Having a go at the far right - from Fester at NWI Fightback IX:
WE GO WHERE WE WANT -
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Friday, 30 January 2015
Let’s abolish all blasphemy laws, worldwide
A year ago today an important campaign was launched. Here is its most recent statement:
A new international campaign launches today, Friday 30 January, aimed at abolishing “blasphemy laws” worldwide.
The End Blasphemy Laws campaign is thought to be the first campaign focusing solely on the issue of laws against “blasphemy” including “ridicule” and “insult” to religion or “hurting religious sentiments”.
The coalition behind the campaign, led by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the European Humanist Federation (EHF) and numerous coalition partners, currently represents around 200 Humanist and secular organizations globally, and is open to all groups who oppose “blasphemy” laws, including religious and secular communities, human rights groups, and all advocates of freedom of expression.
Sonja Eggerickx, President of the IHEU, said,
The End Blasphemy Laws campaign believes “blasphemy” and “insult” to religion laws are wrong in several ways:
- They protect religious belief and practices, institutions and leaders, from legitimate and necessary criticism
- They are intrinsically bad laws
- They legitimize mob violence, vigilantism, and persecution of minorities
A new international campaign launches today, Friday 30 January, aimed at abolishing “blasphemy laws” worldwide.
The End Blasphemy Laws campaign is thought to be the first campaign focusing solely on the issue of laws against “blasphemy” including “ridicule” and “insult” to religion or “hurting religious sentiments”.
The coalition behind the campaign, led by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the European Humanist Federation (EHF) and numerous coalition partners, currently represents around 200 Humanist and secular organizations globally, and is open to all groups who oppose “blasphemy” laws, including religious and secular communities, human rights groups, and all advocates of freedom of expression.
Sonja Eggerickx, President of the IHEU, said,
In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo killings there have been renewed calls to abolish ‘blasphemy’ and related laws in almost every country where they still exist. Our organizations have worked for many years to protect this important right: to question, criticise, and yes even ridicule religion. Given this new impetus to challenge these anachronistic laws, we believe that we can work together across national boundaries to support local voices calling for the repeal of all such laws.
The idea that it is wrong to satirize religion, lends false legitimacy to those who murder in the name of being offended. The idea that it is taboo to question or to criticise religious authorities is one reason why sexual abuse in the Catholic Church persisted so long. The idea that “insult” to religion is a crime, is why humanists like Asif Mohiuddin are jailed in Bangladesh, is why secularists like Raif Badawi are being lashed in Saudi Arabia, is why atheists and religious minorities are persecuted in places like Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, and the list goes on!
Pierre Galand, EHF President, explained,
Meanwhile, officials in Saudi Arabia have had the opposite response to Charlie Hebdo, arguing for a United Nations resolution on “contempt of religion”, which the UN has reportedly agreed for discussion. The End Blasphemy Laws campaign website succinctly replies:
Our campaign does not target laws against incitement to hatred, which are legitimate. What we are concerned about is laws which restrict freedom of expression about religion. As a first step, we want to see the remaining laws against blasphemy and religious insult in Europe repealed. There is an obvious double standard issue as the EU has taken a clear stand against blasphemy laws in the world. Now it must encourage its Members States to abolish existing blasphemy laws, as recommended by the Council of Europe.The campaign calls on transnational bodies and world leaders to look on “blasphemy” laws as they might look on laws restricting press freedom: as a clear restriction on free expression and indicator of wider social harm.
Meanwhile, officials in Saudi Arabia have had the opposite response to Charlie Hebdo, arguing for a United Nations resolution on “contempt of religion”, which the UN has reportedly agreed for discussion. The End Blasphemy Laws campaign website succinctly replies:
First the OIC and its member states pushed for an international ban on blasphemy, then defamation of religion, now contempt of religion. It all means the same thing. Namely, they don’t want to hear people question, criticise or mock religion. But the OIC’s envisaged ban on “contempt of religion” cannot happen without fundamentally compromising freedom of expression, and that is why we must work to oppose restrictions on criticising religion, and it is why over time, all free and democratic states will repeal their blasphemy laws.What’s Wrong With Blasphemy?
The End Blasphemy Laws campaign believes “blasphemy” and “insult” to religion laws are wrong in several ways:
- They violate the human right to freedom of expression
- They protect religious belief and practices, institutions and leaders, from legitimate and necessary criticism
- They are intrinsically bad laws
- They legitimize mob violence, vigilantism, and persecution of minorities
Joe Stirling lights Holocaust candle at the Forum
On Holocaust Memorial Day, 27th January 2015, Joe Stirling lit the special Holocaust candle outside the Forum in Norwich marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death camp.
His biographer, Phyllida Scrivens writes:
Escaping Hitler: A Jewish Boy's Quest for Freedom and his Future has a release date of January 2016. Click here for the Facebook page.
After lighting the candle Joe gave a short address on how his parents, Ida and Alfred were deported from Koblenz to Sobibor in 1942, where they were murdered by the Nazis.
Joe Stirling lives in Norwich. He is 90 years old. Joe was Sheriff of Norwich in the mid 70s, pioneered a well-known and successful travel business in the 1960s and has been a serving member of Lions International for over 50 years. He is also active in the Norfolk Humanists group.
Joe was chosen to light the Norwich candle because of his extraordinary life's journey, which took him from Nazi Germany to Liverpool Street, and eventually to Norwich.
His biographer, Phyllida Scrivens writes:
Escaping Hitler: A Jewish Boy's Quest for Freedom and his Future is the story of how Joe, born Gunter Stern, fled Nazi Germany as a fourteen year old in 1939, first by attempting to walk to England across four countries - Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland - and eventually on a Kindertransport into Liverpool Street, the final train to leave Cologne.
Escaping Hitler: A Jewish Boy's Quest for Freedom and his Future has a release date of January 2016. Click here for the Facebook page.
Thursday, 29 January 2015
Next Skeptics Talk
Tim Bastable
Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30pm
at The Mash Tun in Norwich, Norfolk
The vehemently anti-nuclear green movement and the (often energy industry funded) anti-renewables lobby share culpability for the fog of misinformation surrounding an important path to reducing the carbon intensity of our energy supply. This talk aims to shine the spotlight of reason in an attempt to cut through the murk.
Tim Bastable has been involved in environmental issues since a night of malt whiskey and conversation with Dave McTaggart onboard the Rainbow Warrior in Lerwick Harbour in the mid-1970's. He's campaigned on various issues throughout his life and recently worked as writer and researcher on sustainability writing about climate change, renewables, and the politics of sustainability. He has helped run permaculture design courses and been involved in communal low impact living for many years.
Current interests include the USA corporate campaigns to "muddy the climate change waters", monitoring the covert and overt policy changes on energy and climate in the present UK government, and realistic pathways to sustainability.
Ukip’s Matthew Smith faces retrial
From Great Yarmouth Mercury by Rosa McMahon:
Ukip’s Matthew Smith faces retrial as jury discharged in electoral fraud case
Matthew Smith arriving at his continuing trial at Norwich Crown Court. Two fellow defendants have been cleared.
A former Ukip parliamentary candidate faces a retrial from June 1, after jurors failed to reach a verdict on two remaining counts.
Matthew Smith, the Norfolk County Council member for Gorleston St Andrews, has been cleared of seven counts of electoral fraud.
But today jurors passed a note to Judge Anthony Bate, explaining they found it “almost impossible to imagine being able to reach a majority verdict” on two remaining counts of making a false statement in nomination papers.
The jury was discharged after around 18 hours of deliberation, at the end of the 17-day trial.
Judge Bate said: “In my judgment, this was a meticulous and thorough enquiry by the police major investigation team, who have navigated the obvious sensitivities and unusual legal aspects of this case with scrupulous care.
“The case was properly brought to the crown court for independent consideration by a Norfolk jury.”
He praised jurors for their “diligent” service, and said the “measured” terms in their final note reporting deadlock were to their credit.
Brett Weaver, prosecuting, said the crown remained of the view that there was a case to answer, and it was in the public interest to pursue this.
A retrial on the two remaining counts has been fixed for June 1 at Norwich Crown Court, and is set to last two weeks.
Smith had been selected to stand for parliament in the key seat of Great Yarmouth at the next general election.
But he was suspended from the party after allegations emerged surrounding forged signatures on nomination forms submitted by UKIP in the 2013 county council elections, during which he acted as the party’s agent.
Smith, 27, of High Street, Gorleston, stood trial at Norwich Crown Court after denying six counts of making a false statement in nomination papers knowing that they contained false signatures and three of making false nomination papers.
After 13 hours of deliberations, jurors found him not guilty of one count of making a false statement and three of making false nomination papers.
They later cleared him of three further counts of making a false statement.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the two remaining counts of the same charge, and they will go to a second trial.
Fellow UKIP members Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 20, of Station Road South, Belton, had both denied one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers and were cleared.
Under election rules, all candidates standing as councillors must obtain 10 signatures on nomination forms.
The prosecution alleged seven out of eight forms submitted by UKIP in that election contained forged signatures. Giving evidence, Smith had claimed he submitted forms with genuine signatures but that these were later substituted in an attempt to smear him.
Smith had originally worked for the Conservatives but fell out with the party after leaving acrimoniously in 2011.
Ukip’s Matthew Smith faces retrial as jury discharged in electoral fraud case
Matthew Smith arriving at his continuing trial at Norwich Crown Court. Two fellow defendants have been cleared.
A former Ukip parliamentary candidate faces a retrial from June 1, after jurors failed to reach a verdict on two remaining counts.
Matthew Smith, the Norfolk County Council member for Gorleston St Andrews, has been cleared of seven counts of electoral fraud.
But today jurors passed a note to Judge Anthony Bate, explaining they found it “almost impossible to imagine being able to reach a majority verdict” on two remaining counts of making a false statement in nomination papers.
The jury was discharged after around 18 hours of deliberation, at the end of the 17-day trial.
Judge Bate said: “In my judgment, this was a meticulous and thorough enquiry by the police major investigation team, who have navigated the obvious sensitivities and unusual legal aspects of this case with scrupulous care.
“The case was properly brought to the crown court for independent consideration by a Norfolk jury.”
He praised jurors for their “diligent” service, and said the “measured” terms in their final note reporting deadlock were to their credit.
Brett Weaver, prosecuting, said the crown remained of the view that there was a case to answer, and it was in the public interest to pursue this.
A retrial on the two remaining counts has been fixed for June 1 at Norwich Crown Court, and is set to last two weeks.
Smith had been selected to stand for parliament in the key seat of Great Yarmouth at the next general election.
But he was suspended from the party after allegations emerged surrounding forged signatures on nomination forms submitted by UKIP in the 2013 county council elections, during which he acted as the party’s agent.
Smith, 27, of High Street, Gorleston, stood trial at Norwich Crown Court after denying six counts of making a false statement in nomination papers knowing that they contained false signatures and three of making false nomination papers.
After 13 hours of deliberations, jurors found him not guilty of one count of making a false statement and three of making false nomination papers.
They later cleared him of three further counts of making a false statement.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the two remaining counts of the same charge, and they will go to a second trial.
Fellow UKIP members Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 20, of Station Road South, Belton, had both denied one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers and were cleared.
Under election rules, all candidates standing as councillors must obtain 10 signatures on nomination forms.
The prosecution alleged seven out of eight forms submitted by UKIP in that election contained forged signatures. Giving evidence, Smith had claimed he submitted forms with genuine signatures but that these were later substituted in an attempt to smear him.
Smith had originally worked for the Conservatives but fell out with the party after leaving acrimoniously in 2011.
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Haymarket Haven
Notices from The Peoples' Picnic, to be found at Haymarket 8pmTuesday, Saturday and Sunday:
ACTIVATED AS FROM TODAY!
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
People sleeping rough in Norwich can access emergency accommodation and support during periods of exceptionally cold weather through the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). This is activated by a temperature of zero degrees Celsius or lower forecast for at least three consecutive nights.
Through SWEP, we aim to prevent loss of life and reduce the number of people sleeping on the streets. While we have arrangements in place to prevent and respond to rough sleeping at all times of the year, SWEP ensures a place of warmth and safety is available for those people sleeping rough who are not normally eligible for services, or who have a long history of sleeping rough and have refused previous interventions from housing options services.
Once a decision has been made to activate SWEP, we - together with partner agencies - ensure that people who are out on the streets are offered emergency accommodation. The person in question must be in agreement with receiving our assistance.
SWEP gives such services an opportunity to engage with individuals who have previously refused assistance, so that every effort is made to prevent them from returning to a rough sleeping lifestyle
We urge anyone who encounters people who are homeless and rough sleeping to make the person aware there is immediate help available for them and to notify us by emailing roughsleepers@norwich.gov.uk or calling 01603 212950/ 01603 412180.
Just because somebody is with less does not mean they are worth less. We are a collective group of people dedicated to making sure the less fortunate and vulnerable are not forgotten in society by directly providing meals and other essentials to those in need! Let’s put the unity back in community!
We are a 100% non-profit, grass-roots movement, founded in February 2013.
Every Tuesday and Saturday (and possibly another day too, to replace the Sunday meals) at 8pm we serve wholesome home-cooked meals and other food to the homeless and hungry of Norwich
Money donations can be made via PayPal by using this link https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… every penny counts and goes directly towards helping those in need!
To arrange to drop off food or other items please email
If you would like to come along and help please join the volunteers page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/1526674054219424/
For general enquiries/more information or if you feel you could help with donations or volunteering contact thepeoplespicnic@yahoo.co.uk You can follow us on twitter @kcpeoplespicnic
We also need any spare food, warm clothing, blankets etc you may have lying about..Thanks for taking the time to read and as always your support is invaluable XXX
ACTIVATED AS FROM TODAY!
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
People sleeping rough in Norwich can access emergency accommodation and support during periods of exceptionally cold weather through the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). This is activated by a temperature of zero degrees Celsius or lower forecast for at least three consecutive nights.
Through SWEP, we aim to prevent loss of life and reduce the number of people sleeping on the streets. While we have arrangements in place to prevent and respond to rough sleeping at all times of the year, SWEP ensures a place of warmth and safety is available for those people sleeping rough who are not normally eligible for services, or who have a long history of sleeping rough and have refused previous interventions from housing options services.
Once a decision has been made to activate SWEP, we - together with partner agencies - ensure that people who are out on the streets are offered emergency accommodation. The person in question must be in agreement with receiving our assistance.
SWEP gives such services an opportunity to engage with individuals who have previously refused assistance, so that every effort is made to prevent them from returning to a rough sleeping lifestyle
We urge anyone who encounters people who are homeless and rough sleeping to make the person aware there is immediate help available for them and to notify us by emailing roughsleepers@norwich.gov.uk or calling 01603 212950/ 01603 412180.
 |
| Acting locally for the hungry of Norwich |
The Peoples' Picnic writes:
Its freezing out there and its more important than ever that we keep getting hot meals out to people.
Its freezing out there and its more important than ever that we keep getting hot meals out to people.
Just because somebody is with less does not mean they are worth less. We are a collective group of people dedicated to making sure the less fortunate and vulnerable are not forgotten in society by directly providing meals and other essentials to those in need! Let’s put the unity back in community!
We are a 100% non-profit, grass-roots movement, founded in February 2013.
Every Tuesday and Saturday (and possibly another day too, to replace the Sunday meals) at 8pm we serve wholesome home-cooked meals and other food to the homeless and hungry of Norwich
Money donations can be made via PayPal by using this link https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… every penny counts and goes directly towards helping those in need!
To arrange to drop off food or other items please email
Norwich - peoplespicnicnorwich@gmail.com or ashearsby@hotmail.co.uk or fran1979@outlook.com
Dereham - kcolly@sky.com
Brundall area - lorrainetosh@yahoo.com
Reepham/Fakenham - emilypeoplespicnic@gmail.com
Beccles/Lowestoft - donna742009@live.co.uk
Dereham - kcolly@sky.com
Brundall area - lorrainetosh@yahoo.com
Reepham/Fakenham - emilypeoplespicnic@gmail.com
Beccles/Lowestoft - donna742009@live.co.uk
If you would like to come along and help please join the volunteers page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/1526674054219424/
.•:*¨¨*:•.Thank you for your support!.•:*¨¨*:•.
.•:*¨¨*:•.You are all AWESOME.•:*¨¨*:•.
For general enquiries/more information or if you feel you could help with donations or volunteering contact thepeoplespicnic@yahoo.co.uk You can follow us on twitter @kcpeoplespicnic
We also need any spare food, warm clothing, blankets etc you may have lying about..Thanks for taking the time to read and as always your support is invaluable XXX
Thanks to the Norfolk Humanists for publicising this fine work.
Good question from EDL News
From EDL News by Gary Hastings
WHY DOES UKIP ATTRACT RACISTS?
They tell us they are not racist but have the backing from the English Defence League, Britain First and the British National Party which is probably why they attract supporters such as Jacqui Jackson.
We were a bit gobsmacked about what we saw next on her Facebook page – an attack on Labour MP Chuka Umunna who she described as a ‘muzslime’ and a ‘paki’.
Chuka is of Nigerian decent and not Muslim, he is Anglican.
It does not stop there. Her Facebook timeline is like a advert for UKIP and is jammed full with racist and Islamophobic posts.
So Mr Farage. Is this the type of Party Members you are trying to attract to your group with your divisive dog whistle politics.
They tell us they are not racist but have the backing from the English Defence League, Britain First and the British National Party which is probably why they attract supporters such as Jacqui Jackson.
Chichester based racist, Jackson, took to Facebook to proclaim to fellow Kippers that she has just renewed her membership for the oddball party.
We were a bit gobsmacked about what we saw next on her Facebook page – an attack on Labour MP Chuka Umunna who she described as a ‘muzslime’ and a ‘paki’.
Chuka is of Nigerian decent and not Muslim, he is Anglican.
It does not stop there. Her Facebook timeline is like a advert for UKIP and is jammed full with racist and Islamophobic posts.
So Mr Farage. Is this the type of Party Members you are trying to attract to your group with your divisive dog whistle politics.
Two Norfolk UKIP members cleared of fraud
From Great Yarmouth Mercury by Christine Cunningham:
The men had been standing trial alongside Matthew Smith, the Norfolk county council member for Gorleston St Andrews who had been selected to stand for parliament in the key target seat of Great Yarmouth at the next general election.
The charges relate to county council elections in the Yarmouth area in May 2013, when Smith stood for election and acted as Ukip’s electoral agent.
Fellow UKIP members Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 19, of Station Road, South, Belton, had both denied one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers.
They were found not guilty by a jury at Norwich Crown Court today after about eight hours of deliberation.
Smith, of High Street, Gorleston, has denied six counts of making a false statement in nomination papers knowing that they contained false signatures and three of making false nomination papers.
The jury is still considering its verdicts on those charges.
Under election rules, all candidates standing as councillors must obtain 10 signatures on nomination forms.
The prosecution alleges that seven out of eight forms submitted by UKIP in that election contained forged signatures.
The jury has been sent home for the night, and will continue deliberations on counts relating to Smith tomorrow.
Matthew Smith arriving at his continuing trial at Norwich Crown Court. Two fellow defendants have been cleared.
The men had been standing trial alongside Matthew Smith, the Norfolk county council member for Gorleston St Andrews who had been selected to stand for parliament in the key target seat of Great Yarmouth at the next general election.
The charges relate to county council elections in the Yarmouth area in May 2013, when Smith stood for election and acted as Ukip’s electoral agent.
Fellow UKIP members Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 19, of Station Road, South, Belton, had both denied one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers.
They were found not guilty by a jury at Norwich Crown Court today after about eight hours of deliberation.
Smith, of High Street, Gorleston, has denied six counts of making a false statement in nomination papers knowing that they contained false signatures and three of making false nomination papers.
The jury is still considering its verdicts on those charges.
Under election rules, all candidates standing as councillors must obtain 10 signatures on nomination forms.
The prosecution alleges that seven out of eight forms submitted by UKIP in that election contained forged signatures.
The jury has been sent home for the night, and will continue deliberations on counts relating to Smith tomorrow.
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Local EDL blog trawl
We are well into the New Year, so time for a descent into the local EDL blogs.
I found revealing evidence of the dwindling relevance of the EDL in general, but still with flashes of the old EDL smears, lies, hatred, and violence that so galvanised opposition to the EDL-brand of street politics.
The East Anglian Blog & Radio Show, and has nothing but a list of advertisements for some radio show.
EDL Ipswich has no posts for 2015, and most of 2014 posts are advertising the EDL shop.
EDL Norwich seems to have disappeared.
Edl East Anglian Division Page are advertising a proposed demo in an example of the triumph of optimism over experience, and there are desultory comments on the TV programme “Angry, White and Proud”
At least one member has seen the light. He comments:
Andy Essex hahaha.......look at any EDL demo and all you see is people drinking, idiots staggering around and violence. Look at Rotherham on the documentary, SEA and others walked into Rotherham, no cans, no drunks, no violence.....then it cuts to the EDL demo where people are fighting with eachother.
Another thinks Pegida is the way to go:
Craig North Well I preferred the early EDL days. I am freelance now but I see Pegida as the way forward. EDL did a great job for 4 or 5 years to wake up the working classes,but its downfall was it didn't evolve. The drinking culture and the refusal to appoint a new 'face' as leader after Tommy Robinson left has hurt them. Also it became far too politically correct and lost its edge from 2011 onwards. Pegida is growing massively everywhere and their UK page has hit 10,000 members in its first week. EDL deserves its place in history for what its achieved,but its time for the next chapter.
(Pegida, or “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the Occident”, is anti-establishment, anti Islamist, and full of neo-Nazis. Its leader Lutz Bachmann was exposed last week in German tabloids for posing as Hitler on his Facebook page, and has since stepped down:
A fine role model. Or not.)
The East Anglian Blog & Radio Show, and has nothing but a list of advertisements for some radio show.
EDL Ipswich has no posts for 2015, and most of 2014 posts are advertising the EDL shop.
EDL Norwich seems to have disappeared.
EDL Norfolk has two posts this year and no comments.
EDL Cambridgeshire is defending UKIP and having a go at Harriet Harman, claiming "When it comes to Women Rights in Islam .... She has nothing to say ......... Funny that"
EDL Cambridgeshire is wrong.
A short google shows that as long ago as 2006 Harman said here that the veil harmed Muslim women's opportunities for human rights.
EDLCambridgeshire FAIL.
EDL Cambridgeshire is wrong.
A short google shows that as long ago as 2006 Harman said here that the veil harmed Muslim women's opportunities for human rights.
EDLCambridgeshire FAIL.
Edl East Anglian Division Page are advertising a proposed demo in an example of the triumph of optimism over experience, and there are desultory comments on the TV programme “Angry, White and Proud”
At least one member has seen the light. He comments:
Andy Essex hahaha.......look at any EDL demo and all you see is people drinking, idiots staggering around and violence. Look at Rotherham on the documentary, SEA and others walked into Rotherham, no cans, no drunks, no violence.....then it cuts to the EDL demo where people are fighting with eachother.
Another thinks Pegida is the way to go:
Craig North Well I preferred the early EDL days. I am freelance now but I see Pegida as the way forward. EDL did a great job for 4 or 5 years to wake up the working classes,but its downfall was it didn't evolve. The drinking culture and the refusal to appoint a new 'face' as leader after Tommy Robinson left has hurt them. Also it became far too politically correct and lost its edge from 2011 onwards. Pegida is growing massively everywhere and their UK page has hit 10,000 members in its first week. EDL deserves its place in history for what its achieved,but its time for the next chapter.
(Pegida, or “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the Occident”, is anti-establishment, anti Islamist, and full of neo-Nazis. Its leader Lutz Bachmann was exposed last week in German tabloids for posing as Hitler on his Facebook page, and has since stepped down:
A fine role model. Or not.)
This site proclaims " EastAnglianEDL Peacefully protesting against millitant Islam", so how does the site manager explain this comment, dated January 13, apparently from an American, in response to a posted article on a proposed EDL anti-mosque march?:
Daryl Kabatoff We will make Canada and USA a trap to the Moslems, none are to leave here alive. Deportation is no longer an option as they will cause problems for others in the countries we deport them to, and they will end up causing us more problems later. Jail is not an option either, there they brutalize prisoners who dare to cook pork in the communal kitchens and brutalize prisoners who dare to decorate their cells with non-Islamic pictures, and there they recruit other prisoners into Islam. The most "moderate" of the Moslems come for your jobs (and tax money) and gladly pay halal taxation, which is used to fund jihad. We must shoot them on the streets, shoot them where we find them, and after we cleanse North America, then we must turn our sites to other continents. Americans and Canadians will work together to overthrow corrupt governments around the world.
Apart from the irony of having a foreigner take on the EDL job of voicing hatred against Muslims this is a shocking rant by someone who does not seem entirely sane.
(LATER: I googled this unusual name and discover there is a notorious gun nut Daryl Kabatoff who has a record for such unsettling posts.)
Daryl Kabatoff We will make Canada and USA a trap to the Moslems, none are to leave here alive. Deportation is no longer an option as they will cause problems for others in the countries we deport them to, and they will end up causing us more problems later. Jail is not an option either, there they brutalize prisoners who dare to cook pork in the communal kitchens and brutalize prisoners who dare to decorate their cells with non-Islamic pictures, and there they recruit other prisoners into Islam. The most "moderate" of the Moslems come for your jobs (and tax money) and gladly pay halal taxation, which is used to fund jihad. We must shoot them on the streets, shoot them where we find them, and after we cleanse North America, then we must turn our sites to other continents. Americans and Canadians will work together to overthrow corrupt governments around the world.
Apart from the irony of having a foreigner take on the EDL job of voicing hatred against Muslims this is a shocking rant by someone who does not seem entirely sane.
(LATER: I googled this unusual name and discover there is a notorious gun nut Daryl Kabatoff who has a record for such unsettling posts.)
The post bristles with hatred and incitement to violence and is probably illegal.
It is a disgraceful post, and directly contradicts the claim of "Peaceful protest". It shames the East Anglian EDL in particular and the EDL in general. It has been on the East Anglian EDL Facebook page for 13 days now.
Let's see how long it stands after this exposure.
Friday, 23 January 2015
"Fantasy" defence?
From Great Yarmouth Mercury by Lucy Clapham:
Defence case for Gorleston UKIP supporter in fraud trial described as ‘fantasy’
The defence case for a former UKIP parliamentary hopeful standing trial accused of electoral fraud has been described as “little more than fantasy”.
Matthew Smith is one of three UKIP supporters standing trial at Norwich Crown Court.
The charges relate to the 2013 county council polls when Smith acted as UKIP’s electoral agent. The prosecution claim there were forged signatures on seven of the eight forms submitted by the party.
Smith, 27, of High Street, Gorleston, has denied six counts of making a false statement in nomination papers, knowing they contained false signatures and three of making false nomination papers.
Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 20, of Station Road South, Belton have pleaded not guilty to one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers.
Summing up yesterday Brett Weaver, prosecuting, said Smith’s explanation for false signatures appearing on forms was that someone had removed the genuine paperwork and replaced it with forms containing forgeries.
“The most unlikely course of steps must have taken place, so unlikely we say impossible,” Mr Weaver added.
He told the jury Monk and Thistlethwaite were willing to submit bogus forms, and added:
He added:
”Several people have been filling in the signatures and there’s not a scrap of evidence the crown can rely on that any one of those forged signatures was written by Matthew Smith,” he added.
Monk, representing himself, said that, according to the prosecution, his motivation for committing the alleged fraud was because he chose the “easy route”.
“I do a full time job, 45 - 50 hours a week, and I still commit myself to this because I believe in it. The allegation that at the very end I would partake in a fraud, a shortcut, that would undermine all our good work....is just not believable,” he added.
The trial continues.
Defence case for Gorleston UKIP supporter in fraud trial described as ‘fantasy’
Matthew Smith arriving at his continuing trial at Norwich Crown Court.
The defence case for a former UKIP parliamentary hopeful standing trial accused of electoral fraud has been described as “little more than fantasy”.
Matthew Smith is one of three UKIP supporters standing trial at Norwich Crown Court.
The charges relate to the 2013 county council polls when Smith acted as UKIP’s electoral agent. The prosecution claim there were forged signatures on seven of the eight forms submitted by the party.
Smith, 27, of High Street, Gorleston, has denied six counts of making a false statement in nomination papers, knowing they contained false signatures and three of making false nomination papers.
Michael Monk, 60, of Freeman Close, Hopton, and Daniel Thistlethwaite, 20, of Station Road South, Belton have pleaded not guilty to one charge of making a false statement in nomination papers.
Summing up yesterday Brett Weaver, prosecuting, said Smith’s explanation for false signatures appearing on forms was that someone had removed the genuine paperwork and replaced it with forms containing forgeries.
“The most unlikely course of steps must have taken place, so unlikely we say impossible,” Mr Weaver added.
He told the jury Monk and Thistlethwaite were willing to submit bogus forms, and added:
Through their actions together and Mr Smith the integrity of our election system was damaged. There’s no conspiracy here… no mystery man on the grassy knoll of the town hall.Piers Wauchope, for Smith, said anyone with a pass to the town hall could gain access to the office where forms were kept, and said the office itself was “insecure”.
He added:
Mr Weaver makes much of the difficulty it would be to get one of these forms and get a copy and produce another one. Is it really that difficult? You’ve got an office here with a photocopier.He told the court experts had not been able to say the forged signatures on the forms “were the work of one person”.
”Several people have been filling in the signatures and there’s not a scrap of evidence the crown can rely on that any one of those forged signatures was written by Matthew Smith,” he added.
Monk, representing himself, said that, according to the prosecution, his motivation for committing the alleged fraud was because he chose the “easy route”.
“I do a full time job, 45 - 50 hours a week, and I still commit myself to this because I believe in it. The allegation that at the very end I would partake in a fraud, a shortcut, that would undermine all our good work....is just not believable,” he added.
The trial continues.
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Elsie Tilney, Norwich’s unsung heroine
From EDP24 by Chris Hill:
Elsie Tilney, Norwich’s unsung heroine of the Holocaust, given international honour by Yad Vashem
Surrey Chapel missionary Elsie Tilney from Norwich, who helped Jewish people to escape from Nazi internment camps during the second world war.
Norwich’s unsung heroine of the Holocaust has finally gained international recognition for her selfless actions to protect Jewish people during the Second World War – and her home city has been urged to help celebrate it.
Elsie stayed at Vittel until the Germans abandoned it in September 1944, and then remained to help with the repatriation of about 200 Jewish people.
After the war, Elsie travelled to Lisbon, and worked with the Swiss Mission in South Africa. She eventually moved to Florida in the USA, where she lived close to her brother, Frederick. She died there in 1974.
The extraordinary story of Elsie Tilney had never been told until it was uncovered two years ago by London barrister Prof Philippe Sands, when he began researching his family history.
He discovered that his mother Ruth Buchholz had been rescued from annexed Austria as a one-year-old in 1939 and taken to Paris by the devout Surrey Chapel missionary, who was subsequently held for four years at an internment camp in Vittel, in occupied France.
There, she used her position as camp archivist to hide camp records and papers which could have exposed Jewish internees to Nazi suspicion, and the horrors of the concentration camps.
One Polish soldier named Sashe Krawec, destined for Auschwitz, was hidden in Elsie’s bathroom for 16 weeks – until Vittel was liberated by French forces in 1944.
Elsie Tilney, Norwich’s unsung heroine of the Holocaust, given international honour by Yad Vashem
Surrey Chapel missionary Elsie Tilney from Norwich, who helped Jewish people to escape from Nazi internment camps during the second world war.
Norwich’s unsung heroine of the Holocaust has finally gained international recognition for her selfless actions to protect Jewish people during the Second World War – and her home city has been urged to help celebrate it.
The story of Elsie Tilney
Elsie Maude Tilney was born in Norwich in 1893. In 1919 she applied to the North Africa Mission (NAM) and was appointed jointly with the Mildmay Mission to the Jews.
She spent several spells in northern Africa until the second world war loomed.
In 1939, Elsie travelled to Vienna, in Austria, and brought a one-year-old Jewish girl called Ruth Buchholz back to Paris on July 23. Ruth later became the mother of Philippe Sands QC, whose family research helped uncover Elsie’s exploits.
Elsie continued working in Paris until it fell under German occupation in June 1940.
Along with hundreds of other foreign nationals, she was placed in an internment camp at Vittel – described as one of the more “hospitable” camps, as it was located in requisitioned hotels.
One of the most extraordinary accounts of Elsie’s selfless bravery involves Sashe Krawec, a Polish soldier who was imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto, but was transferred to Vittel along with 400 other Jews on the basis of his South American passport, probably bought on the black market. Elsie became his English teacher.
When orders were issued for all those people to be taken to Auschwitz for extermination, Sashe mysteriously disappeared – until Vittel was liberated by French forces in 1944.
A letter included in a NAM newsletter tells of some of Elsie’s actions. It says:
Elsie Maude Tilney was born in Norwich in 1893. In 1919 she applied to the North Africa Mission (NAM) and was appointed jointly with the Mildmay Mission to the Jews.
She spent several spells in northern Africa until the second world war loomed.
In 1939, Elsie travelled to Vienna, in Austria, and brought a one-year-old Jewish girl called Ruth Buchholz back to Paris on July 23. Ruth later became the mother of Philippe Sands QC, whose family research helped uncover Elsie’s exploits.
Elsie continued working in Paris until it fell under German occupation in June 1940.
Along with hundreds of other foreign nationals, she was placed in an internment camp at Vittel – described as one of the more “hospitable” camps, as it was located in requisitioned hotels.
One of the most extraordinary accounts of Elsie’s selfless bravery involves Sashe Krawec, a Polish soldier who was imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto, but was transferred to Vittel along with 400 other Jews on the basis of his South American passport, probably bought on the black market. Elsie became his English teacher.
When orders were issued for all those people to be taken to Auschwitz for extermination, Sashe mysteriously disappeared – until Vittel was liberated by French forces in 1944.
A letter included in a NAM newsletter tells of some of Elsie’s actions. It says:
She hid for a period of 16 weeks a young Jew condemned to be sent to an annihilation camp in Poland.A second letter says: “When the Germans abandoned the camp in September, she again put herself in great personal danger by hiding the camp records and papers, for she had been camp archivist.”
Elsie stayed at Vittel until the Germans abandoned it in September 1944, and then remained to help with the repatriation of about 200 Jewish people.
After the war, Elsie travelled to Lisbon, and worked with the Swiss Mission in South Africa. She eventually moved to Florida in the USA, where she lived close to her brother, Frederick. She died there in 1974.
The extraordinary story of Elsie Tilney had never been told until it was uncovered two years ago by London barrister Prof Philippe Sands, when he began researching his family history.
He discovered that his mother Ruth Buchholz had been rescued from annexed Austria as a one-year-old in 1939 and taken to Paris by the devout Surrey Chapel missionary, who was subsequently held for four years at an internment camp in Vittel, in occupied France.
There, she used her position as camp archivist to hide camp records and papers which could have exposed Jewish internees to Nazi suspicion, and the horrors of the concentration camps.
One Polish soldier named Sashe Krawec, destined for Auschwitz, was hidden in Elsie’s bathroom for 16 weeks – until Vittel was liberated by French forces in 1944.
When you look back at the facts, how people lived daily under the threat of Nazism and in those conditions during the war, you cannot believe how people in those conditions could risk their lives to save other people. Joseph Schultz
Now, her humble heroism has been formally honoured as Righteous Among the Nations by the official Holocaust remembrance authority at Yad Vashem in Israel – one of more than 25,000 people recognised for risking their lives to save Jews during the darkest days of the war, but only the 21st British recipient of the honour.
In a London ceremony on Wednesday, a medal is due to be presented by Israel’s ambassador to Elsie’s closest living relative, 84-year-old Joseph Schultz, who lives at the Great Hospital in Norwich’s Bishopgate.
And on February 1, the people of the city have been invited to join a special commemorative event and service at Surrey Chapel, Elsie’s spiritual home.
Dr Derek Haylock, a retired elder at Surrey Chapel who is organising the event, said:
In a London ceremony on Wednesday, a medal is due to be presented by Israel’s ambassador to Elsie’s closest living relative, 84-year-old Joseph Schultz, who lives at the Great Hospital in Norwich’s Bishopgate.
And on February 1, the people of the city have been invited to join a special commemorative event and service at Surrey Chapel, Elsie’s spiritual home.
Dr Derek Haylock, a retired elder at Surrey Chapel who is organising the event, said:
We knew of Elsie Tilney as one of our missionaries, but she was not much more than a name in our archives. The story of her extraordinary exploits in France during the Second World War was something she seemed to have kept to herself.
We’re very excited that one of our former church members is being honoured as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, one of only 21 such award to British people. This award is a great honour for our church, for Elsie’s surviving relatives and for the city of Norwich.
Mr Schultz said: “Elsie was my mother’s first cousin, but I can’t really remember her saying anything about her. I think people were more modest in those days, they didn’t wave flags about to say what they had done.
“Elsie is an unsung local heroine, and she is very similar in many ways to Edith Cavell. When you look back at the facts, how people lived daily under the threat of Nazism and in those conditions during the war, you cannot believe how people in those conditions could risk their lives to save other people.
“I am very proud to be associated with her, even at this distance. I think locally many people will be very, very surprised to learn of this story, but they can be very, very pleased about it too.”
The commemorative event at Surrey Chapel on Botolph Street in Norwich will start at 4.30pm on Sunday February 1, with a presentation by Philippe Sands QC, followed by a themed evening service from 6.15pm–7pm.
“Elsie is an unsung local heroine, and she is very similar in many ways to Edith Cavell. When you look back at the facts, how people lived daily under the threat of Nazism and in those conditions during the war, you cannot believe how people in those conditions could risk their lives to save other people.
“I am very proud to be associated with her, even at this distance. I think locally many people will be very, very surprised to learn of this story, but they can be very, very pleased about it too.”
The commemorative event at Surrey Chapel on Botolph Street in Norwich will start at 4.30pm on Sunday February 1, with a presentation by Philippe Sands QC, followed by a themed evening service from 6.15pm–7pm.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Good Sport
Basque athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running second, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai - bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the London Olympics. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan runner - the certain winner of the race - mistakenly pull up about 10 meters before the finish, thinking he had already crossed the line.
Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai’s mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.
Ivan Fernandez Anaya, a Basque runner of 24 years who is considered an athlete with a big future (champion of Spain of 5,000 meters in promise category two years ago) said after the test:
But even if they had told me that winning would have earned me a place in the Spanish team for the European championships, I wouldn’t have done it either. I also think that I have earned more of a name having done what I did than if I had won. And that is very important, because today, with the way things are in all circles, in soccer, in society, in politics, where it seems anything goes, a gesture of honesty goes down well.He said at the beginning: “unfortunately, very little has been said of the gesture. And it’s a shame. In my opinion, it would be nice to explain to children, so they do not think that sport is only what they see on TV: violent kicks in abundance, posh statements, fingers in the eyes of the enemy …”
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