If a powerful army invades Britain, God help us if Blair is PM

I hold pacifist principles. I believe in trying to solve our differences without recourse to violence if we can. But so help me, if a foreign army invaded my country I would fight tooth and nail to protect it. And I would have right - and the law - on my side. Under International Law, every citizen has the right to fight an occupying army in defence of their country.

Yo! Blair might believe this - provided the occupying army isn't militarily 'superior' to ours. In that case, I suspect he would simply roll over. He would probably be a collaborator. Can we really conceive of a situation where Blair would stand up to the likes of Bush?

Yo! Blair is a lawyer. He knows every man in the world has the legal right to fight an occupying army. You wouldn't think it, however, to judge from his language describing those Iraqis who fought the invading British and American armies. They are not exercising their right to resist foreign occupation, they are "insurgents".

One could argue that since the Iraqi elections at the end of last year, the occupying armies in question are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. Fine - if you believe elections can be free and fair under foreign occupation. But even so, everyone arrested before then is simply not guilty of any crime.

Either Blair doesn't believe we, as citizens, have this right, or he is simply such a coward that he will only bully the little guys - and never stand up to the big boys. If previous Prime Ministers thought like that, we could never have fought off Nazism; Germany, after all, were clearly winning WWII up till 1942.

Whatever his reasons for "rewriting" International Law like this, God help us if we are ever under attack on his watch.

Election 2006: BNP hoist New Labour by its own petard

Last night's successes by the BNP in the UK's local elections seem to have caught politicians and pundits by surprise. But is it really such a shock?

Since New Labour came to power, they have voiced increasingly 'tough' views on immigration and asylum. Rather than remind voters of the contribution immigrants make to Britain, or that the number of people seeking asylum in Britain have been dropping, they have spent nine years adding credibility to extreme far-right views. They have sought to give the country the impression that immigration is a key issue of our time.

And they have succeeded - among the white working class at least.

Problem is, having made immigration the cause of nearly all evil, they are clearly not the party best placed to end it. They never will be. White, working-class voters naturally turned to the party that would be.

New Labour won't see this, of course. Rather than seek to expose such views as verging on racism - not to mention downright stupid - they will instead increasingly echo the BNP's hard line. And the more they turn themselves into a poor copy of the BNP, the more some people will turn to the real thing.

And then God help us all.

War on Iraq 3 years on: Voices from Iraq

Open Democracy has compiled views from Iraqis on the situation in Iraq three years after the US led invasion and occupation. See www.opendemocracy.net

"Life before the war was difficult. The blockades and the isolation of Iraq from the international community during the 1990s made people feel very alone in their troubles and concerns. There was security, however, and the basics in most places – water, electricity, etc. There was also the sense that extremists were under control and the secular stamp of the government made it possible for educated, middle-class Iraqis to live their lives under the circumstances. It is far worse today for most Iraqis than it was three years ago."
Riverbend, Iraqi blogger in Baghdad

"Iraqis, tired and bloodied by incessant fighting between many domestic and imported forces, are leaving the country en masse...

Iraqi society, already debilitated by 13 years of sanctions, has been traumatized to the point of numbness.

This is the Iraq of today. Not a free, liberated, prosperous country but one of mayhem, malice and mismanagement. "
Firas Al-Atraqchi, journalist

"Iraq is a political and military theatre where the regional powers are settling scores with the superpower. Iran and Syria have succeeded in complicating life for the US. The Iraqi Shi'a politicians (hostages of Iran's strategic interests) must be freed from their sponsors before progress can be made. America's policies (if they existed) have so far failed, and her actions show evidence of hopelessness and offer no reason for optimism."

Dlawer Ala'Aldeen, academic

An illegal London protest against the war on Iraq is planned for Sunday 2nd April 2006

Bush sees troops still in Iraq in 3 years

Dubya said yesterday that it was likely there would still be US troops in Iraq in three years' time - after Bush's own presidency had ended.

He insisted Iraq was not in civil war as Iraqis continued to voice concerns about US soldiers killing innocent Iraqis.

License to Kill

American soldiers and contractors cannot be prosecuted under Iraqi or American law while they are in Iraq - giving them a license to break any laws they like.

War on Iraq: New York concert marks 3rd anniversary

Michael Stipe, Rufus Wainwright and Moby led a New York concert against the war on Iraq. The 'Bring 'Em Home' concert saw artists interspersed with speeches from leading anti-war advocates like Cindy Sheehan.

Public Enemy's Chuck D addressed the crowd, condemning President Bush for "deluding the citizens with weapons of mass distraction".

War on Iraq: Illegal London Protest on 2nd April 2006

"A drama is taking place in total silence in Iraq, where the ...occupying forces are using hunger and deprivation of water as a weapon of war against the civilian population" UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, October 2005

In case you missed it:

Under the new restrictions on protest contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, participation in an unauthorised demo within 1k of Parliament is a criminal offence.

Nevertheless, hundreds of people are planning to do just that on Sunday April 2nd 2006. Their plan is to read the names of 1,000 Iraqis who have died as a result of the invasion and occupation and demand an immediate end to the military occupation. The protesters will be dressed in black... and are aware they will probably be arrested.

War on Iraq: UK/US Troops Out Now!!

The anti-war movement has become a little divided over the issue of whether troops should be brought home from Iraq. Many who were opposed to the invasion are buying the Bush/Blair line that our troops are needed to keep the peace in Iraq. Keep what peace, though? Iraq is descending into civil war. And our presence there is fuelling the insurgency.

Consider these reasons why our troops must be brought out of Iraq immediately:

* the presence of coalition troops is adding to the divisions in Iraq and contributing to an escalating civil war;

* coalition troops are using (illegal) chemical weapons in Iraq (e.g. during their assault on Fallujah);

* they also use depleted uranium weapons which cause cancers and birth defects - the number of children in Iraq with cancers has increased four-fold since our troops went in with their super-duper weapons;

* the vast majority of Iraqi people want the Brits and Americans gone - I think we need to show solidarity with the Iraqi people's wishes which would be much more 'democratic' than the malarkey processes the yanks are pushing

* British and American troops could be replaced by UN peacekeepers - this would mean a) chemical weapons would no longer be used; b) most UN peacekeeping forces are from poorer countries and consequently many are muslim (e.g. Pakistan has loads of peacekeeping troops) - this means they are better able to understand muslims in Iraq and be respectful, run any prisons without the abuses that the Americans carry out etc, while 'robbing' the insurgency of many recruits - there will be less feeling of an invasion/ occupation among ordinary people; and c) other illegal practices such as taking over Iraqi nationalised industries and giving them to American contractors would be stopped as would targeting hospitals etc in assaults on cities (also illegal under the Geneva Convention); d) because we are not able to 'keep the peace' we have to support armed militias in Iraq to keep certain areas safe - we have therefore 'outlawed' armed Sunni groups (as well as making the Ba'ath Party illegal - while arming Shia groups, naturally this has been abused and, as we saw earlier in the month, resulted in Sunnis attacking Shias and vice-versa (as opposed to just occupation troops) - this civil war is a direct result of our policies in Iraq.

* Americans establishing military bases in Iraq (on borders with Iran and Syria) are making the people in the region feel that their intentions are to take over all the oil-rich countries; this naturally is also feeding the insurgency and contributing to radicalising 'ordinary' Muslims (after the first Gulf War the US left permanent bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait (I think), United Arab Emirates despite assurances before the war that the bases were just temporary - people in the region therefore don't believe that the bases in Iraq are temporary). The rhetoric against Iran now is feeding the insurgency further; with their new bases the US can (and are hinting that they will) launch tactical nuclear missiles against Iran.

What you can do:

Protest against the war at every opportunity. Visit www.stopwar.co.uk for more info

Email Tony Blair demanding that British troops are withdrawn.

Vote on the Our World Our Say poll at www.owos.info

War on Iraq latest: US military investigates marines war crimes

The US military is investigating accusations that US soldiers shot dead a family of 11 in their home. Time magazine said a patrol went on a rampage after one of their colleagues was killed in a roadside bomb. Iraqi people are angry about the lack of disciplinary action against soldiers who "kill innocent Iraqis".

ACTION: Vote against New Labour in the London local elections in May 2006. Strategic Voter will tell you the anti-war candidate in your ward with the best chance of beating New Labour at www.strategicvoter.org.uk

From another blog:

One good move on Bush's "Straw Man" tactics

http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/

Laugh at the US Govt: Patriot Act Game

"Patriot Act: The Home Version" pokes fun at "the historic abuse of governmental powers" by the recently renewed anti-terrorism law.

Based around monopoly, you don't go directly to jail - you go to Guantanamo. Instead of losing cash, you lose liberties. And 'Chance' cards become 'Homeland Security' cards.

"Patriot Act: The Home Version" is available as a free download from http://www.graphix4change.com/

Happy Tuesday!

Iraq's missing billions

Channel 4 documentary tonight, Dispatches>Iraq's Missing Billions, looked at the billions of dollars of Iraqi money that was supposed to be used to rebuild Iraq but was stolen, mismanaged or has simply disappeared.

Around $23bn of Iraqi money was placed in the trusteeship of the US-led coalition, to be used in a "transparent manner" for "purposes benefiting the people of Iraq".

Just watched the documentary; just scribbled a few bits and quotes to give a quick flavour:

US contractors were 'immune' from Iraqi law
"We played football with the bricks of cash"
"American law was suspended. Iraqi law was suspended."
"Where did all the money go? Not on vital medical equipment." Dr Ali Fadhil
"We went more for big ticket, showy items." Dr Richard Garfield
'Spend $7million in 7 days' - American-controlled CPA's rush to spend Iraq's money before handing over to the interim government

"This is not the new Iraq we were promised when the coalition invaded."

War on Iraq latest: Iraq in midst of civil war

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4821618.stm

Former interim PM of Iraq says the country is in the midst of a civil war. The occupiers say differently...

"It is unfortunate that we are in civil war. We are losing each day, as an average, 50 to 60 people throughout the country, if not more," Allawi said. "If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is."

UK ID Cards Latest: New Labour Government defeated by Lords again

The New Labour government have again been defeated over their plans to make ID Cards compulsory when you apply to renew your passport - despite promising in their Election Manifesto that they would be voluntary.

Peers backed a Lib Dem proposal to make ID cards voluntary until 2011.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4825790.stm

Say "No 2 ID": What you can do

New Labour's manifesto pledged that ID Cards would be voluntary. Now they are saying you will need one in order to get a passport.

Here's some ways to fight UK identity cards and the database state:

Vote against Labour in the London local elections in May 2006. Visit strategic voter (www.strategicvoter.org.uk) to see who has the best chance of beating New Labour in your ward. The Government, media, New Labour and the rest of the country will all see the local results as a protest against national policy... this could start a backlash against Blair within Labour - and encourage MPs to stand up to Blair. If you have the time volunteer to help the 'other side' campaign. Also email New Labour's London HQ telling them that you will vote for whichever candidate can beat them - and why. Email info@new.labour.org.uk

Declare your home and yourself an ID Card Free Zone. Download a poster at www.owos.info. And get your family and friends to do the same.

Join a No2ID group. No2ID have local groups that organise actions against the Identity Cards.

Email Our World Our Say. Once you join up to OWOS, you can email campaign ideas to them... and they have to bring your ideas to campaign meetings (as long as your ideas meet their campaign criteria published on their site).

Put on a gig. DJ Adam Freeland, Plump DJs and rocker Tommy Lee put on an event last year to raise awareness of ID cards. They performed for free and donated the proceeds to OWOS.

Share info! Let me know of other actions people can take to oppose ID cards and the database state.

Wear the T-Shirt. Buy a No2ID t-shirt at http://www.cashncarrion.co.uk/no2id/680/0

UK: Fight for the Right to Protest

Here's a few ways you can let Tony Blair and the New Labour Government know that they have no right to prevent us from peacefully protesting the Big Brother state:

• Picnic in Parliament Square every Sunday. Visit www.peopleincommon.org for info
  
• Support Maya Ann Evans in her next action. Maya was arrested for reading out the names of the British soldiers killed in Iraq in the 'No protest zone'. Email mayaaction@ourworldoursay.org and they will pass your details on to her
• Vote against New Labour in the local elections in May 2006. Visit strategic voter (www.strategicvoter.org.uk) for details of the progressive candidate in your ward with the best chance of beating New Labour.
  
• Donate to Our World Our Say. 60,000 supporters and campaigners are trying to prevent the erosion of our civil liberties. Go to http://www.pledgebank.com/owosdonate

Iraq: 3rd Anniversary of Invasion

"On the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, the country's infrastructure is suffering. Some Iraqis believe life was better under Saddam Hussein." Snowmail - Channel 4 News, 20 March 2006

Here's some reasons why:
* In Feb 06 more photos were leaked of US soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners;
* Around $9billion has reportedly been 'stolen' from Iraq
* Scotland on Sunday reports that Britain has plans to maintain a military base in Iraq for years to come.


For these and (many) other reasons please visit

http://www.owos.info/petition/iraq.php

"A drama is taking place in total silence in Iraq, where the ...occupying forces are using hunger and deprivation of water as a weapon of war against the civilian population" UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, October 2005

Iraq: Illegal London Protest Planned for 2nd April 2006

Under the new restrictions on protest contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, participation in an unauthorised demo within 1k of Parliament is a criminal offence.

Nevertheless, hundreds of people are planning to do just that on Sunday April 2nd 2006. Their plan is to read the names of 1,000 Iraqis who have died as a result of the invasion and occupation and demand an immediate end to the military occupation. The protesters will be dressed in black... and are aware they will probably be arrested.

Okay, so I went on the anti-war demo in London on Saturday. First time I've 'marched' since the big one of 2003. The intimidating techniques of the police have got me hopping mad... so I've created this blog. The purpose is to record mine and others' experiences of the new police state we have here in the UK.

I'd heard about the tactics of the police from organisations like Our World Our Say - but experiencing them first-hand is something different. Yes, the police were "peaceful"... but I don't take kindly to being constantly video-ed, simply for exercising my democratic right to protest.

Added, of course, to their other crimes - like detaining the elderly Walter Wolfgang under the terror act when he tried to re-enter the Labour Party conference last year after being thrown out for yelling "rubbish" ... and many others.

Let me know of your experiences, please. Let's compile all our experiences of living in this Big Brother state, so the world can see what British democracy is turning into.