As I blow the dust and cobwebs away from the hinges and reopen the blog door I have news. I've been writing and submitting stuff to the real world. A short story of mine won second prize on Vanda Inman's WriteSpace website competition. £200 prize! As one of my darling kids opined when i told them 'You came second? that's not really winning is it, it's just losing with style' Lovable little tyke. I must remember to loosen his chains for Christmas.
Anyway, I've also got a Flash fiction piece on the Everyday Fiction website and I've got another due to be published on the Bewildering Stories website in the new year. I've also got a story in the inaugural issue of The Write Idea's literary Ezine The Right Eyed Deer due out in January. I'm only crowing about this because I can't believe it.
Friday 19 December 2008
Monday 14 July 2008
You've got to be joking...
Not content with being frightened into a response to knife crime that won't work (how many people report that young criminals in court, at the sentence or hearing evidence of their crimes giggle about it and show absolutely no remorse or fear-why do we think showing these kids the results of their actions will do anything other than make them laugh?) not content with that the Home Secretary appoints a police man to head the anti knife crime initiative. What's his name?
Alfred Hitchcock.
Thursday 12 June 2008
Cor Blimey!
The wily old fox Nick Robinson just summed it up in his usual succint way on the World at One.'Cor Blimey!' he said.
Politician resigns on matter of principle!
Shadow Home Secretary to fight his seat as an independent and as a champion of human rights and civil liberties.
A TORY politician?
And this on the day after those natural allies Gordon Brown and Anne Widdecombe (yes, THAT Anne Widdecombe) oh, and lets not forget the DUP conspire together (without making ANY sort of a deal) to force through a contentious piece of legislation in the face of stiff opposition from back benchers.
Never has Tom Lehrer's observation been more apt. Satire is officially dead.
Beat that Private Eye!
Wednesday 21 May 2008
Talking sense...
Can you believe this?
Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Anil Dawar
guardian.co.uk,
Tuesday May 20 2008
About this articleClose
This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Tuesday May 20 2008. It was last updated at 09:53 on May 21 2008.
The Church of Scientology Centre in Queen Victoria Street, London. Photograph: Sarah Lee
A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word "cult" to describe the Church of Scientology.
The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.
Officers confiscated a placard with the word "cult" on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
A date has not yet been set for him to appear in court.The decision to issue the summons has angered human rights activists and support groups for the victims of cults.
The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church's £23m headquarters near St Paul's cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was "abusive and insulting".
Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager facing court said: "I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: 'Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.'
"'Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector."
A policewoman later read him section five of the Public Order Act and "strongly advised" him to remove the sign. The section prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.
The teenager refused to back down, quoting a 1984 high court ruling from Mr Justice Latey, in which he described the Church of Scientology as a "cult" which was "corrupt, sinister and dangerous".
After the exchange, a policewoman handed him a court summons and removed his sign.
On the website he asks for advice on how to fight the charge: "What's the likelihood I'll need a lawyer? If I do have to get one, it'll have to come out of my pocket money."
Writing on the same website, another anonymous demonstrator said: "We also protested outside another Scientology building in Tottenham Court Road which is policed by a separate force, the Metropolitan police, who have never tried to stop us using the word cult.
"We're completely peaceful protesters expressing a perfectly valid opinion. This whole thing stinks."
Liberty director, Shami Chakrabarti, said: "This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain's free speech traditions.
"After criminalising the use of the word 'cult', perhaps the next step is to ban the words 'war' and 'tax' from peaceful demonstrations?"
Ian Haworth, from the Cult Information Centre which provides advice for victims of cults and their families, said: "This is an extraordinary situation. If it wasn't so serious it would be farcical. The police's job is to protect and serve. Who is being served and who is being protected in this situation? I find it very worrying.
"Scientology is well known to my organisation, and has been of great concern to me for 22 years. I get many calls from families with loved ones involved and ex-members who are in need of one form of help."
The City of London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers, ranging from constable to chief superintendent, had accepted gifts worth thousands of pounds from the Church of Scientology.
The City of London Chief Superintendent, Kevin Hurley, praised Scientology for "raising the spiritual wealth of society" during the opening of its headquarters in 2006.
Last year a video praising Scientology emerged featuring Ken Stewart, another of the City of London's chief superintendents, although he is not a member of the group.
The group was founded by the science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in 1952 and espouses the idea that humans are descended from an exiled race of aliens called Thetans.
The church continues to attract controversy over claims that it separates members from their families and indoctrinates followers.
A spokeswoman for the force said today: "City of London police had received complaints about demonstrators using the words 'cult' and 'Scientology kills' during protests against the Church of Scientology.
"Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service some demonstrators were warned verbally and in writing that their signs breached section five of the Public Order Act.
"One demonstrator continued to display a placard despite police warnings and was reported for an offence under section five. A file on the case will go to the CPS."
A CPS spokesman said no specific advice was given to police regarding the boy's placard.
"In April, prior to this demonstration, as part of our normal working relationship we gave the City of London police general advice on the law around demonstrations and religiously aggravated crime in particular.
"We did not advise on this specific case prior to the summons being issued – which the police can do without reference to us – but if we receive a file we will review it in the normal way according to the code for crown prosecutors."
Now come on! I've just visited the OED site for a fairly authoratative definition of the word 'cult' (are we sure they haven't spelled that wrongly?)
and the OED says and I quote...
OED
cult
1 a system of religious worship directed towards a particular figure or object.
2 a small religious group regarded as strange or as imposing excessive control over members.
It would appear difficult for the Scientologists to argue the toss there wouldn't it?
Surely nobody is going to prosecute this kid? If thery are, well they'd better sue me too because I'm calling Scientology a cult as well. I'm also calling Christianity a cult, and Buddhism, and Jehova's Witness-ism.
Granted I'm calling Scientology a cult on a blog that nobody has even looked at but it's a gesture.
So, un-named 15 year old, I'm Spartacus, if they come for you they'll have to come for me too.
As long as they don't make us watch 'Battlefield Earth' I think I can take all they throw at me.
Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Anil Dawar
guardian.co.uk,
Tuesday May 20 2008
About this articleClose
This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Tuesday May 20 2008. It was last updated at 09:53 on May 21 2008.
The Church of Scientology Centre in Queen Victoria Street, London. Photograph: Sarah Lee
A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word "cult" to describe the Church of Scientology.
The unnamed 15-year-old was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.
Officers confiscated a placard with the word "cult" on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
A date has not yet been set for him to appear in court.The decision to issue the summons has angered human rights activists and support groups for the victims of cults.
The incident happened during a protest against the Church of Scientology on May 10. Demonstrators from the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, who were outside the church's £23m headquarters near St Paul's cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was "abusive and insulting".
Writing on an anti-Scientology website, the teenager facing court said: "I brought a sign to the May 10th protest that said: 'Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.'
"'Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector."
A policewoman later read him section five of the Public Order Act and "strongly advised" him to remove the sign. The section prohibits signs which have representations or words which are threatening, abusive or insulting.
The teenager refused to back down, quoting a 1984 high court ruling from Mr Justice Latey, in which he described the Church of Scientology as a "cult" which was "corrupt, sinister and dangerous".
After the exchange, a policewoman handed him a court summons and removed his sign.
On the website he asks for advice on how to fight the charge: "What's the likelihood I'll need a lawyer? If I do have to get one, it'll have to come out of my pocket money."
Writing on the same website, another anonymous demonstrator said: "We also protested outside another Scientology building in Tottenham Court Road which is policed by a separate force, the Metropolitan police, who have never tried to stop us using the word cult.
"We're completely peaceful protesters expressing a perfectly valid opinion. This whole thing stinks."
Liberty director, Shami Chakrabarti, said: "This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain's free speech traditions.
"After criminalising the use of the word 'cult', perhaps the next step is to ban the words 'war' and 'tax' from peaceful demonstrations?"
Ian Haworth, from the Cult Information Centre which provides advice for victims of cults and their families, said: "This is an extraordinary situation. If it wasn't so serious it would be farcical. The police's job is to protect and serve. Who is being served and who is being protected in this situation? I find it very worrying.
"Scientology is well known to my organisation, and has been of great concern to me for 22 years. I get many calls from families with loved ones involved and ex-members who are in need of one form of help."
The City of London police came under fire two years ago when it emerged that more than 20 officers, ranging from constable to chief superintendent, had accepted gifts worth thousands of pounds from the Church of Scientology.
The City of London Chief Superintendent, Kevin Hurley, praised Scientology for "raising the spiritual wealth of society" during the opening of its headquarters in 2006.
Last year a video praising Scientology emerged featuring Ken Stewart, another of the City of London's chief superintendents, although he is not a member of the group.
The group was founded by the science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in 1952 and espouses the idea that humans are descended from an exiled race of aliens called Thetans.
The church continues to attract controversy over claims that it separates members from their families and indoctrinates followers.
A spokeswoman for the force said today: "City of London police had received complaints about demonstrators using the words 'cult' and 'Scientology kills' during protests against the Church of Scientology.
"Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service some demonstrators were warned verbally and in writing that their signs breached section five of the Public Order Act.
"One demonstrator continued to display a placard despite police warnings and was reported for an offence under section five. A file on the case will go to the CPS."
A CPS spokesman said no specific advice was given to police regarding the boy's placard.
"In April, prior to this demonstration, as part of our normal working relationship we gave the City of London police general advice on the law around demonstrations and religiously aggravated crime in particular.
"We did not advise on this specific case prior to the summons being issued – which the police can do without reference to us – but if we receive a file we will review it in the normal way according to the code for crown prosecutors."
Now come on! I've just visited the OED site for a fairly authoratative definition of the word 'cult' (are we sure they haven't spelled that wrongly?)
and the OED says and I quote...
OED
cult
1 a system of religious worship directed towards a particular figure or object.
2 a small religious group regarded as strange or as imposing excessive control over members.
It would appear difficult for the Scientologists to argue the toss there wouldn't it?
Surely nobody is going to prosecute this kid? If thery are, well they'd better sue me too because I'm calling Scientology a cult as well. I'm also calling Christianity a cult, and Buddhism, and Jehova's Witness-ism.
Granted I'm calling Scientology a cult on a blog that nobody has even looked at but it's a gesture.
So, un-named 15 year old, I'm Spartacus, if they come for you they'll have to come for me too.
As long as they don't make us watch 'Battlefield Earth' I think I can take all they throw at me.
Monday 12 May 2008
Friends like these...
They think they can get rid of me... Darling, unleash the hounds...mwahh hah ha!
(Gordon Brown plots revenge on his own 'bastards' from his cavern headquarters)
Oh dearie me, I said a few blogs ago that Gordon should be really careful about getting what he asked for and it appears that his erstwhile colleagues (or their proxies) are now giving him what they think he's been asking for for years. Funny that there's been absolute silence form Mr T Blair. Well maybe not.
The usual suspects line up to bash him...it's a risky strategy though,make him look too much like an underdog and there's the danger that the great British public will sympathise with him. No-one likes a bully...
Saturday 10 May 2008
The hardest word...
What is it about politicians that they can never EVER admit to making a mistake and apologising for it? There's an old saying that goes something like 'The man who never made a mistake never made anything' It's true. We don't expect our leaders to be infallible do we? I know I don't. We don't have supermen (and anyway didn't he wear his underpants over his trousers?)
Do they not realise how much more respect they'd get from us poor fallible normal folk if, once in a while one of them got up on his hind legs and said, 'Look folks, I made a right pigs ear of that. I can only apologise and tell you that I'll be extra careful in future OK?'
You wouldn't want it every week but it's miles better than people twisting themselves into all sorts of shapes trying to change history and justify what they did and why.
We all make mistakes. It's part of the human condition.
Do they not realise how much more respect they'd get from us poor fallible normal folk if, once in a while one of them got up on his hind legs and said, 'Look folks, I made a right pigs ear of that. I can only apologise and tell you that I'll be extra careful in future OK?'
You wouldn't want it every week but it's miles better than people twisting themselves into all sorts of shapes trying to change history and justify what they did and why.
We all make mistakes. It's part of the human condition.
Friday 2 May 2008
Wipeout!
Well, it begins. Labour are given a kicking in the local elections and the impression that they are a government in disarray hangs in the air like greasy smoke. I can still remember the joy on that May morning in 1997 when that fresh faced champion of honesty and a new approach to politics Tony Blair took the keys to number 10 so there's a vestige of the old affection still there. I just wonder how long it will remain.
The only good point for Labour is that it looks as if Boris Johnson is going to become London mayor. If there's anything guaranteed to make Labour look good it's that buffoon.
The only good point for Labour is that it looks as if Boris Johnson is going to become London mayor. If there's anything guaranteed to make Labour look good it's that buffoon.
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