Thursday, September 16, 2004
"The immigration authorities have more powers than they did a few years ago" Tony Blair speaking about doubling the number of failed asylum seekers being removed. On a report shown on BBC Newsnight.
It's just a shame that they have had more than enough powers 5, even 10 years ago. The thing that has been lacking has been the political will to remove those that have failed.
It's just a shame that they have had more than enough powers 5, even 10 years ago. The thing that has been lacking has been the political will to remove those that have failed.
Monday, September 06, 2004
I have been away from the screen for a while but the events in Russis over the last week have prompted me to think that some thoughts views need expressing if nothing else as a catharsis. I wil aim to post my synthesis on this and the wider questions it raises over the next couple of days.
Sunday, March 21, 2004
ID cards
As dear reader you may know I generally take the line that the removal of liberty needs to be justified by those proposing any change. Firstly it any change needs to be show as necessary, secondly that the proposal will have an effective outcome. So I was rather concerned at this from the Sunday Times via a post over at White Rose that David Blunkett wishes to force through the introduction of ID cards. Which I think are neither required nor effective. The crux of the matter being
Quote:
"We need to remind people at every opportunity that Spain already has a national Identity Card system - and it did nothing to stop the Madrid bombings."
As dear reader you may know I generally take the line that the removal of liberty needs to be justified by those proposing any change. Firstly it any change needs to be show as necessary, secondly that the proposal will have an effective outcome. So I was rather concerned at this from the Sunday Times via a post over at White Rose that David Blunkett wishes to force through the introduction of ID cards. Which I think are neither required nor effective. The crux of the matter being
Quote:
"We need to remind people at every opportunity that Spain already has a national Identity Card system - and it did nothing to stop the Madrid bombings."
Visible
In the aftermath of Madrid it was noticable that on a recent trip returning from London armed police with dogs had migrated from the airport terminal itself to the rail station at Gatwick airport. Im not sure if its effective it is but it is an attempt at visibility, showing that something being seen to be done.
In the aftermath of Madrid it was noticable that on a recent trip returning from London armed police with dogs had migrated from the airport terminal itself to the rail station at Gatwick airport. Im not sure if its effective it is but it is an attempt at visibility, showing that something being seen to be done.
The Spanish Way
Over at Inside Europe an intersting quote about how the spanish are dealing with their terror suspects. I am bemused by the bleatings of assorted elements of the "human rights" lobby about how awful that the Britons held at Guantanamo Bay (ubiquitously dubbed the 'Tipton Taliban') were kept locked up without trial etc. It appears our good friends in Spain have no such qualms, ( I certainly wouldnt.)
Quote:
"Here's the latest from Spain. The five people, three Moroccans and two citizens of India, who were arrested on Saturday have been placed in preventive and "incomunicado" custody in Madrid by Judge Juan del Olmo of the Audiencia Nacional. Under Spanish law, they can now be held for two years without an indictment, which can be extended to two more years. Spain doesn't need a Guantanamo; they can lock these guys up for four years without even having to indict them, much less try them."
I suspect that we wont hear an bleats about this as its not done by a mean nasty hegemonic imperialist uncultured Americans. Incidentally for any of my audience of none who may like make themselves feel better by fretting about such abuses it is interesting to remeber that the Spanish Socialist party were in power at the time of GAL affair, the extra judicial killings of ETA terrorists.
Over at Inside Europe an intersting quote about how the spanish are dealing with their terror suspects. I am bemused by the bleatings of assorted elements of the "human rights" lobby about how awful that the Britons held at Guantanamo Bay (ubiquitously dubbed the 'Tipton Taliban') were kept locked up without trial etc. It appears our good friends in Spain have no such qualms, ( I certainly wouldnt.)
Quote:
"Here's the latest from Spain. The five people, three Moroccans and two citizens of India, who were arrested on Saturday have been placed in preventive and "incomunicado" custody in Madrid by Judge Juan del Olmo of the Audiencia Nacional. Under Spanish law, they can now be held for two years without an indictment, which can be extended to two more years. Spain doesn't need a Guantanamo; they can lock these guys up for four years without even having to indict them, much less try them."
I suspect that we wont hear an bleats about this as its not done by a mean nasty hegemonic imperialist uncultured Americans. Incidentally for any of my audience of none who may like make themselves feel better by fretting about such abuses it is interesting to remeber that the Spanish Socialist party were in power at the time of GAL affair, the extra judicial killings of ETA terrorists.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
I have been non-blogging for a while as you can see..
Thursday, December 18, 2003
how it could have been...
A few days old but this David Blair article is excellent and need airing further. Link via Stephen Pollard
A few days old but this David Blair article is excellent and need airing further. Link via Stephen Pollard
Sunday, December 14, 2003
How true...
Laban Tall wryly notes:
"Over the last year we have heard a mighty chorus of voices urging that Iraq be run by the Iraqi people with no outside interference. Just watch those same people urge that Saddam not be handed over to the Iraqis."
Laban Tall wryly notes:
"Over the last year we have heard a mighty chorus of voices urging that Iraq be run by the Iraqi people with no outside interference. Just watch those same people urge that Saddam not be handed over to the Iraqis."
Caught
Well after being confirmed this is good news. I’m not surprised by the amount of what can only be described as guff being spouted by news organisations hypothesising the effect it will/can/wont have. Further comment about what effect this event will have simply tends to display the commentator’s prejudice on the war and its aftermath.
Well after being confirmed this is good news. I’m not surprised by the amount of what can only be described as guff being spouted by news organisations hypothesising the effect it will/can/wont have. Further comment about what effect this event will have simply tends to display the commentator’s prejudice on the war and its aftermath.
EU
I am glad to see that discussions to agree an EU constitution have for the moment collapsed. Whilst Tony Blair has made much of the red line issues which have been won in Britain's favour although these were at best tepid defence of the UK's ability to govern itself. Luckily it seems rather than having to rely on our own government's jelly like backbone to fight our corner, the polish have had the spine to stand up to Franco-German self interest. This issue has far to run yet.
For the moment this outcome is not a bad position for the Blair government given the row over the need for a referendum on any constitution, a call made by many including Gisela Stewart but there is curently no constitution to have to ratify.
I remain opposed to further integration of the EU as Europe (which so far has only meant Western Europe) is not a State and the will to create one is only a project of a small political elite. I tend to take the view that the EU is anti democratic and politics need to get closer to the electorates rather than further away. That is apart from the endemic corruption, non accountability and cover up all aided by dodgy accounts and systemic incompetance that EU structures display so brazenly.
I am glad to see that discussions to agree an EU constitution have for the moment collapsed. Whilst Tony Blair has made much of the red line issues which have been won in Britain's favour although these were at best tepid defence of the UK's ability to govern itself. Luckily it seems rather than having to rely on our own government's jelly like backbone to fight our corner, the polish have had the spine to stand up to Franco-German self interest. This issue has far to run yet.
For the moment this outcome is not a bad position for the Blair government given the row over the need for a referendum on any constitution, a call made by many including Gisela Stewart but there is curently no constitution to have to ratify.
I remain opposed to further integration of the EU as Europe (which so far has only meant Western Europe) is not a State and the will to create one is only a project of a small political elite. I tend to take the view that the EU is anti democratic and politics need to get closer to the electorates rather than further away. That is apart from the endemic corruption, non accountability and cover up all aided by dodgy accounts and systemic incompetance that EU structures display so brazenly.
Monday, December 08, 2003
Lets pretend... class war
Once again a faceless government minister, in this case Alan Johnson (who ?), the higher education minister) brings up the apparent "class" divide at Oxbridge. This is a simply trashy the diversionary tactic this government employs from time to time. Regurgitating political totems that are in reality dead but which placate the small minded chippy critics of the same political hue as they are. The fact that more privately educated students at Oxbridge indicates the secondary state sector as whole is abjectly failing in producing students that either have the aspiration and often the required standard. Then there is the change in perception that private education is 'just for the rich'.
Once again a faceless government minister, in this case Alan Johnson (who ?), the higher education minister) brings up the apparent "class" divide at Oxbridge. This is a simply trashy the diversionary tactic this government employs from time to time. Regurgitating political totems that are in reality dead but which placate the small minded chippy critics of the same political hue as they are. The fact that more privately educated students at Oxbridge indicates the secondary state sector as whole is abjectly failing in producing students that either have the aspiration and often the required standard. Then there is the change in perception that private education is 'just for the rich'.
The Great War ...Stupid motives
Continuing on the historical theme a little late in highlighting it but a good post over at Samizdata with regard to the first world war. Commenters were generally intelligent, the best in my view being
"Common, everyday, greed often gets a bad rap, and it is certainly the case when it is cited as a cause of WWI. If only the Germans had simply been greedy; as noted above, Bismarck understood that the best way to satisfy German greed was for Germany to be a continental industrial power. Unfortunately, far more stupid people weren't just greedy, but also prideful and extremely desirous of prestige. As always, stupidity and pride proved toxic. Stupid greedy people merely go broke, which is no tragedy as long as they can be replaced with intelligent greedy people. God save us from people who seek prestige, however."
Its true not in just this case, everyday greed does get a bum rap whereas prestige seekers and egoist dont get the ire they deserve.
Continuing on the historical theme a little late in highlighting it but a good post over at Samizdata with regard to the first world war. Commenters were generally intelligent, the best in my view being
"Common, everyday, greed often gets a bad rap, and it is certainly the case when it is cited as a cause of WWI. If only the Germans had simply been greedy; as noted above, Bismarck understood that the best way to satisfy German greed was for Germany to be a continental industrial power. Unfortunately, far more stupid people weren't just greedy, but also prideful and extremely desirous of prestige. As always, stupidity and pride proved toxic. Stupid greedy people merely go broke, which is no tragedy as long as they can be replaced with intelligent greedy people. God save us from people who seek prestige, however."
Its true not in just this case, everyday greed does get a bum rap whereas prestige seekers and egoist dont get the ire they deserve.
History..Her Take
Having watched Bettany Hughes's Seven Ages of Britain the other night I am reminded how political a subject History is. This is inclusive History Lite which is very much in line with the rather 'lets understand people and hug each other' view of the world that Channel Four (usually in its news programs) often takes. In this strange version of Dark Age events invading Vikings were 'integrating' with Anglo Saxons. There were a few references to the bloodshed and violence that caused them to be in England in the first place. When they were mentioned it was in a 'yes..but' glossing over. King Alfred got a cursory mention although his successfully stopping wave of unwanted invaders is not correct for an inclusive agenda. Ending the program getting to the unification of England under following kings of Wessex, (notably Aethelstan) we have no names or dates. Perhaps these would confuse us especially words over two syllables which are deemed just far too complicated or even worse 'old fashioned'.
Having watched Bettany Hughes's Seven Ages of Britain the other night I am reminded how political a subject History is. This is inclusive History Lite which is very much in line with the rather 'lets understand people and hug each other' view of the world that Channel Four (usually in its news programs) often takes. In this strange version of Dark Age events invading Vikings were 'integrating' with Anglo Saxons. There were a few references to the bloodshed and violence that caused them to be in England in the first place. When they were mentioned it was in a 'yes..but' glossing over. King Alfred got a cursory mention although his successfully stopping wave of unwanted invaders is not correct for an inclusive agenda. Ending the program getting to the unification of England under following kings of Wessex, (notably Aethelstan) we have no names or dates. Perhaps these would confuse us especially words over two syllables which are deemed just far too complicated or even worse 'old fashioned'.
