Home » Uncategorized (Page 7)
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Hypocrisy unlimited – and unashamed
The Guardian report below is about people sleeping in bins. The government has made a promise about it, what it calls a “commitment”. Here it is:
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “It is completely unacceptable that anyone should have to face sleeping in these conditions in modern Britain. This does not reflect the society we should be and this is why we have committed to ending rough sleeping by the end of this parliament.”
Anyone who has followed government promises for any length of time knows this promise will not be kept. We know the government has no intention of keeping it. The government is laughing at the homeless and at us. This ranks as one of the most cynical statements ever to be spewed from the mouth of any government lackey. As for the Secretary of State, words fail me … I wonder if Dickens could ever have thought, in the 19th century, that Scrooge would still be alive and well and stalking the corridors of Whitehall in the 21st century. If the poor would rather die, said Scrooge, “let them do it, and reduce the surplus population.” We mustn’t kid ourselves: this is how the government today thinks about the poor, the homeless, the sick, the elderly, the disabled.
Against the few
I am depressed by the fact that Labour lost the general election in spite of the best Labour manifesto since records began, with the consequence that even the slim chance of taming capitalism that Labour offered is now off the agenda for the foreseeable future; that the most right-wing Tory party since records began now has a majority of 80 in parliament; that Boris Johnson can (and will) do what he likes from now on (in concert with his Axis partner Trump), and that the UK’s hostile environment against migrants is set to worsen.
And I am depressed that Johnson doing what he likes includes fixing the legal system against the many and for the few even more than it is already. And I am depressed that at the Grenfell inquiry companies, in an apparent attempt to threaten the inquiry, want protection in any future criminal trials that may follow – in effect, immunity from prosecution if they give evidence to the inquiry. I’ve just seen the wonderful Michael Mansfield arguing against them in the inquiry. The victims have the best if they’ve got him, but who knows what the decision will be. The inquiry hearings will now be delayed.
The population needs to take to the streets, but it won’t. It needs to go and break windows, but it won’t. The “nation” is too busy building walls, first against its nearest neighbours, second against refugees (and this government is brazen enough to target children first), and third against anybody else who has the temerity to want to migrate here. And it’s too busy trying to delete solidarity from our dictionaries. So, yes, I’m depressed about Brexit. And because the fine words on climate change are not matched by fine actions.
A few weeks ago, a delivery driver, on a motorbike, was stopped by the police in Paris for an alleged traffic offence (he was said to be using his phone). During the police check he died, of a fractured larynx. He was 42. His father said the following at a press conference: “I am the father of Cédric Chouviat. They have murdered my son. Emmanuel Macron, I will wage war against you, against your state.” («Je suis le père de Cédric Chouviat, on a assassiné mon fils. Emmanuel Macron, je vais en guerre contre vous, contre votre Etat.»)
I have bluetacked Cédric Chouviat’s father’s words onto the door of my study. We should follow his example. We’ve been sent off to war by the few several times in recent years for spurious reasons. Now, for the many, a war against the few is justified. How M. Chouviat and his supporters will wage his war remains to be seen. Whether we will find a way to follow his example also remains to be seen (bluetacking is not enough). We have to find a way, though, and quick.
Names will never hurt him
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/19/eu-will-grant-brexit-extension-if-johnson-sends-letter-says-brussels?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Let’s break these promises
Labour’s 2017 manifesto promised an end to free movement and that, instead of the Tories’ £30,000 salary threshold that migrants need to be earning before they dare to take even one step on to our territory, a Labour government would ensure that migrants would have “no access to public funds”. These are promises that should be broken. Like many Labour Party members I’m in favour of free movement, both for me and for others. And as for the second promise, here’s an example of what “no access to public funds” means in practice, It’s taken from Mike Cole’s book “Racism”:
As a direct result of the 2007–08 financial crisis … increasing numbers of people in Peterborough were forced to become homeless, and resorted to squatting in back yards or setting up desperate makeshift camps, which were reminiscent of shanty towns, on roundabouts and in woods. By 2010 it was estimated that as many as 15 camps were scattered around the city. In the same year, a project that was the first of its kind in the country was launched in Peterborough. It involved rounding up homeless migrants and attempting to force them to leave the United Kingdom. The then immigration minister Phil Woolas stated: “People have to be working, studying or self-sufficient and if they are not we expect them to return home …. This scheme to remove European nationals who aren’t employed is getting them off the streets and back to their own country.” Stewart Jackson, a local Conservative MP, described them as “vagrants” and remarked: “I don’t know how these migrants are surviving sleeping rough on roundabouts and bushes but they are a drain on my constituents and taxpayers …. If they are not going to contribute to this country, then, as citizens of their home country, they should return there.”
Typical Tory language? Yes, but Phil Woolas was a Labour minister and MP for Oldham East. Labour must take “no access to public funds” out of its plans for the next manifesto, out of its lexicon of policies and out of its collective head—except as a no-go area.
Will the EU get Johnson off the hook? Plus – the Queen opens parliament
I saw something today that suggested the EU itself might offer an extension of the deadline to Brexit, apparently without Johnson having to ask for one (which at the moment he is claiming he won’t do, even though he is legally obliged to). This could get him off the hook and save him from a second round of unlawful behaviour. But would he be off the hook if he refused the offer? I can see lawyers making pot loads from this at multiple court hearings, appeals, Scottish appeals, and then Supreme Court rulings, well into next year! But I may be getting too feverish and reading too much into a BBC report. The trouble is, no scenario is too outlandish!
Talking of outlandish, I just saw the opening of parliament: gold coaches, sparkling jewellery, weird outfits, funny hats, and an out-of-tune band. This is the 64th time she’s done it. And she still didn’t laugh! I wanted her to fling off the crown and shout, “Oh come on, bring on the clowns!”
But then, I suppose, they were already there.
More Evidence of the Prescription Medications Crisis
More from Jayne
Following Mondays post of my personal experiences last week, I’ve been collating some of the evidence showing just how big a problem this is; the conditions below in Bold are just some of the Health problems affected :
Chemist dispensers complain shortages of Drugs are “killing” them
That is sad BUT ‘killing THEM? Let us focus on outcome of the sudden unavailability of a drug such as Adalat which controls blood pressure and angina and, or, Furosemide used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and oedema.
And just what will happen when patients who rely on Antidepressants, drugs for Chronic and Acute Pain Relief, to control their Epilepsy, and women taking HRT suddenly find themselves Without their Pharmaceuticals?
Hidden within another article regarding medication shortages – Medicine shortages force government to limit HRT drug exports it was reported the Department of Health…
View original post 439 more words
Chronic Illness and Prescription Medication – No MEDS No LIFE
From Jayne Linney
I am currently recovering, very slowly, from a period of withdrawal. Not from illegal substances but from unobtainable prescription meds! We’ve all seen the Post Brexit warnings about this but I can assure you after discussions with several independent and high street pharmacists ALL medication is difficult to get. I spent 5 days last week totally and immediately without my high dose Preganalin (an epilepsy drug also used to control nerve pain); and can honestly say I can not ever remember feeling as ill, I literally had to stop myself swallowing packets of diazapin, please ignore spelling I’m still really fuzzy.
Symptoms included Gastric flu, an acute depression attack, anxiety, uncontrollable shakes, flushes and chills and total inability to function.
Very fortunately for me on day 5, Friday, my friend after chasing around the City managed to get some tablets on Friday pm.
Within 4 Hours, the nausea, and the…
View original post 230 more words
This has to stop — before it’s too late
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow was unable to stop Boris Johnson’s inflammatory language on the day, confining his “advice” on restraint to “all colleagues”. It wasn’t “all colleagues” that needed a lecture. It was the prime minister. And the Attorney-General. A double act to end all double acts, promoting division and hatred and provoking violence. Apparently the rules on appropriate parliamentary language allow this. I wrote the following to my Labour MP:
“I watched Boris Johnson’s performance in parliament yesterday with growing horror. His language and, when challenged, his insistence on continuing to use it (and even make it worse) is becoming more frightening. The “Surrender Act” is used to provoke anger and it will in the end provoke violence. From the time of Enoch Powell (and before, of course, but I’m talking about within my memory) whenever provocative language is used the result is an outbreak of violence. The parallel with Powell seems to me appropriate, given their shared racism. When challenged, Johnson simply repeats the insult (in this case going from “the Surrender Act” to “the Intimidation Act” to “the Capitulation Act”. Both Johnson and Geoffrey Cox set up a “Parliament versus the People” narrative, which is really a fascist narrative. I realise that we shouldn’t use that word carelessly, but I agree with the Labour MP (I can’t remember who it was) who did use it yesterday. As people said yesterday, another horror like the murder of Jo Cox could happen as a result of all this.
What can be done? Bercow’s semi-rebukes to Johnson (conveyed through admonitions “to all colleagues”) have no effect. A friend of mine has written to his Tory MP to protest, which seems an excellent idea, particularly if the practice spreads. Can you and others who share the disgust at Johnson’s language and attitude use Urgent Questions to keep up the pressure on Johnson, debates, quoting from constituents’ concerns (you’re welcome to use anything in this email that might be useful) …”
If you have a Tory MP, please write to them. Another friend of mine has signed a petition to his Tory MP. But write to your Labour or LibDem MP too. If you can, start a petition, organise a protest.
Good luck to Bercow’s meeting. But it must point the finger where it has to be pointed—at Johnson.
The things they say (6)
“I have no emotional attachment to the backstop. But I made clear that I do have an intimate commitment to its objectives.” – Jean-Claude Juncker
It’s a soap opera I tell you. And ever so slightly kinky!
Bob Mouncer's blog 