France bans citizen journalists from reporting violence
The French Constitutional Council has approved a law that criminalizes the filming or broadcasting of acts of violence by people other than professional journalists.
This law could lead to the imprisonment of eyewitnesses who film acts of police violence, or operators of Web sites publishing the images, one French civil liberties group warned in March 2007.
The most worrying part here, obviously, would also be how far this would spill over to other countries in the EU and, indeed, elsewhere. This could be the first step to silencing citizen journalists, e.g. Bloggers, altogether. For, only the official media really, can be government censored. When, however, the work of the likes of us on Blogs is outlawed and the writing and publishing of new stories is – back – in the domain of the professional journalists then governments can rest assured that they can control what goes out and what not.
Apparently, so it is claimed, Senators and members of the National Assembly had asked the council to rule on the constitutionality of six articles of the Law relating to the prevention of delinquency. The articles dealt with information sharing by social workers, and reduced sentences for minors. The council recommended one minor change, to reconcile conflicting amendments voted in parliament. The law, proposed by Minister of the Interior Nicolas Sarkozy, is intended to clamp down on a wide range of public order offenses. During parliamentary debate of the law, government representatives said the offense of filming or distributing films of acts of violence targets the practice of “happy slapping,” in which a violent attack is filmed by an accomplice, typically with a camera phone, for the amusement of the attacker’s friends. And it was meant to curb the filming of such incidents only.
Right, yes, sure, and why is there a squadron of pigs preparing to take of at RAF Brize Norton?
The broad drafting of the law so as to criminalize the activities of citizen journalists unrelated to the perpetrators of violent acts is no accident, but rather a deliberate decision by the authorities. We must be very concerned that the law, and others still being debated, will lead to the creation of a parallel judicial system controlling the publication of information on the Internet.
The government has also proposed a certification system for Web sites, Blog
hosters, mobile-phone operators and Internet service providers, identifying them as government-approved sources of information if they adhere to certain rules.
The journalists’ organization Reporters Without Borders, which campaigns for a free press, has warned that such a system could lead to excessive self censorship as organizations worried about losing their certification suppress certain stories.
Seeing that this comes from a country that is a “leading light” in the European Union, I am sure, we can see where this may be leading.
The council chose an unfortunate anniversary to publish its decision approving the law, which came exactly 16 years after Los Angeles police officers beating Rodney King were filmed by amateur videographer George Holliday on the night of March 3, 1991. The officers’ acquittal at the end on April 29, 1992 sparked riots in Los Angeles.
If Holliday were to film a similar scene of violence in France today, he could end up in prison as a result of the new law. Anyone publishing such images could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (US$98,537), potentially a harsher sentence than that for committing the violent act.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Berry Nutty – Product Review
Berry Nutty are a new range of Fairtrade certified Peanut & Raisins and Salted Peanut snacks that were launched at the Fairtrade Fortnight Fairground a couple of weeks ago at the Southbank of the Thames in London; on Sunday, February 24, 2008, to be precise.Having had the opportunity to test both the Peanut & Raisins (the raisins are Fairtrade from South Africa, by the way) and the Salted Peanuts I can but recommend both. The Peanut & Raisin more so, probably, but then that is my personal taste, I should guess.
I must say that I was a little apprehensive and reluctant at first as to the salted peanuts when Iain Paiton, the Marketing Director of “Trigon Snacks Ltd” suggested I give them a try because normally I find salted peanuts of whatever brand simply too salty. I must say, however, that, having tried the Berry Nutty version, I am most pleasantly surprised and could become a consumer of salted peanuts again, as long as they were the ones I have had a chance to test.
“Trigon Snacks” is probably known to most of us more through their more “usual” brands, such as “Planters”, “Big D”, “Vermont Gold”, and others. The Berry Nutty range which, so I believe, is going to hit the stores and especially the pub scene shortly, are a nice addition and especially as this range is Fairtrade certified, meaning that it gives back to the growers a decent living price for their produce.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Fairtrade and other Ethical Labels
The blue & green though often just black & white, though very distinct, Fairtrade label in the only one, as far as I can see, that guarantees a minimum income to the producers, the farmers and the workers. Other labels in what is slowly but surely becoming confusing array of “ethical” labels, that have followed in the wake of the Fairtrade label, cannot be seen in the same light. In fact, the cloud the issue, rather. Consumers are being bamboozled by the proliferation of bewildering labels claiming to be ethical, without, often, further explaining this. What, for instance, do those other labels stand for?Why did not Kraft – with Kenco Coffee – go with the Fairtrade label? Because, no doubt, the Fairtrade rules are too rigorous for its liking. So, instead, they opted for an easier one; one that does not benefit farmers and workers, at least not in the same way as Fairtrade does. To the likes of Kraft, it appears to me, it is a matter of profit, yet again. At least Nestle, whatever one may like to say against it, and there are many things, went the whole hog with the Partner Blend instant coffee in that the product got the Fairtrade label. While this may, so far, only be one product of the Nestle range, it is a step in the right direction. Why, though, I would like to ask, is Nestle chocolate not all, by now, Fairtrade? If the Co-Op can have great Fairtrade chocolate at a very reasonable price why can not all Nestle's chocolate products be Fairtrade by now without any increase in price. A company the size of Nestle can do it. Profits and shareholder dividends, however, yet again seem to get into the way. Shame. But we all know that Nestle can do more and at the same price as they do it without Fairtrade and this is where consumer power comes in.
The same is true with other companies, such as Kraft, in the case of Kenco Coffee. If the consumers stopped buying Kenco because it is not Fairtrade and opted for those that are instead the message would be received soon loud and clear at Kraft HQ. Many local governments in the UK, for instance, buy Kenco Coffee, often because of the ethical label that it now has, seeming to think that they are doing their part, that they are doing good buy buying that brand. It is again down to us, in this case as residents, as local tax payers, to tell the town halls that we are not happy with the brand of coffee or whatever else that they are using. Education of the councillors here is the key and of council leaders and officers. We can do it.
Let me please stress at this point that I do not get paid in any way, shape or form, though chance would be a fine thing, by the Fairtrade Foundation, nor do I work for them in any way. I believe, however, that we must make the distinction clear to all as the differences between the labels. As far as it is public knowledge the Fairtrade label is the only one that actually guarantees a minimum income to farmers and workers who grow the cocoa, the coffee, the tea, etc. and by means of this guaranteed income Fairtrade enables those people to better themselves without the need of charity and aid.
It would appear to me that someone needs to write a guide of sorts – for the consumer – to all those “ethical” labels, be they “Rainforest Alliance” certification, or whatever. Without such a definitive guide, I believe, that the consumer will get confused, and this could be a confusion to such an extend even that he or she will become disillusioned with it all and no longer bother looking for or demanding Fairtrade.
Part of the success of Fairtrade has been to put social and environmental issues and the plight of farmers and workers on to global agendas, encouraging companies to see that consumers are not only concerned with price – that instead of always competing to offer the cheapest commodities, they can put real value back into our food and drink (and other goods). So, obviously, any and all improvements that benefit producers, e.g. farmers and workers, are welcome. But there is a flipside to this coin.
We must ensure that the gains the Fairtrade Movement has won by fighting hard and serious battles are not chipped away and undermined by companies opting for this previously mentioned proliferation of labels that confuse the public ; none of which carry the same guarantees as the Fairtrade label.
Some of the alternative schemes have a lot attraction: many of them are addressing issues such as the environment that are very important indeed and are sometimes doing a good job in many ways.
However, in most instances it is the companies, and NOT the producers, that are in the driving seat. Those schemes make fewer demands on the companies; usually even the largest plantations can enter and – most importantly – such schemes do not cost the companies much, as said already, because there is no minimum price to pay; no guaranteed income for the growers and/or workers.
They are not, I know, and have never claimed to be either, Fairtrade programs. In comparison Fairtrade must seem hard work and expensive to companies. But Fairtrade is THE ONLY scheme that works to address the root causes of farmers' and workers' poverty and it is the only one that has an organized global movement behind it. The movement's years of campaigning has given the mark an immense recognition to the extend that eight out of ten people in Britain know about the mark and about Fairtrade and what it stands for. This, in turn gives great power to the Fairtrade Movement to persuade traders and supermarkets to act, and this is what gives the Fairtrade Label its legitimacy, as well as its strength and makes it very special.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Child Labor
The Portuguese magazine, Expresso, has alleged that top Spanish fashion group Inditex, probably best known in the UK for its Zara brand, was exploiting child labor.
Child labor is endemic in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, the allegations that young children are being exploited closer to home can be seriously damaging to the reputation of manufacturers and also and especially retailers
A spokesperson for the Portuguese Footwear Union claimed that children were paid less than 30 Euro per day and that such "miserable" pay was often the sole family income.
In 2001, the Portuguese government estimated that 7000 children were employed by third parties, some for several hours a day, six or seven days a week.
Inditex responded quickly to the statements denying evidence of child labour in Portugal and the company requested the establishment of a working table with the Portuguese Labour Ministry and with Trade Unions in order to assess the "social and labour reality of the Felgueiras area".
Nike and Gap have sustained consumer backlashes after revelations of using child labour and Oxfam believes that most Nike goods are still manufactured in countries where independent trades union representation is outlawed.
It does not seem to matter much what the European Union legislation says to this, it would seem. Those companies, in the perpetual hunt for more profits for less payouts could care little about this.
There is only one way to deal with this and that is “consumer power”, in the same way as the consumer demand has brought products with the Fairtrade label into the big supermarkets. If we, the shoppers, refuse to buy brands associated with bad practice, be this the exploitation of children, the exploitation of workers, the exploitation of animals, of the environment, or whatever else. It is the power of the consumer, of the user, that can change the attitude of the manufactures and retailers.
Labels, even “ethical” labels, mean little if the consumer does not know what actually stands behind it. With the Fairtrade label we all know. With others we do not, in fact, know. What are the criteria that allow this or that product to bear this or that “ethical” label, must always be the question. Anyone wishing to know the Fairtrade deal can learn that best from the book “Fighting the Banana Wars and other Fairtrade Battles”. Do we have the same chance to know how the worker benefits, or the environment, with all the other, by now very confusing, schemes that claim this or that?
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Child labor is endemic in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, the allegations that young children are being exploited closer to home can be seriously damaging to the reputation of manufacturers and also and especially retailers
A spokesperson for the Portuguese Footwear Union claimed that children were paid less than 30 Euro per day and that such "miserable" pay was often the sole family income.
In 2001, the Portuguese government estimated that 7000 children were employed by third parties, some for several hours a day, six or seven days a week.
Inditex responded quickly to the statements denying evidence of child labour in Portugal and the company requested the establishment of a working table with the Portuguese Labour Ministry and with Trade Unions in order to assess the "social and labour reality of the Felgueiras area".
Nike and Gap have sustained consumer backlashes after revelations of using child labour and Oxfam believes that most Nike goods are still manufactured in countries where independent trades union representation is outlawed.
It does not seem to matter much what the European Union legislation says to this, it would seem. Those companies, in the perpetual hunt for more profits for less payouts could care little about this.
There is only one way to deal with this and that is “consumer power”, in the same way as the consumer demand has brought products with the Fairtrade label into the big supermarkets. If we, the shoppers, refuse to buy brands associated with bad practice, be this the exploitation of children, the exploitation of workers, the exploitation of animals, of the environment, or whatever else. It is the power of the consumer, of the user, that can change the attitude of the manufactures and retailers.
Labels, even “ethical” labels, mean little if the consumer does not know what actually stands behind it. With the Fairtrade label we all know. With others we do not, in fact, know. What are the criteria that allow this or that product to bear this or that “ethical” label, must always be the question. Anyone wishing to know the Fairtrade deal can learn that best from the book “Fighting the Banana Wars and other Fairtrade Battles”. Do we have the same chance to know how the worker benefits, or the environment, with all the other, by now very confusing, schemes that claim this or that?
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Credit card data stolen from supermarket chain
A computer hacker or computer hackers stole thousands of credit card numbers after managing to breach security at two U.S. grocery store chains owned by Belgium-based Delhaize Group SA, the companies admitted.
Nearly 2,000 cases of fraud have been linked to the breach, but no personal information such as names or addresses was accessed when the hacker broke into the Hannaford Bros. stores in Massachusetts, New England and New York, and Sweetbay customers in Florida, Hannaford claimed in a statement. The question is, how do they know that no other information was accessed.
According to Boston's WBZ radio 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen. Company officials were not immediately available to confirm the number of stolen card numbers. In other words, officials of the company were not prepared to admit that the is so large. They are working on so-called “damage control”, I am sure.
Hannaford, headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, said that it had become aware of unusual credit card activity on February 27 and began an investigation. It said the data was illegally accessed during the credit card authorization process. And how is this possible? If it is that easy to access such information then, maybe, we better all went back to cash payments and, maybe, checks. This definitely does not make for inspiring confidence in the systems that are in place to safeguard information that companies (and governments) hold on us. Time to put the breaks on this, methinks.
Hannaford Chief Executive Ron Hodge offered an apology for the intrusion. There are 165 Hannaford stores in the U.S. Northeast and 106 Sweetbay supermarkets in Florida.
"We sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience this has caused," Hodge said in a statement. "We have taken aggressive steps to augment our network security capabilities."
The breach is the latest at a big U.S. retailer and comes after U.S. retail group TJX Cos Inc disclosed last year that data from 45.7 million credit and debit cards were stolen by hackers over a period of 18 months, as well as personal information for 451,000 people.
A group of banks later asserted in court documents that the number of consumer accounts were affected was closer to 94 million, a charge Massachusetts-based TJX denied.
But, how can this be? The data we give out is supposed to be so secure. Yes, I am being sarcastic; a trait I am well known for. Our data is simply NOT secure on an such systems that can be accessed from the “outside” so to speak, whether business or government. This is yet another reason for for us all not to trust the governments with our personal data for any kind of national ID card scheme, whether in the UK or in the USA. With all the information in digital for cloning it is all so much easier and NOT harder, as they try to tell us all the time.
Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Nearly 2,000 cases of fraud have been linked to the breach, but no personal information such as names or addresses was accessed when the hacker broke into the Hannaford Bros. stores in Massachusetts, New England and New York, and Sweetbay customers in Florida, Hannaford claimed in a statement. The question is, how do they know that no other information was accessed.
According to Boston's WBZ radio 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen. Company officials were not immediately available to confirm the number of stolen card numbers. In other words, officials of the company were not prepared to admit that the is so large. They are working on so-called “damage control”, I am sure.
Hannaford, headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, said that it had become aware of unusual credit card activity on February 27 and began an investigation. It said the data was illegally accessed during the credit card authorization process. And how is this possible? If it is that easy to access such information then, maybe, we better all went back to cash payments and, maybe, checks. This definitely does not make for inspiring confidence in the systems that are in place to safeguard information that companies (and governments) hold on us. Time to put the breaks on this, methinks.
Hannaford Chief Executive Ron Hodge offered an apology for the intrusion. There are 165 Hannaford stores in the U.S. Northeast and 106 Sweetbay supermarkets in Florida.
"We sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience this has caused," Hodge said in a statement. "We have taken aggressive steps to augment our network security capabilities."
The breach is the latest at a big U.S. retailer and comes after U.S. retail group TJX Cos Inc disclosed last year that data from 45.7 million credit and debit cards were stolen by hackers over a period of 18 months, as well as personal information for 451,000 people.
A group of banks later asserted in court documents that the number of consumer accounts were affected was closer to 94 million, a charge Massachusetts-based TJX denied.
But, how can this be? The data we give out is supposed to be so secure. Yes, I am being sarcastic; a trait I am well known for. Our data is simply NOT secure on an such systems that can be accessed from the “outside” so to speak, whether business or government. This is yet another reason for for us all not to trust the governments with our personal data for any kind of national ID card scheme, whether in the UK or in the USA. With all the information in digital for cloning it is all so much easier and NOT harder, as they try to tell us all the time.
Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Sport Relief - Register - But HURRY!!!
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Hurry up! It is this Sunday, March 16th. Fighting the Banana Wars and other FAIRTRADE Battles - Book Review
Fighting the Banana Wars and other FAIRTRADE Battles
Harriet Lamb, CBE
Foreword by George Alagiah
© Fairtrade Foundation
Published February 2008
Published by Rider, an imprint of Ebury Publishing
ISBN 978-1-84-604083-2
Price: GBP 10.99
This is a most interesting and informative book about the beginning of the Fairtrade movement and the Fairtrade Foundation and about the ongoing battles to this very day; and eye-witness account from someone who has been there from the first hour.
This book is, in my opinion, a must read for anyone remotely interested in this subject and especially for anyone wishing to support and promote Fairtrade.
All royalties from the sale of this book go to the Fairtrade Foundation so, therefore, in buying this book you aid a good cause.
The writing style of this book is so open and easy despite the fact that it is a factual book and is quite full of humor and human warmth. One can nearly hear the voices of the people whose words are reproduced.
I can but recommend this book and must say that I have learned a great deal as to how it all started from just the first pages of the book and as to why and it can but make one incensed as to the way the poor farmers and worked, whether in the banana plantations or the tea gardens, we, and to a degree, especially where Fairtrade is not at work as yet, are still being treated. We still have a very long way to go before all will get a fair price for their produce and their work. The lack of a fair price for their produce could even apply to the farmers in countries such as the UK, seeing that milk is cheaper than bottled water, the latter which so often is but repackaged tap water.
I can but say that I did not realize what struggle has been to get the first Fairtrade bananas, for instance, onto the shelves of stores, and especially supermarket, in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
It is my opinion that we must work to bring Fairtrade also to and into other “industries”, such as rubber, cotton, clothes, carpets, crafts; the list is endless, methinks.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Harriet Lamb, CBE
Foreword by George Alagiah
© Fairtrade Foundation
Published February 2008
Published by Rider, an imprint of Ebury Publishing
ISBN 978-1-84-604083-2
Price: GBP 10.99
This is a most interesting and informative book about the beginning of the Fairtrade movement and the Fairtrade Foundation and about the ongoing battles to this very day; and eye-witness account from someone who has been there from the first hour.
This book is, in my opinion, a must read for anyone remotely interested in this subject and especially for anyone wishing to support and promote Fairtrade.
All royalties from the sale of this book go to the Fairtrade Foundation so, therefore, in buying this book you aid a good cause.
The writing style of this book is so open and easy despite the fact that it is a factual book and is quite full of humor and human warmth. One can nearly hear the voices of the people whose words are reproduced.
I can but recommend this book and must say that I have learned a great deal as to how it all started from just the first pages of the book and as to why and it can but make one incensed as to the way the poor farmers and worked, whether in the banana plantations or the tea gardens, we, and to a degree, especially where Fairtrade is not at work as yet, are still being treated. We still have a very long way to go before all will get a fair price for their produce and their work. The lack of a fair price for their produce could even apply to the farmers in countries such as the UK, seeing that milk is cheaper than bottled water, the latter which so often is but repackaged tap water.
I can but say that I did not realize what struggle has been to get the first Fairtrade bananas, for instance, onto the shelves of stores, and especially supermarket, in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
It is my opinion that we must work to bring Fairtrade also to and into other “industries”, such as rubber, cotton, clothes, carpets, crafts; the list is endless, methinks.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Terrorist Attack on Yeshiva in Jerusalem
While, I am sure, we all condemn, as we indeed must, the terrorist attack and murder of the rabbinical students at the Yeshiva in Jerusalem the other day one must, nevertheless, wonder how it can be that the government of the United States of America and and that of the United Kingdom ONLY every condemn attacks by Palestinians on Jews but never, it would appear, the other way round.
Those two countries, with Germany in addition, only ever come out in the defense of the Zionist state of Israel and its citizens and nothing is said of 100s, including children, being murdered by IDF actions against the civilian population of Gaza, for example. Nor are the targeted assassinations of Hamas officials, who, after all, won the election in Gaza, with even the observers from Western nations stating that the elections were fair, open and free, and often, during those assassinations innocent bystanders are killed or even the wrong people all together, again, often including children.
But, no condemnation from the states that immediately are very vociferous when it is Jews that are killed. Nothing is ever said against the Jewish terror, and terror it is, against the Palestinians of Gaza and elsewhere, and the blockade of Gaza, with people being forced to live off aid, having no electricity, etc.
Is it any wonder that the rest hates the West, and with West we here, obviously, predominately mean the USA and Great Britain? It certainly is not.
As in my previous article I call upon the readers of this journal to join me, and others I hope, in a boycott of Israeli companies, products and produce.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Those two countries, with Germany in addition, only ever come out in the defense of the Zionist state of Israel and its citizens and nothing is said of 100s, including children, being murdered by IDF actions against the civilian population of Gaza, for example. Nor are the targeted assassinations of Hamas officials, who, after all, won the election in Gaza, with even the observers from Western nations stating that the elections were fair, open and free, and often, during those assassinations innocent bystanders are killed or even the wrong people all together, again, often including children.
But, no condemnation from the states that immediately are very vociferous when it is Jews that are killed. Nothing is ever said against the Jewish terror, and terror it is, against the Palestinians of Gaza and elsewhere, and the blockade of Gaza, with people being forced to live off aid, having no electricity, etc.
Is it any wonder that the rest hates the West, and with West we here, obviously, predominately mean the USA and Great Britain? It certainly is not.
As in my previous article I call upon the readers of this journal to join me, and others I hope, in a boycott of Israeli companies, products and produce.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Mozzo Coffee – Product Review
This is a very smooth coffee, in my opinion, the grind of which is, theoretically, intended and designed for use with caffetieres. However, it does work equally well with filter machines that use the metal foil filters, the so-called “Gold filters”. Whether there would be a problem with filter machines using paper filters I cannot say. Then again, I would recommend anyone still using paper filters to get one of the metal foil inserts for their machines. Much better for the environment and for the pocket.Pros:
A very good smooth coffee that I really enjoyed.
Cons:
None found
Verdict:
Very good and can definitely recommend.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Ubuntu Cola – Product Review
Ubuntu seems to become a rather favorite term for a number of things right now, from a computer operating system to now a cola drink. Both are good in their own rights, but the computer program is not what we shall be looking at here, however. The Cola, on the other hand, is.I had the opportunity to, for the first time, I must admit, try this Cola drink at the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight on Sunday, February 24, 20087 at London's South Bank, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised as to its taste.
Generally, I no longer drink Cola or Cola-like drinks simply because of the “after bite”, for lack of a better word, from the over-carbonation that often takes your breath away, literally.
Ubuntu Cola appears to have a great deal less carbon dioxide in it than do most other Colas and therefore, in my opinion, has a much more pleasant taste and goes down far more smoothly than others.
The one thing that still will not make me come back to drinking Colas, even Ubuntu Cola, though, is the fact that Ubuntu Cola too, like all other Colas, list phosphoric acid in its ingredients. Personally I do not like the idea of drinking, if I can help it, any substance that is used to clean metals, for instance, as phosphoric acid is.
Pros:
Very pleasant taste due to lower amount of carbon dioxide used.
Cons:
Like all Colas, it contains phosphoric acid.
If you do like Cola, however, and don't, unlike me, mind the phosphoric acid which, as said, is an ingredient in all Colas, as far as I can see and also in Dr. Pepper, then Ubuntu Cola is the one I would recommend to you. I will chose it should I decide that, for some reason, I do want to drink a Cola, that is for certain.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Israel's Nazi Tactics Against Gaza Residents
The tactics used by the Israeli government and its so-called Defense Force, the IDF, against the residents of Gaza can only be described as Nazi tactics and are nothing short of collective punishments, in the same way as when partisans attacked the Germans, killed one or two soldiers, and whole villages, men women and children were indiscriminately massacred. Israel's behavior against the people of Gaza is no better than what the Nazis did. The Israelis are using the selfsame collective punishment ideas and the main victims are, yet again, the innocents, in the same way as was the case with the partisans on the Eastern Front.
While one cannot condone indiscriminate rocket attacks against population centers in Israel by Hamas fighters one can only wonder how any of us would react and respond if our lands had been taken by force and a state established thereupon, as it is in the case of Palestine.
While America will stand behind Israel with most of its population, and half the world, probably, may be condemning what I am about to say but: Palestine was a country that Zionist Israel stole from the people by force. People did indeed live and work in that country and it was NOT empty and barren and devoid of people, as many Zionist Jews, including and especially the late Golda Meir, claim and claimed.
Israel's behavior towards the Palestinians, Muslims and Christians alike, is no better than was the behavior of Nazi Germany in the territories it occupied; collective punishments, targeted assassinations, detention without trial (then again even the UK has those now), withholding of food, water, power and aid.
How can Israel claim the moral high ground about defending itself. It is so deep in the gutter that it does not even seem to notice it. Then again, with powerful allies such as the United States, which is politically dominated by misguided Christians and by Zionist Jews, and others such as Germany, who feel obligated to that country, and other like them, Israel has nothing to worry about.
While the West screams blue murder about Iran developing a nuclear program not a word is being said against Israel, which already has nuclear weapons ready to roll, and which, so it says, it is quite prepared to use also. There seems to be one law for Israel and another for all other countries.
Does Israel, as a nation, have the right to exist? It is not my place to judge. History and the God will do that, I am sure.
Let me say one thing though: Israel of today, and let me state that most categorically, has absolutely nothing to do with Israel of the “scriptures” and with “God's chosen People”, as many s-called Christians have been led to believe and would like to claim. The state of Israel if the Zionist State, the dream of Theodore Herzl and his Zionist Socialist friends come true and it is a secular state, founded on Zionist socialism, originally. Though it suits Israel to play to the audience of gullible “born-again” Christians all over the place but especially in the USA. The Zionists are all, bar a few exceptions, Ashkenazim, who are the descendants of a Caucasian/Turkish people who became converts to Judaism around the fall of Masada , and most of them have about as much claim on the land of Israel, from a racial-religious/ethnic standpoint as the proverbial Emperor of China.
While, when it comes to my People, the Romani-Gypsy, I often say that we, the Rom, can learn from the Jews, the same as we can learn from the African American and the Native Americans, as to emancipation of our People, I cannot see how anyone can support the state of Israel, especially not when they rain down collective punishments on men, women and children in an indiscriminate manner exactly as did the Nazis. This puts the government of Israel in the same league as Hitler's henchmen, no more and no less. The lovers of Israel will not like me saying this but so be it. The truth often hurts.
AS I said already, the judgement as to the state of Israel's right to exist, especially on stolen land, belongs to history and the God and not to man, whether Palestinian, Iranian, or other.
Personally I cannot, morally, see myself supporting a country that behaves in the same was as did Nazi Germany and therefore must ensure that I will not support this nation that is established on land stolen from others by either my purchases or whatever.
Therefore what I am going to do in this publication is to ask you, the readers, to join me in this boycott of Israeli goods and produce, with the pledge not to – knowingly – by Israeli products or produce.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
While one cannot condone indiscriminate rocket attacks against population centers in Israel by Hamas fighters one can only wonder how any of us would react and respond if our lands had been taken by force and a state established thereupon, as it is in the case of Palestine.
While America will stand behind Israel with most of its population, and half the world, probably, may be condemning what I am about to say but: Palestine was a country that Zionist Israel stole from the people by force. People did indeed live and work in that country and it was NOT empty and barren and devoid of people, as many Zionist Jews, including and especially the late Golda Meir, claim and claimed.
Israel's behavior towards the Palestinians, Muslims and Christians alike, is no better than was the behavior of Nazi Germany in the territories it occupied; collective punishments, targeted assassinations, detention without trial (then again even the UK has those now), withholding of food, water, power and aid.
How can Israel claim the moral high ground about defending itself. It is so deep in the gutter that it does not even seem to notice it. Then again, with powerful allies such as the United States, which is politically dominated by misguided Christians and by Zionist Jews, and others such as Germany, who feel obligated to that country, and other like them, Israel has nothing to worry about.
While the West screams blue murder about Iran developing a nuclear program not a word is being said against Israel, which already has nuclear weapons ready to roll, and which, so it says, it is quite prepared to use also. There seems to be one law for Israel and another for all other countries.
Does Israel, as a nation, have the right to exist? It is not my place to judge. History and the God will do that, I am sure.
Let me say one thing though: Israel of today, and let me state that most categorically, has absolutely nothing to do with Israel of the “scriptures” and with “God's chosen People”, as many s-called Christians have been led to believe and would like to claim. The state of Israel if the Zionist State, the dream of Theodore Herzl and his Zionist Socialist friends come true and it is a secular state, founded on Zionist socialism, originally. Though it suits Israel to play to the audience of gullible “born-again” Christians all over the place but especially in the USA. The Zionists are all, bar a few exceptions, Ashkenazim, who are the descendants of a Caucasian/Turkish people who became converts to Judaism around the fall of Masada , and most of them have about as much claim on the land of Israel, from a racial-religious/ethnic standpoint as the proverbial Emperor of China.
While, when it comes to my People, the Romani-Gypsy, I often say that we, the Rom, can learn from the Jews, the same as we can learn from the African American and the Native Americans, as to emancipation of our People, I cannot see how anyone can support the state of Israel, especially not when they rain down collective punishments on men, women and children in an indiscriminate manner exactly as did the Nazis. This puts the government of Israel in the same league as Hitler's henchmen, no more and no less. The lovers of Israel will not like me saying this but so be it. The truth often hurts.
AS I said already, the judgement as to the state of Israel's right to exist, especially on stolen land, belongs to history and the God and not to man, whether Palestinian, Iranian, or other.
Personally I cannot, morally, see myself supporting a country that behaves in the same was as did Nazi Germany and therefore must ensure that I will not support this nation that is established on land stolen from others by either my purchases or whatever.
Therefore what I am going to do in this publication is to ask you, the readers, to join me in this boycott of Israeli goods and produce, with the pledge not to – knowingly – by Israeli products or produce.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
Football match to promote Fairtrade and recycling
Exeter City Football Club will be working hard to promote both Fairtrade Fortnight and the importance of recycling at their match against Altrincham on Saturday 1 March.The players will be wearing Fairtrade T-Shirts prior to the match and will kick ten signed Fairtrade footballs, courtesy of The Co-operative Group, into the crowd. The club also sells Fairtrade drinks and snacks in their match day catering and conference facilities.
In addition City Council recycling officers will be offering advice on recycling and giving away My Green Bag jute bags. The City Council has recently been working with Exeter City's club management, advising on a number of environmental issues, including the best way for the club to recycle its waste and save money. Sponsorship for Saturday's match is being provided by Perry's Recycling, who have also been working with the City Council.
Exeter's Lord Mayor will also be attending to show her support for both important initiatives.
Cllr Greg Sheldon, Lead Councillor for Economy and Tourism said: ". We are delighted that Exeter City Football Club are helping to promote both the importance of recycling and also Fairtrade Fortnight.
The production of footballs is a good example of how the Fairtrade system can make a difference - to make a football requires around 690 stitches, which means an experienced stitcher can only make three to five balls per day.
This greatly limits the amount of money they can earn. However, under the Fairtrade system, workers receive a wage which is around 50% higher than the usual pay rate, making a huge difference to their earning ability."
Now let us just hope that other football clubs and sporting venues, such as race courses, etc. take a leaf out of Exeter City FC's book and follow suit, and NOT ONLY for Fairtrade Fortnight. Fairtrade coffee and tea, hot chocolate, chocolates and other goods, should be and become the standard at all venues of that nature and also at all town halls and government offices. It is time, especially, that the likes of local governments, as well as central government put their money where their mouths are in regards to Fairtrade and environmental issues. In most case, however, including the Mayor of London, it would appear to be a case of “do as I say but not as I do”.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008
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