what's that? what's that, you say?
it's a Friday?
true.
true enough.
well, in that case, it must be about time for Baroness Tonge to chat some more shit
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
I was informed by our colleagues in Belgrade about the successful operation which resulted in the arrest of Radovan Karadžić. On behalf of the Office of the Prosecutor, I would like to congratulate the Serbian authorities, especially the National Security Council, Serbia’s Action Team in charge of tracking fugitives and the Office of the War Crimes Prosecutor, on achieving this milestone in cooperation with the ICTY.
This is a very important day for the victims who have waited for this arrest for over a decade. It is also an important day for international justice because it clearly demonstrates that nobody is beyond the reach of the law and that sooner or later all fugitives will be brought to justice.
indictment
This is a very important day for the victims who have waited for this arrest for over a decade. It is also an important day for international justice because it clearly demonstrates that nobody is beyond the reach of the law and that sooner or later all fugitives will be brought to justice.
indictment
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Friday, 18 July 2008
BOWLED 'IM WARNER!! (was '..she gives me a biscuit...')
"Take Liberty's recent appointment of the fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell. One of fashion's most stylish players, Sewell was head of buying at the influential Brown's boutique until last year. She is now transforming Liberty's muddled fashion floors into something sharper and more glamorous."
i did not know this [source: London Telegraph, Money section, 13/07/2008].
good on ya Sewell
"Take Liberty's recent appointment of the fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell. One of fashion's most stylish players, Sewell was head of buying at the influential Brown's boutique until last year. She is now transforming Liberty's muddled fashion floors into something sharper and more glamorous."
i did not know this [source: London Telegraph, Money section, 13/07/2008].
good on ya Sewell
why do mod boys tend to wear their collared shirts with the top button done up?
don't get me wrong, i like it, you get me.
a good style, very good.
i will try and find a few things out about butter soon, and also about the manufacture of the plastic cartons or tubs that margarine comes in. i may then post the results here
(yes hold your seats for that one)
+
a lot of kids going up to Cumbria (that's in northwest England) for some festival i see
+
i gotDVDs of Vertigo and The Long Good Friday and a paperback copy of Madame Bovary in your UK high-street store sale for GBP £10 £2 today! [ETA: the DVDs were woefully defective, despite brand-new wrapped-up status; but hey! Flaubert for two coins..]
and the kids in England break up from school for the summer. (dunno about Northern Ireland or Wales i must admit. in Scotland they have already broken up. plead ignorance on every other country on earth, to be precise about it. i'm not having a joke about being parochial here, more write what you know.)
don't get me wrong, i like it, you get me.
a good style, very good.
i will try and find a few things out about butter soon, and also about the manufacture of the plastic cartons or tubs that margarine comes in. i may then post the results here
(yes hold your seats for that one)
+
a lot of kids going up to Cumbria (that's in northwest England) for some festival i see
+
i got
and the kids in England break up from school for the summer. (dunno about Northern Ireland or Wales i must admit. in Scotland they have already broken up. plead ignorance on every other country on earth, to be precise about it. i'm not having a joke about being parochial here, more write what you know.)
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
a take down (again, and rightly so) from Obsolete about the front-cover of today's Express, which - as with many of their fronts - suffers somewhat from being quite appallingly bone-headed.
interestingly, today's Express carries a worried piece from Anna Pukas (certainly one of their finer writers; she has often been quite large-hearted for them in various corners of the world *) going on about that New Yorker cover.
clearly, she needn't look as far as Manhattan for printed material that may - intentionally or not - give comfort to unsavoury characters.
*
for the record, their environment editor, John Ingham, can sometimes be decent, and their television reviewer is actually good (his politics are nothing like the leaders of his employers: he is even-handed and humane and, gosh darn, sounds rather socially liberal). they also have some fine sports writers.
people like these are admittedly balanced out by politics editor Macer Hall (he's done some unbelievably bad pieces), the almost-beyond-parody Leo McKinstry (a common theme of my tabloid laments is how a man who can write decent books about English football can churn out some awful guff in the press, though i know that's a naïve lament, given the age-old recollections of Heffer actually being able to write full-length books in between spewing out his bile in the dailies) and the witless Patrick O'Flynn (the comment editor and chief politics writer IIRC).
P.S.
check this out for yourself but pick up the Express and go to the cartoons section where Calvin and Hobbes is about. (so too Dilbert.) every day when the cartoon appears American English references are doctored by the Express to British English ones. the most obvious has Calvin saying "mum" instead of "mom".
i don't know why they do that (well, one could hazard a few simplistic, unsatisfying guesses), but - on a small and far more benign level than some of their other handiwork - for me, this speaks volumes about the mostly crap Daily Express..
interestingly, today's Express carries a worried piece from Anna Pukas (certainly one of their finer writers; she has often been quite large-hearted for them in various corners of the world *) going on about that New Yorker cover.
clearly, she needn't look as far as Manhattan for printed material that may - intentionally or not - give comfort to unsavoury characters.
*
for the record, their environment editor, John Ingham, can sometimes be decent, and their television reviewer is actually good (his politics are nothing like the leaders of his employers: he is even-handed and humane and, gosh darn, sounds rather socially liberal). they also have some fine sports writers.
people like these are admittedly balanced out by politics editor Macer Hall (he's done some unbelievably bad pieces), the almost-beyond-parody Leo McKinstry (a common theme of my tabloid laments is how a man who can write decent books about English football can churn out some awful guff in the press, though i know that's a naïve lament, given the age-old recollections of Heffer actually being able to write full-length books in between spewing out his bile in the dailies) and the witless Patrick O'Flynn (the comment editor and chief politics writer IIRC).
P.S.
check this out for yourself but pick up the Express and go to the cartoons section where Calvin and Hobbes is about. (so too Dilbert.) every day when the cartoon appears American English references are doctored by the Express to British English ones. the most obvious has Calvin saying "mum" instead of "mom".
i don't know why they do that (well, one could hazard a few simplistic, unsatisfying guesses), but - on a small and far more benign level than some of their other handiwork - for me, this speaks volumes about the mostly crap Daily Express..
"Fine lot these government chaps – are they not?" he went on, speaking English with great precision and considerable bitterness.
"It is funny what some people will do for a few francs a-month. I wonder what becomes of that kind when it goes up country?"
I said to him I expected to see that soon.
"So-o-o!" he exclaimed. He shuffled athwart, keeping one eye ahead vigilantly.
"Don’t be too sure," he continued.
"The other day I took up a man who hanged himself on the road. He was a Swede, too."
"Hanged himself! Why, in God’s name?" I cried.
He kept on looking out watchfully.
"Who knows? The sun too much for him, or the country perhaps."
"It is funny what some people will do for a few francs a-month. I wonder what becomes of that kind when it goes up country?"
I said to him I expected to see that soon.
"So-o-o!" he exclaimed. He shuffled athwart, keeping one eye ahead vigilantly.
"Don’t be too sure," he continued.
"The other day I took up a man who hanged himself on the road. He was a Swede, too."
"Hanged himself! Why, in God’s name?" I cried.
He kept on looking out watchfully.
"Who knows? The sun too much for him, or the country perhaps."
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Monday, 14 July 2008
"Talking to Kim Jong Il"
the WSJ Asia has a piece about the death of Park Wang-ja, and attempts to tease out a few wider strands from this individual tragedy and crime.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Park Wang-ja, a housewife vacationing at the North Korean resort of Mount Kumgang, are unclear. The 53-year-old was reportedly walking on a beach when a soldier shot her twice: in the chest and in the buttock...
The murder of its citizen by the military of a foreign power creates a diplomatic challenge for any government...
His [Lee Myung-bak] immediate reaction upon hearing of the killing Friday was to go ahead with a parliamentary speech calling for the resumption of "full dialogue between the two Koreas." Yesterday his Grand National Party called for direct talks with the North to smooth things over.
Pyongyang responded to the Lee government's low-key reaction with its usual subtlety. The President's proposal was "deceitful," it said, and the GNP's call for talks was "an intolerable insult."...
Rather, the North is demanding an apology from the South for suspending tourist traffic to Mount Kumgang in the wake of the killing.
the WSJ Asia has a piece about the death of Park Wang-ja, and attempts to tease out a few wider strands from this individual tragedy and crime.
The murder of its citizen by the military of a foreign power creates a diplomatic challenge for any government...
His [Lee Myung-bak] immediate reaction upon hearing of the killing Friday was to go ahead with a parliamentary speech calling for the resumption of "full dialogue between the two Koreas." Yesterday his Grand National Party called for direct talks with the North to smooth things over.
Pyongyang responded to the Lee government's low-key reaction with its usual subtlety. The President's proposal was "deceitful," it said, and the GNP's call for talks was "an intolerable insult."...
Rather, the North is demanding an apology from the South for suspending tourist traffic to Mount Kumgang in the wake of the killing.
Owen, formidable as usual, with some very convincing reasons to oppose the Skylon-come-again
incidentally, among all the heart-stopping Gothic, Baroque (and neo-Baroque), and more recent treasures in Antwerpen, the 1970's municipal theatre, the Stadsschouwburg, bosses the game for me.
the white poles that hold up a hangar-style roof in the plaza out the front are a remarkable usage of space and air, whether the square is deserted, or full of gobby market traders or daredevil bicyclists weaving in and out.
at night-time - even before a few bollekes - giant bird legs or a marina in the middle distance are two of the more immediate analogies..
incidentally, among all the heart-stopping Gothic, Baroque (and neo-Baroque), and more recent treasures in Antwerpen, the 1970's municipal theatre, the Stadsschouwburg, bosses the game for me.
the white poles that hold up a hangar-style roof in the plaza out the front are a remarkable usage of space and air, whether the square is deserted, or full of gobby market traders or daredevil bicyclists weaving in and out.
at night-time - even before a few bollekes - giant bird legs or a marina in the middle distance are two of the more immediate analogies..
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Thursday, 10 July 2008
was Franco Frattini mistranslated?
The European Parliament has come up with some sensible proposals re. the plight of the marginalised in his country, at the same time as giving Italy a dressing-down.
disgustingly, Frattini claims that this appropriate slap in the face is "politically motivated and based on prejudices".
obviously, a discussion about the Italian govt and her Roma community certainly needs to include the word prejudice.
The European Parliament has come up with some sensible proposals re. the plight of the marginalised in his country, at the same time as giving Italy a dressing-down.
disgustingly, Frattini claims that this appropriate slap in the face is "politically motivated and based on prejudices".
obviously, a discussion about the Italian govt and her Roma community certainly needs to include the word prejudice.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
i don't know what to make of this but give them links anyway, and self-evidently, the way Hari frames his debate about Davis and Berlin and liberties here makes it clear where your sympathies should lie, but on the other hand this (far shorter) piece from The Sharpener offers a slightly contrary take.
in other news, i have only just found out via SR (cheers Simon!) about the return of skykicking. blow me!
big up all the Aussie crew
in other news, i have only just found out via SR (cheers Simon!) about the return of skykicking. blow me!
big up all the Aussie crew
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Blackadder: Never mind, never mind, just saddle the Prince's horse.
Baldrick: That'll be difficult, he wrapped it round that gas lamp in the
Strand last night.
Well saddle my horse then.
What d'you think you've been eating for the last two months?
Well go out into the street and hire me a horse.
Hire you a horse? For ninepence? On Jewish New Year in the rain? A
bare fortnight after the dreaded horse plague of old London Town? With
the blacksmith's strike in its fifteenth week and the Dorset horse
fetishists fair tomorrow?
Baldrick: That'll be difficult, he wrapped it round that gas lamp in the
Strand last night.
Well saddle my horse then.
What d'you think you've been eating for the last two months?
Well go out into the street and hire me a horse.
Hire you a horse? For ninepence? On Jewish New Year in the rain? A
bare fortnight after the dreaded horse plague of old London Town? With
the blacksmith's strike in its fifteenth week and the Dorset horse
fetishists fair tomorrow?
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Saturday, 28 June 2008
MURDEROUS NIGHT-TIMES
[yes, i am listening to the Nas debut album]
Brownie is magnificent in this Harry's Place thread (warning: thick fools lurk, and indeed comment, there)
[yes, i am listening to the Nas debut album]
Brownie is magnificent in this Harry's Place thread (warning: thick fools lurk, and indeed comment, there)
Friday, 27 June 2008
TONS OF JEWISH NEO-CONS, LOADS OF THE BUGGERS
[off the record, you understand]
as part of his incredibly enjoyable 'is shrill' series, Brad DeLong links to a Joe Klein piece at TIME re Lieberman, the Commentary crew, Bush and Cheney & Co.
without getting into very reasonable sharp words for Max Boot (there's an Andrew Sullivan piece up too) and urgently needed words of condemnation for no bid contracts, can we agree to call Joe Klein on 'divided loyalties'?
also, the description of the venerable country of Iraq as an extremely complicated, devout and ancient culture is indeed lovely and true, but with regards to what Klein is discussing, perhaps adding 'a giant Baath torture house' might have been equally helpful and illuminating..
[off the record, you understand]
as part of his incredibly enjoyable 'is shrill' series, Brad DeLong links to a Joe Klein piece at TIME re Lieberman, the Commentary crew, Bush and Cheney & Co.
without getting into very reasonable sharp words for Max Boot (there's an Andrew Sullivan piece up too) and urgently needed words of condemnation for no bid contracts, can we agree to call Joe Klein on 'divided loyalties'?
also, the description of the venerable country of Iraq as an extremely complicated, devout and ancient culture is indeed lovely and true, but with regards to what Klein is discussing, perhaps adding 'a giant Baath torture house' might have been equally helpful and illuminating..
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Muslims and gays
Nazir-Ali not attending the Lambeth Conference.
well there's a surprise. we didn't see that coming, eh?
yes sticking up for his beliefs and within the framework of what he believes he is, of course, in the right, technically *. but come on, you cannot deny me this. Nazir-Ali chats out of his backside about Islam with both fierce stupidity and awful cunning, and now, this, is, well, not a shock.. ...you remember, David Goodhart, in a recent Prospect with the Mai 68'ers feature, rightly excoriated Christopher Hitchens for his intellectual absolutism and lack of interest in progressive incrementalism that makes a genuine difference to people (there again, of course when not writing good science, the function of Dawkins clearly is to write bad atheism, and that's not going to change anytime soon, so Hitch's failings can be balanced against his pugnacious prose which at least remains enjoyable - which is more than can be said for David Goodhart's immigration essay)
* or is he? he could always go, argue his corner, and yes a very blatant point this, but it must be one he's thought of and discounted, his 'red line', which incidentally, is a concept (a term devalued by frequent usage from the likes of Tony Blair or, oh i don't know, Ben Bradshaw, as, say, Robin Carmody might remind us) that has been missing - in some commentary - from certain of the entirely accurate accounts about some of David Davis' regrettable views, no?
also socially liberal people of faith that know about theology, i am sure, could debate with Nazir-Ali until the cows come home and ferociously be able to impress upon him that they are in the right and his views are in fact wrong. though what i know about Christian theology is nothing.
but the fact remains that for all the above window-dressing, Nazir-Ali, in siding with the other conservatives, is getting a theological fig-leaf for bigotry (or, at the very least, opposition to progress), and what makes him so different from the folk across the pond who are also in his church and did go against him with their bold moves.
so give over Nazir-Ali, and your mate in the Telegraph, that bloke whose name escapes me who sometimes writes the most shabby, insulting, witless guff about Islam in some Sunday editions. (though i have not seen one of his bylines for a long time, well over a year IIRC.)
speaking of Hitch, the lovely J-Clo had a little piece up recently on Hitch's far-from-world-beating, tossed-off (Morley writing in the London Telegraph his short gig reviews, as one would say to SR) Slate article about wine in a restaurant. and whilst there are very amusing points put forth (and usage of "margrave") in the piece here, i remain at a loss. (there again, jane is busy engaging with SFJ at a high level, and the merit of sugarhigh! is always everything isn't it, the essays and the asides, all of it.)
simply put, if the cod-psychology (or whatever i should call it) is meant unironically and plainly and, just so as at face-value, then, well..
Nazir-Ali not attending the Lambeth Conference.
well there's a surprise. we didn't see that coming, eh?
yes sticking up for his beliefs and within the framework of what he believes he is, of course, in the right, technically *. but come on, you cannot deny me this. Nazir-Ali chats out of his backside about Islam with both fierce stupidity and awful cunning, and now, this, is, well, not a shock.. ...you remember, David Goodhart, in a recent Prospect with the Mai 68'ers feature, rightly excoriated Christopher Hitchens for his intellectual absolutism and lack of interest in progressive incrementalism that makes a genuine difference to people (there again, of course when not writing good science, the function of Dawkins clearly is to write bad atheism, and that's not going to change anytime soon, so Hitch's failings can be balanced against his pugnacious prose which at least remains enjoyable - which is more than can be said for David Goodhart's immigration essay)
* or is he? he could always go, argue his corner, and yes a very blatant point this, but it must be one he's thought of and discounted, his 'red line', which incidentally, is a concept (a term devalued by frequent usage from the likes of Tony Blair or, oh i don't know, Ben Bradshaw, as, say, Robin Carmody might remind us) that has been missing - in some commentary - from certain of the entirely accurate accounts about some of David Davis' regrettable views, no?
also socially liberal people of faith that know about theology, i am sure, could debate with Nazir-Ali until the cows come home and ferociously be able to impress upon him that they are in the right and his views are in fact wrong. though what i know about Christian theology is nothing.
but the fact remains that for all the above window-dressing, Nazir-Ali, in siding with the other conservatives, is getting a theological fig-leaf for bigotry (or, at the very least, opposition to progress), and what makes him so different from the folk across the pond who are also in his church and did go against him with their bold moves.
so give over Nazir-Ali, and your mate in the Telegraph, that bloke whose name escapes me who sometimes writes the most shabby, insulting, witless guff about Islam in some Sunday editions. (though i have not seen one of his bylines for a long time, well over a year IIRC.)
speaking of Hitch, the lovely J-Clo had a little piece up recently on Hitch's far-from-world-beating, tossed-off (Morley writing in the London Telegraph his short gig reviews, as one would say to SR) Slate article about wine in a restaurant. and whilst there are very amusing points put forth (and usage of "margrave") in the piece here, i remain at a loss. (there again, jane is busy engaging with SFJ at a high level, and the merit of sugarhigh! is always everything isn't it, the essays and the asides, all of it.)
simply put, if the cod-psychology (or whatever i should call it) is meant unironically and plainly and, just so as at face-value, then, well..
Saturday, 21 June 2008
the utterly superb Obsolete (who i have only recently discovered, thanks to the equally utterly superb The gaping silence, they being a mate of Pearsall AFAIK, Pears? anyway) writes a sane antidote to tabloid hysteria over the Abu Qatada case here.
Obsolete has also recently written on the govt's former respect chief Louise Casey, which nails what to me seem banged-on points, as whenever you saw Casey back in the day, there was an air of inflexibility about her, it always seemed.
it must be said as we all know that Manchester city council (when not dreaming up tinpot schemes regarding a 'Thaitown' on her northside, similar to her centrally located - small but perfectly formed - Chinatown, or failing to get big screens for sporting events working, or going after office smokers with commendable zeal) hands out ASBOs a bit like Dunkin Donuts selling you a hazelnut coffee and morning bagel
i.e.
cheaply and frequently (albeit not usually in Spanish)
Obsolete has also recently written on the govt's former respect chief Louise Casey, which nails what to me seem banged-on points, as whenever you saw Casey back in the day, there was an air of inflexibility about her, it always seemed.
it must be said as we all know that Manchester city council (when not dreaming up tinpot schemes regarding a 'Thaitown' on her northside, similar to her centrally located - small but perfectly formed - Chinatown, or failing to get big screens for sporting events working, or going after office smokers with commendable zeal) hands out ASBOs a bit like Dunkin Donuts selling you a hazelnut coffee and morning bagel
i.e.
cheaply and frequently (albeit not usually in Spanish)
Friday, 20 June 2008
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
really enjoyed Mentasms on the Irish vote - "Joe-Higgins’ dogged workerism"
Derek feeling - includes, brilliantly, Ninjaman
very happy to read Geeta - Bubble.. (bubble bubble bubble under and over always and over and always)
Derek feeling - includes, brilliantly, Ninjaman
very happy to read Geeta - Bubble.. (bubble bubble bubble under and over always and over and always)
Monday, 16 June 2008
Thursday, 12 June 2008
as i write today, this is from the previous edition of The Zimbabwean (last week to yesterday), but, another instalment of their heroes and villains
Heroes:
1. Shepherd Jani - MDC Senatorial candidate for Murehwa - abducted and murdered
2. Taurai Matanda - shot dead by soldiers at Murambinda growth point, Manicaland
3. 78 year old grandmother, 13 year old brother, plus mother and other relatives of MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa. Savagely beaten for 2 hours by armed soldiers in Gutu
4. Mabel Penisara - wife of election campaign manager for MDC MP Ian Kay. Abducted and tortured, left for dead by a roadside.
Villains:
1. Mashava - ZPF Murehwa district Vice chairperson - threatened to kill children of MDC officials
2. Colonel Chineta - alleged to have been involved in the murder of Jani
3. Matemachani - war vet - known for his violence, he is now attacking people in Triangle again
4. Sidney Somai - CIO Marondera - jumped out of vehicle and attacked MDC district chairman Potifa Bakaaiman with a rifle butt and then abducted him
5. Colonel Morgan Mzilikazi - led attack on Murambinda growth point, to 'flush out' MDC supporters - leaving one dead, 31 hospitalised
6. Major General Engelbert Rugejo - responsible for the attack on Nelson Chamisa's family
7. Ignatius Chombo - local government minister who has illegally appointed commissions to run towns, ignoring the council elections, predominantly won by the MDC
8. Grace Mugabe - for saying that Mugabe will never step down for Tsvangirai, even if he loses the election.
+
Robin writes to Auntie
Heroes:
1. Shepherd Jani - MDC Senatorial candidate for Murehwa - abducted and murdered
2. Taurai Matanda - shot dead by soldiers at Murambinda growth point, Manicaland
3. 78 year old grandmother, 13 year old brother, plus mother and other relatives of MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa. Savagely beaten for 2 hours by armed soldiers in Gutu
4. Mabel Penisara - wife of election campaign manager for MDC MP Ian Kay. Abducted and tortured, left for dead by a roadside.
Villains:
1. Mashava - ZPF Murehwa district Vice chairperson - threatened to kill children of MDC officials
2. Colonel Chineta - alleged to have been involved in the murder of Jani
3. Matemachani - war vet - known for his violence, he is now attacking people in Triangle again
4. Sidney Somai - CIO Marondera - jumped out of vehicle and attacked MDC district chairman Potifa Bakaaiman with a rifle butt and then abducted him
5. Colonel Morgan Mzilikazi - led attack on Murambinda growth point, to 'flush out' MDC supporters - leaving one dead, 31 hospitalised
6. Major General Engelbert Rugejo - responsible for the attack on Nelson Chamisa's family
7. Ignatius Chombo - local government minister who has illegally appointed commissions to run towns, ignoring the council elections, predominantly won by the MDC
8. Grace Mugabe - for saying that Mugabe will never step down for Tsvangirai, even if he loses the election.
+
Robin writes to Auntie
the cricket.
the rugby.
boxing.
watching boxing in a pub.
tennis.
football.
stabbing at things.
like foreheads, and leaving a long scar that runs from your right-hand ear - more or less - across the plate of your forehead, all the way to the other side.
arguments about silly things in the backs of cabs that are soon forgotten.
running.
both away and for sport.
some long-distance running. and some middle-distance.
and lots of people 'fun' running, to raise capital for good causes. this is how it goes.
lying to the police. (but our conscience is clear. i think. let me chew it over.)
refusing to help that woman out with loose change.
two boys in prison and another, not. but two were. asking for it, really.
stretched out. alone. shudder to a halt, eventually.
buy some cigarettes and a paper.
leaf through the paper in a frazzled, hormonal hurry.
dicing up food. nutrients.
returning to the same place because their food is just so.
thinking the angles when you are the person the approach is made to. before wanting to get on a train, or a bus, or a coach. and leaving. but not for good. although for a very long time, in all likelihood.
a very long time.
maybe not wanting. but needing. never the less. nonetheless.
ecclesiastical history that was unknown.
a pint.
oh, just a pint.
go on, then. stay for more.
but that has to be it.
(and is, perhaps surprisingly.)
doing the rounds.
and making farewells.
the rugby.
boxing.
watching boxing in a pub.
tennis.
football.
stabbing at things.
like foreheads, and leaving a long scar that runs from your right-hand ear - more or less - across the plate of your forehead, all the way to the other side.
arguments about silly things in the backs of cabs that are soon forgotten.
running.
both away and for sport.
some long-distance running. and some middle-distance.
and lots of people 'fun' running, to raise capital for good causes. this is how it goes.
lying to the police. (but our conscience is clear. i think. let me chew it over.)
refusing to help that woman out with loose change.
two boys in prison and another, not. but two were. asking for it, really.
stretched out. alone. shudder to a halt, eventually.
buy some cigarettes and a paper.
leaf through the paper in a frazzled, hormonal hurry.
dicing up food. nutrients.
returning to the same place because their food is just so.
thinking the angles when you are the person the approach is made to. before wanting to get on a train, or a bus, or a coach. and leaving. but not for good. although for a very long time, in all likelihood.
a very long time.
maybe not wanting. but needing. never the less. nonetheless.
ecclesiastical history that was unknown.
a pint.
oh, just a pint.
go on, then. stay for more.
but that has to be it.
(and is, perhaps surprisingly.)
doing the rounds.
and making farewells.
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Damning evidence indeed – most of Christian Europe was probably 'Islamist' by this standard.
MAH book review (this is a .pdf link)
MAH book review (this is a .pdf link)
Friday, 23 May 2008
monstrous, monstrous Rainbow Nation, bleeding colours everywhere
RSA xenophobic mobs and murders (at least 42 killings thus far): 'Why the police blew it'.
meanwhile, here's a claim.
"We don't know the exact number of shops looted and burnt, but it's a lot," said Billy Jones, senior superintendent with the Western Cape provincial police.
He added that a Somali died but it was unclear whether this was linked to the attacks...Authorities said a Malawian man was shot in Durban overnight and three other foreigners were stabbed in North West Province.
RSA xenophobic mobs and murders (at least 42 killings thus far): 'Why the police blew it'.
meanwhile, here's a claim.
He added that a Somali died but it was unclear whether this was linked to the attacks...Authorities said a Malawian man was shot in Durban overnight and three other foreigners were stabbed in North West Province.
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
"DEMOCRACY AT ITS PEAK IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA"- just as it is natural in politics, the big leaders depend on other factors besides establishment and popularity, such as obedience, charisma and efficiency.
Friday, 16 May 2008
i've been whistling Lex's 'Fourteen Days' and the sax line from 'Show em whatcha got' all morning- have only discovered today that in the latter tune PE are sampling 'Darkest Light' by Long Island outfit the Lafayette Afro Rock Band, who - although it seems there is a fair amount of information from informed types about - i had, no, never heard of.
oh dear.
they gigged a lot in Paris, apparently, in the Barbès area.
oh dear.
they gigged a lot in Paris, apparently, in the Barbès area.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Monday, 12 May 2008
from The Zimbabwean paper, vol. 4, no.18, dated last Thursday, 8th-14th May, is the following piece, Heroes and villains - let's name them, where SW Radio Africa has started a list of Zim heroes and villains
Heroes:
1. MDC Councillor Rusere for Sadza, Wedza - died from injuries sustained in the rural violence. She had fled to MDC offices Harare but was one of those arrested in the raid on the offices and detained. Police ignored the court order to provide access to medical treatment.
2. Tabitha Marume, Rusape - Marume was part of a group of MDC activists who went to a torture camp at Manonga School, demanding the release of colleagues who had been abducted by soldiers. She was shot and killed.
3. 10,000 villagers in Makoni West who attended Marume's funeral in defiance of the ZPF violence. They sang songs of defiance, declaring violence will not stop them supporting MDC.
Villains:
1. Jabulani Sibanda - allegedly axed an MDC supporter in the head.
2. Emmerson Mnangagwa - in charge of the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) that oversees the violence campaign.
3. Gideon Gono - economic advisor to JOC. It costs money to beat and murder people.
4. Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of Small to Medium Scale Enterprises - watched as 3 ZPF men with her seriously assault Zachariah Isaac Ncube at Gababi in Ward 1 in Nkayi North.
5. Former CIO director and cabinet minister Shadreck Chipanga - led war vets in attack on headmaster at Chakumba Primary School Makoni South. Headmaster battling for life with serious injuries.
6. Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma, CIO agent employed at Zim embassy Washington, USA - MDC allege he murdered Tabitha Marume.
7. Thabo Mbeki - as chair of the UN Security Council he blocked UN action over the Zimbabwe crisis - along with help from China, Russia and Vietnam.
Heroes:
1. MDC Councillor Rusere for Sadza, Wedza - died from injuries sustained in the rural violence. She had fled to MDC offices Harare but was one of those arrested in the raid on the offices and detained. Police ignored the court order to provide access to medical treatment.
2. Tabitha Marume, Rusape - Marume was part of a group of MDC activists who went to a torture camp at Manonga School, demanding the release of colleagues who had been abducted by soldiers. She was shot and killed.
3. 10,000 villagers in Makoni West who attended Marume's funeral in defiance of the ZPF violence. They sang songs of defiance, declaring violence will not stop them supporting MDC.
Villains:
1. Jabulani Sibanda - allegedly axed an MDC supporter in the head.
2. Emmerson Mnangagwa - in charge of the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) that oversees the violence campaign.
3. Gideon Gono - economic advisor to JOC. It costs money to beat and murder people.
4. Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of Small to Medium Scale Enterprises - watched as 3 ZPF men with her seriously assault Zachariah Isaac Ncube at Gababi in Ward 1 in Nkayi North.
5. Former CIO director and cabinet minister Shadreck Chipanga - led war vets in attack on headmaster at Chakumba Primary School Makoni South. Headmaster battling for life with serious injuries.
6. Daniel Romeo Mutsunguma, CIO agent employed at Zim embassy Washington, USA - MDC allege he murdered Tabitha Marume.
7. Thabo Mbeki - as chair of the UN Security Council he blocked UN action over the Zimbabwe crisis - along with help from China, Russia and Vietnam.
Friday, 9 May 2008
1. cruel, illogical, stupid: a catch-22 type for 55 south Asian medical workers in Saudi, currently unable to return home and with no income.
"This week, despite the risk of arrest, they protested at a local police station because they have run out of money to buy food."
(my italics)
2. Spanish journalists weren't allowed in to cover the election in Equatorial Guinea but everybody knows about this appallingly bone-headed manoeuvre- does Obiang's niece think tree bark can combat the AIDS virus?
the official govt site is pretty.
look at how those images change at the top!
3. Ciara Leeming on dealing w' Travellers in Stockport
"This week, despite the risk of arrest, they protested at a local police station because they have run out of money to buy food."
(my italics)
2. Spanish journalists weren't allowed in to cover the election in Equatorial Guinea but everybody knows about this appallingly bone-headed manoeuvre- does Obiang's niece think tree bark can combat the AIDS virus?
the official govt site is pretty.
look at how those images change at the top!
3. Ciara Leeming on dealing w' Travellers in Stockport
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Saturday, 3 May 2008
it speaks clear-eyed volumes about the Manchester Evening News (the main newspaper of that city) that it is expending far more energy on opposing Thaksin Shinawatra's (incredibly stupid) decision to force out Sven-Goran Eriksson from the City football club where he is manager, than it did in ever opposing Shinawatra's takeover of the club; Shinawatra and his family are owners.
when Shinawatra and his children were sniffing around City last year the only people who appeared to be showing any hostility to the deal were a small minority of seeming anoraks: rights groups, writers with the fanzines of both City and United publications (my favourite City 'zine is the irreverent King of the Kippax; my favourite United 'zine is United We Stand, which often boasts superb cover art and internal design), and the odd pro journalist (most notably, David Conn, himself a City supporter).
now the MEN are all over Shinawatra, a bit like a dogged tax investigator.
it is worth noting that the MEN is part of the Guardian Media Group: a sister newspaper to the Guardian (née the Manchester Guardian).
ETA: a good friend of mine pointed out to me the other day that Dr Thaksin hasn't said anything explicit about Sven: media smoke and mirrors is playing its usual game of speculation re certain clues/suggestions/hints etc.
e.g. there are journos that understand Sven has been told he will be sacked but there's nothing in the public domain. nothing yet, anyway.. ...so maybe the Swedish lothario will remain at City into the next season. (but don't bank on it.)
full and respectful somedisco apologies to Thaksin Shinawatra and his team on this one.
(ahem..)
when Shinawatra and his children were sniffing around City last year the only people who appeared to be showing any hostility to the deal were a small minority of seeming anoraks: rights groups, writers with the fanzines of both City and United publications (my favourite City 'zine is the irreverent King of the Kippax; my favourite United 'zine is United We Stand, which often boasts superb cover art and internal design), and the odd pro journalist (most notably, David Conn, himself a City supporter).
now the MEN are all over Shinawatra, a bit like a dogged tax investigator.
it is worth noting that the MEN is part of the Guardian Media Group: a sister newspaper to the Guardian (née the Manchester Guardian).
ETA: a good friend of mine pointed out to me the other day that Dr Thaksin hasn't said anything explicit about Sven: media smoke and mirrors is playing its usual game of speculation re certain clues/suggestions/hints etc.
e.g. there are journos that understand Sven has been told he will be sacked but there's nothing in the public domain. nothing yet, anyway.. ...so maybe the Swedish lothario will remain at City into the next season. (but don't bank on it.)
full and respectful somedisco apologies to Thaksin Shinawatra and his team on this one.
(ahem..)
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
couple good number crunching in the current Eye, reproduced below
£82m value of Stagecoach shares transferred by founders Brian Souter and Ann Gloag to family trusts to beat changes in capital gains tax
£61m Approximate cost of four new Pendolino trains which Virgin Trains (half owned by Stagecoach) isn't buying for crowded west-coast mainline services
£3m start-up subsidy Souter demanded for a hovercraft shuttle across the Forth, now on hold until taxpayers cough up
£500,000 Souter's pre-election donation to the SNP, which suddenly dropped its policy of regulating Stagecoach and other bus services *
+
5,000 jobs lost in manufacturing in three months last year, which CBI described as "very welcome revival"
10,000 jobs predicted to be lost in financial sector in next three months, which CBI describes as "very serious crisis"
* if it's good enough for the lovely Taylor Parkes in an edition of When Saturday Comes, then it's good enough for me, which is to make the obligatory observation re Souter's past opposition to repealing Section 28
£82m value of Stagecoach shares transferred by founders Brian Souter and Ann Gloag to family trusts to beat changes in capital gains tax
£61m Approximate cost of four new Pendolino trains which Virgin Trains (half owned by Stagecoach) isn't buying for crowded west-coast mainline services
£3m start-up subsidy Souter demanded for a hovercraft shuttle across the Forth, now on hold until taxpayers cough up
£500,000 Souter's pre-election donation to the SNP, which suddenly dropped its policy of regulating Stagecoach and other bus services *
+
5,000 jobs lost in manufacturing in three months last year, which CBI described as "very welcome revival"
10,000 jobs predicted to be lost in financial sector in next three months, which CBI describes as "very serious crisis"
* if it's good enough for the lovely Taylor Parkes in an edition of When Saturday Comes, then it's good enough for me, which is to make the obligatory observation re Souter's past opposition to repealing Section 28
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Drink-soaked Trots on Somerset business-man Mike Dolan: shafts his workers and then, quite disgracefully, tries to blame their union
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
UK politics: why is Geoff Hoon a Chief Whip? that's a reward.
to paraphrase C Hitchens, someone like Hoon should be out in the street selling pencils from a paper cup, hollering
you can say he's a member of a progressive (now, i know that could provoke debate..) party in an established, plural, peaceful democracy, which is all well and good, but when he was at the MoD alone, that should have been enough to send him to Coventry.
meanwhile, the Guardian has a list of the 39 members of parliament rightly signed up to Frank Field's rebellion.
big up
to paraphrase C Hitchens, someone like Hoon should be out in the street selling pencils from a paper cup, hollering
you can say he's a member of a progressive (now, i know that could provoke debate..) party in an established, plural, peaceful democracy, which is all well and good, but when he was at the MoD alone, that should have been enough to send him to Coventry.
meanwhile, the Guardian has a list of the 39 members of parliament rightly signed up to Frank Field's rebellion.
big up
Monday, 21 April 2008
and rank, miserable, tragic news - as the UN food envoy makes compelling claims - twenty people drown off the Bahamas (nineteen of them Haitian nationals, the other victim being Honduran)
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Jeff Weintraub has a very good post up responding to recent remarks on American immigration reform made by an aspirant to the Senate from Colorado.
you can read it here
you can read it here
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Philip S on the Beta Lounge
Derek: new build music
jane on MJ and Dubai
Han Bing walks the cabbage
Matt Y with some Turkish rap
S/FJ brings the wonderful Erykah
i currently rinse this YouTube {not having an American Express: Red} [it's The Way I Are; i was dancing to it in Dublin last week and got nostalgic, i guess]
(and this- Wayne launches a new feature and Arsene and Jose Clash..)
concrete, Simon Fraser (from here)
FACT's Sinden on Rye Rye
SCAVENGER HUNT
Tim on Hungarian stereotypes
[sorta related- the Economist with their own theory on the Hungarian language]
pigs in Bath
Owen, immense, on the functionally fantastic in Hertfordshire, and portals
Derek: new build music
jane on MJ and Dubai
Han Bing walks the cabbage
Matt Y with some Turkish rap
S/FJ brings the wonderful Erykah
i currently rinse this YouTube {not having an American Express: Red} [it's The Way I Are; i was dancing to it in Dublin last week and got nostalgic, i guess]
(and this- Wayne launches a new feature and Arsene and Jose Clash..)
concrete, Simon Fraser (from here)
FACT's Sinden on Rye Rye
SCAVENGER HUNT
Tim on Hungarian stereotypes
[sorta related- the Economist with their own theory on the Hungarian language]
pigs in Bath
Owen, immense, on the functionally fantastic in Hertfordshire, and portals
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Monday, 3 March 2008
as this is clearly fair
And that the nightmare scenario didn’t play out is, it seems to me, beside the point: the embargo enabled its potential, and that’s what matters here, as far as the right-call-or-not question is concerned.
mea culpa for all the inconsequential, masturbatory pissing-in-the-wind..
...ANYWAY, more importantly, Please be vivid
And that the nightmare scenario didn’t play out is, it seems to me, beside the point: the embargo enabled its potential, and that’s what matters here, as far as the right-call-or-not question is concerned.
mea culpa for all the inconsequential, masturbatory pissing-in-the-wind..
...ANYWAY, more importantly, Please be vivid
this, on the other hand, is not (or, rather: it doesn't seem it to me).
i am rather late in learning this, eh..
i am rather late in learning this, eh..
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008
whilst, for something slightly different- the Spectator criticised both Darling and Osborne on the subject of non-doms last week
Sunday, 24 February 2008
'In Putin's Russia, there's only room for one party'
"It may sound sacrilegious, but I would propose to suspend all this election business for the time being, at least for managerial positions."
[...]Today, authority flows from the Kremlin to a regional governor appointed by Putin, who abolished the election of governors in Russia in 2004.
[...]"If you don't vote for United Russia, it will be very bad," a worker named Aleksandr recalled, characterizing the pressure on the rank and file.
(that second sentence from the report i quote brought to mind a certain piece in the Independent from last spring)
[...]Today, authority flows from the Kremlin to a regional governor appointed by Putin, who abolished the election of governors in Russia in 2004.
[...]"If you don't vote for United Russia, it will be very bad," a worker named Aleksandr recalled, characterizing the pressure on the rank and file.
(that second sentence from the report i quote brought to mind a certain piece in the Independent from last spring)
Friday, 22 February 2008
on Tuesday Gérard Prunier was, as usual, worth reading
there's some choice links to other articles there, too
The fighting occurred just as the African Union (AU) was meeting in Addis-Ababa and the AU was unanimous in condemning the attack. For once there was no split along Francophone / Anglophone lines as is often the case with the African organisation; and chairman Jakaya Kikwete said that if the rebels took power in Ndjamena, they would be "excommunicated"..
Sudanese defence minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein was so upset that on 6 February he broke down and cried in public during a government function. The Americans remained completely silent; there are reports that off the record Condoleezza Rice said that the matter should be left to the French "who know how to handle this kind of thing".
In fact Washington was probably relieved not to have to face the contradictions of its Sudanese policy..
Idriss Déby is hanging to power by the skin of his teeth but he is likely to hang on only as long as Paris and Brussels continue to support him under some kind of a pseudo-humanitarian face-saving dispensation. But saving face might be a bit difficult because as soon as the rebels attacked, Idriss Déby reverted to his usual dictatorial behaviour and had all the key civilian opponents (Lol Mahamat Choua, Ibn Oumar Mahamat Saleh, Abd-el-Kader Kamougué, Ngarjely Yorongar) arrested and detained incognito in military jails. Their lives are definitely in danger at the time of writing.
and
thank you Moqtada al-Sadr.
thank you.
(sincere cease-fire thanks do not equate with general endorsement.)
Roth was to have presented the report at a press conference in Moscow. However, the Foreign Ministry, aware of the plans, cited a changing array of technical reasons to refuse him a visa.
"It's clear this was politically motivated. We are observing a change in the political regime in Russia from authoritarianism to totalitarianism. What happened here is one example among many," Maxim Reznik, leader of St Petersburg's opposition Yabloko party told the Guardian.
He added: "This hasn't got anything to do with fire risk. The university was carrying out important work in connection with election monitoring. Now it's being punished for it."
-
We would be very surprised if [the evidence] did not shock the nation.
Some alleged survivors of the gun battle near the southern Iraqi town of Majar al-Kabir also claim corpses were mutilated by UK military personnel.
"For example, quite how so many of the Iraqis sustained single gunshots to the head and from seemingly at close quarter, how did two of them end with their eyes gouged out, how did one have his penis cut off [and] some have torture wounds?"
Mr Shiner acknowledged that the bulk of the evidence relied on the five men's interpretation of what they heard while blindfolded and that no post-mortem examinations had been carried out on the bodies of the 20 dead.
But he said he believed his clients were telling the truth.
"It may be that none of this happened," he said. "We need a public inquiry to establish the facts."
there's some choice links to other articles there, too
Sudanese defence minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein was so upset that on 6 February he broke down and cried in public during a government function. The Americans remained completely silent; there are reports that off the record Condoleezza Rice said that the matter should be left to the French "who know how to handle this kind of thing".
In fact Washington was probably relieved not to have to face the contradictions of its Sudanese policy..
Idriss Déby is hanging to power by the skin of his teeth but he is likely to hang on only as long as Paris and Brussels continue to support him under some kind of a pseudo-humanitarian face-saving dispensation. But saving face might be a bit difficult because as soon as the rebels attacked, Idriss Déby reverted to his usual dictatorial behaviour and had all the key civilian opponents (Lol Mahamat Choua, Ibn Oumar Mahamat Saleh, Abd-el-Kader Kamougué, Ngarjely Yorongar) arrested and detained incognito in military jails. Their lives are definitely in danger at the time of writing.
and
thank you Moqtada al-Sadr.
thank you.
(sincere cease-fire thanks do not equate with general endorsement.)
He added: "This hasn't got anything to do with fire risk. The university was carrying out important work in connection with election monitoring. Now it's being punished for it."
-
We would be very surprised if [the evidence] did not shock the nation.
But he said he believed his clients were telling the truth.
"It may be that none of this happened," he said. "We need a public inquiry to establish the facts."
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
so, with this news
A Sudanese deputy provincial governor told the BBC the fighters were heading towards the Central African Republic.
He said the activity may be linked to the split in LRA ranks following the death of deputy leader Vincent Otti.
you have - maybe - LRA militants heading toward the CAR; the deputy is Joseph Ngere Patuko, for Western Equatoria. [HRW put out a report last September, available here. they prefaced This 108-page report is based on three weeks of on-the-ground research. It documents the human rights abuses and breaches of the laws of war committed in northern CAR by both rebel groups and the government forces, and also documents attacks by banditry groups in the northwest known as zaraguinas, who often kidnap children for ransom.]
Reuters quote that
A spokesman for the LRA, which gained notoriety for mutilating victims and abducting children, dismissed the report as government propaganda.
"Those are stories cooked up by those who are against peace returning to northern Uganda, we urge them to stop such damaging talk," said LRA chief negotiator David Matsanga-Nyekorach.
we'll see. it isn't just Sudanese officials fingering the LRA.
meanwhile, an impossible situation is made brutally (and predictably) worse by a possibly hands-full and sadly impatient govt, although the govt may indeed by facing this.
what this means in the context of Françafrique i don't know.
(Bockel wanting to bury it and all; from the previous link, there is When asked earlier about the fate of three opposition members arrested in the wake of the rebel attack, Bachir said the government had only heard about this on the radio and was conducting its own judicial enquiry on Tuesday.
France, which has strongly backed Deby's government, called on Tuesday for immediate clarification of their whereabouts.)
a EUFOR/TCHAD RCA page is here.
A Sudanese deputy provincial governor told the BBC the fighters were heading towards the Central African Republic.
He said the activity may be linked to the split in LRA ranks following the death of deputy leader Vincent Otti.
you have - maybe - LRA militants heading toward the CAR; the deputy is Joseph Ngere Patuko, for Western Equatoria. [HRW put out a report last September, available here. they prefaced This 108-page report is based on three weeks of on-the-ground research. It documents the human rights abuses and breaches of the laws of war committed in northern CAR by both rebel groups and the government forces, and also documents attacks by banditry groups in the northwest known as zaraguinas, who often kidnap children for ransom.]
Reuters quote that
A spokesman for the LRA, which gained notoriety for mutilating victims and abducting children, dismissed the report as government propaganda.
"Those are stories cooked up by those who are against peace returning to northern Uganda, we urge them to stop such damaging talk," said LRA chief negotiator David Matsanga-Nyekorach.
we'll see. it isn't just Sudanese officials fingering the LRA.
meanwhile, an impossible situation is made brutally (and predictably) worse by a possibly hands-full and sadly impatient govt, although the govt may indeed by facing this.
what this means in the context of Françafrique i don't know.
(Bockel wanting to bury it and all; from the previous link, there is When asked earlier about the fate of three opposition members arrested in the wake of the rebel attack, Bachir said the government had only heard about this on the radio and was conducting its own judicial enquiry on Tuesday.
France, which has strongly backed Deby's government, called on Tuesday for immediate clarification of their whereabouts.)
a EUFOR/TCHAD RCA page is here.
Monday, 11 February 2008
Amnesty International have a report about forced evictions in Cambodia.
the news item is here, report at bottom.
the news item is here, report at bottom.
Saturday, 9 February 2008
EXT. A PHONE BOOTH, LOUISVILLE - DAY
Wigand picks up the phone and dials.
INT. THE NEW YORK RESTAURANT - DAY
They've finished lunch. Wallace and Hewitt are turned to
talk to Sam Cohn and an older writer as suddenly Lowell's
cell phone rings.
LOWELL
(answering)
Yeah...
WIGAND'S VOICE (OVER)
...you fucked me!
LOWELL
Who is this?
EXT. A PHONE BOOTH, LOUISVILLE - DAY
WIGAND
(crazed)
...protect your sources...! You screwed
me! You sold me out!
INT. THE NEW YORK RESTAURANT - DAY
LOWELL
What are you talking about? Where are
you?
EXT. THE PHONE BOOTH, LOUISVILLE - DAY
WIGAND
Fuck you, too!
And he slams down the phone.
INT. THE RESTAURANT, NEW YORK - DAY
Lowell, holding the dead phone in his hand...
Wigand picks up the phone and dials.
INT. THE NEW YORK RESTAURANT - DAY
They've finished lunch. Wallace and Hewitt are turned to
talk to Sam Cohn and an older writer as suddenly Lowell's
cell phone rings.
LOWELL
(answering)
Yeah...
WIGAND'S VOICE (OVER)
...you fucked me!
LOWELL
Who is this?
EXT. A PHONE BOOTH, LOUISVILLE - DAY
WIGAND
(crazed)
...protect your sources...! You screwed
me! You sold me out!
INT. THE NEW YORK RESTAURANT - DAY
LOWELL
What are you talking about? Where are
you?
EXT. THE PHONE BOOTH, LOUISVILLE - DAY
WIGAND
Fuck you, too!
And he slams down the phone.
INT. THE RESTAURANT, NEW YORK - DAY
Lowell, holding the dead phone in his hand...
Thursday, 7 February 2008
MSF on their recent activities in Kenya
part quote"From January 25 to 27, the towns of Nakuru and Naivasha experienced violent clashes. Hospitals in both towns were faced with an influx of wounded people needing care, with roadblocks and insecurity preventing many Ministry of Health (MoH) staff from accessing the hospital and some essential supplies running low. In Nakuru, MSF teams responded by reinforcing the hospital where 157 people needed surgical care over the course of two days and flew in essential surgical supplies by helicopter."
part quote
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Monday, 4 February 2008
another late one: Gregory Warner wrote about Afghanistan's (sadly cash-strapped) National Solidarity Program, a Very Good Thing, here
Fayrouz returns to Damascus
(this NYT article also mentions the most recent arrest of Riad Seif, which took place on January 28th; according to Seif's lawyer, Mohanad al-Hassani, Five plain-clothed security officers came to Mr. Seif's house at 7 p.m. and took him away. They identified themselves as members of the state security intelligence division)
(this NYT article also mentions the most recent arrest of Riad Seif, which took place on January 28th; according to Seif's lawyer, Mohanad al-Hassani, Five plain-clothed security officers came to Mr. Seif's house at 7 p.m. and took him away. They identified themselves as members of the state security intelligence division)
bit tardy: out for a few weeks or so, the first edition of Pathways: A Magazine on Poverty, Inequality, and Social Policy, from Stanford, is proving a top read.
of headline-grabbing interest is a fine piece from U of Mich's Rebecca Blank about the anti-poverty credentials - policy proposals and ideas &c - of the folk contesting the nominations.
it's a .pdf file here.
the three main Dems get the best reviews; each talks a good game in certain areas (it's been easy to see since last spring how the recently departed Edwards has energised this agenda, and a lot of recent sensible comment has flagged this).
not surprisingly, McCain gets the most praise from GOP candidates.
it's also good to see Blank (very politely) dismiss Ron Paul's incredibly stupid, dangerously libertarian views.
[via Lane Kenworthy's Consider the Evidence]
of headline-grabbing interest is a fine piece from U of Mich's Rebecca Blank about the anti-poverty credentials - policy proposals and ideas &c - of the folk contesting the nominations.
it's a .pdf file here.
the three main Dems get the best reviews; each talks a good game in certain areas (it's been easy to see since last spring how the recently departed Edwards has energised this agenda, and a lot of recent sensible comment has flagged this).
not surprisingly, McCain gets the most praise from GOP candidates.
it's also good to see Blank (very politely) dismiss Ron Paul's incredibly stupid, dangerously libertarian views.
[via Lane Kenworthy's Consider the Evidence]
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Somphong, a boyhood classmate of Thaksin's, is slated to become justice minister while Suraphong, a stalwart aide of the former prime minister, will probably take the finance portfolio. The two ministries are crucial in the legal cases against Thaksin and his family.
I told him we must have a sporting spirit—defeat, victory and forgiveness—and that’s all
- General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin
+
what prescience in Ndjamena sounds like on a Friday night:
"We cannot rule out anything; the rebels are well armed and equipped."
- General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin
+
what prescience in Ndjamena sounds like on a Friday night:
"We cannot rule out anything; the rebels are well armed and equipped."
Friday, 7 December 2007
no doubt another vicious slur against Chomsky, Zinn and Ali from that mendacious neo-con rag, the Guardian
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Thursday, 18 October 2007
I've returned from the meadow with a fellow named X
two turntables and a spark upon his set
wet behind the ears from the tears of my peers
rap is outta control that's what we fear
so we collapse any actual threats
with the new batch of catchy little quirks
and it works like a charm as I bomb and alarm
any listeners
coming through crisper
on your transistors
two turntables and a spark upon his set
wet behind the ears from the tears of my peers
rap is outta control that's what we fear
so we collapse any actual threats
with the new batch of catchy little quirks
and it works like a charm as I bomb and alarm
any listeners
coming through crisper
on your transistors
Saturday, 29 September 2007
i think an apology is owed to Jonathan Steele, actually, certainly for the amount of occasionally nasty commentary his article on Kosovo/a provoked. (it's trying to be fairly cautious, i think, and not exactly doing a great many of the things some of its respondents appear to think.
maybe it's me.)
i was too harsh on the USA the other day, which has been trying to help in Burma more than most, in doses, through the last decade or so and more, and although i know i am only stating the obvious (or Myanma or Bama or whatever you want me to say), i felt like stating it.
and i think Tisdall, since an editor of his, or perhaps he himself, chose to drop in a discussion of the 'blame game' to his piece, and sort of flag that up, could have looked more at this, perhaps.
there's certainly some powerful opinions from various Indians there, about her neighbour.
i also think this short Rubin article, say, or this 2000 reminder from Zimbabwe seems fair when considering a lazy Guardian leader line about making it easier for despots to target their opponents because of American crimes and misdeeds and mistakes, a line of argument that, frankly, shouldn't have got past the person with a red marker.
+
anyway, who do i think i am with these preening little asides (Hirsi Ali, Buruma, Tisdall, Steele, various talking heads).
the commentary thought police?!
it's absurd.
maybe it's me.)
i was too harsh on the USA the other day, which has been trying to help in Burma more than most, in doses, through the last decade or so and more, and although i know i am only stating the obvious (or Myanma or Bama or whatever you want me to say), i felt like stating it.
and i think Tisdall, since an editor of his, or perhaps he himself, chose to drop in a discussion of the 'blame game' to his piece, and sort of flag that up, could have looked more at this, perhaps.
there's certainly some powerful opinions from various Indians there, about her neighbour.
i also think this short Rubin article, say, or this 2000 reminder from Zimbabwe seems fair when considering a lazy Guardian leader line about making it easier for despots to target their opponents because of American crimes and misdeeds and mistakes, a line of argument that, frankly, shouldn't have got past the person with a red marker.
+
anyway, who do i think i am with these preening little asides (Hirsi Ali, Buruma, Tisdall, Steele, various talking heads).
the commentary thought police?!
it's absurd.
Thursday, 27 September 2007
CRITIQUING MYSELF
(i) contrary to an extraordinarily mean-spirited and really rather loutish aside in a provincial English newspaper recently, Kate Nash does do that Regina Spektor thing quite well, and seems to want to follow other ivorians, maybe, you know, and i saw her on the tv.
she was quite frou-frou, dressy, doing that song that you know, that relationship break-up one.
and she was wonderful.
(ii) this
"while the Trial Chamber's factual findings show that KLA soldiers systematically committed cruel treatment and torture in the camp, the Trial Chamber was not satisfied that these KLA soldiers were participants in a systemic joint criminal enterprise to commit these crimes"
Tim Judah come in please.
(iii) this
'Beinart's argument gives a pass to the tyrants in Tehran.'
though there is this
- "Certainly, the timing of the Hersh article could not have been worse.."
CRITIQUING MYSELF
the below little bit contains some awful rubbish and parlour game trash from myself, but i'm not deleting it in an act of solipsistic accountability, to remind myself if i read it again of how one should refrain from discussing sick jokes and petty shite in the real world.
well that's what i think for the below anyway, let's let the journalists get on with it.
Buruma's pop psychology on Podhoretz's body image etc is a tad offensive.
(or just plain loopy.)
(iv) good that the Guardian leader rightly attacked
this:
Britain's own investment relationship with Burma is far from clear. There was a revealing exchange between the Foreign Office and Burma Campaign UK on the junta's claim that the UK is its second largest investor. While the Foreign Office dismissed the figure as bogus, Burma Campaign UK said that Britain had allowed foreign companies to use subsidiaries in the dependent territories to invest in Burma. They are right to argue that David Miliband should now close this loophole.
they also had time for One of the consequences of the Bush era, in which regime change is an explicit aim of foreign policy, is that the US and Britain have become tainted messengers of democratic values. Efforts to undermine hostile regimes - either militarily or covertly through funding - can create real difficulties for opposition movements in those countries. It it is now all too easy for despots to brand their domestic opponents as foreign lackeys. It is an argument that echoes from Iran to Zimbabwe.
efforts can create real difficulties, true.
but
despots will tend to do that anyway.
they are despots anyway.
their domestic opponents are their domestic opponents anyway.
it's a little shame in a fairly focused editorial (on the same subject, the Guardian's London rivals the Telegraph and the Times had leaders of a slightly different stroke today, and preferable for that), discussing matters at hand, that if we are going to get into broad strokes about the US, it couldn't be acknowledged that that country has had a better record than most toward Burma in recent times, which - yes - is not saying much, you can argue. (given they, the Yanks, were trying to do things in a vacuum for much of the 1990s, without many other states assisting, they didn't get too far.)
Simon Tisdall - here - surprisingly mentions Burmese neighbours first off, in a piece about 'the blame game'. (i mean: where's Israel?)
fair cop at the end, too. 'war on terror'. etc. undermining the rule of law.
but you know what?
this from Geras, is shorter, and better.
(oh. but he doesn't mention the USA. neocon hubris.)
(v) five rushed, angry points.
(vi) rugby; i prefer Tests to one-dayers, i must say.
actually, i don't know.
i think i prefer watching them.
maybe.
jove, this rugby world cup has been SOME fun.
(vii) two NYRB articles on trafficking and Buruma doesn't like Podhoretz (no link, but it was in the most recent-less-one issue). at all!
look at that cartoon.
you wouldn't mess with that guy!
the Irishman in 'Withnail & I'.
i liked "Dogmatism also leads to errors of judgment, for example when she recommends backing the Turkish military against the democratically elected Turkish government, just because it is led by an Islamic party".
i didn't know that about Hirsi Ali.
oh dear.
Buruma and TGA got in a spot of bother over Hirsi Ali and i can't remember what it was about exactly but - be fair to them - they were in the right*.
CRITIQUING MYSELF
(viii) i've been seeing a shrink for about a year. (this ain't a joke; i mean, i'm being serious.)
it's good, i'm finally getting there, and getting well.
not that i know what i'm doing.
(save this navel-gazing need to spew pompous and careless opinions about as if to nail out who i am, where i stand.)
i am going to go a wandering soon.
but.
anyway.
let what i said above about Kate Nash stand.
that is there.
entirely.
that stays.
go.
now.
* iirc
(i) contrary to an extraordinarily mean-spirited and really rather loutish aside in a provincial English newspaper recently, Kate Nash does do that Regina Spektor thing quite well, and seems to want to follow other ivorians, maybe, you know, and i saw her on the tv.
she was quite frou-frou, dressy, doing that song that you know, that relationship break-up one.
and she was wonderful.
(ii) this
"while the Trial Chamber's factual findings show that KLA soldiers systematically committed cruel treatment and torture in the camp, the Trial Chamber was not satisfied that these KLA soldiers were participants in a systemic joint criminal enterprise to commit these crimes"
Tim Judah come in please.
(iii) this
'Beinart's argument gives a pass to the tyrants in Tehran.'
though there is this
- "Certainly, the timing of the Hersh article could not have been worse.."
CRITIQUING MYSELF
the below little bit contains some awful rubbish and parlour game trash from myself, but i'm not deleting it in an act of solipsistic accountability, to remind myself if i read it again of how one should refrain from discussing sick jokes and petty shite in the real world.
well that's what i think for the below anyway, let's let the journalists get on with it.
Buruma's pop psychology on Podhoretz's body image etc is a tad offensive.
(or just plain loopy.)
(iv) good that the Guardian leader rightly attacked
this:
Britain's own investment relationship with Burma is far from clear. There was a revealing exchange between the Foreign Office and Burma Campaign UK on the junta's claim that the UK is its second largest investor. While the Foreign Office dismissed the figure as bogus, Burma Campaign UK said that Britain had allowed foreign companies to use subsidiaries in the dependent territories to invest in Burma. They are right to argue that David Miliband should now close this loophole.
they also had time for One of the consequences of the Bush era, in which regime change is an explicit aim of foreign policy, is that the US and Britain have become tainted messengers of democratic values. Efforts to undermine hostile regimes - either militarily or covertly through funding - can create real difficulties for opposition movements in those countries. It it is now all too easy for despots to brand their domestic opponents as foreign lackeys. It is an argument that echoes from Iran to Zimbabwe.
efforts can create real difficulties, true.
but
despots will tend to do that anyway.
they are despots anyway.
their domestic opponents are their domestic opponents anyway.
it's a little shame in a fairly focused editorial (on the same subject, the Guardian's London rivals the Telegraph and the Times had leaders of a slightly different stroke today, and preferable for that), discussing matters at hand, that if we are going to get into broad strokes about the US, it couldn't be acknowledged that that country has had a better record than most toward Burma in recent times, which - yes - is not saying much, you can argue. (given they, the Yanks, were trying to do things in a vacuum for much of the 1990s, without many other states assisting, they didn't get too far.)
Simon Tisdall - here - surprisingly mentions Burmese neighbours first off, in a piece about 'the blame game'. (i mean: where's Israel?)
fair cop at the end, too. 'war on terror'. etc. undermining the rule of law.
but you know what?
this from Geras, is shorter, and better.
(oh. but he doesn't mention the USA. neocon hubris.)
(v) five rushed, angry points.
(vi) rugby; i prefer Tests to one-dayers, i must say.
actually, i don't know.
i think i prefer watching them.
maybe.
jove, this rugby world cup has been SOME fun.
(vii) two NYRB articles on trafficking and Buruma doesn't like Podhoretz (no link, but it was in the most recent-less-one issue). at all!
look at that cartoon.
you wouldn't mess with that guy!
the Irishman in 'Withnail & I'.
i liked "Dogmatism also leads to errors of judgment, for example when she recommends backing the Turkish military against the democratically elected Turkish government, just because it is led by an Islamic party".
i didn't know that about Hirsi Ali.
oh dear.
Buruma and TGA got in a spot of bother over Hirsi Ali and i can't remember what it was about exactly but - be fair to them - they were in the right*.
CRITIQUING MYSELF
(viii) i've been seeing a shrink for about a year. (this ain't a joke; i mean, i'm being serious.)
it's good, i'm finally getting there, and getting well.
not that i know what i'm doing.
(save this navel-gazing need to spew pompous and careless opinions about as if to nail out who i am, where i stand.)
i am going to go a wandering soon.
but.
anyway.
let what i said above about Kate Nash stand.
that is there.
entirely.
that stays.
go.
now.
* iirc
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
redux
if i could just find a dateline Kigali, late May '94 post from Mr Steele, that started "The genocide, the major blight on the CDR record, is almost over."
[(awful) joke, sic, to make a 'point'.]
but, yunno?
brushed aside in a second, when he appropriately excoriates other situations that are the making of other countries and organisations and people, it's, well.
beats me.
economic fairness in Thailand as long as you're not a Laotian or Burmese national, or a drugs injector, or.. (the unique motor of democratic progress line is addressed to a strawman, no?)
i'm sorry. er, really. i thought of this pie-eyed need to rant this morning whilst listening to John Humphrys drone on, on Radio 4's Today programme.
much like Steele, Humphryschats lazy, simplistic garbage about Afghanistan is too a venerable Brit journo.
if i could just find a dateline Kigali, late May '94 post from Mr Steele, that started "The genocide, the major blight on the CDR record, is almost over."
[(awful) joke, sic, to make a 'point'.]
but, yunno?
brushed aside in a second, when he appropriately excoriates other situations that are the making of other countries and organisations and people, it's, well.
beats me.
economic fairness in Thailand as long as you're not a Laotian or Burmese national, or a drugs injector, or.. (the unique motor of democratic progress line is addressed to a strawman, no?)
i'm sorry. er, really. i thought of this pie-eyed need to rant this morning whilst listening to John Humphrys drone on, on Radio 4's Today programme.
much like Steele, Humphrys
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
a deadly serious UK govt elision
what is, most likely, a lie, and a disgusting one at that, given the despicable topic of conversation- "The government says its position was backed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)."
what is, most likely, the truth- However the ICRC says this has never been discussed with them by Britain.
'Simon Conway, director of Landmine Action, says if this was a cluster bomb last November, then it still is.
Neither of the government's points are internationally accepted definitions that would exclude this rocket from a ban.'
elsewhere, Jonathan Steele has this piece in today's Guardian that i want to (very briefly) comment on.
i'm glad he got in
The "smash the bourgeoisie" ideology Putin grew up with was extreme, but today's political opposite, the picture of the middle class as unique motor of democratic progress, is equally simplistic.
he does continue
Take Chile, or more recently Venezuela and Thailand, as three cases of bourgeois backing for military coups against democracy and economic fairness.
i like that he likes Thaksin Shinawatra's laudable health-care provision (democracies are sometimes able to provide pretty decent health-care) and all that, but the likes of Shinawatra and Chavez have a few skeletons in the cupboard and it's a little troubling to say the least that Steele felt good enough about his thesis (one assumes.. ...ass out of you and me, and all that..) to drop these examples in, given that the skeletons in the cupboard should really be about enough to dissuade one from lauding these two men (whilst, naturally, condemning without condition the military coups against them, whether successfully attempted or not).
the short aside
The second Chechen war, the major blight on Putin's record, is almost over.
is a bit relaxed, innit?!
hmm.
that wily Yeltsin.
the bottom line with Steele (noted here before, but clear-eyed reportage from Pristina is a reason to laud him, among other things) is that his analysis here is fairly detached and cool, perhaps a little more detached than the subject deserves.
but hey.
+
* what is bandwidth? it's something to do with your internets, eh. it's not a pr0no ref. i know that.
what is, most likely, a lie, and a disgusting one at that, given the despicable topic of conversation- "The government says its position was backed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)."
what is, most likely, the truth- However the ICRC says this has never been discussed with them by Britain.
Neither of the government's points are internationally accepted definitions that would exclude this rocket from a ban.'
elsewhere, Jonathan Steele has this piece in today's Guardian that i want to (very briefly) comment on.
i'm glad he got in
The "smash the bourgeoisie" ideology Putin grew up with was extreme, but today's political opposite, the picture of the middle class as unique motor of democratic progress, is equally simplistic.
he does continue
Take Chile, or more recently Venezuela and Thailand, as three cases of bourgeois backing for military coups against democracy and economic fairness.
i like that he likes Thaksin Shinawatra's laudable health-care provision (democracies are sometimes able to provide pretty decent health-care) and all that, but the likes of Shinawatra and Chavez have a few skeletons in the cupboard and it's a little troubling to say the least that Steele felt good enough about his thesis (one assumes.. ...ass out of you and me, and all that..) to drop these examples in, given that the skeletons in the cupboard should really be about enough to dissuade one from lauding these two men (whilst, naturally, condemning without condition the military coups against them, whether successfully attempted or not).
the short aside
The second Chechen war, the major blight on Putin's record, is almost over.
is a bit relaxed, innit?!
hmm.
that wily Yeltsin.
the bottom line with Steele (noted here before, but clear-eyed reportage from Pristina is a reason to laud him, among other things) is that his analysis here is fairly detached and cool, perhaps a little more detached than the subject deserves.
but hey.
+
* what is bandwidth? it's something to do with your internets, eh. it's not a pr0no ref. i know that.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
They don't support Saddam. They don't support his foes. They have no policy to offer.
-Nick Cohen.
mummy what's a new statesman?
-Nick Cohen.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
it is far beyond me to describe how deeply i am in love with Channel 4 (UK)'s advertisement for its film arm season of 'new Hollywood'.
(the fact that Michael Mann's Heat, The Shield and the updated edition of 'City of Quartz' have been three of my key touchstones all year - and they are not competing claims - possibly helps.
the nearest i've even been to LA is the Bay Area.)
+
don't ask me quite how the text of this email came to me (i'm still unsure myself), but, read on, dear heart, read on
from A <_____@__.by> hide details 09:20 (1 minute ago)
to
____ <____@__.ve>
date 01-Aug-2007 9:20
subject Fraternal greetings; Against the idlers, a Plea
mailed-by ____@__.by
H,
I know you gave me a lot last month but we need some more.
PLEASE.
V's up to his uncomradely tricks again. (Only issue 'those fuckers' and I agree on!)
Thing is, I admit I made LOTS selling MY utility to HIS utility, but that pot's all dry.
(Don't ask, brother.)
Fraternally, A.
(the fact that Michael Mann's Heat, The Shield and the updated edition of 'City of Quartz' have been three of my key touchstones all year - and they are not competing claims - possibly helps.
the nearest i've even been to LA is the Bay Area.)
+
don't ask me quite how the text of this email came to me (i'm still unsure myself), but, read on, dear heart, read on
from A <_____@__.by> hide details 09:20 (1 minute ago)
to
____ <____@__.ve>
date 01-Aug-2007 9:20
subject Fraternal greetings; Against the idlers, a Plea
mailed-by ____@__.by
H,
I know you gave me a lot last month but we need some more.
PLEASE.
V's up to his uncomradely tricks again. (Only issue 'those fuckers' and I agree on!)
Thing is, I admit I made LOTS selling MY utility to HIS utility, but that pot's all dry.
(Don't ask, brother.)
Fraternally, A.
Saturday, 14 July 2007
here's a link to normblog, mentioning something utterly despicable the truly shameful fool Richard Dawkins once said.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
letter to the editor, TIME, April 10, 1972
Sir:
Concerning the National Enquirer story: Sorry- the leopard has only half changed its spots if their story on Howard Hughes (which included me) is any example.
I was never interviewed by these gentlemen, and much of their little story is a complete lie. There were never any nude scenes shot during or after a day's shooting.
I have never posed in the nude above or below the waist. Like Lucifer, publications of this ilk tell a little truth and slip the lies in like chopped liver in a sandwich. The gullible don't know they've been had till they get sick.
- Jane Russell, Los Angeles
Sir:
Concerning the National Enquirer story: Sorry- the leopard has only half changed its spots if their story on Howard Hughes (which included me) is any example.
I was never interviewed by these gentlemen, and much of their little story is a complete lie. There were never any nude scenes shot during or after a day's shooting.
I have never posed in the nude above or below the waist. Like Lucifer, publications of this ilk tell a little truth and slip the lies in like chopped liver in a sandwich. The gullible don't know they've been had till they get sick.
- Jane Russell, Los Angeles
Monday, 11 June 2007
Sir Andrew Green, British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 1996-2000, wrote an article in yesterday's Telegraph.
in it he took a classically realist view of the Serious Fraud Office investigation being blocked.
(and got a lot of tough Tories applauding him in the comments box.)
the formulation "The Saudis are often blamed for being behind the growth of Islamic extremism. Certainly, they have never been short of fundamentalist -preachers. But the regime is itself now the first target of al-Qaeda" shows Sir Andrew's gift for gross understatement, the BUT at the end demonstrating you can have a firm grasp on the facts and still come up smelling of humbug.
a series of chilling (and valid, natch, if necessarily crudely reductionist*) questions to the strawmen he is arguing against highlight Sir Andrew's imaginative gifts whilst not engaging one tiny iota with any of the serious arguments concerning the SFO investigation being stopped short for reasons of public interest.
* what other sort of argument would you expect from the man who runs the absurd pressure group Migration Watch UK?
NOTE
Trevor Kavanagh once wrote a piece some years ago in The Sun defending Sir Andrew and his group, claiming that a man who had done such good work as chair of the Medical Aid for Palestinians group (and, to give Sir Andrew immense credit where it is due, he has also been involved with the group Christian Solidarity Worldwide) was hardly a bigot.
a fair point in itself to rebut the charges he wanted to, but as an extended argument more than a little disingenuous, as Trevor must have known, given the sorts of groups and outlets claiming Migration Watch UK as their own, surely - in some cases - with the approval of the watchdog.
are you seriously telling me Migration Watch UK do not have the ear of the Daily Express?
whenever it runs a story on the issues they campaign upon Sir Andrew is - without fail, to my knowledge, at least at any time in the last few years and if the story has been more than a small paragraph or so - reverently quoted as the leader of an independent campaign group, Migration Watch UK.
in it he took a classically realist view of the Serious Fraud Office investigation being blocked.
(and got a lot of tough Tories applauding him in the comments box.)
the formulation "The Saudis are often blamed for being behind the growth of Islamic extremism. Certainly, they have never been short of fundamentalist -preachers. But the regime is itself now the first target of al-Qaeda" shows Sir Andrew's gift for gross understatement, the BUT at the end demonstrating you can have a firm grasp on the facts and still come up smelling of humbug.
a series of chilling (and valid, natch, if necessarily crudely reductionist*) questions to the strawmen he is arguing against highlight Sir Andrew's imaginative gifts whilst not engaging one tiny iota with any of the serious arguments concerning the SFO investigation being stopped short for reasons of public interest.
* what other sort of argument would you expect from the man who runs the absurd pressure group Migration Watch UK?
NOTE
Trevor Kavanagh once wrote a piece some years ago in The Sun defending Sir Andrew and his group, claiming that a man who had done such good work as chair of the Medical Aid for Palestinians group (and, to give Sir Andrew immense credit where it is due, he has also been involved with the group Christian Solidarity Worldwide) was hardly a bigot.
a fair point in itself to rebut the charges he wanted to, but as an extended argument more than a little disingenuous, as Trevor must have known, given the sorts of groups and outlets claiming Migration Watch UK as their own, surely - in some cases - with the approval of the watchdog.
are you seriously telling me Migration Watch UK do not have the ear of the Daily Express?
whenever it runs a story on the issues they campaign upon Sir Andrew is - without fail, to my knowledge, at least at any time in the last few years and if the story has been more than a small paragraph or so - reverently quoted as the leader of an independent campaign group, Migration Watch UK.
Friday, 8 June 2007
as the Sri Lankan supreme court has stopped any further evictions of ethnic Tamil residents from Colombo, AFP are quoted as The court will hear the case on 22 June and in the meantime, the police inspector general has been restrained.
"The Free Media Movement in Sri Lanka has condemned the expulsions saying they are tantamount to ethnic cleansing"
in a slightly less imperfect world where the necessities of linguistic nicety did not matter quite so much, the above good souls would need not be so polite
-
yesterday
Victims of Colombian paramilitaries and rebels..filed for damages against Chiquita Brands after the U.S. fruit company pleaded guilty to paying protection money to an illegal armed group and agreed to a $25 million fine, one of their attorneys said.
"We filed a complaint in U.S. federal court for damages on behalf of the 144 people who had family members who were murdered by the AUC or the FARC during the period of time Chiquita was providing them support," Terry Collingsworth, an attorney with International Rights Advocates, told Reuters.
Monday
'Police Capt. Guillermo Javier Solorzano, a local businessman and his son were forced into a vehicle late Monday by uniformed men in Valle del Cauca province..police said.
"They were kidnapped by group of men who arrived by surprise and acted as if they were a military operation," the Valle del Cauca police said in a statement.'
in a slightly less imperfect world where the necessities of linguistic nicety did not matter quite so much, the above good souls would need not be so polite
-
yesterday
Victims of Colombian paramilitaries and rebels..filed for damages against Chiquita Brands after the U.S. fruit company pleaded guilty to paying protection money to an illegal armed group and agreed to a $25 million fine, one of their attorneys said.
"We filed a complaint in U.S. federal court for damages on behalf of the 144 people who had family members who were murdered by the AUC or the FARC during the period of time Chiquita was providing them support," Terry Collingsworth, an attorney with International Rights Advocates, told Reuters.
Monday
'Police Capt. Guillermo Javier Solorzano, a local businessman and his son were forced into a vehicle late Monday by uniformed men in Valle del Cauca province..police said.
"They were kidnapped by group of men who arrived by surprise and acted as if they were a military operation," the Valle del Cauca police said in a statement.'
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
Brendan O'Neill has a fair point here (from last July) about the IAF flying low over Latakia in order to send a message, but his conclusion
This old Cold War conflict is kept alive by the needs and prejudices of many in the West, not by what the people of Israel or Palestine want.
So, Hands off the Middle East – and today that doesn’t only go for America, but also the UN, the EU, Russia and every other institution, NGO, writer, academic and activist who has helped to turn the Middle East into a stageshow for their own political gratification.
while clearly true of some unbending idiots, says rather more about O'Neill than anything he's trying to analyse, ("the West", civil society, cutting through cant)
[i humbly submit]
So, Hands off the Middle East – and today that doesn’t only go for America, but also the UN, the EU, Russia and every other institution, NGO, writer, academic and activist who has helped to turn the Middle East into a stageshow for their own political gratification.
while clearly true of some unbending idiots, says rather more about O'Neill than anything he's trying to analyse, ("the West", civil society, cutting through cant)
[i humbly submit]
Friday, 1 June 2007
i'm delighted that Ollie has blogged about Anne Applebaum and Russia's new dissidents [a motley crew of very uneven quality], which you can see here, as it prompts me to go with a little something i'd been meaning to for some time.
{not quite in a chatting shit kinda way, i hope, although that's not for me to judge, as when Green Day's Mike Dirnt once said to Kerrang! Magazine, that he had a little shit to chat about the Presidents of the USA
1}
Mary Dejevsky, evergreen, (she was reporting on the Baltic Way in 1989, as Wikipedia suggests) wrote an article on the chess man's dance, headed The secret of Putin's crackdown, halfway through last month in the Independent (17 April).
[Dejevsky is often out and about in her columnist duty, recently discussing, say, gay marriage, or Sarkozy, or the euro. or, indeed, "The Chechnya parallel helps explain why Moscow is so sensitive about Kosovo. If Kosovo can become independent, why not Chechnya?"
she's someone with plenty of opinions, and wide-ranging interests.
fair play.]
Dejevsky appears to make some fair sense the first time, read through.
she lamented the police action, then argued that perhaps "Russia, to be sure, would benefit from making a greater effort to see itself as others see it. But we should try to understand, too, how Russia looks from the Kremlin", arguing how some of the regions have little to fear from the centre in terms of being reined in, which has to inform what she identifies as the Kremlin's over-reaction.
(i'm not sure if this really stands up to analysis, given the presidential appointment of regional governors nowadays, and how the Kremlin is drawing all power to itself, but no matter eh.)
she pointed out Putin's massive approval ratings and had sharp words for some of the dodgy end of the protestors (though Ollie above summarised things better and more concisely on that score).
but reading back through her article a second time (and, admittedly, in light of what Applebaum wrote – a writer that, whatever one can say and applaud about Dejevsky's long-standing interest in this region, surely has a better understanding of the big picture) some things stand out that strike me as extremely dis-satisfactory and just wrong, in tone and analysis.
Dejevsky finds the "consequences depressingly predictable" of riot police wading into the crowds, which is clearly to her credit ("gashed heads and bruised limbs"), but in the same breath she finds another consequence as depressing and (it appears, or - rather - one is not being unreasonable to infer this, if you read through) on the same moral plane, that is, "headlines across the Western world denouncing Big Bad Putin".
this sort of application of equivalency needs to be called out for what it is: true plain nonsense.
(and i don't know why i didn't notice it properly straight away.)
a free press finding fault with those scenes?
(i'm not going to digress about much of the printing presses in the UK being concentrated in a few hands here, as, to stick with the UK, a country whose papers find room for Macer Hall in the Express and Seumas Milne in the Guardian and Con Coughlin in the Telegraph and Suzanne Moore in the Mail clearly has a healthy enough situation in that department..
2)
now why-ever is that – in a million years – "depressingly predictable"?
'Depressingly', mind you.
that word in itself, in these circumstances, is a big disappointment.
who is the editor here?
reading things with this in mind stuff gets a little weird in the article.
shortly after her egregious oversight about independent journalists getting upset with the horrible behaviour of the police of this awful govt, she discusses how "crowd control has come a long way in two generations", citing the double outrages of Kent State and Bloody Sunday, with a side order of Tiananmen Square.
(you can perhaps appreciate why she cites Ohio and Northern Ireland ahead of, say, incidents during the Moroccan Years of Lead or episodes of the 8888 Uprising, as a lesson of what monstrous things can happen in the darkest of times for protestors and dissenters..)
there's casuistry with how Russian leaders can now "throw back retorts about Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition and double standards" if asked about "considerations of image".
yes: hers is a correct analysis in the most essential sense, as Russian leaders should and can do that (any govt is entitled to lecture the Americans on this, but sadly many of the least deserving regimes, mind you, revel in this freedom, as – granted – we all know), but Putin of course is able to go even further and use the American war on terror branding as an excuse for all sorts of naughtiness, and the exercising of lots of conveniences that offend, to grossly understate.
(as GW Bush, again, can and has done, obviously.)
this is a very basic point but one that Dejevsky omits. this sin of omission is really troubling.
look, this is all very sixth form and preening of me (or sub-sixth form) but i can't apologise for that, can i, because the article itself is even worse.
yes, worse.
coming to the end now, again, and that final line now sticks in the throat when at first it had breezed past me: But we should try to understand, too, how Russia looks from the Kremlin.
we have been doing that for a long time, it seems.
we have been so understanding toward Russia from the Kremlin's perspective that a city the size of Edinburgh was entirely razed to the ground (just for, yunno, kicks and starters..), thanks, partly, in some small (or perhaps quite significant) way to our 'understanding'.
they have a law that authorises their agents to liquidate people overseas!
cyber-tricks against Estonian websites, it's recently implied.
yes, that as of yet is not reputably sourced AFAIK, more just rumour but i mention it, of course.
perhaps i'm going off on an entirely wrong track here and ascribing all sorts of motives and issues to Dejevsky that she would disassociate herself from (clearly, she would have nothing but condemnation for all the abuses the Russian govt has committed, and continues to commit).
after all, it's not like any of the above would be news (Baltic Way for her as the rest of her colleagues were laughing at Ross Perot, after all), and you could say i am engaging in my own sleights here, not fully grappling with the subtle thrust on display.
but it's one sentence at the start of her final paragraph that again stops you short, and not in a good way.
"A more confident regime might have surprised us by leaving the protestors to their rallies – and it should have done."
well, we can all agree with her fine conclusion there (which indicates the fundamental agreement that places her by the side of all opponents of Putin, granted), but, Putin & Co didn't, did they.
and that is the issue in this situation.
(other issues in nearby situations are the friendships between the Iranian and Russian govts, the Russian and Sudanese govts, the Russian and Belarusian govts, and ex-German Chancellors of recent times and the current Russian leader, and so on & such & so forth.)
that, is, the issue.
and no amount of phrasing footwork changes that.
indeed, read through that prism, the article veers close to apologetics.
1
eating the peaches: good times..
2
false consciousness on my part you may wish to argue, so i will say that Nick Cohen's June 1998 New Statesman piece, 'The Death of News', reprinted in his Cruel Britannia anthology, is instructive
+
P.S.
Ollie was good enough to send some news-links my way recently (you can dig them up on that blog, if you fancy, and haven't already), and i hafta doff my cap to that.
Michel Gurfinkiel had a in-depth look at Commentary magazine on the topic of 'Can France be saved?' which had a lot of interesting things to say about the ENA, statism [quoting sociologist Louis Chauvel, we have the delicious "What used to be said of Prussia..applies to France today, with a slight difference. Other countries may have a state bureaucracy, but France is a state bureaucracy that owns a country"], and the uselessness of Chirac.
(to be fair to France, no-where does Gurfinkiel mention her productivity.)
and other bits & bobs too, the most of which is worth quoting (Sego loves the Kurds), though especially the GFIW – in closing – on the murder of Moaaid Hamid, VP in the federation, and his wife, recently.
Glory and eternity to our fallen comrade trade union leader Hamed and his wife.
Glory to the martyrs of the Iraqi working class.
Shame on the murderous terrorists.
P.P.S.
with the recent hardening of attitudes between London and Moscow it will be interesting to see how intelligence handling between the two countries carries on.
just this weekend past it has been reported how Russian help to the UK security and intelligence services – providing useful information about groups in the Balkans and the Horn and the Caucasus – has previously been of assistance.
such arrangements have become damaged.
{not quite in a chatting shit kinda way, i hope, although that's not for me to judge, as when Green Day's Mike Dirnt once said to Kerrang! Magazine, that he had a little shit to chat about the Presidents of the USA
1}
Mary Dejevsky, evergreen, (she was reporting on the Baltic Way in 1989, as Wikipedia suggests) wrote an article on the chess man's dance, headed The secret of Putin's crackdown, halfway through last month in the Independent (17 April).
[Dejevsky is often out and about in her columnist duty, recently discussing, say, gay marriage, or Sarkozy, or the euro. or, indeed, "The Chechnya parallel helps explain why Moscow is so sensitive about Kosovo. If Kosovo can become independent, why not Chechnya?"
she's someone with plenty of opinions, and wide-ranging interests.
fair play.]
Dejevsky appears to make some fair sense the first time, read through.
she lamented the police action, then argued that perhaps "Russia, to be sure, would benefit from making a greater effort to see itself as others see it. But we should try to understand, too, how Russia looks from the Kremlin", arguing how some of the regions have little to fear from the centre in terms of being reined in, which has to inform what she identifies as the Kremlin's over-reaction.
(i'm not sure if this really stands up to analysis, given the presidential appointment of regional governors nowadays, and how the Kremlin is drawing all power to itself, but no matter eh.)
she pointed out Putin's massive approval ratings and had sharp words for some of the dodgy end of the protestors (though Ollie above summarised things better and more concisely on that score).
but reading back through her article a second time (and, admittedly, in light of what Applebaum wrote – a writer that, whatever one can say and applaud about Dejevsky's long-standing interest in this region, surely has a better understanding of the big picture) some things stand out that strike me as extremely dis-satisfactory and just wrong, in tone and analysis.
Dejevsky finds the "consequences depressingly predictable" of riot police wading into the crowds, which is clearly to her credit ("gashed heads and bruised limbs"), but in the same breath she finds another consequence as depressing and (it appears, or - rather - one is not being unreasonable to infer this, if you read through) on the same moral plane, that is, "headlines across the Western world denouncing Big Bad Putin".
this sort of application of equivalency needs to be called out for what it is: true plain nonsense.
(and i don't know why i didn't notice it properly straight away.)
a free press finding fault with those scenes?
(i'm not going to digress about much of the printing presses in the UK being concentrated in a few hands here, as, to stick with the UK, a country whose papers find room for Macer Hall in the Express and Seumas Milne in the Guardian and Con Coughlin in the Telegraph and Suzanne Moore in the Mail clearly has a healthy enough situation in that department..
2)
now why-ever is that – in a million years – "depressingly predictable"?
'Depressingly', mind you.
that word in itself, in these circumstances, is a big disappointment.
who is the editor here?
reading things with this in mind stuff gets a little weird in the article.
shortly after her egregious oversight about independent journalists getting upset with the horrible behaviour of the police of this awful govt, she discusses how "crowd control has come a long way in two generations", citing the double outrages of Kent State and Bloody Sunday, with a side order of Tiananmen Square.
(you can perhaps appreciate why she cites Ohio and Northern Ireland ahead of, say, incidents during the Moroccan Years of Lead or episodes of the 8888 Uprising, as a lesson of what monstrous things can happen in the darkest of times for protestors and dissenters..)
there's casuistry with how Russian leaders can now "throw back retorts about Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition and double standards" if asked about "considerations of image".
yes: hers is a correct analysis in the most essential sense, as Russian leaders should and can do that (any govt is entitled to lecture the Americans on this, but sadly many of the least deserving regimes, mind you, revel in this freedom, as – granted – we all know), but Putin of course is able to go even further and use the American war on terror branding as an excuse for all sorts of naughtiness, and the exercising of lots of conveniences that offend, to grossly understate.
(as GW Bush, again, can and has done, obviously.)
this is a very basic point but one that Dejevsky omits. this sin of omission is really troubling.
look, this is all very sixth form and preening of me (or sub-sixth form) but i can't apologise for that, can i, because the article itself is even worse.
yes, worse.
coming to the end now, again, and that final line now sticks in the throat when at first it had breezed past me: But we should try to understand, too, how Russia looks from the Kremlin.
we have been doing that for a long time, it seems.
we have been so understanding toward Russia from the Kremlin's perspective that a city the size of Edinburgh was entirely razed to the ground (just for, yunno, kicks and starters..), thanks, partly, in some small (or perhaps quite significant) way to our 'understanding'.
they have a law that authorises their agents to liquidate people overseas!
cyber-tricks against Estonian websites, it's recently implied.
yes, that as of yet is not reputably sourced AFAIK, more just rumour but i mention it, of course.
perhaps i'm going off on an entirely wrong track here and ascribing all sorts of motives and issues to Dejevsky that she would disassociate herself from (clearly, she would have nothing but condemnation for all the abuses the Russian govt has committed, and continues to commit).
after all, it's not like any of the above would be news (Baltic Way for her as the rest of her colleagues were laughing at Ross Perot, after all), and you could say i am engaging in my own sleights here, not fully grappling with the subtle thrust on display.
but it's one sentence at the start of her final paragraph that again stops you short, and not in a good way.
"A more confident regime might have surprised us by leaving the protestors to their rallies – and it should have done."
well, we can all agree with her fine conclusion there (which indicates the fundamental agreement that places her by the side of all opponents of Putin, granted), but, Putin & Co didn't, did they.
and that is the issue in this situation.
(other issues in nearby situations are the friendships between the Iranian and Russian govts, the Russian and Sudanese govts, the Russian and Belarusian govts, and ex-German Chancellors of recent times and the current Russian leader, and so on & such & so forth.)
that, is, the issue.
and no amount of phrasing footwork changes that.
indeed, read through that prism, the article veers close to apologetics.
1
eating the peaches: good times..
2
false consciousness on my part you may wish to argue, so i will say that Nick Cohen's June 1998 New Statesman piece, 'The Death of News', reprinted in his Cruel Britannia anthology, is instructive
+
P.S.
Ollie was good enough to send some news-links my way recently (you can dig them up on that blog, if you fancy, and haven't already), and i hafta doff my cap to that.
Michel Gurfinkiel had a in-depth look at Commentary magazine on the topic of 'Can France be saved?' which had a lot of interesting things to say about the ENA, statism [quoting sociologist Louis Chauvel, we have the delicious "What used to be said of Prussia..applies to France today, with a slight difference. Other countries may have a state bureaucracy, but France is a state bureaucracy that owns a country"], and the uselessness of Chirac.
(to be fair to France, no-where does Gurfinkiel mention her productivity.)
and other bits & bobs too, the most of which is worth quoting (Sego loves the Kurds), though especially the GFIW – in closing – on the murder of Moaaid Hamid, VP in the federation, and his wife, recently.
Glory to the martyrs of the Iraqi working class.
Shame on the murderous terrorists.
P.P.S.
with the recent hardening of attitudes between London and Moscow it will be interesting to see how intelligence handling between the two countries carries on.
just this weekend past it has been reported how Russian help to the UK security and intelligence services – providing useful information about groups in the Balkans and the Horn and the Caucasus – has previously been of assistance.
such arrangements have become damaged.
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