I Intend To Escape ......................And Come Back

No Gods, No Masters

"What does God mean? The idea is synonymous with irrationality, superstition, ignorance, and usually dogmatism, insecurity, authoritarianism, intolerance and self-loathing."

Peter Tatchell, in a recent issue of the New Statesman.

A Sense Of Priority

This evenings London Paper reports on the shocking case of a headless corpse found in North West London:

"Police believe that the man was murdered elsewhere because no blood was found at the scene, which is just half a mile from supermodel Kate Moss's new home in St John's Wood."

First As Tragedy, Then As Farce

Rummaging through some old papers today, I came across a 1994 pamphlet by the Indian Workers Association (IWA), critiquing the Anti-Racist Alliance.

The ARA, for those that have forgotten, was an 'anti-racist' organisation dominated by Marc Wadsworth and Lee Jasper. At that time there were countless organisations in this field - the Anti-Nazi League, Youth Against Racism in Europe, Campaign Against Fascism in Europe, and at the more militant end, Anti-Fascist Action. None survive to this day, despite fascism being stronger electorally today than ever before in British history.

The creation of ARA was quite poorly received - the last thing that was needed was another organisation fighting racism and fascism. The ARA did however serve a purpose - on the day of the mass march on the BNP's Welling headquarters in 1993, ARA decided to hold a rival march in central London, thus taking thousands of people away from a flashpoint area. And people wonder why Lee Jasper went on to get the rewards he has from the political establishment!

A keen supporter of Jasper's in this era was Ken Livingstone, then an MP. I can do no better than to quote the IWA on this loving couple:

"Wherever there is a black separatist, one can be sure of the presence of a white liberal lurking around the corner to give a helping hand to his disadvantaged black brother".

That is just what Livingstone has been done for Lee Jasper for a very long time. And rather nicely they have both done out of the relationship. Oh, and whatever happened to Mr Wadsworth?

Look Around You

The Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, Meg Hillier, has produced this little gem in her January 2008 newsletter:

"Fifty four per cent of newly built homes in Hackney in 2006/07 were affordable homes".

Take a look around you. Look at the properties that have been built in your street, and in your neighbourhood. Do you think you could avoid to buy one of them?

Do you think you could afford to buy any of the properties built in Hackney in 2006-7?

The Rehabilitation of Ashley Cole

Living in Hackney, I don't have to travel far to hear opinions on Ashley Cole.

It is fair to say that to most of my Arsenal loving neighbours, he is about as low on the evolutionary scale as Sol Campbell is to Tottenham fans. (People outside London may wish to note that in neither case is the man's colour an issue - Spurs fans hate Sol Campbell because he is Sol Campbell, Gooners hate Ashley Cole because he is Ashley Cole).

I am convinced however that Mr Cole has employed some top PR experts to ensure his rehabilitation throughout N1 and N5. How else can you explain this quote, on the front page of this evening's London Paper, discussing his fling with Aimee Walton.

"We started having sex then he just rolled over and vomited all over the cream carpet, it was disgusting. He had some mouthwash and we started having sex again".

Get in there my son!

Talk About Generous!

Today's Sunday Telegraph reveals the extent to which Sharia law is already being practised in Britain. The article appears to be a trailer for a forthcoming Channel 4 documentary "Divorce: Sharia Style." Here's one little gem from the article:

"It may mean that a woman married under Islamic law has no legal rights, but the husband is required to pay for everything in marriage and in the case of a divorce all the woman's belongings are hers to keep."
Ibrahim Mogra, chairman of the Muslim Council of Britain's inter-faith committee.

How To Deal With Sledging Aussies

If only Harbajan Singh had remembered the example of Zimbabwe's Eddo Brandes.

When facing Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, Brandes bowled a bouncer of his own:

McGrath: "Hey, how come you're so fat?"

Brandes instantly replied: "Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit."

It's Got To Be Spiderman

Thanks to Jonathan Wood for giving me this great little quote:

"Who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Jesus? Spiderman because JESUS ISN'T REAL!!!!" - Ross Noble

The Best Sporting News In Years

"The number of competitive boxers has increased from 7,000 to over 15,000 and they've gone from 619 clubs to 740 clubs in 18 months".

Richard Caborn, the new new President of the Amateur Boxing Association. Quoted in the Sunday Telegraph, 9th December 2007.

Geoff Boycott On Duncan Fletcher

The former England coach has really dished the dirt on England's cricketers, in particularly Andy Flintoff.

Here's Sir Geoffrey's reply in todays Telegraph:

"if he wants a job, he had better not come looking for one at Yorkshire. We want to attract new members, families and sponsors, not drive them away with his sour face. Even if he does get a job in county cricket, no player will now be able to take a problem to him without worrying that it will turn up later in one of his books."

Ouch!