Tell them about the dream, Martin.




A Martin Luther King Poster in Berlin

 

Sitting out the heat in Manama 

"No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness, like a mighty stream."

"It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment."


 "Let freedom ring."

Bahrain monarchy, protests and the Berusconi effect

Taken in Bahrain 1991, these young are now men
 looking for revolutionary change. Salute.

While in Bahrain during the 1991 Gulf war I heard the most remarkable story. The place, as you might know, is run by a monarchy, the Al Khalifa family, which is a gang of some thousands. That’s the way things are done over there. You set up a country and you own it, lock, stock and barrel, supported by your US and British allies of course which pays to have military bases there. 
Well this story is about how the Royal Family were getting their kicks. Similar to the Berlusconi effect they liked a little spice in their lives. But given that the country is the size of a major European city it hampers ability to recruit locally and could prove hard to keep quiet. Enter the national airline. Gulf Air, according to my source, British and Irish (blonde) girls were embedded then in their legion of flight attendants, who knowingly became mistresses and party types to members of the Royal clan. Hundreds were involved in the merry go round.
Many people do the same thing, Europe is host such Bunga Bunga at high levels. But most people are not so hypocritical about ruling others on how to morally live their lives.

To maintain control they made sure the selected never planted roots in Bahrain and were returned them home to the Islands where they reside. Thus ensuring they could not follow the Family who owns just about everything relevant in the Kingdom. It was a case of are you onboard.

Who told me this story, A member of the Royal family of course as he used his mobile phone in 1991 to call Dublin to inform his girl she had just been fired. She could keep the jewelry. What a show off. He knew I was British.

Now this same bunch is firing on its citizens who seek a bit of fair play and slice more freedom. A classic case of a minority ruling over a majority and doing it badly. Bahrain is on the list for revolution. Is there a growing demand for a dictators retirement camp.

European Identity.

Bridges don’t just appear, they get built.  A European identity is a challenge to accommodate the many national traditions forged and cultivated over past centuries. European identity is the revisionary idea of people seeking peace, unity and tolerance after the horror of war. Hohenzollern bridge, the busiest railway bridge in Germany. Although this identity needs to be developed, it is a fact that modern nation building, is the result of similar planning of nurturing cohesion between existing traditions and customs, a process, which in many cases is itself relatively recent. What compares national identity to  new European identity is necessity for unity. What contrasts is leadership dis-unity. National leaders need to help the public transcend reservations of losing control. They can see the future global landscape, realise the stakes involved but negotiate on principals which often are becoming outdated in an ever faster moving world. Lessons from recent revolutions since 1989 show that in the new knowledge society, wrongs can be quickly exposed and highlighted. People power is a de facto force to be taken seriously by the planners. Democracy guarantees the rights of citizens and, the use of high political position is no longer a tool for the rampant pillaging of a country’s wealth. The development of European identity will be a long process were many initiatives are needed to be employed encompassing culture, traditions, language and politics. But searching for votes is not the same as searching for solutions. The rise of inward looking isolationist policies may be temporary but this should not prevent a young European identity from looking outward.

Cameron and Merkel attack Multikulti.

Two former colonial powers retreat from embracing multiculture and parallel societies.

Both Germany and Britain, which spread their influence far and wide, are focusing on the Muslim community and its apparent slowness to integrate into society.

What interests me as a British national is the amount of times we have failed to do the same while visiting parts of the world legally and illegally.

Besides the 5.5 million Britons who choose to live abroad as expats, territories which have been populated and retained their Britishness range from Ulster, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Bahamas, Falklands and a bunch of Islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Multikulti is a human condition
beyond the control of politicians.

It is not all plain sailing as we know but today these societies are now strong diverse democracies and are firmly beyond any identity crisis. It has always been a slow process including newcomers and their cultures.

To say it is not possible is to ignore the charismatic Little Italy and Chinatowns of our great cities. Their descendants will want to be as national as the next. Willingly expanding society with added diversity is not the same as forced identity change.

Cameron and Merkel should reconsider attacking multikulti as a cover to resolve a security problem which is largely of Western making and find a solution to speed up its evolution.     

Egyptians, Have No Fear. Victory is yours. Remember Ceausescu.

Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu on trail in 1989. Shortly after, they were executed
 for crimes against the Romanian people.

  

Egyptians, have no Fear. Victory is yours. Remember Ceausescu. A classic case of a dictator clinging on to power. Mubarak is another example of political power thinking it knows better than collective people power.  No Fear is the rallying battle call. And it works. Western people support this change because in change, there is opportunity for advancement. Let Dictators know the rules of engagement. If you attack the people you forfeit you life and any positive legacy to history. Remember Ceausescu 1989.

Arab revolution fueled by catch-up Youth

From Amman to Bucharest, youth move to catch up with Western standards.

Ronald Regan famously said on June 8, 1982. " Freedom and democracy will leave Marxism and Leninism on the ash heap of history." Across the Arab world youth are looking at the West and parts of Asia leaving them behind in the journey towards broader wealth and growth. Western youth have better houses and better living standards. Arab Youth see the writing on the walls. Catch-up or get left in the dust. The old political order of grabbing and holding on to elitist power is drawing to a close. The people are demanding real change and that goes also for leaders wishing to fill vacuums. If Islam want to play a part it must also reform. Islam is a great religion but it must serve the people not the opposite. Can it adjust to the modern world and like Christianity become marginalised behind social media and people power. The Arab and World leaders are now facing a period of prolonged and continuing revolutionary activity. Marxism and Leninism may have hit the dustbin of history but revolution and its evolution is very much alive.

Revolutia Continua.

Peace keeping UN soldiers in Bosnia 1995

   

One day in Cairo 1990 

The Evolution of the Revolution continues. Power to the people continues. Shaming of politicians continues.  Facing down the greedy continues. Education of the people continues. Dissolution of religion continues. The spread of democracy continues. In the real world the greedy and the military are regrouping to attack the people. Netherlands is back into the war game pretending to protect Muslims in Afghanistan. What a shame on them to re-enter this disgusting game after their soldiers betrayed the Muslims at Srebrenica, 1995.    Dutch nationals are rightly alarmed at this unprovoked Afghanistan interference by their lackey politicians. 75% of Dutch voters oppose the move. The growing western military complex is creating more and more dangerous excuses for their unbridled and over financed existence. 90% of total world military spending is by the Atlantic Alliance. The next real revolution will happen in America where a great people are being mis-led by war mongers. The Egyptian people will walk to victory. Lets hope others will follow. Revolutia Continua.

One day in Cairo I met a wise man

A Cairo suburb 1990

I spent one day in Cairo. And during that day 20 years ago, I employed the taxi driver to just drive around the city. What a city! It was culture shock for me. But during the stop offs for tea I met a man who spoke perfect English. As it was he turned out to be a professor in politics. We talked and I enquired about the regional problems and how they will turn out. "Oh" he said "It is simple. We in this part of the world never take time too seriously. For we know that at one moment the people having had enough will rise up to take back what is theirs." Is now that moment for Cairo, Egypt has a major role to play in shaping a modern North Africa. It needs a modern approach to government and the shifting of power from elites to the people. Making protest illegal in any 21st century country is unenforceable, unreasonable and unacceptable.

Stark realities takes nuclear war to new Horror Level.

A lust for new Horror Levels shames past memory..
 Picture from the series De Kijk

Industrialised slaughter of civilians has always been the dark side of human conflict. From blood soaked Crusaders taking Jerusalem in the name of Christianity in 1099 to 20th century monsters in the name of Fascism and Communism. But in whose name did two British officials, David Owen and Michael Quinlan, argue over the threshold for a Horror Level of Russian causalities in a debate about a nuclear attack on Moscow in 1970’s. Owen threw the dice for one million while Quinlan selected a card for ten million. Recently released papers show the degree of disgust and contempt even seemingly democratic minded politicians have towards humanity. “In a Nuclear War, Britain would have to finished what it started and bring about the breakdown of the city as a functioning community.” Said Quinlan

Given that the majority of British live in a tiny cramped part of the island around London and therefore subject to entire annihilation from a retaliatory strike, it beggars belief to think these idiots were working for the benefit of the country.

And today, politicians want to be involved in every war going. Ex War prime minister Blair recently told the Chilcot inquiry he was saddened for the loss of life after he ordered the illegal war in Iraq. But added, we should still consider attacking Iran as its influence in the middle East is growing. And what is this so-called peace envoy’s threshold for an Iranian Horror Level. The population of Tehran is currently 8,429,807. Will that do it for him.

Self determination for Palestine and Israel. Peace be with you.

Self determination for people, from the Jerusalem Walks series 1991

  

"We have returned to our holy places... And we shall never leave them," Gen Moshe Dayan 1967 ……the establishment of the Jewish state was that Jews became more than just a collection of individuals, communities and fragments of communities. They became a sovereign collective in their own territory…………no longer as a ruled people, defeated and persecuted, but as a proud people with a magnificent country and one which always aspires to serve as "Light Unto the Nations". Benjamin Netanyahu 2010. The continuing tragedy of present day Palestine and the Jewish state gets continually mired in finger pointing accusations, perceived political arrogance and the colossus of historical burdens.   But let the facts speak for themselves. Regardless of where one stands in the heat of the debate, the majority of people in the Levant are moving forward both in population and in wealth. True, most of those suffering in the social lag are from the Palestinian community. And this is an unacceptable face of the problem. But, Israel is not a country without a conscience. It knows very well its destiny is tied up with its neighbours just like other countries, like it or not. Moving forward is short term advantage to Palestinians and long term advantage to the region. If peace can be won then Allah and Jehovah will be one.

Hey Joe, I gave her the Gun

A shop window in Cologne train station, Germany. 2011
This is a weapon, this is a gun, this is for fighting, this is for fun.

Moderne photojournalism, evolutionary revolution.




Professional Revolutionary Che Guevara
adorns a West Belfast Mural. From the Icons of Terror series 2008 

 

Revolution and social evolution are pillars for human advancement. Sometimes revolution alone fails to deliver progress but most often it is necessary. If evolution participates in the revolution then advancement is secured.    Moderne photojournalism places its evolution in acceptance of all things new in the media revolution. Whereas, People reporting and Crowd journalism is the revolution, and a powerful one at that, the evolution of photojournalism is exciting and just as daring. Roles for photojournalists can be created by themselves but more importantly they should respond to the incredible interest directed from the information Revolution.   Water finds its own level. As such, moderne photojournalism swims through nooks and crannies to work with a citizen's army using information to advance social evolution.   Revolution studies is now mainstream. The professional Revolutionary can replace his gun above the fireplace confident his camera, loaded with twitter and facebook will deliver better and more acceptable results. Up the Revolution!!!

Madonna is God's mistress

A shopping mall in Den Haag Netherlands



Writing about religion is never easy. The growing differences between Christians and Muslims is a sad fact. Religion, since the 11th century has been used as a marker to identify the other lot. Most people today don't really believe in God or gods. Certainly not to the extent of the Roman Pope or the many other Popes around the world. God is as dead in the hearts of citizens as Thor, Zeus or Athena. Religion is not dead because it gives to some people the umbrella to be separated from others. But one question can be raised. If we were able to get people to believe in this religious stuff throughout varying times of history and in some of the most ridiculous and incredible stories they followed, then why can't we promote a religion which is suitable to 21st Century economics and politics. Religions pass all the time and fade into myth and legend. If it suits to lie and create make believe for better harmony between the different parts of the world then so be it. Madonna is God's mistress, well who do you think gave the people Christianity and Islam in the first place.

Stuxnet launches first 5th dimension Cyber World War.

 A Child plays a modern game                                                                                        Nosatgia for the simpler life.

 

On Eminiar VII, the Enterprise finds a civilization at war with its planetary neighbor. Unable to discern any signs of battle from orbit, Captain Kirk leads a landing party to the surface where he discovers the entire war is fought by computer. Even though the war is simulated, citizens who are listed as virtual casualties still report to termination booths to be killed for real. After the Enterprise is destroyed in an attack simulation, Kirk must fight to keep his crew from death. Computer conflict has finally arrived as the 5th Dimension of Warfare. The US attack on the Iranian nuclear power plant, while seemingly preferable to an illegal bombing mission, still raises serious questions. Acquiring the capacity to build nuclear reactors for the Muslim world and possibly Africa is a business worth into trillions. Given that Muslim Kazakhstan is world first for uranium production and second after Australia for uranium reserves, it is not surprising the West doesn’t like the idea of an Iranian Nuclear plant business. As for the nukes, well any state with the right contact can purchase weaponry nuclear or otherwise. Captain Kirk shut down the computer warfare game declaring real war to be a nasty consequence to be avoided at all costs. Are we heading for a period of sustained Cyber attacks. Persistent retaliatory Cyber attacks will hurt and inconvenience citizens, but quo bono, why the arms industry of course.

Novembering Berlin

November 1989 in East Berlin. Left Prenzlauer Berg.

When I arrived on the streets of East Berlin that misty cold November morning, I walked north with my small street map up the Rheinberger strasse. I had circled the name of a district to visit only because I liked the sound of its name, Prenzlauer Berg. The atmosphere in the city was electric. The district gave me everything I had ever dreamt about visiting Berlin. It had stood firm against the onslaught of history and won its day. Now it fights again. Like other districts of character in other cities its enemy is the lure of unbridled development over human feeling. It was the Prenzauler Berg community which made the district a famous name. That community deserves to be respected and encouraged to evolve with future plans.....Novembering Berlin is a reality which cannot be ignored or forgotten.

Art of Superstate will save Szekely land

Gathering winter fuel in Szekely Land
 after the Romanian revolution 1990

  The desire to right the wrongs of the past are always with present generations. This is a common factor in Europe where for centuries warring nations have left bitter legacies for others to correct.

The case of the treaty of Trianon was shameful, counter-productive and cause for resentment. Drawing a line through 100% Hungarian areas cutting them off from Budapest and handing them over to neighbouring countries was the work of vindictive fools.

Since the emergence of the E.U. Superstate the causes for armed conflict to correct the mistakes of the past have been diluted and in some cases removed altogether. Should Belgium decide to split apart, as it most likely will, it will be done through referendum and not violence.
One of the privileges of belonging to an Empire or a Superstate is self determination becomes less of an issue within the boundaries of Empire as long as that Empire is growing and its subjects are doing better within, rather than beyond its Pale. Hungary has first- hand experience of this. The case for Budapest to embrace Hungarians just beyond their present border is strong and most probably legitimate.

However any idea to extend Hungary’s border to encompass Hargita and Covasna/Kovászna is unwise. As Superstate grows so the mistakes of the past will fade from memory and importance. Culture is a strong force. In the E.U. Superstate the remarkable Szekely culture of east Transylvania will be further protected and encouraged as the historical treasure it is.
The Sun and Moon are the symbols of the Székely, representing proto-Hungarian gods. After the Hungarians became Christians in the 11th century, the importance of these icons became purely visual and symbolic. Their original religious significance was lost. The Székely have succeeded in preserving traditions to an extent unusual even in Central and Eastern Europe.

Tunisia and the World, belongs to Me



A child protester at the Hague International court of justice

 While driving past the International court in the Hague today I came across a small, but visually police protected, protest. Women, children and men of good breeding formed an orderly chant against Ben Ali's discredited regime in Tunisia, the former home of Hannibal Barca, the great protester against Roman mis-rule. Strange description I know. But it not usual that highly educated and well heeled members of society take to the streets to voice protest at political wrong doings, from time to time.

If this event is significant it is because good people are ready to protect citizen interest around the World. Governments are rightly coming under more democratic scrutiny. Their time on this Earth as the instrument of unbridled Capitalist adventurers is slowly being exposed. If Tunisia can win and with a low causality of patriotism, then strong democracies with their experience of community resistance can shed the scourge of financial vampirism sweeping Europe and the Western system.

Hannibal Barca was a military insurgent of immense importance. Today’s Tunisia at the Hague international court showed clearly, people, and the WHO matters, can out match, out flank and outlive the mis- rulers.

Gimmie shelter, the Hague court of justice

It is widely expected that the tribunal, based at the former headquarters of the Dutch security services in The Hague, will indict several members of the Shia paramilitary group Hizbollah for the assassination in 2005 of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.
 It is also widely expected that the Hariri tribunal which does not have its own police force to arrest suspects will create tensions between Shia and Sunni Lebanese citizens. It would suit some Western powers if Hezbollah were to engage in an internal dogfight with other Muslims. However it will also destroy credibility in the Hague (Den Haag) as a force for justice as it might be seen as a political tool for these powers.
 If the Hague wants to become a centre for credible justice is must also be seen to be pursuing all war criminals and not just those declared as enemies of Western interests.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero fails Basque politics.

All peoples have the right to seek self determination. Most modern democracies have filed past this route to become societies based on freedom and secular tolerance. America, Israel, India, Croatia, Finland, South Africa. The list goes on. However the means to acquire this self determination is usually reflected in the behavior of those refusing to grant it. Palestine and Belgium are poles apart.

Armed struggle is a weapon of last resort. A prominent Belfast IRA Republican commented some years back that ETA had missed opportunities to grasp the tide of modern means to achieve their goal of independence.

In rejecting ETA’s announcement for a ceasefire, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has failed to exploit a rare moment of clarity. Spain has enemies in the bond markets and will be attacked later in the year by the financial vigilantes.

If ETA says to three million Basques peaceful means doesn't work and declares full secession will Zapatero send Spanish troops during a financial crisis to quell an uprising. Such action would crush the young EU Superstate. Peaceful means must be given the chance to work.



Left: A United Kingdom wall mural.

preserving Istanbul memories

Twenty years ago last August I passed through Istanbul towards Eastern Turkey. Saddam had invaded Kuwait and I was assigned by the Associated press to cover the refugees pouring out of Northern Iraq. It was a beautiful assignment. Turkey is a stunning country. The food, the scenery, the people and the history. On the day I visited Istanbul I wandered through the streets. It is what I do when I go to a new town. Mosey about with the camera. Stumbling into a district steeped in history caught me by surprise. A wondrous mix of wooden and stone houses bursting to tell stories about character, passion and a past. It was my first real experience of crossing the Bosphorus into Asia minor. That memorable swirl through the tiny streets and the interaction with the locals remained a memory without clarification for two decades, for I had no idea of the name of the district. Until by chance I saw last year the fine visual report about the district by Jonathan Lewis.

A recent communication from Turkey passed me sad news about the area. The streets of Tarlabasi are under threat from city planners.  http://www.tarlabasiistanbul.com/  We may not be able to prevent the redevelopment but we can preserve some memory even if it is just a few examples of those fine old wooden homes. A great reason for myself and others to relive the memory of our travel days. Turkey has a great future just like its past. I hope the planners can preserve both

 Right:  The Tarlabasi district in Istanbul 1990.                                                                                                                                                                

Gangsta Governments, no thanks.

It is not easy to say we don't need government and really mean it. Belgium has been without government for several months and it is still there. People are still breathing and babies are still being born. No body can foresee what would happen in Belgium if there was no return to business as usual and if Flanders and Wallonia were to spar to the point of divorce.
What is for sure is that there will be no divorce without a referendum on the issue should government decide to sack itself.
If we can see that far and accept that the people are wise enough to settle issues by referenda, then government should stop treating referendums as headaches and an inconvenient tolerance.
All constitutional changes should be put to the people regardless of the inconvenience. For at least the decisions would have a vastly longer life as opposed to the constant fixing, resetting and repealing of actions by politicians playing to party vested interested and which is plaguing the evolution of universal democracy.

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

It is with disgust and horror to know that Europe is still home to some of the worst human behaviour carried out by Gangsta Government.
Take the case of KLA boss Hasim Thaci in Albania . This Mafia freak, who cut the organs from Serb Prisoners of War and sold them to unquestioning and desperate patients, is in some way understandable of the messed up conditions facing the Balkans. What is not understandable and totally repugnant is the UK’s former War Prime Minister for New Labour accepting a gold medal for freedom from the guy. Maybe Blair should invest in the UK’s Health system and speak out against such Government Barbaric practise.

Left: A victim from the Yugoslavian War 1992.

Year for Germany, the Euro and the EU to face the music

Shoring up the troops for a new year attack,  Mrs Merkel ties prosperity to the euro, saying the EU's biggest economy was committed to the single currency....BBC 3-1-11

The German people have emerged stronger from Europe's economic crisis, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her new year's message..... despite the worst crisis in more than 60 years, Mrs Merkel said: "The euro is much more than a currency...

"A united Europe is the guarantor for our peace and freedom. The euro forms the foundation of our prosperity.

Germany needs Europe, and our common currency, for our own well-being and also in order to overcome big challenges worldwide." ......ends                               Left: A Party political poster on the outskirts of Cologne 2011 

Shine a light to C 2011

In 2011 the European Union will decide its destiny. It can only be an historic moment to watch and hear whether todays leaders will take place in its history or join a long list of wannabes.
In looking at the bigger picture it would be a mistake to not break the cycle of self interest at national level for a period of pan Euro citizenship and a Global role for the betterment of  human condition. Negotiations will be tough and will take some further years to resolve.

The vicious bond vigilantes will incur the wrath of the people. On the streets and in the workplace a new revolutionary thinking is spawning to question the roles of financiers and politicians. It would be a folly if politicians did not cut loose their ties to these people and save their future. This is not 1933. The populace is better off, wiser and more organised.  The road to a stable society is rooted in the C. Co-operation replaces Confrontation as the  solution but will it take confrontation to make the enemies of  the stable society come to C the  way of progress.   

Above: The entrance to Groningen museum in northern Netherlands. Right: The Euro sign in Frankfurt financial quarter.

Rape, artillery and the thin line of defence.




A Joep van Lieshout sculpture from the highly sucessful infernopolis exhibition at the Katoenveem building Rotterdam harbour 2010.

   The artist's role as a conscientious commentator on human conditions which preys inward on itself is well recorded.  

What is also well documented is Governments role as the biggest killers of humans. A staggering majority of all murders and political deaths in the last century were executed by a variety of Governments . Whereas Democracies were involved in killing a sizeable number, the vast majority of victims suffered at the hands of authoritarian regimes. 

The institution of Government is coming under scrutiny by some who question its validity to hold power and if it is indeed becoming a hindrance to human progress.

Art promotes searching for truth and reality. For artist Joep van Lieshout issues, power, politics, life and death are beautifully interrogated through his works. Much  appreciated by the moderne viewer.  

Enemy of the State

 The American flag; A symbol of free speech

Public calls from members of the American political establishment for the murder of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange show the disturbing degree to which politicians have lost their way.

America has raised its military perspective over the last four decades and this once standard bearer for openness and democratic values is in danger of becoming a fading warring nation where calls for political assassination is as common as the daily killings stalking its cities.

Since the public execution of President Kennedy in 1963, clandestine operations by America's shadowy security departments have increased dramatically to embrace the unashamed use of murder, assassination and torture. What now alarms is the recent assault on free speech because it highlights such political failures. The messenger is now the terrorist and can be murdered without trial. What happened to the principal "He who accuses must prove"

moderne photojournalism breaks with tradition.

This is not a manipulated photograph; it is a reference to Marcel Duchamp and his break with tradition.

Like wise, moderne photojournalism breaks with the constraints of realism and the "Decisive Moment" to pursue colourful reflections about the "Decisive Time" In our time is the call to moderne photojournalists and the movement to establish a collective of styles and missions relating to documentation and storytelling.

Left: Street photography in Rotterdam

Deviant Art gets noticed in the Hague

When people get all riled-up about images, whether or not they be called art or deviant art, it stirs interest. Recently and exhibition about such a subject was shown in the Hague. It showcased the work of Hans Bellmer 1902-1975 and Louise Bourgeois 1911-2010. What was amusing, rewarding and slightly ironic was the welcoming 4 meter x 3 meter portrait of Louise by the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who's work also bore the brunt of the deviant (Entartete kunst)accusations in the land of the free and the home of the first parliament. Now, what would Adolf have said about that.

Steady as she goes



Le Place de Luxemburg est Rouge

 Brussels has issued warnings to Piigs. This is a "Survival crisis" and "If we do not survive with the Eurozone, we will not survive with the EU." These are great words to challenge the attack on the Eurozone by the unscruplous financial terrorists eyeing a political role in a future Global order. Or, is it just a ploy to shake naturally cautious partners to accept that that global order is a reality and not a pipe dream. Examine what we know and not what we think we know. Progress was made for all since 1999. If Ireland and the rest of the Piigs play ball it should be remembered that Mr President Van Rompuy used the word "WE" twice. Always remember President Lincon's famous remarks about "Fooling all the people all the time." Walls which famously came down in 1989 should stay down physical or otherwise.

The fishy Euro playground

There is definetly something fishy about the way the Euro crisis is behaving. Is it that they want to shoal the zone or is it that they want to cull the zone. Either way the outcome will be the same as always. A relationship crisis goes only two ways, 1, greater understanding and unity or 2, distast and divorce.

This blog believes the result has been already decided. However that result has to face the populace and if the people are unwilling to agree then there will be an ever greater crisis for the Europe project.

It might well service the Brussels mandarins to take the mood of the people into account when attacking the resolve of small nations. Forced unity never works for long.

étranger téléphone à la maison

ETranger telephone a la maison. We seem to treat little hollywood aliens better than we treat eachother. In the past foreign presence could be found in immigrant enclaves. Todays tell tale signs are just as obvious. Most immigrants refered to the "Old Country" with a degree of nostalgia and paid visits to see the folks back home. Today in Europe new arrival people are being asked to forget all this and become just like the rest. Does this mean they will be the next racists and neo fascists. Europe needs some hard thinking if it wants to become a genuine Superstate.

A bunch of free dom parties

The PVV (freedom party) is a one man party. No really! It has one member, Mr Geert Wilders and to make it a legal entity the Geert Wilders foundation is the second entity.

The PVV platform calls for more policemen, ethnic registration of all citizens, deportation of criminals and harsher prison sentences.

The PVV has called for a ban on minarets and Muslim scarves. It says if Turkey joins the European Union, the Netherlands should withdraw.

Mr Wilders has said "The core of the problem is the fascist Islam, the sick ideology of Allah and Mohammed as laid down in the Islamic Mein Kampf: the Quran."

Geert Wilders is on trial for incitment. He says it is free speech. Maybe so....But organising a trans national alliance to stop the social advancement of new arrival groups hardly inspires one to sign up to his one man crusade. Ooops!

"We must stop the tsunami of the Islamisation. This hits us in the heart, in our identity, in our culture. If we do not defend ourselves all other points from my programme will appear to be useless."

Political daftness grows

Interestingly it comes as no surprise to hear politicians will go to any lengths for a shot at fame. They are worst of the celebrity status hunters. The austerity coming to the people is the result of bad government management. In Netherlands the lust for power is taking a turn for the worst. In order to get a coalition, politicians have agreed a very dodgy set of parliamentary objectives. Some of which are:

1. Benefit cuts for people whose clothing or behaviour stops them finding work
   
2. Ban on the Burqa and other face-covering garments
3. Parents to be made financially responsible for making their children speak proper Dutch
4. Prostitution age to be raised to 21
5. 500 new animal police to protect mainly pet animals rights.
   

Are people expected to take this seriously? Is it time to question the necessity of governmnent and whether we really need it at all.

Demonising the weak and the vunerable

Politicians come and go. Often they are quickly forgotten about. However they sometimes leave an impression on society's collective psychic; especially when that impression is left to future generations to correct.

Mr Sarkozy's reckless venture with the Roma can only split Europe over the issue. Some wishing to demonise them while others recognising similarities with xenophobia and racism.

Politics, as it is today does not work as it should. This has been the case since power shifted to the people after the second war. It may be that we need to purge the political establishmnet and moderise how we govern, rather that pick fights with a part of humanity in desperate need of education and financial assistance.

A scarf is A scarf is A scarf

Forcing women to undress is just plain wrong. Punishing women with fines and imprisonment if they refuse to remove their clothes is just plain unlawful. It is up to the courts in France, Belgium and the Netherlands to ensure waywardness and silliness gripping populist politicians and an urge to reinvent the scapegoat is firmly rejected. Many people see this challenge as a watershed in the credibility of the European project. Shouting from Brussels united in diversity for most of the past 15 years can not be just a hollow catch phrase, it must mean real tolerance and freedom to chose.

Back to the Red

A Den Haag bank

The future of banking is being decided as it has been done for more than 35 years, behind closed doors in the quaint Swiss town of Basel by a committee of unelected central bankers and regulators. The consequences of carrying on like this will be profound......Preston BBC

.............................................................................................................................................................................................A Leiden home

All indicators point to a harder life for the weak in our society. House prices are falling just as more and more come onto the market for sale. Soon commercial property will lie idle and depress prices further.

Western Bankers who search for profit and only profit have demonstrated their disregard for the well being of humanity.

A sect of revolutionaries have promised a new urban guerilla war. Who will be their targets. Capitalism is failing the west just as Communism failed the east. Only China has utilised the wisdom of the one country two systems well enough to save itself from the onslought of an impending depression. Maybe it is time to consider going back to the Red.

Postcards from cucumber season

What the British call the silly season is refered to in Holland as cucumber time, as summer holidays take priority.

Making pleasant walkabouts in Rotterdam provides a picture of this city in a massive social and physical transition. Its powerful message is of communities travelling together towards new horizons.