The Guardian has published an open appeal to Tory and Lib Dem voters to vote Labour in Dundee West. I think that tells you all you need to know about the Red Tories and their priorities. It is also a new low in journalism even for the fanatic and increasingly desperate Severin Carrell, who is a total disgrace to his profession. The costs of publishing the Guardian ought to be counted against Marra’s election expenses: this is not journalism in any sense, merely a puff piece for a candidate.
The five million questions project was a Labour front headed by Marra and merely one of numerous fake “independent” bodies set up to provide the corporate media with disguised sources of unionist propaganda during the election campaign. It was based in the University of Dundee. It is seven years ago that I published a piece headed Dundee University – A Tool For New Labour. The hosting of the fake five million questions “research” for the Tory-friendly Labour candidate for the University seat is yet further evidence. This Labour/Dundee University scheme linked in to the Daily Record. Dundee University administration have a close relationship with this rag. When I stood for election as Rector against the administration’s candidate, fervent Unionist Andy Nicol, the University administration arranged for the Daily Record in Dundee to come out on election day with a full front cover picture of Andy Nicol and the single banner headline “I Was Born to Lead Dundee Students”.
Naturally, I beat the conniving bastards anyway.
I can today reveal from an inside university source that it was Dundee University Principal Pete Downes who fed Alistair Darling with the nonsense about loss of funding for medical research, which Darling used against Salmond in televised debate. All of which fires my determination to stand for Rector of the University again next year and put a stop to these shenanigans.
My good friend Chris Law is an excellent candidate and a truly interesting and dynamic individual with a quick, analytic brain. He is very much his own man. I am happy to say that despite Severin Carrell, Labour have as much chance of stopping Chris Law’s election as they have of turning back the River Tay.
… Node
I am spied on by the mosque, which is haram in Islam, so I kick back occasionally for this completely unacceptable village mentality that the imams are in power. We chucked out the papacy 500 years ago and i’m not going to allow the pakistanis to re-instate priest/imam power over their congregations, telling this one to annoy that one one etc and take us back to the middle ages.
I apologise for my vile slur on the vast majority of Pakistanis. But they do do unacceptable things in politics to bend the rules of our country and I don’t see any harm in reminding them of that. Why does the imam knock the doors on election day for New Labour? The congregations are not living in Pakistan or India. Why do they allow the mulla to persecute the English Muslim by spying on our private lives? I am only accountable to Allah, as a Muslim and before I became a Muslim. The corrupt imams will go to the hottest fire.
Thanks mods for re-gurgitating my earlier comment in neater order.
Clark:
“My position: all the power reactors must be phased out, shut down and dismantled,”
So why is Obama, by green lighting Iran’s nuclear project, igniting a nuclear power race in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia which could use solar pv power?
Miliband is in Scotland today to ‘restart Labour’s flagging campaign there’ as the BBC put it.
Yes, but that is the very reason I am getting my news from propagandist* Russian sources rather than the propagandist* western media.
FIFY.
This is the sound of something going bang somewhere tonight according to a twitter site #Donetsk
You might ask yourself who would benefit from renewed violence in Ukraine, and how easily either side could (a) initiate it and (b) make it look like the other side had done so.
But you mustn’t. must you? You have to take the Kremlin as the exemplar of absolute purity of intention and the shining sword of truth. Not only that, you have to believe its goals have anything detectable in common with the socialism you so loudly profess to support.
Sucker. Accept the Order of Lenin.
*demonstrably
@Ishmael “Well, they do look a step up from a cardboard box”
They’re a good deal better than that – here’s a report from a former homeless person who was housed in one as an experiment:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27381656
IMO this is a real and doable answer to the problem of affordable housing. I don’t expect “haves” to go for it. But political parties who see doom staring them in the face might. Doing the right things for the wrong reasons is not as good as doing it for the right reasons, but it’s better than doing nothing!
Democracy is a feedback regulation system.
Nice if it were even an option. Suggest you take a look at “The Establishment and How They Get Away With It” by Owen Jones: a dismal catalogue of recent developments in transferring power to the elite, the methods used to justify them, and the manipulation of public opinion so as to accord with them within the pretence of democracy.
Errr… On second thoughts, don’t. It would make an optimist want to cut his own throat, and you’re not an optimist.
If the goal is to preserve life, we are clearly a a point were power should be renowned by the responsible. I think some like to imagine power and responsibility the same thing. When it’s often to turn away.
I was musing last night about yin yang, male and female, active and passive energy. And wonder if we have reached a frighteningly dangerous stage, where many have turned away, Deemphasize this overbearing male or yang force, yet there is a hardcore left, who know they are embattled, but it’s linked to their very identity. Who are full of it.
Btw, the yin, yang dos not imply all men and yang etc. Each em-body’s an aspect of both.
This is why I find Blake so prescient, he seemed quite aligned with these ideas. Of course a hyper rational age would call him mad. But imo he was correct to identify these universal principal at work, at a deeper level than the duality of all rational concepts.
Guess this is why I err a lot of conversation, not because it’s not useful (Without contraries is no progression) but because some clearly don’t see it’s underline partiality and hold to there ‘own’ ideas as some gospel. I’m right your wrong etc. It just not like that. And to hold ones identity to such things is a mistake often born of maintaining a particular identity/ego. Shows a lack of control over it.
This is why “ Fame is the first sin, because ‘God’ knows who you are”. And I try and shun it least it get’s hold.
We are all the same. Science backs me up on this.
‘within the pretence of democracy.’
Now we’re talking, Ba’al, the whole election is just another show we all pay for, same as it ever was, but,
more importantly, the TT starts in 50 days….Apparently all the Japanese bikes will need no illumination at all, they’re glowing with iridescent confidence.
And that’s the Owen Jones who had nothing to say about Nafeez Ahmed being fired for talking Gaza Gas, he’s another one good with words, a future Labour politician who like’s to be a socialist on paper. I hope he’ll get through the Blair/Straw empire builders who are grooming their sons to succeed their self serving existence.
And its another fine gardening day.
I recalled some Fish lyrics about the fptp conversation.
“I don’t trust the government, I don’t trust alternatives, is not that i’m paranoid, it’s just that’s the way it is”
“Sucker. Accept the Order of Lenin.”
Bit behind the times Ba’al. The last one was issued in 1991.
Oh yes, there is propaganda everywhere. But I don’t trust the Guardian any more. Whether it will improve when Katherine Viner takes over from Alan Rusbridger remains to be seen. However only Russian and Asian sources have reported responsibly on the genocide in Eastern Ukraine and western media, which used to call the fascists there fascists, just over twelve months ago, no longer call them fascists.
Where you should be looking is towards Kiev, where news showing opposition to government news is not allowed, where Communism has been banned (despite 2 million people having voted Communist last time it was allowed) where statues to Lenin have been pulled down (cameras there of course) and where opposition politicians have been murdered and assaulted. Despite having a terrible economy, much worse than before the Maidan riots, it is rearming for stage two.
You, and others who comment here, seem not to have made a distinction between the old Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. I know as you get older it is more difficult to move with the times. Medals are not for me Ba’al, whether they are given for services to the community or gallantry (as in the bombing of Dresden). I think you know that. So I have to refuse.
“You, and others who comment here, seem not to have made a distinction between the old Soviet Union and the Russian Federation”
Agree, convenient isn’t it.
The other thing as regards the western propanda and Ukraine is that when people speak out about what is happening, for example world-class pianist Valentina Lisitsa, she is taken off the programme at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately for the west this is starting to backfire and we are still allowed to discuss it.
https://www.facebook.com/ValentinaLisitsa
(as in the bombing of Dresden)
Guess that’s partly why I’m quite forceful with some ides. Not because Dresden was the only harm Germans faced. But because the whole thing was a betrayal of the German people. By there own blind, and quite insane, government.
And if this Russian ‘issues’ comes to bite us on as ass it whatever way, as it will if we continue, I know exactly where my blame will lie.
Apparently it’s worth incalculable risk to save ‘democracy’ in Ukraine. ?
Yea? Really?
Anybody who has read the Bullshitter article I linked to yesterday, will certainly recognize the following two as Obfuscating Bullshitters of the Hightest Order;
Clark; “John Goss, you really should answer Resident Dissident’s question as to the extent of the Russian “Homeland”.”
Ba’al Zevul ; “You have to take the Kremlin as the exemplar of absolute purity of intention and the shining sword of truth. Not only that, you have to believe its goals have anything detectable in common with the socialism you so loudly profess to support.”
Every poverty stricken Ukrainian could be living like princes on the money that’s been spent on this, so far. So just give them the money, I don’t think the’d care what official government they had then.
But this IS NOT ABOUT helping the people of Ukraine, ffs is that not obvious.
And that’s the Owen Jones who had nothing to say about Nafeez Ahmed being fired for talking Gaza Gas, he’s another one good with words, a future Labour politician who like’s to be a socialist on paper. I hope he’ll get through the Blair/Straw empire builders who are grooming their sons to succeed their self serving existence.
Yes. The book is remarkably discreet about Blair, although he does get a critical mention. Also Owen is fond of the Overton Window concept (of progressively adjusting public opinion by small shifts in the direction desired) – which is an overtly neocon idea. The lad is definitely suspect, and will probably go the way of the revolting Howard Jacobson when he grows up.
TT- I hope there are no sacrifical victims this year. (Reminds me – time for new tyres on the Beast.)
I agree totally with Nevermind on Owen Jones. A very plausible young puppy. They go with the flow.
PS Just planted my main crop spuds. Joined by Mr Robin. The other day he was indoors in the sitting room as I had left the outside door open for the dog. He looked up and let me pick him up gently and put him back outside. So sweet.
Owen Jones reminds me of Blair, the forced mannerisms. When I first saw him talk that’s what I thought anyway.
Child acting like a ‘grown up’. Just that political style. It does not make me very comfortable.
“He looked up and let me pick him up gently and put him back outside. So sweet.”
Beautiful birds robins, and very trusting, our most common English bird, and a talented songster.
A young puppy tries his hand at getting elected.
Rossendale parliamentary and local election candidates announced
10 April 2015
A bumper eight candidates are standing for the Rossendale and Darwen MP seat
http://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/local-news/rossendale-parliamentary-local-election-candidates-9016368
Last time Jake Berry Con (ever heard of him?) Maj 4,493
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossendale_and_Darwen_(UK_Parliament_constituency)
Berry was hidden away under Boris’s brother Jo Johnson in the ‘No 10 Policy Unit’ following a spell as Shapps’ runner.
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/10/new-number-10-policy-board-announced/
You, and others who comment here, seem not to have made a distinction between the old Soviet Union and the Russian Federation.
Wonder what part of “You have to take the Kremlin as the exemplar of absolute purity of intention and the shining sword of truth. Not only that, you have to believe its goals have anything detectable in common with the socialism you so loudly profess to support.” do you not quite get?
The distinction is easy. In the old days, a centralised controlled economy benefited a privileged elite, whereas now a corrupt, Putin-licensed free-market benefits a privileged elite. In effect, it’s not too different from the Western model now, and I am sure our neocons will have no trouble working with it once they’ve also realised that it’s no more communist, or socialist, than Kentucky Fried Penguin.
However, the evolving methodology of Soviet propaganda can clearly be traced from then to now. And like any savvy state seeking to reduce its opponents to incoherence, then and now, it loves to support dissidents against the West, while brutalising its native critics.
The USSR wasn’t sympathetic to CND for any altruistic reasons – as a f’rinstance. It was sympathetic for the obvious reasons: its freedom of action was constrained by the West’s deterrent. And vice-versa, of course. And, you know what? That situation hasn’t changed at all.
I do recommend you read the Guardian article. It’s far more considered than you obviously imagine…on the basis of it’s being a Guardian article.
OK, you’re turning down the Order of Lenin…and the opportunity to join some genuinely illustrious Russians, as well as some absolute rogues. So a Putin medal of honour would perhaps be more appropriate…since we’re flinging the ordure around, like this one.
http://www.france24.com/en/20150309-putin-awards-medal-chief-suspect-litvinenko-murder/
Great companions they make, Mary.
I can call the Robin in my garden, when I’m digging he watches me intently and he loves the grubs throw him. next exercise will be to feed him by hand.
A few whistles and he’s there with me. My first earlies are showing already and I have to heap em’ up.
@Ba’al, wish I had a beasty to re-sole, just looked at a pre tax R65,but its in Germany, too much hassle to get there and back, I shall leave it.
“He looked up and let me pick him up gently and put him back outside. So sweet.”
Agree, but let’s get off the Owen subject..
sry, couldn’t help it.
What else is there to say about Jones Ishmael?
“The USSR wasn’t sympathetic to CND for any altruistic reasons – as a f’rinstance. It was sympathetic for the obvious reasons: its freedom of action was constrained by the West’s deterrent. And vice-versa, of course. And, you know what? That situation hasn’t changed at all.”
You must be living in a different world from me if you think nothing has changed. Warsaw Pact countries disbanded. Taken over by NATO bases. More bases planned for Romania, elsewhere in Europe and all over the Middle East. You’re putting you telescope to your blind eye.
“A few whistles and he’s there with me. My first earlies are showing already and I have to heap em’ up.”
Congratulations on the crop. Glad to know most of the good guys on the blog all have pet robin. There is probably cupboard-love involved in these relationships. Those juicy worms Nevermind keeps turning over and Mary is probably feeding hers.
Have you got a robin Macky?
Yesterday I found my first black cockroach of the year scouting the kitchen in the early hours. I think that might have been cupboard love too.