Oncoming oppression III...

---

...or is it IV, or XV?! *

Image credit Imperial War Museums [LINK]
Ministerio de Propaganda

If you tolerate this, Then your children will be next [MSP Lyrics] ...but it's already too late, your children - or at the latest their children - will be dead or slaves. Not about WWIII the West is trying to start, not about Madrid (Spanish Civil War) but certainly involving multiple equivalents of the Ministerio de Propaganda. 

What am I on about? Just yesterday YouGov (yeah yeah, know who they are and what they are...and polls suck, but hey-ho) released a poll; it coincides with the highly suspicious controlled release of Government Tweets during the pandemic, nudging us towards blaming just a few crass 'incompetents' for two years of of totalitarian oppression and gross negligence that caused multiple thousands of deaths (probably millions worldwide, and certainly more than any virus).

The poll: "In hindsight, thinking about the government's handling of the Covid‑19 outbreak, do you think their approach was generally...?"

Now, one would think, especially now with all the information that is openly being reported [facts that many - mostly unjabbed - had, by complete coincidence, or magic, or something, knew years ago] would mean that anybody even remotely lucid would say, with absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that the government's handling was absolutely and utterly bat-shit (see what I did there?) crazy; high-handed jack-booted face-punchingly fucked up crazy... 

...you'd be wrong. Thirty seven percent (37%!!!) of all adults thought the government wasn't strict enough. 

There are several break-downs of the full numbers: gender, age, region, politics and social grade.  For the most part it is similarly split: in 'Politics' no surprise the lefty liberal fuckwits wanted harder lockdown, as did Remainers. In gender, males were slightly higher than females in 'Too strict', and fewer males were 'Don't knows'; similar to females in the lower social grade: they too were higher 'Too strict' and fewer 'Don't knows'. 

BUT, the major tell, the point of this post, and the highest number throughout the poll: in the Age section (see table below): over half (51%) of 18-24 year olds thought the government's approach was 'Not strict enough'. We're fucked. They are doomed.

 

* Previous posts: Oncoming oppression, Oncoming oppression II although - rather embarrassingly - I note I used those same two titles before: the first in 2008 and 2009, and the second in 2011: several pages of Oppression posts HERE, no surprise that many are in last last three years.

Oncoming oppression III...

---

...or is it IV, or XV?! *

Image credit Imperial War Museums [LINK]
Ministerio de Propaganda

If you tolerate this, Then your children will be next [MSP Lyrics] ...but it's already too late, your children - or at the latest their children - will be dead or slaves. Not about WWIII the West is trying to start, not about Madrid (Spanish Civil War) but certainly involving multiple equivalents of the Ministerio de Propaganda. 

What am I on about? Just yesterday YouGov (yeah yeah, know who they are and what they are...and polls suck, but hey-ho) released a poll; it coincides with the highly suspicious controlled release of Government Tweets during the pandemic, nudging us towards blaming just a few crass 'incompetents' for two years of of totalitarian oppression and gross negligence that caused multiple thousands of deaths (probably millions worldwide, and certainly more than any virus).

The poll: "In hindsight, thinking about the government's handling of the Covid‑19 outbreak, do you think their approach was generally...?"

Now, one would think, especially now with all the information that is openly being reported [facts that many - mostly unjabbed - had, by complete coincidence, or magic, or something, knew years ago] would mean that anybody even remotely lucid would say, with absolutely no doubt whatsoever, that the government's handling was absolutely and utterly bat-shit (see what I did there?) crazy; high-handed jack-booted face-punchingly fucked up crazy... 

...you'd be wrong. Thirty seven percent (37%!!!) of all adults thought the government wasn't strict enough. 

There are several break-downs of the full numbers: gender, age, region, politics and social grade.  For the most part it is similarly split: in 'Politics' no surprise the lefty liberal fuckwits wanted harder lockdown, as did Remainers. In gender, males were slightly higher than females in 'Too strict', and fewer males were 'Don't knows'; similar to females in the lower social grade: they too were higher 'Too strict' and fewer 'Don't knows'. 

BUT, the major tell, the point of this post, and the highest number throughout the poll: in the Age section (see table below): over half (51%) of 18-24 year olds thought the government's approach was 'Not strict enough'. We're fucked. They are doomed.

 

* Previous posts: Oncoming oppression, Oncoming oppression II although - rather embarrassingly - I note I used those same two titles before: the first in 2008 and 2009, and the second in 2011: several pages of Oppression posts HERE, no surprise that many are in last last three years.

Opposition oppression III...

---

...and it's real oppression back in Venezuela and the public enemy number one: Maria Corina Machado. The BBC reports of the trumped up charges of conspiracy and/ or threatening/ plotting to kill the President. She was finally released but a future charge will be brought as the powers that be don't like people disagreeing publicly.



Just so you know what's what, Caracas Chronicles have put together an unbelievable list of "the torrent of abuse she’s faced these last few years". Her support team also has a website of the persecution.





In other news, Venezuela may sell its soul debt to the Vampire Squid. 

Overtly opposing oppression...

Continuing the demon tax theme: fighting tax oppression is something many people today would sympathise with but how many, in a demonstration of defiance, would get their tits out and parade themselves through the streets?...no need to answer that as I suspect many would and some do...but without the opposing high taxes bit!!

Apart from World Tobacco Day (see previous post) 31st May is also Godiva Day - Godiva was a well endowed (rich!) Anglo Saxon landowner and noblewoman who rode naked through the streets of the English city Coventry opposing an oppressive toll imposed by her husband -apparently: some are of the opinion that the Lady Godiva episode didn't happen; Octavia Randolph does and has written a full and convincing history HERE.

It occured in the 11th Century before the Norman Invasion - Godiva is the Latinised version of the Old English Godgifu/Godgyfu (God's/good gift). Of course the tale has been heavily elebaorated on over the years because - as Octavia points out - Coventry, at that time, was a village of less than 70 families and more interestingly Godiva owned it!

"But by far the most vital fact ignored in these retellings is that Godgyfu possessed the village of Coventry outright. She need not ask Leofric [The Earl of Mercia and her husband] or anyone else to suspend or repeal any tax or toll upon it, as she controlled the collection of these herself. The sole exception was the heregeld, an onerous levy instituted by Cnut to pay for the king's personal body-guard. Until revoked by Edward the Confessor in 1051, it was a national tax, required of all. Godgyfu would not have been able to suspend it - but she certainly could have paid it from her own purse."

Quite so. The only possibility left i.e. the only thing that the tenants would have had to pay outside of Godiva's control was a national, oppressive tax called the Heregeld, paid to the then king Cnut...that's Cnut, OK? It makes interesting reading as Octavia goes on to explain why the "tale became sentimentalized and ever-more erotically charged". As a slight out-of-character change I have decided not to post gratuitous pictures of some lovely lady's breasts - apologies to those adversely and emotionally affected by this.

Olamic oppression...

---

Ongoing and eternal oppression: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose: history repeating itself: "Between 1720 and 1723 John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon published Cato's Letters. This is No 4."[Against false Methods of restoring Publick Credit]: part is quoted below; Raewald has the rest.



"SIR, All men are now taught, by miserable experience, that the project of the South-Sea, through the hard-hearted knavery of some, who have been in the direction of it, and through the folly or rather distraction of the people, has not answered the good and wise ends designed by the Parliament; but instead of that, has ruined thousands of innocent and well-meaning people, to glut harpies and publick robbers with millions: 



Unhappy fate of poor England, worthy of a better! For this, trade has been neglected: For this, industry discouraged: For this, credit undone; and all, that stock-jobbers might make fortunes, and small sharpers grow mighty men. 



Every one, therefore, seems to agree, that something is necessary to be done, in a legal way, to restore, once more, our publick credit. But it is hoped, we are far from consenting, that any thing ought to be done to repair the losses, occasioned by folly and covetousness, out of the estates of those, who always foresaw, who always opposed this mighty mischief; much less at the further expence of the honour and trade of the nation."...[...]



...Such mighty mischiefs as these men have done, will be but meanly atoned for by such infamous lives, unless their estates be also confiscated; and even these, great as they are, will repair but part of our misfortunes. But what we can have of them, let us have; their necks and their money."

Opposition oppression III...

---

...and it's real oppression back in Venezuela and the public enemy number one: Maria Corina Machado. The BBC reports of the trumped up charges of conspiracy and/ or threatening/ plotting to kill the President. She was finally released but a future charge will be brought as the powers that be don't like people disagreeing publicly.

Just so you know what's what, Caracas Chronicles have put together an unbelievable list of "the torrent of abuse she’s faced these last few years". Her support team also has a website of the persecution.

In other news, Venezuela may sell its soul debt to the Vampire Squid. 

Oncoming oppression...

---

...or 'further' oppression really: the BBC today reported that the new regulations that Venezuela has introduced essentially allow soldiers to open fire if they feel their lives are at risk during demonstrations, "The rules specify a scaled approach to maintaining public order, up to and including the use of deadly force" [edit]...if they feel their lives are at risk, right.



Naturally Citizen rights groups (and everyone not directly involved) realise these rules are "dangerously vague".

You may feel rules controlling protests are reasonable but, as The Devil's Excrement blog says, the are effectively legalising military repression; "The Interamerican Commission on Human Rights has explicitly banned the use of the Armed Forces on matters of internal security". More from Caracas Chronicles on the same thing: "Last year, mass protests were shamelessly quashed by fierce repression, tear gas, beatings, jailings and torture pretty much out in the open, for the whole world to see. This year, they´ll be repressed before they even happen."



Thing is, everyone thinks this is to repress the actual known 'Opposition' but most probably it is a message to the armed civilian militias (you know, formed for the 'war of resistance against the United States') who always said they would go into the streets to defend the revolution. Well the revolution has stalled and puppet clown Nick's dictatorship is telling them 'come for us and you know what's waiting.' 

Overwhelming oppression offence...

---

United Nations rapporteur Tendayi Achiume, in her end of mission statement, wants "to conclude with a celebration of the resilience of racial and ethnic minority communities, including those among them who, notwithstanding the overwhelming challenges and oppression they face, continue to fight for racial equality in the UK": I guess we're all bigots and Brexit and austerity have made it worse. "As a start, I recommend the full implementation of the Lammy Review recommendations"...ROFL, ah, the 'lamm-basted' painfully poor review that was rightly ripped a new arsehole recently? Raheem (on Twitter) has it spot on:

This “UN expert” can fuck right off. pic.twitter.com/o2N08JSyl0

— Raheem (@RaheemKassam) 11 May 2018

Regarding race and tolerance etc I doubt things have changed that much since THIS was published five years back, or the findings of over 85,000 people from 61 countries between 2014 and 2015 HERE. Do UN 'rapporteurs' actually go to really racist countries for their 'missions'? I think we know the answer to that.

Overtly opposing oppression...

Continuing the demon tax theme: fighting tax oppression is something many people today would sympathise with but how many, in a demonstration of defiance, would get their tits out and parade themselves through the streets?...no need to answer that as I suspect many would and some do...but without the opposing high taxes bit!!

Apart from World Tobacco Day (see previous post) 31st May is also Godiva Day - Godiva was a well endowed (rich!) Anglo Saxon landowner and noblewoman who rode naked through the streets of the English city Coventry opposing an oppressive toll imposed by her husband -apparently: some are of the opinion that the Lady Godiva episode didn't happen; Octavia Randolph does and has written a full and convincing history HERE.

It occured in the 11th Century before the Norman Invasion - Godiva is the Latinised version of the Old English Godgifu/Godgyfu (God's/good gift). Of course the tale has been heavily elebaorated on over the years because - as Octavia points out - Coventry, at that time, was a village of less than 70 families and more interestingly Godiva owned it!

"But by far the most vital fact ignored in these retellings is that Godgyfu possessed the village of Coventry outright. She need not ask Leofric [The Earl of Mercia and her husband] or anyone else to suspend or repeal any tax or toll upon it, as she controlled the collection of these herself. The sole exception was the heregeld, an onerous levy instituted by Cnut to pay for the king's personal body-guard. Until revoked by Edward the Confessor in 1051, it was a national tax, required of all. Godgyfu would not have been able to suspend it - but she certainly could have paid it from her own purse."

Quite so. The only possibility left i.e. the only thing that the tenants would have had to pay outside of Godiva's control was a national, oppressive tax called the Heregeld, paid to the then king Cnut...that's Cnut, OK? It makes interesting reading as Octavia goes on to explain why the "tale became sentimentalized and ever-more erotically charged". As a slight out-of-character change I have decided not to post gratuitous pictures of some lovely lady's breasts - apologies to those adversely and emotionally affected by this.

Oncoming oppression...

---

...or 'further' oppression really: the BBC today reported that the new regulations that Venezuela has introduced essentially allow soldiers to open fire if they feel their lives are at risk during demonstrations, "The rules specify a scaled approach to maintaining public order, up to and including the use of deadly force" [edit]...if they feel their lives are at risk, right.

Naturally Citizen rights groups (and everyone not directly involved) realise these rules are "dangerously vague". You may feel rules controlling protests are reasonable but, as The Devil's Excrement blog says, the are effectively legalising military repression; "The Interamerican Commission on Human Rights has explicitly banned the use of the Armed Forces on matters of internal security". More from Caracas Chronicles on the same thing: "Last year, mass protests were shamelessly quashed by fierce repression, tear gas, beatings, jailings and torture pretty much out in the open, for the whole world to see. This year, they´ll be repressed before they even happen."

Thing is, everyone thinks this is to repress the actual known 'Opposition' but most probably it is a message to the armed civilian militias (you know, formed for the 'war of resistance against the United States') who always said they would go into the streets to defend the revolution. Well the revolution has stalled and puppet clown Nick's dictatorship is telling them 'come for us and you know what's waiting.' 

Overwhelming oppression offence...

---

United Nations rapporteur Tendayi Achiume, in her end of mission statement, wants "to conclude with a celebration of the resilience of racial and ethnic minority communities, including those among them who, notwithstanding the overwhelming challenges and oppression they face, continue to fight for racial equality in the UK": I guess we're all bigots and Brexit and austerity have made it worse. "As a start, I recommend the full implementation of the Lammy Review recommendations"...ROFL, ah, the 'lamm-basted' painfully poor review that was rightly ripped a new arsehole recently? Raheem (on Twitter) has it spot on:

This “UN expert” can fuck right off. pic.twitter.com/o2N08JSyl0

— Raheem (@RaheemKassam) 11 May 2018

Regarding race and tolerance etc I doubt things have changed that much since THIS was published five years back, or the findings of over 85,000 people from 61 countries between 2014 and 2015 HERE. Do UN 'rapporteurs' actually go to really racist countries for their 'missions'? I think we know the answer to that.

Omnipresent oppressors...

---

[edit] "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

Oppression from left and right. We know that many on the Left are notorious Fascists (whilst claiming to fight Fascism); is it really a mystery why they happily and openly hold hands with many that are really 'ultra-right'? The answer, says James Bloodworth, writing in the Independent Voices, ("Why is the left so blinkered to Islamic extremism?") "lies in the fact that many Islamists exhibit a pathological anti-Americanism that is quite attractive to a certain type of degenerated progressive". Very probable; James links to The One Law for All Campaign's report [pdf link] which focuses on the most conspicuous - but by no means all - examples of the pro-Islamist Left in Britain.

"Any principled point of view must oppose all forms of fascism, including Islamic fascism and side with the countless people, many of whom are Muslim, who are fighting and challenging Islamism here in Europe as well as the Middle East, North Africa and across the world."

Now, however, the oppression and quashing of free speech, comes from the 'right' as well: earlier this week...was it an over zealous civil servant or mandarin that denied Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer entry to Great Britain? If so I can forgive Theresa May; if not she must fall from her once lofty position in my esteem (I'm sure she'll be upset) to join other extremist hate-monger apologists like slime-ball liar and cheating thief [too many sleaze examples for individual links] who should be in gaol Keith Vaz and lying terrorist-loving hypocrite Tony Lloyd (a 'Sheriff' no less!). To openly assist those that would do us harm they are surely part of the problem. I agree with Paul Austin Murphy:

"This is both very strange and disturbing case for the UK. Two activists who have spent their lives fighting against Islamist hate have themselves been called 'purveyors of hate' and therefore banned from entering the UK. Yet the UK has allowed numerous Islamists and even known jihadists into the country. On top of all that. The ones who are already here have been provided with copious state benefits, the best 'human rights lawyers' available, large houses, 24-hour security and God knows what else."...

..."So it seems that according to the Government, as well as to the Leftist whores-of-Islam, that Islamic violence and Islamism in the UK is OK; but criticising Islamic violence and Islamism is certainly not OK."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 30th June: reminded of the George Orwell quote in the top edit from "Truth is now Hate Speech in David Cameron’s Britain", by Paul Weston [Link, GoV]

Olamic oppression...

---

Ongoing and eternal oppression: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose: history repeating itself: "Between 1720 and 1723 John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon published Cato's Letters. This is No 4."[Against false Methods of restoring Publick Credit]: part is quoted below; Raewald has the rest.

"SIR, All men are now taught, by miserable experience, that the project of the South-Sea, through the hard-hearted knavery of some, who have been in the direction of it, and through the folly or rather distraction of the people, has not answered the good and wise ends designed by the Parliament; but instead of that, has ruined thousands of innocent and well-meaning people, to glut harpies and publick robbers with millions: 

Unhappy fate of poor England, worthy of a better! For this, trade has been neglected: For this, industry discouraged: For this, credit undone; and all, that stock-jobbers might make fortunes, and small sharpers grow mighty men. 

Every one, therefore, seems to agree, that something is necessary to be done, in a legal way, to restore, once more, our publick credit. But it is hoped, we are far from consenting, that any thing ought to be done to repair the losses, occasioned by folly and covetousness, out of the estates of those, who always foresaw, who always opposed this mighty mischief; much less at the further expence of the honour and trade of the nation."...[...]

...Such mighty mischiefs as these men have done, will be but meanly atoned for by such infamous lives, unless their estates be also confiscated; and even these, great as they are, will repair but part of our misfortunes. But what we can have of them, let us have; their necks and their money."

Omnipresent oppressors...

---

[edit] "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act."



Oppression from left and right. We know that many on the Left are notorious Fascists (whilst claiming to fight Fascism); is it really a mystery why they happily and openly hold hands with many that are really 'ultra-right'? The answer, says James Bloodworth, writing in the Independent Voices, ("Why is the left so blinkered to Islamic extremism?") "lies in the fact that many Islamists exhibit a pathological anti-Americanism that is quite attractive to a certain type of degenerated progressive". Very probable; James links to The One Law for All Campaign's report [pdf link] which focuses on the most conspicuous - but by no means all - examples of the pro-Islamist Left in Britain.

"Any principled point of view must oppose all forms of fascism, including Islamic fascism and side with the countless people, many of whom are Muslim, who are fighting and challenging Islamism here in Europe as well as the Middle East, North Africa and across the world."

Now, however, the oppression and quashing of free speech, comes from the 'right' as well: earlier this week...was it an over zealous civil servant or mandarin that denied Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer entry to Great Britain? If so I can forgive Theresa May; if not she must fall from her once lofty position in my esteem (I'm sure she'll be upset) to join other extremist hate-monger apologists like slime-ball liar and cheating thief [too many sleaze examples for individual links] who should be in gaol Keith Vaz and lying terrorist-loving hypocrite Tony Lloyd (a 'Sheriff' no less!). To openly assist those that would do us harm they are surely part of the problem. I agree with Paul Austin Murphy:

"This is both very strange and disturbing case for the UK. Two activists who have spent their lives fighting against Islamist hate have themselves been called 'purveyors of hate' and therefore banned from entering the UK. Yet the UK has allowed numerous Islamists and even known jihadists into the country. On top of all that. The ones who are already here have been provided with copious state benefits, the best 'human rights lawyers' available, large houses, 24-hour security and God knows what else."...

..."So it seems that according to the Government, as well as to the Leftist whores-of-Islam, that Islamic violence and Islamism in the UK is OK; but criticising Islamic violence and Islamism is certainly not OK."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update 30th June: reminded of the George Orwell quote in the top edit from "Truth is now Hate Speech in David Cameron’s Britain", by Paul Weston [Link, GoV]

Obnouncing oligarchic oppression II...

---

Right on the heels of my previous post some agreement. Frederick Edward on the Conservative Woman blog: Coming our way soon, America’s Big Tech coup

IT’S A coup! Too right it’s a coup – it’s just not the one the media is trying to sell you.

The whole thing stinks. Events in Washington DC last Wednesday are being exploited in the most cynical and mendacious manner imaginable. If you aren’t worried yet, you should be. The proverbial has hit the fan.

Maybe he reads Owsblog ;-)

"In hysterically overreacting to these events, the Democratic Party and their gormless ‘conservative’ fellow-riders set the ground for an all-out assault on the populist insurgency of Trump, and ultimately, on the entirety of the Right. The gloves are off.

Get ready to hear the phrase ‘domestic terrorism’ a lot. This is the latest codeword to demonise the Right. Having been softened up by years of ‘the war on terror’, the term slips effortlessly into the common vernacular. Legitimate opposition will be reframed as criminal activity.

This is the Reichstag Fire of our era. It will be used to suppress all manner of resistance. Preliminary moves in the Left’s coup have already started. Social media platforms have silenced the incumbent President of the United States, shamelessly overturning the democratic order on the basis of a brazen lie. This is government by Big Tech, where the elites of Silicon Valley decide what you may or may not see and hear. Any society that values its freedom should be horrified by this, regardless of political persuasion."

'Don't be evil'...oh, they dropped that years ago.

Update 12th Jan: more required reading: Melanie Phillips [LINK]: "A president for all Americans who think like him":

"Fears for freedom and justice under a Democrat administration are already proving justified"... ..."We can already see that it’s not just Trump who is in the sights of the Democrats and the oligarchs of the left. It is also conservatives in general, the police, the US constitution and the indivisible principles of freedom, justice and equality."

Oblatrating online opinion oppression...

For anyone interested, and those that didn't know the BBC Radio 5 News Message Boards are closing.

We're hoping that '5 Live now' will succeed at amplifying existing online opinion wherever it might originate or be hosted but that means that the board, although active amongst a regular set of users, can't continue in its current form and will close shortly.

In doing so the hosts asked if there were any questions and comments; one regular poster, Pat Shed, had two...both of which remain unanswered.

1. Were you not tempted to consult with your customers before taking this decision?

2. How is it that you "can no longer justify the resources required to moderate and host a wide-ranging news discussion forum" when the whole rationale of Radio 5Live is predicated on rolling news (and sport), and yet you apparently can justify the resources required to moderate and host not only a forum dedicated to television generally (Points of View) but also no fewer than 8 (eight) fora dedicated to one programme, Strictly Come Dancing?

Good points indeed; that second point is telling, for those not in the know this latter show is utter tripe but manna for the brainless masses as they gawp at the magic light box that provides their cerebral succour about which the BBC seem able to provide endless opportunites for anyone to comment.

Some may say that as I slag off the BBC why should I care, or that they have to make savings...whatever. Slowly but surely they are reducing the input of hoi polloi, [nearly] all their outlets that enable uncontrolled (but supervised) thought and speech are being wound up...to be replaced by insipid, banal "equivalents" (NOT!) controlled by those who may not wish too much free speech and certainly no free speech that may not dove-tail to the BBC's rather slanted view of how the UK/World should be...maybe I'm making too much of this but anyone who has seen what has happend to the Sports board will know the "new" is most definitely not better and certainly is not progrees.

For anyone who has noticed I have had a link in the Owsblog sidebar for many years to an acceptable (hehehe) alternative. Click on the blue cat image or HERE.



oblatrate n. - to snarl at, inveigh against

Oppression over...

---

Nick Ripe indicates which way he should have gone...

...or at least we can hope this really is the beginning of the end for the Krusty (deceased) and Nick Ripe Roadshow. Nearly 75% turnout and an [edited] overwhelming majority in votes mean a large majority in the Venezuelan National Assembly for the opposition. Hopefully they can remain united and steer the donkey [Update: who spat his dummy afterwards: "I decided to hear it one more time and there was no mistake about it: Nicolás said "I didn’t get my majority, so now you don’t get your house""] on the right path for Venezuela.



You don't have to dig very deep to know why this beautiful country with massive potential has become such a disaster but here, In five charts, you can see just the recent damage Maduro's policies has caused. Recession is forecast for 2016 as well so the road to recovery will be long and hard.



Hopefully political prisoners could now be released, especially those there for only doing what Maduro does every day. 

Oppression over...

---

Nick Ripe indicates which way he should have gone...

...or at least we can hope this really is the beginning of the end for the Krusty (deceased) and Nick Ripe Roadshow. Nearly 75% turnout and an [edited] overwhelming majority in votes mean a large majority in the Venezuelan National Assembly for the opposition. Hopefully they can remain united and steer the donkey [Update: who spat his dummy afterwards: "I decided to hear it one more time and there was no mistake about it: Nicolás said "I didn’t get my majority, so now you don’t get your house""] on the right path for Venezuela.

You don't have to dig very deep to know why this beautiful country with massive potential has become such a disaster but here, In five charts, you can see just the recent damage Maduro's policies has caused. Recession is forecast for 2016 as well so the road to recovery will be long and hard.

Hopefully political prisoners could now be released, especially those there for only doing what Maduro does every day. 

Oncoming oppression...

"However Gordon Brown wraps it up, it's still a tax bombshell" [Play political] ...and that's looking on the bright side. "Don't let him get away with it". To add a sense of balance, although I don't think they deserve it, Labour, it seems, would rather get personal. That said I was pleasantly surprised to see the latest ICM poll not being so close as expected.

P.S. Darling [not my darling] I hope the planned VAT cut isn't all you and your puppet master are planning on doing [The Guardian]...what a load of cobblers. Whom will this really help? More practical problems overheard at Village Counter Talk.

From the Guardian: "City economists said a VAT cut was 'psychologically attractive', as it would encourage people to spend when times were hard and could easily be withdrawn later."

Still, not to worry, as the Times tells us, the government are doing their level best to lower unemployment by continuing the unbelivable jobs bonanza for pen-pushers for, despite it all:

"local authorities and government departments are still creating a plethora of obscure pen-pushing posts at taxpayers' expense."

Optical oppression...

A number of bloggers have been spreading the word for a while; now the day is upon us: here the hat-tip goes to Constantly Furious. Tomorrow there will be a demonstration in Trafalgar Square a...'Mass Gathering in defence of street photography' (as usual, click on image)

"I'm a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! invite all Photographers to a mass photo gathering in defence of street photography"

There are many examples of unneccesary stop-and-search under the terrorism acts but, as Dave Hill tells us: "John Yates, Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations, has today reminded all MPS officers and staff that people taking photographs in public should not be stopped and searched unless there is a valid reason."

I hope the fact that this evening, just now in fact, the UK terror threat level was being raised from "substantial" to "severe" has nothing to do with this i.e. an excuse to close down/stifle the demonstration.

The new alert level means a terrorist attack is considered "highly likely".

Update: Saturday pm. Quite a good turn out by all accounts [Link]. The guy in the yellow jacket looks familiar ;-) OH... and they even had it on the evening news here. Article in Spanish HERE, (8:30pm).