You must try this!
Bushflash
Also read the article
30 January 2004
29 January 2004
Cui Prodest?
The Hutton 'Whitewash' is a farce. I'm not clear how Lord Hutton can say that Scarlett may have subconsciously been influenced by the Prime Minister to produce a stronger dossier.
Subconsciously???? Didn't Campbell make changes in the dossier?
Dr Kelly's name was bound to come up but the Government wanted it out as soon as possible. Didn't the MOD let journalists guess Dr Kelly's name?
Didn't the MOD leave Dr Kelly in the hands of the Foreign Affairs Committee to be attacked by Labour MPs in their battle against the BBC?
The BBC have been sloppy and their report was single-sourced, but wasn't the 45mins claim single-sourced too?
Subconsciously???? Didn't Campbell make changes in the dossier?
Dr Kelly's name was bound to come up but the Government wanted it out as soon as possible. Didn't the MOD let journalists guess Dr Kelly's name?
Didn't the MOD leave Dr Kelly in the hands of the Foreign Affairs Committee to be attacked by Labour MPs in their battle against the BBC?
The BBC have been sloppy and their report was single-sourced, but wasn't the 45mins claim single-sourced too?
23 January 2004
Controversial or Ignorant?
Jenny Tonge has provoked outrage and sympathy with her remarks on Palestinian terrorism:
The meaning of understanding: on one hand, understanding refers to comprehending the dynamics behind a problem; on the other hand, it implies sympathising with what you are talking about and therefore feel pity or find some justification for it.
While at University, I've researched sexual violence and later on terrorism. I therefore have some knowledge of the dynamics behind these problems, but I would never dream to say that I understand why somebody who has been using pornography for years can go on and rape somebody else. The point of research is to find out what the problem is about, how it happens, why and what you can do about it. In Tonge's sentence, understanding means sympathising, because, she says, terrorism comes from desperation, which brings me to her LACK of understanding.
Lack of understanding: Apart from the fact that the 2nd Intifada is significantly different from the first one in terms of strategy, rationale and weapons, terrorism does not stem from "bitterness, desperation and poverty". Terrorism throughout the world has always been very well organised and funded. It is a rather complex phenomenon and there's a wealth of literature on the subject for those who are interested.
From the Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies
Every suicide attack has three components: 1) a person with at least one motive and a willingness to carry out the attack 2) a system with a technical infrastructure to facilitate the planning and execution of the suicide attack 3) a decision to launch the attack by those who control the system.
They identify 4 main types of Palestinian terrorists: the Religious fanatic, the Nationalist fanatic, the Avenger and the Exploited (for more click here).
Second time for Jenny: This is the second time Tonge strikes with such a comment. Back in June, she compared the situation in Gaza with apartheid while her 'friend' Jewish Labour MP Oona King compared it to the Warsaw Ghetto. In Social Sciences comparisons are made to highlight differences and the complexities surrounding each particular case. They are also a way to make the PhD sexier. In this instance it just shows ignorance of the present and the past. There is an occupation and a conflict in Israel/Palestine, not a systematic destruction of an ethnic/religious/national group based on hatred.
Third time lucky?: later Tonge wrote on The Guardian that "the methods being used by the Israelis on reflection are not really 'Warsaw Ghetto' or apartheid". You would think that maybe writing prompted some reflection but in her article she still says that "Oona is of Jewish origin but is not a religious Jew". Does that mean that all religious Jews are in favour of Israeli policies or hate Palestinians?
Get a grip Jenny! True. Sensible comments don't make the headlines, but cheap and ignorant comments don't make good headlines. I don't think you stirred up the debate at all, you just abdicated the use of your brain and followed your emotions. Shall I suggest a visit to an endocrinologist?
Sorry for being harsh, but, you know, it's that time of the month! :)
"This particular brand of terrorism, the suicide bomber, is truly born out of desperation...Many, many people criticise, many, many people say it is just another form of terrorism, but I can understand and I am a fairly emotional person and I am a mother and a grandmother. I think if I had to live in that situation, and I say this advisedly, I might just consider becoming one myself."
The meaning of understanding: on one hand, understanding refers to comprehending the dynamics behind a problem; on the other hand, it implies sympathising with what you are talking about and therefore feel pity or find some justification for it.
While at University, I've researched sexual violence and later on terrorism. I therefore have some knowledge of the dynamics behind these problems, but I would never dream to say that I understand why somebody who has been using pornography for years can go on and rape somebody else. The point of research is to find out what the problem is about, how it happens, why and what you can do about it. In Tonge's sentence, understanding means sympathising, because, she says, terrorism comes from desperation, which brings me to her LACK of understanding.
Lack of understanding: Apart from the fact that the 2nd Intifada is significantly different from the first one in terms of strategy, rationale and weapons, terrorism does not stem from "bitterness, desperation and poverty". Terrorism throughout the world has always been very well organised and funded. It is a rather complex phenomenon and there's a wealth of literature on the subject for those who are interested.
From the Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies
Every suicide attack has three components: 1) a person with at least one motive and a willingness to carry out the attack 2) a system with a technical infrastructure to facilitate the planning and execution of the suicide attack 3) a decision to launch the attack by those who control the system.
They identify 4 main types of Palestinian terrorists: the Religious fanatic, the Nationalist fanatic, the Avenger and the Exploited (for more click here).
Second time for Jenny: This is the second time Tonge strikes with such a comment. Back in June, she compared the situation in Gaza with apartheid while her 'friend' Jewish Labour MP Oona King compared it to the Warsaw Ghetto. In Social Sciences comparisons are made to highlight differences and the complexities surrounding each particular case. They are also a way to make the PhD sexier. In this instance it just shows ignorance of the present and the past. There is an occupation and a conflict in Israel/Palestine, not a systematic destruction of an ethnic/religious/national group based on hatred.
Third time lucky?: later Tonge wrote on The Guardian that "the methods being used by the Israelis on reflection are not really 'Warsaw Ghetto' or apartheid". You would think that maybe writing prompted some reflection but in her article she still says that "Oona is of Jewish origin but is not a religious Jew". Does that mean that all religious Jews are in favour of Israeli policies or hate Palestinians?
Get a grip Jenny! True. Sensible comments don't make the headlines, but cheap and ignorant comments don't make good headlines. I don't think you stirred up the debate at all, you just abdicated the use of your brain and followed your emotions. Shall I suggest a visit to an endocrinologist?
Sorry for being harsh, but, you know, it's that time of the month! :)
22 January 2004
It started with a fringe…
This is an article from the Evening Post that needs to be shared.
ALUN Cairns and a good many other AMs thought there was a new Assembly member in the chamber last week.
However, on closer inspection, they realised is was Swansea-based AM Peter Black, who has had the most remarkable makeover.
Peter Black began his political career 20 years ago with a fringe, and was clearly undergoing basin cuts at the time.
Over time, that developed into a bit of a quiff, or a curl plastered down on the forehead.
Suddenly, on his return to the Assembly last week after the Christmas break, the busy Liberal Democrat had been transformed.
His hair is now swept back, curiously not unlike the style of his leader in the Assembly, Mike German. And he has a new, modern pair of glasses to boot.
But it's the audacious, swept-back hair style that is causing heads to turn - and it was even referred to in the debating chamber the other day.
It was one of those rare occasions when outspoken Labour AM Peter Law lost it somewhat when he was talking about top-up fees.
After stumbling over his words, he told the presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas: "Sorry, I was temporarily distracted by the makeover of my friend, Peter Black. I thought we had a new member."
His lordship chipped in: "I have already raised this matter with Peter Black privately."
Alun Cairns said later he was convinced Peter Black had acquired the bouffant hair-do by driving to the Assembly on a motorbike.
Peter Black said he had needed new glasses, and decided it was timely to have a bit of a makeover. ''At least my hair is the original colour,'' he added.
See full article
ALUN Cairns and a good many other AMs thought there was a new Assembly member in the chamber last week.
However, on closer inspection, they realised is was Swansea-based AM Peter Black, who has had the most remarkable makeover.
Peter Black began his political career 20 years ago with a fringe, and was clearly undergoing basin cuts at the time.
Over time, that developed into a bit of a quiff, or a curl plastered down on the forehead.
Suddenly, on his return to the Assembly last week after the Christmas break, the busy Liberal Democrat had been transformed.
His hair is now swept back, curiously not unlike the style of his leader in the Assembly, Mike German. And he has a new, modern pair of glasses to boot.
But it's the audacious, swept-back hair style that is causing heads to turn - and it was even referred to in the debating chamber the other day.
It was one of those rare occasions when outspoken Labour AM Peter Law lost it somewhat when he was talking about top-up fees.
After stumbling over his words, he told the presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas: "Sorry, I was temporarily distracted by the makeover of my friend, Peter Black. I thought we had a new member."
His lordship chipped in: "I have already raised this matter with Peter Black privately."
Alun Cairns said later he was convinced Peter Black had acquired the bouffant hair-do by driving to the Assembly on a motorbike.
Peter Black said he had needed new glasses, and decided it was timely to have a bit of a makeover. ''At least my hair is the original colour,'' he added.
See full article
Political Apathy and the Internet
Lunchtime finally, time for blogging. Yesterday I went to Prof Tait's lecture entitled 'Rebuilding Trust'. It seems that trust in politicians and the government in general has diminished considerably in the past 30 years. The most interesting part of his lecture was on the relationship between the media and politics. On one hand, people tend to believe TV, and those who read newspapers and watch TV are more likely to vote. On the other hand, the media legitimised political apathy by focusing so much on it, even before the elections. I have nothing against non-voting per se, but there's seems to be a fundamental contradiction in attacking politicians and not voting. First of all, to trash all politicians and put them under the same banner is puerile. Secondly, if you vote them in, you then have the right to hold them accountable, if you don't, you just drop out of the whole system and lose your voice.
Solution? The media could devise better ways to get politics into people's lives (I'm among those who would fall asleep in front of Newsnight and I work in politics!), and politicians should start reaching out for people. And for this the best ways is the internet, of course!
Solution? The media could devise better ways to get politics into people's lives (I'm among those who would fall asleep in front of Newsnight and I work in politics!), and politicians should start reaching out for people. And for this the best ways is the internet, of course!
16 January 2004
Local elections
This year there will be local elections here in Cardiff but also in my home town Cesena. There, like here, people express disenchantment and anger at politicians on all sides for their lack of commitment and will to improve services. Like here, people in Italy are fed up with the lack of change and seemingly pointless elections. Turnout in Italy? 80%!
We'll be lucky if we get a 30% turnout. So what is the secret? In Italy the right and duty to vote is enshrined in the Constitution, the 'red regions' (Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna e Umbria) are particularly political and have a background of republican thinking (liberal-socialism) that inspires participation.
We need more civic education and more devolution. A far away government is a detached and irrelevant one. Although I always hear people complaining about the Assembly, what they are frustrated with is the lack of powers of the Assembly not its existence. What people don't like is the waste of time and money when the Assembly takes a decision and then is overruled by London or when discusses matters that should be under the jurisdiction of Councils. The only way out is for the Assembly and local Councils to be more powerful but also more democratic and open.
Some say that the Liberal Democrats can say whatever they want because they are not in power. It is true at the national level, but not so in Wales, Scotland and at the local level. Keep us in check, then, and see whether we actually promote what we say we stand for.
(take for example Bridgend Council where we pushed for the constitution to demand that the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee should belong to an opposition party)
We'll be lucky if we get a 30% turnout. So what is the secret? In Italy the right and duty to vote is enshrined in the Constitution, the 'red regions' (Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna e Umbria) are particularly political and have a background of republican thinking (liberal-socialism) that inspires participation.
We need more civic education and more devolution. A far away government is a detached and irrelevant one. Although I always hear people complaining about the Assembly, what they are frustrated with is the lack of powers of the Assembly not its existence. What people don't like is the waste of time and money when the Assembly takes a decision and then is overruled by London or when discusses matters that should be under the jurisdiction of Councils. The only way out is for the Assembly and local Councils to be more powerful but also more democratic and open.
Some say that the Liberal Democrats can say whatever they want because they are not in power. It is true at the national level, but not so in Wales, Scotland and at the local level. Keep us in check, then, and see whether we actually promote what we say we stand for.
(take for example Bridgend Council where we pushed for the constitution to demand that the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee should belong to an opposition party)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)