Why you can't read Total Politics
For those who have difficulty reading the latest on-line edition of Total Politics, particularly the magazine section, where the features are black type on a dark purple background, I had the same problem.
If the medium is the message, it doesn't transmit very well. There appears to be a communication breakdown.
Friday, 25 July 2008
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
How the government chose 42 days?
How the government chose 42 days?
42: the meaning of life and everything
From: Keith Rose BA HMP Long Lartin
According to Douglas Adams, in the ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’, the answer to the question, "What is the meaning of life and everything", was asked of Deep Thought.
Deep Thought was the "Universe's biggest, best, fastest computer", perhaps built by Microsoft. Deep Thought considered the question for a million years or so, and delivered the answer, "42".
According to Gordon Broon, (Brown with a Scottish accent), and 316 MPs, the answer to the terrorism question is also "42". In this case, it’s 42 days detention by police without charge and perhaps not even knowing what you are being questioned about.
Alas, Broon is no deep thinker, and no student of history, even recent history of just a couple of weeks ago. A previous Act of Parliament; also a ‘terrorism bill’, is currently being used by local authorities to spy on ratepayers who, horror, do not close their Wheely Bin lids properly. An example of corruption … a misuse of the law?
Historically, local authorities have a tradition of corruption. You only have to look at the number of hypermarkets built on green field sites to know that more than a few town planners and councillors have had their pockets lined by the big supermarket chains. However, there is one group whose long, inglorious history of corruption has always been ignored by Broon and his Muppets; that of the wonderful British Police.
Consider this: no ‘British Bobby’ has ever been convicted of shooting dead an unarmed man or woman, even if that person was wholly innocent. No British Bobby has ever been convicted of fabricating evidence, even in such landmark cases as the Birmingham 6, Guildford 4, Cardiff 3, Maguire Family, Carl Bridgewater 4, M25 3, Raphael Rowe, Stefan Kitso, Eddie Browning or other shining examples of police ‘integrity’.
The history of acceptance of police corruption began in the early 80's, with ‘Operation Countryman’, an investigation into the rampant corruption of the Metropolitan Police. Sir Robert Mark, the head of that investigation, is reported to have said, "I don't mind anyone being bent for the firm, but if they are bent for themselves, I will root them out". Being ‘bent for the firm’ was acceptable behaviour, fabricating evidence was given the nod, the OK. Some police forces virtually made a custom of "helping obtain a conviction"; City of London, The Met, Surrey, Devon & Cornwall, Greater Manchester, West Midlands Serious Crime Squad, South East Regional Crime Squad to name but a few.
Religious cults like the Moonies, Scientologists and others have a technique known as "Love Bombing". This consists of isolating a potential cult member and subjecting them to hours and hours of indoctrination spread over days and weeks. This is brainwashing.
Police techniques are not all that different, and when you examine major cases of miscarriages of justice they have a common element. The police have questioned someone relentlessly over days and weeks until they were so confused they have confessed to whatever the police wanted, to stop the questioning. This is brainwashing.
You might consider brainwashing to be a form of torture, however Broon, Blair and Bush all approve of "torture in cases of terrorism". The next question that should be asked is - what is terrorism?
Drug dealing undermines society so can be regarded as undermining the state, a form of terrorism? Murder, obviously has a victim who was terrified, an act of terrorism? Armed robbery, obviously victims and bystanders were terrified, a candidate for terrorism? Mugging, another victim, it has to be terrorism. Illegal parking, the traffic warden is obviously terrified when handing out a ticket, yup, it’s terrorism. Wheely Bin overfilled? That is breaking the rules, undermining authority, it can only be terrorism. All offenders can expect to be detained for the statuary period of 42 days.
Britain becoming a police state? Children, grow up, anyone who thinks Britain is NOT a police state also believes in fairies and little green men.
42: the meaning of life and everything
From: Keith Rose BA HMP Long Lartin
According to Douglas Adams, in the ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’, the answer to the question, "What is the meaning of life and everything", was asked of Deep Thought.
Deep Thought was the "Universe's biggest, best, fastest computer", perhaps built by Microsoft. Deep Thought considered the question for a million years or so, and delivered the answer, "42".
According to Gordon Broon, (Brown with a Scottish accent), and 316 MPs, the answer to the terrorism question is also "42". In this case, it’s 42 days detention by police without charge and perhaps not even knowing what you are being questioned about.
Alas, Broon is no deep thinker, and no student of history, even recent history of just a couple of weeks ago. A previous Act of Parliament; also a ‘terrorism bill’, is currently being used by local authorities to spy on ratepayers who, horror, do not close their Wheely Bin lids properly. An example of corruption … a misuse of the law?
Historically, local authorities have a tradition of corruption. You only have to look at the number of hypermarkets built on green field sites to know that more than a few town planners and councillors have had their pockets lined by the big supermarket chains. However, there is one group whose long, inglorious history of corruption has always been ignored by Broon and his Muppets; that of the wonderful British Police.
Consider this: no ‘British Bobby’ has ever been convicted of shooting dead an unarmed man or woman, even if that person was wholly innocent. No British Bobby has ever been convicted of fabricating evidence, even in such landmark cases as the Birmingham 6, Guildford 4, Cardiff 3, Maguire Family, Carl Bridgewater 4, M25 3, Raphael Rowe, Stefan Kitso, Eddie Browning or other shining examples of police ‘integrity’.
The history of acceptance of police corruption began in the early 80's, with ‘Operation Countryman’, an investigation into the rampant corruption of the Metropolitan Police. Sir Robert Mark, the head of that investigation, is reported to have said, "I don't mind anyone being bent for the firm, but if they are bent for themselves, I will root them out". Being ‘bent for the firm’ was acceptable behaviour, fabricating evidence was given the nod, the OK. Some police forces virtually made a custom of "helping obtain a conviction"; City of London, The Met, Surrey, Devon & Cornwall, Greater Manchester, West Midlands Serious Crime Squad, South East Regional Crime Squad to name but a few.
Religious cults like the Moonies, Scientologists and others have a technique known as "Love Bombing". This consists of isolating a potential cult member and subjecting them to hours and hours of indoctrination spread over days and weeks. This is brainwashing.
Police techniques are not all that different, and when you examine major cases of miscarriages of justice they have a common element. The police have questioned someone relentlessly over days and weeks until they were so confused they have confessed to whatever the police wanted, to stop the questioning. This is brainwashing.
You might consider brainwashing to be a form of torture, however Broon, Blair and Bush all approve of "torture in cases of terrorism". The next question that should be asked is - what is terrorism?
Drug dealing undermines society so can be regarded as undermining the state, a form of terrorism? Murder, obviously has a victim who was terrified, an act of terrorism? Armed robbery, obviously victims and bystanders were terrified, a candidate for terrorism? Mugging, another victim, it has to be terrorism. Illegal parking, the traffic warden is obviously terrified when handing out a ticket, yup, it’s terrorism. Wheely Bin overfilled? That is breaking the rules, undermining authority, it can only be terrorism. All offenders can expect to be detained for the statuary period of 42 days.
Britain becoming a police state? Children, grow up, anyone who thinks Britain is NOT a police state also believes in fairies and little green men.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Politics and the McCann case
Politics and the McCann case
First example:
No.
Time
Gerry and Kate's phone calls for 03/04 May 2007
1
10.00pm - 10.50pm
Gerry
Alistair Clark (Gerry's friend/Diplomat)
The first call Gerry made on the night of the crime was to Alistair Clark, a good friend from University days and a diplomat close to Gordon Brown. Clark must have immediately contacted people at the highest level – before the PJ were informed, Sky news and the British Ambassador were informed of a kidnapping.
Second example:
"Very concerned about political interference in McCann case
What is the British government doing getting involved in the McCann case?
Why has Clarence Mitchell (a Brown high-flying spin doctor) been working as an advisor for the McCanns for months, paid by the tax payer.
Why has he now resigned from the Government and declared to the world's media that the McCanns are innocent. Is he judge and jury?
Please look at this petition if you think it is wrong for the McCann investigation to be politicised:
http://www.petitiononline.com/McCann2/petition.html
If you object to political interference in the McCann case please make your feelings known.
It is like Alistair Campbell getting involved in spinning WMD intelligence.
They have no business spinning a police investigation or intelligence".
Third example:
There was more politics than police
Fourth example: "Goncalo Amaral, the PJ officer dismissed from the case following a campaign of hatred in the British media: that many believe was the orchestrated by the McCann's legal team: wanted to charge Kate McCann with the lesser charge of child neglect and have her remanded into prison because of her refusal to answer questions relating to the disapearance of her daughter: Madeleine.
This move was blocked by the prosecutor Jose Menezes because he feared that it would lead to a diplomatic incident.
It is difficult to explain rationally why this should be so.
As it would seem that the police were simply following the evidence and asking legitimate questions of a witness, who during the course of the questioning adopted to become a suspect in order to answer the questions. And it is common to hold a suspect on a lesser charge in order to investigate a more serious allegation.
However we already know that Clarence Mitchell was working on behalf of the couple; despite at the same time working for the British Government.
On the day that Mr Amaral was requesting the Mr Menezes to take Kate McCann into custody, Clarence Mitchell was briefing on behalf of the couple to Associated Press.
Which would suggest that Mr Menezes was right to fear that a diplomatic incident might occur. Especially in light of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown's promise to help the McCanns, 'in any way that I can'.
So what is Mr Brown willing to do for the couple?
Is his threat to boycott the African summit in Portugal linked to the McCanns?
Or has he threatened Portugese funding through the EU?
Is it really so important to Gordon Brown that Kate McCann not answer for her possible actions that he is prepared to destroy diplomatic ties, threaten the lives of millions across Africa, and make Britain a by-word for croneyism and political corruption?".
"The Portuguese prosecutor has admitted that his decision to let them leave the country was taken to avoid a diplomatic incident with the British government. The British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, visited Portugal the day before. The Portuguese police were understandable furious since this was clearly a political decision and they intended to charge Kate McCann.
Since the Foreign Office managed to Shanghai the McCanns from Portugal, the Portuguese police have been impotent".
"The couple, who spoke with Mr Miliband last month, will urge him this week to step in "with any help he can," said a friend of the couple".
"The Foreign Office was last night described as "firing on all cylinders" in its efforts to help the McCanns.
Asked about the case yesterday, Mr Miliband said: "A little girl is missing. This is an independent judicial process we fully respect. Consular services are being provided. Above all, this is about a little girl"".
"The McCanns plan to approach David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, asking him to intervene in the case of their missing daughter Madeleine amid growing fears that they might become the victims of a "shocking injustice"".
First example:
No.
Time
Gerry and Kate's phone calls for 03/04 May 2007
1
10.00pm - 10.50pm
Gerry
Alistair Clark (Gerry's friend/Diplomat)
The first call Gerry made on the night of the crime was to Alistair Clark, a good friend from University days and a diplomat close to Gordon Brown. Clark must have immediately contacted people at the highest level – before the PJ were informed, Sky news and the British Ambassador were informed of a kidnapping.
Second example:
"Very concerned about political interference in McCann case
What is the British government doing getting involved in the McCann case?
Why has Clarence Mitchell (a Brown high-flying spin doctor) been working as an advisor for the McCanns for months, paid by the tax payer.
Why has he now resigned from the Government and declared to the world's media that the McCanns are innocent. Is he judge and jury?
Please look at this petition if you think it is wrong for the McCann investigation to be politicised:
http://www.petitiononline.com/McCann2/petition.html
If you object to political interference in the McCann case please make your feelings known.
It is like Alistair Campbell getting involved in spinning WMD intelligence.
They have no business spinning a police investigation or intelligence".
Third example:
There was more politics than police
Fourth example: "Goncalo Amaral, the PJ officer dismissed from the case following a campaign of hatred in the British media: that many believe was the orchestrated by the McCann's legal team: wanted to charge Kate McCann with the lesser charge of child neglect and have her remanded into prison because of her refusal to answer questions relating to the disapearance of her daughter: Madeleine.
This move was blocked by the prosecutor Jose Menezes because he feared that it would lead to a diplomatic incident.
It is difficult to explain rationally why this should be so.
As it would seem that the police were simply following the evidence and asking legitimate questions of a witness, who during the course of the questioning adopted to become a suspect in order to answer the questions. And it is common to hold a suspect on a lesser charge in order to investigate a more serious allegation.
However we already know that Clarence Mitchell was working on behalf of the couple; despite at the same time working for the British Government.
On the day that Mr Amaral was requesting the Mr Menezes to take Kate McCann into custody, Clarence Mitchell was briefing on behalf of the couple to Associated Press.
Which would suggest that Mr Menezes was right to fear that a diplomatic incident might occur. Especially in light of the Prime Minister Gordon Brown's promise to help the McCanns, 'in any way that I can'.
So what is Mr Brown willing to do for the couple?
Is his threat to boycott the African summit in Portugal linked to the McCanns?
Or has he threatened Portugese funding through the EU?
Is it really so important to Gordon Brown that Kate McCann not answer for her possible actions that he is prepared to destroy diplomatic ties, threaten the lives of millions across Africa, and make Britain a by-word for croneyism and political corruption?".
"The Portuguese prosecutor has admitted that his decision to let them leave the country was taken to avoid a diplomatic incident with the British government. The British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, visited Portugal the day before. The Portuguese police were understandable furious since this was clearly a political decision and they intended to charge Kate McCann.
Since the Foreign Office managed to Shanghai the McCanns from Portugal, the Portuguese police have been impotent".
"The couple, who spoke with Mr Miliband last month, will urge him this week to step in "with any help he can," said a friend of the couple".
"The Foreign Office was last night described as "firing on all cylinders" in its efforts to help the McCanns.
Asked about the case yesterday, Mr Miliband said: "A little girl is missing. This is an independent judicial process we fully respect. Consular services are being provided. Above all, this is about a little girl"".
"The McCanns plan to approach David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, asking him to intervene in the case of their missing daughter Madeleine amid growing fears that they might become the victims of a "shocking injustice"".
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Out of this world exclusive
Out of this world exclusive
It is being reported that two MPs, Jack Straw and Harriet Harman, are actually using the Members dining room in the House of Commons for lunch. Whatever next?
Iain Dale was tipped off to this story by some anonymous fly on the wall
Bob Piper claims the World Exclusive here.
We only need Chris Paul to claim the blogsclusive and we have a hat-trick.
It is being reported that two MPs, Jack Straw and Harriet Harman, are actually using the Members dining room in the House of Commons for lunch. Whatever next?
Iain Dale was tipped off to this story by some anonymous fly on the wall
Bob Piper claims the World Exclusive here.
We only need Chris Paul to claim the blogsclusive and we have a hat-trick.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Iain Dale is a total cunt: Iain Dale says hang Mandela
Iain Dale is a total cunt: Iain Dale says hang Mandela
Following on from this post, I revisited Iain Dale's blog to catch up on the comments posted. There really is no excuse for this:
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Hang Nelson Mandela!
June 26, 2008 5:14 PM".
Especially as Iain Dale has this message above his comment box:
"Comment moderation has been enabled. All comments must be approved by the blog author".
So, Iain Dale, you approve of this comment? You have given it your seal of approval? In effect, you are saying, Nelson Mandela should be hung.
Seeing as you claim to be some kind of a political expert, would you now kindly give some justification for the comment or remove it?
Following on from this post, I revisited Iain Dale's blog to catch up on the comments posted. There really is no excuse for this:
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Hang Nelson Mandela!
June 26, 2008 5:14 PM".
Especially as Iain Dale has this message above his comment box:
"Comment moderation has been enabled. All comments must be approved by the blog author".
So, Iain Dale, you approve of this comment? You have given it your seal of approval? In effect, you are saying, Nelson Mandela should be hung.
Seeing as you claim to be some kind of a political expert, would you now kindly give some justification for the comment or remove it?
Iain Dale writing total bollocks
Iain Dale writing total bollocks
This is a bit rich coming from the man who twice failed to be selected as a Tory MP, stating that the great, elected, Nelson Mandela is a failed leader.
Once more, Iain Dale has proved himself to be both a liar and a hypocrite.
Total Politics? Don't make me laugh. Iain Dale should be totally ashamed!
This is a bit rich coming from the man who twice failed to be selected as a Tory MP, stating that the great, elected, Nelson Mandela is a failed leader.
Once more, Iain Dale has proved himself to be both a liar and a hypocrite.
Total Politics? Don't make me laugh. Iain Dale should be totally ashamed!
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Character test
Character test
I hope Sarah Mackinlay, editor of Total Politics, Iain Dale's new pet project, is not going to turn out to be as big a liar as Iain Dale?
"We all do it", she writes. Speak for yourself, luv. We all shit and piss, however, only those interested will engage in the activity she is referring to. And, whilst some might be furtive about it, I had nothing to hide. I searched on Google when I read in the Guardian that I was the most prolific prisoner litigant in modern penal history. Just checking for accuracy, and then without the word modern to see who it was of all time and it still came up with me. Naturally, I was chuffed at this discovery because it meant I am one up on Mark Leech.
It was this that grabbed my attention: "Companies like Beal’s monitor, manage and advise on how to improve your on-line reputation". And I thought that the McCanns on-line reputation is very tarnished indeed. So much for them employing Clarence Mitchell as their PR spokesman. He is able to manage the Mainstream Media to a large extent, but his influence on the new media counts for nothing. In fact, he has become something of a laughing stock.
This backs up what I have said in relation to the McCanns and their PR man:
"A positive reputation is everything to a politician, off- line it is considered so important that all messages are crafted with great care and every effort is made to ensure anything you don’t want published remains out of the public domain, and anything you do is used to its optimum. Off-line there is much more control over what is and what is not said about you, your politics and your message.
But the PR effort is given less consideration on-line with greater freedom, questionable accuracy and where there is far less control over what is written about you".
Only this morning I was reading a short post on Iain Dale's Diary, which supports the quote above in relation to politicians.
Sarah Mackinlay ends her article with 5 bullet points, but it's the 4th which interests me most: "A monitoring checklist: Sincerity - If you make a mistake apologise for it before on-line content spirals out of control".
This is advice which the McCanns should have heeded. However, it would appear that they are hell bent on refusing to admit to mistakes. Instead, they tried to attack those on blogs, forums and in chat rooms for criticising them. All this achieved was those on-line attacked them even more. On this test it just proves that the McCanns characters are flawed.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Clegg lays down law to Euro-rebel
Clegg lays down law to Euro-rebel
Lib Dem leader tells justice spokesman to toe the line or step down over comments backing EU referendum
Bad news for Liberal Democrat justice spokesman David Heath, who announced last week that he would be backing Tory calls for a referendum on Europe and said it would be up to Nick Clegg to decide his political future.
It seems the Lib Dem chief intends to stand firm on the issue.
"There is no question of a free vote on this matter; there will definitely be a party whip and as a member of the frontbench David will be bound by the same collective responsibility as everyone else," a source close to Clegg says.
"If he feels he can't toe the party line then he will have no choice but to stand down."
Oviously, Nick Clegg has not been paying attention to Norfolk Blogger.
Lib Dem leader tells justice spokesman to toe the line or step down over comments backing EU referendum
Bad news for Liberal Democrat justice spokesman David Heath, who announced last week that he would be backing Tory calls for a referendum on Europe and said it would be up to Nick Clegg to decide his political future.
It seems the Lib Dem chief intends to stand firm on the issue.
"There is no question of a free vote on this matter; there will definitely be a party whip and as a member of the frontbench David will be bound by the same collective responsibility as everyone else," a source close to Clegg says.
"If he feels he can't toe the party line then he will have no choice but to stand down."
Oviously, Nick Clegg has not been paying attention to Norfolk Blogger.
Monday, 18 February 2008
A Tone clone?
A Tone clone?
Did anyone else notice this Northern Crock's body language when he sought to justify his decision to nationalise Northern Rock? Particularly, the hand gestures. In at least two places, it could just as easily have been Tony Blair, seeking to justify his decision to go to war with Iraq. In particular, the "I did what I believed to be right" speech.
It would appear that Alistair Darling is the puppet head Chancellor, whilst Gordon Brown does the talking with his mouth and hands. But for Darling actually saying a few words for himself, one could be forgiven for thinking that he is nothing more than a ventriloquist's dummy.
Did anyone else notice this Northern Crock's body language when he sought to justify his decision to nationalise Northern Rock? Particularly, the hand gestures. In at least two places, it could just as easily have been Tony Blair, seeking to justify his decision to go to war with Iraq. In particular, the "I did what I believed to be right" speech.
It would appear that Alistair Darling is the puppet head Chancellor, whilst Gordon Brown does the talking with his mouth and hands. But for Darling actually saying a few words for himself, one could be forgiven for thinking that he is nothing more than a ventriloquist's dummy.
Monday morning blues
Monday morning blues
It may be remembered that Tory blogger Iain Dale, who authors Iain Dale's Diary, was very slow to post on the disgraced Tory MP Derek Conway's illegal activities, and when he did so, he disclosed that the reason why was because he is a friend of the disgraced Tory MP Derek Conway. And yet, this morning Iain Dale was very quick to post this. Whilst it is accepted that the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has behaved inappropriately over the misuse of airmiles, and should stand down, one must question what kind of yardstick Mr Dale is using to measure the wrongdoings of both the disgraced Tory MP Derek Conway, and Michael Martin, to put them in the same league?
In the comments section there is this interesting exchange:
Anonymous said...
Iain, before you jumped in with criticism of the Speaker, did you find out what other MPs do with the air miles they have accumulated on official business?
February 18, 2008 11:55 AM
Iain Dale said...
Yes, of course I rang all 659 of them. Idiot. This allegation has been made by newspapers over the last 2 days. Grow up.
February 18, 2008 12:08 PM
What on earth could be making Mr Dale see red? Could he be suffering from PMT?
It may be remembered that Tory blogger Iain Dale, who authors Iain Dale's Diary, was very slow to post on the disgraced Tory MP Derek Conway's illegal activities, and when he did so, he disclosed that the reason why was because he is a friend of the disgraced Tory MP Derek Conway. And yet, this morning Iain Dale was very quick to post this. Whilst it is accepted that the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has behaved inappropriately over the misuse of airmiles, and should stand down, one must question what kind of yardstick Mr Dale is using to measure the wrongdoings of both the disgraced Tory MP Derek Conway, and Michael Martin, to put them in the same league?
In the comments section there is this interesting exchange:
Anonymous said...
Iain, before you jumped in with criticism of the Speaker, did you find out what other MPs do with the air miles they have accumulated on official business?
February 18, 2008 11:55 AM
Iain Dale said...
Yes, of course I rang all 659 of them. Idiot. This allegation has been made by newspapers over the last 2 days. Grow up.
February 18, 2008 12:08 PM
What on earth could be making Mr Dale see red? Could he be suffering from PMT?
Sunday, 17 February 2008
TOTAL BOLLOCKS
TOTAL BOLLOCKS
Coming to a newsstand near you soon, probably in June. We'll also have a super new website, this is it folks, which will have all sorts of things to interest a political audience. "The magazine is meant to be a kind of trade magazine for the political sector - no editorial slant, aimed at politicians and those hooked on political process" (as advertised by Iain Dale's Diary).
Coming to a newsstand near you soon, probably in June. We'll also have a super new website, this is it folks, which will have all sorts of things to interest a political audience. "The magazine is meant to be a kind of trade magazine for the political sector - no editorial slant, aimed at politicians and those hooked on political process" (as advertised by Iain Dale's Diary).
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