The Chandlers have been released from 13 months of pirate hospitality. Their boat was boarded as they sailed in the Seychelles oblivious to the world. It's quite important to say oblivious, because being oblivious should equate to being ignorant, arrogant and stupid on a level of George Bush. I've had a look at the Google map just to get an idea of where the Seychelles lay. It's on the West Coast of Africa, with Somalia, Tanzania and Madagascar all in the vicinity, and if you wish to look further along the West Coast you will find Eritrea. It doesn't take much to ask yourself which one of these countries suddenly hits you in the face. I'll not give three guesses unless your name happens to be Chandler. In which case, yes it's Somalia. A country well known for rich pirates who border oil tankers and then hold them to ransom. Pirates who have taken on this occupation because fishing just didn't pay well enough and it is so much more butch to wear a gun on your hip than carry a fishing net. Pirates who are known to be pretty rich through these exploits. In their pastime they also do a side line in arms dealing, target practice and enjoying the seas on very fast boats.
Somalia is a country known for it's lawlessness, poverty and lack of governance. A country which any normal thinking sailor would say to themselves, besides the Bermuda Triangle, where else should I avoid going? Yes, this particular area is it. I'm not a sailor and it really hasn't taken me much time to come to this conclusion, then again I don't have either the Bush gene or the Chandler gene. They no doubt have some familial thing going on they don't yet know about.
The Chandlers were released because their ransom was paid. A nice hefty £625,000 figure has been banded about in the press. They are alive, they have been liberated. But shame on you Chandlers. For now your ransom money will go towards more weapons, fast boats, drunken pirate nights and even the deaths of other innocent people. Britain like other countries does not pay ransoms. The reasons are explicitly obvious, there's that word again. Unfortunately there is no law which jails the downright stupid. Or rather those so stupid as to cause future dangers to the rest of the world. But were there a justifiable reason to have one, then the case of the Chandlers certainly holds weight. If this new government were to bring in a law of such then next week we'd see the Chandlers lose their liberty again, and in this case you would think quite rightly as well.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Politics, the Comprehensive Spending Review and Religion
It may seem a sad fact, but I actually like watching and listening to Politics. Then again, I really don't see it as sad. At this time of government there will not be a single person who is not effected by the Comprehensive Spending Review. Unless they happen to be one of the rich. So even though I got an extra hour in bed from the clocks retreating backwards it had no effect on my Sunday morning routine. This is basically getting up and catching up with the previous week's politic shows. There is a channel which records meetings and debates in Westminster so I sat with my cup of tea, toast and feet up watching a dissection of the government's CUTS. They have good reason to cut and nobody would argue with the reason, with the possibility of two or three decades of paying off the deficit, they've basically decided to scythe through it in as short a time as possible. Sadly this rush to cut debt may have far reaching implications, for something said to be progressive when in all likelihood it will be regressive. What the future holds in this respect isn't so difficult to say when the implications are examined in closer detail. Their choices have awoken in me more reason to think about joining a political party, supporting it and hoping some very small effect of paying my subs and maybe attending the odd meeting or helping out could make a change. I'd hope a social change for the better.
I recall there once used to be a political party called the Raving Loony Party. I remember going to vote and this group was one of the options to vote for. The last time I went to vote though, I was perturbed to find a choice of Christian party listed. When Politics in the UK has moved away from religion some two hundred years ago, it became more secular and really began to tackle issues of poverty, education and health. Yet here was an instance it looked like a stepping backwards. The British Parliament in it's current form isn't actually that old, depending on what your perception of age is and I believe bringing religion back into it would be a step backwards.. There is very good reason for politics to always be neutral in respect of religion. For one group will try to gain power and recognition their beliefs are godly than another. It ends up with a polarisation of views, followed by a movement into madness. When someone holds deliberation over another person's belief, or soul, then passion and the motivation of their view of right and wrong becomes very skewed. You only have to go back to Cromwell, the puritan who in the name of Christian religion murdered his way across Ireland, killing 60% of the population. A man who had only ever read one book in his life, unfortunately it was the Bible. I expect had he read Roger Hargreves' Mr Men then there would of been a different situation. Perhaps he'd of not been so blood thirsty for one. In addition, some parts of society, especially those which religious edict has little tolerance for would in their own turn become chastised and vilified (gay, lesbian, disabled). No, indeed there is very good reason not to have religion of any format in a political debating chamber.
Yet it can be seen how a faction with a religious bent could easily come to have power, MPs etc. All it takes is for the word to go out in their churches. The word to say they want their congregation to vote for their particular diety, so the world can know the power and truth of the single diety, whatever it, he or she might be. This reminds me once when I was chatting to someone from Turkey, a hairdresser most likely. He said to me the religeous people could not be trusted, they were always the richest ones, driving the best cars and expecting everyone fall on their knees when they walked past. Or something to this effect. What he was describing was the manipulation of religion for Man's only needs. As a basic means to control the people and better always to make sure the people were ill educated and as loyal as possible.
In the next 4 years, students will become the most debt ridden group of society. This will mean the next three or four decades of their lives will be plagued with debt. It will also result in future bright sparks of this country deciding not to hit University, deciding they will get on with their life and try and get a job. Ignorance is a nasty thing because it has no understanding of the world and creates followers and not leaders. It's remarkable in this time of depression that across the pond the USA have decided to increase the amount of monies available to Universities and research. It's easy to pick fault with USA politics but on this one item, it don't take two brain cells to see they are taking the right step in ensuring the future of their country. I don't want to be the wet squib, but the next 4 or 5 years may very well determine the next 40 or 50 years. Perhaps we'll just have to sit and watch. Alternatively get out there and do something about it.
I recall there once used to be a political party called the Raving Loony Party. I remember going to vote and this group was one of the options to vote for. The last time I went to vote though, I was perturbed to find a choice of Christian party listed. When Politics in the UK has moved away from religion some two hundred years ago, it became more secular and really began to tackle issues of poverty, education and health. Yet here was an instance it looked like a stepping backwards. The British Parliament in it's current form isn't actually that old, depending on what your perception of age is and I believe bringing religion back into it would be a step backwards.. There is very good reason for politics to always be neutral in respect of religion. For one group will try to gain power and recognition their beliefs are godly than another. It ends up with a polarisation of views, followed by a movement into madness. When someone holds deliberation over another person's belief, or soul, then passion and the motivation of their view of right and wrong becomes very skewed. You only have to go back to Cromwell, the puritan who in the name of Christian religion murdered his way across Ireland, killing 60% of the population. A man who had only ever read one book in his life, unfortunately it was the Bible. I expect had he read Roger Hargreves' Mr Men then there would of been a different situation. Perhaps he'd of not been so blood thirsty for one. In addition, some parts of society, especially those which religious edict has little tolerance for would in their own turn become chastised and vilified (gay, lesbian, disabled). No, indeed there is very good reason not to have religion of any format in a political debating chamber.
Yet it can be seen how a faction with a religious bent could easily come to have power, MPs etc. All it takes is for the word to go out in their churches. The word to say they want their congregation to vote for their particular diety, so the world can know the power and truth of the single diety, whatever it, he or she might be. This reminds me once when I was chatting to someone from Turkey, a hairdresser most likely. He said to me the religeous people could not be trusted, they were always the richest ones, driving the best cars and expecting everyone fall on their knees when they walked past. Or something to this effect. What he was describing was the manipulation of religion for Man's only needs. As a basic means to control the people and better always to make sure the people were ill educated and as loyal as possible.
In the next 4 years, students will become the most debt ridden group of society. This will mean the next three or four decades of their lives will be plagued with debt. It will also result in future bright sparks of this country deciding not to hit University, deciding they will get on with their life and try and get a job. Ignorance is a nasty thing because it has no understanding of the world and creates followers and not leaders. It's remarkable in this time of depression that across the pond the USA have decided to increase the amount of monies available to Universities and research. It's easy to pick fault with USA politics but on this one item, it don't take two brain cells to see they are taking the right step in ensuring the future of their country. I don't want to be the wet squib, but the next 4 or 5 years may very well determine the next 40 or 50 years. Perhaps we'll just have to sit and watch. Alternatively get out there and do something about it.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
The Commonwealth Sham and another review for depression
The Commonwealth Sham is over, oops I meant the Commonwealth Games are over, and what a fantastic finally it was. I'm sure there were many more people watching the closing ceremony than there had been in the total watching all the events which took place. I say this because every time I turned on the television and watched some Herculean effort or superhuman concentration or activity I was personally dismayed at how few people there would be watching. Vast spectator venues were built, but there were hardly any spectators. It makes me wonder what actually does excite India, because it certainly wasn't these games. In addition I wondered why in a country with such a large number of inhabitants they just didn't go outside the gates and give free tickets away. Surely some of those would be hustle and bustle poor people could of taken a day off? But this was the very reason they couldn't, they needed to live, and to live in New Dehli means hustling or working 18 hours a day for a pittance. For the West knowing beyond the gates of the Games city such poverty exists suggests we had better watch out as yet a third or fourth depression begins to descend on the UK.
Next week is the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Liberal Democrat puppets are being cleaned out with a few good suppositories as Cameron puts his hands in a latex glove and exercises his fingers. Yep, Osbourne has taken up Arnold Schwarzenegger like finger exercises and Vince Cable is learning to bend over and spread his cheeks a little wider. They have sold their soul to the Devil and the only ones who don't know it are themselves. Because next week their arses will be stuffed with Tory arms right up to the elbows. Those lib dems love to have their strings pulled. By their own actions they willingly commit Harri-Kari. Mark my words, in the next couple of years the double dealing soul sellers will leave the nastiest taste of bile in anyones mouth. How could they side with the Tories? Everyone knows a Tory never changes his blue rosette. It's like a stick of rock from the seaside. They will be true to their very nature. So in warning to the entire British Nation come the 20th grab your ankles and sing Dixie. God help the NHS.
Next week is the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Liberal Democrat puppets are being cleaned out with a few good suppositories as Cameron puts his hands in a latex glove and exercises his fingers. Yep, Osbourne has taken up Arnold Schwarzenegger like finger exercises and Vince Cable is learning to bend over and spread his cheeks a little wider. They have sold their soul to the Devil and the only ones who don't know it are themselves. Because next week their arses will be stuffed with Tory arms right up to the elbows. Those lib dems love to have their strings pulled. By their own actions they willingly commit Harri-Kari. Mark my words, in the next couple of years the double dealing soul sellers will leave the nastiest taste of bile in anyones mouth. How could they side with the Tories? Everyone knows a Tory never changes his blue rosette. It's like a stick of rock from the seaside. They will be true to their very nature. So in warning to the entire British Nation come the 20th grab your ankles and sing Dixie. God help the NHS.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
The worst course for recession ever
The present coalition government is leading the UK into the biggest recession in history. It is as though none of the individuals in power can see or contemplate what they are doing. There is a sense of urgency about them when they repeatedly state a necessity to cut the budget deficit, but at the same time an utter blindness to understand 5 years is not enough time. Plans set in motion now should be over a minimum of ten years.
The worst thing is the unfortunate demise of the Liberal Democrats, historically called the Liberals. It has been so long since they were last in power only their grandfathers can remember. Their siding with Torys now means when this coalition is kicked out of power the Lib Dems will not see power again for at least another 100 years. The very simple reason would of been because nobody can actually identify who they are now. Had they allowed a hung parliament then they would of had their own voice. A voice which would of constantly been heard. Their identity would of been known, they would of been held as a political group who stood by the conviction of their own morals and principles. However, now they are rather seen as lap poodles to the conservatives. Seeking attention getting it, but being satisfied with the broken biscuit when they should of been given a pound of sausages. They have in my mind now sold out their soul, if such a thing existed. Nick Clegg by his very school-boy bum chum relationship with Cameron is not only a sandwich short of a picnic, he's forgotten the entire hamper. He is now dizzy on power and status and has lost all sight of where his party has come from.
I would of been a Liberal voter, they had started to say things and show they had common sense, but as soon as they got in bed with the Devil, their true colours have come out. All I can hope is a slow ground swell of opinion from back bench Liberals who begin to abscond to another party and show vocal discontent. I can see Vince Cable being eaten up inside by his own emotions. It's obvious he doesn't like doing what he has to now, so how long I ask will it be before he actually does come to his senses. I think he should make a phone call to Blunket and maybe see if he can borrow his guide dog, because he certainly has lost his way.
I believe if this parliament is allowed to go through 5 years at the end there will only be two parties. Labour and Tory, with maybe a little bit of luck, labour will listen to the populace and then do the right thing. Creating a slow, progressive stable government, in a too overwhelming time of uncertainty.
The worst thing is the unfortunate demise of the Liberal Democrats, historically called the Liberals. It has been so long since they were last in power only their grandfathers can remember. Their siding with Torys now means when this coalition is kicked out of power the Lib Dems will not see power again for at least another 100 years. The very simple reason would of been because nobody can actually identify who they are now. Had they allowed a hung parliament then they would of had their own voice. A voice which would of constantly been heard. Their identity would of been known, they would of been held as a political group who stood by the conviction of their own morals and principles. However, now they are rather seen as lap poodles to the conservatives. Seeking attention getting it, but being satisfied with the broken biscuit when they should of been given a pound of sausages. They have in my mind now sold out their soul, if such a thing existed. Nick Clegg by his very school-boy bum chum relationship with Cameron is not only a sandwich short of a picnic, he's forgotten the entire hamper. He is now dizzy on power and status and has lost all sight of where his party has come from.
I would of been a Liberal voter, they had started to say things and show they had common sense, but as soon as they got in bed with the Devil, their true colours have come out. All I can hope is a slow ground swell of opinion from back bench Liberals who begin to abscond to another party and show vocal discontent. I can see Vince Cable being eaten up inside by his own emotions. It's obvious he doesn't like doing what he has to now, so how long I ask will it be before he actually does come to his senses. I think he should make a phone call to Blunket and maybe see if he can borrow his guide dog, because he certainly has lost his way.
I believe if this parliament is allowed to go through 5 years at the end there will only be two parties. Labour and Tory, with maybe a little bit of luck, labour will listen to the populace and then do the right thing. Creating a slow, progressive stable government, in a too overwhelming time of uncertainty.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
The danger of youths in groups
Gary Newlove was murdered by a or some drunken youths in Warrington in August 2007. Under a law nearly 300 years old called "Joint Enterprise" three individuals were convicted. The judicial system would see this as a success story. However, to be told this is disheartening when considering Mr Newlove was set upon with a crowd of approximately 15 youths around him. What would of been a success story, would of been if every one of those youths had received some form of prosecution.
In other countries there is something called the "Good Samaritan Law,"(Canada) which makes a witness to an event responsible to intervene and prevent it from happening if they can. This sounds a bit similar to the Christian belief of "sin by omission." In France they have a law called "non-assistance à personne en danger" (deliberately failing to provide assistance to a person in danger). Whilst in Germany the obligation is put in "Unterlas Hilfeleistung" (neglect to provide assistance) is an offence. Therefore in the UK it is a travesty no such or similar law is present. It is not even an offence to make a phone call to the emergency services if you witness criminal behaviour.
So yes, it is a shame a 300 year old law has to be used because there isn't one more appropriate and more modern day which makes every witness or participant in some way responsible. So three prosecutions when there should of been at least fifteen is yet another tragic story.
In other countries there is something called the "Good Samaritan Law,"(Canada) which makes a witness to an event responsible to intervene and prevent it from happening if they can. This sounds a bit similar to the Christian belief of "sin by omission." In France they have a law called "non-assistance à personne en danger" (deliberately failing to provide assistance to a person in danger). Whilst in Germany the obligation is put in "Unterlas Hilfeleistung" (neglect to provide assistance) is an offence. Therefore in the UK it is a travesty no such or similar law is present. It is not even an offence to make a phone call to the emergency services if you witness criminal behaviour.
So yes, it is a shame a 300 year old law has to be used because there isn't one more appropriate and more modern day which makes every witness or participant in some way responsible. So three prosecutions when there should of been at least fifteen is yet another tragic story.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Don't show your face
Religion is a funny old thing, in which people get pretty upset about if someone comes along and has a pop at it. Mainly because any pop at religion is taken as an insult to their belief system. Though I can't help thinking with so many different forms of religion out there some of them must be unfounded. The Catholic faith has taken quite a hit in the past few years, ever since the Nazi Pope Benedict became it's head. He is the equivalent of a fundamentalist and evidence of this arises every year. It is fundamentalists which give every religion a pretty bad name. Not just Catholicism.
Pope Benedict has just stated the inordation of a female bishop was equivalent to paedophilia in the Catholic Church. This comparison is putrid. However, if we recal it was this very same pope who co authored the secret Latin document called Crimen sollicitationis. The document which set out how to deal with pedophile catholic priests. The one which basically states, nothing. They are protected by a complete vow of silence, where the victim if they come out and make such allegations is ex communicated. The Vatican in it's most wisely fashion then recalls the priest to Rome and hides them aways so they are never seen again, in short it protects them. No earthly punishment is bestowed. The worse thing is, this is a complete collaboration of protecting the Catholic Church. The victim is visited, statements are taken, even other evidence if available and then this is shipped to Rome. The victim is told they are not allowed to talk to anyone for fear of God's punishment.
There can not be any justification in this action. Any priest who has committed such a crime should be judged in a real court not in the closed chambers of some murky Vatican room.
Similarly the French have just bought out a new law which bans the face from being covered in public places. Oddly the rest of the world has taken this to specifically mean the banning of the Bhurka, it is then seen as an affront to Islam. However, the law is for any facial covering, not just Bhurkas. I listened to some radio programs this morning and there were mixed responses. I then cast my mind back two or three months ago when I got off the train and walked through the gates with the rush hour crowd only to witness at the gates a half dozen youths wearing either scarfs or bicycle smog masks across their faces. To me it was intimidating. The face is a focal point of communication and expression, it is particularly important for children to see faces and acknowledgement of their acceptance in society. When I see someone with a face covering whether for religious or other reasons in public, I am suspicious. What is it they are trying to hide you may think? Then wonder why they insult those other people around them who do not have their face covered. I do not think this is an issue of tolerance or of intolerance it is an issue of belief. Yet we are supposed to be living in a secular society. In the Quaran there is no place which states a woman should cover her face. It has come about through interpretation of the Quaran, and of course those scholars who do most of the interpretation are Mullahs and are always men. Hence the argument used against the wearing of a niqab being it is the subjugation of women.
What I am sure about, is there are people we may call goats and people we may call sheep. Those who are sheep need to follow something, and sometimes with an overly fervent passion. It brings stability and focus in their lives. Then there are those who get their kicks out of controlling others, by manipulation, by making social conformity so bounding even independent thinking goats are under so much pressure they bend and abide by the rules. Amongst those included are the fundamentalists, dictators and Fascists. It is secular rules and laws which the Western world follow, they are what make us equal regardless of what faith or non faith we hold, and so it should always be. These are an equaliser for all.
However, I'll not mention royalty for they are in a category of their very own.
Pope Benedict has just stated the inordation of a female bishop was equivalent to paedophilia in the Catholic Church. This comparison is putrid. However, if we recal it was this very same pope who co authored the secret Latin document called Crimen sollicitationis. The document which set out how to deal with pedophile catholic priests. The one which basically states, nothing. They are protected by a complete vow of silence, where the victim if they come out and make such allegations is ex communicated. The Vatican in it's most wisely fashion then recalls the priest to Rome and hides them aways so they are never seen again, in short it protects them. No earthly punishment is bestowed. The worse thing is, this is a complete collaboration of protecting the Catholic Church. The victim is visited, statements are taken, even other evidence if available and then this is shipped to Rome. The victim is told they are not allowed to talk to anyone for fear of God's punishment.
There can not be any justification in this action. Any priest who has committed such a crime should be judged in a real court not in the closed chambers of some murky Vatican room.
Similarly the French have just bought out a new law which bans the face from being covered in public places. Oddly the rest of the world has taken this to specifically mean the banning of the Bhurka, it is then seen as an affront to Islam. However, the law is for any facial covering, not just Bhurkas. I listened to some radio programs this morning and there were mixed responses. I then cast my mind back two or three months ago when I got off the train and walked through the gates with the rush hour crowd only to witness at the gates a half dozen youths wearing either scarfs or bicycle smog masks across their faces. To me it was intimidating. The face is a focal point of communication and expression, it is particularly important for children to see faces and acknowledgement of their acceptance in society. When I see someone with a face covering whether for religious or other reasons in public, I am suspicious. What is it they are trying to hide you may think? Then wonder why they insult those other people around them who do not have their face covered. I do not think this is an issue of tolerance or of intolerance it is an issue of belief. Yet we are supposed to be living in a secular society. In the Quaran there is no place which states a woman should cover her face. It has come about through interpretation of the Quaran, and of course those scholars who do most of the interpretation are Mullahs and are always men. Hence the argument used against the wearing of a niqab being it is the subjugation of women.
What I am sure about, is there are people we may call goats and people we may call sheep. Those who are sheep need to follow something, and sometimes with an overly fervent passion. It brings stability and focus in their lives. Then there are those who get their kicks out of controlling others, by manipulation, by making social conformity so bounding even independent thinking goats are under so much pressure they bend and abide by the rules. Amongst those included are the fundamentalists, dictators and Fascists. It is secular rules and laws which the Western world follow, they are what make us equal regardless of what faith or non faith we hold, and so it should always be. These are an equaliser for all.
However, I'll not mention royalty for they are in a category of their very own.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Boy murdered at Victoria station 25 March 2010
It is incredibly sad to hear a boy of 15 years of age was stabbed and murdered at Victoria Tube station. His name was Sofyen Belamouadden. The worse part is it was a group murder, in which as many as 20 other school children were also involved. Those involved wore school uniforms.
This is a typical example of "group think" taking place, or "mob rule." I'm sure individually none of those persons would have done this deed on their own. However, with peers present it became easier. The group mind took over, even the most intelligent gang members would of dropped 20 IQ points. There is also no doubt, no consideration was taken as to whether they would actually kill the boy even though knives were used. For if they did understand what the repercussions would be then the surface of their consciousness might be pricked. The group mind is also cultural to young teenagers. It is as though many believe they are in some kind of war. They aspire to be noticed, to show they are big and respectable in their insular circles. Circles which are based on the school they go to and the area they are bought up in. Blame is sometimes put on violent musical lyrics, or on the Americanisation of youth culture, however, ultimately the blame is with the individual who carries a knife and then uses it. If we are to believe these individuals are free from homicidal intent, then the blame may be proportionately put on politics, schooling, local area, peers, TV and lets not forget poverty.
Responsibility is a matter of knowing what consequences are and accepting them. It is difficult to ponder what the answer is in the case of homicide by gang culture, especially when thinking of justice. For if the rest of the world takes the same view this group did at the time they ambushed their victim, they would all be pushing up daisies themselves. Who truely knows what the answer is, except somewhere there is now a family in mourning at the stupid and sensless loss of a young man's life.
This is a typical example of "group think" taking place, or "mob rule." I'm sure individually none of those persons would have done this deed on their own. However, with peers present it became easier. The group mind took over, even the most intelligent gang members would of dropped 20 IQ points. There is also no doubt, no consideration was taken as to whether they would actually kill the boy even though knives were used. For if they did understand what the repercussions would be then the surface of their consciousness might be pricked. The group mind is also cultural to young teenagers. It is as though many believe they are in some kind of war. They aspire to be noticed, to show they are big and respectable in their insular circles. Circles which are based on the school they go to and the area they are bought up in. Blame is sometimes put on violent musical lyrics, or on the Americanisation of youth culture, however, ultimately the blame is with the individual who carries a knife and then uses it. If we are to believe these individuals are free from homicidal intent, then the blame may be proportionately put on politics, schooling, local area, peers, TV and lets not forget poverty.
Responsibility is a matter of knowing what consequences are and accepting them. It is difficult to ponder what the answer is in the case of homicide by gang culture, especially when thinking of justice. For if the rest of the world takes the same view this group did at the time they ambushed their victim, they would all be pushing up daisies themselves. Who truely knows what the answer is, except somewhere there is now a family in mourning at the stupid and sensless loss of a young man's life.
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