Jack Straw is On Message But Out of Step With Reality

Yesterday, Jack "The Strawman" wrote an article on CiF

I occasionally ask the asylum seekers at my constituency surgeries why they made the very long journey to the United Kingdom rather than a much shorter one somewhere else. The answer is almost always the same: it is better here. People have more rights and greater protection.

What do you think they're going to say? Because the UK is a soft touch? You need our votes? You're fucking mad and we hate you? What would happen to them, would you let them stay in the country? How many have told you the truth and then been exited?

The climate in a post-9/11 world is much harder than anyone imagined, even in the immediate aftermath of that outrage. I do not pretend we've got everything right. We haven't. Take the data-sharing measures proposed in the coroner's and justice bill. Their aim is good, but parliamentary scrutiny has thrown up justifiable concerns that the powers provided could be misused. It's not our intention but I agree, so we are acting to get a much better balance between data protection and access to services.

Fucking Ditch if you're at all concerned  you worm. You proposed it in the present form because you know damn well no one in their right mind would think it was a good idea. So, now you offer to take a second look and hope we'll fall for the watered down version that, you originally intended for us.

And while the ends can never justify the means, our motives for seeking better protection for citizens from terrorism and crime are hardly ignoble. Those who cast myself and my colleagues as Orwellian drones engaged in some awful conspiracy planned in Whitehall basements not only overlook all this government's achievements, they cheapen the important debate about getting the balance right so that a very important freedom, that to live without fear in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, is nurtured and protected.

Have you been looking over my shoulder again? If you say it isn't a conspiracy, guess what the truth is you twat faced arse. That pic I did of you as Gollum came the closest to justice you'll ever see.

And there is of course an ultimate check on executive power - democracy. Talk of Britain sliding into a police state is daft scaremongering, but even were it true there is a mechanism to prevent it - democratic elections. People have the power to vote out administrations which they believe are heavyhanded.

You and your Glorious Leader have been offered the chance to prove that statement on numerous occasions. Why don't you see if you can get Gordy to accept the challenge?

When people come to assess the choices available at the next election, I will stand proudly on Labour's record, from the Lawrence inquiry, which reported 10 years ago this week, progressive legislation on race and gender, to devolution, the Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information and much more, and be ready to be judged on it. I hope that in the final reckoning even some of our harshest critics will concede that this Labour government has done more than any before it to extend liberties and to constrain government.

Here's a video for you Jack hope you get the message.

There were 512 comments posted in reply to your article. Did you read any of them? Did you get the feeling that you were out of step with reality? Somehow I doubt you were in the slightest bit swayed by any of the comments.

Today however, the voices got louder, didn't they? 

Still sitting in your basement, in the Palace of Injustice, with your fingers in you ears Jack?

Still stand by your track record on civil liberties? Want to know how bad it's going to get for you and Labour? Best keep your mouth shut and follow the example of Jacqui and David, They've learnt a bit of a lesson on how their employers now feel towards them............. 

And finally, an article by Philip Pullman. originally from the Times, but which has been pulled, now preserved via Prodicus  and  Longrider: Malevolent voices that despise our freedoms

And There's More.

Lawyers examine payoff of banker blamed for losing billions at HBOS

Apparently eyebrows in the Treasury were raised over a £660,000 parachute and £5.9 million pension for Peter Cummings

As a top City legal firm was appointed to examine the “obscene” pension award to Sir Fred Goodwin, it emerged that the Treasury had already asked for assurances about the package that Peter Cummings received when he left his post as head of corporate lending at HBOS.

More to come?

Miss Whiplash in river car ordeal

Duck Farmer and former brothel keeper, Lindi St Clair, has been rescued after being trapped upside down in her car in a river for almost 24 hours.

The Home Office has yet to deny any involvement.

No blunt penknives have been found at the scene.

Personally, I have my fingers crossed and wish her a full recovery to her former vital self. 

Gordon's "End of Days." The Beginning.

In The Beginning was The pamphlet.

Let me remind the right hon. and learned Gentleman also of the statements that have been made in the Centre for Policy Studies' Conservative agenda pamphlet, which recommends: 

"Give the Bank of England its independence, and a statutory responsibility for meeting certain targets in terms of inflation and economic growth . . . remove the political risk premium on interest rates . . . the Bank will . . . need reform. The current autocratic structure gives the Government too much power . . . interest rate decisions should be taken by a Council". 

Those are the very arrangements that we have introduced. The author of that pamphlet was the ex-Chancellor's own former political adviser, Tessa Keswick. 

There is widespread support for what we have done. The Confederation of British Industry has welcomed it; the Institute of Directors has welcomed it; and the chambers of commerce have welcomed it--just about everyone except the six contenders for the Conservative leadership, who are vying with each other for extremism, has welcomed it. I say to the shadow Chancellor: I have had the courage of his convictions.

This was the beginning of Gordon's plan for Parliament and the Destruction of Great Britain. 

(Ken Clarke's point of order, below,  immediately preceeded Gordon's admissions.)

20 May 1997 : Column 507
Bank of England and Financial Regulation


Madam Speaker: Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 


Mr. Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe): On a point of order, Madam Speaker. 


Madam Speaker: Order. The right hon. and learned Gentleman understands that points of order come after statements. 


Mr. Clarke: The point of order is relevant to the timing of the statement. I ask for your ruling on the procedure that will cover the delivery of statements to the House in this Parliament. This will be the first statement in the present Parliament. In the past, the convention has been that advance copies of statements are made available to the Opposition about half an hour before their delivery. It has also been the convention that the annunciator shows a clear description of the contents of a statement. [Hon. Members: "No."] Oh, yes. 

On this occasion, I am sure that my opposite numbers in the Liberal Democrat party and in the nationalist parties have had the experience that I had. At 16 minutes past 3, an extremely lengthy statement was delivered to the Opposition Whips Office. The scope of the statement extends far beyond the "Bank of England", which is how it is described on the annunciator, and covers reform of the entire Financial Services Act 1986 and the regulatory system for insurance and financial services as well as banking. 

May we have your ruling, Madam Speaker, or perhaps a statement from the Government, about the way in which Parliament is to be treated in future on these matters, and whether this is to be typical of the way that the House is to be informed of decisions?

Jonah Visits Oxford.

A most stirring and powerful interview with Our Glorious and Exhalted Leader, on Radio Oxford today.

BMW will be saved and tractor production will be increased. We are all to become engineers. No more will we lay with capitalist financiers. Cancer will be eradicated.  Jobs are to be protected. New Laws are in the pipeline!

Hurrah For Gordon!

Creep.

It has been pointed out to me - quite rightly- that my previous musical interlude post may have caused some confusion, regarding my feelings, toward convicted Peers of the Realm.

I hope the latest offering clears up any possible misunderstandings.

This has been a Public Mis-Information Broadcast for the Flying Pig Party.

No pigs were hurt or mistreated during the production of this message.

However several Peers may have unfortunately been crapped on.

If you have been affected by this broadcast, please feel free to complain to the Charity/Quango of your choice.

Every home should have one.

Lord Ahmed Appealing?

Not to me.

A Labour peer who sent and received text messages minutes before he was involved in a fatal crash on the M1 has been jailed for 12 weeks. 

Outside court Lord Ahmed's solicitor, Steve Smith, said he thought his client had been used as a "scapegoat" by those attempting to drive home the message about not using a mobile phone while at the wheel.

I'm sure those who got stiffer sentences feel they are the ones being "scapegoated" by the Criminal Preference Service.

He said he was launching an immediate appeal against the sentence. 

I hope that others are considering an appeal to the Attorney General regarding this "Appalling Vista"

He said: "I've been with him. He's very philosophical. He's approaching it with great dignity." 

Members of Mr Gombar's family said they were not happy with the sentence.

Mr Justice Wilkie made clear the texting incident had no bearing on the fatal collision. 

But he added: "It is of the greatest importance that people realise what a serious offence dangerous driving of this type is. 

"I have come to the conclusion that by reason of the prolonged, deliberate, repeated and highly dangerous driving for which you have pleaded guilty, only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified."

Six weeks in an Hotel, followed by six weeks on licence. Wicked,  he'll hardly notice any change from that which he is used to.

His position in the House of Lords will not be affected according to the Guardian.

After the hearing, Gombar's cousin, David Cicak, said the family had hoped for a longer prison term. He said: "He could be out in six weeks, that's nothing. Martyn left behind two small kids with only their mother."

Chief Inspector Andy Male, head of the South Yorkshire police road team, said the peer's sentence "reflects the seriousness with which the courts, the Crown Prosecution Service and the police view this offence"

Another Musical Interlude.

Free

Mr Big.

Straw Decides To Veto FOI Act on Iraq.

Well done Jack. Your "Precious" is safe again. Now scurry on back down that deep, black hole and hide beneath your damp stone in the Ministry of Injustice and your Palace of Denial.

Your Full Weasel Statement to Parliament can be viewed by the people who pay your wages here

With permission, Mr Speaker, I should like to make a statement on use of the ministerial veto under section 53 of the Freedom of Information Act, in respect of minutes of two cabinet meetings in March 2003 relating to Iraq.

I need first to set out some necessary background.

The FoI Act has profoundly changed the relationship between citizens, and their elected representatives and the media on the one hand, and the government and public authorities on the other.

Too Right it has, we can see you for what you and your comrades are now.

It has, as intended, made the executive far more open and accountable.

Apparently not after today.

The act provides a regime for freedom of information which is one of the most open and rigorous in the world.

Was "the most", but it now isn't.

It was the subject of almost three years [of] intensive debate, by which the original scheme was much improved and strengthened.

As initially proposed, decisions of the information commissioner would in law have been heavily persuasive, but not binding on ministers.

This reflected the regimes in other countries, such as in Canada. However, that scheme was replaced by a much tougher one.

There was, however, a key balancing measure written into the Act, and accepted by parliament. This was to provide – in section 53 — that in specific circumstances ministers (and certain others) could override a decision of the commissioner or tribunal requiring the release of information if they believed on reasonable grounds that the decision to withhold the information was in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

At the time of the passage of the bill, ministers in both houses provided reassurance about the use of this veto. It would not be commonplace.

It's about to become far more common than it was yesterday though.

Undertakings were also given that, although section 53 required a certificate by a single cabinet minister or law officer, any use of the veto would be subject to prior cabinet consideration.

The act came into force on 1 January 2005. From then until September 2008 in approximately 78,000 cases where the requested information was held by government departments, it has been released in full. Before the act, some of it would not have been released for 30 years.

Since 2006, the information commissioner has dealt with more than 1,500 cases involving government departments and the information tribunal has dealt with more than 50 such cases. But no section 53 veto has been used to date.

Bet you  start using  section 53 more often, now you think you can get away with it though?

Mr Speaker, in December 2006, the Cabinet Office received a freedom of information request for cabinet minutes and records relating to meetings it held between 7 and 17 March 2003 where the attorney general's legal advice concerning military action against Iraq was considered and discussed.

There were two meetings of cabinet within that period – 13 and 17 March.

Cabinet Office refused the request, citing the Act's exemptions for information relating to policy development and ministerial communications [(sections 35(1)(a) and (b))].

In keeping with its statutory obligations, the Cabinet Office had considered the public interest in releasing the information, but have found twice, on balance, that there was greater public interest in withholding it.

Possibly because it made the Cabinet look like spineless cowards and lapdogs?

The applicant duly exercised his right to ask the information commissioner to investigate the handling of his request.

In February 2008, the commissioner reasoned, for the first time, that cabinet minutes – these ones – should be released. The Cabinet Office appealed the commissioner's decision to the information tribunal.

Toys flew out of pram and at least one Nokia left an imprint  in someone's forehead?

On 27 January 2009, the tribunal published its decision. The tribunal was unanimous in deciding that the informal notes of the meetings should be withheld.

do you think they've stopped laughing at you yet?

But, by a majority of two to one, it decided that the public interest balance fell in favour of release of the minutes. It therefore upheld the decision of the information commissioner ordering information to be disclosed, subject to some minor redactions.

Following that decision, and having taken the view of cabinet, I have today issued a certificate under section 53 of the Act in an appropriate form and consistent with the Act, the effect of which is that these cabinet minutes will not now be disclosed.

The conclusion I have reached rests on the assessment of the public interest in disclosure and non-disclosure.

No, it rests on your decision that you would all look like complete and utter brown nosing fucktards and that the public, your masters, will point at you and piss themselves laughing. (IMHO)

I have laid a copy of that certificate, and a detailed statement of the reasons for my decision in the libraries of both houses. My decision was made in accordance with the government's policy critera, which is annexed to my statement of reasons.

Copies of these documents have been sent to the requester and are available in the vote office.

Mr Speaker, to permit the commissioner's and tribunal's view of the public interest to prevail would in my judgement risk serious damage to cabinet government; an essential principle of British parliamentary democracy. That eventuality is not in the public interest.

It isn't in the interests of your self esteem more likely.

There's more on the Grauniad website at the links above. I couldn't be asked to read any more of his drivelling statement.

Normal Service Will Resume As Soon As Possible.

In The Meantime There Will Be A Brief Musical Interlude.

Please Be Patient

Don't Even Think About It.

Don't even think about watching the Simpsons. You may well be breaking an unwritten law.

It may be illegal to even look at images, in order to possess them. Even if they are cartoons on the TV.

From the Register:

Miss Willott has clearly done her homework. She noted that whilst the Internet Watch Foundation focuses on images that can be downloaded – the traditional web route – images accessed through other means, such as streaming, are not within its remit.

She asked Mr Starmer: "If someone is watching streaming images online, there would be no actual copy on their computer, so they would not technically be in possession."

He replied: "It would be for the courts to interpret the meaning of possession. We would proceed on the basis that there should be no such loophole."

Well done Kier, Playing Safe Behind The Law of Unintentional Consequences.

I'm Drinking To New Liebore On Gordo's Birthday.

Binge-drinking 'fuelled by work pressure'
Published Date: 20 February 2009
 
THE pressure to be "perfect" at work is fuelling the boom in binge-drinking, a psychologist has claimed.
Professor Anna van Wersch carried out a study of drinkers and found they struggled with the stress of having to control their emotions in the workplace.

Instead, they let off steam at weekends. And, despite government warnings about keeping to recommended weekly alcohol units, she did not believe bingeing was entirely unhealthy.

Prof van Wersch, who is from the Netherlands, said: "People in England are more high achievers than the Dutch. The quality of their work has to be perfect and their performance is much higher. There's a lot of pressure to do well, and to behave appropriately and control one's emotions, and that can be stressful.

"That's why I think the British put so much emphasis on having something to look forward to at the weekend: a chance to let off steam and let their hair down."

Pubs say CCTV is business threat 

Pub landlords in Gloucestershire are warning that installing CCTV could force them out of business if they have to have the cameras to get a licence. 

More police forces insist on CCTV in return for supporting a licence application but Gloucestershire only requires it if there has been trouble.

Steve Herbert, who runs the Old Spot pub in Dursley, said: "We've had the smoking ban, the bad weather, duty increases well above the rate of inflation and we're having to cough up for it.

Gorgon's Birthday.

Gordon's Birthday.

Here's How The Great Gordo Is Viewed.

Today, Gordon the Maroon said:

Everywhere I go in Britain, I sense and share the anger and dismay of millions of hard-working people who have watched in disbelief during a year in which irresponsible practices in global banks have brought the world's financial system close to collapse.

Because this has had an impact on every high street and in every home in Britain, anger alone is not enough - only bold action to protect those endangered through no fault of their own will do.

First, there must be no reward for failure. In practice this means that anybody associated with a loss cannot receive a bonus. That's not a special system designed to punish the bankers, but normal commonsense business practice.

Guess what? I ain't sending you a birthday card. You don't deserve one. 

Now Fuck Off and take a dose of the medicine you have prescribed for real hardworking families.

 

You're nothing but a figment of your own imagination. 

The Pope told you today you were not going to get a visit, he probably wondered how a lunatic had gained access to the inner sanctum and why the UK was shipping its somewhat challenged individuals to the Vatican. 

Oh, and by the way, take those dags you employ and stick em where you believe the sun shines from.(you may enjoy that)

Wishing you a very, very unhappy birthday, The British Public (Your Employers).

Anti-Photography Law is A "Pig's Breakfast" (allegedly)

Jacqui Smith failed to consult over new anti-photographer law

Pic originally posted to Ihatejacquismith

Alex Singleton writes:

"The Royal Photographic Society - established in 1853 - ought to have been at the top of the list of organisations consulted of how the law would work in practice. Yet the society, which has a Royal Charter, tells me that it has unsuccessfully been trying to meet Miss Smith over the past year, despite the encouragement and help of a backbench Labour MP."

Jacqui, it would seem, still has friends she can call on however, as some comments, made on this subject, on the Telegraph site have been "disappeared".

A slew of comments sticking up for the home sec (from Bob Roberts or a Mr Timney) are expected shortly.

The Lambs Have Turned.

Lamb 'head-butted golden eagle'
 
"A lamb was seen head-butting a golden eagle, one of Scotland's largest birds of prey, according to a new report on island birdlife.
The lamb head-butt incident is recorded in an official report"

Well Jacqui and Co, I guess you may be starting to appreciate just how confused and bewildered

that eagle felt!

Some of Brighton's Finest are also getting an idea of what it's like to be bitten in the butt by the "Surveillance State." 

"One policeman, who did not want to be named, said: 'This is taking things too far. We use CCTV to catch criminals, not officers who take a quick break from a punishing job."

Well if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear, eh?

Maybe you could give some support to this landlord

whose livlihood is threatened by similar behaviour by you masters?

"A prospective pub landlord says the police insistence on him installing CCTV cameras to film everyone entering his pub threatens his customers' civil liberties.

Nick Gibson says he has been in a "silent rage" since the police outlined conditions to his licence application, which also requires him to hand over any film of drinkers on request.

"I have been spitting teeth ... since I first heard of this request, but at every turn I am alternately advised to keep my head down or laughed at for my naivety," said Gibson, who plans to reopen the Drapers Arms in Islington, north London, in April."

You don't like it when it's your turn do you?

The Cost of Government Paranoia.

Paranoia now stalks the streets.

Michael Binyon

"Is this Russia? Or the Middle East? I remember the list from 40 years ago, when I first went to the Soviet Union: no bridges, no junctions, no railway stations, no government buildings, no soldiers and, above all, no police. Point your camera at any of these and you were under arrest."

"Forget the West's former easy tolerance. Paranoia now stalks the streets and shopping centres of Britain. From this week, any unauthorised photograph, even inadvertent, of a policeman could land you in jail for up to ten years. Ten years! What madness is this? And it's not just the police. Under Section 76 of the 2008 Counter-Terrorism Act, any picture “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism” is prohibited. That means almost anything: railways, public buildings, government offices, monuments, parades, communications centres. Every officious jobsworth now has a right to stop you, tear out the film or delete the images and issue charges if you cannot convince the police that you are a train spotter or innocent amateur photographer."

Sean O'Neill has this to say on the costs of this paranoia:

Surveillance will cost more than £34 billion

"Supporters of the Convention on Modern Liberty claim that spending on computer systems ranging from the NHS Spine to the ID card register is rising at an alarming rate across Whitehall"

"A Home Office working party has drawn up three options for surveillance of telephone calls, e-mails and text messages, one of which is the creation of a huge Government-run database. Opponents describe this as a Big Brother project that could cost £12billion over the next ten years."

Lord Bingham of Cornhill, the former Lord Chief Justice and a supporter of the Convention on Modern Liberty, said that citizens should use the Human Rights Act to challenge the spread of the surveillance society.

"Perhaps the British are content to be the most spied upon people in the democratic world,” he wrote in The Guardian. “But this would be surprising given their traditional belief that the state should mind its own business. The right to respect for private and family life embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights is not an ideal weapon to counter the growth of a surveillance society, but failing adequate regulatory oversight, it may be the best weapon there is."

Well then, at least I can sleep soundly at night, knowing, that it isn't the terrorists I should fear, but our own fucking government. Even better, I get to pay for the feeling of complete insecurity our dear Gov is engendering.

The Police State Marches Ever On

From Katabasis Blog

"On Monday 9th February this week a friend and work colleague found police at his door at 7am in the morning. They searched through his house, took all of his computer equipment and then arrested him. He was then grilled for several hours before finally being released on bail.

His "crime"? Allegedly he has been arrested under "suspicion of incitement", or more specifically, "inciting people knowing a crime is going to be committed". This is under sections 44, 45 and 46 of the Serious Crime Act 2007. The fact of the matter is though, he has done absolutely nothing wrong and is simply being set up as the fall-guy for someone else's misdeeds. And all of this on the basis of some painful abuse of recent legislation."

Katabasis would like help in building a counter case. Please visit his blog for a better understanding of why this needs to be counteracted as quickly as possible.

Home Secretary Saves Britain from Her Sister's Spare Room.

Ms Smith told the BBC she did not feel under pressure - after newspapers speculated she could face the axe.

Asked if she was concerned people were briefing against her, she told the BBC: "I'm home secretary. I quite often feel under pressure but not from things like that - from things like keeping the country safe, making sure the police are back on the streets, protecting this country from terrorism and keeping our borders safe."

There's an excellent post on Jacqui's fall from grace on the Ihatejaquismith blog.

ACPO What do They Stand For?

Dunno What All The Fuss Is About Really.

Details Here

Gordon Studies DVDs

Gordon Takes Leaf Out Of The Fonz's Book.

Government Aides have denied rumours that

The "Ponz"

has been watching re-runs of Happy Days in an effort to say

the words  "I Was Wrong" .

So far with limited effect, although Sarah said she loved the results so far.

Jacqui Smith May Soon Be Out of a Job.

Looks like the writing may be on the wall for Jacqui.

From the Sunday Times

"THE home secretary, Jacqui Smith, has privately indicated that she fears for her political future, amid Tory claims that she is “out of her depth” and speculation among MPs that Gordon Brown may want to replace her.

People who work closely with Smith are now openly casting doubt on her track record and her chances of surviving an expected summer cabinet reshuffle."

Is Labourlist really Labours Pissed?

From Labourspissed THIS.

Well, all I can say is, Gordon said "No Reward For Failure."

 Remember: There Is No Reward For Failure. Gordon said, so it must be right.

Also, ICBW, but.... Isn't threatening to harm someones livelihood actionable?

Twitter may have something to say on this as well.

You really aren't doing anything to help Labour Derek.

Where Have All The Bloggers Gone? (updated)

Click Image For More Pussy

What's going on?

Tractor Stats, Lord Elvis, Electro-Kev all Missing in Action.

Geert Wilders banned from entering the UK.

Free Speech is now non existent.
As Douglas Carswell MP said today "We are a lesser country than I thought we were"

Daniel1979 has a post on Freedom of Speech in which he says

"So, if we look at the world, and in particular the UK this week, have we taken a step closer or a step back from this Universal Declaration?

Let me offer something close to some quotations, for censorship in the UK is not an original tyranny..."

And Prodicus seems to be inviting a similar fate to Lord Elvis' blog in an oblique reference to the last post on the 10 Drowning Street blog.

It's been an interesting few days since I started this blogging lark.
Nice to have known you, even if for such a short time!

Jacqui Off The Hook, Penguin Goes on Attack!

Full Story Here

Jacqui Smith Denies She's Chicken.

Jacqboots Smith Denied She Was A Chicken And Attempted
to Duck The Issue When Questioned on Her Expenses.
Paxo Said "She's Stuffed Now,
Wait Till She Puts That Bill In Front Of Parliament."

Where is Tractor Stats?

Just saw this on Obnoxio's blog!

Tractor Stats blog inspired me to start my own.
Come back Mr Stats!!

Update: More bloggers are worried here

From The Onion "SPOSTDW".

Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn't Fucking Work

H/T The Devil's Kitchen

Domestic Plotter Uncovered in Westminster.

Gordon runs out of opinions after
Peter does a runner with the smoothing iron.
Jacqie laughs like a pig and Harriet bans
Lap dancing.