A ramshackle bunch of organisations, many leaning to the extreme right has come together to organise the March for Free Expression this Saturday.
Seemingly inspired by the publication of the childish, racist cartoons in the Jyllands Posten earlier in the year, this misguided organisations has invited speakers from uber-capitalist the Freedom Association and the Libertarian Alliance
Seemingly inspired by the publication of the childish, racist cartoons in the Jyllands Posten earlier in the year, this misguided organisations has invited speakers from uber-capitalist the Freedom Association and the Libertarian Alliance
a quick glance over their websites reveals an adolescent level of argument normally found only amongst spotty, tory boy undergraduates.
The Libertarian Alliance seem to busy themselves with campaigning to repeal the drink drive laws, abolishing the Equal Opportunities Commission and scrapping the Campaign for Racial Equality with a press release stating policies such as
"No controls of any kind on the expression of opinion on matters of public policy;
The repeal of all laws that make it illegal to express opinions on matters of race, religion, sexuality, or any similar matter;
The repeal of all laws against discrimination and incitement to discrimination on any grounds whatever;
The abolition of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and all similar bodies; "
then adding, without any hint of irony
The cutting off of all tax-payer funding for any group that disagrees with the above
see, free speech only goes one way to these little England nazis, who in a further press release disuss the comments made by Denis MacShane, the European Minister, who said in an interview with the Telegraph that the English were characterised by "a dark streak of xenophobia and racism" and "offensive xenophobic hatred"(the void might be inclined to agree)
In a defiant and valiant effort to prove Macshane right, the LA goes on to explain the real nature of thieir own brand of Euro-scepticism which is merely concern over "its destruction of British liberal common law and civil liberties and their replacement by the illiberal Code Napoleon, its roots in Nazi, Fascist and Communist thinking, its crackpot socialist and economic interventionist policies"
what comes next almost had me laughing out loud
"There can be no place in the public and political life of this country for a man of Mr. MacShanes's ilk. He should do the decent thing and resign, or the Prime Minister should sack him. We also call upon the Labour part to expel this hate-mongering racist from its ranks.
The Libertarian Alliance is also formally reporting Mr. MacShane to the Metropolitan Police, with a request that he be investigated for possible prosecution under the Public Order Act. "
So, like many on the right, their thinking is dripping with crazed meanderings which reveal all the signs of pathological paranoia. The continued persecution complex which seems to inform their every act renders them as impotent and powerless as a pre-pubescent boy and they follow much the same level of argument.
Revealing their standard right wing's paranoic delusions the LA show the true level of their argument when calling for the repeal of the Sex Offender's Register, claiming it is the product of a conspiracy between "man-hating lesbians, sex-obsessed God botherers, empire-building social workers, corrupt and oppressive police officers, and the usual vote-hunting political trash."
Meanwhile, the Freedom Association are a different matter entirely. Founded by arch nazi, apartheid supporter and part time children's entertainer Norris McWhirter, this sinister group have long been politically active in more insiduous ways. Famous for strike breaking activities in the 70's (presumably the freedom to withdraw labour not coming within their remit), the sweet FA accepted funding from the South African apartheid regime and campaigns for anti-immigation policies (freedom of movement being another bugbear we assume).
Former council members of this shadowy bunch have included John Bercow, the former Shadow Treasury Minister, who was secretary of the racist, tory Monday Club's Immigration Committee in the '80s, when he called for the voluntary repatriation of black and Asian people, as well as the repeal of the Race Relations Act and abolition of the Commission for Racial Equality.
Meanwhile his mate Viscount Massereene and Ferrard, another former FA council member has been quoted as saying "If you say I am a racist, yes I certainly am, and proud of it."
Slightly more coherent then their juvenile counterparts discussed above, it only takes a more in depth search on their website to discover their anti-immigration and neo liberal tendencies, complete with eulogies to those bastions of liberal thinking Reagan and Thatcher as wll as links to far right rags such as Right! Now.
The Freedom Association's policies include closing down public sector pension schemes, making all public services dependent on private insurance payments, and banning public sector strikes.
Meanwhile back to this Saturday's march, except it's not a march anymore because, after a bit of leaning on from the old bill they've rolled over, stuck their legs in the air and agreed to just hold a rally instead.
Not seeming to have thought out what why they are actually marching (standing) they are only now asking their supporters for some ideas as to what their actual demands are.
"We have asked for suggestions about what concrete proposals we might campaign for in the aftermath of the rally on Saturday. The repeal of the blasphemy laws has been suggested several times. "
err, Ok that'll do, what else ya rebelling against Johnny
err ... nothing.
Except perhaps the right to march through Central London carrying placards which will cause upset and offence to many, lead to a yet further breakdown in community relations and give liberal hand wringing credency to the far right. At least one far right organisation has so far sent a message of support. (Civil Liberty campaign, a fascist front organisation headed by the BNP's North East organiser Kevin Scott)
Meanwhile on the rally website, actually it's a blog (nothing wrong with that tho') team leader voltaire seems to be having a hard time at keeping the BNP from his door, continually emphasing this is not an anti-muslim event and that the BNP should stay away.
Trembling skinheads have posted responses begging them to be allowed join the fun, but Voltaire is adament
"We are actively seeking endorsements from almost all kinds of people... but not from fascists. This will be a march in favour of free expression, not a march against Muslims."
before adding
"It would be disingenuous, even dishonest, to pretend that the Danish Cartoon Affair has nothing to do with this movement - on the contrary it absolutely was the event that galvanised us into action"
Showing his true (blue) colours here Voltaire admits, that what was a highly provocative racist act has been the spurring point for his fearless band of libertarians desperate to support the actions of a downmarket rag slightly to the right of The Sun.
I wondor if he's realised why the fash are so keen to join him on his merry journey, if you cant beat 'em, join 'em Voltaire mate ... oh, you already did.
Joining them to march (stand) for freedom of (my) expresssion (and ban everyone else's) are religious nutters Third Way magazine and ekklesia as well as long suffering cannon fodder UKIP and pro-lifer Lord Alton of Liverpool who recently voted to make magic mushrooms illegal. A bunch of woolly humanist organisations make up the numbers in the sorry bunch.
More worryingly Peter Tatchell, Maryam Namazie, Sayyida Rend Shakir al-Mousawi and Lib Dem wannabe Evan Harris have now all agreed to speak, adding left wing/liberal credency to this gobbledygook..
Now the Lib Demmer is not so much of a concern, probably too wired, shagged out, pissed to even know where he is but the other three speakers are more worrying.
That stalwarts of leftist, progressive thought such as these three should share a platform with homophobes, bigots and extreme right wingers should send shockwaves throughout those in the UK left.
Calls have already been made for them to pull out as Alan Johnson of Democratiya has already decided to do upon realising the involvement of the 'Freedom Association,'
the void only hopes that this is not the beginning of an unholy alliance of extreme left and right ideology brought together under an anti-islamic platform, under cut with extreme free markets policies and a heavy dose of nationalism ... because history well attests where that can lead...
more likely this movement will be reviled and ridiculed for the public school joke it is and the world can begin to move on and heal after the publication of those puerile cartoons.
Not voltaire though, who's more than happy to support an organisation on his site selling t-shirts sporting slogans such as 'Islam is a blast' and "Up Yours Religion of Peace."
We can only say to voltaire, if it looks racist, if it sounds racist, if the whole damn thing smells racist ... well then it's probably a bunch of well meaning liberal nitwits naively leading us down the road to hell for the want of something to do.
The Libertarian Alliance seem to busy themselves with campaigning to repeal the drink drive laws, abolishing the Equal Opportunities Commission and scrapping the Campaign for Racial Equality with a press release stating policies such as
"No controls of any kind on the expression of opinion on matters of public policy;
The repeal of all laws that make it illegal to express opinions on matters of race, religion, sexuality, or any similar matter;
The repeal of all laws against discrimination and incitement to discrimination on any grounds whatever;
The abolition of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and all similar bodies; "
then adding, without any hint of irony
The cutting off of all tax-payer funding for any group that disagrees with the above
see, free speech only goes one way to these little England nazis, who in a further press release disuss the comments made by Denis MacShane, the European Minister, who said in an interview with the Telegraph that the English were characterised by "a dark streak of xenophobia and racism" and "offensive xenophobic hatred"(the void might be inclined to agree)
In a defiant and valiant effort to prove Macshane right, the LA goes on to explain the real nature of thieir own brand of Euro-scepticism which is merely concern over "its destruction of British liberal common law and civil liberties and their replacement by the illiberal Code Napoleon, its roots in Nazi, Fascist and Communist thinking, its crackpot socialist and economic interventionist policies"
what comes next almost had me laughing out loud
"There can be no place in the public and political life of this country for a man of Mr. MacShanes's ilk. He should do the decent thing and resign, or the Prime Minister should sack him. We also call upon the Labour part to expel this hate-mongering racist from its ranks.
The Libertarian Alliance is also formally reporting Mr. MacShane to the Metropolitan Police, with a request that he be investigated for possible prosecution under the Public Order Act. "
So, like many on the right, their thinking is dripping with crazed meanderings which reveal all the signs of pathological paranoia. The continued persecution complex which seems to inform their every act renders them as impotent and powerless as a pre-pubescent boy and they follow much the same level of argument.
Revealing their standard right wing's paranoic delusions the LA show the true level of their argument when calling for the repeal of the Sex Offender's Register, claiming it is the product of a conspiracy between "man-hating lesbians, sex-obsessed God botherers, empire-building social workers, corrupt and oppressive police officers, and the usual vote-hunting political trash."
Meanwhile, the Freedom Association are a different matter entirely. Founded by arch nazi, apartheid supporter and part time children's entertainer Norris McWhirter, this sinister group have long been politically active in more insiduous ways. Famous for strike breaking activities in the 70's (presumably the freedom to withdraw labour not coming within their remit), the sweet FA accepted funding from the South African apartheid regime and campaigns for anti-immigation policies (freedom of movement being another bugbear we assume).
Former council members of this shadowy bunch have included John Bercow, the former Shadow Treasury Minister, who was secretary of the racist, tory Monday Club's Immigration Committee in the '80s, when he called for the voluntary repatriation of black and Asian people, as well as the repeal of the Race Relations Act and abolition of the Commission for Racial Equality.
Meanwhile his mate Viscount Massereene and Ferrard, another former FA council member has been quoted as saying "If you say I am a racist, yes I certainly am, and proud of it."
Slightly more coherent then their juvenile counterparts discussed above, it only takes a more in depth search on their website to discover their anti-immigration and neo liberal tendencies, complete with eulogies to those bastions of liberal thinking Reagan and Thatcher as wll as links to far right rags such as Right! Now.
The Freedom Association's policies include closing down public sector pension schemes, making all public services dependent on private insurance payments, and banning public sector strikes.
Meanwhile back to this Saturday's march, except it's not a march anymore because, after a bit of leaning on from the old bill they've rolled over, stuck their legs in the air and agreed to just hold a rally instead.
Not seeming to have thought out what why they are actually marching (standing) they are only now asking their supporters for some ideas as to what their actual demands are.
"We have asked for suggestions about what concrete proposals we might campaign for in the aftermath of the rally on Saturday. The repeal of the blasphemy laws has been suggested several times. "
err, Ok that'll do, what else ya rebelling against Johnny
err ... nothing.
Except perhaps the right to march through Central London carrying placards which will cause upset and offence to many, lead to a yet further breakdown in community relations and give liberal hand wringing credency to the far right. At least one far right organisation has so far sent a message of support. (Civil Liberty campaign, a fascist front organisation headed by the BNP's North East organiser Kevin Scott)
Meanwhile on the rally website, actually it's a blog (nothing wrong with that tho') team leader voltaire seems to be having a hard time at keeping the BNP from his door, continually emphasing this is not an anti-muslim event and that the BNP should stay away.
Trembling skinheads have posted responses begging them to be allowed join the fun, but Voltaire is adament
"We are actively seeking endorsements from almost all kinds of people... but not from fascists. This will be a march in favour of free expression, not a march against Muslims."
before adding
"It would be disingenuous, even dishonest, to pretend that the Danish Cartoon Affair has nothing to do with this movement - on the contrary it absolutely was the event that galvanised us into action"
Showing his true (blue) colours here Voltaire admits, that what was a highly provocative racist act has been the spurring point for his fearless band of libertarians desperate to support the actions of a downmarket rag slightly to the right of The Sun.
I wondor if he's realised why the fash are so keen to join him on his merry journey, if you cant beat 'em, join 'em Voltaire mate ... oh, you already did.
Joining them to march (stand) for freedom of (my) expresssion (and ban everyone else's) are religious nutters Third Way magazine and ekklesia as well as long suffering cannon fodder UKIP and pro-lifer Lord Alton of Liverpool who recently voted to make magic mushrooms illegal. A bunch of woolly humanist organisations make up the numbers in the sorry bunch.
More worryingly Peter Tatchell, Maryam Namazie, Sayyida Rend Shakir al-Mousawi and Lib Dem wannabe Evan Harris have now all agreed to speak, adding left wing/liberal credency to this gobbledygook..
Now the Lib Demmer is not so much of a concern, probably too wired, shagged out, pissed to even know where he is but the other three speakers are more worrying.
That stalwarts of leftist, progressive thought such as these three should share a platform with homophobes, bigots and extreme right wingers should send shockwaves throughout those in the UK left.
Calls have already been made for them to pull out as Alan Johnson of Democratiya has already decided to do upon realising the involvement of the 'Freedom Association,'
the void only hopes that this is not the beginning of an unholy alliance of extreme left and right ideology brought together under an anti-islamic platform, under cut with extreme free markets policies and a heavy dose of nationalism ... because history well attests where that can lead...
more likely this movement will be reviled and ridiculed for the public school joke it is and the world can begin to move on and heal after the publication of those puerile cartoons.
Not voltaire though, who's more than happy to support an organisation on his site selling t-shirts sporting slogans such as 'Islam is a blast' and "Up Yours Religion of Peace."
We can only say to voltaire, if it looks racist, if it sounds racist, if the whole damn thing smells racist ... well then it's probably a bunch of well meaning liberal nitwits naively leading us down the road to hell for the want of something to do.
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anti-fascist hero (not)
22.03.2006 00:13
"...Showing his true (blue) colours here Voltaire admits, that what was a highly provocative racist act has been the spurring point for his fearless band of libertarians desperate to support the actions of a downmarket rag slightly to the right of The Sun..."
you are misleading the punters I'm afraid. This is not an accurate description of Jyllands Posten. And, I have a strange feeling that you might be doing it deliberately.
In my opinion it certainly would have been worth organising a march in favour of poking fun at religions generally. It think it would have attracted much wider support. Who doesn't enjoy laughing at religion now and then? It really can be very funny.
Lord Snooty