Category Archives: Politics

Phone Hacking: Goodman Letter Reveals 'Everyone Knew”

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Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Andy Coulson face fresh embarrassment after an explosive letter from former News of the World Royal Correspondent, Clive Goodman was published today.

The four-year-old letter was only published on Tuesday, and it claims that phone hacking was “widely discussed” at editorial meetings at the News of the World until Andy Coulson banned any future references to them.

Goodman went on to claim that Coulson said he could keep his job if he agreed not to implicate the paper in court and that his hacking had “the full knowledge and support” of other senior journalists, who he named.

The Murdochs may now be recalled to parliament to give more evidence in the light of Goodman’s letter. Rupert Murdoch said that Andy Coulson knew nothing about the hacking during the hearing.

The letter was published by the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. One committee member, the Labour MP Tom Watson, said Goodman’s letter was “absolutely devastating.” He added: “Clive Goodman’s letter is the most significant piece of evidence that has been revealed so far. It completely removes News International’s defence. This is one of the largest cover-ups I have seen in my lifetime.”

Goodman’s letter is dated 2 March 2007, soon after he had served a four-month prison sentence. Addressed to News International’s Director of Human Resources, Daniel Cloke, Goodman writes: “This practice was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the editor.” He reveals that the paper’s then lawyer, Tom Crone, knew all the details of the case against him.

In another embarrassing allegation, he adds: “Tom Crone and the editor promised on many occasions that I could come back to a job at the newspaper if I did not implicate the paper or any of its staff in my mitigation plea. I did not, and I expect the paper to honour its promise to me.”

Anonymous: Damaging The Vital Cause Of Internet Freedom

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Anonymous – the radical decentralised online community ostensibly associated with the goal of ‘free speech’ – has caused controversy by issuing a statement sympathising with the UK riots.

It is yet another example of action by the organisation that damages the vital cause of internet freedom. A cause which the organisation claims to defend.

The Anonymous collective has become increasingly prominent. It is most famous for its DDoS attacks which bombard a target webserver with so many requests that it is forced to shut down. The Mastercard and Visa websites have been victims.

Frost readers will know how much I believe in the freedom of the internet and it pains me to see the cause tarnished in this way. It was always wrong for Anonymous to take criminal action. Their actions only give governments further justification to clamp down on the internet further. This is now more the case than ever following their recent statement.

For a supposedly decentralised community, the comments on the UK riots were pretty categorical, worryingly and obviously so. There is an elite within Anonymous that has its own agenda. http://pastebin.com/V00tbr01

The comments can only be interpreted as seeking to incite a revolution, saying: ‘Your politicians mask the extent to which a significant section of society is stuck in an impoverished way of life with little hope for the future.

“It is time to take a stand and realise that solutions will not be found in today’s corrupt political landscape.”

Anonymous called for people to join them in a day of action on October 15th. Although Anonymous made clear it did not condone the violence, it was sympathetic to the rioters. It suggested the riots were as a result of political anger and resentment. Let’s get real here. These riots had no political point (save perhaps the initial riot in Tottenham), and everybody knows that. These riots were about self-gratifying violence and greedy opportunism.

Anonymous will point to the government response to the riots, potentially regulating and controlling social media sites. They will argue this makes it a legitimate target. Undoubtedly, the government is disgracefully jumping on the riots as an excuse for further regulation. No one truly blames twitter for the looting.

That doesn’t mean anarchy is the answer. It doesn’t make it right to incite a revolution. Internet regulation doesn’t have anything to do with anti-cuts protests or unions and it doesn’t mean ‘justice is only for the wealthy’. You have gone beyond your remit, Anonymous.

A revolution might sound romantic, but we only need to look back a few years to see the true horror they bring. They also never end in free speech.

My 9-11: One Man's Journey Through September 11, 2001

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My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001′ Launches With a Book, Gallery Show & Soundtrack

Multi-Media Art Retrospective to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks Will Also Raise Healthcare Funds for First Responders and Families

Music and celebrity portrait photographer and author, Richard Agudelo, presents, My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001. This multi-media arts retrospective includes a book that contains never before published images from Ground Zero, captured moments after the attacks. These powerful images will be presented in a photography exhibit at NYC’s new Charles West Gallery. In addition to the book and gallery show, 13 diverse musicians have contributed original works to the My 9-11 Project soundtrack. All net proceeds from the My 9-11 Project efforts will be donated to first responder charities including the FealGood Foundation

The beautifully crafted book presents 144 pages, containing 40 images that include 23 never before published pictures that were taken 20 minutes after One World Trade Center collapsed. The photographs are accompanied by a vividly detailed 11,000 word narrative that gives a glimpse of the chaos and heroism at Ground Zero immediately following the towers downfall. Contributors to the book include 9-11 first responder advocate, John Feal of the FealGood Foundation and World Trade Center Health Organization’s leading expert, Dr. Jacqueline Moline. All the names of victims lost on 9-11 are also included in a commemorative section.

“My 9-11 Project began to take shape after I returned from an annual check-up at the World Trade Center Health Organization,” explains author, photographer and founder of My 9-11 Project, Richard Agudelo. “I saw the suffering of many first responders and over the years have witnessed the untimely deaths of too many of these heroes,” Agudelo adds, “My 9-11 Project not only aims to raise funds to help prevent more of these deaths, but also helps to provide a larger platform to bring light and conversation to this unfortunate circumstance.” Agudelo further states, “We not only need to honor and applaud these heroes, we need to take care of them, just as they did for us.”

My 9-11: One Man’s Journey Through the Unexpected Events of September 11, 2001 has been brought to light by efforts and funding from Barry Leistner and Koenig Iron Works, Inc. in New York City. “When I met Ric Agudelo, he was looking for a gallery space to show a project he was working on to commemorate September 11th,” explains Barry Leistner, president of Koenig Iron Works. “Once I started to hear the details of this amazing project, suddenly I knew exactly how I was going to honor the friends and loved ones lost on 9-11,” further explains Leistner, “I was not only going to get Ric a space to launch the My 9-11 Project, I asked to personally help and became Co-founder and Producer of the multi-media project.”

ABOUT MY 9-11 PROJECT

My 9-11 Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides monetary assistance to various organizations that push to alleviate the financial burdens of the September 11th first responders who suffer from health ailments due to the time spent at Ground Zero. My 9-11 Project also aims to generate general public awareness about the many health issues that plague these heroes. Funds will be raised through multi-media arts projects which will also support and nurture NYC downtown artists. My 9-11 Project was founded by photographer Richard Agudelo and philanthropist Barry Leistner. For more information on My 9-11 Project, please visit www.My9-11Project.org.

Our Handout Culture Is to Blame for the Rioting

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I have read today that the cutting of the EMA grant is the cause of the recent riots. What a ridiculous and offensive suggestion. In my opinion it is EMA and a string of policies and attitudes like it which are to blame for the recent disorder. The looting was nothing more than mindless self-gratifying violence and selfish opportunism. To think there was any political motive would be naïve. It happened because people were selfish and didn’t give a damn about the consequences. Not for themselves (because they knew there wouldn’t be any), and not for others (because they didn’t care).

This country is in trouble. Our Education system is failing, parents are failing and the state is failing. The root of our problem is the culture and ideas which this country has brought young people up with. Firstly the idea that you can get something for nothing, that this world owes you a living.

EMA sums this up. We’re going to give you something for nothing. That’s unsustainable in the real world (as it has in fact proven). If we want kids to stay in school longer, make it compulsory. Apart from being a waste of money it’s a terrible attitude to instil.

The benefits system is another example of this. It is not uncommon today to see people claiming over £20,000 a year in benefits once you add all the different ones up. This says nothing for the free travel, prescription charges and other benefits.

Most of my friends earn around £10,000 a year and yet we are paying tax to give benefits to people doing nothing. The average salary is only just over £20,000 a year. Something is deeply wrong here.

If you want to be successful you have to work hard. There’s no other way. But that’s not the attitude we bring people up with.

Another idea young people are brought people up with is that; there are no consequences for your actions.
Do what and say what you want to your teacher. They can’t do anything back to you. British teachers face acts of violence and abuse every day and no one helps them. Many have been forced to leave the profession. We could easily solve this by giving our teachers a few more powers.

You can break the law. There won’t be any consequences other than a slap on the wrist. Rob and steal, you won’t go to jail. It’s not like we have any prison places left anyway. The British justice system will do whatever it can to keep you out. After all we need to keep costs down to pay you your benefits. Do what you want who cares if your actions impact on other people. Play the system, it will always defends the perpetrator.

This seems to have been proven in the rioting case, as many have walked away free despite thieving and vandalism.

Public and Police Fury as Rioters Walk Free

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Angry members of the police and public today accused the courts of being too lenient on rioters as many were simply allowed to walk free.

According to the Evening Standard, Deputy Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said officers ‘were disappointed by some of the early sentences’. It was feared the lenient sentencing would have a further impact on police moral, already severely damaged by phone hacking corruption allegations and criticism of the recent rioting not to mention budget cuts.

An example of an offender who walked free was an 18 year old who admitted stealing two Burberry T-shirts. A magistrate gave him a verbal slap on the wrist telling him, ‘don’t get in trouble again’, before letting him walk free. Many lives have been destroyed by these violent thugs and yet as usual the British legal system appears to side with the criminal. The offender who was allowed to walk free was told by magistrates,’ he had a bright future’. The courts obviously haven’t considered the futures of the thousands of small business owners who have had to helplessly watch as years of their work was torn apart.

The short sentencing is yet another example of a culture which this country has been sowing in its youth for many years. The idea that your actions have no consequences. You have no responsibility and you can do what you want.

Riots Update: Ealing Man Left Fighting For Life; Backlash Continues.

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A 68 year old Ealing resident is still fighting for this life today. Police have expressed worry for the pain who is still on life support. He was attacked on Tuesday after confronting rioters who had set fire to a bin. He was trying to put the fire out. He was attacked and has ‘savage’ head injuries that left the police unable to tell his age, he has since been identified and the police are looking for his family.

On Wednesday morning three young Asian men were knocked down and killed while trying to defend their properties. Police in Birmingham have launched a murder inquiry. A man was arrested and had his car impounded following the incident near a mosque in the Dudley road area.

The father on one of the victims, Haroon Jahan, 21, called for peace and asked for their no be no more violence or retribution for his son’s death. He stated that this was not a ‘race’ issue.

A spokesman for the West Midlands force said: “The incident took place close to the Jet filling station on Dudley Road in Winson Green at approximately 1.15am. Three ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and an incident support officer was sent to the scene.

“When crews arrived, they found around 80 people at the scene with resuscitation ongoing on three men. Crews used their advanced life support skills while police officers provided support.”

Violence in Birmingham on Tuesday was not as bad as Monday but it spread to West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. London was relatively calm after 16,000 police officers hit the street with rubber bullets.

Independent record labels and filmmakers have been left devastated after a fire destroyed a blaze in a Sony warehouse in Enfield. The Pias Group feared a ‘ruinous’ stock loss. The three-storey, 20,000 square-metre building in Enfield, owned by Sony DADC was burned to the ground.

The fire affected Domino and film production companies with DVD stock. Pias is the UK’s largest independent sales, marketing and distribution company.

Other labels that might be affected include 4AD, Warp and Beggars Banquet.

A on Pias’s website said: “There was a fire last night at the SonyDADC warehouse which services the physical distribution for Pias in the UK and Ireland. Pias is working closely with SonyDADC who are implementing their emergency plans. Pias’s UK offices in London and all other areas of our business are unaffected. More information will be communicated shortly to all our labels and partners.”

The release of Arctic Monkeys’ new single, The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala, was affected, all stock going to retail outlets had been destroyed in the fire.

There has been a lot of debate about the riots from various sources, including Darcus Howe, a West Indian Writer and Broadcaster. His controversial interview has been seen by millions of people.

I disagree with him on three counts, 1) Not all of the rioters were black 2) Working class white people are just as disenfranchised as blacks. 3) There is never any excuse for this behaviour, no matter where you are from.

The student who was mugged while bleeding has spoke of his ordeal. Ashraf Rossli said: “They threatened to stab me, they told me they had knives,”. The student from Malaysia only arrived in England a month ago.

He went on to say:

‘Some of them were quite young, maybe still in primary school. They had their hoods on and demanded my bicycle.’

In the YouTube video he is apparently helped to his feet by a Good Samaritan but the thieves took his wallet, phone and Sony PSP games console.

The video was even mentioned by David Cameron today in his address to parliament.

‘When we see children as young as 13, looting and laughing, when we see the disgusting sight of an injured young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things that are badly wrong in our society,’ said the Prime Minister.

The 20-year-old finance student had his jaw broken but said “Britain is great” and said he felt sorry for this attackers.

A petition calling on the Government to evict the looters from council houses and stop their benefits has had 83,000 signatures in 24 hours. It only needs 100,000 signatures to be debated in parliament.

Have your say below.

Riots Will cost Taxpayer £100 Million, Mark Duggan 'Did Not Fire at Police'.

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Mark Duggan ‘did not fire at police’

It has emerged that Mark Duggan had a blank-firing gun which had been converted to hold live ammunition

16,000 police on duty in London

England game against Netherlands at Wembley tomorrow called off

Jamie Olivier’s restaurant in Birmingham was targeted by rioters

Police Cells are now full and 44 more police officers have been injured

Three people arrested for attempted murder of police officer

Cost of cleaning up the riots could cost taxpayers £100 million

Prime Minister David Cameron has recalled Parliament for Thursday so he can make a statement

Sloane Square Tube station was among dozens that were closed last night during the rioting

Youths congregating at Piccadilly, riot police are there

People urged to stay indoors

In Clapham youths went on the rampage trashing dozens of shops and walking out stolen goods.
Residents complained that police were very slow to respond as a Debenhams store was ransacked.

This morning Clapham high street was cordoned off as a investigation and the clear-up got underway.

Rioting began in Hackney at about 4pm yesterday when hooded youths began hurling missiles at officers and setting fire to bins and cars. Masked rioters on BMX bicycles armed with batons attacked a crowded London bus during the evening rush-hour, chasing terrified commuters as they tried to escape.

Some of the thugs were as young as eight and they forced the driver to stop the double-decker by pelting it with champagne bottles stolen from a nearby Tesco. About 40 passengers ran away, some carrying their children.

Within hours similar scenes erupted in Lewisham, spreading to Peckham, Deptford and Croydon.
Hundreds of fires were started all over the capital, North London; Camden, Woolwich in the south, in West London; Ealing. People were forced to take the law into their own hands to protect themselves and their family.

In Dalston and Hackney, shopkeepers fought back against looting youths and protected their businesses. Surrounding areas were pillaged as members of the town’s large Turkish community stood up outside their homes and businesses to protect them.

Home Secretary Theresa May said this morning that there had been 450 arrests in the last two nights but she ruled out bringing in the Army and using water cannon. She told BBC Breakfast:

‘British policing has always meant and always depended on the support of local communities and that’s what we need now.’

She told Sky News the capital needed ‘robust policing’ – and claimed that police budget cutting had not had an impact on the violence.

‘Don’t let police budgets be used as an excuse for what is going on on our streets is sheer criminality and nothing else.’

Patrick Mercer, the Tory MP and former Army officer, hit out and told the Telegraph that tougher policing should be used.

He said: ‘I find it strange that we are willing to use these sort of measures against the Irish yet when Englishmen step out of line and behave in this atrocious and appalling way, we are happy to mollycoddle them.’

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh seemed to contradict the Home Secretary and said using the military had not been ruled out.

‘All options were discussed last night and that means, not that we’re doing it, the people of London need to know that the Commissioner and his management board team are considering everything and working through those options as we go forward,’ he told BBC Breakfast.

Mr Kavanagh said it was ‘a shocking and appalling morning for London to wake up to’ and he was struck by the ‘sheer scale and speed with which the attacks took place across London last night’. It ‘was truly unprecedented’

He said there was a ‘changing nature’ in the make-up of the rioters, with the profile changing ‘dramatically’ last night from 14 to 17-year-olds to ‘older groups in cars doing organised looting’.

He added: ‘And there was the far more focused attempt at injuring London Ambulance staff, there to help the community, trying to injure Fire Brigade officers and, of course, police officers.’

In Birmingham, West Midlands Police said it had made about 100 arrests and confirmed that a police station in Handsworth, Birmingham, was on fire. Merseyside Police said there were a number of incidents in South Liverpool and that cars had been set on alight.

Somerset Police reported 150 rioters were in Bristol city centre, with main roads closed and a number of shops damaged.

Councilors have said it will cost £227,000 to repair Tottenham

There is a brilliant article here on how the poverty these kids have is moral, not financial.http://www.thecommentator.com/article/359/london_rioters_are_the_pampered_children_of_the_welfare_state

And the Telegraph has a brilliant article with pictures of london before and after the riot

You can help people made homeless by the London riots by donating bedding, clothes, etc to Apex House, 820 Seven Sisters Road, London N15 5PQ

US Loses Triple AAA Credit Rating

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One of the world’s three leading credit agencies has downgraded US debt. Standard and Poors cut the US credit rating one notch to AA+ with a negative outlook.

The agency argues that the deficit reduction plan passed by congress didn’t go far enough in addressing the US deficit. Whilst the US debt to GDP ratio is already high at 65.2% of GDP, total government liability is actually far greater when including government agencies such as Medicare and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The two main other credit agencies said last night that they had no plans to downgrade US debt in the near future.
Officials in Washington were furious with the decision and claimed to have uncovered a two trillion dollar error in the agencies analysis. The impact on the markets remains to be seen. Given the panic of the last week investors have been piling into US government bonds pushing yields to record lows despite the US government debt problems. This latest downgrade couldn’t have come at a worse time but we will have to wait until Monday to see the impact it has on the markets.

Investors will be worried that the downgrade may impact the wider economy, president Obama has already warned of the impact a downgrade would have. The downgrade threatens the dollars status as the world’s reserve currency. The instability could have severe consequences for the world as a whole.