ماجد العيسى - هواجيس | Majedalesa - Hwages

Saudi Arabia was outraged by this video. A country where women are second class citizens only allowed out if accompanied by a male guardian and are forbidden to drive. One man campaigning for the abolition of the guardian laws was imprisoned for a year and fined £1,000.

Saudi fundamentalist clerics argue that the abolition of guardianship and allowing women to drive would encourage women to be immoral.

It is Saudi Arabia's presence on the United Nations Human Rights commission that is immoral and their laws oppressing women a blasphemy against human rights.

That is what should outrage.

McCluskey's Follies

The press and social media have been full of reports about Len McCluskey's supposed decision to tell Jeremy Corbyn that if Labour's fortunes do not improve then he should stand down. Some have taken this to mean McCluskey is on the brink of breaking with Corbyn, though that in itself would not be to betterment of the Labour Party as he is more than likely to back the equally awful John McDonnell who has the same politics as Steptoe.

However this may just be an electoral tactic as a Yougov poll shows that Corbyn is seen by two thirds of Unites members as doing a bad job. Similar findings have been found in most major unions. McCluskey is facing a challenge from the moderate candidate Gerard Coyne and although noten referred to in the media another candidate standing to the left of him, former member of the Socialist Workers Party Ian Allinson.

There is however a corollary to McCluskey's statement that has been widely overlooked, that is the situation in the year before the general election, some two years hence. Frankly the Labour Party could be at rock bottom by then. The latest polls show the Party at just 24%, nowhere near the level of support needed to form the next government. Other reports suggest Labour or to be more precise, Corbyn has lost some four million voters since he took over.

If so few trade union members appear to favour Corbyn, how on earth does anyone including McCluskey expect those who do not normally vote Labour to be won over to a party leaning so far to the left riddled with rampant misogyny and anti-Semitism and not a clue about peoples worries over Brexit, the economy and lets be frank immigration.

Not much chance. The left have had their opportunity to "capture" the Labour Party although the moderates remain in control of much of the apparatus and constituency network but have been found wanting. It's easy to sit at home vote in a ballot for a mere three quid or be bamboozled by union leaders into casting a vote for the useless Corbyn. it is another matter to actually win power and achieve at least something for ordinary peoples benefit.

Trade union members are not the left wing militants that so many trade union leaders like McCluskey or Serwotka like to portray Things are difficult at the "coalface" so to speak and Corbyn is seen as a no hoper by probably the majority of those who vote Labour. The left may have more or less coalesced into one but they remain a disorganised faction ridden rabble who have already started fighting amongst themselves with no idea about the practical world of political life.

Ideals do not buy bread, pay the rent or improve working conditions. Only a party serious about taking actual political power is capable of even beginning the process. Corbyn's politics is the socialism of fools. McCluskey must change tack for the benefit of the members or preferably be kicked out and replaced by someone who will put members interest before banal ideological concerns. 

Vote Gerard Coyne for Unite General Secretary. X

A bad start to a New Year

Photo: By Eneas De Troya

As most of the world managed to celebrate the New Year peacefully in Turkey another terrorist atrocity took place. The BBC reported:

Police in Istanbul are hunting for a gunman who opened fire at a well-known nightclub, killing at least 39 people.

The attack happened at Reina nightclub early on Sunday, as hundreds of revellers marked the new year.

Officials say at least 15 foreigners were killed, including citizens from Israel, Belgium, Lebanon, Jordan, France, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The nightclub in question was a fairly "exclusive" establishment frequented by more "secular" patrons which explains why it was singled out for attack.

Whilst no one has (at the time of writing) claimed "responsibility" for this outrage, the attack bears the hallmarks of an ISIS inspired assault rather than any involvement of the Kurdish separatist PKK which has also conducted a terror campaign in the country.

This comes at a time when an attempt is being made to implement a cease-fire in the five year long Syrian civil war in which Turkey has entered a rapprochement with Russia. 

Meanwhile the war against ISIS continues across both Syria and Iraq with thousands of Yezidis enslaved by the genocidal Islamists.

Peace and justice remain a long way of across two failed states.

Back in the UK Brexit and it's aftermath continue to leave it's mark in a divided country with Theresa May calling for "unity" in her New Year's message. While most ordinary voters remain oblivious to the continuing disagreement, social media remain bitterly divided and intransigent amongst both "Remainers" and "Brexiteers".

Talking of division the country's main opposition party, Labour continues to tear itself apart with internecine warfare. The upcoming Copeland by-election has raised the stakes as if Labour loses this will not bode well for either the Corbynistas or the moderates, both of whom will blame the other for any failure.

Corbyn himself remains oblivious to his misdeeds having condemned the misuse of the honours system whilst forgetting two simple words; Shami Chakrabati who's elevation to the House of Lords caused consternation nearly everywhere.

Corbyn is being rebranded as "anti-establishment", a term also used by the about to take office Donald Trump and the far-right across Europe. We are heading to a world of extremes as Corbyn wants social revolution as does the alt-right. 

Is there hope for the new year? 

Only if there is a resurgence of the political centre but the will does not seem to exist. 

The Gospel of Gerry Adams

Photo: By Andreas Wahra

The depths to which which some people are prepared to sink in their blind hatred of Israel and the Jews never fails to amaze me. On one Sunday morning discussion programme I heard that idiot and so-called poet (I hate poetry at the best of times)  Benjamin Zephaniah claim that "Jesus was a Palestinian". What utter nonsense. But it seems he is not alone.

The Sinn Fein/IRA leader Gerry Adams has now joined the fray. On his blog he writes:

And Jesus was not blue eyed or blond haired. Jesus is a Palestinian. So, he probably was a little swarthy skinned black haired wee lad......

We need more Joseph’s. And Mary’s. Like many Irish mammies Mary thought her son was God. And maybe she was right. She suffered in his coming and his going. It could not have been easy.

All the talk. The gossip. The rumours. Along with the teething, bedwetting, the tantrums, terrible twos and the other joys of baby rearing. But she survived. Like most women. She reared a good son despite it all. Like many Palestinian mammies....

So pilgrims, especially Christians remember: Jesus is a Palestinian.

I'm not a Christian but have read the stories about Jesus often called "Rabbi" and his followers who practiced Judaism, not Christianity since the new religion was not established until after his death. Jesus was lauded as "King of the Jews" somewhere in the Gospels I believe. Still don't let theology get in the way of Adam's "hate on" for the Jewish heritage in Judea/Israel.

Nor actual history. The Arabs didn't conquer the area until hundreds of years later. At the time of Jesus Israel was actually a province of the Roman Empire.

There is a drive to disconnect the historical links of Jews to the land of Israel. Promoted by the dictatorships of the Arab and Muslim world and supported by the "anti-imperialist" (ie anti-Western regimes) which Adams deludes himself he is part of.

Meanwhile as Adams and Sinn Fein support the attacks on the Jewish state Christians are persecuted and murdered across most of the Muslim world. 

I don't believe Jesus was the "son of God", but then I am an atheist. I do believe that the historical figure Jesus was a Jew. That Gerry Adams, happens to be a fact, not that the truth is something you ever respect.

2016: The year the left died

Photo: By Bundesarchiv, Bild

The year is nearly done and everywhere I look on social media there are so many who have described this year as having been the worst of years. The reason for this seems to be the large number of celebrities and musicians who have passed away. David Bowie, George Michael, Prince and Debbie Reynolds. Some, like Carrie Fisher have died so young whilst others such as Zsa Zsa Gabor pushed the limits of the human lifespan.

Undoubtedly other events such as Brexit and the election of Donald Trump as the President of the most powerful country in the world have disturbed many. However frankly it is easy with even a modest grasp of history to think of far worse years. 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945 come to mind. Years in which millions suffered and died. There are still those alive today who remember those dark years.

In fact unless you were an inhabitant of Aleppo or under the rule of ISIS, most do not not have reason to complain.

It is the latter which remains a clear stain on humanity.

And the left.

During the Vietnam conflict the so-called left marched against the war. There was even a march against the more recent Iraq war and protests continue to abound whenever the state of Israel dares defend itself against the terrorist attacks from Gaza. The left turn out with what turns out to be fausx outrage.

Why the accusation of falsehood?

Where was the "left" throughout the five years of the Syrian civil war. There is  a (albeit mis-named) Stop the War Coalition who remained inactive and mostly silent as the people of Aleppo cried for help as Russian bombs, Syrian shells and Hezbollah bullets mowed them down.

Not a single demonstration. No pickets of the Russian, Syrian or Iranian embassies.

Just silence.

And the former Chair of this "peace" movement was re-elected to to leadership of the Labour Party. Corbyn had to be reminded publically by a handful of protestors about the tragedy of Syria. Corbyn's credentials as a "man of peace" only applied to his own country and it's allies in the West. His friends in Syria, Russia, Iran and its terrorist lackeys in Hezbollah is well documented.

The promise of "new, kinder politics" was exposed as a fraud.

Those who called for humanitarian intervention the left called warmongers whilst their anti-imperialist allies maimed & murdered at will.

The bile, misogyny and anti-Semitism inherent amongst the Corbynistas came to the fore.

2016 was the year that the "left" died.

There is a new politics, but it's not kinder, it's blood red. The new black shirts have emerged.

Gerry Downing turns to the far right

No longer even bothering to hide behind "anti-Zionism". 

Gerry Downing– ‏@Gerdowning

Important report on strength of Jewish bourgeoisie abroad. Media Blacks Out Jewish Lobby-EU Report http://ln.is/newobserveronline.com/49FkQ … via @NewObOnline

7:35 am - 28 Dec 2016

A member of "Momentum" no less.

Downing and his Socialist Fight group do not belong in the Labour & Trade Union movement.

World of the Weird: Cryptozoology

Photo: By Source, Fair use

It had been my intention to produce a few non-politically related blogs over Christmas just for a bit of fun. However events overtook any planning and I ended up publishing no less than three tributes to celebrities that sadly passed away one after another over the holiday period. I still don't feel like returning to politics for a little longer (though inevitably I will) so thought it was time for another dip into the "World of the Weird".

Previously I've covered UFO's from outer space and the inner Earth, Nazi one's in fact from Antarctica and examined newly discovered Pyramids from Bosnia to Antarctica. All tosh of course, but entertaining enough. Next up I thought a look at the "undiscovered" animals of this world was in order.

For us Brits of course there is the Loch Ness monster up in bonny Scotland first brought to our attention in 1933 and made famous by the photo above which is now known to be a hoax, not that this has put "Nessie" hunters off. Of course these days there are also "sonar readings" that remain unexplained but is "Nessie" real? I doubt it.

For starter there cannot be just one "monster". No living creature is immortal and for any such animal there would need to be a sustainable breeding colony of the things. If that was the case sightings should be far more frequent and given the attention given to the Loch by scientists, enthusiasts and, let's face it just plain cranks there should be sufficient evidence by now to prove the "monsters" existence.

But there isn't.

"Nessie" is not alone in the Cryptozoologists eyes. There are others equally as famous in the public eye such as "Bigfoot" and the Yeti.

 
Photo: By Patterson-Gimlin                                           Art: By Philippe Semeria

Bigfoot allegedly lives in North America, one of the most developed parts of the world and to date has managed to evade capture, even on photograph despite this. The Yeti on the other hand exists in highly uninhabitable areas of the Himalayas where such a creature could easily hide. However it too eludes scientists and cranks alike. One hypothesis is that what people see may be a rare type of Polar Bear from a previous age. Who knows? More likely than the creature of modern myth.

However my current "favourite" is a "dinosaur" allegedly found in the Congo and "known" to the natives as Mokele-mbembe. First described by a Frenchman but not actually seen in 1776, this creature has been the "holy grail" of cryptozoologists and explorers alike. Alas it too evades capture or photography.

And there's more.



Undoubtedly there are creatures on our world remaining to be "discovered"  but most I suspect will be small except perhaps in the sea. Given that 90% of the worlds oceans remain unexplored and somewhat inaccessible with our current technology, there may be creatures of some size there. After all we thought the giant squid was a myth until someone actually found the things.

I'll leave the last word to this video where the author deconstructs the cryptozoologists and exposes the connections of some with the creationists:

"In Louisiana, there is a curriculum known as Accelerated Christian Education, that says that the Loch Ness Monster proves evolution is false. Absurd, to say the least."