Inside or outside you decide
Prison is not the answer.
Prison is the answer.
Hat-Tip to conservativehome
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
If Ian Huntley wishes to commit suicide I would give him a razor blade
If Ian Huntley wishes to commit suicide I would give him a razor blade
Having said that, the prison authorities owe him a duty of care to try and prevent self harm.
"Ian Huntley, the killer of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, is receiving special treatment to stop him attempting suicide, it has been claimed".
I think the Daily Mail should be renamed the Daily Malice. Since the 1960s and 1970s prisoners in long-term prisons having been allowed to wear causal clothes. I cannot remember when I last saw a prison uniform being worn. If prisoners pay for their own clothing it saves the taxpayers money.
Since the 1990s all prison cells have in-cell TV, which prisoners pay a £1 per week to rent. Actually, this charge is unlawful and a breach of human rights. Again, since the 1990s prisoners have been allowed to buy CD players and game consoles. What do you expect them to do, wank themselves silly every minute of the day and night?
Calling prisoners Mr or by their first names is again something introduced in the 1990s.
Hasn't the Daily Malice got any news to print?
Having said that, the prison authorities owe him a duty of care to try and prevent self harm.
"Ian Huntley, the killer of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, is receiving special treatment to stop him attempting suicide, it has been claimed".
I think the Daily Mail should be renamed the Daily Malice. Since the 1960s and 1970s prisoners in long-term prisons having been allowed to wear causal clothes. I cannot remember when I last saw a prison uniform being worn. If prisoners pay for their own clothing it saves the taxpayers money.
Since the 1990s all prison cells have in-cell TV, which prisoners pay a £1 per week to rent. Actually, this charge is unlawful and a breach of human rights. Again, since the 1990s prisoners have been allowed to buy CD players and game consoles. What do you expect them to do, wank themselves silly every minute of the day and night?
Calling prisoners Mr or by their first names is again something introduced in the 1990s.
Hasn't the Daily Malice got any news to print?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Terror concessions being planned
Terror concessions being planned
"The government is preparing to offer Labour MPs a major concession to avoid losing a vote on terror detentions, the BBC has learned.
Ministers want to extend the limit suspects can be held without charge to 42 days, which many Labour MPs oppose.
To avoid losing a Commons vote, the government is to suggest halving the period during which police can enact these extra powers from 60 to 30 days".
As Gordon Brown and Jacqui Smith sing never going to give you up, I say No Deal.
Ministers plan help for fuel poor
Ministers plan help for fuel poor
"Plans to help elderly and vulnerable people pay their fuel bills are due to be announced by the government".
"An estimated 2.3 million households are in fuel poverty - defined when more than 10% of household income is spent on fuel bills".
Where does that put me when I spent 50% of my Job Seekers Allowance every 2 weeks on fuel bills during the Winter months?
The last Briton in Guantanamo faces death penalty
The last Briton in Guantanamo faces death penalty
After being held prisoner by the US for six years, inmate to be charged with terrorism offences despite protesting his innocence
"A British resident who is facing the death penalty in Guantanamo Bay has made a final desperate plea to Gordon Brown to end his six-year ordeal and bring him home today.
In a letter delivered to Downing Street, Binyam Mohamed, the last Guantanamo inmate with the automatic right to British residency, calls on the Prime Minister to use his influence with President George Bush to stop an American military "kangaroo court" sending him to his death".
I am concerned about the rather vague terrorist related offences. It does appear that the US under Bush are determined to have a show trial. Something to show for this so-called war on terror.
I just hope that Gordon Brown is not too busy trying to stay in power himself and too busy assisting the McCanns to bring this man back home?
After being held prisoner by the US for six years, inmate to be charged with terrorism offences despite protesting his innocence
"A British resident who is facing the death penalty in Guantanamo Bay has made a final desperate plea to Gordon Brown to end his six-year ordeal and bring him home today.
In a letter delivered to Downing Street, Binyam Mohamed, the last Guantanamo inmate with the automatic right to British residency, calls on the Prime Minister to use his influence with President George Bush to stop an American military "kangaroo court" sending him to his death".
I am concerned about the rather vague terrorist related offences. It does appear that the US under Bush are determined to have a show trial. Something to show for this so-called war on terror.
I just hope that Gordon Brown is not too busy trying to stay in power himself and too busy assisting the McCanns to bring this man back home?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Has Clarence Mitchell spun out of control?
Has Clarence Mitchell spun out of control?
Following the judgment, released by the Evora Supreme Court of Justice in Portimao, the Daily Mirror asked the McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell for a comment and he said: "They are not officially suspected of any crime. Nor have they been accused of any crime".
However, if we remove the spin by Clarence Mitchell a different picture emerges:
"This is the first judiciary dispatch that is not covered by the judicial secrecy, that assumes that the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann contains the suspicions of crimes of homicide, exposure, abandonment and concealment of a cadaver.
Those were the criminal indices that were imputed to Gerry and Kate and over which they were made arguidos" (reported in Correio da Manhã, translated by Astro, and source the mccannfiles).
So, the McCanns are officially suspected of several crimes, and they have been accused of several crimes.
Perhaps, Clarence Mitchell meant that the McCanns have not been arrested and charged as yet?
n.b. First posted on the 3As forum. The photoshop comes from a poster on the 3As.
Madeleine McCann's parents being investigated for negligence
Madeleine McCann's parents being investigated for negligence
"Portuguese police are investigating the possibility that the parents of Madeleine McCann were negligent when they left their daughter alone in their unlocked holiday apartment on the night she went missing".
This is good news that the PJ are considering going after the McCanns for the offences of child neglect and/or child abandonment.
However, it is disappointing that the PJ are being prevented from accessing the Phone calls and text messages sent.
If the McCanns have, according to Clarence Mitchell, received this as legal advice, that leaving 3 children under the age of 4 unsupervised while the parents go out binge drinking is “well within the bounds of responsible parenting”, I would get myself another lawyer as this advice is clearly negligent.
UPDATE: More on the story here.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
McCanns friends obstruct justice and the MSM sleeps
McCanns friends obstruct justice and the MSM sleeps
Joana Morais is blogging a report from the Portuguese newspaper 24 Hours. It is being claimed, that those friends of the McCanns who have refused to take part in a police reconstruction would have been arrested if they had been in Portugal or Portuguese.
Why is the Mainstream Media in this country failing to question this obstruction of justice?
Joana Morais is blogging a report from the Portuguese newspaper 24 Hours. It is being claimed, that those friends of the McCanns who have refused to take part in a police reconstruction would have been arrested if they had been in Portugal or Portuguese.
Why is the Mainstream Media in this country failing to question this obstruction of justice?
Jail early release plans outlined
Warnings of rioting as prison population surges
Warnings of rioting as prison population surges
The prison population is on course to hit 100,000 in four years’ time, after hitting a new record of 83,000 for the first time.
"The Prison Officers’ Association warned that suspected criminals might be going free because there are not enough cells to house them while prisons watchdog Anne Owers also said that conditions in jails were the worst she had known in eight years, with evidence of low level unrest in some prisons".
A concern I have about prison officers warning about the possibility of riots is that it is easy for them to cause riots in an attempt to prove their point.
HMS Superb nuclear submarine damaged in Red Sea crash
HMS Superb nuclear submarine damaged in Red Sea crash
"A British nuclear-powered submarine was damaged when it collided with rocks in the Red Sea, the Ministry of Defence has said".
Tapas 9 deliberately hamper police investigation
Tapas 9 deliberately hamper police investigation
The Daily Telegraph is reporting: Madeleine McCann reconstruction 'called off by Portuguese Police'. The Daily Telegraph is quoting Sky News as its source of the story. However, blogs and forums were running with the story first and Sky News jumped on the bandwagon when it was already rolling.
It is true to say that the Portuguese police have called off the intended reconstruction. This is because, in the view of the PJ, all members of the Tapas Bar 9 needed to attend to complete the picture. I can see the logic of this.
It is not true to claim that several members of the Tapas Bar 9 were not able to attend. They were all able to attend. They just did not want to assist in the police inquiry. This may have escaped the Mainstream Media's attention, but it is highly significant. I would say that innocent people would have had no fear of attending a police reconstruction. However, given that both Gerry and Kate McCann's statements contain flaws, as do several of the other Tapas Bar 9, it is for this reason that none of the Tapas Bar 9 wish to go back to Portugal.
Instead the Tapas Bar 9 are claiming that they cannot see how a police reconstruction will assist in finding Madeleine. I was under the impression that it is the PJ and not the McCanns and the rest of them who are in charge of the police inquiry. It is for the PJ and not the Tapas Bar 9 to determine the relevance of a reconstruction to the police investigation. The McCanns may be in charge of the private investigation being conducted by Metodo3, but this is not the same thing. Under the latter private investigation, the McCanns are not suspects. However, let us not forget, they are suspects in the police investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine. I don't think it is a good idea to have suspects dictating the nature of the police investigation. There is a tendency for the McCanns to leave themselves out of the inquiry as to what happened to Madeleine.
I don't think the McCanns are doing anything to help find Madeleine as they laugh all the way to the bank to spend the donations. It is time that the Serious Fraud Office froze the findmadeleine account until such time as the McCanns are cleared of all guilt in the disappearance of Madeleine.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting: Madeleine McCann reconstruction 'called off by Portuguese Police'. The Daily Telegraph is quoting Sky News as its source of the story. However, blogs and forums were running with the story first and Sky News jumped on the bandwagon when it was already rolling.
It is true to say that the Portuguese police have called off the intended reconstruction. This is because, in the view of the PJ, all members of the Tapas Bar 9 needed to attend to complete the picture. I can see the logic of this.
It is not true to claim that several members of the Tapas Bar 9 were not able to attend. They were all able to attend. They just did not want to assist in the police inquiry. This may have escaped the Mainstream Media's attention, but it is highly significant. I would say that innocent people would have had no fear of attending a police reconstruction. However, given that both Gerry and Kate McCann's statements contain flaws, as do several of the other Tapas Bar 9, it is for this reason that none of the Tapas Bar 9 wish to go back to Portugal.
Instead the Tapas Bar 9 are claiming that they cannot see how a police reconstruction will assist in finding Madeleine. I was under the impression that it is the PJ and not the McCanns and the rest of them who are in charge of the police inquiry. It is for the PJ and not the Tapas Bar 9 to determine the relevance of a reconstruction to the police investigation. The McCanns may be in charge of the private investigation being conducted by Metodo3, but this is not the same thing. Under the latter private investigation, the McCanns are not suspects. However, let us not forget, they are suspects in the police investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine. I don't think it is a good idea to have suspects dictating the nature of the police investigation. There is a tendency for the McCanns to leave themselves out of the inquiry as to what happened to Madeleine.
I don't think the McCanns are doing anything to help find Madeleine as they laugh all the way to the bank to spend the donations. It is time that the Serious Fraud Office froze the findmadeleine account until such time as the McCanns are cleared of all guilt in the disappearance of Madeleine.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Haven't the McCanns unfinished business with the PJ in Portugal?
Haven't the McCanns unfinished business with the PJ in Portugal?
John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister; Kingston upon Hull East, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source
I have been asked to reply. As the House will be aware, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is in Washington today for discussions with President Bush ahead of the G8 summit in June. Later today, the right hon. Member for Charnwood (Mr. Dorrell), my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Central (Mr. Sarwar) and I will meet members of the family of Madeleine McCann, at their request. I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House will be with them at this terrible time.
Why these fugitives from justice are being met by MPs is questionable to say the least.
UPDATE: As I was saying...
"The reenactment of the facts relative to the disappearance of the English child Madeleine McCann, appointed for Thursday and Friday, was cancelled due to the absence of four of the intervenients, informed today the General Procuracy of the Republic (PGR)".
It is an empty gesture from the McCanns saying that they were prepared to take part when they knew that their friends would not. More spin from the McCann camp.
UPDATED UPDATE: Posted 17 minutes before Sky News "Breaking News
Madeleine Reconstruction Abandoned
Updated:20:00, Tuesday May 27, 2008
Portuguese police have abandoned plans for a reconstruction of the events surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, say Sky sources.
More follows...".
Hat-Tip to Laffin Assasin on the 3As forum.
John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister; Kingston upon Hull East, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source
I have been asked to reply. As the House will be aware, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is in Washington today for discussions with President Bush ahead of the G8 summit in June. Later today, the right hon. Member for Charnwood (Mr. Dorrell), my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Central (Mr. Sarwar) and I will meet members of the family of Madeleine McCann, at their request. I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House will be with them at this terrible time.
Why these fugitives from justice are being met by MPs is questionable to say the least.
UPDATE: As I was saying...
"The reenactment of the facts relative to the disappearance of the English child Madeleine McCann, appointed for Thursday and Friday, was cancelled due to the absence of four of the intervenients, informed today the General Procuracy of the Republic (PGR)".
It is an empty gesture from the McCanns saying that they were prepared to take part when they knew that their friends would not. More spin from the McCann camp.
UPDATED UPDATE: Posted 17 minutes before Sky News "Breaking News
Madeleine Reconstruction Abandoned
Updated:20:00, Tuesday May 27, 2008
Portuguese police have abandoned plans for a reconstruction of the events surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, say Sky sources.
More follows...".
Hat-Tip to Laffin Assasin on the 3As forum.
Lawyers cause innocent man to suffer 26 years imprisonment
Lawyers cause innocent man to suffer 26 years imprisonment
Ball & Chain has an interesting story about 2 lawyers who knew that an innocent man was being kept in prison for 26 years for a murder he did not commit. Perhaps, these 2 lawyers should be given a taste of prison for causing unnecessary suffering?
Ball & Chain has an interesting story about 2 lawyers who knew that an innocent man was being kept in prison for 26 years for a murder he did not commit. Perhaps, these 2 lawyers should be given a taste of prison for causing unnecessary suffering?
McCanns are still managing to evade justice
McCanns are still managing to evade justice
Man accused of baby son's murder
Girl, 3, dies in mini-moto crash
"A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving".
And in other news, the McCanns are still managing to evade justice...
Man accused of baby son's murder
Girl, 3, dies in mini-moto crash
"A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving".
And in other news, the McCanns are still managing to evade justice...
Prison health 'needs cash boost'
Prison health 'needs cash boost'
"Mental health services in prisons are not getting the investment they need to provide adequate care, experts say.
Researchers found £300 a year is spent per prisoner on mental health care - a third what is spent on people with severe problems in the community".
I suppose somebody has to lose out when the bill for the Iraq war is so high, and MPs want to increase their wages by £23,000 per year...
Special Met unit to root out corrupt prison officers
Special Met unit to root out corrupt prison officers
"Senior Metropolitan Police sources estimate that one in 10 prison officers – about 1,000 in total – are corrupt.
The "ghost squad" will target these "rogue" officers in an attempt to stem the "apparently limitless" supply of drugs and mobile phones within prisons.
Earlier this year, a former jail chief said more than £100 million worth of drugs is traded in prisons each year, most of it smuggled in by guards".
In my view, the total of only 1,000 corrupt prison officers is at least 100% too low.
MPs say vote for us and we will rob you all blind
MPs say vote for us and we will rob you all blind
"MPs are planning to award themselves an across-the-board £23,000 second home allowance to remove the embarrassment of submitting expenses claims".
"The committee chairing a review of Parliamentary expenses and allowances, chaired by the Speaker, Michael Martin, is said to be considering an automatic lump sum of around £23,000, which would avoid the exposure of public scrutiny of receipts for small household items".
Given that MPs are supposed to be accountable to the electorate, I feel that they should account for this disgraceful conduct. To stop public scrutiny of their expenses claims, they have decided to award themselves a £23,000 pay rise. This is not just snouts in the trough, they are wallowing in the trough!
"MPs are planning to award themselves an across-the-board £23,000 second home allowance to remove the embarrassment of submitting expenses claims".
"The committee chairing a review of Parliamentary expenses and allowances, chaired by the Speaker, Michael Martin, is said to be considering an automatic lump sum of around £23,000, which would avoid the exposure of public scrutiny of receipts for small household items".
Given that MPs are supposed to be accountable to the electorate, I feel that they should account for this disgraceful conduct. To stop public scrutiny of their expenses claims, they have decided to award themselves a £23,000 pay rise. This is not just snouts in the trough, they are wallowing in the trough!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Afghan prison nightmare may be coming to an end for Pervez
Afghan prison nightmare may be coming to an end for Pervez
"His surroundings are grim and forbidding, a Kabul prison thronged with desperate humanity. But Sayed Pervez Kambaksh believes his long nightmare is almost over.
The 24-year-old student, sentenced to death for downloading internet reports on women's rights, is allowing himself to be hopeful for the first time since he was condemned".
Is it any wonder there is so much madness in the world when a State can sentence someone to death for downloading internet reports on women's rights?
"His surroundings are grim and forbidding, a Kabul prison thronged with desperate humanity. But Sayed Pervez Kambaksh believes his long nightmare is almost over.
The 24-year-old student, sentenced to death for downloading internet reports on women's rights, is allowing himself to be hopeful for the first time since he was condemned".
Is it any wonder there is so much madness in the world when a State can sentence someone to death for downloading internet reports on women's rights?
Girl 12 to have sex change op
Girl 12 to have sex change op
Call me old fashioned, but this case makes me wonder whether we should be tinkering with nature. I know it is deeper than this, but it comes across that the girl wants to avoid breasts and menstruation therefore she decides to become a boy instead. I mean, it's hardly the same as changing a library book because you don't like it. For thousands of years we accepted the sex nature gave us. And we had to live with it. I cannot help thinking perhaps the girl should have instead had counselling to help her accept what she is and adapt to it?
Call me old fashioned, but this case makes me wonder whether we should be tinkering with nature. I know it is deeper than this, but it comes across that the girl wants to avoid breasts and menstruation therefore she decides to become a boy instead. I mean, it's hardly the same as changing a library book because you don't like it. For thousands of years we accepted the sex nature gave us. And we had to live with it. I cannot help thinking perhaps the girl should have instead had counselling to help her accept what she is and adapt to it?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Barmaid's killer dies in hospital
Barmaid's killer dies in hospital
A man who was serving life for the murder of a barmaid from Cheltenham has died after collapsing in prison.
"Paul McMillan, 27, was convicted of stabbing Shirley Cotton-Betteridge more than 40 times at a Bristol pub in 2001.
He punched and kicked her to the ground as she was cashing up, before stabbing her to death in a frenzied attack.
McMillan pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a life sentence. On Thursday he was found unconscious at Broadmoor and later died in hospital".
A man who was serving life for the murder of a barmaid from Cheltenham has died after collapsing in prison.
"Paul McMillan, 27, was convicted of stabbing Shirley Cotton-Betteridge more than 40 times at a Bristol pub in 2001.
He punched and kicked her to the ground as she was cashing up, before stabbing her to death in a frenzied attack.
McMillan pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a life sentence. On Thursday he was found unconscious at Broadmoor and later died in hospital".
McCanns: Is anyone laughing at their sick joke?
McCanns: Is anyone laughing at their sick joke?
"The parents of Madeleine McCann have backed a scheme to use social networking websites Facebook and Bebo to help trace missing children".
Is this some kind of sick joke? The parents who refuse to take responsibility for the disappearance of their own child supporting a missing children initiative? Isn't this a bit like Dr Harold Shipman supporting care for the elderly?
"The parents of Madeleine McCann have backed a scheme to use social networking websites Facebook and Bebo to help trace missing children".
Is this some kind of sick joke? The parents who refuse to take responsibility for the disappearance of their own child supporting a missing children initiative? Isn't this a bit like Dr Harold Shipman supporting care for the elderly?
Prince Andrew and a Kazakh tycoon in £3M dodgy deal
Prince Andrew and a Kazakh tycoon in £3M dodgy deal
There is something fishy about this story, dodgy dealings, between Prince Andrew and a Kazakh tycoon. Prince Andrew has a house for sale valued at £12M, and along comes this chap and instead pays him £15M. What was the other £3M pay off for?
There is something fishy about this story, dodgy dealings, between Prince Andrew and a Kazakh tycoon. Prince Andrew has a house for sale valued at £12M, and along comes this chap and instead pays him £15M. What was the other £3M pay off for?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Hull City promoted to Premier League
Hull cannabis factory raided by police
Hull cannabis factory raided by police
See the Look North video of the story here.
I like the bit about the growers being good neighbours.
May be they just took gardening plants to the extreme when they grow them in every room of the house as well as in the garden!
See the Look North video of the story here.
I like the bit about the growers being good neighbours.
May be they just took gardening plants to the extreme when they grow them in every room of the house as well as in the garden!
McCanns "accept" returning to Portugal
McCanns "accept" returning to Portugal
I have difficulty with this story.
Basically, the McCanns are claiming, through their spokesman Clarence Mitchell, that they are willing to personally attend a reconstruction in Portugal, but because their friends are less than keen to assist the reconstruction, therefore the McCanns say the reconstruction is unlikely to occur.
This blaming of their friends appears to me to be a smokescreen. The McCanns appear to be hiding behind them. In my view, this is precisely what the McCanns did on 3 May 2007. They hid behind their friends.
Then we have Clarence Mitchell's pathetic lies. He is claiming that Kate McCann saw the abductor kidnapping Madeleine before her very eyes and the McCann team are worried about Kate McCann's mental state. And yet, the McCanns have always said that they regret not being there the minute Madeleine was taken. And, I think that the PJ are also concerned about the mental state of Kate McCann's mind during 3 May 2007.
Another issue here is the findmadeleinefund.
"Fund Objectives as stated by the Madeline's Fund Board of Directors
1.1 The full objects of the Fund are:
1.1.1 To secure the safe return to her family of Madeleine McCann who was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday 3rd May 2007;
1.1.2 To procure that Madeleine’s abduction is thoroughly investigated and that her abductors, as well as those who played or play any part in assisting them, are identified and brought to justice; and
1.1.3 To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine’s family.
1.2 If the above objects are fulfilled then the objects of the Foundation shall be to pursue such purposes in similar cases arising in the United Kingdom, Portugal or elsewhere".
Given that there is no evidence that Madeleine was abducted, it is strange to set up a fund with the purpose of returning a girl who may not have been abducted at all. And this strange reasoning continues with the second purpose of the fund. To investigate what may not have occurred. It would seem to me that only the third purpose makes any sense, it is designed to line the pockets of the McCanns. And, if there is any small change left over, they might give some of it to a worthy cause.
I have difficulty with this story.
Basically, the McCanns are claiming, through their spokesman Clarence Mitchell, that they are willing to personally attend a reconstruction in Portugal, but because their friends are less than keen to assist the reconstruction, therefore the McCanns say the reconstruction is unlikely to occur.
This blaming of their friends appears to me to be a smokescreen. The McCanns appear to be hiding behind them. In my view, this is precisely what the McCanns did on 3 May 2007. They hid behind their friends.
Then we have Clarence Mitchell's pathetic lies. He is claiming that Kate McCann saw the abductor kidnapping Madeleine before her very eyes and the McCann team are worried about Kate McCann's mental state. And yet, the McCanns have always said that they regret not being there the minute Madeleine was taken. And, I think that the PJ are also concerned about the mental state of Kate McCann's mind during 3 May 2007.
Another issue here is the findmadeleinefund.
"Fund Objectives as stated by the Madeline's Fund Board of Directors
1.1 The full objects of the Fund are:
1.1.1 To secure the safe return to her family of Madeleine McCann who was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday 3rd May 2007;
1.1.2 To procure that Madeleine’s abduction is thoroughly investigated and that her abductors, as well as those who played or play any part in assisting them, are identified and brought to justice; and
1.1.3 To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine’s family.
1.2 If the above objects are fulfilled then the objects of the Foundation shall be to pursue such purposes in similar cases arising in the United Kingdom, Portugal or elsewhere".
Given that there is no evidence that Madeleine was abducted, it is strange to set up a fund with the purpose of returning a girl who may not have been abducted at all. And this strange reasoning continues with the second purpose of the fund. To investigate what may not have occurred. It would seem to me that only the third purpose makes any sense, it is designed to line the pockets of the McCanns. And, if there is any small change left over, they might give some of it to a worthy cause.
Paedophile gang jailed over abuse
Paedophile gang jailed over abuse
"Members of a paedophile gang have been jailed for a string of child sex offences against British boys in the UK and abroad".
"The Marshalls would persuade the boys' parents they would look after their sons on holidays with Melling at various locations in and out of the UK".
I am amazed that the parents of vulnerable children were so willing to trust their childrens welfare to strangers.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Man jailed for 'coaching abusers'
Man jailed for 'coaching abusers'
"A paedophile who coached other men over the internet on how to abuse children has been jailed indefinitely".
"A paedophile who coached other men over the internet on how to abuse children has been jailed indefinitely".
McCanns to be charged
McCanns to be charged
The Portuguese newspaper 24 Hours is reporting that if the McCanns and the rest of the Tapas 9 fail to return to Portugal to take part in a reconstruction of May 3 2007, then the McCanns will be prosecuted for gross neglect for their part in the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine.
Story here.
The Portuguese newspaper 24 Hours is reporting that if the McCanns and the rest of the Tapas 9 fail to return to Portugal to take part in a reconstruction of May 3 2007, then the McCanns will be prosecuted for gross neglect for their part in the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine.
Story here.
Prison for speeding V-sign biker
Prison for speeding V-sign biker
"A motorcyclist who stuck two fingers up at a speed camera as he raced at up to three times the limit has been jailed".
"The camera caught him speeding 65 times at up to 88mph in a 30mph zone".
The problem with this is that he will serve 12 months out of the 18 months sentence, and given that he has been banned from driving for 12 months this rather defeats the object because he cannot ride his motorbike whilst in custody. The 12 month ban should start from the day of release from prison.
"A motorcyclist who stuck two fingers up at a speed camera as he raced at up to three times the limit has been jailed".
"The camera caught him speeding 65 times at up to 88mph in a 30mph zone".
The problem with this is that he will serve 12 months out of the 18 months sentence, and given that he has been banned from driving for 12 months this rather defeats the object because he cannot ride his motorbike whilst in custody. The 12 month ban should start from the day of release from prison.
Florida mother jailed for caging son
Florida mother jailed for caging son
"A Florida mother has been jailed for 20 years for keeping her teenage adopted son in a cage.
The 17-year-old weighed 22kg (3st 7lb) when child welfare workers found him in 2005".
I think this is called making the sentence fit the crime. Imprisonment for the mother who imprisoned her son. I just wonder whether 20 years in jail is too excessive?
"A Florida mother has been jailed for 20 years for keeping her teenage adopted son in a cage.
The 17-year-old weighed 22kg (3st 7lb) when child welfare workers found him in 2005".
I think this is called making the sentence fit the crime. Imprisonment for the mother who imprisoned her son. I just wonder whether 20 years in jail is too excessive?
Judge keeps his job after inquiry into love triangle
Judge keeps his job after inquiry into love triangle
"An immigration judge who had an affair with his illegally employed "chilli hot stuff" cleaner will keep his £110,000-a-year job".
What another waste of money!
"An immigration judge who had an affair with his illegally employed "chilli hot stuff" cleaner will keep his £110,000-a-year job".
What another waste of money!
Police spend £40m on 'spin doctors'
Police spend £40m on 'spin doctors'
"Police forces are spending £40 million a year on press officers, it emerged yesterday, which could pay for 1,400 extra constables on the beat".
And what is the message that is worth £40M? This, the country: "not only is safer, but feels safer, too".
The problem with that is it would not only feel safer but be safer if there was 1,400 more bobbies on the beat.
"Police forces are spending £40 million a year on press officers, it emerged yesterday, which could pay for 1,400 extra constables on the beat".
And what is the message that is worth £40M? This, the country: "not only is safer, but feels safer, too".
The problem with that is it would not only feel safer but be safer if there was 1,400 more bobbies on the beat.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Jailhouselawyer's Blog
Jailhouselawyer's Blog
Decided to change the name of the blog. I'm better known by this username.
Decided to change the name of the blog. I'm better known by this username.
Dear My Telegraph blog...
Dear My Telegraph blog...
I think I have found the missing link. You cannot censor this, it's already out there in cyberspace, on t'internet.
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jailhouselawyer
Hull, England
Insideout
jailhouselawyer writes about:
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* Absolute right not to be tortured
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McCanns lose public vote of no confidence
Posted by jailhouselawyer at 20:18 on 19 May 2008
The McCannsfiles website is reporting that the McCanns are suing the former director and a journalist of the extinct weekly Portuguese newspaper "Tal&Qual" (T&Q) for defamation. "Kate and Gerry McCann believe that the publication of the headline "PJ believes that the parents killed Maddie" put public opinion, world-wide, against them".
However, the Tal&Qual article appeared on 24 August 2007 and 15 days later the PJ made both the McCanns suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine. The report in T&Q was in quotes and referred to what the PJ believed as opposed to what the journalist and director believed. In my view, providing that the story is reliably sourced, then there is no defamation of the McCanns character.
Furthermore, Associated Press reported this story on 18 May 2007 and at the same time this poll was conducted under the heading related content. As you can see from the result below, 3 months before the T&Q story was published, public opinion worldwide was already against the McCanns. Therefore, the T&Q story cannot be responsible for turning public opinion against the McCanns.
Live Vote
Is it acceptable that Madeleine McCann and her siblings were left alone? * 7437 responses
No, no matter how safe her parents assumed the community to be, three children that young should not be left unattended.
92%
Yes, her parents say they checked in on the kids every half hour. Critics may be coming from a different cultural perspective on child rearing.
8%
I would say that it was the McCanns own conduct of child neglect which turned public opinion worldwide against them. Perhaps, it is time that the McCanns had a reality check? Freedom of speech is too strong to disappear just like Madeleine. We will not be silenced just because we do not agree with the version of events as described by the McCanns. The available evidence does not support the McCanns, and neither does the majority of public opinion.
Clarence Mitchell is paid to sell the McCanns story. We choose not to buy it.
UPDATE: It may well be that T&Q is not the real target. It could be a McCann tactic to discover who in the PJ leaked the information to T&Q.
http://prisonersvoice.blogspot.com/2008/05/mccanns-lose-public-vote-of-no.html
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4 comments
Show most recent: First Last
Dogblog's avatar
Jailhouse Lawyer..........
Dogblog 19 May 2008 20:29
Hello again, we have not exchanged comments for some time now.
I have posted before on here that the biggest mistake the McCanns made(in my opinion) was to give the disappearance of their daughter such a high profile.
The publicity meant that everyone would know what Maddie looked like, almost as though she was a child of their own.
This would have made it impossible for the abductor to let her be seen in public,and would have made it even more possible that she had become such a liabilty that the abductor would have to dispose of her.
They became her worst enemies,although motivated with the best intentions.
They are parents of above average intelligence and yet the couldn't work out that simple fact for themselves.
Report this comment
Mad Mac's avatar
Two mistakes
Mad Mac 19 May 2008 20:37
The first was leaving a child of such tender years unattended in a strange room with no responsible person in charge.
The second was the publicity given to the unusual mark on Madeline's eye. This should have been kept from the press and the public but circulated, confidentially, to all hospital's and schools in Europe, asking them to keep this secret but to notify the Police should a child with this mark come to their attention.
Report this comment
irish_eyes77's avatar
I can't help but feel
irish_eyes77 19 May 2008 20:53
the McCann's have been painted as victims by the press (in the UK) because they're middle class with good careers. If (God forbid) they came from a council estate they wouldn't have been looked upon so favourably. I imagine the headlines would read "council estate parents lose child" - causing huge outrage; and a full enquiry from social services would ensue.
I digress, a child should NEVER be left unattended, no matter who the parent; as the McCann's discovered, much to the chagrin.
As above, I agree that she's too well known by the public now, from photos and constant media attention; making her a liablity for any abductor.
I feel sorry for their loss; but equally furious at their sheer negligence.
Report this comment
patrickM's avatar
I
patrickM 19 May 2008 21:02
still think the world is being hypocritical when they criticize these parents for doing anything they can to find their child. I would turn the world upside down
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I think I have found the missing link. You cannot censor this, it's already out there in cyberspace, on t'internet.
This is G o o g l e's cache of http://my.telegraph.co.uk/jailhouselawyer/may_2008/mccanns_lose_public_vote_of_no_confidence.htm as retrieved on 19 May 2008 20:06:14 GMT.
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jailhouselawyer
Hull, England
Insideout
jailhouselawyer writes about:
* 999 caller being sued
* Absolute right not to be tortured
* Afghanistan
* ambulance worker's own negligence led to blaming octogenarian for his own mishap
* Armed forces
* army
* BAE Systems
* BBC
* BBC 1 Look North
* BBC fails to provide balance
* Bush and Blair secret Iraq memo
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McCanns lose public vote of no confidence
Posted by jailhouselawyer at 20:18 on 19 May 2008
The McCannsfiles website is reporting that the McCanns are suing the former director and a journalist of the extinct weekly Portuguese newspaper "Tal&Qual" (T&Q) for defamation. "Kate and Gerry McCann believe that the publication of the headline "PJ believes that the parents killed Maddie" put public opinion, world-wide, against them".
However, the Tal&Qual article appeared on 24 August 2007 and 15 days later the PJ made both the McCanns suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine. The report in T&Q was in quotes and referred to what the PJ believed as opposed to what the journalist and director believed. In my view, providing that the story is reliably sourced, then there is no defamation of the McCanns character.
Furthermore, Associated Press reported this story on 18 May 2007 and at the same time this poll was conducted under the heading related content. As you can see from the result below, 3 months before the T&Q story was published, public opinion worldwide was already against the McCanns. Therefore, the T&Q story cannot be responsible for turning public opinion against the McCanns.
Live Vote
Is it acceptable that Madeleine McCann and her siblings were left alone? * 7437 responses
No, no matter how safe her parents assumed the community to be, three children that young should not be left unattended.
92%
Yes, her parents say they checked in on the kids every half hour. Critics may be coming from a different cultural perspective on child rearing.
8%
I would say that it was the McCanns own conduct of child neglect which turned public opinion worldwide against them. Perhaps, it is time that the McCanns had a reality check? Freedom of speech is too strong to disappear just like Madeleine. We will not be silenced just because we do not agree with the version of events as described by the McCanns. The available evidence does not support the McCanns, and neither does the majority of public opinion.
Clarence Mitchell is paid to sell the McCanns story. We choose not to buy it.
UPDATE: It may well be that T&Q is not the real target. It could be a McCann tactic to discover who in the PJ leaked the information to T&Q.
http://prisonersvoice.blogspot.com/2008/05/mccanns-lose-public-vote-of-no.html
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Current affairs, McCanns, public opinion, Clarence Mitchell, defamation of character, TalandQual
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4 comments
Show most recent: First Last
Dogblog's avatar
Jailhouse Lawyer..........
Dogblog 19 May 2008 20:29
Hello again, we have not exchanged comments for some time now.
I have posted before on here that the biggest mistake the McCanns made(in my opinion) was to give the disappearance of their daughter such a high profile.
The publicity meant that everyone would know what Maddie looked like, almost as though she was a child of their own.
This would have made it impossible for the abductor to let her be seen in public,and would have made it even more possible that she had become such a liabilty that the abductor would have to dispose of her.
They became her worst enemies,although motivated with the best intentions.
They are parents of above average intelligence and yet the couldn't work out that simple fact for themselves.
Report this comment
Mad Mac's avatar
Two mistakes
Mad Mac 19 May 2008 20:37
The first was leaving a child of such tender years unattended in a strange room with no responsible person in charge.
The second was the publicity given to the unusual mark on Madeline's eye. This should have been kept from the press and the public but circulated, confidentially, to all hospital's and schools in Europe, asking them to keep this secret but to notify the Police should a child with this mark come to their attention.
Report this comment
irish_eyes77's avatar
I can't help but feel
irish_eyes77 19 May 2008 20:53
the McCann's have been painted as victims by the press (in the UK) because they're middle class with good careers. If (God forbid) they came from a council estate they wouldn't have been looked upon so favourably. I imagine the headlines would read "council estate parents lose child" - causing huge outrage; and a full enquiry from social services would ensue.
I digress, a child should NEVER be left unattended, no matter who the parent; as the McCann's discovered, much to the chagrin.
As above, I agree that she's too well known by the public now, from photos and constant media attention; making her a liablity for any abductor.
I feel sorry for their loss; but equally furious at their sheer negligence.
Report this comment
patrickM's avatar
I
patrickM 19 May 2008 21:02
still think the world is being hypocritical when they criticize these parents for doing anything they can to find their child. I would turn the world upside down
Report this comment
Comment on this post
You must be logged on to leave a comment.
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* May 2008
* March 2008
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Sign of the times?
Sign of the times?
Gay bar row over 'straight' sign
A complaint has been made to police over a banner declaring a former gay bar in Sunderland city centre has now gone "straight".
This is a queer one. It is ok to advertise a bar as gay, but it is not ok to advertise a former gay bar as straight? I thought the opposite of gay is straight? If advertising as gay is not offensive, I fail to see how advertising as straight is offensive. People who would normally not visit the bar because it is gay surely need to notice that its new owners were seeking a different clientele?
Gay bar row over 'straight' sign
A complaint has been made to police over a banner declaring a former gay bar in Sunderland city centre has now gone "straight".
This is a queer one. It is ok to advertise a bar as gay, but it is not ok to advertise a former gay bar as straight? I thought the opposite of gay is straight? If advertising as gay is not offensive, I fail to see how advertising as straight is offensive. People who would normally not visit the bar because it is gay surely need to notice that its new owners were seeking a different clientele?
Couple charged with neglect after girl aged seven dies in hospital
Couple charged with neglect after girl aged seven dies in hospital
I just find it incredible in this day and age that a 7 year old child can be starved to death over a period of 3 months, and yet nobody in the local community or at school noticed anything wrong. The fact that the neighbours used to regularly see the children and then not see them for 3 months should have alerted them to something being wrong.
In the 1950 and 1960s I doubt this could have happened because neighbours would have visited the house to ask what was wrong.
Were the mother and stepfather spending all the food budget on class A drugs?
I just find it incredible in this day and age that a 7 year old child can be starved to death over a period of 3 months, and yet nobody in the local community or at school noticed anything wrong. The fact that the neighbours used to regularly see the children and then not see them for 3 months should have alerted them to something being wrong.
In the 1950 and 1960s I doubt this could have happened because neighbours would have visited the house to ask what was wrong.
Were the mother and stepfather spending all the food budget on class A drugs?
Mother fined £300 for putting bins out early
Mother fined £300 for putting bins out early
"A woman has been fined nearly £300 for leaving her bins out a day before they were due to be collected.
Zoe Watmough, 22, left the bins, a grey one and a green one for recycling, outside her home on a Wednesday ready for collection the next day.
Council officers issued her with a £75 fine claiming that the bins had been put out 24 hours before they were due to be emptied".
Haven't councils enough to be getting on with without spying on people putting their bins out 24 hours early?
"A woman has been fined nearly £300 for leaving her bins out a day before they were due to be collected.
Zoe Watmough, 22, left the bins, a grey one and a green one for recycling, outside her home on a Wednesday ready for collection the next day.
Council officers issued her with a £75 fine claiming that the bins had been put out 24 hours before they were due to be emptied".
Haven't councils enough to be getting on with without spying on people putting their bins out 24 hours early?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What’s a spar of soap Sir Alan? You’re fired
What’s a spar of soap Sir Alan? You’re fired.
Right person went.
An empty box.
Get the tissues out…
McCanns and another case
McCanns and another case
This case. Is not a million miles from Monster Mansion in Rothley.
Think.
Wakefield Prison was nicknamed Monster Mansion for good reason, at least 80% of the inmates were in for sex offences. Some had killed children.
I am not saying the McCanns are monsters. They started the name calling against the fictitious abductor. All I am doing is throwing their own name calling back in their lying faces. They are human beings. But so was Madeleine. She trusted them. They let her down. They failed to protect her. They abused her trust.
Hat-Tip to the 3As forum for the link.
This case. Is not a million miles from Monster Mansion in Rothley.
Think.
Wakefield Prison was nicknamed Monster Mansion for good reason, at least 80% of the inmates were in for sex offences. Some had killed children.
I am not saying the McCanns are monsters. They started the name calling against the fictitious abductor. All I am doing is throwing their own name calling back in their lying faces. They are human beings. But so was Madeleine. She trusted them. They let her down. They failed to protect her. They abused her trust.
Hat-Tip to the 3As forum for the link.
McCanns: Let Madeleine Speak Out
McCanns: Let Madeleine Speak Out
Justice for Madeleine is not the same as protecting the McCanns from justice.
Whatever happened to Madeleine the McCanns have sought to cover up from day one. Employing one smokescreen or another camouflage in an attempt to deceive the authorities, media and the public; and even their own family and friends and supporters. They should be struck off the medical register for such conduct. And, brought to account in a people's court. A trial by media is not a fair trial if they control the media. The British mainstream media should be ashamed at being more interested in sales than printing truth about this case. The British government should be ashamed about supporting the McCanns flight from justice.
I am sure if Madeleine was asked, she would say be "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime". Why is the government being soft on mummy and daddy?
My message for the McCanns? See you in court.
_________________
What child abduction? What break-in?
Why don't you tell us what really happened on 3rd May 2007?
Opening up a McCann of worms
Justice for Madeleine is not the same as protecting the McCanns from justice.
Whatever happened to Madeleine the McCanns have sought to cover up from day one. Employing one smokescreen or another camouflage in an attempt to deceive the authorities, media and the public; and even their own family and friends and supporters. They should be struck off the medical register for such conduct. And, brought to account in a people's court. A trial by media is not a fair trial if they control the media. The British mainstream media should be ashamed at being more interested in sales than printing truth about this case. The British government should be ashamed about supporting the McCanns flight from justice.
I am sure if Madeleine was asked, she would say be "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime". Why is the government being soft on mummy and daddy?
My message for the McCanns? See you in court.
_________________
What child abduction? What break-in?
Why don't you tell us what really happened on 3rd May 2007?
Opening up a McCann of worms
Gay-rights group protests long prison term in spitting incident
Gay-rights group protests long prison term in spitting incident
Public health officials say the risk of contracting HIV from saliva is extremely low
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, May 18, 2008
DALLAS — A gay-rights group is protesting a 35-year prison sentence given to an HIV-positive man who was convicted of spitting on a police officer.
Prosecutors persuaded a jury this week that the man's spit constituted a deadly weapon.
Willie Campbell spit into the eye and mouth of a Dallas police officer while he was being arrested on a charge of public intoxication in 2006, the officer testified.
Campbell, 42, had been in prison twice before, making him a habitual offender subject to a sentence of at least 25 years.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says no one has ever contracted the AIDS virus from spit.
Bebe Anderson, the HIV projects director at Lambda Legal, a gay-rights group, said the verdict could create wrong impressions about how HIV is transmitted.
Dallas County prosecutor Jenni Morse said any risk is sufficient to find spit could be considered a deadly weapon.
Hat-Tip Ball & Chain
Public health officials say the risk of contracting HIV from saliva is extremely low
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, May 18, 2008
DALLAS — A gay-rights group is protesting a 35-year prison sentence given to an HIV-positive man who was convicted of spitting on a police officer.
Prosecutors persuaded a jury this week that the man's spit constituted a deadly weapon.
Willie Campbell spit into the eye and mouth of a Dallas police officer while he was being arrested on a charge of public intoxication in 2006, the officer testified.
Campbell, 42, had been in prison twice before, making him a habitual offender subject to a sentence of at least 25 years.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says no one has ever contracted the AIDS virus from spit.
Bebe Anderson, the HIV projects director at Lambda Legal, a gay-rights group, said the verdict could create wrong impressions about how HIV is transmitted.
Dallas County prosecutor Jenni Morse said any risk is sufficient to find spit could be considered a deadly weapon.
Hat-Tip Ball & Chain
Man jailed for internet grooming
Man jailed for internet grooming
"A security guard exposed as a paedophile in stings by a television documentary crew and police has been jailed by Bristol Crown Court".
And yet, kill a 3 year old child whilst on holiday in Portugal and get off scott free!
One legged old boot leaves CPS without a leg to stand on
One legged old boot leaves CPS without a leg to stand on
"A photographer who was found guilty of assaulting Heather Mills in Brighton has had his conviction quashed because she was too stressed to attend court".
God! She's an ugly old cow. Too stressed out? Pull the udder one!
US 'stuck' with Guantanamo Bay prisoners
US 'stuck' with Guantanamo Bay prisoners
The United States is "stuck" with its Guantanamo Bay prison and cannot decide what to do with inmates who cannot be charged or set loose, the American defence secretary admitted.
Robert Gates told the Senate he believed the prison should be closed, but had not found a way to do it.
"I think the brutally frank answer is we're stuck. And we're stuck in several ways," he told Senator Dianne Feinstein of California.
He said the US was prepared to send 60 or 70 prisoners home but either could not persuade their countries to take them, or could not trust them not to free them.
There are now about 270 detainees at Guantanamo.
They include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the confessed planner of the September 11 attacks, and a number of other "high value" al-Qa'eda operatives awaiting trial under a military tribunals system.
Many inmates who have been there for several years have not been charged and remain in legal limbo.
Isn't it more a case of once the US has kidnapped the inmates from freedom it is they who are stuck with the US?
The United States is "stuck" with its Guantanamo Bay prison and cannot decide what to do with inmates who cannot be charged or set loose, the American defence secretary admitted.
Robert Gates told the Senate he believed the prison should be closed, but had not found a way to do it.
"I think the brutally frank answer is we're stuck. And we're stuck in several ways," he told Senator Dianne Feinstein of California.
He said the US was prepared to send 60 or 70 prisoners home but either could not persuade their countries to take them, or could not trust them not to free them.
There are now about 270 detainees at Guantanamo.
They include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the confessed planner of the September 11 attacks, and a number of other "high value" al-Qa'eda operatives awaiting trial under a military tribunals system.
Many inmates who have been there for several years have not been charged and remain in legal limbo.
Isn't it more a case of once the US has kidnapped the inmates from freedom it is they who are stuck with the US?
Michael Parkinson fights for dignity in care homes
Michael Parkinson fights for dignity in care homes
"Elderly people are being treated like inmates in prison by uncaring nurses, Sir Michael Parkinson has claimed, as he promotes a drive to ensure patients live with dignity and respect in hospitals and care homes".
Don't forget the OAPs who are in prisons.
"Elderly people are being treated like inmates in prison by uncaring nurses, Sir Michael Parkinson has claimed, as he promotes a drive to ensure patients live with dignity and respect in hospitals and care homes".
Don't forget the OAPs who are in prisons.
Schoolgirl hit by police car in Newcastle dies
Schoolgirl hit by police car in Newcastle dies
In my view, a single police officer driving whilst looking at a in-car computer screen is as dangerous as anybody else using a mobile phone to text whilst driving.
UPDATE: Speaking of which I have just been out for 5 minutes and was almost knocked down by a driver of a Land Rover who was too busy on his mobile phone to pay attention to me. He was turning right off Beverley Road and going into the car park outside the Dorchester Hotel. It meant he had to go onto Pearson Avenue as the entrance is right on the corner. The driveway also cuts across the pavement I was walking on. I dialled 999 to report the incident, and was asked if he had run into me. I replied that he had not and they lost interest. The point is, had he hit me I doubt if I would have been in any fit state to dial 999! I suppose they are too busy knocking over people themselves to be bothered about any civilian trying to knock down another civilian!
In my view, a single police officer driving whilst looking at a in-car computer screen is as dangerous as anybody else using a mobile phone to text whilst driving.
UPDATE: Speaking of which I have just been out for 5 minutes and was almost knocked down by a driver of a Land Rover who was too busy on his mobile phone to pay attention to me. He was turning right off Beverley Road and going into the car park outside the Dorchester Hotel. It meant he had to go onto Pearson Avenue as the entrance is right on the corner. The driveway also cuts across the pavement I was walking on. I dialled 999 to report the incident, and was asked if he had run into me. I replied that he had not and they lost interest. The point is, had he hit me I doubt if I would have been in any fit state to dial 999! I suppose they are too busy knocking over people themselves to be bothered about any civilian trying to knock down another civilian!
Church of Scientology: Boy faces court for 'cult not religion' placard
Church of Scientology: Boy faces court for 'cult not religion' placard
A teenage boy is facing a possible criminal prosecution for holding a sign describing the Church of Scientology as a "cult", police said on Tuesday.
The boy, who is described only as a minor, was taking part in a demonstration outside the church's central London headquarters on May 10 when City of London Police officers ordered him to remove the placard.
It read: "Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult."
I fail to see how the truth can be construed as an offence under the Public Order Act.
"The case was described as "barmy" and an attack on free speech by Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, the human rights group".
A teenage boy is facing a possible criminal prosecution for holding a sign describing the Church of Scientology as a "cult", police said on Tuesday.
The boy, who is described only as a minor, was taking part in a demonstration outside the church's central London headquarters on May 10 when City of London Police officers ordered him to remove the placard.
It read: "Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult."
I fail to see how the truth can be construed as an offence under the Public Order Act.
"The case was described as "barmy" and an attack on free speech by Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, the human rights group".
Why is the My Telegraph team lying to me?
Why is the My Telegraph team lying to me?
At 20.18 on 19 May 2008 I published a post entitled McCanns lose public vote of no confidence. There were 4 comments, and I posted a comment myself in response, and then edited the post to add a couple of more lines of text, and then a 6th comment appeared.
This text appeared at the top of my post "You've edited this post and the edit is awaiting moderation so your changes won't be viewable by the community just yet". Beneath this is a link saying "Why is this?". However when I click the link instead of taking me to the page to explain why is this, it merely refreshes the page.
As stated, it indicated 6 comments. However, when I clicked this link I was informed
"Comments
There are no comments for this post so far".
The truth is the edit I submitted is visible. Therefore it is not awaiting moderation at all. There are 6 comments, therefore it is not true that there are no comments.
I phoned the contact number and was informed somebody would phone me back. Nobody did. I sent two emails and neither of them received any response.
I believe I am owed an explanation by the Telegraph.
If the McCanns are a taboo topic then this should be clarified. If it is thought there was something that constituted a libel in either my post or the comments, then the Telegraph should have at least informed me.
At 20.18 on 19 May 2008 I published a post entitled McCanns lose public vote of no confidence. There were 4 comments, and I posted a comment myself in response, and then edited the post to add a couple of more lines of text, and then a 6th comment appeared.
This text appeared at the top of my post "You've edited this post and the edit is awaiting moderation so your changes won't be viewable by the community just yet". Beneath this is a link saying "Why is this?". However when I click the link instead of taking me to the page to explain why is this, it merely refreshes the page.
As stated, it indicated 6 comments. However, when I clicked this link I was informed
"Comments
There are no comments for this post so far".
The truth is the edit I submitted is visible. Therefore it is not awaiting moderation at all. There are 6 comments, therefore it is not true that there are no comments.
I phoned the contact number and was informed somebody would phone me back. Nobody did. I sent two emails and neither of them received any response.
I believe I am owed an explanation by the Telegraph.
If the McCanns are a taboo topic then this should be clarified. If it is thought there was something that constituted a libel in either my post or the comments, then the Telegraph should have at least informed me.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Opening up a McCann of worms...
Opening up a McCann of worms...
The McCanns are being marketed. If they were a product being sold in a shop and you bought the product based upon the advertising, you could bring a prosecution under the Trades Description Act for misrepresentation.
Idea: Jailhouselawyer, photoshop RonKnee
The McCanns are being marketed. If they were a product being sold in a shop and you bought the product based upon the advertising, you could bring a prosecution under the Trades Description Act for misrepresentation.
Idea: Jailhouselawyer, photoshop RonKnee
Nick Clegg in political identity crisis
Nick Clegg in political identity crisis
Nick Clegg, the leader of the LibDemTory party...
Nick Clegg, the leader of the LibDemTory party...
The Daily Liar
The Daily Liar
Man held by police over £5 parking ticket
Why has the Daily Telegraph written this headline? Upon reading the story it is obvious that the man was held for alleged criminal damage!
Note to the editor of the Daily Telegraph. Just give us the news and stick to the facts!
Man held by police over £5 parking ticket
Why has the Daily Telegraph written this headline? Upon reading the story it is obvious that the man was held for alleged criminal damage!
Note to the editor of the Daily Telegraph. Just give us the news and stick to the facts!
The Big Brother State: 1984 revisited in 2008
Just Like That
Just Like That
Following on from this story Tal&Qual translates from the Portuguese as Just Like That. I couldn't resist it.
As soon as my photoshopper gets out of bed I will get himto correct the spelling of Madeleine and disappear...the drunken swine!
UPDATE: Sorted. Cheers Ron.
Following on from this story Tal&Qual translates from the Portuguese as Just Like That. I couldn't resist it.
As soon as my photoshopper gets out of bed I will get himto correct the spelling of Madeleine and disappear...the drunken swine!
UPDATE: Sorted. Cheers Ron.
Monday, May 19, 2008
McCanns lose public vote of no confidence
McCanns lose public vote of no confidence
The McCannsfiles website is reporting that the McCanns are suing the former director and a journalist of the extinct weekly Portuguese newspaper "Tal&Qual" (T&Q) for defamation. "Kate and Gerry McCann believe that the publication of the headline "PJ believes that the parents killed Maddie" put public opinion, world-wide, against them".
However, the Tal&Qual article appeared on 24 August 2007 and 15 days later the PJ made both the McCanns suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine. The report in T&Q was in quotes and referred to what the PJ believed as opposed to what the journalist and director believed. In my view, providing that the story is reliably sourced, then there is no defamation of the McCanns character.
Furthermore, Associated Press reported this story on 18 May 2007 and at the same time this poll was conducted under the heading related content. As you can see from the result below, 3 months before the T&Q story was published, public opinion worldwide was already against the McCanns. Therefore, the T&Q story cannot be responsible for turning public opinion against the McCanns.
Live Vote
Is it acceptable that Madeleine McCann and her siblings were left alone? * 7437 responses
No, no matter how safe her parents assumed the community to be, three children that young should not be left unattended.
92%
Yes, her parents say they checked in on the kids every half hour. Critics may be coming from a different cultural perspective on child rearing.
8%
I would say that it was the McCanns own conduct of child neglect which turned public opinion worldwide against them. Perhaps, it is time that the McCanns had a reality check? Freedom of speech is too strong to disappear just like Madeleine. We will not be silenced just because we do not agree with the version of events as described by the McCanns. The available evidence does not support the McCanns, and neither does the majority of public opinion.
Clarence Mitchell is paid to sell the McCanns story. We choose not to buy it.
UPDATE: It may well be that T&Q is not the real target. It could be a McCann tactic to discover who in the PJ leaked the information to T&Q.
The McCannsfiles website is reporting that the McCanns are suing the former director and a journalist of the extinct weekly Portuguese newspaper "Tal&Qual" (T&Q) for defamation. "Kate and Gerry McCann believe that the publication of the headline "PJ believes that the parents killed Maddie" put public opinion, world-wide, against them".
However, the Tal&Qual article appeared on 24 August 2007 and 15 days later the PJ made both the McCanns suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine. The report in T&Q was in quotes and referred to what the PJ believed as opposed to what the journalist and director believed. In my view, providing that the story is reliably sourced, then there is no defamation of the McCanns character.
Furthermore, Associated Press reported this story on 18 May 2007 and at the same time this poll was conducted under the heading related content. As you can see from the result below, 3 months before the T&Q story was published, public opinion worldwide was already against the McCanns. Therefore, the T&Q story cannot be responsible for turning public opinion against the McCanns.
Live Vote
Is it acceptable that Madeleine McCann and her siblings were left alone? * 7437 responses
No, no matter how safe her parents assumed the community to be, three children that young should not be left unattended.
92%
Yes, her parents say they checked in on the kids every half hour. Critics may be coming from a different cultural perspective on child rearing.
8%
I would say that it was the McCanns own conduct of child neglect which turned public opinion worldwide against them. Perhaps, it is time that the McCanns had a reality check? Freedom of speech is too strong to disappear just like Madeleine. We will not be silenced just because we do not agree with the version of events as described by the McCanns. The available evidence does not support the McCanns, and neither does the majority of public opinion.
Clarence Mitchell is paid to sell the McCanns story. We choose not to buy it.
UPDATE: It may well be that T&Q is not the real target. It could be a McCann tactic to discover who in the PJ leaked the information to T&Q.
The Britishness Debate
The Britishness Debate
It's an old gag really, but if it helps to add to the "Britishness debate" that Gordon is so desperate to have then the following should help anyone understand what being British mean.
Being British is about driving a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then when travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab. Then when you get home sitting in a Swedish chair to watch American T.V shows on a Japanese television.
Only in Britain can a pizza get to your house quicker than an ambulance. Only in Britain do Supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions, whilst healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front of the store. Only in Britain do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters.
Only in Britain do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on the drive and lock our junk and a cheap lawn mower in the garage. Only in Britain do we have disabled parking spaces in the car park of a Skating Rink.
Copy and pasted from Dizzy Thinks
It's an old gag really, but if it helps to add to the "Britishness debate" that Gordon is so desperate to have then the following should help anyone understand what being British mean.
Being British is about driving a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then when travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab. Then when you get home sitting in a Swedish chair to watch American T.V shows on a Japanese television.
Only in Britain can a pizza get to your house quicker than an ambulance. Only in Britain do Supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions, whilst healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front of the store. Only in Britain do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters.
Only in Britain do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on the drive and lock our junk and a cheap lawn mower in the garage. Only in Britain do we have disabled parking spaces in the car park of a Skating Rink.
Copy and pasted from Dizzy Thinks
David Cameron: Is he having a laugh?
David Cameron: Is he having a laugh?
MPs who fiddle their expenses and are seeking a £20,000 pay rise telling us that we need to start living within our means?
That's a bit rich.
Photo: conservativehome
MPs who fiddle their expenses and are seeking a £20,000 pay rise telling us that we need to start living within our means?
That's a bit rich.
Photo: conservativehome
FBI serves subpoenas on BAE chief and US colleagues
Visiting time: Charles Bronson invites us into his cell
Visiting time: Charles Bronson invites us into his cell
"After 34 years behind bars, the man labelled Britain's most dangerous inmate claims to be a reformed character. In an exclusive interview, Robert Verkaik comes face to face with the sinister, defiant – and charming – Charles Bronson".
Charles Bronson invites us into his cell...
And?
I don't know where the "labelled Britain's most dangerous inmate" comes from, probably something dreamt up by Charles Bronson himself. A legend in his own mind. What Robert Verkaik has not realised, is that Charles Bronson cannot hack it on normal location. That is, he is too chicken to walk the walk and talk the talk with the big boys. So, he hides away in seclusion in the Segregation Unit. A big fish in a small pond. When he was close to getting released, he became scared of going outside of prison and ensured that he would stay in the safety of a cage. He is in a timewarp with his 1960s - 1970s prison mentality.
If they are looking for a title for the film, might I suggest Running Scared?
Lib Dems: Nick Clegg will back Tories in hung Parliament
Lib Dems: Nick Clegg will back Tories in hung Parliament
"Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, will support David Cameron if the Conservatives are the largest party in a hung Parliament".
So, the closet Tory has finally shown his true colours. It is the end of the LibDems.
"Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, will support David Cameron if the Conservatives are the largest party in a hung Parliament".
So, the closet Tory has finally shown his true colours. It is the end of the LibDems.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
McCanns: It's time they faced the music
McCanns: It's time they faced the music
It's being reported in the People that Gerry and Kate McCann are refusing the PJ request to return to Portugal to take part in a Crime Watch style reconstruction.
This is, according to the People, what unnamed sources close to the McCanns are saying.
However, "They're still considering what to do", Clarence Mitchell is reported as saying.
Apparently, the McCanns fear that if they return to Portugal they will be charged with child neglect.
Personally, I think the McCanns should be charged with neglecting their children. For a few days, now, I have been playing and replaying an interview they did with Sky TV. It is obvious that both the McCanns were upset with the question why did they leave their children unsupervised whilst they went out drinking and for a meal. Their long winded replies amount to because they felt it was safe.
I have never thought that that explanation was good enough. Certainly, it is not good enough for a professional, middle-class, couple who claim to be responsible parents. In my view, responsible parents would not have believed it was safe. And, the comments I receive on this blog from parents and grandparents say the same. But, the McCanns claim that they have received support from hundreds, thousands, who say they also leave their children unsupervised in such circumstances. Is this just another example of the McCanns lying, or are there really so many out there who neglect their very young children? Perhaps, the McCanns would like to show the public all these messages of support for child neglect? Because I cannot find any such support on the internet which claims it is safe to leave children under 4 unsupervised.
The McCanns did flee from Portugal rather quickly after they had been made suspects, and before the PJ could finish questioning them.
From the outset, the McCanns expressed the view that first the police and then the PJ did not do enough to search for Madeleine. By this they mean that the police and PJ were suspicious of the McCanns claim that Madeleine had been abducted. I am equally suspicious of the McCanns versions of events.
I feel that the McCanns should return to Portugal and if they get arrested and charged with child neglect, so be it. It's what they deserve. As much as the McCanns are fed up with hearing the same question, 'why did they leave their children unsupervised?', I am more fed up with hearing their pathetic responses which do not really answer the question. There is no getting away with their parental responsibilities any longer.
It's time they faced the music.
UPDATE: The Sky News interview I refer to is just over 16 minutes long and I am in the process of producing a typescript of what was said and an analysis of the body language which I feel tells its own story for psychological profilers.
Dermot Murnaghan: This time precisely one year ago you was enjoying what I presume was a wonderful family holiday in the sunny Algarve. Two or three days later things were about to change. But you must have been going through the the 'What if I had done this?'. 'What if I hadn't done that?'. The whole reliving that period 12 months ago. And the question I want to put to you, you been talking to a lot of media outlets during this week, how difficult is it putting yourself out there in the media spotlight at a time like this?
Kate McCann: (Shifts forward in her seat)I mean, there's only one reason why we're (pause) tch (shifts in her seat again) back with the media sort of, yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that's to appeal for information about Madeleine. Er, you know, we're a year on, and Madeleine's still missing. And we need that key bit of information and strongly believe it's out there. So, (draws in breath) we're again appealing to the general public to help us really (gulp).
DM: Do you believe there are stones still unturned that the media publicity blitz that has existed for the last year, that there is more to do, that there is more awareness can be raised, Gerry?
Gerry McCann: (Shifts forward in his seat) It's not so much about awareness cos we know Madeleine is recogniseable across the world, but I think the question comes back to Dermot, where the information is at the minute and what its (pause) er er how its being used. Clearly we don't know what's been done and what hasn't been done, and for us to (pause) er rest as parents, we need to know, and I'm sure every parent will understand, that we need to make sure that absolutely everything is being done. And our appeal today, is to ask people where, who, whoever they are, whether they've come forward before or not, is to call in on our new hot line number. Er, please be patient with us, we've had a lot of calls already, but erm, appeal to those people to come forward. If you haven't come forward whatever the reason, if its fear, you're concerned about media, publicity, or even activity you've been involved in in the past, then we will guarantee confidentiality and anonymity if if requested. You know, we are just desperate for leads. You know, as parents we can't give up.
DM: And that's the point, isn't it? The message then, comes clearly, Kate, that you believe that Madeleine is still out there?
KM: Certainly, I feel that. And even looking at it objectively, there's a very good chance there's nothing to say that Madeleine isn't out there. And looking at sort of evidence and statistics er for example from the States, er, where the evidence is available, there are many children that have been found down the line. You cannot give up. Madeleine deserves that. Why would anybody give up? There's absolutely no evidence she's come to harm. And we need to find her. Madeleine needs us to find her.
(to be continued)
It's being reported in the People that Gerry and Kate McCann are refusing the PJ request to return to Portugal to take part in a Crime Watch style reconstruction.
This is, according to the People, what unnamed sources close to the McCanns are saying.
However, "They're still considering what to do", Clarence Mitchell is reported as saying.
Apparently, the McCanns fear that if they return to Portugal they will be charged with child neglect.
Personally, I think the McCanns should be charged with neglecting their children. For a few days, now, I have been playing and replaying an interview they did with Sky TV. It is obvious that both the McCanns were upset with the question why did they leave their children unsupervised whilst they went out drinking and for a meal. Their long winded replies amount to because they felt it was safe.
I have never thought that that explanation was good enough. Certainly, it is not good enough for a professional, middle-class, couple who claim to be responsible parents. In my view, responsible parents would not have believed it was safe. And, the comments I receive on this blog from parents and grandparents say the same. But, the McCanns claim that they have received support from hundreds, thousands, who say they also leave their children unsupervised in such circumstances. Is this just another example of the McCanns lying, or are there really so many out there who neglect their very young children? Perhaps, the McCanns would like to show the public all these messages of support for child neglect? Because I cannot find any such support on the internet which claims it is safe to leave children under 4 unsupervised.
The McCanns did flee from Portugal rather quickly after they had been made suspects, and before the PJ could finish questioning them.
From the outset, the McCanns expressed the view that first the police and then the PJ did not do enough to search for Madeleine. By this they mean that the police and PJ were suspicious of the McCanns claim that Madeleine had been abducted. I am equally suspicious of the McCanns versions of events.
I feel that the McCanns should return to Portugal and if they get arrested and charged with child neglect, so be it. It's what they deserve. As much as the McCanns are fed up with hearing the same question, 'why did they leave their children unsupervised?', I am more fed up with hearing their pathetic responses which do not really answer the question. There is no getting away with their parental responsibilities any longer.
It's time they faced the music.
UPDATE: The Sky News interview I refer to is just over 16 minutes long and I am in the process of producing a typescript of what was said and an analysis of the body language which I feel tells its own story for psychological profilers.
Dermot Murnaghan: This time precisely one year ago you was enjoying what I presume was a wonderful family holiday in the sunny Algarve. Two or three days later things were about to change. But you must have been going through the the 'What if I had done this?'. 'What if I hadn't done that?'. The whole reliving that period 12 months ago. And the question I want to put to you, you been talking to a lot of media outlets during this week, how difficult is it putting yourself out there in the media spotlight at a time like this?
Kate McCann: (Shifts forward in her seat)I mean, there's only one reason why we're (pause) tch (shifts in her seat again) back with the media sort of, yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that's to appeal for information about Madeleine. Er, you know, we're a year on, and Madeleine's still missing. And we need that key bit of information and strongly believe it's out there. So, (draws in breath) we're again appealing to the general public to help us really (gulp).
DM: Do you believe there are stones still unturned that the media publicity blitz that has existed for the last year, that there is more to do, that there is more awareness can be raised, Gerry?
Gerry McCann: (Shifts forward in his seat) It's not so much about awareness cos we know Madeleine is recogniseable across the world, but I think the question comes back to Dermot, where the information is at the minute and what its (pause) er er how its being used. Clearly we don't know what's been done and what hasn't been done, and for us to (pause) er rest as parents, we need to know, and I'm sure every parent will understand, that we need to make sure that absolutely everything is being done. And our appeal today, is to ask people where, who, whoever they are, whether they've come forward before or not, is to call in on our new hot line number. Er, please be patient with us, we've had a lot of calls already, but erm, appeal to those people to come forward. If you haven't come forward whatever the reason, if its fear, you're concerned about media, publicity, or even activity you've been involved in in the past, then we will guarantee confidentiality and anonymity if if requested. You know, we are just desperate for leads. You know, as parents we can't give up.
DM: And that's the point, isn't it? The message then, comes clearly, Kate, that you believe that Madeleine is still out there?
KM: Certainly, I feel that. And even looking at it objectively, there's a very good chance there's nothing to say that Madeleine isn't out there. And looking at sort of evidence and statistics er for example from the States, er, where the evidence is available, there are many children that have been found down the line. You cannot give up. Madeleine deserves that. Why would anybody give up? There's absolutely no evidence she's come to harm. And we need to find her. Madeleine needs us to find her.
(to be continued)
Colombian 'hit' that set off a UK cocaine war
Colombian 'hit' that set off a UK cocaine war
"A drugs baron from Liverpool built up a £200m fortune through his links with the Colombian cartels. But when he tried to cheat the South American traffickers, he was brutally assassinated by a contract killer. Now police across Europe fear an international drugs war between the two syndicates".
"A drugs baron from Liverpool built up a £200m fortune through his links with the Colombian cartels. But when he tried to cheat the South American traffickers, he was brutally assassinated by a contract killer. Now police across Europe fear an international drugs war between the two syndicates".
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Triple killer will die in prison
Triple killer will die in prison
"A convicted killer who murdered the parents and brother of a bride hours after her wedding will die in prison after a judge rejected his appeal bid.
Arthur Hutchinson was given a life sentence for stabbing to death Basil Laitner, wife Avril and son Richard at their home in Dore, Sheffield.
Reviewing the case a High Court judge ruled the 66-year-old must remain in prison for life for his 1984 crimes.
He is one a small number of UK killers with a "life means life" tariff".
I cannot help wondering if all of this is not just simply reintroducing capital punishment via the back door?
Girl killed by van in hit-and-run
Girl killed by van in hit-and-run
"A girl of six has died in a hit-and-run involving a van on Merseyside".
This is unmistakenly a tragedy. But, call me old fashioned, what on earth was a 6 and 5 year old doing out at this time of the night when they both should have been tucked up safely in bed?
"A girl of six has died in a hit-and-run involving a van on Merseyside".
This is unmistakenly a tragedy. But, call me old fashioned, what on earth was a 6 and 5 year old doing out at this time of the night when they both should have been tucked up safely in bed?
Eleven shadow ministers benefited from donors' 'secret' cash
Eleven shadow ministers benefited from donors' 'secret' cash
"The scale of secret cash links between senior Conservatives and wealthy backers was revealed yesterday after George Osborne was told that he should have declared how his office was being funded. The Shadow Chancellor was the subject of a parliamentary investigation after it emerged that he failed to register almost £500,000 in donations. Donors had given the money to the Conservative Party but asked that it be used to bankroll Mr Osborne".
Don't you just get fed up of all this snouts in the trough? When they are getting bank-rolled by the people and organisations with an interest in a favourable decision then it amounts to corruption. This negates good faith. George Osborne is an out and out crook.
A victory for the people
"Most MPs are honest and some are frugal. But others have been racketeering on a scale that must be exposed"
Call me cynical, but I don't believe that most MPs are honest. I suspect that the vast majority are anything but. In a barrel of rotten apples we may find the odd good apple.
"The scale of secret cash links between senior Conservatives and wealthy backers was revealed yesterday after George Osborne was told that he should have declared how his office was being funded. The Shadow Chancellor was the subject of a parliamentary investigation after it emerged that he failed to register almost £500,000 in donations. Donors had given the money to the Conservative Party but asked that it be used to bankroll Mr Osborne".
Don't you just get fed up of all this snouts in the trough? When they are getting bank-rolled by the people and organisations with an interest in a favourable decision then it amounts to corruption. This negates good faith. George Osborne is an out and out crook.
A victory for the people
"Most MPs are honest and some are frugal. But others have been racketeering on a scale that must be exposed"
Call me cynical, but I don't believe that most MPs are honest. I suspect that the vast majority are anything but. In a barrel of rotten apples we may find the odd good apple.
Taping killer’s calls broke the rules, Jack Straw admits
Taping killer’s calls broke the rules, Jack Straw admits
"Prison staff bugged conversations between a convicted killer and his solicitor without authorisation, Jack Straw admitted yesterday.
The privileged telephone calls made by Harry Roberts, 72, were recorded at Channings Wood prison in Devon in 2005 and 2006. The Times disclosed the extent of the bugging in February, reporting that the transcripts of the conversations came to light only because they were disclosed to Roberts’s solicitor, Simon Creighton, as part of his long battle to win parole".
I am surprised that a so-called inquiry has blamed Harry Roberts for not informing the prison authorities that the number he called is his solicitor's. Given that the Prison Service operates a pin number phone system, and that a prisoner has to submit a list of numbers to be authorised by the authorities, and they are categorised as friends and family and official numbers such as solicitors firms so as not to monitor legally privileged phone calls.
"Prison staff bugged conversations between a convicted killer and his solicitor without authorisation, Jack Straw admitted yesterday.
The privileged telephone calls made by Harry Roberts, 72, were recorded at Channings Wood prison in Devon in 2005 and 2006. The Times disclosed the extent of the bugging in February, reporting that the transcripts of the conversations came to light only because they were disclosed to Roberts’s solicitor, Simon Creighton, as part of his long battle to win parole".
I am surprised that a so-called inquiry has blamed Harry Roberts for not informing the prison authorities that the number he called is his solicitor's. Given that the Prison Service operates a pin number phone system, and that a prisoner has to submit a list of numbers to be authorised by the authorities, and they are categorised as friends and family and official numbers such as solicitors firms so as not to monitor legally privileged phone calls.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Dambusters remembered 65 years on
Dambusters remembered 65 years on
"A service and fly-past will be held later to mark the 65th anniversary of the World War II Dambusters mission.
A Lancaster bomber will fly three times over Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, which was used by the original pilots to train ahead of their famous raid".
One of my favourite war films is The Dambusters, and one of my favourite pieces of music is the Dambusters March. As a child I remember gluing together an Airfix model of a Lancaster Bomber.
MPs lose legal fight to keep expenses secret
MPs lose legal fight to keep expenses secret
"The House of Commons has lost its High Court battle over an information watchdog's decision to force disclosure of MPs' expenses.
The Commons challenged the Information Tribunal's "unlawfully intrusive" demand that a detailed breakdown of MPs' additional costs allowances (ACA) must be provided under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Commons also attempted to overturn the Tribunal's decision that MPs' addresses should be disclosed, arguing they should be kept secret for special security reasons.
But today Sir Igor Judge (President of the Queen's Bench Division), Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Blake, ruled at London's High Court that they could not interfere with the Tribunal's decision and dismissed the challenge".
MPs must disclose expenses, high court rules
"The Commons Speaker, Michael Martin, today lost a high court battle to prevent the disclosure of the details of second-home expenses claimed by 14 prominent MPs".
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Paul Staines/Guido Fawkes sentenced
Paul Staines/Guido Fawkes sentenced
The once upon a time connected to the BNP but now a Tory blogger, Paul Staines/Guido Fawkes, has been sentenced to wearing an electronic tag, and subjected to a 9pm to 6am curfew for 3 months, and an 18 month supervision order, for his second drink driving offence and driving without insurance.
Whilst quick to attack other people on his blog for their indiscretions, remarkably Paul Staines/Guido Fawkes has remained silent about his own wrongdoings.
I am somewhat puzzled why he was not charged with Taking Without Owner's Consent his wife's VW? If his wife gave him consent, surely she knew he was not covered by her insurance? Then why wasn't she charged as well?
Hopefully, the idiot will breach his curfew/supervision order and get sentenced to 18 months imprisonment as a result.
The once upon a time connected to the BNP but now a Tory blogger, Paul Staines/Guido Fawkes, has been sentenced to wearing an electronic tag, and subjected to a 9pm to 6am curfew for 3 months, and an 18 month supervision order, for his second drink driving offence and driving without insurance.
Whilst quick to attack other people on his blog for their indiscretions, remarkably Paul Staines/Guido Fawkes has remained silent about his own wrongdoings.
I am somewhat puzzled why he was not charged with Taking Without Owner's Consent his wife's VW? If his wife gave him consent, surely she knew he was not covered by her insurance? Then why wasn't she charged as well?
Hopefully, the idiot will breach his curfew/supervision order and get sentenced to 18 months imprisonment as a result.
McCanns: A reconstruction is pointless
McCanns: A reconstruction is pointless
I think under normal circumstances a Crime Watch style reconstruction can be beneficial to a police investigation. For example, seeing it may jog witnesses memories. The problem in the McCann case, unless Gerry and Kate McCann suddenly decide to come clean with their respective roles in this affair, is that a reconstruction is pointless. All it will provide is what we already know, that is, that 9 friends on holiday together engaged in a binge drinking session in the Tapas Bar.
There was no abduction.
There was no break-in.
There was no Jane Tanner sighting of an alleged abductor.
Madeleine is missing.
The parents are responsible.
They have not given a satisfactory explanation for Madeleine's disappearance.
Like the PJ, I am tired of playing the McCanns game of hide and seek. It may well be that the PJ are just using the reconstruction to lure the McCanns back to Portugal.
I think under normal circumstances a Crime Watch style reconstruction can be beneficial to a police investigation. For example, seeing it may jog witnesses memories. The problem in the McCann case, unless Gerry and Kate McCann suddenly decide to come clean with their respective roles in this affair, is that a reconstruction is pointless. All it will provide is what we already know, that is, that 9 friends on holiday together engaged in a binge drinking session in the Tapas Bar.
There was no abduction.
There was no break-in.
There was no Jane Tanner sighting of an alleged abductor.
Madeleine is missing.
The parents are responsible.
They have not given a satisfactory explanation for Madeleine's disappearance.
Like the PJ, I am tired of playing the McCanns game of hide and seek. It may well be that the PJ are just using the reconstruction to lure the McCanns back to Portugal.
Corrupt Tory MEP to sue NOW for alleging he is corrupt
Corrupt Tory MEP to sue NOW for alleging he is corrupt
North West MEP, Sir Robert Atkins, who has been dipping into the public purse for more than 30 years to supplement his family income, has vowed to sue the News of the World because it printed a story about his snout being in the trough next to a story about another MEP with his snout in the trough.
I must say, I was rather surprised to see that the going rate for a secretary is over £600 per week.
Lancashire Evening Post report here.
Hat-Tip to conservativehome
North West MEP, Sir Robert Atkins, who has been dipping into the public purse for more than 30 years to supplement his family income, has vowed to sue the News of the World because it printed a story about his snout being in the trough next to a story about another MEP with his snout in the trough.
I must say, I was rather surprised to see that the going rate for a secretary is over £600 per week.
Lancashire Evening Post report here.
Hat-Tip to conservativehome
Hull 4-1 Watford (agg 6-1)
Hull 4-1 Watford (agg 6-1)
"Hull will face Bristol City at Wembley for a place in the Premier League after comprehensively beating Watford in the Championship play-off semi-final".
I am not generally a sporting man. But, I do tend to get caught up in the excitement of the World Cup, FA cup, and the like. Here the Tigers are a roaring success...
Police dog bites the 'wrong man'
Police dog bites the 'wrong man'
"A man who escaped uninjured after an attempted shooting in Nottinghamshire was later bitten by a police dog who mistook him for the attacker".
At least Rocky allegedly bit the right man!
"A man who escaped uninjured after an attempted shooting in Nottinghamshire was later bitten by a police dog who mistook him for the attacker".
At least Rocky allegedly bit the right man!
I can save economy again - Brown
I can save economy again - Brown
"Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he is the right man to steer the country through difficult economic times".
Errrr? It's the economy stupid. That's the job of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, or is he just a spare prick at a wedding?
Either Gordon Brown sticks to the job of Prime Minister, or he should stand down and let someone else do the job. He should not be interfering in the jobs of other ministers. We do not want a dictator. And, why have we not yet got a deputy prime minister?
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