Wednesday, 25 July 2018

Protesting too much

Am I allowed to say that I am a bit cynical about the current accusations against the Labour party for being institutionally anti-Semitic?

I remember Ken Livingstone's stupid remarks which got him thrown out, but apart from that I cannot recall any displays of anti-Semitism that were any worse than the low-level unthinking prejudice which can be found at either end of the political spectrum.

Corbyn has refused to fully sign up to a code which effectively defines one aspect of anti-Semitism as any criticism of the State of Israel. Does that make him anti-Semitic? Are we not allowed to express our disapproval of some practices of a sovereign state without being accused of racism?

If we want to talk to the people of Palestine, we have to talk to their representatives, who - unfortunately - are Hamas. Is there a rule which says that you are not allowed to smile when being photographed in the company of Hamas leaders?
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21 comments:

  1. Rosina Sestina25 July 2018 at 00:46

    The Labour Party and its members appear to be consuming themselves with the accusations, nobody else.

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    1. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 02:27

      You can think of no outside influence then?

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    2. Rosina Sestina25 July 2018 at 05:47

      No, it is internal.

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    3. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 07:00

      Who is stirring it up and why then? I am cynical enough to suspect there are other people with other motives than simply bringing down Corbyn by destroying Labour. There is an international incentive and social media has become a powerful weapon.

      Delete
  2. Cro Magnon25 July 2018 at 01:51

    Smiling in the company of the IRA, Hamas, and Hezbollah, surely says something about our Jeremy.

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    1. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 02:26

      Such as?

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    2. Cro Magnon25 July 2018 at 04:40

      I haven't yet seen him smiling at a 'Fluffy Kitten' show, just with terrorists. His priorities seem askew.

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    3. Jane Karwat25 July 2018 at 05:47

      He is a gardener though.

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    4. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 07:05

      I repeat the question. Such as? Jane: don't forget that Ken Livingstone keeps newts.

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    5. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 07:11

      Listen, I didn't post this to defend Jeremy fucking Corbyn, just the freedom to be allowed to voice an opinion on the politics of another country without some deeming it a crime to suit their own agenda. What is your problem with that?

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    6. Jane Karwat25 July 2018 at 17:19

      I actually agree with you. I have no problem expressing an opinion on politics of another country, we are all interconnected now. Israel should not be off limits. My comment on Corbyn was an answer to Cro's Fluffy Kittens. If you look, you can find somewhere to start a conversation.

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    7. Jane Karwat25 July 2018 at 18:24

      I worked with Livingston and Boris on C40 Climate change.

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    8. Tom Stephenson26 July 2018 at 00:34

      A friend of mine worked with Livingstone as an advisor on 'women's issues'. Somewhere there is a photo of her and Ken in Billingsgate fish market, dressed in white and sexing a lobster!

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    9. Bea26 July 2018 at 12:02

      I would def like to see that photo.

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  3. justjill25 July 2018 at 09:10

    No problem at all, I totally agree with you. But if you want to know where the bad press is coming from look no further than the Blairites.

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    1. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 11:21

      Not just the Blairites. Like I keep saying, it is an international campaign. Think about it.

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  4. The Weaver of Grass25 July 2018 at 10:38

    Now you aare arguing on here too.

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    1. Tom Stephenson25 July 2018 at 11:23

      Everything is deviisive these days, but that is no reason not to speak your mind.

      Delete
  5. Derek Faulkner25 July 2018 at 12:47

    and what will you achieve?

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    ReplyDelete

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