20 Years on

Justice For The 96. You'll Never Walk Alone.

24/02/2009

“Fear over street riots
More than a third of voters believe the army will have to be brought in to deal with riots on British streets as the recession bites, a poll shows. The fear of unrest was disclosed as Met supt David Hartshorn warned activists are planning a “summer of rage”. Tory home affairs spokesman Crispin Blunt has urged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to make a Commons statement and answer questions over the claim.” ITV Text – News

The only people preparing for rage here are the government and their bouncers, everyone I know is talking up the chances of a summer of love. They want the rage, it'll give them a chance to work on some new tactics, use their new tazers and other toys, expand that curfew they've been hoping to wheel out... that kind of thing.


“Russia pressed over missile
Britain is raising concerns with Russia that it is supplying Iran with ground-to-air missile systems to defend its nuclear plants, Mps have heard. Defence Secretary John Hutton said the arming of the country in such a way would be an “unwelcome” development. It has been reported Moscow intends to sell a number of its S-300 missile systems, which could protect Iran against any Israeli strike. ITV Text – News

Does this mean that the missile system won't protect Iran from non-Israeli strike? And exactly how does a missile protect? Shot into the air, exploding to reveal a honey-comb style canopy, inter-locking with the other missile/canopies 'protecting' everyone below from Israeli bombs.... But not American bombs? And why do the secretary's have to do all the talking?


24/02/2009
“Iraq Cabinet minutes vetoed
The Government is to use its ministerial veto for the first time, to block publication of Cabinet minutes related to the invasion of Iraq. Justice Secretary Jack Straw said he could not permit the release of records from 2003 talks over the Iraq invasion as it would cause damage to democracy. He signed a certificate vetoing rulings that key records should be disclosed after consulting the Cabinet” ITV Text – News

28/02/2009

“Campaigners stage liberty events
The “database state”, counter-terrorism laws and press freedom are among issues being discussed by campaigners at the Convention on Modern Liberty. Organisers say hundreds of people are expected to attend the main event in London and gatherings across the UK. One speaker, human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy QC, said terrorism “was being used to take away a lot of rights”. Tory David Davis, Lib Dem Vince Cable and ex-minister Lord Goldsmith are also among those scheduled to speak” BBC Text – News – UK Reports

08/03/2009

“Moral question over abused girl
A nine year old girl in Brazil is made pregnant with twins by her abusive stepfather and has an abortion on doctors' advice. She has been excommunicated, with Vatican approval, but the abuser has not. What kind of morality is this? ITV Text – Airtime – DB, Eastbourne, East Sussex

21/03/2009

“Galloway vows to fight Canada ban
Outspoken anti-war MP George Galloway has vowed to fight the “outrageous decision” to ban him from Canada on the grounds of national security. Mr Galloway said he was not prepared to accept the “idiotic” ban and pledged to use all means at his disposal to challenge the ruling. But a spokesman for Canada's immigration minister Jason Kenney insisted the decision by border security officials would not be overturned for an “infandous street-corner Cromwell”.” ITV Text – Round-up of the top world stories

D'oh Canada. (I feel like a headline writer, sorry)

25/03/2009

“Social network data monitoring plan
The Home Office has defended proposals to require social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to retain details of their users' movements on the internet. They could be required to hold data about every person users correspond with via the sites, The Independent reported. The proposal follows plans to store information about every telephone call, email and internet visit made by anyone in the UK on a central database.” ITV Text – News Headlines

No doubt tomorrow there'll be another report saying that paranoia is made worse by marijuana – maybe so – but if you want me to shake off the paranoia and depression and get out more, stop fucking spying on me. I told a counsellor recently that I'd have no marijuana related paranoia if it was bountiful and legal. If I wasn't worried about when I could next afford it or being grassed-up (pun-tastic) to the authorities for smoking it, I'd be much better – I could maybe even hold down a job. Take away the disapproving looks from people who have swallowed all the mis-information about weed and the paranoia disappears. The counsellor asked me if I had heard all the anecdotal evidence linking paranoia to cannabis, I said I had, but I prefer the scientific evidence.

Something In The Air?

06/02/2009

“Court: Burnley milkman Robert Holding, 72, who supplied cannabis on his daily round, is due to be sentenced at the town's crown court.” ITV Text – Home news in brief

I see the people who shouted the loudest over the Brand/Ross phone call as the more conservative of society, so I won't hold my breath for the same people to be so vocal on the issue of this 70-odd year old being put through far more stress than the other (Mr Sachs). After seeing “Horizon: Cannabis – The Killer Weed?” on BBC2 Monday night, I came to the conclusion that smoking it before the age of 15 is not recommended due to the brain's development, but after that we're “wired” with hundreds of receptors to receive the THC contained within the plant and it would benefit us as a species to fully explore how marijuana can improve all of our lives. The prohibition is ridiculous and the charge against Mr Holding should be dropped if they can't prove he was dealing to under-16's.


“Politics: Labour has beaten the BNP in a Tameside Council by-election by 1,379 votes to 889. The Tories were third and turnout was 32%.” ITV Text – Home news in brief

The BNP getting as many votes as they are coupled with the low turnout rate should give everyone involved a wake up call. There's a system in place that has enough of us worried as it is, but it could easily be manipulated into something undoubtedly evil by a far-right, racist outfit such as the BNP appear to be, or something like them. Whilst 'Zeitgeist: Addendum' suggests a boycott of the political system, how do we do this without allowing any extremist party to gain power over us and, more to the point, the police and armed forces they'd use to keep us in our place during any transition?


“Surveillance 'creep' slammed
The growth of surveillance and the rise of the database state is “undermining” the public's right to privacy, a damning report by peers has claimed. It criticises the “incessant creep” of CCTC snooping and the recording of personal information by the government. Members of the Lords constitution committee said the UK has more CCTV cameras and a bigger DNA database per person than anywhere else in the world.” ITV Text – News

The Lords have decided they're not keen on all the surveillance after a few of their own fell foul of it while they were trying to sell the odd change of law. Weird that.


“NHS raises negligence budget.
The NHS is expected to pay out more than £700m in clinical negligence payments next year, Tories have said. The rise to £713m is almost double this year's bill of £396m and will take up almost a third of the additional cash hospitals will receive, the party said. The Department of Health said the figure is “substantially higher” than previously due to the likely settlement of more than 100 high-value cases.” ITV Text – News

No doubt people make mistakes, and anyone suffering as a result should have their suffering taken away we're possible – but suing the NHS? And to this level? Really?? You're only screwing each other out of the chance of better care in the future. It could be that your local hospital doesn't get the machine you need to keep you alive because of your own compensation claim, or maybe they don't hire the cleaner that your ward needed to stop the spread of the bug that kills you. As soon as the compensation becomes too much, the powers that be will cut down the NHS until we're all paying insurance for private hospital treatment, fuelling the “I'm alright Jack” attitude that will ultimately lead to our downfall.


“UN halts Gaza aid over 'thefts'
The UN aid agency in Gaza says it has suspended all aid shipments, accusing the Hamas government of seizing hundreds of tonnes of food supplies. Ten lorries carrying flour and rice were taken from the Palestinian side of the Karem Shalom crossing, the UN's Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) said. Hamas admitted a “mistake” had been made and says it will return the goods. But Unrwa says deliveries will not restart until it has assurances that such seizures will not happen again.” BBC Text – World stories


“Kyrgyz closure of US base 'final'
Kyrgyzstan says its decision to close a US base that serves as a vital supply route for US and NATO operations in Afghanistan is “final”. It contradicts US statements that talks are ongoing about the base's future. Meanwhile, the US has asked to move supplies through Russia, and Tajikistan has said it will allow non-military goods into Afghanistan. Nato is understood to be increasingly concerned about the security of its supply routes through Pakistan.” BBC Text – World Stories


“Pakistan nuclear scientist 'free'
A court in Pakistan has freed disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest. Dr Khan, who has been under tight restrictions since 2004, can now leave home and receive visitors. Dr Khan welcomed the ruling and said he was not bothered what the international community thought of his release. The US has described the move has “unfortunate”, with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton saying she was “very much concerned” by Dr Khan's release.” BBC Text – World Stories


“Nigeria baby poison deaths rise
The death toll from a contaminated baby medicine sold in Nigeria has risen from 34 – recorded in early December – to 84, the health ministry has said. There have been 111 reported cases of children who have fallen ill after being given teething syrup “Mr Pikin”. The poisonous syrup was discovered last November when babies began dying of organ failure across the country. Authorities have called on private pharmacies to turn over stocks of the paracetamol-based syrup to regulators.” BBC Text – World Stories



07/02/2009


“Cannabis milkman spared jail
A 72-year-old father-of-six has been given a 36-week suspended jail sentence for supplying cannabis to his milk round customers along with their bottle of milk. Robert Holding, a grandfather to 29, admitted selling the drug to several “elderly people who had aches and pains”. Burnley Crown Court heard Holding had 17 regular customers and built up his trade through “word of mouth”. Police arrested Holding at his home in Burnley last July, following an investigation over a number of weeks. Officers had discovered cannabis resin in an egg box in his milk van.” Sky Text News


“Ecstasy dangers played down
Taking ecstasy is no worse than riding a horse, the government's top drug advisor has claimed. Professor David Nutt, the chairman of the Home Office's Advisory Council On The Misuse Of Drugs, said taking the drug was no more dangerous than people's addiction to riding. The ACMD is expected to recommend that ecstasy is downgraded from Class A to the less dangerous Class B classification. Ministers have outlined their opposition to the move. Prof Nutt said people could be addicted to riding as well, and termed this “equasy”. He said equasy – equine addiction syndrome – cause more than 100 deaths a year, while ecstasy kills around 30. He explained “This raises the critical question of why society tolerates – indeed encourages – certain forms of potentially harmful behaviour, but not others such as drug use.”” Sky Text News


“US firm 'knew nuts were tainted'
A peanut supplier blamed for a US-wide outbreak of salmonella poisoning sold nuts it knew were infected, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says. The FDA was revising an earlier report it had issued saying the Georgia-based firm Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) had waited for negative results. A criminal inquiry was launched last month. The corporation denies any wrongdoing and says it is co-operating. The outbreak has been linked to eight deaths and more than 500 illnesses.” BBC Text – World Reports


“Latin America poverty 'may soar'
The global financial crisis could cause poverty to rise in Latin America by as much as 15% this year, a senior UN official has warned. Rebecca Grynspan, regional head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said Latin American governments needed to take action urgently. She expressed particular concern about smaller countries, saying they might not cope with such a big shock. Analysts fear 2.4 million Latin Americans may lose their jobs.” BBC Text – World Reports


“Atmosphere before income – Quinn
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has revealed the decision to cut season ticket prices is a move to create an atmosphere at the Stadium of Light. Tickets bought before 3 April will cost £350 - £465, down from £415 - £525 this term, and Quinn hopes the savings will encourage fans to support the club. “We're putting commitment to the team, match attendance and atmosphere above income,” he told BBC Radio Newcastle. “The atmosphere become electric and the players sense the passion and loyalty.”” BBC Text – UK Regions – N.E. & Cumbria


“Agents 'attended INLA death plot'
An INLA meeting plotting the murder of Billy Wright was attended by two unidentified security forces agents, the inquiry into his death has heard. The meeting in north Belfast took place 12 days before the LVF leader was shot dead inside the Maze prison. Asst Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said police knew about the meeting, but did not know what had been discussed. The inquiry heard that the intelligence sources may have been working for the Army or MI5.” BBC Text – UK Regions – Northern Ireland


“Businessman's £71k benefit fraud
A businessman must repay £200,000 after admitting claiming £71,000 in benefits while running two successful firms, Swansea Crown Court has heard. Norman Gill, 60, was receiving income support and council tax relief while the internet fashion company he ran had an annual turnover of around £90,000. He also owned a “substantial property portfolio”, with an income of £3,500 a month from rent, and drove a Mercedes. Gill escaped being sent to jail because his wife has multiple sclerosis.” BBC Text – UK Regions – Wales


“Airtime: Mattress padding
I have written to the three financial institutions where I have savings requesting that they send all monies to me and to close my accounts, as I intend to hold it all at home in cash. The loss of interest is so small that it is insignificant. If it gets stolen, then at least it will be stolen by honest thieves and not ones that wear a suit!” A P, Chatham, Kent – ITV Text Airtime (P.328)

“Airtime: Bond is my word
I am withdrawing 90% of my savings from my bank account and putting the money in Premium Bonds. I don't care if I win a prize or not, but I am not letting any bank make a profit on my hard earned savings and only giving me a pittance in return. It is time savers rebelled, as they are the main losers in this financial crisis.” T J, Beith, Ayrshire – ITV Text – Airtime

“Airtime: Big Brother's already here
The UK has the most CCTV cameras in the world, the largest DNA database in the world (and larger than the other EU countries combined), the most phone and email surveillance and people reporting private conversations that they don't agree with. The House of Lords report on UK surveillance is years too late. Welcome to New Labour's police state.” M S, London SE19 – ITV Text Airtime

Something in the air...........


“Venezuelans march against Chavez
Huge crowds of Venezuelans have taken to the streets to oppose an attempt by President Hugo Chavez to scrap rules barring him from re-election. His supporters say he needs to stand for a third term to finish his socialist revolution, but his opponents worry that it would erode democracy. The country will vote in a referendum on the issue next Sunday. Local media said 600,000 people turned out for the “no” campaign's march, but other sources said tens of thousands.” BBC Text – World Reports


“New Bolivia constitution in force.
Bolivia's President Evo Morales has enacted a new constitution that aims to empower the country's indigenous majority and allows for land reform. Mr Morales said he had accomplished his mission to re-found Bolivia. The new constitution was approved in a referendum last month by 61% of voters, but was rejected in the lowland regions where Bolivia's wealth is concentrated. The constitution also scraps the single term limit for the president, allowing Mr Morales to seek re-election.” BBC Text – World Reports



09/02/2009

“Wilson blocks climate change ad
Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has blocked a government advertisement campaign on climate change. The advertisements urged people to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon dioxide output. Mr Wilson said the Scottish executive had objected to the advertisements and stopped them being broadcast. He said the adverts were part of an “insidious propaganda campaign” which would not be imposed on people in NI.” BBC Text – Main Headlines


“Economy 'threatens' news accuracy
Press intrusion and inaccurate reporting are getting worse because the recession has forced newspapers to make cutbacks, a report suggests. The report from the Media Standards Trust says papers are sacrificing standards to maintain sales. A YouGov survey found only 7% of 2,024 people questioned trust UK to national newspapers to behave responsibly. It says the system of self-regulation overseen by the Press Complaints Commission needs urgent reform” BBC Text – UK Reports



10/02/2009

“UK downturn may last 15 years
The current economic downturn will be worse than the Great Depression, Gordon Brown's closest ally has warned. Children's Secretary Ed Balls said the crisis was “the most serious global recession for over 100 years”, and it's effects would be felt for a decade and a half. The comments – easily the gloomiest yet from a senior member of the Government – came in a weekend speech to Labour activists in Yorkshire. “We are now seeing the realities of globalisation, though at a speed, pace and ferocity which none of us have seen before,” Mr Balls said. The Normanton MP suggested the downturn could have similar political effects as the depression in the 1930s, which saw the rise of fascism. “The economy is going to define our politics... in the next five years, the next 10 years and even the next 15 years,” Mr Balls told the delegates.” Sky Text – News – latest

Something drastic needs to happen. They keep tinkering with a faulty system and it's creating more division and less trust. The way people behave during the many crisis we face, real or hyped, is engraved on many people's minds. Everything from the local shop cranking the prices up and taking advantage of a situation at the expense of loyal customers, to communities at each other's throats over someone crossing a picket line. There are people still clinging to the hatred they felt seeing 'scab' labour from their communities crossing picket lines 20-30 years ago. They cross the road to avoid each other, bring their kids up to do anything but 'trust thy neighbour'. Eventually, the very reasons they were striking in the first place (fairness, equality, etc.) are cast aside and the opposite fills the void. We're giving the politicians the power to get things wrong, banks the power to feather their nests, and the media the power to lie to us. They'll continue to do these things while we let them. What's more important is that we don't continue to sink to their standards by constantly trying to get one over each other. They're not going to break the cycle through their own self preservation, and it's easy to see the temptation to follow suit, but we've got to resist.


They first came for the Communists
and I didn't speak up -
because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews
and I didn't speak up -
because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I didn't speak up -
because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics
and I didn't speak up -
because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me -
and by that time no one
was left to speak up.

Pastor Martin Niemoeller
(Nazi Victim)



11/02/2009


“Tories come clean over Titian
The Tories have admitted that a member of staff altered an entry on Wikipedia following yesterdays' Prime Minister's Questions, in order to match a statement by David Cameron. Renaissance painter Titian's biography was changed after a spat with Gordon Brown over the artist's age when he died. Titian came up as Mr Cameron asserted that Mr Brown never got his facts right, saying: “You told us the other day you were like Titian aged 90. The fact is Titian died at 86.” Within minutes, the entry on the on-line encyclopaedia was altered by a user registered at Conservative Party HQ. Titian's date of death was altered from 1576 to 1572, to match Mr Cameron's claim. It has since been changed back – although the exact date of death is not known. A party spokesman blamed the edit on “an overeager member of staff”. Mr Brown mentioned Titian's age last month.” Sky Text – News – Latest

I've seen so many stories like this, 'facts' being altered to fit political party's views, and always think of George Orwell's '1984'.

Last year, I received a reply from the bank about reclaiming the bank charges on my account:
“....I regret this legislation and s.187 in particular, has been commonly misinterpreted. Where the law refers to a “charge” this is meant as in the sense “to assign an asset” rather than “to incur a fee”. The true meaning of this section, therefore, is that benefits cannot be used as security or assigned to a third party. This does not mean we cannot charge fees in respect of the products and services we offer you as your banker” - 'Double-Think' if I remember right.
If it says “....has been commonly misinterpreted..” doesn't that just mean a lot of people think charge means what charge ACTUALLY means, making our meaning what should be in the dictionary – we all use the same language so surely the words and definitions used by the majority should be the ones these people can use against us rather than a language only they understand??? I'll take my beating if it's me at fault but they want it every way up, surely they can let us win one gracefully without changing the rules! This came through the post on the same day some analyst or other had told the banks that their accounts are too confusing to the general public – to which the banks told him to fuck off and mind his own business, or words to that effect.

I apologise for my scatter gun approach to writing, but it's my approach to thinking unfortunately. I also apologise for the size of the updates and realise a lot won't read it through a combination of my rambling and shoddy writing, but I'm not on-line so can only update when I get on one of the mate's laptop.

The pursuit of freedom

Democracy?

Introduction

I've decided to write down all the news stories that hurt my head when read with words like democracy and freedom rattling around up there. I'm sick of reading all of these stories that appear for a few hours and then disappear from the radar to make room for endless NEWS coverage on celebrity, football, political posturing, and just plain bullshit (or PR). My intentions are to compile enough interesting ones to fill a book, get it published, and sit back and wait for someone to help me decide what the answer is, or the question come to think of it. Can it be that I simply misunderstand the word 'democracy'?

I would define democracy (badly I know...) as a system put in place to ensure that the majority are listened to and their views acted upon, the minority given the same rights as the majority regardless of political or religious persuasion (even if they have neither), with their views taken into consideration and incorporated where no major impact is made on the majority, with the rest worked on until compromise is reached. Do unto others as you would have done to you. Do what you want with YOUR body as long as your actions don't harm anyone elses'. All laws and rights should apply equally to every citizen regardless of career choice or family background. All citizens have the same opportunities available to them with regards education, health etc.

Ok, it's basic. It's missing the complexities and loop-holes required by the whole justice industry to make a living. I don't claim to have omitted this information on moral grounds, it's more a case of my limited vocabulary. I've also shoe-horned something into my definition to justify the argument for the end of the prohibition of marijuana, can you spot it?

I don't think I've ever looked at a dictionary's definition of democracy before and, if I have, it's long forgotten. The dictionary I'm looking at now defines democracy as; “The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. The government has promised to uphold the principles of democracy. The early 1990s saw the spread of democracy in Eastern Europe”. Hmmm.

It's unlikely that all of these 'stories' will set the heart racing, some are more subtle than others, and some I'm sure have made their way in because I've got a gut-feeling that something's not quite right without having a solid idea what, although I am hoping that as I note down the stories, as some will contradict one another, some will be easily linked together, which will hopefully bring about a sort of closure; in the sense my head will stop hurting, even if nothing actually happens as a result. This is probably as much a way of unravelling and understanding my own anxieties as anything else. It is possible that this is just an exercise to help me cope better with the realities of life rather than my expectations of what life could and would be.

I expect to find a pattern emerge showing the media stirring up trouble where there is none to try keeping the public's attention diverted away from issues that could actually affect them, or the state fellow human beings are being kept in to support our way of life; politicians being slippery and doing all they can to juggle the happiness of big business and keeping the public just content enough to keep their positions of power and privilege; and the big corporations getting away with almost everything whilst the average person receives wide-ranging punishments for all matter of crimes and non-crimes by a class-biased and erratic judicial system. So, no real surprises expected other than a possibility that the regularity of these stories and the consistency of how they're dealt with will spark some life into an apathetic, tabloid driven public. Failing that, you should at least get a giggle out of some of the less tragic tales.

My idea is not for this to be a scientific study of media reporting, rather my view on the skewed way the law works, the politicians and corporations behave, and the media report. I intend on getting the stories from the text services on the BBC, ITV and SKY TV , the main internet news outlets and any newspaper I find lying about, but rarely the headline making stories; more the stories on the pages after the latest news on Posh's new frock, the updates on what the numbers are doing on the computers around the world and why that means people are having to choose between heating, eating and Ronan Keating. I want to look for the stories given a couple of inches in newspapers, stuck amongst the “and finally's...” on the teletext services and the stories on the news websites that suddenly disappear without explanation.

The reason behind my not over-doing the research is I want to take in the news at face value to highlight the effect the current methods of journalism are having on people who don't have the greatest knowledge of politics, history, geography etc, or those who simply don't have the time to have more than a brief look at world events due to their family, social, and work commitments (such as almost everyone I know, myself included). I feel we are giving away too much of our collective power and are being deceived into taking part in a system we wouldn't go along with if we were allowed to understand the details and more to the point, the implications our system has for other people in this country and around the world.

Whilst trying to take in the news as the average man does, I should note that the highest selling daily newspaper is The Sun. As a Liverpool FC fan (amongst other things), I won't be using The Sun here. As much enjoyment as I'd get from exposing their lies and hypocrisy (again and again, relentlessly, until the day Mr Murdoch dissolves his whole media empire and journalists the world over re-discover their freedom, and in some cases integrity – and yes I'm aware he owns Sky Tv), it would be out-weighed considerably by the nausea and self-loathing I'd feel having to read the rag. I honestly wouldn't use it to wipe the hole in my back. There's more of a case for Viz magazine being taken seriously for journalism than The Sun in my book..... (Which this is).

I have no relevant qualifications to write this book. I didn't do badly in school and got my further education in the construction industry and, but for a car crash (of which I was at fault and relatively leniantly punished by the authorities), I'd still be in the industry now. Having spent 18 months (so far) recovering and therefore spending a lot of time at home, I've found myself awake at some ridiculous hours flicking through the teletext scanning the news and views from the public thereon. I've read news stories that have blown my mind only to awake the next day to find no mention on the text, news channels, or newspapers of any consequences or that these things have even happened at all.

I want to be able to quote word for word how these things are reported so I can't go into detail on one of the stories that planted the seed for this book, but the upshot was that Lloyds bank was paying compensation of around £300 million to the USA for allowing transactions to pass through their bank to countries such as Libya and Syria, countries that the Americans have decided no-ones allowed to share with anymore. This comes weeks after the government bailed out the banks and 3 or 4 days before they did it again. And, as I understand it, Lloyds was, at least in part, nationalised. My conclusion of this, and I stand to be corrected, is that the British public gave the American public around £300 million. If the government gives the bank £300 million to stay afloat on behalf of the public, then takes over the bank on behalf of the public, then the bank is sued by the American government on behalf of the American public, we've been fleeced by those in charge of the bank at the time of the dodgy transactions.

There's lots of questions need to be asked about this, such as why, although there was a crime comitted, there are no signs of convictions or any rich guys' front doors being kicked in by a large group of men in riot gear with angry dogs at 6 in the morning? Why is it front page news when the government gives billions to several banks, yet nowhere to be seen when one of these banks simply passes the cash straight off to America? And why do I keep suggesting actual money or something of value is being exchanged or handed over, when the whole thing is numbers being moved around on a computer screen which looks terribly complicated? Maybe it's best we just trust them to get on with it?

A few months before this, there were complaints coming from certain quarters about the millions sent in aid to India (Big country with some very poor people who can't speak English, most of whom aren't even white, and wear funny head-gear etc) yet there hasn't been a squeak from seemingly anyone about the similarly large amount given to America (Big country where most speak a form of English, wear similar clothes, listen to similar music, wear the same bling etc), you see where I'm coming from. Not that this one story set me off, this is merely the straw that broke the camel's back.

Recently, tucked away on the “And finally...” page of ITV text, in between the snow-boarding squirrels and the 100 year old woman who's started every day with a tot of whiskey and finished every day having smoked 20 cigarettes for as long as she can remember, I read the headline “Babysitter Puts Foot In It”. There followed a suitably whimsical tale from the U.S of a 4 year old having his foot stood on accidentally by his babysitter and, in return, shooting the babysitter..... TWICE! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy the babysitter lived but it begs the question why are we hearing about this at all? There are billions of people the world over who's tragedies and tales of hope are going unheard in this country, in fact there's plenty of these stories on our own doorsteps that go unreported unless your doorstep is in, or within spitting distance of, London. The media seem to think we're incapable of feeling empathy towards someone who couldn't be a clone of ourselves or someone we know. Worse than that, we let them.

I hope this book is ripped apart by people who know what they're talking about, I'm shipped off for some much needed psychiatric help, my 'collection' dismissed as a scrapbook of unconnected paranoid ramblings by a northern nutcase, and some honest explanations given to remove the confusion prevalent amongst more people than would admit to it. I concede I have a somewhat bleak outlook on life but would love nothing more than to be proved wrong, which I have been on many occasions by random acts of kindness by strangers, but if someone could convince me that this system isn't actually all that bad and people aren't getting a bad deal, I'd be happier.

The problem is finding someone who know's enough of what's going on behind the scenes who can be trusted to give us nothing more than facts. Not spin (lies) nor sexed up dossiers (lies) nor PR (more lies) – just facts, in a language the majority can understand, so the majority can then make informed decisions. Honestly, it's like they don't want us to understand sometimes. But that wouldn't be democratic by anyone's definition.


Chapter 1

23/01/09

“BBC Defends Gaza Appeal Decision
The BBC has defended a decision not to air a TV fund-raising appeal for Gaza, saying it wanted to avoid compromising public confidence in its impartiality. It said a decision was taken with other broadcasters not to show the Disasters Emergency Committee crisis appeal on any network in the UK. A corporation statement added there were also doubts about “the delivery of aid in a volatile situation”. DEC said there was “clear evidence” the British public wanted to help” BBC Text -UK Reports


“UN 'Shocked' By Gaza Destruction
The UN's humanitarian chief has told the BBC the situation in Gaza after a three-week Israeli offensive against Hamas was worse than he anticipated. Sir John Holmes, who visited Gaza on Thursday (yesterday) said he was shocked by “the systematic nature of the destruction”. He said that the territory's economic activity had been set back by years. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is reported to have placed his justice minister in charge of defending Israel against any accustaions of war crimes.” BBC Text – World Reports


“Rwanda
The Rwandan army has detained DR Congo rebel leader Laurent Nkunda after he resisted arrest by a joint Rwandan-Congolese force. Rwandan and Congolese troops converged on his stronghold in the town of Bunagana. But he resisted arrest and fled further south and into Rwanda. A Spokesman for the joint force did not clarify why the ethnic Tutsi rebel boss was the original arrest bid was made” ITV Text – World news round-up


“NEWS Congo crisis Appeal
Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes by the violence in the Democartic Republic of Congo. Horrific attacks on civilians are occuring daily and a humanitarian crisis is worsening. The Disasters Emergency committee, on behalf of the UK's best-known aid charities, has issued an urgent appeal for cash to help the innocent victims. You can make a donation now by phoning 0370 60 60 900. You need a credit or debit card ready. The line's open 24 hours a day. Keep trying if it's busy. Or send a cheque payable to DEC Congo Crisis to DEC Congo (DR) Crisis Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA, or pay into any high street bank. Donations can also be made via the internet at dec.org.uk” ITV Text – News


“Defence Company Wins £200m Deal
An east Belfast defence company has won a £200m Ministry of Dfence contract. Thales Air Defence, formerly Shorts Missile Systems, will supply part of the Startstreak missile system to the MoD until 2020. Economy Minister Arlene Foster said the deal would “generate significant additional value and se it continue to provide high quality employment”. The company, part of French defence company Thales, employs more than 500 people at its Belfast plant.” BBC Text – UK Regions


“Grenade Found At Primary School
A live grenade has been detontated at a school in north Devon after being discovered in the grounds by a workman. Bomb disposal experts were called out to Bishops Tawton Primary School, Barnstaple, at midday following the discovery. Police also attended and advised pupils and staff to remain indoors while the grenade was taken to a safe place and detonated during the afternoon. It is not known how the grenade ended up in the school's grounds. BBC Text – UK Regions


“Kidney cancer drugs to be funded
The Welsh health minister has announced kidney cancer patients in Wales will be able to receive four life-prolonging drugs on the NHS. Edward Hart has told all 22 Welsh local health boards to fund the drugs, although they have not yet been approved for use here or in England> It is thought prescribing the drugs Sutent, Nexavar, Avastin and Torisel will cost £600 a week per patient. There has been a long campaign by patients for NHS funding for the drugs.” BBC Text – UK Regions


“Travellers should accept responsibility
In the 21st Century it's time the law was changed to end the nonsense of rights for travellers and squatters, who happily ignore the more inconvenent aspects and responsibilities of modern life. They should be invited to join the real world, pool their resources to purchase land, and develop it. If their roving spirit persists, they could arrange timeshares with fellow travellers. R C, Old coulsdon, Surrey – ITV Text Airtime


26/01/09

“BBC boss defends Gaza stance
BBC director general Mark Thompson has stood firm against calls to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza. Mr Thompson said the decision not to broadcast the appeal for the Disaster Emergency Committee is in line with the BBC's approach to impartiality. “We worry about being seen to endorse something with could give people the impression that we were backing one side.” Mr Thompson said.” ITV Text

“Sky joins Gaza appeal ban
Sky News has announced that it is refusing to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza. The broadcaster said it has informed the Disaster Emergency Committee, an umbrella oranisation of 13 aid agencies, of it's decision. John Ryley, head of Sky news, said “Our commitment as journalists is to cover all sides of the story with uncompromising objectivity.” ITV Text





Chapter 2

I'm feeling ecstatic. I Know it's an artificially achieved high confidence level that will probably disperse at some time leaving a lesser, hopefully not too different, feeling – but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I watched a film over the weekend which is the second installment of something enlightening enough, but this has the potential to................. I don't have the words. I watched 'Zeitgeist Addendum' again today, taking in a few more of the details I missed first time around. I plan on watching it many more times.

I never had much confidence in the system, but I've never been able to find the words to adequately describe why; which was as much to do with feeling embarrassment at expressing myself for fear of mockery and/or rejection etc as anything else. We all feel embarrassment on some level for varying reasons which, by the very root cause of embarrassment (not wanting to be too different or 'wrong') and the realisation that everyone has felt it or is feeling it, is ridiculous. This film is changing that for me. I'm not going to say I'm suddenly free of my anxieties, but I can see a completely possible alternative way to life. I can only see myself getting better as the indoctrination is shaken off and I find ways to shape my own future, without the chains of servitude (they're still there regardless of the fact that they haven't been tugged on for a few years) to a system I have no faith in.

I now know why the media report certain things and not others. I know why the country I was born in and others like it are at war. I know why children are stabbing and shooting each other (and it's nothing to do with having their toes stepped on). I know why they haven't cured cancer. I know why the roadworks haven't been finished yet. I know why this country accepts immigration and why that gets under certain people's noses. I know why some people don't like the nomadic way of life, and why those travellers travel. I know why marijuana is kept away from the masses. I know these things because of a film I watched. I also know that this is no longer a book.

The End.......




27/01/09

“Absent parents may lose passports
Absent parents who do not pay child support could have their passports and driving licences seized without having to be taken to court. The deepartment of work and pensions said the proposals contained in the welfare reform bill would be a “last resort” if other sanctions failed. Latest estimates suggest absent parents owe nearly £4bn in inpaid maintenance. But opponents say the government's plans could lead to breaches of parents' civil rights.” BBC Text


“Obama aims for oil independence
President Barack Obama has called for the US to become energy independent, saying its reliance on foreign oil and global warming posed threats. Outlining his energy priorities, he said the country would not be held “hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet”. He called for greater fuel efficiency and an “energy economy” aimed at creating millions of jobs. He also ordered a review of whether states can set car emmsion standards.” BBC Text


“390,000 to access child database
A child protection database containing the contact details for all under 18 year olds in England will be accessible to 390,00 staff, say ministers. The ContactPpoint database is intended to improve information sharing between professionals working with children. Children's Minister Baroness Morgan said parents would not be allowed to remove their children from the list. The conservatives attacked the £224m database as “another expensive data disaster waiting to happen.” BBC Text – UK Stories


“Liberia worms trigger emergency
Liberia's president has declared a state of emergency in response to a plague of crop-destroying army worms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said all possible resources would be used to fight the insects, that have spread to next-door Guinea and are nearing Sierra Leone. Liberia has already appealed for international help to carry out aerial spraying against the insects. The bugs, which can grow up to 5cm (2in) in length, are among the world's most destructive agricultural pests. BBC Text – World Reports


“Lords lobbyists scrutinised
The influence of lobbyists in the House of Lords will come under increasing scrutiny later as inquiries continue into the cash-for-influence row. Lords leader Baroness Royall has launched two parliamentary probes into claims four labour peers were ready to change legislation for money. Lord Truscott, Lord Moonia, Lord Taylor of Blackburn and Lord Snape strenuously deny any wrongdoing.” ITV Text


“Hackers steal details
Hackers have stolen the personal details of millions of job seekers in one of the biggest cases of data theft in Britain, it has emerged. Recruitment giant Monster said hackers hold confidential information contained on its database, including passwords, phone numbers and email addresses. It is thought 4.5 million people are registered with monster.co.uk and could be affected by the breach.” ITV Text


“Animals...
A giant dome containing an African ecosystem is to be constructed as part of a £225m transformation of Chester zoo” ITV Text – Home news in brief


“Rail...
A freight train transporting oil and diesel has derailed and caught fire near stewarton in Ayrshire” ITV Text – Home news in brief


“USA...
New York Federal Reserve Bank chief Timothy Geithner has been sworn in as treasury secretary. President Barack Obama attended the ceremony.” ITV Text – World news round-up


“Sri Lanka...
About 300 civilians have been wounded and scores are feared to have been killed by shells fired into a “safe zone” for ethnic Tamil civilians.” ITV Text – World news round-up
“Hate mailers target Sir David
Sir David Attenborough receives hate mail from viewers for not crediting God in his nature programmes. “They tell me to burn in hell and good riddance,” Sir David said during an interview with the Radio Times about his latest documentary on Charles Darwin and natural selection. Sir David said “They always mean beautiful things like hummingbirds. I always reply by saying that I think of a little child in East Africa with a worm burrowing through his eyeball. “The worm cannot live in any other way”. I find that hard to reconcile with the notion of a divine and benevolent creator.” Sky Text – Showbiz


All of this news around and the 24 hour news channels are focussing on an “investigation” into hedge fund executives by MPs. The BBC anchor woman just said that this investigation “affects us all”. No, it doesn't. Nothing will be achieved in the financial institutions by MPs who have self preservation at the top of their priorities – Turkeys wouldn't vote for christmas afterall.

As I write, the breaking news banner is running on BBC News 24. An Israeli soldier has been killed. As an after-thought the anchor added that a palestinian farmer had also been killed in the exchange. So much for impartiality in their reporting. Had there been impartiality surely the breaking news would be about the death of a palestinian civilian farmer rather than the soldier. Don't get me wrong, it's tragic that anyone is dying over there, but a farmer has no choice and, unless they've drafted, the Israeli soldier does have a choice. What's worse is that it seems the people of both countries want an end to all this, but as usual, the argument lies with those in power and this means that poor people will have to join the army to 'defend' their country and beliefs. I realise the offence the phrase causes but “the lunatics have taken over the asylum” seems to fit perfectly. I also consider myself (as well as everyone else) a lunatic on some level, so I'm not worried too much about offence on this one.

I had a phone call yesterday from Barclays offering me a personal accident insurance plan. I told him I had a personal accident 18 months ago and have been skint since, but I'm surviving and have been relatively happy. The money wouldn't make me any happier and I doubt it'd be worth another accident anyway. He was very confused and the call was ended pleasantly without me resorting to shouting and swearing at them which would've been my response had they called last week.

It's now been over an hour since the breaking news came through about the 2 deaths on the Gaza-Israeli border. They're now reporting that an Israeli soldier has died and 3 other soldiers injured. The BBC presenters make no mention of the murdered Palestinian civilian.

“Israeli soldier killed near Gaza
An Israeli soldier has been killed and three others injured in an attack on their patrol near the border with Gaza. Israel's army said an explosive device was detonated next to the patrol. Israeli troops crossed into Gaza as helicopters hovered overhead firing machine guns. One palestinian has been killed, Gaza medics said. The Israeli death is the first since Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Israel declared ceasefires after a three-week Israeli offensive against Gaza.” BBC Text

So the Palestinian has been killed, but we won't be mentioning that unless you go looking for it. We'll take the Israeli army's word as gospel, but cast doubt over the word of medical staff in Gaza. Impartiality? My arse.


Politics: Every now and then I move all the furniture around. At some point, every room gets the treatment; sofas put against different walls (not different as in walls made out of fog or anything silly like that), the tv stuck in the opposite corner of the room, trip to the shop for more extension leads to feed the insatiable appetite of the ganger-iathon that lives somewhere in our house; stepping into the light (that's been left on.... Again) only briefly to scour the house, his prey; the lonely, unloved, forgotten, distance-shortening splitters of power.... Anyway...

Eventually, after being pushed and dragged many miles from one side of the room and back, and back again, and again... the back of the wardrobe starts to show signs of failure, shitting it's contents out the back and leaving a right mess. A look at the bed shows it's seen better days. The slats are knackered. It's trying to support me, but ultimately, it's doing me more harm than good. If I'm getting a new bed and wardrobe, the bedside tables' gonna have to go, I'm not hanging on to old broken shit just because it's got some stuff in it I don't want anyone to know about.

When it gets to the stage when all the old broken stuff is out, it dawns on me that there's not much left so maybe it's time to change the whole thing. After a while your realise that the job's worth doing properly – swapping kanckered furniture from one room with the kanckered furniture of another room may make things look better for a short while, but it's only a matter of time before the wardrobe relieves itself of it's heavy burden, and no amount of fung-shui-ery will make it work as well again. No matter how many times I've painted, I can still see the patches in the wall where I didn't sand down the polyfilla enough, or where the bloke that lived here before me had concreted in the vents to try and cut down the draft in the rooms – it needs digging out and filling with something more suitable.

It's hard (for me) to imagine what to do at this point. I lack the creativity and imagination to make the house look and feel better. I look to people who's judgement I trust, people who have shown they know what they're doing, taking advice from as many sources as possible, and transform a house into my home.

Ok, I got lost somewhere there. Maybe that's the point, too complicated. Maybe it's more like farming. Politics is shit, politicians the spreaders.