Seeing Tony Blair speaking at Ariel Sharon’s Funeral – one war criminal eulogising another – was so horrifying it has jolted this blog back out of retirement. There may be no justice, but there can be truth.
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From Nevermind (to ESLO) :
“I dare assumed that there is a collective spirit present here, you’re part of it, unless, off course, you’d like to leave.”
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Says it all really, doesn’t it. Agree with the “community” and place yourself within “the spirit of the discussion” or leave.
Where in history, Nevermind, have we heard that sort of thinking before?
Where in history, Nevermind, have we heard that sort of thinking before?
In the Conservative party? In the Daily Mail?
/answered.
Habba
Quite clearly they think you, I and other dissenters are all one or part of the same collective (despite obvious differences should they care to look) – because that I’m afraid is how they perceive themselves.
Komodo
The collective spirit argument was of course also the traditional way of dealing with dissent in the USSR – the root of the word soviet is harmony/concord. Totalitarians of all perspectives of course dislike all those who dissent and rock the boat.
For clarity, just before I decide that the trolls have won here (congratulations,if only for sheer bloody minded persistence in shutting down free speech) I am all in favour of free speech. I recognise that this is Craig’s blog, and in the interests of another basic freedom – freedom of choice – he can invite anyone or no-one to comment on it, with the full spectrum in between. That’s up to him, not me, not Fred and not Habbabkuks 1,2,3 and 3a. I also note that H1/2/3/3a objects strongly to multiple off-topic posts by another poster. Who might well consider starting her own blog, eh?
So I made a suggestion designed to discourage off-topic posts, rather than primarily to evict posters. And to force us to stick to the subject of Craig’s choosing. Which, in face-to-face conversation would be a routine courtesy. No? You’d spend five seconds listening to a babbling idiot who interjected a description of his breakfast into your real-world discussion of the financial crash? Really? You’d tell him to fuck off. Or, if smaller and weaker, you would yourself fuck off. Whatever.
How this might be implemented is another matter, and one which I see no point, Fred, in discussing in advance of any decision to adopt the suggestion. There are, though, more ways of skinning a computerised cat than you can probably imagine, and blocking IP’s is only one option. DNS clients *can* be blocked.
Anyway, I know I’m talking to myself here, so I may as well do it out loud and not have to type it. Tata.
Nevermind to Fred, I should have said.
Thank you Komodo 1 or is 2,3,or 37z. Perhaps you could tell us how to work out what is and isn’t on topic here since nearly all of my posts have been responding to comments by members of the collective. If the only topics that should be discussed on this thread are Sharon and Blair then I’m more than happy to stick to that providing the same rule is applied to members of the collective – but if they want to post on other subjects e.g. eulogising the quenelle, arguing that anti-Semitism no longer exists/seeking to define it away, wishing death on those associated with Sharon and Blair then the collective cannot really complain when someone says why they disagree. This is not trolling but responding to what is put in front of me I’m afraid.
“Where in history, Nevermind, have we heard that sort of thinking before?
In the Conservative party? In the Daily Mail?
/answered.”
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No, Komodo, I wasn’t thinking of the Conservative Party or the Daily Mail.
Think again and supply a new answer.
BTW, why don’t you let people speak for themselves? What inner compulsion drives you to answer on behalf of others all the time? You should really have more confidence in their ability to reply themselves, shouldn’t you? After all, are you all not in the same “spirit of the discussion”? Like-minded doughty campaigners for truth and justice?
Komodo:
Are you one and the same as Nevermind, whom I quoted?
I refer to the following from you :
“For clarity, just before I decide that the trolls have won here (congratulations,if only for sheer bloody minded persistence in shutting down free speech)”
So you “think” that dissent = an attempt to shut down free speech?
Very peculiar!
Komodo:
“So I made a suggestion designed to discourage off-topic posts,…”
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Would you like to scroll back a little on this thread and tell us the name of the first off-topic poster?
Habbabkuk (La vita è bella!
16 Jan, 2014 – 9:18 pm
“I am somewhat astonished, Guano, that you should have neglected to remind avid readers that it was I – Habbabkuk – who first predicted on this blog that the Western powers had no intention of attacking President Assad…”
References please.
Perhaps Komodo could count the number of off topic posts that occurred before I responded to one of the more scurillous ones.
Anon – the troll buster
16 Jan, 2014 – 8:57 pm
Says:
“Doug S It seems a very peculiar argument you are developing – lets ignore the difference between anti Semitism and anti Zionism because some Zionists are arguing there is no or minimal difference?”
I wasn’t developing an argument Anon merely making an observation. Surely you can tell the difference.
Doug
I can clearly remember Habba making such a comment – perhaps you were hiding under the table expecting WW3 at the time. Perhaps the more important question is what should now be done to relieve the massive humanitarian suffering that is now being faced by Syrians – all those who argued for the do nothing approach are now truly seeing the consequences.
ESLO
17 Jan, 2014 – 9:48 am
“Time to shut up about antisemitism.”
“Will only be too glad to oblige when you and your friends stop spouting it – but until that happy day I regard it as public duty to oppose it and other forms of bigotry.”
ESLO there is no anti-Semitism on this site. If it appears then it will be from a Zionist troll attempting to undermine the blog. If you come across any please inform us about it.
What does the Quartet ME envoy have to say about these?
1.
Protests against blockade of Gaza
To mark 5 years since Israel’s massive onslaught against the Palestinian people in Gaza, Palestine Solidarity Campaign are stepping up the campaign for an end to the 6 year blockade of Gaza.
On Friday 17th January 2014 a petition calling for a lifting of the blockade will be presented at Number 10, Downing Street. On Saturday 18th January a protest will be held outside the Israeli Embassy.
The petition will be handed in by:
Palestinians from Gaza: Mahmoud Sarsak, Palestinian footballer and former prisoner and hunger striker and Haya Al Farra from the Palestinian Mission.
Accompanying them will be:
PSC patrons: Sir Geoffrey Bindman and Bruce Kent and PSC Chair, Hugh Lanning and Director, Sarah Colborne.
/..
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/protests-step-barbaric-blockade-bombing-gaza/
Children burned with cigarettes by Israeli soldiers in illegal settlement
2.
Three Palestinian children were allegedly burned with lit cigarettes and denied access to food, water or toilet facilities after being arrested and detained by Israeli soldiers and police in September, a new report indicates.
http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/children-burned-cigarettes-israeli-soldiers-illegal-settlement
Other atrocities are also recorded such as Palestinian prisoners being put in outdoor cages during the recent harsh winter weather.
~~~
Blair meanwhile vacated his suite of rooms, the whole of the fourth floor of the Colony Hotel (estimated cost $1.5m per year for five years to accommodate his entourage and staff), in mid 2011 and is now in a new building in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. All paid for by the taxpayers of the EU, Norway and the US.
http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Blair-leaves-Colony-Hotel-for-new-digs-in-Sheikh-Jarrah
@ Scorgie
“References please”
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threads passim. BTW are you not the same Scorgie who once upon a time said he “couldn’t be arsed” to look up the references I supplied? I do believe you are.
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“I wasn’t developing an argument Anon….”
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Nothing new there, then!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“ESLO there is no anti-Semitism on this site. If it appears then it will be from a Zionist troll attempting to undermine the blog. If you come across any please inform us about it.”
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Happy to keep on informing you in the future, as in the past, dear boy.
But why does that annoy you so?
ESLO
17 Jan, 2014 – 2:10 pm
To Mary:
“Do you get some sort of perverse pleasure by projecting such punishments on the targets of your hate? All very primitive I’m afraid this “eye for an eye” rubbish!”
ESLO if you disagree with a posters position discuss it and put forward a counter-position using logical argument.
BTW, why has Mary gone silent?
Could it be that she is still mulling over a devastating answer to the excellent post (including questions) from Uzbek in the UK?
@ Scorgie
“ESLO if you disagree with a posters position discuss it and put forward a counter-position using logical argument.”
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Please stop using words the meaning of which you clearly do not grasp (“counter-argument”, “logical”….)
Scorgie
I also recommend the use of the apostrophe where necessary and appropriate!
Reference : your post at 18h04)
Doug Scorgie I would rather you didn’t involve me. I am making a point of non response to the trolls whatever is said by them about me or others. Best ignored.
@ Mary
“What does the Quartet ME envoy have to say about these?….”
___________________
Please tell us. Include references and sources.
“I am making a point of non response to the trolls whatever is said by them about me or others. Best ignored.”
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The problem is rather, Mary, that you never respond to anyone.
Example : Uzbek in the UK’s excellent post (including questions)on Mr Snowden.
Or do you consider Uzbek in the UK a troll?
ESLO
17 Jan, 2014 – 3:13 pm
You say:
“It must be a great source of pain to all those involved in seeking to project their hatred of Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher that the 99% just don’t appear to have got the message.”
Firstly, where did the figure 99% come from?
Then from the Independent report:
“…with most MPs citing decisiveness as a more important characteristic in a leader than intelligence, principles, energy, ruthlessness or honesty.”
Well she was certainly decisive and also ruthless but it says something about our MPs when they put intelligence, principles, energy and honesty as less important qualities. After all Hitler was a decisive leader no?
ESLO
17 Jan, 2014 – 4:28 pm
Habba
“Quite clearly they think you, I and other dissenters are all one or part of the same collective…”
ESLO what are you (and other dissenters) dissenting about? You should put your views and arguments forward; however you don’t seem to be able or willing to do so.
@ Scorgie
“After all Hitler was a decisive leader no?”
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Firstly,is this merely your own “judgment” or – if not – could you please refer to some recognised historians on this point?
Then, how would you compare him to Napoleon, Bismarck and Stalin in terms of decisiveness?
@ Scorgie
“ESLO what are you (and other dissenters) dissenting about? You should put your views and arguments forward; however you don’t seem to be able or willing to do so.”
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But what we are able and more than willing to do is to expose mindless guff, however Eminent the guffer.
What is your contribution to this blog (in your opinion)?
“His punishment should rightfully be arraignment and sentence for his war crimes at The Hague, that life sentence to be spent in a solitary cell on a cold island with a tape on loop of the screams of the little ones having their dressings removed without anaesthetic. On the wall will be projected endless images of the babies born in Fallujah with gross deformities from the dust filled with depleted uranium that their mummies and daddies ingested and inhaled. That should suffice until he meets his Maker.”
Not that I’m a fan of the creep, but that’s just weird.
No doubt Mary would extend her punishment to anyone who supported the Iraq War, and perhaps anyone who didn’t oppose it. It all starts to look a bit 1984-ish!
Herbie. I finished your video posted last night and, despite my initial scepticism, the rather simplistic editing reminiscent of The Power of Nightmares, and the doom music, it seemed to me to be greatly advocating capitalism, something which you are not very fond of, if I recall correctly?
I would be glad if you could clear this up. Cheers.
“There are, though, more ways of skinning a computerised cat than you can probably imagine, and blocking IP’s is only one option. DNS clients *can* be blocked.”
How?
And who needs DNS anyway.