I just got back from watching Peter Jackson's Kong. Pretty good. Don't notice the 3 hours. Its great how much computer animated violence you can show to a 12 year old- as long as they are accompanied by an adult of course. At one point Kong actually bit the tongue out of a dinosaur's mouth and spit it out in slow motion. Great action throughout, spoilt by "Lord of the Rings" style "slow mo's with choirs" It was great to see the stars of Jurrasic park back in work and up to their usual tricks.
One of my favourite bloggers put her "bitchitude" into this movie a little while back. I can see her point, but I still think of the Gorilla as a Gorilla and not a black man. Especially this gorilla. The amount of facial expressions he comunicates is an artistic triumph. I always believed Golem was robed anyway, so give the Gorilla the Oscar.
In Jackson's version Kong is still the hero, and his friendship with the blonde chick is more platonic than in the slightly steamier 70's version. He's sort of a surf dude at heart who wants to chill and watch the sunset. Still a Gorilla though.
I'm more offended about Banarnia. When are we going to see a real British kid on film and not these stupid, dizzy Enid Blyton "posh twats for the American audience"?
"Oh Edmund! leth's go to Narnia! It'll be fantathtic!"
What a pile of bollox. Please don't encourage the makers of movies like these. If you are American write to your studios- DEMAND REAL ENGLISH ACTORS! Not this spiffing "blatht from the patht" with lashings of ginger beer bullshit.
December 16, 2005
December 15, 2005
Hearts and minds
=================
Another gripping report from Ian Williams in Pakistan tonight a neat
insight into how the Jihadists have seized the moral high ground and
popular support for their verve and efficiency in bringing aid in the
aftermath of the earthquake.
snowmails
=================
Another gripping report from Ian Williams in Pakistan tonight a neat
insight into how the Jihadists have seized the moral high ground and
popular support for their verve and efficiency in bringing aid in the
aftermath of the earthquake.
snowmails
December 14, 2005
Do you dare to feel responsible for every dollar you lay down
are you going to make the rich man richer
or are you going to stand your ground
You say you want a revolution
a communal evolution
to be a part of the solution
maybe I'll be seeing you around.
are you going to make the rich man richer
or are you going to stand your ground
You say you want a revolution
a communal evolution
to be a part of the solution
maybe I'll be seeing you around.
The 491 Gallery has turned something worse than a nightmare into something I am proud of, something I love, and something that has touched the hearts of thousands.
The council is stuck in a backwash of bureaucracy. What chance is there for regeneration to take place in our lives? Red tape blinds the eyes of those in the power to activate change. Good people struggle to help transform the lot of those less fortunate than themselves... and yet in the struggle for funding and corporate reputation find it near impossible to give true ownership over to those on the ground.
491 has taken its space, founded a pirate utopia and tries to build bridges to the otherside, to the everyday man complaining that there is nothing to be done.
The council is stuck in a backwash of bureaucracy. What chance is there for regeneration to take place in our lives? Red tape blinds the eyes of those in the power to activate change. Good people struggle to help transform the lot of those less fortunate than themselves... and yet in the struggle for funding and corporate reputation find it near impossible to give true ownership over to those on the ground.
491 has taken its space, founded a pirate utopia and tries to build bridges to the otherside, to the everyday man complaining that there is nothing to be done.
December 13, 2005
...yesterday Adam Ingram, the armed forces minister, refused to say how many times a Boeing 737 and a Gulfstream identified by the Guardian as being used by the CIA - registered N313P and N379P - had landed in Britain. Such information could only be provided at "disproportionate cost", he said. The Department of Transport says it does not need a record of the two aircraft unless they were involved in "civil commercial" operations. It also says it needed no record if the aircraft landed to refuel.
Mr Straw and Mr Ingram yesterday refused to say what MI5 and MI6 knew about such flights, or about "rendering" suspects. It was the government's policy "never to comment on intelligence matters", they said. In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme yesterday Mr Straw admitted CIA flights came to Britain. Asked if he was saying that aircraft - first identified by the Guardian - were not CIA planes, Mr Straw replied: "I am not telling you that."
Mr Straw and Mr Ingram yesterday refused to say what MI5 and MI6 knew about such flights, or about "rendering" suspects. It was the government's policy "never to comment on intelligence matters", they said. In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme yesterday Mr Straw admitted CIA flights came to Britain. Asked if he was saying that aircraft - first identified by the Guardian - were not CIA planes, Mr Straw replied: "I am not telling you that."
A Citizen of Mosul tells it like it is
The doctor says the Americans have helped bring in new Iran-backed terror.
"So many of us are against Iraq being controlled by these fundamental Islamic Iranian loyalists like al-Hakim," the doctor told IPS. "Now we are seeing the suffering and ultimate dictatorship they have brought us here with the help of the Americans."
also from Channel 4:
the British Government considers the US military commissions do not guarantee a fair trial in accordance with international standards.
The doctor says the Americans have helped bring in new Iran-backed terror.
"So many of us are against Iraq being controlled by these fundamental Islamic Iranian loyalists like al-Hakim," the doctor told IPS. "Now we are seeing the suffering and ultimate dictatorship they have brought us here with the help of the Americans."
also from Channel 4:
the British Government considers the US military commissions do not guarantee a fair trial in accordance with international standards.
December 12, 2005
I've got a cunning plan....
Is any of this varifiable or is it just someones fantasy? Al-Qaida's plans to 2020.
I remember Mr. Hamza used to say "I think Bin Ladens message means..."
and all the journalists used to scuttle off convinced Hamza had him on the other end of a satellite phone planning the minute details of global jihad. "Bin Laden" and "Al-Qaidas" enormity is cooked up between Republican and Islamic fantasists isn't it? Where are these hordes of Jihadis?
BARRY on Hamza:
"The national media have puffed this person up to be something that he probably delighted in being... It just seemed to me that the solution to the Abu Hamza problem was to actually stop giving him all the publicity that everyone was giving him and then the negative impact he was having on the Muslim community...the mainstream community...all of that was power...the fact that the newscasters would stand there and listen to what he said."
also for reference from the same article for whoever maybe taking an interest:
BONES: You see what I don’t want, as I am not attatched to a production company is if I have the phone numbers of these guys. I don’t want press saying "He’s with them" or any of that bollocks. You know, I ain’t a Muslim.not in any sense of the imagination. Never been tempted.
BARRY: Sure.
BONES: I mean I don’t want to be picked up myself, you know. Like “He’s been talking to them” I mean I have been talking to them. For two years, like. I am very interested in what they have to say.
BARRY: Well you’ve been talking to me as well. We’re cool about that. There’s no problem.
Many who have been involved in street protests, especially in London, in recent months will have come across the Metropolitan Police’s Public Order Intelligence Unit (POIU), part of its public Order Branch. Led by Inspector Barry Norman, it was set up initially to deal with football hooligans.
I remember Mr. Hamza used to say "I think Bin Ladens message means..."
and all the journalists used to scuttle off convinced Hamza had him on the other end of a satellite phone planning the minute details of global jihad. "Bin Laden" and "Al-Qaidas" enormity is cooked up between Republican and Islamic fantasists isn't it? Where are these hordes of Jihadis?
BARRY on Hamza:"The national media have puffed this person up to be something that he probably delighted in being... It just seemed to me that the solution to the Abu Hamza problem was to actually stop giving him all the publicity that everyone was giving him and then the negative impact he was having on the Muslim community...the mainstream community...all of that was power...the fact that the newscasters would stand there and listen to what he said."
also for reference from the same article for whoever maybe taking an interest:
BONES: You see what I don’t want, as I am not attatched to a production company is if I have the phone numbers of these guys. I don’t want press saying "He’s with them" or any of that bollocks. You know, I ain’t a Muslim.not in any sense of the imagination. Never been tempted.
BARRY: Sure.
BONES: I mean I don’t want to be picked up myself, you know. Like “He’s been talking to them” I mean I have been talking to them. For two years, like. I am very interested in what they have to say.
BARRY: Well you’ve been talking to me as well. We’re cool about that. There’s no problem.
Many who have been involved in street protests, especially in London, in recent months will have come across the Metropolitan Police’s Public Order Intelligence Unit (POIU), part of its public Order Branch. Led by Inspector Barry Norman, it was set up initially to deal with football hooligans.
December 11, 2005
Forward INTELLIGENCE team
picture from indymediaNot to labour the point, but the clue is in the title guys.
If 6 F.I.T. crew dawdle around incessantly photographing someone who looks like this whilst THOUSANDS of kids who look like this shouting "ALLAH HO AKBAR!! ARE YOU GOING TO ARREST ALL OF US?" pass by then all I can say is we really are in trouble in London aren't we???
OK guys. This is got me a bit melancholy. I mean shit. I AM JUST INTERESTED OK GUYS? In some ways its nice to know that I can still provoke that reaction in a member of the fucking F.I.T. crew but I think scores were settled between "them" and "us" a long time ago don't you? I mean Thatcher hasn't been in power for a long time now has she? I have personaly always been at peace with those who choose to wear blue all day.
I mean I want to go to America to film with all my Republican buddies for fuck sake. We're all friends. We don't want to kill each other do we? If they pass those photos to the Americans will I get fucking extraordinarily fucking rendered? I've got my rights!
To all who may happen upon this humble diary I'm telling you like it is. Its a good story. I'm just interested OK? Fuckin calm down like. Just let me follow the fucking story. I've met a whole load of crazy sounding people saying crazy sounding things. Even crazier people shout at them from crazy red newspapers, government chambers in the UK, the US and on frumpy suited television. I'm as close to the middle of it as I can get and I still don't believe there is a God. I'm beginning to wonder whether it is all just a huge misunderstanding and we can all fuck off home.
To anyone "else" I'm just trying to make your job a bit easier. Call it "Community liason."
Seriously from now on if you want to know who I am
ASK FUCKING BARRY.
Just ask him. OK?
December 10, 2005
TEMPLATE
Still got template problems. To the bloggers who I usually link to, you are coming back! I promise. Thanks for your support.
A BIT OF "SELF STYLING"
Hizb ut-Tahir march, London
Thousands of young Muslims from all over the country segregated into groups of men and groups of women. Most of the girls looked between the ages of 14 and 20. The result of the British "integration experiment."
Whilst A-B marches always have ordered slogans, non-denominational "peace marches" always have a bit of chaos around the edges. This was a march of monotheism with strict order and segregation. Overwhelmingly young Muslim's led from the front by, amongst others Yvonne Ridley.
I arrived late and caught the back end, filtering up the side as the crowd of thousands passed Downing street. Coming up on a group of maybe over a thousand Islamic girls shouting slogans was like listening to a flock of birds in the trees. Surreal.
I followed all the way, annoyed that I hadn't got a camera to record the thoughts and faces of passers by as they witnessed this strange sight. The Police, sensing no threat of violence did not enforce a strict "you're either in or you're out" policy and I was able to wander at will. I eventually parked myself at a coffee shop on Piccadilly to watch this strange procession and keep an eye out for anyone I might recognise from Finsbury park.
Sitting down I thought I noticed some Police vaguely peering at me from behind a plant I was sat next to. Sure enough, in a few minutes a F.I.T. photographer (see here and here)made it very obvious he was taking my photograph. I smiled and gave him a thumbs up for his picture and then looked at him very deliberately with righteous indignation which encouraged the original snoopers to come and question me.
"What is your name?" they asked.
"David." I told them.
"What's your last name David?"
"Unless you are arresting me, I'm not really happy to tell you anything. I haven't done anything."
"You've been following this demonstration for a long time. We don't know who you are."
I told them that I had been filming with Hamza's friends in Finsbury park for two years and that my films were on socialistwanker.com, which eased the tension a bit. I also told them that if they asked Barry Norman, he would be able to tell them who I was.
"Well we don't know who you are and you are shaking."
"I'm angry because the man took my photograph without asking who I was."
"Have you any identification?"
I pulled out my cashcard, which we had a bit of a tug of war with.
"Have you been arrested for anything before David?"
"No. Never. I am very interested in the story of British Fundamental Islam."
"So you are a self styled journalist with socialistwanker?"
I relaxed a bit when he said this. As it was the first indication that he actually understood who I was, I no longer felt myself to be at the mercy of a Policeman's imagination about who I could be. I realised that they were actually a bit nervous of me when they stopped me reaching for my pockets.
"So where do you live David?"
"London."
"Where abouts in London?"
"London in London. Look mate just ask Barry."
the questioning got a bit more peaceable as we moved on to the quality of the food in the cafe.
"So are you thinking of becoming a Muslim and joining this?" one of them asked.
"I don't believe there is a God." I answered.
He looked down, a bit thoughtful like. "OK. Thanks for your time."
I was still shaking a bit as I walked on, but to be honest I was glad to get the conversation out of the way. I should really get some sort of journalist card. The photographer still took photo's of me as I passed. In Hyde park I heard Babar Ahmed's father speak about the campaign to free him. I also heard Yvonne Ridley saying that anyone who bought Coca Cola was "Buying the bullets for the Zionists to kill Palestinian children with."
She asked for a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11, 7/7, Madrid and Bali and berated the government over their silence at thousands of Muslim deaths around the world.
she finnished:
"When the British government invaded a Muslim country we marched and it made no difference. If they dare to invade another, we won't march. We will riot."
at this point there were maybe 10 or 12 Police calmly standing at a distance from maybe 2 or 3 thousand Islamists, none of whom looked like they were about to riot.
If those 10 or 12 Police had heard what she said I don't think it registered. They were no doubt happy that because of the F.I.T. squads exhaustive work over the last 10 years those who really would riot stay at home these days and out of these well mannered shinning sucesses of the comprehensive school system they've only got to find the nervous few who would strap explosives to themselves and blow the rest of us up. Good luck.
My clue for nothing: None of them have bones in their ears or rings through their fucking shnozels.
The only broadcast crew who were filming came up to me, one of them smiled.
"The Police are taking a big interest in you. We were following that guy for a while. He came a very long way to take a photograph of you." he told me.
"Maybe the bones in my ears make them nervous." I answered.
Thousands of young Muslims from all over the country segregated into groups of men and groups of women. Most of the girls looked between the ages of 14 and 20. The result of the British "integration experiment."
Whilst A-B marches always have ordered slogans, non-denominational "peace marches" always have a bit of chaos around the edges. This was a march of monotheism with strict order and segregation. Overwhelmingly young Muslim's led from the front by, amongst others Yvonne Ridley.
I arrived late and caught the back end, filtering up the side as the crowd of thousands passed Downing street. Coming up on a group of maybe over a thousand Islamic girls shouting slogans was like listening to a flock of birds in the trees. Surreal.
I followed all the way, annoyed that I hadn't got a camera to record the thoughts and faces of passers by as they witnessed this strange sight. The Police, sensing no threat of violence did not enforce a strict "you're either in or you're out" policy and I was able to wander at will. I eventually parked myself at a coffee shop on Piccadilly to watch this strange procession and keep an eye out for anyone I might recognise from Finsbury park.
Sitting down I thought I noticed some Police vaguely peering at me from behind a plant I was sat next to. Sure enough, in a few minutes a F.I.T. photographer (see here and here)made it very obvious he was taking my photograph. I smiled and gave him a thumbs up for his picture and then looked at him very deliberately with righteous indignation which encouraged the original snoopers to come and question me.
"What is your name?" they asked.
"David." I told them.
"What's your last name David?"
"Unless you are arresting me, I'm not really happy to tell you anything. I haven't done anything."
"You've been following this demonstration for a long time. We don't know who you are."
I told them that I had been filming with Hamza's friends in Finsbury park for two years and that my films were on socialistwanker.com, which eased the tension a bit. I also told them that if they asked Barry Norman, he would be able to tell them who I was.
"Well we don't know who you are and you are shaking."
"I'm angry because the man took my photograph without asking who I was."
"Have you any identification?"
I pulled out my cashcard, which we had a bit of a tug of war with.
"Have you been arrested for anything before David?"
"No. Never. I am very interested in the story of British Fundamental Islam."
"So you are a self styled journalist with socialistwanker?"
I relaxed a bit when he said this. As it was the first indication that he actually understood who I was, I no longer felt myself to be at the mercy of a Policeman's imagination about who I could be. I realised that they were actually a bit nervous of me when they stopped me reaching for my pockets.
"So where do you live David?"
"London."
"Where abouts in London?"
"London in London. Look mate just ask Barry."
the questioning got a bit more peaceable as we moved on to the quality of the food in the cafe.
"So are you thinking of becoming a Muslim and joining this?" one of them asked.
"I don't believe there is a God." I answered.
He looked down, a bit thoughtful like. "OK. Thanks for your time."
I was still shaking a bit as I walked on, but to be honest I was glad to get the conversation out of the way. I should really get some sort of journalist card. The photographer still took photo's of me as I passed. In Hyde park I heard Babar Ahmed's father speak about the campaign to free him. I also heard Yvonne Ridley saying that anyone who bought Coca Cola was "Buying the bullets for the Zionists to kill Palestinian children with."
She asked for a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11, 7/7, Madrid and Bali and berated the government over their silence at thousands of Muslim deaths around the world.
she finnished:
"When the British government invaded a Muslim country we marched and it made no difference. If they dare to invade another, we won't march. We will riot."
at this point there were maybe 10 or 12 Police calmly standing at a distance from maybe 2 or 3 thousand Islamists, none of whom looked like they were about to riot.
If those 10 or 12 Police had heard what she said I don't think it registered. They were no doubt happy that because of the F.I.T. squads exhaustive work over the last 10 years those who really would riot stay at home these days and out of these well mannered shinning sucesses of the comprehensive school system they've only got to find the nervous few who would strap explosives to themselves and blow the rest of us up. Good luck.
My clue for nothing: None of them have bones in their ears or rings through their fucking shnozels.
The only broadcast crew who were filming came up to me, one of them smiled.
"The Police are taking a big interest in you. We were following that guy for a while. He came a very long way to take a photograph of you." he told me.
"Maybe the bones in my ears make them nervous." I answered.
A NEW TWIST...
Strangely enough Glen Jenvey got in contact with me the other day. I've always been aware of his workand the fact that it is his evidence which the prosecution are relying on in the Hamza case but I never thought of directly contacting him. My films are the opposite to his. Watch them. They were a big inspiration to me to look for the other side.
Last night, speaking to Hajj I told him
"Whilst you are not saying "Kill all Jews" and you clearly state that innocents should not be bombed in this country, I am always interested in carrying on following your story as none of you have threatened me and the Police don't seem to want to arrest any of you..."
I told him Glen had been in contact.
"Over the years I have developed a genuine concern, although I have no idea who Mr. Hamza is myself, in the fact that you believe he is innocent. You must also appreciate that in terms of a story, for me to get the other side of this accurately, and be able to contrast the two in film would be a serious development of the huge amount of hard work I have put into this project. In the interests of objectivity, a thing which British film makers champion."
Hajj told me that I should be paid thousands for what I have been doing, which was very touching.
The best thing I could hope for in terms of pure documentary exploration would be a filmed meeting between Glen Jenvey and the friends of Abu Hamza who I have met. I have read he claims to have recieved threats from Mr. Hamza's associates, so I am not sure how easy this would be to engineer, but I suggested it to Glen by email and got this reply:
Meet the man who put abu hamza behind bar's? interview? may-be not a wise thing i don't think they would want to meet me and i might not be allowed to do such a interview. but i my-self would say yes i'm interested in the idea if i get the going ahead. they may want to meet up and explain why they are so racist against other faith's and people living in the west i would be interested in hearing this from they own lip's.
It is interesting that Glen shares some of the same regular mistakes in written English that I manage to express myself with in this blog. I was also surprised that he shared the same mission:
my self i'm always looking for way's to bring peace not war i think al-qaeda and there supporters are a bunch of thugs may-be they can show to me they are human..
I'm really glad Glen has got in touch. He told me about a book he has been involved in and a film called Obsession. He promised to watch my films. He also tipped me off about a demo by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain which I went down to today.
(is) there ... no will by the police to stop this group of islamic terrorist's? he asks.
He asked what I felt about the Iraq war. I answered that I was aware of good and bad on both sides, but I felt that Hamza was wasted in Prison. Whilst I have been making a huge effort to get Mr. Hamza's friends side of this story, it would be good to have the opportunity to place myself more squarely and responsibly in the middle. If I can record everyones views without upsetting anyone I reckon that would be an achievement.
Although no one has realised it yet, this is a hugely exciting human drama. I honestly feel for everyone involved in it.
Last night, speaking to Hajj I told him
"Whilst you are not saying "Kill all Jews" and you clearly state that innocents should not be bombed in this country, I am always interested in carrying on following your story as none of you have threatened me and the Police don't seem to want to arrest any of you..."
I told him Glen had been in contact.
"Over the years I have developed a genuine concern, although I have no idea who Mr. Hamza is myself, in the fact that you believe he is innocent. You must also appreciate that in terms of a story, for me to get the other side of this accurately, and be able to contrast the two in film would be a serious development of the huge amount of hard work I have put into this project. In the interests of objectivity, a thing which British film makers champion."
Hajj told me that I should be paid thousands for what I have been doing, which was very touching.
The best thing I could hope for in terms of pure documentary exploration would be a filmed meeting between Glen Jenvey and the friends of Abu Hamza who I have met. I have read he claims to have recieved threats from Mr. Hamza's associates, so I am not sure how easy this would be to engineer, but I suggested it to Glen by email and got this reply:
Meet the man who put abu hamza behind bar's? interview? may-be not a wise thing i don't think they would want to meet me and i might not be allowed to do such a interview. but i my-self would say yes i'm interested in the idea if i get the going ahead. they may want to meet up and explain why they are so racist against other faith's and people living in the west i would be interested in hearing this from they own lip's.
It is interesting that Glen shares some of the same regular mistakes in written English that I manage to express myself with in this blog. I was also surprised that he shared the same mission:
my self i'm always looking for way's to bring peace not war i think al-qaeda and there supporters are a bunch of thugs may-be they can show to me they are human..
I'm really glad Glen has got in touch. He told me about a book he has been involved in and a film called Obsession. He promised to watch my films. He also tipped me off about a demo by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain which I went down to today.
(is) there ... no will by the police to stop this group of islamic terrorist's? he asks.
He asked what I felt about the Iraq war. I answered that I was aware of good and bad on both sides, but I felt that Hamza was wasted in Prison. Whilst I have been making a huge effort to get Mr. Hamza's friends side of this story, it would be good to have the opportunity to place myself more squarely and responsibly in the middle. If I can record everyones views without upsetting anyone I reckon that would be an achievement.
Although no one has realised it yet, this is a hugely exciting human drama. I honestly feel for everyone involved in it.
HAJJ'S PLACE
OK. I just got back from Hajj's place where I got to see Channel 4's dispatches programme on Extraordinary rendition. Very good stuff anchored by Andrew Gilligan. I also heard from Hajj that two ex-attendee's of Finsbury park mosque have been arrested. A couple of Algerians they want to deport but I'm still trying to work out which ones. He went into more detail about the centrality of his house to "fundamental" Islam.
"al-Faisal used to call this his second home."
Hamza had been round, all the neighbours know Hajj well.
"Meetings with these people and up to sixty people happened here all the time for years. This is a dawa house."
The Police have never, ever questioned Hajj once about anything.
"Someone drew the curtain once. I said brother why do you draw the curtain? My house is open, the door is open. Nothing in here is secret. If anyone has secrets, take them somewhere else."
After the film I watched Yvonne Ridley on the Islamic channel for a bit. I told Hajj I had met her once but she didn't seem to like me very much. He said that all of them had thought something bad about me when they had first seen me.
"What- you thought I was MI-5?"
"Worse."
"A Satan worshipper?"
"Worse. I don't want to say and insult you..."
"Ahhh... You thought I was gay because of the bones in my ears..."
"Yes. That was the discussion we had. Its not because of what you look like in itself..."
"And being gay is worse than worshipping Satan?"
"Do you think homosexuals are naturally born that way?"
"Yes. I think so." I said. "Although I am not gay myself, I agree with the rights of gays and lesbians who live here in peace. The world is over populated anyway..."
"So how would God make something that isn't perfect?"
It is hard talking to someone with a God concept when I don't have one. Its strange talking in such a peacable manner about such emotive things. Hajj has taken a step back from all things "fundamental" including, I fear further participation in my filming. If I could I'd have a camera on him 24/7 and it wouldn't be for security reasons. I want to film him on his step-machine.
"al-Faisal used to call this his second home."
Hamza had been round, all the neighbours know Hajj well.
"Meetings with these people and up to sixty people happened here all the time for years. This is a dawa house."
The Police have never, ever questioned Hajj once about anything.
"Someone drew the curtain once. I said brother why do you draw the curtain? My house is open, the door is open. Nothing in here is secret. If anyone has secrets, take them somewhere else."
After the film I watched Yvonne Ridley on the Islamic channel for a bit. I told Hajj I had met her once but she didn't seem to like me very much. He said that all of them had thought something bad about me when they had first seen me.
"What- you thought I was MI-5?"
"Worse."
"A Satan worshipper?"
"Worse. I don't want to say and insult you..."
"Ahhh... You thought I was gay because of the bones in my ears..."
"Yes. That was the discussion we had. Its not because of what you look like in itself..."
"And being gay is worse than worshipping Satan?"
"Do you think homosexuals are naturally born that way?"
"Yes. I think so." I said. "Although I am not gay myself, I agree with the rights of gays and lesbians who live here in peace. The world is over populated anyway..."
"So how would God make something that isn't perfect?"
It is hard talking to someone with a God concept when I don't have one. Its strange talking in such a peacable manner about such emotive things. Hajj has taken a step back from all things "fundamental" including, I fear further participation in my filming. If I could I'd have a camera on him 24/7 and it wouldn't be for security reasons. I want to film him on his step-machine.
December 09, 2005
CATERPILLARS
Sorry I've lost all the links at the side of my blog. The caterpillars have been at my html again. Does anyone else get this problem?
December 08, 2005
SNOW NEGOTIATIONS
Cleric’s plea for UK hostage
=============================
We have the quite unbelievable sight of radical cleric Abu Qatada
speaking from Full Sutton High Security prison straight to camera as we have
never seen him before, pleading for the life of the British hostage in
Iraq, Norman Kember.
Heaven knows how this was conjured up. It has been suggested in the
past that British intelligence tolerated Qatada's radical preaching
because it enabled them to keep in touch with people who they were interested
in.
Whether that relationship extended to persuading the cleric to
intercede on Britain's behalf to save a British citizen, we don't know, but the
very idea of a man detained effectively without trial for opaque
charges connected with terrorism then being asked to participate in UK
diplomacy seems to be a novel turn.
UK role in terrorist rendition
================================
Jonathan Miller reports on the increasingly murky tale of Britain's
involvement in the transport of American-held terror suspects. This is a
story that threatens to get very seriously out of hand if the Blair
government can't hose it down.
The PM's efforts at PMQs today were not entirely persuasive. Charles
Kennedy is out of his quarters at the Liberal Democrat parliamentary base
to pursue the PM with very specific questions. We will be talking to Mr
Kennedy tonight.
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Lord Steyn on Guantanamo and "extraordinary rendition"
=============================
We have the quite unbelievable sight of radical cleric Abu Qatada
speaking from Full Sutton High Security prison straight to camera as we have
never seen him before, pleading for the life of the British hostage in
Iraq, Norman Kember.
Heaven knows how this was conjured up. It has been suggested in the
past that British intelligence tolerated Qatada's radical preaching
because it enabled them to keep in touch with people who they were interested
in.
Whether that relationship extended to persuading the cleric to
intercede on Britain's behalf to save a British citizen, we don't know, but the
very idea of a man detained effectively without trial for opaque
charges connected with terrorism then being asked to participate in UK
diplomacy seems to be a novel turn.
UK role in terrorist rendition
================================
Jonathan Miller reports on the increasingly murky tale of Britain's
involvement in the transport of American-held terror suspects. This is a
story that threatens to get very seriously out of hand if the Blair
government can't hose it down.
The PM's efforts at PMQs today were not entirely persuasive. Charles
Kennedy is out of his quarters at the Liberal Democrat parliamentary base
to pursue the PM with very specific questions. We will be talking to Mr
Kennedy tonight.
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Lord Steyn on Guantanamo and "extraordinary rendition"
Getting Somewhere?
Absolutely fascinating news. Abu Qatada releases a "Don't kill the hostages" video from inside prison. Kidnappers extend deadline. The government say they will listen to the kidnappers but cannot negotiate. Word comes back from the kidnappers: "You won't listen to us!"
"Oh Yes we will!" say the government.
Bit Pythonesque no?
Malung prediction: Next message from the hostages will be "No you won't listen to us! You're all bastard kaffirs etc." the government will come back with "No! We are nice!"
All I can say is good luck to both sides in this and to the hostages in the middle. If these guys peace mission can bring peace, we've got to hope some good can come from this.
Independent,
Bloomberg
"Oh Yes we will!" say the government.
Bit Pythonesque no?
Malung prediction: Next message from the hostages will be "No you won't listen to us! You're all bastard kaffirs etc." the government will come back with "No! We are nice!"
All I can say is good luck to both sides in this and to the hostages in the middle. If these guys peace mission can bring peace, we've got to hope some good can come from this.
Independent,
Bloomberg
December 05, 2005
I've always refused to be drawn on the subject of conspiracy in the media. How the fuck do I know? Jamal once showed me a film distributed among young Islamists which seemed to portray media as a sort of “spell” which everyone was under. A deliberate “process” of secularization.
If there was a group who had that much control of the TV I see the messages were definately still slipping through their clutches today. First I watched a film on TV where a monkey was choosing the programming of a Television station. Then I watched a film which clearly said that I must move into a state of not trying, appreciating the journey around me through my eyes. Maybe TV is my guru. A woman taught me to bend. Things of value which cost nothing come toward me.I am very conscious of what God is Not an Asshole quotes:
"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."
If there was a group who had that much control of the TV I see the messages were definately still slipping through their clutches today. First I watched a film on TV where a monkey was choosing the programming of a Television station. Then I watched a film which clearly said that I must move into a state of not trying, appreciating the journey around me through my eyes. Maybe TV is my guru. A woman taught me to bend. Things of value which cost nothing come toward me.I am very conscious of what God is Not an Asshole quotes:
"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."
December 03, 2005
December 01, 2005
GOING DOWN
It was nice to be around St Agnes place as it finnaly bit the dust after 30 years. I never lived there but was invited to a couple of times. It seemed like it was a very hard space to hold over the last couple of years with the good guys putting lots of invites out to cool people they met to try and balance the more "difficult" element. Bob Marley stayed there a year after it was first squatted in 1972. It was funny seeing the press release Lambeth council put out with artists impressions of the proposed new development.
The last frequently asked question: Why has it taken 30 years to do this?
The 200 or so Police had it pretty easy. Plenty of people had been told about the imminent eviction including me. We all thought, yeah heard that last year, and the year before. I was actually heading up the previous night but was stopped by the cold.
A couple of my friends who shall remain nameless woke up to see riot Police coming down the road, headed their drugs and barricaded the doors. A lot of familiar faces congregated over the day and although the harder Police were their usual selves on the inside, on the outside Police were negotiating the return of peoples belongings. The best picture I missed was a Policeman in full riot gear carrying a bass-tube.
My friends came out eventually. The Police had told them there was a gas leak and that if they didn't come out they would be removed by force if necessary. It turns out they weren't lying either. The guy over the road had pulled a gas pipe off the wall and was threatening to light it. I asked the Police if they needed someone to talk to him but they told me a friend was already doing so from outside. I saw lots of photographers I recognised from Finsbury park. There don't seem to be that many news photographers in London.
video via indymedia
article indymedia
telegraph,BBC,Gulf Times, Qatar,Livestyle extra,Guardian
There was a tiny protest outside Brixton town hall, but most of the ex-residents were out cracking squats to live in. I think everyone is OK.
St Agnes place website
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