Monday, January 30, 2006
Which side are the Terrorists Exactly?
Every day, the US Army stoops lower and lower than the "terrorists" themselves. After the news of torture and killing civilians, we now find that they have resorted to kidnapping innocent people to use as bargaining chips. Is there anything that a supposed terrorist group has done that the US Army hasn't done itself?
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Extraordinary Rendition (Cont...)
As if proof were needed that the Government is dragging it's heals, while the rest of the world is up in arms about Extraordinary Rendition, what enquiries is the British Govt making (even after being asked)? None. I quote from the Number 10 website:
No wonder they don't know anything (or have any intention of finding out).
Question:
You have not made enquiries as to whether people have been illegally transported through this country from Place A to B?
Prime Minister:
No.
No wonder they don't know anything (or have any intention of finding out).
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Social Injustice
When Blair speaks about Social (In)justice, his hypocracy makes me angry. At the moment, he and his cronies are doing their utmost to deny and drag out the "rendition" affair, where people are taken to other countries (with the UK Govt's knowledge) and tortured. The Govt is charged with doing this, and are avoiding justice by default.
Compare this to an individual charged with a crime. If a suspect said to the police "I have no record of that crime being committed", how far would that get them? Nowhere. So where's the justice? It's a cliche, but true none-the-less: it's one rule for them one for us. If there were true social justice, the law would apply to all of us.
Compare this to an individual charged with a crime. If a suspect said to the police "I have no record of that crime being committed", how far would that get them? Nowhere. So where's the justice? It's a cliche, but true none-the-less: it's one rule for them one for us. If there were true social justice, the law would apply to all of us.
Monday, January 23, 2006
It's Slowly Coming Out
(The truth, that is). More details of flights and how the Government is trying to keep the lid on it.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
How Long This Charade??
How long does the Government have to go through another charade where they deny the obvious for as long as they possibly can before finally admitting it. It happened with WMD's, and now again with the rendition flights. More evidence is appearing every day, not only that there were flights, but that the government is trying to cover it up. I say this to our servants (in case they forget what they are): just admit it!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Classic Quote (#2 in a series)
"Instead of wasting hundreds of millions of pounds on compulsory ID
cards as the Tory Right demand, let that money provide thousands
more police officers on the beat in our local communities.”
Tony Blair, pre-PM.
It's Funny How People Change Their Mind
Christopher Hithcens is a classic example. A vocal supporter of Bush and the war on Iraq, and the tactics they use - until those tactics turn on them (re: wiretapping). So finally now they've decided Bush has gone too far and are taking him to court. Where were their criticisms when inmates were being killed at the hands of the US whilst in custody?
Classic Quote (#1 in a series)
"The US clearly values innocent human life, and that is why we're fighting the war on terror," the AFP news agency reported State Department spokesman Sean McCormack as saying.
It's the way he tells'em!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Kill Bin Laden? Then What?
So America has killed (at least) another 13 civilians in it's quest to kill Bin Laden. And what for? WIll it end the War on Terror? Of course not. Terrorism won't go away if Bin Laden is killed. In fact, it will probably get worse in retribution. Someone else will simply take his place, and with such understandable anger at the US, there will be no shortage of volunteers.
And regarding the attack on civilians, can someone give me one reason why what America did can't be described as a terrorist attack?
And regarding the attack on civilians, can someone give me one reason why what America did can't be described as a terrorist attack?
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Democracy at Work
Utilising new laws, the police manage to turn a peaceful protest at Parliament Square into a violent incident, and then accuse the protestors of threatening behaviour that they caused. Would this have been a problem before the stupid law?
Story here (BBC).
Pics here (IndyMedia).
Good write-up here (Tim Ireland).
As pointed out in the last link, this seems to be a law that is purely optional, depending on whether the Government wish to allow you to form a gathering in Parliament Square. In the above incident, two people were taking part in the protest but were notably not arrested: Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn and Lauren Booth, both of which would have been embarassing to the Government. So you're safe if you're a friend of the Govt, but God help you otherwise.
Story here (BBC).
Pics here (IndyMedia).
Good write-up here (Tim Ireland).
As pointed out in the last link, this seems to be a law that is purely optional, depending on whether the Government wish to allow you to form a gathering in Parliament Square. In the above incident, two people were taking part in the protest but were notably not arrested: Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn and Lauren Booth, both of which would have been embarassing to the Government. So you're safe if you're a friend of the Govt, but God help you otherwise.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Stark Contrast
Consider the response of Microsoft, who shut the blog site of a well-known Chinese blogger who uses its MSN online service in China after he discussed a high-profile newspaper strike that broke out here one week ago:-
The company said Thursday that it must "comply with global and local laws."
How sharply this contrasts with every issue surrounding the gulf war! If only the coalition had the same noble sentiments.
The company said Thursday that it must "comply with global and local laws."
How sharply this contrasts with every issue surrounding the gulf war! If only the coalition had the same noble sentiments.
Bush Could Bypass New Torture Ban
You didn't think that when Bush signed the bill outlawing the torture of detainees, that it would stop the torture of detainees? Bush Could Bypass New Torture Ban.
And no doubt the British Govt will be there to watch (but not get involved, obviously).
And I wonder if force-feeding comes under torture?
And no doubt the British Govt will be there to watch (but not get involved, obviously).
And I wonder if force-feeding comes under torture?
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Proof the UK Government is Complicit in Torture
You can now have your DNA sample taken for dropping litter.
You can now be arrested for any offence. Previous to Jan 1st this year (2006) it was only for offences that carried a prison term of 5 years or more. And to add icing to the cake, suspects arrested over any imprisonable offence can have their DNA held even if they are acquitted. Now there is no escape!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
British admit being at terror grilling
British officials have finally admitted MI6 officers were present during the interrogation of 28 Pakistanis in Greece, despite apparent denials by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. But it's okay! "The officers took no active part in the men's arrest, questioning or abuse that was later alleged." Phew, that was close. They just stood and watched, and probably made copious notes. But at least they didn't throw any of the punches.
But wait - I thought that was the whole idea of rendition?
Thanks to The Observer.
But wait - I thought that was the whole idea of rendition?
Thanks to The Observer.
