Impunity 1959


After such an extended break from blogging, you will be deeply disappointed that I restart with something as mundane and trivial as Jeremy Clarkson. I have defended the man in the past, because I much enjoy Top Gear and consider that much of what he has been criticised for in the past had been an amusing winding-up of the po-faced of the kind I employ myself. But nasty, indeed vicious bullying of a subordinate should always be a sacking offence.

That did not ought to be the question, though. He hit someone and they had to go to hospital. Where are the police? They are incredibly fond of sweeping up scores of teenagers for thought crime, but here we have an actual violent assault that spills blood, and it seems completely out of the question the perpetrator is brought to account. Why is that? I had a personal experience a couple of years ago when I was very mildly hurt – less than young Oisin – in an assault, and the police insisted on arresting the perpetrator despite my repeated requests to them not to do so. They told me rather firmly that the idea that it is the victim who has a say in pressing charges, is a myth. Why was Clarkson not arrested?

I cannot in my mind dissociate this from the non-arrest of Jimmy Savile for his crimes, despite their being well-known and reported at the time. That seems to link in to the wider paedophilia scandal, and the question of why no action was taken even in the most blatant of cases when there was compelling evidence, such as that of the extremely nasty Greville Janner MP.

But then I think still more widely as to why, for example, Jack Straw has not been charged with the crime of misfeasance in public office after boasting of using his position to obtain “under the radar” changes in regulations to benefit commercial clients, in exchange for cash. I wonder why a large number of people did not go to jail for the HSBC tax avoidance schemes or the LIBOR rigging scandal, which involved long term dishonest manipulation by hundreds of very highly paid bankers.

At the top of the tree is of course the question of why Blair has not been charged for the crime of waging illegal war. The Chilcot Inquiry heard evidence that every single one of the FCO’s elite team of Legal Advisers believed that the invasion of Iraq was an illegal war of aggression. Yet now the media disparage as nutters those who say Blair should be charged.

Then I think of all the poor and desperate people who get jailed for stealing comparatively miniscule amounts in benefit fraud, or the boy who was jailed for stealing a bottle of water in the London riots.

The conclusion is that we do not have a system of justice in this country at all. We have a system where the wealthy and governing classes and those associated with them enjoy almost absolute impunity, broken in only the rarest of cases. At the same time those at the bottom of the pile are kicked hard to keep them there. There is no more chance of justice against those in power in the UK than there is of the killers of Nemtsov being brought to book in Russia.

But what has really scared me is this thought. This situation has been like this my entire life: and I have reached the age of 56 before I realised it. A very great many people have still not realised it at all.

What does not scare me is this. I realise that if the system of justice is completely corrupted, then there is no obligation on me to follow the laws of the state. In fact it would be wrong of me to do so. I must seek my ethical compass elsewhere than in the corrupt power structure which weighs so hard upon the people.


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1,959 thoughts on “Impunity

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  • Republicofscotland

    Yes Dave excellent link,and insight into David Cameron,it’s not often I’d agree with people like Villager.

  • Habbabkuk (La vita e' bella)

    DonnyDarkside

    “Israel is a failed State far from being democratic.The experiment in the land of milk and honey has gone all wrong hasn’t it?”

    _______________________

    If Israel is a failed state then I’m sure the average Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian would give his eye teeth to live in a failed state.

    **********************

    More generally I note that I have won the argument about the absurdity of calling Israel an “apartheid state”.

    I am able to say that because the Marys, Donnys, Mackys et al never mention Israel, they always talk about the Occupied Territories.

    (Unless of course they believe that the OT are part of the State of Israel, a claim which the latter has not made.)

    ///////////////////////

    To say that Israel is an apartheid state is as foolish as calling Gaza (and sometimes the OT) the “biggest concentration camp in the world”.

    Be careful lest I demolish that latter claim in the same way as I have demolished the claim that Israel is an apartheid state. 🙂

  • Habbabkuk (La vita e' bella)

    RepublicOfNonsense

    “My post did not support “Israeli apartheid” but conclusively proved that it is ignorant and misleading to describe the State of Israel as an apartheid state.
    **************************************

    Not a apartheid state,but a cookoo (SIC – spelling!)state”

    +++++++++++++++++++++

    Well, it appears that I have convinced you that Israel is not an apartheid state.

    You are of course free to call it a cuckoo stqte, or a sparrow state, or an elephant state or whatever you find it intelligent to call it. It;s a free country!

    I wonder if others will follow your example and admit that to talk of Israel as an apartheid state is ill-informed nonsense?

  • Habbabkuk (La vita e' bella)

    Ganglion appears to present every letter he receives back from a supermarket chain as a triumph.

    The letter received from Morrisons is a good example. It includes the following:

    “Morrisons does not sell any products from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We take care to ensure the integrity of origin declarations and perform random traceability checks to give our customers confidence that food labelled ‘Produce of Israel’ has not been grown in the Occupied Palestinian Territories”

    Habbabkuk’s comment: confusing (deliberately so?) and possibly contradictory. The first sentence says that NO products from the OT are sold, whereas the second sentence implies that OT produce is sold provided it is not labelled as made in Israel.

    Suggestion: another letter from Ganglion to Morrisons might be in order. Please report back.

    “We do sell a small number of products from the state of Israel; however these are clearly labelled with their country of origin, allowing customers to make an informed choice about what they buy.”

    Habbabkuk’s comment: very bad news for the “boycott Israel” brigade. To be noted moreover (1) only a small number of Israeli products are sold by Morrisons because Israel does not export to the UK that many of the products shops like Morrisons sell (so big deal) and (2) all food products are labelled with their country of origin whether they come from Israel, the UK, China or wherever (so again, big deal!)

    /////////////////////

    Your campaign appears to be bearing meagre fruit, Ganglion. 🙂

  • Habbabkuk (La vita e' bella)

    Golding + Trowbridge : the triumph of medieval alchemy (paranoia + Jew-baiting = best quality, triple-distilled piss)??

    Golding: “The cold-blooded, premeditated crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 into an Alpine mountain, which killed all 150 people aboard is in fact an ominous US back-channel intimidation to our EU partner and alliance, Germany.”

    Trowbridge:” Good Mark Golding except for leaving out Jewish participation in the crash, and Netanyahu’s wanting to cut Merkel down to size”

    ///////////////////////////

    To think that nutters like these are walking the streets! I never did like “care in the community”!

  • Silvio

    Seeing as how Israel is not a failed state, and therefore one could assume should be able to stand on its own two feet, pay its own way etc., I wonder when it will find the wherewithal to cease sucking on the hard-pressed US taxpayers’ teat to the tune of $3 Billion per year.

    “Since the October War in 1973, Washington has provided Israel with a level of support dwarfing the amounts provided to any other state. It has been the largest annual recipient of direct U.S. economic and military assistance since 1976 and the largest total recipient since World War ll. Total direct U.S. aid to Israel amounts to well over $140 billion in 2003 dollars. Israel receives about $3 billion in direct foreign assistance each year, which is roughly one-fifth of America’s entire foreign aid budget. In per capita terms, the United States gives each Israeli a direct subsidy worth about $500 per year. This largesse is especially striking when one realizes that Israel is now a wealthy industrial state with a per capita income roughly equal to South Korea or Spain.”

    – John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt
    “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy”

    http://www.ifamericansknew.org/stat/usaid.html

  • Villager

    Node, you promised the recipients of your letter that you would share the answers with ‘interested parties’. Aren’t you being a little patronising assuming that we want to read your utterly ineffectual, obsessive rubbish. Try thinking a little bigger–do some research on the 10 biggest foreign investors in Israel and then see if you can set yourself up on another wild-goose chase.

    Actually I did a quick google for you. This should get you excited when doing your shopping;
    http://walizahid.com/2014/07/gaza-boycott-israeli-products/

  • Republicofscotland

    Not a apartheid state,but a cookoo (SIC – spelling!)state”

    +++++++++++++++++++++

    Well, it appears that I have convinced you that Israel is not an apartheid state.

    You are of course free to call it a cuckoo stqte, or a sparrow state, or an elephant state or whatever you find it intelligent to call it. It;s a free country!

    I wonder if others will follow your example and admit that to talk of Israel as an apartheid state is ill-informed nonsense?
    ###############################

    I try not be as puerile as you with regards to the odd spelling error,I could ask you what does stqte mean,but,I’ll leave the facile stuff to you.

    You haven’t convinced me of anything,apart from,your childish behaviour,in your defence though,Arabs in Israel,gathering from what I’ve read,have reasonables jobs,and a acceptable standard of life,if not political equality.

    This however does in no way exonerate Israel,as to its blood thirsty actions against,the less fortunate Palestinians.

    I could of course,go on about,the fact that you openly support the Palestinian genocide,but the real culprits,are the UN and EU,who stand back,and do nothing meaningful.

    Yet the EU and NATO,are quick to advocate sanctions on Russia,Im sure you see the duplicity in this,but you don’t particularly care.

    Ostensibly,Israel is also exempt in the eyes of NATO,in declaring the possession of nuclear weapons,it is the worst kept secret in the world today.

    Why is that? that a warring state such as Israel can openly deny the possession of WMD’S and NATO,and the EU,take them at their word.

    I can think of no other warmongering state on earth that would be given carte blanche,and deny the ownership of nukes.

    Maybe you can shine some light on this?

  • Villager

    Well, I’m gratified that whether anyone else reads my comments or not, I am assured that the ‘Moderator’ will! Anyone else fortunate enough to receive the same privelged quality assurance Good Housekeeping stamp? I was under the impression that they (have to watch my he’s and she’s around here 😉 , had declared that pre-moderation was lifted, as of this thread???

    Oh and btw this was triggered originally by some comment I made on ‘psychomatic medicine’, which might still be found upstream on this comments thread. Now that there is all this curiosity and speculation about the German pilot’s medical conditions, people might, more broadly, actually get interested in the subject.

    Although, one suspects that it might be a little too subtle for some frozen minds, hopefully they are in the minority.

    Know yourself; live healthier!

  • ------------·´`·.¸¸.¸¸.··.¸¸Node

    RoS: “it’s not often I’d agree with people like Villager.”

    Be very wary of Villager. I have never accused anybody else on this blog of being a troll, but they definitely are. I say “they” because more than one person writes using that identity. It’s like getting letters from a schizophrenic. Villager spent a long time being Mary’s staunch supporter and Hababkuk’s worst enemy before realising that it could be more divisive by being the exact opposite.

    Villager was prolific on this blog for about a year but eventually its persona became a caricature and it was mothballed.  A while ago, when Dreoilin mentioned its name on this blog for the first time in months, there was an immediate reply. We are to presume that the once prolific and opinionated Villager is now a passive observer.

    This persona reappears occasionally when it sees an opportunity to sow discord. Note the nature of the intervention here when it saw an opportunity to drip poison into a raw wound. Encouraging factionalism is its favourite tactic as at 1.49pm above).

    To those behind Villager : You surely use other identities and other tactics on this blog, but Villager’s a busted flush, bin it.

  • Villager

    Now my third comment going into the ‘pre-moderation’ queue, but on my note on health earlier, this might be of interest to some:
    http://bulletindailynews.com/2015/03/10/10-top-foods-that-might-be-causing-cancer/

    So am prevented to discuss matters real-time with my friend Habby on, well for example, the stupidity of the Goulding-Ford construct.

    Btw Habby I thought awhile ago you were on pre-moderation. How does one get off the hook? Write to Craig Murray? Perhaps the Moderator will explain himself. I know that the drivel-rambler,Tony Opmoc moaned to Craig under his nose on this board and since then he seems to have a free-rein to piss out here in the open. Is it really so difficult to have some even standards and civilised discourse?

  • Villager

    Well, first of all, thank you Mod for that clearance of Liberty.

    As for Node, its time for my exercise-walk and I may or may not respond to you later. Meantime, do please carry on with your ineffectual campaign. I sincerely hope it gives you a sense of achievement, contribution to humanity and contribution to making a better human society. Sorry to puncture your self-image of being the world’s ‘activist’. With the stuff you carry in your mind and spill out here you are as pathetic as a worm.

    PS Btw, I don’t want anyone ‘behind me’ — you poor soul is that the twisted mind from where your ‘campaign’ starts from, perhaps?

    Carry on!

  • Republicofscotland

    Node.

    I thank you for the advice,and as I’m a late comer to this blog (during the referendum) I’m a bit behind at how tangled, the web on this blog has been woven,by the sounds of it,it would take weaving skills of Arachnie to untangle,the psychological treads,that hold it,tightly together.

  • Republicofscotland

    Those from noteworthy families often feel entitled to abuse young people according to Robert Montagu, the son of the 10th Earl of Sandwich who was abused by his own father as a boy.

    He made the comments at the Oxford Literary Festival while discussing his book, A Humour Of Love, in which he reveals years of abuse, including a single rape, carried out by father Victor.

    Mr Montagu said that, during his years at Eton, rape was common, adding that people with ‘entitled backgrounds’ were given ‘more opportunities’ to be abusive towards children.

    An insight,to the twisted psyche,of the aristocracy.

    Of course this debauchery isn’t restricted to the UK aristocracy,the secritive society Skull & Bones,which has produced,several American presidents,has similar practices.

  • Republicofscotland

    The probe into an alleged paedophile network at the heart of the British Establishment took an explosive turn last night with the revelation that Enoch Powell’s name has been passed to police.

    The late Tory MP, one of the most prominent and divisive politicians of the 20th Century, has been named to Scotland Yard by the Bishop of Durham. The claims relate to ritual satanic abuse.

    And in a further development to the sex-ring investigations, police are to be given access to secret files held on MPs in the House of Commons archives as they hunt for evidence on suspected abusers, including former Liberal MP Cyril Smith.

    Is their no bottom (no pun intended) to this rabbit hole, Powell who’s chiefly reminded for his “Rivers of Blood” speech,which never materialised in the UK, (its more suited to Palestine) seems to be implicated,in a sleazy sex scandal,that has no end.

    How many more Westminster chickens,will come home to roost,we’ll just have to wait and see.

  • Daniel

    “And you can fuck off and die as well retard.

    You and your retard Nazi pall RoS can just fuck off and die together.”

    LOL.

  • craigmurray.org.uk

    Villager was placed on pre-mod originally for using sock after sock to repost a comment that had been removed. Pre-mod was reapplied on this thread when Villager dishonestly complained by pretending the comment got him blocked rather than the sock puppetry.

  • Johnstone

    http://time.com/3760283/germanwings-german-pilots-association/

    German Pilots Cast Doubt on Blaming of Co-Pilot for Crash

    The International Federal of Airline Pilots Associations, or IFALPA, condemned the leaks of the cockpit voice recorder or CVR on Thurdsay, saying that it violated long-established practices after plane crashes, where details are kept confidential until the investigation is complete. “Leaks of this nature greatly harm flight safety since they invite ill-informed speculation from the media and general public and discourage cooperation with investigators in future accidents,” said a statement from the Montreal-based organization. “The sole purpose of a CVR is to aid investigators… not to apportion blame

  • Macky

    Habbabkuk; “More generally I note that I have won the argument about the absurdity of calling Israel an “apartheid state”.”

    More Walter Mitty like delusional ravings !

    Habbabkuk; “I am able to say that because the Marys, Donnys, Mackys et al never mention Israel, they always talk about the Occupied Territories.”

    Wrong, but even if it were true, are you admitting that Israel, being the belligerent Occupying Power in occupied Palestinian territory , is indeed practicing apartheid in the Occupied Territories ?

    Habbabkuk; “I wonder if others will follow your example and admit that to talk of Israel as an apartheid state is ill-informed nonsense?”

    Read and be enlightened about YOUR ill-informed nonsense;

    “Israel is the only country in the world that distinguishes between nationality and citizenship. Israeli nationality is guaranteed only to those determined to be of the Jewish religion. Only Jews have full rights in the state of Israel, which is defined as a Jewish state under the Basic Laws that substitute for a written constitution. Under the Basic Laws, more than 90 percent of the land is state-owned. Israel’s Basic Laws prohibit access or the lease of state land to non-Jews.”

    ” Within Israel, Palestinians are legally barred from many communities by racially restrictive covenants in housing, much like those that formerly barred Jews, blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities in the United States from living in certain neighborhoods. Palestinians are legally barred from living in “Jewish community settlements” and “Jewish rural settlements.” Within Israel, 89 percent of its towns are classified as Jewish, and of those non-Jews are excluded from residing in 78 percent. The Israeli government has not allowed the building of a single new Arab town since 1948.”

    http://www.seamac.org/equalrights.htm

    “Palestinian citizens of Israel must contend with about 50 state laws and bills that, according to the Palestinian-Israeli human rights organization Adalah, either privilege Jews or directly discriminate against the Palestinian minority”

    http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-makdisi-israel-apartheid-20140518-story.html

  • ------------·´`·.¸¸.¸¸.··.¸¸Node

    Ha Ha, nice one Clark. In fact, double nice one! He was exposed later when the poster against whom he was pretending to side with Mary turned out to be his own sock puppet.

    He shot himself in both feet with that farce.

  • Johnstone

    Memory card lost .. could that happen? Not very likely it seems

    NPR news story following MA 370
    What Would It Take To Destroy A Black Box?

    How is the black box designed?

    To protect the stack of memory boards that store information, black boxes are wrapped in a thin layer of aluminum and a 1-inch layer of high-temperature insulation, and then encased in a corrosion-resistant stainless steel or titanium shell.

    The black box must be able to withstand an acceleration of 3,400 Gs (3,400 times the force of gravity), which equals an impact velocity of about 310 mph. It must also survive flames up to 2,000 degrees F for one hour, and the beacon should be able to emit a signal once per second while submersed in 20,000 feet of saltwater for 30 days.
    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/03/11/289189214/what-would-it-take-to-destroy-a-black-box

  • Villager

    “Try thinking a little bigger–do some research on the 10 biggest foreign investors in Israel and then see if you can set yourself up on another wild-goose chase.

    Actually I did a quick google for you. This should get you excited when doing your shopping;
    http://walizahid.com/2014/07/gaza-boycott-israeli-products/
    ________

    Node, are you really such a little man that all you can think about is your little 80-quid shop a week? And how you might be careful that the 2-quid of your oranges don’t come from Israel? Aren’t you literate enough to read where your produce comes from? Do you really have nothing better to do on a weekend night than to write this shit to the supermarkets? And then come back posting the same shit here bit-by-bit?

    Aren’t you going to sink your teeth into those Big MNC’s that are doing all manner of business in Israel? Aren’t you going to thank me for having done the homework and given you a ready list? There’s a long weekend coming; now there’s a good chap go and do all those letters, follow-ups and don’t forget to report back.

    Actually I prefer Habby’s ‘Chump’ to Anon’s ‘fucking idiot, but you surely and self-evidently, amply qualify for both.

  • Mary

    Krishnamurti’s disciple lives (again)! Groan. Strange how these trolls operate in phases – and in concert.

    Keep going with the BDS stuff Node.

    If anyone wants to upset H start calling Israhell an ‘entity’.

    It will make his gravatar switch from green to red. It did that unaided above.

    Do trolls sit in darkened rooms at a bank of computers working on different routers?

  • ------------·´`·.¸¸.¸¸.··.¸¸Node

    Villager : “Actually I prefer Habby’s ‘Chump’ to Anon’s ‘fucking idiot, but you surely and self-evidently, amply qualify for both.”

    I’m confused. Is this the same Habby as you told to … “Piss off you Babbling cunt — we don’t need senile old farts like you tell people around here what to do.” ?
    https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2013/03/nuclear-nightmare/comment-page-5/#comment-401227

    You really should get some consistency into your act.

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