It may be offensive to believers (the Koran is supposed to be treated with respect) just as I suspect watching the Bible burn might upset an Evangelical Christian. It was done as a protest and to be offensive to the fundys -- there is no law against it and there shouldn't be.
Thirty or so years ago, a gay artist had shows all over the US. It was the Maplethore collection. In that collection, there was a crucifix with Christ hanging on the cross, emersed in a jar of urine.
Christian picketed the art museums displaying the collection, but there was no violence, and nobody was hurt.
Contrast that with what happens if you tell the truth about Islam or burn a Koran..
The application of common sense would have bought them to the conclusion that their new petty, spiteful guidelines against the indigenous population were not needed.
Where do these people get off on their judgment against justice for British people, who by any standard are remarkably accommodating to minorities?
If we weren't, why would they want to come here? How many on the Sentencing Council are Muslim or 'other'? I'd love to know.
You do understand that Mahmood the Lord Chancellor is a Muslim (secular) and she is utterly appalled at these guidelines, don't you? A civil servant hid the changes from her as she would have stopped it. The non judicial members are appointed by the Lord Chancellor but they do serve for a specific time. Mahmood has not been in long enough to make those appointments. These appointments were probably made during Raab's period as Lord Chancellor and he was a particularly useless minister (see his handling of the Afghanistan evacuation as Foreign Minister in 2021 for example)
Strategic essentialism is a trap. Individuals matters.
Newsome and Trudeau could be conjoined twins. Trudeau is busy trying to regain some kind of golden boy 'hero' status on the way out the door. I think Newsome is doing the same. If the Dems are crazy enough to run him for Prez, they will just lose again.
It is just interesting to see with Newsom and the fact that he felt he could and hasn't been forced to apologise. See the Democrats after the election for example. The Spiral of Silence has been rigidly enforced up to now.
Trump has been making Trudeau great again. From what I understand he has put a lot of backs up and is enabling the Liberals to gain some momentum in the polls. I suspect you will see the Prince and Princess of Wales in Canada soon as a balm.
Hello Northumberland! Good to see Ya this fine Friday.
I hope Con Coughlin's analysis is correct, and Putin caves soon. That was an interesting article by Gerard Baker. And that was interesting about Anduril UK. I hope to see the funds invested in defense. And the article is right about what holds back innovation in the defense sector.
Lord Hermer is acting per usual I guess. David Lammy? I hope Shabana Mahmood is successful in overturning his guidance.
That's good news about Newsome. I hope his views pull some weight in the party. I sure hope Your Supreme Court gets For Women Scotland right.
Good luck on the revisions! And I hope Paddy and Hercules enjoy the birds.
As ever I am so pleased to see you JT. I am pleased you found the articles interesting.
It is going to be interesting to see if Europe and the UK can do an FDR and restart the economy this way.
I hope there is a cease fire soon in Ukraine, but one which does not embolden Putin for future menace. He is having some troubles with the Stans etc (and those are really none of the US or Europe's concern) It is a flashpoint between him and the CCP.
The same people who giddily predicted that Ukraine's vaunted "Spring Offensive" would push Russia into the Sea of Azov and lead to the recapture of the Crimea pen such fantasies. Russia is not losing the war and Ukraine is no beacon of democracy. And US Democrats managed (temporarily) to scuttle the agreement to which Zelensky (no silly added "y") had already agreed; which is one reason why JD took him to task. And note he has already come crawling back.
He had little choice. The UK insisted on the wording. At the moment, the US does hold many cards. I think the blinding with turning off the satellite was cruel particularly after Zelenskyy did agree to the minerals deal.
Russia refuses to lose. The front line is v static. Russia is also menacing Poland which is why Poland will not put troops into any peace keeping force. Turkey has agreed to which is significant.
Europe is rearming -- once they do, and it will take a little time -- they will be less inclined to slavishly follow US foreign policy aims.
There again there is Trump's latest on Truth Social. I think he is starting to feel that he has been had. I could be wrong.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,”
People in Europe have been here before with Putin. Poland doesn't trust him at all. There is a lot of problem in the Baltic etc.
Biden wanted to give enough but not too much in a typical Biden fashion -- part of the trouble imho.
Russia is annoyed at Britain for giving the interest on its frozen assets to Ukraine but tough.
Dogs in jackets are just the cutest! My cats were excited to see birds returning along with the sunshine. I am sure it will snow again tomorrow.
Putin and Macron...a love story for the ages? To quote the great philosophers ABBA, "My my. At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender. Oh yeah! And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way. The history book on the shelf, this song was repeating itself. Waterloo. I was defeated you won the war. Waterloo. Promise to love you forever more." I will spare you the full treatise. 🤣 I'm so sorry. Blame Putin for the set up.
I always root for the Shiba Inu in any dog show. I had one before they became a meme and they are just the best dogs. Super smart, super stubborn lol!
Wow! Thanks for those links. I am hoping The Rest is Classified starts a series about Russian spying / murdering in London soon. They touched on some poisonings a few episodes ago in their Anna Chapman series. I am very interested in Russian spying / murdering in London because it seems like an almost open secret and I am baffled lol.
And this just in -- thanks to the Free Speech Union, no charges have been brought in the Koran burning case. It was offensive but there is no crime in being offensive. The FSU exists to ensure police overreach in the area of freedom of expression is halted. https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/no-charges-in-koran-burning-case-that-should-never-have-been-brought/
On what normal planet is burning the Satanic Verses "offensive?"
It may be offensive to believers (the Koran is supposed to be treated with respect) just as I suspect watching the Bible burn might upset an Evangelical Christian. It was done as a protest and to be offensive to the fundys -- there is no law against it and there shouldn't be.
Thirty or so years ago, a gay artist had shows all over the US. It was the Maplethore collection. In that collection, there was a crucifix with Christ hanging on the cross, emersed in a jar of urine.
Christian picketed the art museums displaying the collection, but there was no violence, and nobody was hurt.
Contrast that with what happens if you tell the truth about Islam or burn a Koran..
Perhaps reading the bloodthirsty lunacy in the Satanic Verses might warrant such treatment.
And this is good from Oliver Brown on his vindication at IPSO over the use 'biological male' when reporting on a football match. It is a significant win for accurate reporting. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/03/07/biological-male-vindication-sex-matters-transphobic/ or https://archive.ph/Z9V19
Yes, that was good.
"This, ultimately, is about honest and transparent reporting of an issue at the heart of fair play."
That about says it all.
It is what has been missing. Oliver Brown has worked v hard on this issue. He is a good reporter.
ANd this gives a deeper dive in the stats the Sentencing Council used. They are not really clear and probably should not have come to that conclusion... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/data-exposes-major-flaws-two-tier-justice-rules-sentencing/ or https://archive.ph/uVATI
The application of common sense would have bought them to the conclusion that their new petty, spiteful guidelines against the indigenous population were not needed.
Where do these people get off on their judgment against justice for British people, who by any standard are remarkably accommodating to minorities?
If we weren't, why would they want to come here? How many on the Sentencing Council are Muslim or 'other'? I'd love to know.
You do understand that Mahmood the Lord Chancellor is a Muslim (secular) and she is utterly appalled at these guidelines, don't you? A civil servant hid the changes from her as she would have stopped it. The non judicial members are appointed by the Lord Chancellor but they do serve for a specific time. Mahmood has not been in long enough to make those appointments. These appointments were probably made during Raab's period as Lord Chancellor and he was a particularly useless minister (see his handling of the Afghanistan evacuation as Foreign Minister in 2021 for example)
Strategic essentialism is a trap. Individuals matters.
This article does explain the makeup of the council -- a number appear to have drunk from the omni-cause kool aid. It is that ideology which is poisoning and seeks to overturn Enlightenment values if you will. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/two-tier-justice-architects-praised-blm-insulate-britain/ or https://archive.ph/t5JZR
Newsome and Trudeau could be conjoined twins. Trudeau is busy trying to regain some kind of golden boy 'hero' status on the way out the door. I think Newsome is doing the same. If the Dems are crazy enough to run him for Prez, they will just lose again.
It is just interesting to see with Newsom and the fact that he felt he could and hasn't been forced to apologise. See the Democrats after the election for example. The Spiral of Silence has been rigidly enforced up to now.
Trump has been making Trudeau great again. From what I understand he has put a lot of backs up and is enabling the Liberals to gain some momentum in the polls. I suspect you will see the Prince and Princess of Wales in Canada soon as a balm.
Hello Northumberland! Good to see Ya this fine Friday.
I hope Con Coughlin's analysis is correct, and Putin caves soon. That was an interesting article by Gerard Baker. And that was interesting about Anduril UK. I hope to see the funds invested in defense. And the article is right about what holds back innovation in the defense sector.
Lord Hermer is acting per usual I guess. David Lammy? I hope Shabana Mahmood is successful in overturning his guidance.
That's good news about Newsome. I hope his views pull some weight in the party. I sure hope Your Supreme Court gets For Women Scotland right.
Good luck on the revisions! And I hope Paddy and Hercules enjoy the birds.
TY, as always, Michelle.
As ever I am so pleased to see you JT. I am pleased you found the articles interesting.
It is going to be interesting to see if Europe and the UK can do an FDR and restart the economy this way.
I hope there is a cease fire soon in Ukraine, but one which does not embolden Putin for future menace. He is having some troubles with the Stans etc (and those are really none of the US or Europe's concern) It is a flashpoint between him and the CCP.
The same people who giddily predicted that Ukraine's vaunted "Spring Offensive" would push Russia into the Sea of Azov and lead to the recapture of the Crimea pen such fantasies. Russia is not losing the war and Ukraine is no beacon of democracy. And US Democrats managed (temporarily) to scuttle the agreement to which Zelensky (no silly added "y") had already agreed; which is one reason why JD took him to task. And note he has already come crawling back.
He had little choice. The UK insisted on the wording. At the moment, the US does hold many cards. I think the blinding with turning off the satellite was cruel particularly after Zelenskyy did agree to the minerals deal.
Russia refuses to lose. The front line is v static. Russia is also menacing Poland which is why Poland will not put troops into any peace keeping force. Turkey has agreed to which is significant.
Europe is rearming -- once they do, and it will take a little time -- they will be less inclined to slavishly follow US foreign policy aims.
Europe is rearming. Sure they are.
https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NYKL3hrAebynNCIo4z8gj-xP9DPlG5U1kT7Ae-TB_Nlj_sxeaJkbdVQ7XabfiZqP55FmsT-d2GLXKc5hTEm4ediTEevr6PQkXWcLOMZFZxvOe1Tq9BFhbhFAXH78IdBt1-VKXOJ1U2foC-vcI7M-EwsPMVN2uI-L7vrxFA-YpWfd9QFsAbFjtDgJVRSbUGoBJeqMBx0pLe8N_n21xcZMtRO0Jb_e7a_VFY9XVjhfoyNQa_R-Z56HeTZSQp7dZ71hUInO9uG6nh91AzeSjE9Dat21yZjBnoaKq3fuoGqpbORgT0PUbuMXd0nYQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F400502ea-8036-4d30-acdc-62aa054430a0_1096x832.png
lol
Well they sure aren’t slavishly following gettin a peace treaty in ukraine. They are fighting that hammer and tong.
There again there is Trump's latest on Truth Social. I think he is starting to feel that he has been had. I could be wrong.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,”
People in Europe have been here before with Putin. Poland doesn't trust him at all. There is a lot of problem in the Baltic etc.
Biden wanted to give enough but not too much in a typical Biden fashion -- part of the trouble imho.
Russia is annoyed at Britain for giving the interest on its frozen assets to Ukraine but tough.
Dogs in jackets are just the cutest! My cats were excited to see birds returning along with the sunshine. I am sure it will snow again tomorrow.
Putin and Macron...a love story for the ages? To quote the great philosophers ABBA, "My my. At Waterloo Napoleon did surrender. Oh yeah! And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way. The history book on the shelf, this song was repeating itself. Waterloo. I was defeated you won the war. Waterloo. Promise to love you forever more." I will spare you the full treatise. 🤣 I'm so sorry. Blame Putin for the set up.
I always root for the Shiba Inu in any dog show. I had one before they became a meme and they are just the best dogs. Super smart, super stubborn lol!
Dogs in coats are great. Hopefully Paddy won't get as soaked when we go for walks in the rain. He feels the damp.
I think Trump is currently blaming Putin for something given his latest Truth Social pronouncement...
I see a Russian spy ring has just been convicted this was its mastermind (still on the run) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/marsalek-russian-spymaster-wirecard/ or https://archive.ph/H7lTL
This is the latest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/russian-agents-found-guilty-britains-spy-ring/ Apparently other cells are active in Britain.
Wow! Thanks for those links. I am hoping The Rest is Classified starts a series about Russian spying / murdering in London soon. They touched on some poisonings a few episodes ago in their Anna Chapman series. I am very interested in Russian spying / murdering in London because it seems like an almost open secret and I am baffled lol.
I suspect it will be coming...This is the Times on the same story https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/minions-mishaps-and-cheating-honeytraps-inside-a-russian-spy-ring-vwmvb6mjr or https://archive.ph/FuPvo
And about the trial: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/gangsters-guilty-of-spying-for-putin-in-britain-v5wfb9j5l or https://archive.ph/JU1eb