Last week I warned that the Kremlin's news mouthpiece "Russia Today" started their media campaign to soften up people to the idea of Russian annexation of parts of Georgia.
Today, it has started to happen.
Of course, if Russia is so keen on small republic being allowed to become independent of larger countries, when will they grant independence to North Ossetia and Chechnya ?
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
8/26/2008
8/20/2008
The Russian line on South Ossetia moves from Independence to Annexation
For a laugh, I thought I'd watch Russia Today, the Kremlin's propaganda channel to see what Russians are being told about the conflict in Georgia, and it was clear that the Kremlin has a new agenda.
Last week the Russia Today line (fed to them and read out by british journalists taking the money and caring little about the real news) was that the "Fascist democratic government of Georgia launched an unprovoked attack on an defenceless sovereign state". Last week too the line from the Kremlin was about Ossetians wanting independence.
Today though the tack of the channel has changed. Now all the claims are of "Georgia and the Us attacking South Ossetia" and that "South Ossetia is not strong enough to stand up to Georgia and America as an independent state and they need Russian help". Other reports too were making the case for Russian annexation of South Ossetia.
So don' t be surprised if this is the next step in Russia's master plan. After all, Russia Today only reports what the Kremlin tells it to reports.
Update : Russia has had to admit that the figures it gave (and which Russia Today still reports), 1600 did not die in South Ossetia. Instead the figure is less than 10% of that figure.
Last week the Russia Today line (fed to them and read out by british journalists taking the money and caring little about the real news) was that the "Fascist democratic government of Georgia launched an unprovoked attack on an defenceless sovereign state". Last week too the line from the Kremlin was about Ossetians wanting independence.
Today though the tack of the channel has changed. Now all the claims are of "Georgia and the Us attacking South Ossetia" and that "South Ossetia is not strong enough to stand up to Georgia and America as an independent state and they need Russian help". Other reports too were making the case for Russian annexation of South Ossetia.
So don' t be surprised if this is the next step in Russia's master plan. After all, Russia Today only reports what the Kremlin tells it to reports.
Update : Russia has had to admit that the figures it gave (and which Russia Today still reports), 1600 did not die in South Ossetia. Instead the figure is less than 10% of that figure.
Russians breaking the Geneva Convention ?
I was always under the impression that parading prisoners in a degrading way, showing them of for the sake of humiliation or putting them before TV cameras was against the terms of the Geneva convention.
So why were the Russians parading Georgian soldiers ?
So why were the Russians parading Georgian soldiers ?
8/14/2008
Leah Ferguson and Lord Haw Haw
I wrote yesterday about the Russian Propaganda Channel "Russia Today", and made reference to their British presenters who to me seem willing to peddle any story or tale the Russian government wants put to the world without offering any balance or insight in to the whole picture.
So who is Leah Ferguson ? Well she is one of Russia Today's senior reporters. She is also British, and she seems to me to be willing to turn a blind eye to news in order to tell a tale that the political masters in the Kremlin must be absolutely loving.
Yesterday the implication of her reports on Russia Today was that the Georgians were still on the attack in South Ossetia and that the "genocide" as Russia Today likes to call it was all the fault of Georgia. Russia today made great efforts to stress the honourable way in which Russia had handled its response to Georgia.
So will we see Leah Ferguson reporting on South Ossetian forces in Georgia and South Ossetia operating a scorched earth policy by burning Georgian houses, stealing cars and food at gunpoint from Georgians, all with the "honourable" Russian Army watching and encouraging ? What do you think.
So why the reference to Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce) ? I guess there are some similarities in why they are used in the roles both these "reporters" play. Joyce was used because of his voice, English accent and British passport whilst Ferguson, it appears to me, is also used in the same way. Are we to believe Russia today employ Ferguson (and other British journalists too) for the simple reason that they are the very best in the world or because they know that having a British voice gives credibility to the Russian version of the news in a way that having just Russian voices would never do.
Did some people believe Lord Haw Haw because he wasn't German ? I am sure some did. Will some believe Russia Today's one sided half news because it is being given by a British journalist ?
Update : Russia Today just described Russian troops actions in the Georgian town of Gori (where people are being robbed, houses are being burnt and Georgian proprty is being destroyed) as a "humanitarian mission". How on earth can the many British journalists who work for RT sleep at night ?
So who is Leah Ferguson ? Well she is one of Russia Today's senior reporters. She is also British, and she seems to me to be willing to turn a blind eye to news in order to tell a tale that the political masters in the Kremlin must be absolutely loving.
Yesterday the implication of her reports on Russia Today was that the Georgians were still on the attack in South Ossetia and that the "genocide" as Russia Today likes to call it was all the fault of Georgia. Russia today made great efforts to stress the honourable way in which Russia had handled its response to Georgia.
So will we see Leah Ferguson reporting on South Ossetian forces in Georgia and South Ossetia operating a scorched earth policy by burning Georgian houses, stealing cars and food at gunpoint from Georgians, all with the "honourable" Russian Army watching and encouraging ? What do you think.
So why the reference to Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce) ? I guess there are some similarities in why they are used in the roles both these "reporters" play. Joyce was used because of his voice, English accent and British passport whilst Ferguson, it appears to me, is also used in the same way. Are we to believe Russia today employ Ferguson (and other British journalists too) for the simple reason that they are the very best in the world or because they know that having a British voice gives credibility to the Russian version of the news in a way that having just Russian voices would never do.
Did some people believe Lord Haw Haw because he wasn't German ? I am sure some did. Will some believe Russia Today's one sided half news because it is being given by a British journalist ?
Update : Russia Today just described Russian troops actions in the Georgian town of Gori (where people are being robbed, houses are being burnt and Georgian proprty is being destroyed) as a "humanitarian mission". How on earth can the many British journalists who work for RT sleep at night ?
8/12/2008
The world according to Russia Today
Russia Today, for those who do not know is the Russian Government's "sponsored" World News Channel which gives The Kremlin's version of the news.
For anyone who wants an example of one sided news without balance, facts or any real journalistic skills, then RT (Russia Today) is the channel to watch.
Perhaps the most chilling is the way that British Journalist are employed by RT and appear to throw away anything they have ever learnt about fair and even handed journalism and instead report news which appears to have been typed out for them by Vladimir Putin's henchmen.
For me, seeing a British Journalist called Leah Ferguson reporting from North Ossetia made me wonder how many pieces of silver you had to take to report such utter tripe.
The thrust of her latest report, reported from North Ossetia (in Russia) was to imply that Georgian troops were still on the offensive in South Ossetia (all other news channels show the Georgian army fully withdrawn from South Ossetia), and the comments from the other British journalist presenting from the studio was that she was herself in some danger in North Ossetia from those awful Georgians. I don't doubt that South Ossetians have suffered, but the complete lack of balance from Leah Ferguson was at odds with what might be expected from a reporter who worked for both ITV and BBC. It is to be hoped both these channels and Sky saw her reporting and would be very careful about employing her in future.
The next report following this was that the Russian Press is now subject to reporting restrictions in Georgia and this was a sign of the "repressive Georgian state". This report of course ignores the fact that Russia is a virtual one party state where the press is state controlled and dissenting voices are either murdered or excluded from the legal protection.
RT has also claimed that the Western Press are telling lies. They claim that Western TV stations are claiming that the international airport in Tblisi has bombed, but "this is not true", points out RT. Sadly RT has no sources as to which "Western TV stations" said this as I have not seen it reported anywhere. Again, don't let the truth get in the way of RT's propaganda.
The are even reporting on RT that "this is what you get from a Democratic country", with other constant references to the "democratic government in Georgia ", so not only are RT bending the truth of the event that are currently ongoing, but they are using it to soften up the Russian population to further believing that there is something wrong with democracy.
If you know anything about world history, if you know anything about international relations, then you'd know that what Russia Today reports is an utter joke. If it wasn't so tragic, it would be funny.
For anyone who wants an example of one sided news without balance, facts or any real journalistic skills, then RT (Russia Today) is the channel to watch.
Perhaps the most chilling is the way that British Journalist are employed by RT and appear to throw away anything they have ever learnt about fair and even handed journalism and instead report news which appears to have been typed out for them by Vladimir Putin's henchmen.
For me, seeing a British Journalist called Leah Ferguson reporting from North Ossetia made me wonder how many pieces of silver you had to take to report such utter tripe.
The thrust of her latest report, reported from North Ossetia (in Russia) was to imply that Georgian troops were still on the offensive in South Ossetia (all other news channels show the Georgian army fully withdrawn from South Ossetia), and the comments from the other British journalist presenting from the studio was that she was herself in some danger in North Ossetia from those awful Georgians. I don't doubt that South Ossetians have suffered, but the complete lack of balance from Leah Ferguson was at odds with what might be expected from a reporter who worked for both ITV and BBC. It is to be hoped both these channels and Sky saw her reporting and would be very careful about employing her in future.
The next report following this was that the Russian Press is now subject to reporting restrictions in Georgia and this was a sign of the "repressive Georgian state". This report of course ignores the fact that Russia is a virtual one party state where the press is state controlled and dissenting voices are either murdered or excluded from the legal protection.
RT has also claimed that the Western Press are telling lies. They claim that Western TV stations are claiming that the international airport in Tblisi has bombed, but "this is not true", points out RT. Sadly RT has no sources as to which "Western TV stations" said this as I have not seen it reported anywhere. Again, don't let the truth get in the way of RT's propaganda.
The are even reporting on RT that "this is what you get from a Democratic country", with other constant references to the "democratic government in Georgia ", so not only are RT bending the truth of the event that are currently ongoing, but they are using it to soften up the Russian population to further believing that there is something wrong with democracy.
If you know anything about world history, if you know anything about international relations, then you'd know that what Russia Today reports is an utter joke. If it wasn't so tragic, it would be funny.
8/11/2008
Is ITV News run by Russians ?
I was astonished by the one sided version of the world given to us at teatime today on the ITV teatime news.
ITV constantly referred to South Ossetia as being "a disputed territory" and "pro Russian province", but at no point made clear that it is an internationally recognised part of Georgia, not a part of Russia. When ITV News gave their account of how the recent troubles started they by implication made out that Georgia had attacked Russia and at no point explained that they were trying to recapture territory held by the Russians which was legally Georgian.
No wonder I watch the BBC news more often than ITV.
P.S. And any one who wants to debate why South Ossetia should not become independent of Russia because it's population wants to be independent, might I point out that Chechens also want to be independent, but Russia is not willing to accept the will of the people in their case.
ITV constantly referred to South Ossetia as being "a disputed territory" and "pro Russian province", but at no point made clear that it is an internationally recognised part of Georgia, not a part of Russia. When ITV News gave their account of how the recent troubles started they by implication made out that Georgia had attacked Russia and at no point explained that they were trying to recapture territory held by the Russians which was legally Georgian.
No wonder I watch the BBC news more often than ITV.
P.S. And any one who wants to debate why South Ossetia should not become independent of Russia because it's population wants to be independent, might I point out that Chechens also want to be independent, but Russia is not willing to accept the will of the people in their case.
8/09/2008
The stupidity of making ourselves dependent on Russian gas comes home to roost
Under cover of an Olympic Games, Russia has invaded another sovereign state, with no UN resolution, and has deliberately bombed residential areas of Georgia. Whatever the Georgian's have done on their own territory to assert their own sovereignty, there is little doubt that the Russian's have overstepped the mark in a way that should send a shiver down the spines of the Baltic states and other former Soviet Republics.
But our response to this has been almost laughable. Why ? Because we are utterly dependent on Russia for our gas supplies and we cannot offend the Russians for fear that they would seize British Oil asserts from BP and Shell, as they have threatened to do in recent months, and they could simply turn off the gas supply to Western Europe.
What an utter mess we have created for ourselves that we have made ourselves dependent on a despotic one party state, for that is what Russia has become under Putin and Medvedev, and we leave ourselves in the position where we cannot do anything, either economic or military to help assert Georgia's independence.
Would we have been so naive as to become reliant on Coal from the Saarland in the 1930's ? Of course not. Energy independence and self reliance is a key factor that any government needs to ensure, but we have drifted further away from this simple objective and have made ourselves "junkies" to Russia's "fix".
Again, this government should hang it head in shame. Labour once spoke of an "ethical foreign policy". The truth is that this government's lack of planning, vision and forethought means we have lost our ability to have an independent foreign policy, not because we have become America;s poodles, but because we cannot stand up to Russia in any meaningful way.
I don't blame the Russians really, they must laugh at us and think our government stupid, and they'd be right.
But our response to this has been almost laughable. Why ? Because we are utterly dependent on Russia for our gas supplies and we cannot offend the Russians for fear that they would seize British Oil asserts from BP and Shell, as they have threatened to do in recent months, and they could simply turn off the gas supply to Western Europe.
What an utter mess we have created for ourselves that we have made ourselves dependent on a despotic one party state, for that is what Russia has become under Putin and Medvedev, and we leave ourselves in the position where we cannot do anything, either economic or military to help assert Georgia's independence.
Would we have been so naive as to become reliant on Coal from the Saarland in the 1930's ? Of course not. Energy independence and self reliance is a key factor that any government needs to ensure, but we have drifted further away from this simple objective and have made ourselves "junkies" to Russia's "fix".
Again, this government should hang it head in shame. Labour once spoke of an "ethical foreign policy". The truth is that this government's lack of planning, vision and forethought means we have lost our ability to have an independent foreign policy, not because we have become America;s poodles, but because we cannot stand up to Russia in any meaningful way.
I don't blame the Russians really, they must laugh at us and think our government stupid, and they'd be right.
7/12/2008
Time to kick Russia out of the G8 ?
The G8 might only be a club or richer countries, but Russia fought hard to be admitted and said ti wanted to take its rightful place amongst the other seven nations.
So why was it last night that despite assurances given, despite Russia supporting a G8 resolution for tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe, Russia chose to stab its G8 friends in the back and veto the resolution ?
Sadly, yet again, it is a sign that when it comes to dictatorships, Russia is the number one friend of tyrants and murderers.
So why was it last night that despite assurances given, despite Russia supporting a G8 resolution for tougher sanctions against Zimbabwe, Russia chose to stab its G8 friends in the back and veto the resolution ?
Sadly, yet again, it is a sign that when it comes to dictatorships, Russia is the number one friend of tyrants and murderers.
4/07/2008
The history of the world according to Russia Today
Russia Today, Russia's state controlled version of BBC World, broadcast via satellite, broadcast a version of world history earlier today that almost made me choke on my tea. According to someone speaking about Russian/US relations,
"the Americans have never made an effort to have good relations with Russia. When Russia made an effort, in the past, back in 1962 to try and reach out towards America and have close relations when the Russians co-operated with Cuba, the US surrounded the island and tried to provoke a Nuclear War"
So there you have it. Russia's siting of nuclear weapons on Cuban soil was an attempt by the Russians to reach out to America and have closer relations.
I sometimes watch Russia Today as their sports coverage is quite good and despite their odd take on the Cuban missile crisis, it's still more believable than Fox News.
12/06/2007
For all those who say Russia is no threat
The Telegraph reports that three BBC staff were badly beaten by thugs whilst 35,000 of Putin's Brown shirts, NASHI, the youth wing of his political party met in Moscow. Similarly, NASHI has resumed its intimidation of the British Ambassador whilst British firms and interests in Russia have reported an upsurge of intimidation.
The goings on in Russia are really disturbing at the moment and are not at all dissimilar to those in German in the very early 1930's with fanatical youth movements, a judiciary who are corrupt or weak, corporate bodies working hand in hand with a political party and jingoistic xenophobia, in Russia's case against "the West". All in all, not a good time to be dependent on Russian Energy.
The goings on in Russia are really disturbing at the moment and are not at all dissimilar to those in German in the very early 1930's with fanatical youth movements, a judiciary who are corrupt or weak, corporate bodies working hand in hand with a political party and jingoistic xenophobia, in Russia's case against "the West". All in all, not a good time to be dependent on Russian Energy.
11/08/2007
What would we say if it were the Russian or Chinese police who acted like this ?
The most interesting and shocking fact to come out today regarding the shooting of jean Charles De Menezes has been the facts relating to the actual shooting and the varying and different accounts of what happened.
The two police gunmen said they shouted clear warnings to Jean Charles, they said he did not respond and he then approached the policemen, intimating this was a threatening gesture.
The problem is that all eighteen witnesses on the tube train said they heard no warning shouted at all and that Jean Charles remained seated, not approaching the policemen at all.
Now who are we to believe ? The two policemen, who with Sir Ian Blair's collaboration had five days to prepare an alibi whilst the Metropolitan police destroyed CCTV images and tapes whilst the Independent Police Complaints Commission were kept away or the eighteen independent witnesses who have no axe to grind.
If Sir Iain wanted to prosecute a case against two gunmen, and eighteen witnesses all said the gunmen were lying, he'd be furious if the law prevented him from gaining access to evidence and the truth but almost unbelievably, the police are allowed to get away with it.
If this was happening in Russia or China we'd say it is an example of the police being above the law, and if the Russian or Chinese government's did nothing we'd say it is a sign of their utterly corrupt systems. Yet when it happens in Britain, we are no better. Sir Ian Blair should go.
The two police gunmen said they shouted clear warnings to Jean Charles, they said he did not respond and he then approached the policemen, intimating this was a threatening gesture.
The problem is that all eighteen witnesses on the tube train said they heard no warning shouted at all and that Jean Charles remained seated, not approaching the policemen at all.
Now who are we to believe ? The two policemen, who with Sir Ian Blair's collaboration had five days to prepare an alibi whilst the Metropolitan police destroyed CCTV images and tapes whilst the Independent Police Complaints Commission were kept away or the eighteen independent witnesses who have no axe to grind.
If Sir Iain wanted to prosecute a case against two gunmen, and eighteen witnesses all said the gunmen were lying, he'd be furious if the law prevented him from gaining access to evidence and the truth but almost unbelievably, the police are allowed to get away with it.
If this was happening in Russia or China we'd say it is an example of the police being above the law, and if the Russian or Chinese government's did nothing we'd say it is a sign of their utterly corrupt systems. Yet when it happens in Britain, we are no better. Sir Ian Blair should go.
10/16/2007
The South African supporters of Mugabe's destruction of Zimbabwe
South Africa has a lot to answer for regarding the mass starvations in Zimbabwe, the political murders and the collapse of the economy there. Whilst the world denounced Mugabe's regime, South Africa maintains its tacit support for Mugabe and forgets that it has responsibilities to stand up for the oppressed people in that country.
In the same way as Russia defends the inhuman treatment of protesters in Burma, which bodes ill for the Russian democracy, we all ought to look at South Africa and question the ANC's commitment to democracy and free speech whilst they maintain their support of Mugabe.
One clear sign of South Africa's overt support for Mugabe can be found in this story HERE, which explains that South African police now arrest anyone putting up anti Mugabe posters in South Africa, even when they are on bought and paid for advertising hoardings.
Hat tip to Liberal England for pinting me the way of the blog in question via this story HERE.
In the same way as Russia defends the inhuman treatment of protesters in Burma, which bodes ill for the Russian democracy, we all ought to look at South Africa and question the ANC's commitment to democracy and free speech whilst they maintain their support of Mugabe.
One clear sign of South Africa's overt support for Mugabe can be found in this story HERE, which explains that South African police now arrest anyone putting up anti Mugabe posters in South Africa, even when they are on bought and paid for advertising hoardings.
Hat tip to Liberal England for pinting me the way of the blog in question via this story HERE.
9/28/2007
Probably the stupidest decision ever
It is hilarious to think that Schilling's solicitors and Alisher Usmanov probably laughed themselves silly when they threatended legal action against some UK bloggers, resulting in a number of blogs suddenly going off line. They must ahve thought they were so clever getting the internet under their control.
Since then, the original story has been run by now more than 302 other blogs meaning the story is one of the most widely reported stories on the internet anywhere.
If only there was an award ceremony for the biggest cock up of the year.
If you have not yet joined in with running a story on this join the party if you haven't already done so by linking to this post at Chicken Yogurt which covers the original story and the chronology of the story.
Update form Matt Wardman -
Matt Wardman said...
NichLinks should be here now:http://b-heads.blogspot.com/Matt
Saturday, 29 September, 2007
Matt Wardman said...
PS. See this post in explanation of the change.http://www.chickyog.net/2007/09/28/you-just-made-the-list/Also tell:Tim Ireland (bloggerheads DOT com AT googlemail DOT com) or Aaron (tyger AT tygerland DOT net) And you will get on the list.
Curious Hamster, Pickled Politics, Harry’s Place, Tim Worstall, Dizzy, Iain Dale, Ten Percent, Blairwatch, Davide Simonetti, Earthquake Cove, Turbulent Cleric (who suggests dropping a line to the FA about Mr Usmanov), Mike Power, Jailhouse Lawyer, Suesam, Devil’s Kitchen, The Cartoonist, Falco, Casualty Monitor, Forever Expat, Arseblog, Drink-soaked Trots (and another), Pitch Invasion, Wonko’s World, Roll A Monkey, Caroline Hunt, Westminster Wisdom, Chris K, Anorak, Mediawatchwatch, Norfolk Blogger, Chris Paul, Indymedia (with a list of Craig Murray’s articles that are currently unavailable), Obsolete, Tom Watson, Cynical Chatter, Reactionary Snob, Mr Eugenides, Matthew Sinclair, The Select Society, Liberal England, Davblog, Peter Gasston Pitch Perfect, Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe, Lunartalks, Tygerland, The Crossed Pond, Our Kingdom, Big Daddy Merk, Daily Mail Watch, Graeme’s, Random Thoughts, Nosemonkey, Matt Wardman, Politics in the Zeros, Love and Garbage, The Huntsman, Conservative Party Reptile, Ellee Seymour, Sabretache, Not A Sheep, Bartholomew’s Notes on Religion, The People’s Republic Of Newport, Life, the Universe & Everything, Arsenal Transfer Rumour Mill, The Green Ribbon, Blood & Treasure, The Last Ditch, Areopagitica, Football in Finland, An Englishman’s Castle, Freeborn John, Eursoc, The Back Four, Rebellion Suck!, Ministry of Truth, ModernityBlog, Beau Bo D’Or, Scots and Independent, The Splund, Bill Cameron, Podnosh, Dodgeblogium, Moving Target, Serious Golmal, Goonerholic, The Spine, Zero Point Nine, Lenin’s Tomb, The Durruti Column, The Bristol Blogger, ArseNews, David Lindsay, Quaequam Blog!, On A Quiet Day…, Kathz’s Blog, England Expects, Theo Spark, Duncan Borrowman, Senn’s Blog, Katykins, Jewcy, Kevin Maguire, Stumbling and Mumbling, Famous for 15 megapixels, Ordovicius, Tom Morris, AOL Fanhouse, Doctor Vee, The Curmudgeonly, The Poor Mouth, 1820, Hangbitch, Crooked Timber, ArseNole, Identity Unknown, Liberty Alone, Amused Cynicism, Clairwil, The Lone Voice, Tampon Teabag, Unoriginalname38, Special/Blown It, The Remittance Man, 18 Doughty Street, Laban Tall, Martin Bright, Spy Blog The Exile, poons, Jangliss, Who Knows Where Thoughts Come From?, Imagined Community, A Pint of Unionist Lite, Poldraw, Disillusioned And Bored, Error Gorilla, Indigo Jo, Swiss Metablog, Kate Garnwen Truemors, Asn14, D-Notice, The Judge, Political Penguin, Miserable Old Fart, Jottings, fridgemagnet, Blah Blah Flowers, J. Arthur MacNumpty, Tony Hatfield, Grendel, Charlie Whitaker, Matt Buck, The Waendel Journal, Marginalized Action Dinosaur, SoccerLens, Toblog, John Brissenden East Lower, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Peter Black AM, Boing Boing, BLTP, Gunnerblog, LFB UK, Liberal Revolution, Wombles, Focus on Sodbury…, Follow The Money, Freedom and Whisky, Melting Man, PoliticalHackUK, Simon Says…, Daily EM, From The Barrel of a Gun, The Fourth Place, The Armchair News Blog, Journalist und Optimist, Bristol Indymedia, Dave Weeden, Up North John, Gizmonaut, Spin and Spinners, Marginalia, Arnique, Heather Yaxley, The Whiskey Priest, On The Beat, Paul Canning, Martin Stabe, Mat Bowles, Pigdogfucker, Rachel North, B3TA board, Naqniq, Yorkshire Ranter, The Home Of Football, UFO Breakfast Recipients, Moninski , Kerching, e-clectig, Mediocracy, Sicily Scene, Samizdata, I blog, they blog, weblog, Colcam, Some Random Thoughts, Bel is thinking, Vino S, Simply Jews, Atlantic Free Press, Registan, Filasteen, Britblog Roundup #136, Scientific Misconduct Blog, Adam Bowie, Duncan at Abcol, Camera Anguish, A Very British Dude, Whatever, Central News, Green Gathering, Leighton Cooke (224), , Skuds’ Sister’s Brother, Contrast News, Poliblog Perspective, Parish Pump, El Gales, Noodle, Curly’s Corner Shop, Freunde der offenen Gesellschaft, otromundoesposible, Richard Stacy, Looking For A Voice, News Dissector, Kateshomeblog, Writes Like She Talks, Extra! Extra!, Committee To Protect Bloggers, Liberty’s Requiem, American Samizdat, The Thunder Dragon, Cybersoc, Achievable Life, Paperholic, Creative-i, Raedwald, Nobody’s Friend, Lobster Blogster, Panchromatica (251), Back off, man…, Dan Hardie, Krusenstern, Brendadada, Freace, Boriswatch, Fork Handles, Chris Applegate, Christopher Glamorgan, West Virginia Rebel’s Blog, Instapundit, Powerpymes, iDiligence Forum, Gizmotastic, Demos, Gary Andrews, Neweurasia , Never Trust a Hippy, sub specie aeternitatis, Bananas in the Falklands, The Sharpener, Virtual Light, Stu News, Scraps of Moscow, Danivon, As A Dodo, La Russophobe, PJC Journal, Mick Fealty’s Brassneck, dead brains don’t dance, A Comfortable Place, Bamblog, Robert Amsterdam, The Customer, No Longer at Ease, Rachel-Catherine, Humaniform, Mike Rouse, Chesus Yuste, anticapitalista, Aderyn Cân, Ulla’s Amazing Wee Blog (294), Ross200, Disruptive, Internazionale.it, The Obscurer, A Lefty Down Under, Things I Learned or Made Up, Pickled Bushman, Persons Unknown (302).
Since then, the original story has been run by now more than 302 other blogs meaning the story is one of the most widely reported stories on the internet anywhere.
If only there was an award ceremony for the biggest cock up of the year.
If you have not yet joined in with running a story on this join the party if you haven't already done so by linking to this post at Chicken Yogurt which covers the original story and the chronology of the story.
Update form Matt Wardman -
Matt Wardman said...
NichLinks should be here now:http://b-heads.blogspot.com/Matt
Saturday, 29 September, 2007
Matt Wardman said...
PS. See this post in explanation of the change.http://www.chickyog.net/2007/09/28/you-just-made-the-list/Also tell:Tim Ireland (bloggerheads DOT com AT googlemail DOT com) or Aaron (tyger AT tygerland DOT net) And you will get on the list.
Curious Hamster, Pickled Politics, Harry’s Place, Tim Worstall, Dizzy, Iain Dale, Ten Percent, Blairwatch, Davide Simonetti, Earthquake Cove, Turbulent Cleric (who suggests dropping a line to the FA about Mr Usmanov), Mike Power, Jailhouse Lawyer, Suesam, Devil’s Kitchen, The Cartoonist, Falco, Casualty Monitor, Forever Expat, Arseblog, Drink-soaked Trots (and another), Pitch Invasion, Wonko’s World, Roll A Monkey, Caroline Hunt, Westminster Wisdom, Chris K, Anorak, Mediawatchwatch, Norfolk Blogger, Chris Paul, Indymedia (with a list of Craig Murray’s articles that are currently unavailable), Obsolete, Tom Watson, Cynical Chatter, Reactionary Snob, Mr Eugenides, Matthew Sinclair, The Select Society, Liberal England, Davblog, Peter Gasston Pitch Perfect, Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe, Lunartalks, Tygerland, The Crossed Pond, Our Kingdom, Big Daddy Merk, Daily Mail Watch, Graeme’s, Random Thoughts, Nosemonkey, Matt Wardman, Politics in the Zeros, Love and Garbage, The Huntsman, Conservative Party Reptile, Ellee Seymour, Sabretache, Not A Sheep, Bartholomew’s Notes on Religion, The People’s Republic Of Newport, Life, the Universe & Everything, Arsenal Transfer Rumour Mill, The Green Ribbon, Blood & Treasure, The Last Ditch, Areopagitica, Football in Finland, An Englishman’s Castle, Freeborn John, Eursoc, The Back Four, Rebellion Suck!, Ministry of Truth, ModernityBlog, Beau Bo D’Or, Scots and Independent, The Splund, Bill Cameron, Podnosh, Dodgeblogium, Moving Target, Serious Golmal, Goonerholic, The Spine, Zero Point Nine, Lenin’s Tomb, The Durruti Column, The Bristol Blogger, ArseNews, David Lindsay, Quaequam Blog!, On A Quiet Day…, Kathz’s Blog, England Expects, Theo Spark, Duncan Borrowman, Senn’s Blog, Katykins, Jewcy, Kevin Maguire, Stumbling and Mumbling, Famous for 15 megapixels, Ordovicius, Tom Morris, AOL Fanhouse, Doctor Vee, The Curmudgeonly, The Poor Mouth, 1820, Hangbitch, Crooked Timber, ArseNole, Identity Unknown, Liberty Alone, Amused Cynicism, Clairwil, The Lone Voice, Tampon Teabag, Unoriginalname38, Special/Blown It, The Remittance Man, 18 Doughty Street, Laban Tall, Martin Bright, Spy Blog The Exile, poons, Jangliss, Who Knows Where Thoughts Come From?, Imagined Community, A Pint of Unionist Lite, Poldraw, Disillusioned And Bored, Error Gorilla, Indigo Jo, Swiss Metablog, Kate Garnwen Truemors, Asn14, D-Notice, The Judge, Political Penguin, Miserable Old Fart, Jottings, fridgemagnet, Blah Blah Flowers, J. Arthur MacNumpty, Tony Hatfield, Grendel, Charlie Whitaker, Matt Buck, The Waendel Journal, Marginalized Action Dinosaur, SoccerLens, Toblog, John Brissenden East Lower, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Peter Black AM, Boing Boing, BLTP, Gunnerblog, LFB UK, Liberal Revolution, Wombles, Focus on Sodbury…, Follow The Money, Freedom and Whisky, Melting Man, PoliticalHackUK, Simon Says…, Daily EM, From The Barrel of a Gun, The Fourth Place, The Armchair News Blog, Journalist und Optimist, Bristol Indymedia, Dave Weeden, Up North John, Gizmonaut, Spin and Spinners, Marginalia, Arnique, Heather Yaxley, The Whiskey Priest, On The Beat, Paul Canning, Martin Stabe, Mat Bowles, Pigdogfucker, Rachel North, B3TA board, Naqniq, Yorkshire Ranter, The Home Of Football, UFO Breakfast Recipients, Moninski , Kerching, e-clectig, Mediocracy, Sicily Scene, Samizdata, I blog, they blog, weblog, Colcam, Some Random Thoughts, Bel is thinking, Vino S, Simply Jews, Atlantic Free Press, Registan, Filasteen, Britblog Roundup #136, Scientific Misconduct Blog, Adam Bowie, Duncan at Abcol, Camera Anguish, A Very British Dude, Whatever, Central News, Green Gathering, Leighton Cooke (224), , Skuds’ Sister’s Brother, Contrast News, Poliblog Perspective, Parish Pump, El Gales, Noodle, Curly’s Corner Shop, Freunde der offenen Gesellschaft, otromundoesposible, Richard Stacy, Looking For A Voice, News Dissector, Kateshomeblog, Writes Like She Talks, Extra! Extra!, Committee To Protect Bloggers, Liberty’s Requiem, American Samizdat, The Thunder Dragon, Cybersoc, Achievable Life, Paperholic, Creative-i, Raedwald, Nobody’s Friend, Lobster Blogster, Panchromatica (251), Back off, man…, Dan Hardie, Krusenstern, Brendadada, Freace, Boriswatch, Fork Handles, Chris Applegate, Christopher Glamorgan, West Virginia Rebel’s Blog, Instapundit, Powerpymes, iDiligence Forum, Gizmotastic, Demos, Gary Andrews, Neweurasia , Never Trust a Hippy, sub specie aeternitatis, Bananas in the Falklands, The Sharpener, Virtual Light, Stu News, Scraps of Moscow, Danivon, As A Dodo, La Russophobe, PJC Journal, Mick Fealty’s Brassneck, dead brains don’t dance, A Comfortable Place, Bamblog, Robert Amsterdam, The Customer, No Longer at Ease, Rachel-Catherine, Humaniform, Mike Rouse, Chesus Yuste, anticapitalista, Aderyn Cân, Ulla’s Amazing Wee Blog (294), Ross200, Disruptive, Internazionale.it, The Obscurer, A Lefty Down Under, Things I Learned or Made Up, Pickled Bushman, Persons Unknown (302).
9/26/2007
What does Russia's response to Burma tell us about Russia's democracy ?
If you were an alien just arrived on Earth who knew nothing of world politics, you might be able to divide the world by it;s political systems very easily by examining each country's response to the situation in Burma.
The EU, the USA, indeed virtually every democratic society in the world has spoken out against the undemocratic and brutal military regime in Burma.
On the other side. standing as opponents to the protests are China, of course, the puppeteers in chief to Burma's regime, and with them Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe, a country that cares little for democracy or the rule of law.
So what ought it to tell us that with Zimbabwe and China stands Russia ?
Zimbabwe and China have a history, a very recent history, of butchering thousands of its own citizens, in China's case literally tens of thousands in Tianamen Square (and then spent several weeks burning the bodies). They both refuse to accept democratic reforms. Both nations have ruling elites who are grossly corrupt, incredibly rich and show a complete contempt for the law. yet Russia stands side by side with these countries.
Whilst Russia may not have butchered its own citizens for protesting (yet), surely Russia shows all the other signs of becoming a repressive one party state of a country. I always say you can judge a person by the company they keep. Russia's company tells us all we need to know.
The EU, the USA, indeed virtually every democratic society in the world has spoken out against the undemocratic and brutal military regime in Burma.
On the other side. standing as opponents to the protests are China, of course, the puppeteers in chief to Burma's regime, and with them Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe, a country that cares little for democracy or the rule of law.
So what ought it to tell us that with Zimbabwe and China stands Russia ?
Zimbabwe and China have a history, a very recent history, of butchering thousands of its own citizens, in China's case literally tens of thousands in Tianamen Square (and then spent several weeks burning the bodies). They both refuse to accept democratic reforms. Both nations have ruling elites who are grossly corrupt, incredibly rich and show a complete contempt for the law. yet Russia stands side by side with these countries.
Whilst Russia may not have butchered its own citizens for protesting (yet), surely Russia shows all the other signs of becoming a repressive one party state of a country. I always say you can judge a person by the company they keep. Russia's company tells us all we need to know.
9/24/2007
Ian Fleming was years ahead of his time
In the 1950's Ian Fleming wrote a series of novels starring intrepid British spy James Bond. Many of these books featured rather outlandish tales of daring and cunning from the British super spy as he out did a series of evil baddies with hoards of henchmen fabulous wealth, private islands, enormous super yachts and enormous power and influence.
Rather oddly, his tales of spying have turned out, more than fifity years later, to be the least accurate of the elements of his stories whilst the rise of super rich people who virtually control countries, have friends in high places who own islands, super yachts and fleets of private aircraft (as well as their own private armies) have suddenly become a real reality.
With the rise of the Russian Oligarch suddenly Ian Fleming's grotesque caricatures of the archetypal bad guy set upon world domination no longer seem like fantasy figures. I know, it is unfair to single them all out in this way. Sure, Roman Abramovic is hardly an Alisha Usmanov, and he seems keener of winning the Champions League than he does on running the world, but I wonder what Ian Fleming would make of today's Oligarchs.
It would certainly make for some interesting stories.
Rather oddly, his tales of spying have turned out, more than fifity years later, to be the least accurate of the elements of his stories whilst the rise of super rich people who virtually control countries, have friends in high places who own islands, super yachts and fleets of private aircraft (as well as their own private armies) have suddenly become a real reality.
With the rise of the Russian Oligarch suddenly Ian Fleming's grotesque caricatures of the archetypal bad guy set upon world domination no longer seem like fantasy figures. I know, it is unfair to single them all out in this way. Sure, Roman Abramovic is hardly an Alisha Usmanov, and he seems keener of winning the Champions League than he does on running the world, but I wonder what Ian Fleming would make of today's Oligarchs.
It would certainly make for some interesting stories.
7/16/2007
Sleepwalking towards a row with Russia
The UK only has itself to blame for the latest spat with Russia as the government has made error after error in its dealings with Russia over the last ten years.
Don't for one moment think that I am excusing the death of Alexander Litvinenko and the Russian's complicity in it. I don't. however, with the UK government cow towing to the Russian's for years, they must have easily believed that the UK government would do nothing.
Ever since Vladimir Putin took over in Russia, the signs have been clear for everyone to see that democracy has been under threat. The rule of law in Russia has become, at best, patchy and at worst, selective, with Mr Putin and his cronies selecting which laws will be enforced and which will be made up.
Mr Putin's political foes have had their business empires destroyed, been locked up or had to seek refuge abroad, but throughout this time the UK government has said nothing. Indeed, the UK has continued to praise Mr Putin because he has been an ally in the "war on terror".
Throughout the last ten years too, Mr Putin and Russia has become the largest external supplier of energy to the UK, again making Britain far more likely to acquiesce to Russian demands and also allowing Russia to become much more bolder in its actions. The stupidity of making the UK dependent on the energy reserves of what is to most people a dictatorship, was a stupid mistake for this government to take.
Then, even in recent weeks, UK firms like Shell and BP have been robbed of assets in Russia by Russian courts who act on the personal orders of the Russian government.
So why shouldn't the Russians feel they would get away with murdering Litvineko. After all, they have been getting away with murder for many years in the way they treat their neighbours, their citizens, their democratic processes and the UK government.
Action should have been taken years ago to keep Putin on the straight and narrow. it's too late acting tough now.
Don't for one moment think that I am excusing the death of Alexander Litvinenko and the Russian's complicity in it. I don't. however, with the UK government cow towing to the Russian's for years, they must have easily believed that the UK government would do nothing.
Ever since Vladimir Putin took over in Russia, the signs have been clear for everyone to see that democracy has been under threat. The rule of law in Russia has become, at best, patchy and at worst, selective, with Mr Putin and his cronies selecting which laws will be enforced and which will be made up.
Mr Putin's political foes have had their business empires destroyed, been locked up or had to seek refuge abroad, but throughout this time the UK government has said nothing. Indeed, the UK has continued to praise Mr Putin because he has been an ally in the "war on terror".
Throughout the last ten years too, Mr Putin and Russia has become the largest external supplier of energy to the UK, again making Britain far more likely to acquiesce to Russian demands and also allowing Russia to become much more bolder in its actions. The stupidity of making the UK dependent on the energy reserves of what is to most people a dictatorship, was a stupid mistake for this government to take.
Then, even in recent weeks, UK firms like Shell and BP have been robbed of assets in Russia by Russian courts who act on the personal orders of the Russian government.
So why shouldn't the Russians feel they would get away with murdering Litvineko. After all, they have been getting away with murder for many years in the way they treat their neighbours, their citizens, their democratic processes and the UK government.
Action should have been taken years ago to keep Putin on the straight and narrow. it's too late acting tough now.
6/22/2007
Russian Extortion forces another British company to sell assets on the cheap
The BBC reports today on the selling of another asset being forced out of the hands of a UK firm by the Russian Courts.
In another other country, in any other line of business, this would be called racketeering, extortion, robbery, theft, or just downright gangsterism. however, we let the Russians get away with it.
This ought to be a lesson to anyone wanting to do business with Russia. Don't.
In another other country, in any other line of business, this would be called racketeering, extortion, robbery, theft, or just downright gangsterism. however, we let the Russians get away with it.
This ought to be a lesson to anyone wanting to do business with Russia. Don't.
6/04/2007
Do we really want to buy gas off someone who points missiles at us ?
Russia says it will start aiming missiles at us again but then expects us to buy their natural resources.
I don't know about everyone else, but I found their record of turning gas on and off last year pretty loathsome, and the way UK businesses have been treated in Russia, particularly the way Shell and BP have had to sell off their interests to the Russian state owned Gazprom is pretty shabby too.
Using more renewable energy, being less reliant on fossil fuels, and in particularly Russian gas, as a good enough thing to do on the basis of caring for the environment. But given Russia's threat to us, there is no better time for the country to seek as many opportunities as possible in order to reduce our reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Russia's argument that the West must be targeted when Russia itself is not being targeted is crazy, but seems to be more about Russia trying to exert some muscle whilst they see the US as being weakened over Iraq.
I guess it justifies the UK's renewal of the our independent nuclear deterrent, and to be honest, having been brought up in the cold war, being aimed at by Russia is not going to scare me. however, we ought to wake up to the fact that Russia is turning more and more in to a one party state again, with a barely independent judiciary and a large army.
I don't know about everyone else, but I found their record of turning gas on and off last year pretty loathsome, and the way UK businesses have been treated in Russia, particularly the way Shell and BP have had to sell off their interests to the Russian state owned Gazprom is pretty shabby too.
Using more renewable energy, being less reliant on fossil fuels, and in particularly Russian gas, as a good enough thing to do on the basis of caring for the environment. But given Russia's threat to us, there is no better time for the country to seek as many opportunities as possible in order to reduce our reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Russia's argument that the West must be targeted when Russia itself is not being targeted is crazy, but seems to be more about Russia trying to exert some muscle whilst they see the US as being weakened over Iraq.
I guess it justifies the UK's renewal of the our independent nuclear deterrent, and to be honest, having been brought up in the cold war, being aimed at by Russia is not going to scare me. however, we ought to wake up to the fact that Russia is turning more and more in to a one party state again, with a barely independent judiciary and a large army.
5/31/2007
Why are the British media giving credence to Alexei Lugovoi's accusations ?
Alexei Lugovoi, the prime suspect in the death of Alexander Litvinenko, today attempted to pass the buck and make accusations that Litvinenko was killed by the British Secret Service.
What I am interested to know is why the British media have led on this story all day.
As I see it, a prime suspect for a murder has sought to pass the buck and blame someone else. Is this really the only news around today ?
What I am interested to know is why the British media have led on this story all day.
As I see it, a prime suspect for a murder has sought to pass the buck and blame someone else. Is this really the only news around today ?
Is Andrei Lugovoi Daniel Craig ?
Isn't odd that former KGB man and prime suspect (according to the CPS) in the death of Alexander Litvinenko is a Jame Bond look alike.Andrei Lugovoi (below) does seem to resemble Daniel Craig (above) very strongly doesn't he ?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)