? After all sanctions have been in place for a decade. And why has he been so vocal in supporting them?
Here's an example from a Q&A session in the Independent:
Q: Sanctions don't harm Saddam Hussein but they do harm Iraqi children. How can you justify that?
Fay Dowker, London
A: There is only one person responsible for the plight of Iraqi children and that's Saddam himself. There is no need for a single Iraqi child to be denied food and medical care.
The international community has drawn up the sanctions so that Saddam can use oil revenues to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian goods. This year, $16bn is available. He doesn't do this. His priority is doing what he can to look after his regime and bolster his military capability.
And we should not forget that the only reason the sanctions are there in the first place is that Saddam refuses to keep his word about not developing weapons of
mass destruction and continues to threaten neighbouring countries such as Kuwait.
However, Blair just gets worse by the day. Here he is explaining why war is the moral choice:
Prime Minister Tony Blair has outlined the "moral" case for war against Saddam Hussein, saying the alternative is sanctions that could result in the deaths of thousands of Iraqis.
So, according to the Reverend Blair, killing people in war is moral. At least more moral than sanctions. But why did it take our leading theologian so long to realise this? After all sanctions have been in place for a decade. And why has he been so vocal in supporting them?
Here's an example from a Q&A session in the Independent:
Q: Sanctions don't harm Saddam Hussein but they do harm Iraqi children. How can you justify that?
Fay Dowker, London
A: There is only one person responsible for the plight of Iraqi children and that's Saddam himself. There is no need for a single Iraqi child to be denied food and medical care.
The international community has drawn up the sanctions so that Saddam can use oil revenues to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian goods. This year, $16bn is available. He doesn't do this. His priority is doing what he can to look after his regime and bolster his military capability.
And we should not forget that the only reason the sanctions are there in the first place is that Saddam refuses to keep his word about not developing weapons of
mass destruction and continues to threaten neighbouring countries such as Kuwait.
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Screamingly Funny New Comedy on BBC2 last night. Posh Nosh is a delightful send up of modern cookery programmes. It's also got Richard E. Grant in it. And the writing is as delicious as the food. Here's the introduction to Architects fish and chips:
It's Friday night. A builder, let's call him Barry, has just finished 'work'. His pockets are stuffed with the twenty pound notes he's oiled from some luckless homeowner in lieu of a cheque. Barry's is a world without VAT or conscience.
And now he's off to the 'chippie'. Time to stuff his pre-pub belly with cod in crispy orange gunk and black-eyed chips as mushy and squat as fat people's fingers.
That's Builder's Fish And Chips for you. But very much not for us.
Our Architect's Fish And Chips takes this nourishing, cheap staple and makes it everything food should be. Expensive. Complex. And utterly architectural in its use of light and space.
It's Friday night. A builder, let's call him Barry, has just finished 'work'. His pockets are stuffed with the twenty pound notes he's oiled from some luckless homeowner in lieu of a cheque. Barry's is a world without VAT or conscience.
And now he's off to the 'chippie'. Time to stuff his pre-pub belly with cod in crispy orange gunk and black-eyed chips as mushy and squat as fat people's fingers.
That's Builder's Fish And Chips for you. But very much not for us.
Our Architect's Fish And Chips takes this nourishing, cheap staple and makes it everything food should be. Expensive. Complex. And utterly architectural in its use of light and space.
posted by quarsan at
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Wednesday, February 12
Is It All Spin? The Blair government lived by spin and will die by spin. Just how can you believe them when the most cynical explanation turns out to be the true one? As the Reverend Blair fails and fails again to bring the public behind his war.
Will he ever tire of being Mini-Me to Bush's Dr Evil? Has he no self respect left? I suspect not. For the last year he has been openly discussing making his mark on history - remember when he was preaching that it was Britain's destiny to be at the heart of Europe? -, or looking for his next job - remember again how he was trying to become President of Europe? Mention that to anyone in the EU and they will be unable to hide their laughter and contempt . Where are these halcyon dreams now?
The strategy of Britain being the 'bridge' between the US and Europe lies in tatters. As Europe looks for ways to disarm Iraq without full scale war, the American response has been a monumental arrogance, an arrogance that has lost them the support of the entire world since 9/11. Never in the history of human conflict, has so much goodwill been lost so quickly by so few.
Europe recognises that the US is a rogue state and the Bush administration is out of control. This belief is what is driving Europe's opposition to being bullied into war.
The case for war just has not been made. Colin Powell's presentation at the UN couldn't convict a street corner dope dealer, nevermind a ruthless global terror network. Try as they might they just can't link al-Qaeda with Iraq. Not even with James Bond and his trusty photocopier.
Will he ever tire of being Mini-Me to Bush's Dr Evil? Has he no self respect left? I suspect not. For the last year he has been openly discussing making his mark on history - remember when he was preaching that it was Britain's destiny to be at the heart of Europe? -, or looking for his next job - remember again how he was trying to become President of Europe? Mention that to anyone in the EU and they will be unable to hide their laughter and contempt . Where are these halcyon dreams now?
The strategy of Britain being the 'bridge' between the US and Europe lies in tatters. As Europe looks for ways to disarm Iraq without full scale war, the American response has been a monumental arrogance, an arrogance that has lost them the support of the entire world since 9/11. Never in the history of human conflict, has so much goodwill been lost so quickly by so few.
Europe recognises that the US is a rogue state and the Bush administration is out of control. This belief is what is driving Europe's opposition to being bullied into war.
The case for war just has not been made. Colin Powell's presentation at the UN couldn't convict a street corner dope dealer, nevermind a ruthless global terror network. Try as they might they just can't link al-Qaeda with Iraq. Not even with James Bond and his trusty photocopier.
posted by quarsan at
09:03 ...
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Tuesday, February 11
Back To Civilisation as I prepare tp fly to Brussels and my beloved. I have found that the Brits are as opposed to war as the Europeans. I haven't heard anyone supporting an assault on Iraq.
Good Old Belgium is annoying the U.S. by supporting the Franco- German plan to boost inspections. Meanwhile Blair is set to reject this, but how much longer can he keep this up? Opinion polls show Labour lead slips to 1%. Certainly the Reverend is looking rattled. He can't win a Euro referendum and is loosing party support and members, all this with an eerily smiling Gordon Brown sitting behind him. Soon he will have to decide if he's going to take us into a deeply unpopular war.
Good Old Belgium is annoying the U.S. by supporting the Franco- German plan to boost inspections. Meanwhile Blair is set to reject this, but how much longer can he keep this up? Opinion polls show Labour lead slips to 1%. Certainly the Reverend is looking rattled. He can't win a Euro referendum and is loosing party support and members, all this with an eerily smiling Gordon Brown sitting behind him. Soon he will have to decide if he's going to take us into a deeply unpopular war.
posted by quarsan at
08:51 ...
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Sunday, February 9
The Reverend Blair Speaks as Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman interviews hm on Iraq - Full Transcript Here. It is interesting that Blair chose to be interviewed by Paxo, if nothing else it shows how badly he needs support. But his blend of vagueness and self righteous smugness didn't convince. Neither did his dossier of plagarised evidence. It seems that our Intelligence services are run by a man in a cuttings library and a photocopier.
posted by quarsan at
10:05 ...
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Thursday, February 6
Cold, Cold England as we finish collecting stone in a quarry near Church Stretton. We're expecting to do the actual work on the Light Spout path at the end of March. Snow permitting.
posted by quarsan at
17:44 ...
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Saturday, February 1
Here's what I have found From Counterpunch
A child-sex scandal that threatened to destroy Tony Blair's government last week has been mysteriously squashed and wiped off the front pages of British newspapers. Operation Ore, the United Kingdom's most thorough and comprehensive police investigation of crimes against children, seems to have uncovered more than is politically acceptable at the highest reaches of the British elite. In the 19th of January edition of The Sunday Herald, Neil Mackay sensationally reported that senior members of Tony Blair's government were being investigated for paedophilia and the "enjoyment" of child-sex pornography:
"The Sunday Herald has also had confirmed by a very senior source in British intelligence that at least one high-profile former Labour Cabinet minister is among Operation Ore suspects. The Sunday Herald has been given the politician's name but, for legal reasons, can not identify the person.
There are still unconfirmed rumours that another senior Labour politician is among the suspects. The intelligence officer said that a 'rolling' Cabinet committee had been set up to work out how to deal with the potentially ruinous fall-out for both Tony Blair and the government if arrests occur."
The allegations are the most serious yet levelled at an administration that prides itself on the inclusion in its ranks of a high quota of controversial and flamboyant homosexual men, and whose First Lady, Cherie Blair, has come under the spotlight for her indulgence in pagan rituals that resemble Freemasonic rites.
Unconfirmed information also suggests that the term "former Labour Cabinet minister" is misleading and that the investigation has identified a surprisingly large number of alleged paedophiles at the highest level of British government, including one very senior cabinet minister
The Blair government has responded by imposing a comprehensive blackout on the story, effectively removing it from the domain of public discussion. Attempts on the part of this journalist to establish why the British media has not followed up on the revelations have met with a wall of silence.
Editors and journalists of The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, The Mirror, The Sun, the BBC, Independent Television News and even The Sunday Herald have refused to discuss the matter.
Speaking from London, freelance journalist Bob Kearley told me:
"Whether or not a D-Notice has been issued is not clear. But based on some of the feedback I've been getting it's apparent that editors and media owners have voluntarily agreed not to cover the story at this time. Operation Ore is still being reported, but not in regard to government ministers, and it's taking up very few column inches on the third or fourth page.
Don't forget that the intelligence services are involved here, and Blair is anxious to ensure that the scandal does not rock the boat at a time when the country is about to go to war."
"You can imagine the effect this would have on the morale of troops who are about to commit in Iraq. In fact morale is reportedly quite low anyway, with service personnel throwing their vaccines into the sea en route to the battlefront and knowing how unpopular the war is with the British people.
And a lot of squaddies I've met think there's something weird going on between Bush and Blair. If you're then told that the executive responsible for the conduct of the war is staffed by child-molesters ... well, then Saddam suddenly looks like the sort of bloke with whom you can share a few tins [beer]."
A child-sex scandal that threatened to destroy Tony Blair's government last week has been mysteriously squashed and wiped off the front pages of British newspapers. Operation Ore, the United Kingdom's most thorough and comprehensive police investigation of crimes against children, seems to have uncovered more than is politically acceptable at the highest reaches of the British elite. In the 19th of January edition of The Sunday Herald, Neil Mackay sensationally reported that senior members of Tony Blair's government were being investigated for paedophilia and the "enjoyment" of child-sex pornography:
"The Sunday Herald has also had confirmed by a very senior source in British intelligence that at least one high-profile former Labour Cabinet minister is among Operation Ore suspects. The Sunday Herald has been given the politician's name but, for legal reasons, can not identify the person.
There are still unconfirmed rumours that another senior Labour politician is among the suspects. The intelligence officer said that a 'rolling' Cabinet committee had been set up to work out how to deal with the potentially ruinous fall-out for both Tony Blair and the government if arrests occur."
The allegations are the most serious yet levelled at an administration that prides itself on the inclusion in its ranks of a high quota of controversial and flamboyant homosexual men, and whose First Lady, Cherie Blair, has come under the spotlight for her indulgence in pagan rituals that resemble Freemasonic rites.
Unconfirmed information also suggests that the term "former Labour Cabinet minister" is misleading and that the investigation has identified a surprisingly large number of alleged paedophiles at the highest level of British government, including one very senior cabinet minister
The Blair government has responded by imposing a comprehensive blackout on the story, effectively removing it from the domain of public discussion. Attempts on the part of this journalist to establish why the British media has not followed up on the revelations have met with a wall of silence.
Editors and journalists of The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, The Mirror, The Sun, the BBC, Independent Television News and even The Sunday Herald have refused to discuss the matter.
Speaking from London, freelance journalist Bob Kearley told me:
"Whether or not a D-Notice has been issued is not clear. But based on some of the feedback I've been getting it's apparent that editors and media owners have voluntarily agreed not to cover the story at this time. Operation Ore is still being reported, but not in regard to government ministers, and it's taking up very few column inches on the third or fourth page.
Don't forget that the intelligence services are involved here, and Blair is anxious to ensure that the scandal does not rock the boat at a time when the country is about to go to war."
"You can imagine the effect this would have on the morale of troops who are about to commit in Iraq. In fact morale is reportedly quite low anyway, with service personnel throwing their vaccines into the sea en route to the battlefront and knowing how unpopular the war is with the British people.
And a lot of squaddies I've met think there's something weird going on between Bush and Blair. If you're then told that the executive responsible for the conduct of the war is staffed by child-molesters ... well, then Saddam suddenly looks like the sort of bloke with whom you can share a few tins [beer]."
posted by quarsan at
07:58 ...
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Blair and Paedophile ex-Ministers These has been the story of 2 ex ministers being investigated as part of Operation Ore, but the story has completely disapeared. The few references no longer mention the ministers.
I am hearing rumours that a D-Notice has been issued. This would be remarkable, if true. But, apparantly it was brought into play after the Sunday Times got hold of the full list of suspects.
I am hearing rumours that a D-Notice has been issued. This would be remarkable, if true. But, apparantly it was brought into play after the Sunday Times got hold of the full list of suspects.
posted by quarsan at
07:47 ...
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Into Blair's Fantasy Nation The blair government have banned a large stop the war demo in Hyde Park, on the grounds that the grass might be damaged. Really, they did.
However, the marchers may get an alternative venue and march up the Mall to Buck House........
"The government is facing the embarrassing prospect of reversing its ban on an anti-war protest at Hyde Park or allowing more than half a million demonstrators to hold a rally outside Buckingham Palace, it emerged yesterday.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that the Mall was now the "frontrunner" on a list of alternative venues for the February 15 rally, which was banned from Hyde Park by Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, because of fears it might damage the grass. "
That'll teach you. I am also hearing reports that Blair has issued a D-Notice over naming the two ex-ministers under investigation by Operation Ore.
However, the marchers may get an alternative venue and march up the Mall to Buck House........
"The government is facing the embarrassing prospect of reversing its ban on an anti-war protest at Hyde Park or allowing more than half a million demonstrators to hold a rally outside Buckingham Palace, it emerged yesterday.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that the Mall was now the "frontrunner" on a list of alternative venues for the February 15 rally, which was banned from Hyde Park by Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, because of fears it might damage the grass. "
That'll teach you. I am also hearing reports that Blair has issued a D-Notice over naming the two ex-ministers under investigation by Operation Ore.
posted by quarsan at
07:40 ...
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the weblog
my life in the bush of ghosts is a ground breaking 1982 album by david byrne and brian eno, who took the title from a novel by amos tutuola.
this unique recording is a blending of world rhythms and vocal tracks, constructed from radio broadcasts and other esoteric sources, to create something ahead of it's time. the lyrics are here.
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about quarsan
quarsan is a 45 year old from ambleside, in the english lake district national park.
now living on the eastern edge of Brussels with his partner zoe, together with coralie, tatiana and todd.
he works in mountain trail conservation. after 15 years on the lake district fells he left for tanzania to train village groups to repair footpaths ascending the rift valley. he now offers his services through a trail management consultancy.
quarsan's main interests and activities involve travel and mountains and he has climbed in the middle east and africa, including ras dashen in ethiopia and uganda's ruwenzori, the fabled mountains of the moon.
a highlight has been living in the iraqw community of bermi village in tanzania. there's nothing like the rift valley, and there's nothing better than village life.
outside of that, coffee is a major reason for living.
quarsan's sites
quarsan.net : travels and climbs in africa and
the middle east
bermi village : the only
example of an african village writing their own website
sustainable trails : mountain
trail conservation
path repair :
restoring cumbria's mountain trails
other weblogs
abraxas : an interesting and enjoyable blog
from london
i make content : incisive journal
from a london journalist
sleeve notes : some guy, some music,
some photos
enigmatic mermaid : erudite and eccentric
blog of a
brazillian translator
kooky mojo : a fun and lively read
troubled diva : funny, smart and ever so
slighly scandalous read
for no good reason : this guy makes
even leicester interesting
pop up toaster : gorgeous blog with a
healthy interest in beer and gaming
trevor wilker :
a friendly canadian with a taste for photography and english music.
barbara fletcher : lovely and
evocative writing from the shore of lake ontario
stunned.org : from dublin, all the art and
cultural news from a fresh and invigorating blog.
that elvish thang : another friendly canadian,
who writes and climbs mountains
Kiplog : superb blog about life, design and blogs from
chicago
the aardvark speaks : well designed blog from austria with great content
Politics in the Zeros : Intelligent, Political, American.
The Cartoonist : A Treasure Trove of Wonderous Things
Cheese Dog : A clear and enjoyable read
Thinking Aloud : Thoughts and ramblings from an English expat movie geek...
Skinny Legs and All : Punk and Politics from NYC
10 other sites
i ching
brussels paper trams
un lapin
nomad net
arusha times
africa confidential
