On knowing “the right thing to do”
I had emailed my friend Ron Yoder in Texas praising Obama (that must have startled Ron!) for his recent move on immigration, which opens up the way for people who, until now, have been counted as “illegal”, to become citizens. Ron told me that one small Christian group in America (the Marginal Mennonites, if you want to know) has said that when Obama made his announcement “he sounded like Jesus”. Well, I don’t know – I wasn’t there in “them days”. Still, with that broad-brush description, we know what they mean.
And that was going to be the end of it. I just light-heartedly reminded Ron that there were at least two versions of Jesus in the Bible. The MMs were thinking of the “I was hungry and you fed me” Jesus. But there’s also the “Depart from me, you accursed, into everlasting fire reserved for the devil and his angels” Jesus suggested by drones and endless war. Still, I said, the boy’s done good, he’s done the right thing.
And then I remembered something: that phrase has bad associations. In the Blair/Brown days, Labour politicians developed the phrase “the right thing to do”. Every policy was justified because it was “the right thing to do”. Gordon Brown said it so often that I hear it now in my head spoken with a Scottish accent. This was the mantra, whether expressed or simply understood, for all policy. So to try to cut the Disability Living Allowance was the right thing to do (the disabled didn’t agree: they demonstrated successfully outside parliament and in Downing Street, declaring that it was the wrong thing to do). To go to war against Iraq was the right thing to do. To put asylum-seekers’ children into detention or into care as an incentive to their parents to take the family home to persecution was somehow the right thing to do. And so on. You get the idea.
But so successful was this ploy that when David Cameron succeeded Gordon Brown, he and the Conservatives stole the phrase and kept it in their kitbag. And they use it all the time. From badger culls to the Scottish referendum to NHS “efficiency savings” and privatisation (whatever the consequences), it is nearly always justified because it is the right thing to do. I’m not sure if they said it to justify their policy of letting people drown in the Mediterranean – but if they didn’t, it was “understood”.
Well, we’ve got used to that stuff. But there is a further nightmare scenario looming ahead here: I don’t know how I will cope with the (admittedly unlikely) election of a Labour government in 2015 if, once elected, it claims, every time it breaks one of its election promises (that’ll be about once every two days), “We are retaining the Tories’ austerity measures/sticking to the Tories’ spending plans/not abolishing the Tory bedroom tax – because it is (you know, everybody knows, it’s agreed between us, we can’t go back on it) the right thing to do.”
But we can’t allow these buggers to ruin – despoil – the language we use. We should reclaim the language about “the right thing” and give it the meaning it would have in a decent, just and accountable political system. So I repeat: Obama’s executive action this week on immigration was undoubtedly “the right thing to do”. But if, having done it, he doesn’t apply the principle to other policy areas – doesn’t want to be like the first Jesus any more – then let him get himself to the golf course and stay there.
A song for a generation
When I lived in Paris in the 1990s I listened to a singer, Renaud, who wrote songs about the marginalised of French society, mostly, as elsewhere, immigrant families. When, in the 2000s, I did my research on asylum seekers in the UK and France, with a chapter on Immigration & Race in France, I couldn’t help quoting one of Renaud’s songs, “Deuxième Génération”, a song about the most marginalised and deprived of the North African “second generation” (beurs) in the 1980s. He put these words into the mouth of “Slimane”, aged fifteen and living in the Paris suburb (banlieue) of La Courneuve (the translation that follows is mine):
J’ai rien à gagner, rien à perdre
Même pas la vie
J’aime que la mort dans cette vie d’merde
J’aime c’qu’est cassé
J’aime c’qu’est détruit
J’aime surtout c’qui vous fait peur
La douleur et la nuit.
[Nothing to gain, nothing to lose
Not even life
I love only death in this life of shit
I love what is broken
I love what is destroyed
I love above all everything that makes you afraid
Pain and the night.]
Renaud was criticised by some beurs, who saw the song as negative, portraying people like Slimane as victims, whereas they eventually launched a fightback, with their supporters, against their oppression, so they were not passive victims. But this song, in fact, became part of that fightback. It certainly represents the reality of many beurs, then and now. And now, as then, a fightback is necessary once more.
Here is the song performed by Renaud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91MsCgJ9KNM
And here are the words:
J’m’appelle Slimane et j’ai quinze ans
J’vis chez mes vieux à La Courneuve
J’ai mon C.A.P. d’délinquant
J’suis pas un nul j’ai fait mes preuves
Dans la bande c’est moi qu’est l’plus grand
Sur l’bras j’ai tatoué une couleuvre.
J’suis pas encore allé en taule
Paraît qu’c’est à cause de mon âge
Paraît d’ailleurs qu’c’est pas Byzance
Que t’es un peu comme dans une cage
Parc’que ici tu crois qu’c’est drôle
Tu crois qu’la rue c’est les vacances.
J’ai rien à gagner, rien à perdre
Même pas la vie
J’aime que la mort dans cette vie d’merde
J’aime c’qu’est cassé
J’aime c’qu’est détruit
J’aime surtout c’qui vous fait peur
La douleur et la nuit.
J’ai mis une annonce dans Libé
Pour m’trouver une gonzesse sympa
Qui boss’rait pour m’payer ma bouffe
Vu qu’moi, l’boulot pour que j’y touche
Y m’faudrait deux fois plus de doigts
Comme quoi, tu vois, c’est pas gagné.
C’que j’voudrais, c’est être au chôm’du
Palper du blé sans rien glander
Pi comme ça, j’s’rais à la sécu
J’pourrais grattos me faire remplacer
Toutes les ratiches que j’ai perdues
Dans des bastons qu’ont mal tourné.
J’ai rien à gagner, rien à perdre
Même pas la vie
J’aime que la mort dans cette vie d’merde
J’aime c’qu’est cassé
J’aime c’qu’est détruit
J’aime surtout tout c’qui vous fait peur
La douleur et la nuit…
J’ai même pas d’tunes pour m’payer d’l’herbe
Alors, je m’défonce avec c’que j’peux
Le trychlo, la colle à rustine
C’est vrai qu’des fois ça fout la gerbe
Mais pour le prix, c’est c’qu’on fait d’mieux
Et pi, ça nettoie les narines.
Le soir, on rôde sur les parkings
On cherche une B.M. pas trop ruinée
On l’emprunte pour une heure ou deux
On largue la caisse à la Porte Dauphine
On va aux putes, juste pour mater
Pour s’en souv’nir l’soir dans nos pieux.
J’ai rien à gagner, rien à perdre
Même pas la vie
J’aime que la mort dans cette vie d’merde
J’aime c’qu’est cassé
J’aime c’qu’est détruit
J’aime surtout tout c’qui vous fait peur
La douleur et la nuit…
Y’a un autr’ truc qui m’branche aussi
C’est la musique avec des potes
On a fait un groupe de hard rock
On répète le soir dans une cave
Sur des amplis un peu pourris
Sur du matos un peu chourave.
‘n a même trouvé un vieux débile
Qui voulait nous faire faire un disque
Ça a foiré parc’que c’minable
Voulait pas qu’on chante en kabyle
On y a mis la tête contre une brique
Que même la brique, elle a eu mal.
J’ai rien à gagner, rien à perdre
Même pas la vie
J’aime que la mort dans cette vie d’merde
J’aime c’qu’est cassé
J’aime c’qu’est détruit
J’aime surtout tout c’qui vous fait peur
La douleur et la nuit.
Des fois, j’me dis qu’à 3000 bornes
De ma cité, y’a un pays
Que j’connaîtrai sûr’ment jamais
Que p’t’être c’est mieux, p’t’être c’est tant pis
Qu’là-bas aussi, j’s’rai étranger
Qu’là-bas non plus, je s’rai personne.
Alors, pour m’sentir appartenir
A un peuple, à une patrie
J’porte autour de mon cou sur mon cuir
Le keffieh noir et blanc et gris
Je m’suis inventé des frangins
Des amis qui crèvent aussi.
J’ai rien à gagner, rien à perdre
Même pas la vie
J’aime que la mort dans cette vie d’merde
J’aime c’qu’est cassé
J’aime c’qu’est détruit
J’aime surtout tout c’qui vous fait peur
La douleur et la nuit.
A world that fits
Brilliant!
In the lands of my imagination
There exists a nation, wise,
That’s built on ethical foundations
For to see its people – all its people
Meaningfully thrive
With Integrity and Honesty,
Equality and Liberty,
Its cornerstones on which
All other bricks look and rely.
There, the atmosphere is friendly
And the population wild but kind
For they have made Society’s priority
Achieving peace of mind.
They recognise you cannot
Put a price on individuals
Who see themselves fulfilled
Through their own eyes;
That a populace that’s confident,
Is not inclined to rush
To crush each other;
Even less to jump to judge
And moralize.
For they have learned a treasure
Through the measurement of time:
They understand true freedom starts
In one’s own heart and mind.
And no one dreams to mess with it
Because their own shoes, comfy, fit;
There, everyone’s a valued peer
And so respect and trust…
View original post 71 more words
For some pounds
Excellent!
There is so little room to move
Here on the common ground:
Can’t climb up quite high enough;
Can’t slip that much further down.
A life in limbo with no window,
Ground to powder for some pounds
By banks of think tanks flanking clowns.
But surely the economy
Should fit to our Society:
To you and me;
For you and me
And not this crazy other way around…
Stony silence ended – Alan Johnson replies
Alan Johnson has now replied to my email on TTIP. I have put the letter below, but here are a couple of points:
My first reaction on reading the letter was “and if not?”
Johnson seems to share concerns “about the impact that TTIP could have on public services – particularly the NHS.” He believes “the NHS should be exempt from the agreement and that the Government should now push for this exemption.”
And if not, Alan, what will you, the two Eds, Harriet and all your mates actually do?
He seems to share concerns that TTIP wants foreign investors to have the right to sue sovereign governments before ad hoc tribunals for loss of profits resulting from public policy decisions. “I believe”, he says, “that governments should be able to legislate in the public interest and that this should be protected in any dispute resolution mechanisms.”
And if not?
Johnson also says, “It is … crucial … that the benefits of TTIP filter down to employees, small businesses and consumers …” – what’s it mean, “filter down”? It is apparently also crucial “that the deal is open and accountable …” “Open and accountable” is usually just jargon. It goes with (I’m surprised he didn’t use it) “transparent”. Once you’ve seen that word you know it’s going to be as opaque as can be. And remember, of course, that the negotiations are being held in secret, so that’s already a blow to openness, accountability and transparency. They’ve clearly started as they mean to go on, but he didn’t mention that.
But anyway – just in case I’m being too suspicious-minded – let me ask of these pious wishes too: and if not?
I think the answer is “If not – we won’t do anything.” After all he begins the letter by saying, “I support the principles behind TTIP – the free trade agreement that is currently being negotiated between the USA and the EU.” And he supports them because the EU and the USA “are, of course, the UK’s two largest markets …” It’s the market that’s crucial. That’s why the rest of the sentence isn’t worth the e-space it’s typed on, the bit about the benefits of TTIP (“removing trade barriers, boosting growth and creating jobs”). Because all promises of benefits – especially the creation of jobs – will be broken if market considerations dictate. Likewise any promise that governments will “be able to legislate in the public interest” without getting stamped on – sorry, taken to a tribunal!
He promises at the end of the letter to “continue to follow this issue closely”.
Us too, Alan.
Anyway, here’s the letter:
“Dear Mr Mouncer,
Thank you for your email and apologies that you did not receive a response to your original email, this was an oversight on my part.
Let me start by saying that I support the principles behind TTIP – the free trade agreement that is currently being negotiated between the USA and the EU. These are, of course, the UK’s two largest markets and I believe that TTIP has the potential to bring significant benefits, including removing trade barriers, boosting growth and creating jobs.
It is also crucial, though, that the benefits of TTIP filter down to employees, small businesses and consumers, that the deal is open and accountable and that it raises or at least maintains labour, consumer, environmental and safety standards.
I also share the concerns that many constituents have raised about the impact that TTIP could have on public services – particularly the NHS. I believe that the NHS and public services need to be more, not less, integrated and I am concerned at the worrying fragmentation of health services that is taking place under this Government. That is why I believe that the NHS should be exempt from the agreement and that the Government should now push for this exemption.
I know that there is also considerable concern about the proposed inclusion of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions in the TTIP deal. I believe that governments should be able to legislate in the public interest and that this should be protected in any dispute resolution mechanisms. I also believe there needs to be far greater transparency in this area and that while the EU Commission has recently instigated some welcome changes on this, they can and must go further.
I hope that the Government now listen and respond to these concerns and ensure that TTIP delivers the jobs, growth and fairer deal for consumers that we all want to see.
Thank you once again for writing to me and sharing your views. I can assure you that I will continue to follow this issue closely and bear in mind the points you raise.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP”
LA MÉDAILLE/THE MEDAL by Renaud Séchan
Another view of war to the one we’re getting in the commemoration/glorification events relating particularly to the First World War. It was called “the war to end all wars” but in fact led to 100 years of war. Patriotism does not allow us to say “My country was wrong”. Instead the most we can say is “My country, right or wrong.” Some years ago, the French singer Renaud expressed his own brand of anti-war feeling, and his words are worth hearing. Here he is on YouTube performing his song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYs-Xd2N3lE
and I’ve put the words below – with my own translation (apologies, but I am not a poet!):
LA MÉDAILLE
Un pigeon s’est posé‚
Sur l’épaule galonnée
Du Maréchal de France
Et il a décoré
La statue dressée
D’une gastrique offense
Maréchaux assassins
Sur vos bustes d’airain
Vos poitrines superbes
Vos médailles ne sont
Que fiente de pigeon
De la merde.
Un enfant est venu
Aux pieds de la statue
Du Maréchal de France
Une envie naturelle
L’a fait pisser contre elle
Mais en toute innocence
Maréchaux assassins
Le môme mine de rien
A joliment vengé
Les enfants et les mères
Que dans vos sales guerres
Vous avez massacres.
Un clodo s’est couché
Une nuit juste aux pieds
Du Maréchal de France
Ivre mort au matin
Il a vomi son vin
Dans une gerbe immense
Maréchaux assassins
Vous méritez rien
De mieux pour vos méfaits
Que cet hommage immonde
Pour tout le sang du monde
Par vos sabres verses.
Un couple d’amoureux
S’embrasse sous les yeux
Du Maréchal de France
Muet comme un vieux bonze
Il restera de bronze
Raide comme une lance
Maréchaux assassins
L’amour ne vous dit rien
A part bien sur celui
De la Patrie hélas
Cette idée dégueulasse
Qu’à mon tour je conchie.
THE MEDAL
A pigeon perched
On the braided shoulder
Of the Marshal of France
And he decorated
The upright statue
With a gastric offence
Marshals – assassins –
On your busts of bronze
Your superb chests
Your medals are nothing
But pigeon’s droppings
Nothing but shit.
A child came
To the feet of the statue
Of the Marshal of France
A natural need
Made him piss against it
But in all innocence
Marshals – assassins –
This unthinking child
Has nicely avenged
The children and mothers
You have massacred
In your dirty wars.
A tramp slept
One night at the feet
Of the Marshal of France
In the morning, dead drunk,
He vomited his wine
Like an enormous fountain
Marshals – assassins –
You deserve nothing better
For your misdeeds
Than this filthy homage
For all the blood of the world
Shed by your swords.
Two lovers are kissing
Under the gaze
Of the Marshal of France
The dumb old despot
Will remain set in bronze
Stiff as a lance
Marshals – assassins –
Love means nothing to you
Except, of course, patriotic love
That disgusting idea
That I, in my turn,
Cover with shit.
A stony silence – but anyway let’s sign the petition
You may remember that I wrote to Alan Johnson (Labour MP for West Hull) nearly two months ago to ask him about Labour Party policy towards the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the secret deal being negotiated between the EU and the US. I pointed out that TTIP, though
“posing as a traditional trade agreement, has as its goal the removal of regulatory barriers which, even now, serve to protect us in a number of ways, e.g. with regard to workers’ rights, food safety rules, toxic chemical use, digital privacy laws and the banking safeguards introduced after 2008.”
Moreover, I told him, it “wants to open up public services and government procurement contracts to competition from multinational companies”, thus threatening “even more privatisation in areas such as health and education”. I asked him what Labour party policy would be on TTIP if it won the 2015 general election, and I suggested that “TTIP, and the secret negotiations to get it, should be abandoned entirely” (see my blog for the full letter: https://bobmouncerblog.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/secretly-negotiating-to-steal-whats-ours/).
So far I have received nowt but a stony silence from my parliamentary representative. Meanwhile, due to campaigns against it, the negotiators’ secrecy has been undermined (which must make them really cross). One such campaign is being waged by The People’s NHS, and it’s not hard to see why: the group points out that Slovakia (which has a similar deal) was sued for trying to nationalise part of its healthcare service while Australia is being sued for trying to introduce plain cigarette packets. The People’s NHS points out:
“If companies wanted to sue our government, they can do so in a secret court. There will be no public outcry about what they’re trying to do because in most cases, we won’t know it has happened until it’s too late. This deal is so secretive, and the consequences so potentially far-reaching, that the Guardian labelled it ‘a gunpowder plot against democracy’. If we don’t get this deal debated in the open, we may never know the full scale of the havoc it could wreak.”
So I’ve written to Alan Johnson asking for a reply. Meanwhile, let’s all sign the petition: http://action.peoplesnhs.org/eu-ttip-debate
The best of all possible worlds?
This article by the US ambassador to the Court of St James is incredible. Literally. And I can’t work out for the life of me what it’s doing in The New Statesman.
It is, I think, intended as a drug, or as the diplomatic equivalent of “Calm down, dears”. It’s so at odds with the reality we know that I glanced at the calendar to check if it was, after all, April 1st. But no, it is November 2nd, just under two months afer the anniversary of the second political event in my lifetime when everybody can remember where they were when it happened (the first was JFK’s assassination). And one of the events in a long chain that tells us that we reap what we sow and that the last thing we should do is sit back and trust that, due to America under Obama being “more flexible, nimble and creative in response to global threats”, the US and the world is now “more peaceful, more prosperous and more just”.
That would be very foolish indeed, Your Excellency.
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