Category Archives: Politics

The Civil Service has lost the plot

By Shikwa | Published: July 6, 2009

I’m truly lost for words on this one and completely outraged by it, so I’ll keep it short and simple.

The Telegraph is reporting that Lisa Greenwood, an administrator in the Department of Children, Schools and Families, has lost her job for writing an anonymous message on an internet site at the height of the expenses scandal.

After learning that Hazel Blears had allegedly ‘flipped’ her second home to avoid capital gains taxes, Lisa Greenwood wrote:

“How dare you wave a cheque about on national TV, saying that you are sorry.

You are only sorry that you have been caught. You are a disgrace (including all the other honourable members). Why haven’t you been sacked?”

The message was written anonymously on the “They Work for You” website, but was still traced back to her work computer. She was promptly suspended and then sacked.

Also posted in Anti Fascism, Feature, Islamism, Moral relativism, UK Politics | 7 Comments

Propaganda TV

By Shikwa | Published: July 2, 2009

The terrible repression of ordinary Iranians and reporters continues unabated in Tehran. The latest news to emerge is that the Canadian-Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari who was covering events for Newsweek has apparently ‘confessed’ to participating:

in a Western media effort to promote irresponsible reporting in Iran.

The whole thing started after Maziar gave Channel 4 News footage of Basiji members opening fire on a crowd of protestors. The Basiji responded by arresting Maziar who has been detaind since June 21. Then, as if right on cue, we have this from Iran’s state sponsored broadcaster Press TV:

…Bahari explained the nature of some of his activities in Iran over the past years and the role that Western media had played in the events, which unfolded in the country.

[...]

Also posted in Anti Fascism, Ethics, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights, International Affairs, Islamism | 8 Comments

The hijab, Sarkozy and all that

By Zorro | Published: June 25, 2009

Sarkozy’s call for a ban on the veil has indeed opened up a number of issues and perspectives, even if he may well have had his own motives for doing so!

We have had the normal reaction on the left to condemn him, the reaction from the right in the UK to call for a ban and even claim Muslims support them and this has caused a little stir amongst Islamists.

iEngage for example originally followed the 1st electronic print of the Express article stating that Ghaffar Hussain from the Quilliam Foundation had stated that the Burka/Burqa was a cultural practice and not sanctioned in the Quran, but then went further and mistakenly claimed that he supported a ban. This has subsequently been “corrected”, by both the Express and iEngage.

A number of ancilliary discussions have persisted some of which are quite interesting, hypocritical and opportunistic.

Also posted in Anti Fascism, Anti Muslim bigotry, Democracy, Ethics, Exegesis, Freedom of Expression, Hermeneutics, Human Rights, Islamism, Secularism, Sharia | 4 Comments

The twitter interview in Tehran

By Shikwa | Published: June 15, 2009

News reports from Iran get worse. They are shooting protesters now.

Wilfried Schobeiri, an Iranian-American, has interviewed his uncle in Tehran about the situation there.

Here’s a snippet:

“Tell me whats going on with the election.”

Basically, the Iranian people want the following:

1. Take steps towards democracy

2. Have good and free relations with entire world (incl US)

3. Seek peace, as we are people who want peace with neighboring countries

4. seek progress, for a better situation and position in the world

5. These are all aims which Mousavi, Rezaee, and Karroubi desire.

We are told by Mousavi, Rezaee, and Karroubi that they are going to govern peacefully, strive for good relationships with other countries, and bring peace to the country. They support progress, and want good relations with other nations, even Israel and the US. They’d also like to stop giving economic support to palestinian terrorists [my emphasis].

Also posted in Democracy, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights, International Affairs | Leave a comment

Twitters from Iran

By Shikwa | Published: June 15, 2009

The news coming out from Iran after this weekend’s heavily disputed election is being massively censored. The BBC is just one agency who’s satellites are being jammed by Tehran, prompting the World Service editor Peter Horrocks to conclude:

[This] seems to be part of a pattern of behaviour by the Iranian authorities to limit the reporting of the aftermath of the disputed election. In Tehran, John Simpson and his cameraman were briefly arrested after they had filmed the material for this piece . And at least one news agency in Tehran has come under pressure not to distribute internationally any pictures it might have of demonstrations on the streets in Iran.

The people of Iran are resisting attempts to rob them of their election. Here is a list of twitter feeds coming directly out of Iran – a tweet on history, if you will. Follow them, encourage them. Reproduce this list on your own blog. (List courtesy of H3X).

Also posted in Democracy, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights, International Affairs | 1 Comment

Reverend Wright: “Them Jews” Won’t Let Obama Give Me A Call

By Retired | Published: June 12, 2009

Last year, Obama’s ex-pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, caused him quite some embarassment with his inflammatory remarks about 9/11 and racism directed against the Clintons. Now he’s back in an interview with the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia.

You know what Jeremiah, I don’t think it was “them Jews” who stopped Obama giving you a call. It was you, with silly comments like this.

Also posted in Antisemitism, International Affairs | Tagged Barack Obama, Revered Wright | Leave a comment

Obama: A new beginning

By Zorro | Published: June 5, 2009

Obama has completed the third and final leg of his “Islamic World” ‘Odyssey’. In his speech from Turkey he stated that America was not at war with Islam. He visited Saudi Arabia, the ‘birth place of Islam’, for advice from his majesty, King Abdullah, on how to address the “Islamic World” on issues including but not restricted to, Democracy, Womens rights and tolerence.

He ended his tour, in Cairo, where extreme security measures were undertaken, where students were pre-emptively arrested, detained and huge security measures enforced in the City leaving the city with one of the most densely populated cities in the World, with empty streets.

Whilst many commentators have welcomed his open approach, his olive branch to Iran on Nayruz, to the Arabs and Muslim majority countries calling for mutual interests and murual respect to be reknewed, his shift from militant rhetoric, his recognition of Muslim contributions to America and the World at large, and his assertion that he will close down Guantanomo bay etc, other commentators have rasied legitimate concerns.

Also posted in Democracy, Human Rights, Identity Politics, International Affairs, Islamism | Tagged International politics, Islam, Obama, US | 1 Comment

The Tories Don’t Get It

By Retired | Published: June 4, 2009

The Yorkshire Post has something of an exclusive, under the headline ‘Tories set to create boom in Islamic schools‘ they reveal that the next Tory government would make it easier for “parents, local communities or religious groups” to set up religious state schools.

The Conservatives want to make it easier for parents, charities and trusts to set up their own new schools to meet the needs of local communities.

Shadow Schools’ Secretary Michael Gove told the Yorkshire Post his party would welcome the creation of new religious schools and accepted that the policy could lead to an increase in Islamic state schools being funded in areas of West Yorkshire.

However he dismissed fears that such a move could lead to further segregation or extremism in the region.

[...]

Posted in Politics | Tagged Conservatives, Education, Michael Gove | 2 Comments

Breaking News: Hazel Blears resigns

By Shikwa | Published: June 3, 2009

Sky News say the beleaguered Secretary of State for Communities, Hazel Blears has resigned.

It’s a terrible shame if she’s gone. Over recent months she has shown great moral clarity and conviction by challenging the nasty views of men like Daud Abdullah in the Muslim Council of Britain. Earlier this year he essentially endorsed attacks against the Royal Navy and promoted the Islamist view that Muslims should wage a perpetual war against Israel until it is finally overwhelmed.

Blears’ departure is a real blow to a cabinet in need of serious leadership. It underscores that Gordon Brown is rapidly losing both his authority, and also all sense of reality if he thinks that holding on for an election next summer will deliver anything other than the defeat of his administration. In the meantime, the unravelling of his government is undignified and a national embarrassment.

We need an election now.

Also posted in Feature, UK Politics | 3 Comments

The Daily Show on the Expenses Scandal

By Retired | Published: May 22, 2009

The brilliant as ever Daily Show answers two interesting questions in this video. Firstly, what the American take is on this whole scandal (mercicless mocking). But also, at 22 seconds in, they reveal who actually watches Press TV – Daily Show researchers.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M – Th 11p / 10c

Scamalot

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

Political Humor

Also posted in Democracy | Tagged Jon Stewart, USA | 2 Comments