At a time when politicians in the UK are falling over themselves in hoping for 'Democracy' to prevail in Libya, I wonder, not for the first time, if it is the sort of Democracy that exists in the UK were the wishes of the majority are conveniently ignored by the authorities.
I am principally concerned here with the restoration of the death penalty for the murderers of policemen and women and perpetrators of paedophilic killings.
With the improvements in forensic science and particularly, DNA profiling there is no chance of mistakes. I believe that successive Governments have refused to heed the wishes of the people to protect the judges who are unwilling to sentence criminals to death.
The consequence of this cravenness is that the families of the victims have to continue breathing the same air as the killers of their loved ones and pay, through their taxes, for their upkeep in prison. This is a miscarriage of justice that ought to be remedied. Further, I believe that the grieving families should be allowed, if they wish, to commit the final pulling of the lever or trigger.
The only means of a stay of execution should be that for whatever reasons, the victims families' reprieve the killer with a pardon and commit him to a lifetime in jail with no right to solitary confinement. The murderer might prefer the noose or the bullet.
The blogger, Guido-Fawkes makes a good point in his blog concerning the assassination of child molester and killer Colin Hatch by a fellow inmate at Full Sutton prison. Since I can't improve on either his narrative or his sentiment, it can be read by clicking on the link below:-
http://order-order.com/2011/02/24/justice/
Monday, 28 February 2011
Monday, 21 February 2011
Monarchy
I wonder whether some in Libya now wish they had retained the Monarchy instead of turning out King Idris for Gadaffi. Perhaps there are some in Persia who now wish the Shah was on the Peacock throne rather than the ayotullahs. There is trouble in Tunisia as well, where the Bey was deposed in 1957 and at much the same time (1958) the monarchy in Iraq was overthrown. Government by popular mob must have seemed a good idea at the time. What the hell do the mob know about anything? Like the people of Oldham voting for the re-instatement of the Labour party just a few short weeks after they brought the Nation to its knees. You can never trust the people; they only have wants and needs, not a vocation to lead. How the people of Iraq have suffered for their folly!
I believe the people of Jordan and Bahrain don't realise how lucky they are, like those in the UK to have a constant thread in the administration; some link to the historical past that underpins a nation's culture and identity, a reassuring permanence as they move forward.
Most Monarchies like the Tsars in Russia were removed following a groundswell of popular belief that Socialism was the answer to peoples problems, but as even Castro has at long last admitted, it was to become the problem as Cuba lagged behind the rest of the Western world in economic development.
If the Monarch is true and has the interest of the peoples in his or her realm at heart, I believe, despite some ups and downs there is no better system than a constitutional Monarchy, with the King or Queen having ultimate control of the armed forces.
God Save the Queen.
I believe the people of Jordan and Bahrain don't realise how lucky they are, like those in the UK to have a constant thread in the administration; some link to the historical past that underpins a nation's culture and identity, a reassuring permanence as they move forward.
Most Monarchies like the Tsars in Russia were removed following a groundswell of popular belief that Socialism was the answer to peoples problems, but as even Castro has at long last admitted, it was to become the problem as Cuba lagged behind the rest of the Western world in economic development.
If the Monarch is true and has the interest of the peoples in his or her realm at heart, I believe, despite some ups and downs there is no better system than a constitutional Monarchy, with the King or Queen having ultimate control of the armed forces.
God Save the Queen.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Life reflecting fiction
It's happening again.
After my previous storylines in Apsaras II involving Somalian piracy, islamic nuclear weapons and Haiti were soon reflected in real live stories, I now hear that for the first time in forty years Iranian warships are to pass through the Suez Canal. Where else can you find this story. Why? In Apsaras II of course. Where else?
Come on. Wake up publishers. There's an author out there with an eye on the future. Contact me, Kevill Davies and ask for a copy of Apsaras II and hear about the progress on Apsaras III.
After my previous storylines in Apsaras II involving Somalian piracy, islamic nuclear weapons and Haiti were soon reflected in real live stories, I now hear that for the first time in forty years Iranian warships are to pass through the Suez Canal. Where else can you find this story. Why? In Apsaras II of course. Where else?
Come on. Wake up publishers. There's an author out there with an eye on the future. Contact me, Kevill Davies and ask for a copy of Apsaras II and hear about the progress on Apsaras III.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
The litigation profession
Today there's news of another innocent person being treated more badly under the law than the criminal who wronged him.
A man who discovered his employee was stealing from him, marched the thief to a police station with a notice around his neck accurately stating his crime. The criminal was released by the police with a caution but the victim was arrested. Although he too was released, he was later sued for damages by the thief for causing him humiliation and distress, contrary to his human rights.
In an out of court settlement the victim of the original crime is to pay £6000 damages to the offender plus his legal costs. That the law is an ass is surely beyond dispute when the guilty win and the innocent lose. It makes the country a laughing stock and belittles all those who stand up for the rights of victims and the need for JUSTICE.
If the payment to the thief wasn't bad enough there is the matter of the legal costs. The original criminal's legal costs, are to be paid by the poor employer amounting to £25000, a sum so large he will have to sell his home to pay it. This is an astonishing sum of money and I hope he asked for a complete breakdown of where these charges come from. If it's true and he has to pay this sum it only serves to remind me of the overrated money grabbing nature of the selfserving bastards in the litigation profession. These people make or create nothing, design nothing or do anything useful to contribute to society except arbitrate and make huge amounts of undeserved money for themselves, creaming off the hard earned earnings of more worthy others. They are parasites, living and trading on the demise and misery of others.
A man who discovered his employee was stealing from him, marched the thief to a police station with a notice around his neck accurately stating his crime. The criminal was released by the police with a caution but the victim was arrested. Although he too was released, he was later sued for damages by the thief for causing him humiliation and distress, contrary to his human rights.
In an out of court settlement the victim of the original crime is to pay £6000 damages to the offender plus his legal costs. That the law is an ass is surely beyond dispute when the guilty win and the innocent lose. It makes the country a laughing stock and belittles all those who stand up for the rights of victims and the need for JUSTICE.
If the payment to the thief wasn't bad enough there is the matter of the legal costs. The original criminal's legal costs, are to be paid by the poor employer amounting to £25000, a sum so large he will have to sell his home to pay it. This is an astonishing sum of money and I hope he asked for a complete breakdown of where these charges come from. If it's true and he has to pay this sum it only serves to remind me of the overrated money grabbing nature of the selfserving bastards in the litigation profession. These people make or create nothing, design nothing or do anything useful to contribute to society except arbitrate and make huge amounts of undeserved money for themselves, creaming off the hard earned earnings of more worthy others. They are parasites, living and trading on the demise and misery of others.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Egypt - More thoughts
So Mubarak has gone after thirty years of rule. In scenes on the streets of Cairo of near hysteria, the self styled Pharaoh abandoned plans to remain in office to oversee the transition to more democratic government and resigned. I presume he lingered on for a few days to complete the burning and shredding of documents that were detrimental to his interests and those of his cronies. Indeed the burning down of Mubarak's own party buildings, complete with documents, bank statements etc, may have committed by his own men masquerading as protesters.
Mubarak could only be sustained in power with the help of friends in well remunerated positions of influence. In the witch hunt that will surely follow his departure, many of these cronies will want to quit the country, taking their wealth with them. Some however will be high ranking officers in the armed services and may wish to stay on, having recently ostensibly re-aligned themselves with the forces for change. In which case the few extra days in power will have enabled the army to cleanse the records and Mubarak's men will still hold positions of power.
The army, the best managed of all the Egyption institutions, will take temporary charge of the Country until such a time as new elections can be arranged. The army has behaved impeccably throughout the eighteen days of protest, thereby winning the confidence of the people as they restore 'legitimacy to the people', whatever that means.
It must be born in mind that the strength of the armed forces owes much to its hardware and this is essentially American. It will need to be upgraded and maintained and for this reason, the Generals are not going to be happy with any shift in sentiment away from the West. The US reportedly also gives a 'grant' to Egypt each year amounting to $1.5 billion. As a consequence, Egypt upholds its long standing peace treatment with Israel, giving peace to the people despite the best efforts of Hamas and other Islamic groups to destabilize the status quo.
The new regime must be wary that the present euphoria will disappear more quickly than a camel's smile when the populace realise that changes will not happen overnight and then will not apply to all the various factions of the population equally. The first priority will be to restore the Country's finances and that means getting people back to work and rebuilding the fractured tourist industry; especially important because it directly brings much needed hard currency into the country. In this respect Egypt is blessed with bounteous assets. Apart from the heritage tourism born out of their phaoronic past, Egypt has miles of land bordering the Red Sea, one of the most tourist amenable locations in the entire world. I would only say that the Egyption people need to view the west in more friendly light. In my last visit, a boat trip up the Nile, a friend of mine was shot in the face by a youth with an air gun. The incident occurred, without provocation, in the spice souk in Aswan. My friend, who suffered a wound to his face, wanted to give chase but was restrained and told it would only make matters worse if he took the law into his own hands. On the streets of Luxor, I felt uncomfortable when with schoolchildren who I felt were hostile to our presence. Who is teaching these youngsters such hatred to westerners? Their attitude must change if they are to encourage tourists to visit and probably more important, investors to develope the Red Sea resorts.
One final point on this. Mubarak would like to stay (and die) in Egypt; at his home in the Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheik. By allowing him to stay in the country it will mean his billions will not be lost to the Egyptian economy and may be instrumental in building the very infrastructure the Country needs.
Mubarak could only be sustained in power with the help of friends in well remunerated positions of influence. In the witch hunt that will surely follow his departure, many of these cronies will want to quit the country, taking their wealth with them. Some however will be high ranking officers in the armed services and may wish to stay on, having recently ostensibly re-aligned themselves with the forces for change. In which case the few extra days in power will have enabled the army to cleanse the records and Mubarak's men will still hold positions of power.
The army, the best managed of all the Egyption institutions, will take temporary charge of the Country until such a time as new elections can be arranged. The army has behaved impeccably throughout the eighteen days of protest, thereby winning the confidence of the people as they restore 'legitimacy to the people', whatever that means.
It must be born in mind that the strength of the armed forces owes much to its hardware and this is essentially American. It will need to be upgraded and maintained and for this reason, the Generals are not going to be happy with any shift in sentiment away from the West. The US reportedly also gives a 'grant' to Egypt each year amounting to $1.5 billion. As a consequence, Egypt upholds its long standing peace treatment with Israel, giving peace to the people despite the best efforts of Hamas and other Islamic groups to destabilize the status quo.
The new regime must be wary that the present euphoria will disappear more quickly than a camel's smile when the populace realise that changes will not happen overnight and then will not apply to all the various factions of the population equally. The first priority will be to restore the Country's finances and that means getting people back to work and rebuilding the fractured tourist industry; especially important because it directly brings much needed hard currency into the country. In this respect Egypt is blessed with bounteous assets. Apart from the heritage tourism born out of their phaoronic past, Egypt has miles of land bordering the Red Sea, one of the most tourist amenable locations in the entire world. I would only say that the Egyption people need to view the west in more friendly light. In my last visit, a boat trip up the Nile, a friend of mine was shot in the face by a youth with an air gun. The incident occurred, without provocation, in the spice souk in Aswan. My friend, who suffered a wound to his face, wanted to give chase but was restrained and told it would only make matters worse if he took the law into his own hands. On the streets of Luxor, I felt uncomfortable when with schoolchildren who I felt were hostile to our presence. Who is teaching these youngsters such hatred to westerners? Their attitude must change if they are to encourage tourists to visit and probably more important, investors to develope the Red Sea resorts.
One final point on this. Mubarak would like to stay (and die) in Egypt; at his home in the Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheik. By allowing him to stay in the country it will mean his billions will not be lost to the Egyptian economy and may be instrumental in building the very infrastructure the Country needs.
Wootton Bassett
The Royal Air Force have said that the air base at Lyneham is to close and that repatriation of fallen service men and women would not include the now traditional tribute parade through the town of Wootten Bassett. The people of this Wiltshire town have led the Nation's tribute to those brave heroes and it has been suggested (by my wife, I hasten to add) that as a permanent gesture of thanks, Her Majesty the Queen should, in recognition of their patriotism, and with the townspeople's permission, rename the town, Royal Wootten Bassett .
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Same-sex marriages
The Government is putting forward the idea that single sex marriages should be allowed in religious establishments. I believe they've consulted with the churches and services will be at the discretion of the clerics.
How will this differ from the discretion exercised by the B & B couple who were stigmatised and fined for not allowing two men to share a bed under their roof?
How will this differ from the discretion exercised by the B & B couple who were stigmatised and fined for not allowing two men to share a bed under their roof?
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Bloodsports
First it was Andy Burnham at Education questions and yesterday it was the turn of Ed Balls to be humiliated at the dispatch box. It's so easy for the Coalition. The answer to every question is to point at the opposition benches and point out the failings of the past thirteen years.
The more I see of Goves, the Education minister, the more impressive he seems. It helps when he has so much command of his brief. Burnham asked a question on the proposed core subjects of the curriculum. Gove stood and speaking without notes laid into his opposite number so strongly that Burnham was left a cowering wreck. The brutality of it was almost embarrassing; a bit like watching a defenceless slave been butchered in a Roman ampitheatre.
Next up was Ed Balls, the shadow Treasury Man, the seller of the Nation's gold too cheaply, the stealer of people's pensions and builder of the largest structural deficit in the modern world. He tried to take the fight to Osborne but it was a sorry attempt that gave no comfort to his backbenchers. I fear that it may not be the last time.
I can't understand why so many. on the face of it intelligent people, support the Socialists when their record of bringing the Nation to its knees both educationally and financially is so appalling. They are a poor bunch.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister made a Common's statement on the early release of a Libyan man Al-Megrahi by the Scottish parliament on 'Compassionate grounds'. Despite previous statements by the then PM, Gordon Brown, that his Government played no part in the decision it has now come to light that in fact his Government 'facilitated' the early release of a man sentenced to Life imprisonment for the murder of hundreds of people; many from the US. I thought that Cameron spoke well and more reasonably than perhaps he might; perhaps out of deference for a previous holder of his position. He presumably could have asked the absent ex-PM to attend the House and explain but he didn't. Brown, who doesn't attend Parliament very often these days is acting like a beaten man. Perhaps Cameron didn't do so as an act of compassion.
The more I see of Goves, the Education minister, the more impressive he seems. It helps when he has so much command of his brief. Burnham asked a question on the proposed core subjects of the curriculum. Gove stood and speaking without notes laid into his opposite number so strongly that Burnham was left a cowering wreck. The brutality of it was almost embarrassing; a bit like watching a defenceless slave been butchered in a Roman ampitheatre.
Next up was Ed Balls, the shadow Treasury Man, the seller of the Nation's gold too cheaply, the stealer of people's pensions and builder of the largest structural deficit in the modern world. He tried to take the fight to Osborne but it was a sorry attempt that gave no comfort to his backbenchers. I fear that it may not be the last time.
I can't understand why so many. on the face of it intelligent people, support the Socialists when their record of bringing the Nation to its knees both educationally and financially is so appalling. They are a poor bunch.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister made a Common's statement on the early release of a Libyan man Al-Megrahi by the Scottish parliament on 'Compassionate grounds'. Despite previous statements by the then PM, Gordon Brown, that his Government played no part in the decision it has now come to light that in fact his Government 'facilitated' the early release of a man sentenced to Life imprisonment for the murder of hundreds of people; many from the US. I thought that Cameron spoke well and more reasonably than perhaps he might; perhaps out of deference for a previous holder of his position. He presumably could have asked the absent ex-PM to attend the House and explain but he didn't. Brown, who doesn't attend Parliament very often these days is acting like a beaten man. Perhaps Cameron didn't do so as an act of compassion.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Egypt
The riots in Egypt have calmed as president Hosni Mubarak seeks to have talks with opposition groups ahead of fresh elections in September.
Mubarak has rightly in my opinion not listened to the siren voices of the west calling on him to expedite an early transition to a new, more democratic regime. He is going to do it his way which will be in the best interest of the Nation of Egypt, which does not always mean the appeasement of the people. This will almost certainly mean that he will not listen too closely to the mob. Of course he has made mistakes; the country apparently is still under a state of emergency introduced decades ago, enabling him to rule with the iron fist of the army, one of the largest in the world. However it has enabled him to give his people over thirty years of peace in a region of massive unrest. This legacy is not to be underestimated.
One of the major criticisms of the regime is the rising cost of food. Egypt's history is about the cultivation of food along the rich Nile Valley and the annual inundation that fertilizes the river banks. With a population of over 80 million people and growing, the demand for food has never been greater at a time when all the other countries of Africa are struggling. And this is the point; at some time in the near future, Egypt might have to go to war to protect its water rights when upper Nile countries want to abstract more of the life giving water. The last thing it wants is to fight Israel on another front, stretching its army to bursting point.
In August 2009, for the Reader newspaper I wrote an article about Egypt's water problems.
Examples of the problems include the Jordan valley where water levels in Lake Galilee have fallen dramatically, and the building of the new Merowe dam in Sudan, disrupting the annual Nile flood in Egypt. Around the world, rising populations and land usage for agriculture will place ever greater demands on water supply. In Israel, if levels in Lake Galilee fall further, the waters might become salt contaminated sparking conflict with Judan and Syria.
Since 1929,a British brokered 'Colonial' agreement gave Egypt rights to the waters of the Nile. This was reinforced in 1959 when Sudan was also given rights, but restricted abstraction by the upstream states. Now Ethiopia, Uganda and others are challenging the accord as being out of step with the modern reality. The problem for Egypt is that it has no alternative water supply; unlike the UK for example it has no rainfall. Therefore, although a Nile Basin Initiative was set up to reach agreement between all the interested countries, no agreement has been reached. This should come as no surprise because the Egyptians cannot afford to step back from their current position. Already, reduced flood waters have meant no new silt deposits, so that for the first time in 5000 years of Egyptian civilization, farmers are having to use fertilizers, forcing up the costs of food production and therefore prices.
With the population of the nations that share the Nile expected to rise from 300 million to 600 million in the next 25 years, some commentators suggest that Egypt will have no other viable option but to fight for its water.
This said, it is no time for the Nation of Egypt to be weak. It does not need to give more power to the people. Yes, listen to their grievences and act reasonably but the Government cannot afford to reduce the grip on those trying to undermine the country for religious or other ideological reasons.
Hosni Mubarak has reportedly amassed a personal fortune of over 20 billion dollars. This is worrisome because it suggests he hasn't only had the people of Egypt's interests at heart and a truly great leader would not be thinking of himself at all.
Mubarak has rightly in my opinion not listened to the siren voices of the west calling on him to expedite an early transition to a new, more democratic regime. He is going to do it his way which will be in the best interest of the Nation of Egypt, which does not always mean the appeasement of the people. This will almost certainly mean that he will not listen too closely to the mob. Of course he has made mistakes; the country apparently is still under a state of emergency introduced decades ago, enabling him to rule with the iron fist of the army, one of the largest in the world. However it has enabled him to give his people over thirty years of peace in a region of massive unrest. This legacy is not to be underestimated.
One of the major criticisms of the regime is the rising cost of food. Egypt's history is about the cultivation of food along the rich Nile Valley and the annual inundation that fertilizes the river banks. With a population of over 80 million people and growing, the demand for food has never been greater at a time when all the other countries of Africa are struggling. And this is the point; at some time in the near future, Egypt might have to go to war to protect its water rights when upper Nile countries want to abstract more of the life giving water. The last thing it wants is to fight Israel on another front, stretching its army to bursting point.
In August 2009, for the Reader newspaper I wrote an article about Egypt's water problems.
Examples of the problems include the Jordan valley where water levels in Lake Galilee have fallen dramatically, and the building of the new Merowe dam in Sudan, disrupting the annual Nile flood in Egypt. Around the world, rising populations and land usage for agriculture will place ever greater demands on water supply. In Israel, if levels in Lake Galilee fall further, the waters might become salt contaminated sparking conflict with Judan and Syria.
Since 1929,a British brokered 'Colonial' agreement gave Egypt rights to the waters of the Nile. This was reinforced in 1959 when Sudan was also given rights, but restricted abstraction by the upstream states. Now Ethiopia, Uganda and others are challenging the accord as being out of step with the modern reality. The problem for Egypt is that it has no alternative water supply; unlike the UK for example it has no rainfall. Therefore, although a Nile Basin Initiative was set up to reach agreement between all the interested countries, no agreement has been reached. This should come as no surprise because the Egyptians cannot afford to step back from their current position. Already, reduced flood waters have meant no new silt deposits, so that for the first time in 5000 years of Egyptian civilization, farmers are having to use fertilizers, forcing up the costs of food production and therefore prices.
With the population of the nations that share the Nile expected to rise from 300 million to 600 million in the next 25 years, some commentators suggest that Egypt will have no other viable option but to fight for its water.
This said, it is no time for the Nation of Egypt to be weak. It does not need to give more power to the people. Yes, listen to their grievences and act reasonably but the Government cannot afford to reduce the grip on those trying to undermine the country for religious or other ideological reasons.
Hosni Mubarak has reportedly amassed a personal fortune of over 20 billion dollars. This is worrisome because it suggests he hasn't only had the people of Egypt's interests at heart and a truly great leader would not be thinking of himself at all.
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Adam Boulton interview with English Defence League
Yesterday I watched Adam Boulton of Sky News interview a leader of the English Defence League, EDL.
On several occasions, the EDL representative was forced to say: 'You're not listening' as Boulton constantly asked a banal question about reported minority chantings instead of the real issues. I have to say that the EDL man has a point when he says that gutless politicians are not debating and addressing the problems of Luton and other towns that are being overwhelmed with immigrants who want to introduce their own culture and values, especially Sharia Law. The EDL, said the representative, were obliged to fill the void in an attempt to force the issue in Westminster, even if it upset some Liberal sensibilities.
The truth is that with the UK's Democracy, there is no votes in confronting the Muslims. Any party which stands up for the indigenous, mainly white, population is immediately branded as fascist and can kiss the seat goodbye. It is another example of how Democracy fails the Nation. Decisions effecting the best interests of the Nation as a whole are therefore not being taken.
Today, the day of an EDL rally in the centre of Luton, it is reported that David Cameron is to admit that Multiculturalism has failed and urge the Muslim communities in particular to better embrace English values and culture. We shall see.
On several occasions, the EDL representative was forced to say: 'You're not listening' as Boulton constantly asked a banal question about reported minority chantings instead of the real issues. I have to say that the EDL man has a point when he says that gutless politicians are not debating and addressing the problems of Luton and other towns that are being overwhelmed with immigrants who want to introduce their own culture and values, especially Sharia Law. The EDL, said the representative, were obliged to fill the void in an attempt to force the issue in Westminster, even if it upset some Liberal sensibilities.
The truth is that with the UK's Democracy, there is no votes in confronting the Muslims. Any party which stands up for the indigenous, mainly white, population is immediately branded as fascist and can kiss the seat goodbye. It is another example of how Democracy fails the Nation. Decisions effecting the best interests of the Nation as a whole are therefore not being taken.
Today, the day of an EDL rally in the centre of Luton, it is reported that David Cameron is to admit that Multiculturalism has failed and urge the Muslim communities in particular to better embrace English values and culture. We shall see.
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