Alfred the Ordinary’s blog

Norman Tebbit hits the nail on the head in his post Britain and the EU: time for a divorce. Maybe the Conservative Party could try listening to this very experienced politician. The Telegraph January 22nd 2010

Here are a few extracts

This is why we can never be part of this supra-national government

Norman Tebbit January 22nd 2010

The English are, of course, a European nation, but we are different by virtue of our history from the others.

The right of a German or Frenchman to free speech is a grant by law – essentially an entitlement rather than a right. Here, it requires a law to set limits upon that right, which in this Kingdom is (I’m sorry Professor Dawkins) the God-given right of an Englishman or woman from birth.

The basic assumptions underlying the two systems of law, English Common law and European law, are such that they cannot exist side by side.

Nor is it just a matter of law. Our history has shaped our society to be different.

Churchill was right. We should wish European union well – so long as it does not seek to cross the Channel. Certainly I have no ill will towards our friends on the mainland, but I think it is time the British dog got out of the federalist manger. I could live happily on the mainland as a foreigner. I believe that we should have a treaty relationship with other European nations covering matters of mutual interest, but that our Parliament should remain fully sovereign.

Divorce is never easy, but it may be better than persisting in an unhappy marriage.

From Europe News, we get the full transcript of Gert Wilders Speech in his trial.

Geert Wilders, was the little-known (outside of the Netherlands) leader of a very small party, PVV, the Party for Freedom. As Diana West of Europe News reminds us:

”Only a year and a half later, Wilders is the most famous Dutchman in the world, and his party rivals the current ruling party in popularity. Wilders is also now on trial for his political life and liberty -- hardly a coincidence.”

Notable highlights are:

I would like to begin by saying that of all our attainments, freedom is the most precious and most vulnerable.

I have nothing against Muslims. I have a problem with the Islam and the Islamization of our country because Islam is at right angles to freedom. Future generations will wonder how we, in 2010, at this location, in this room, served our most precious asset. Whether the freedom is for both sides in this debate and thus also for Islam-critics. Or whether in the Netherlands only one side of the debate may be heard. Whether freedom of speech in the Netherlands applies to everyone, or only to some.

I hope she, Lady Justice, will hear the following phrases sound, loud and clear:
"It is not only the right, but also the duty of free people to speak out against any ideology that threatens freedom."
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was right:
"The price for freedom is eternal vigilance."

Read the full transcript at Europe News

royal courts of injustice

Yet a senior judge said he had been the victim of a "serious injustice" (Daily Telegraph Jan 19th, 2010). How many more people, rotting in continental jails, who are victims of "serious injustice" will it take before anything is done about this obnoxious European Arrest Warrant (EAW). Yet Lord West, who has responsibility for extraditions, said in December 2009:

“The Government is satisfied that the EAW is working well”

Let's not forget that Andrew Symeou has now be in a Greek jail, in squalid conditions, for over six months, refused bail and with no sign of a trial date. As Private Eye noted in December (copy 1252 page 32)

Evidence in the case, seen by the Eye, suggests that some of it was fabricated or obtained by violent intimidation of witnesses.

But let's remember the most important fact. Under the EAW, the British extraditing judge is no longer allowed to consider the evidence, just whether the Warrant is in order. However bad, or discredited the evidence, our basic english freedoms have been discarded in favour of “mutual respect” of another states judicial system, some of which are decidedly suspect.

How much longer will this go on? Until we either revoke the EAW or leave the E.U. I recommend that you do not go on holiday to any EU State. It can haul you back at the whim of a corrupt mayor on false charges, holding you to ransom over some parking charge extortion racket, or any number of money making schemes still being thought up and you will have no way of preventing 'our' Westminster Government from handing you over.

A crowd gathered on Saturday, Jan 9th, outside the Greek Embassy, to protest and remember that Andrew Symeou has now been in a Greek prison, unnecessarily, for six months. The crowd was well behaved and orderly and included London MEPS UK Independence Party Gerald Batten and Liberal Democrat Baroness Sarah Ludford.

The protest tried to stay non political, focused on Andrew's release, and after many chants demanding release of Andrew now, posted a petition of protest through the Embassy's letter box.

"Andrew Symeou, 21, from Enfield, was returned to Greece in July 2009 on a controversial charge related to the death of a fellow young Briton in a Greek nightclub. He has been denied bail and his lawyers maintain there have been brutal police tactics, fabrication of evidence and even torture of witnesses." Baroness Ludford, January 8th, 2010

EAW and Politics. On a political note, it is interesting to compare the position of the two MEPs, regarding the European Arrest Warrant (EAW). From previous posts you will know what a dreadful instrument this is as anyone can now be extradited to any EU State and the English extraditing Magistrate is not allowed to examine the evidence. Some very basic fundamental rights of English people have just been discarded. Think carefully before booking that holiday to Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania ........

[Photo 1 - Delivery of the petition at the Greek Embassy, London - Baroness Ludford can be seen in the white coat and black hat ] 

Gerard Batten "Gerard Batten MEP has drawn attention to the injustices of the European Arrest Warrant. Here the family of Andrew Symeou, now awaiting trial in Greece, tell of his current situation. Under a EAW any British citizen may now be extradited to another EU country as a mere bureaucratic formality."

Baroness Ludford said, in a speech delivered to the European Parliament on Tue 24th Nov 2009 "So I support the European arrest warrant, but we absolutely must have the defendants' rights to go with it. Otherwise we will have scandals like that of Andrew Symeou which destroy public support for the European arrest warrant, as is happening in my country."

As I write this is warmth and comfort, I am trying to think of how Andrew must feel, in a filthy cockroach infested prison cell, discarded by the Westminster political machine as irrelevant. The Home Office recently said to me about this case.

"The Government is satisfied that the EAW is working well and there are no plans to review Part 1 of the Act"

 [Photo 2 - MEP Gerard Batten being interviewd by a TV crew]

Working well? Just ask the Symeou family and the ever growing list of individuals now incarcerated in squalid jails throughout the European Union, what they think. They have discovered that the British Justice system, based on Common Law where the individual has many rights which they once took for granted is so so very different from EU justice which on the whole is based on the Napoleonic code, where the State has all the rights.

Staycation this year? For those that can still afford a holiday in another EU State, "Staycations" now makes more sense than ever.

"2009 is also the first year of the establishment of Global governance with the establishment of the G20 ... The climate conference in Copenhagen is another step towards the global management of our planet"

and you thought that this was just for conspiracy theorists.

Hat tip EU Referendum

Two more individuals suffer under the European Arrest Warrant. This is not justice. It is the 'New Law' of the European Union. Have you been affected yet? You will be. Just add the names to the ever growing list and remember them, especially Andrew Symeou as he rots in a Greek Jail. 

and our 'caring government' say that we must have 'mutual respect' for the legal systems of other members of the European Union.

“By His Grace, an American life is an extraordinary life.” Sarah Palin

Going Rogue: An American Life

At 413 pages one is left wondering what the editor took out, but it would appear that he, Adam Bellow, was giving Sarah Palin a relatively free hand. The result is a very readable ride through a life that is both ordinary and very extraordinary at the same time and I was glad that none of the incidents or stories had been edited out. We get to know Sarah Palin well. We are given an insiders insight into a family that is closely knitted, that has struggled with employment and finances so understands the difficulties that so many face in these days of job losses. The book also gives a valuable insight into life in Alaska.

This home town Mom, took on the challenge of local mayor, then state Governor. In just over two years, she shook up the political scene in Alaska routing out excessive spending and big government in the face of considerable opposition, but was unable to convince the voters of her skills and record in the 2008 Presidential election. We are given a first hand account of how those behind the scenes work to control politics through manipulation and trickery and why ordinary people are likely to be put off entering the political fray. Read and be informed.

Sarah Palin is not a grey person. Love her or not, and I think she is great, this book leaves you with absolute clarity as to where she stands on the major issues of the day. What you see is what you get. eg:

“In his book A Conflict of Visions, Thomas Sowell explains the underlying assumptions or “visions” that shape our opinions and the way we approach social and political issues. He identifies two separate visions: the unconstrained and the constrained.

  People who adhere to the unconstrained vision (the label applied to them is “liberal” or “left-wing”) believe that human nature is changeable (therefore perfectible) and that society's problems can all be solved if only the poor, ignorant, disorganized public is told what to do and rational plans are enacted. And who better to make those plans than an elite bureaucracy pulling the strings and organizing society according to their master blueprint? No one can doubt that our current leaders in Washington subscribe to this unconstrained vision.

   Conservatives believe in the “constrained” political visions because we know that human nature is flawed and that there are limitations to what can be done in Washington to “fix” society's problems.

   Commonsense Conservatives deal with human nature as it is – with its unavoidable weaknesses and its potential for goodness. We see the world as it is – imperfect but filled with beauty. We hope for the best. We believe people can change for the better, but we do not ignore history's lessons and waste time chasing utopian pipe dreams.

   We don't trust utopian promises from politicians. The role of government is not to perfect us but to protect us – to protect our inalienable rights. The role of government in a civil society is to protect the individual and to establish a social contract so that we can live together in peace." P 386.

I expect that we will hear more from this lady.

But, if you prefer the opposite opinion, read The Guardian's book review "Jay Parini shudders at the thought of President Palin". I feel that Jay Parini cannot see past his prejudices to understand the strengths of Sarah Palin.

(Sarah Palin, Going Rogue. An American Life, Harper Collins, New York, 2009)

Interview by Malcolm Brabant the BBC correspondent in Athens on the 23rd November

Watch and wonder about the moral backbone of our UK leaders. (YouTube)

From Fair Trials International, Nov 24th, 2009.

Greek police fabricated evidence and lied under oath in order to frame Andrew Symeou, according to a criminal complaint being filed by Andrew's lawyer in Greece. Andrew, a 20 year old British man from Enfield, is accused of involvement in the tragic death of another young British man in a nightclub in Zante, Greece in 2007.

Jago Russell, Chief Executive of Fair Trials International, said:

"Andrew should not have been extradited on the basis of this fabricated evidence and flawed investigation. This young man has already spent four months in a Greek jail, and still no trial date is in sight."

Despite serious flaws in the case against him, in July of this year British courts ordered his extradition to Greece under a European Arrest Warrant. Andrew remains in prison, having been twice refused bail on the grounds that he is not a Greek national.

Read also the speech made by Baroness Ludford, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for London and remember that the Liberal Democrats are completely and fully supportive of our European Government.

Sarah speaks to the European Parliament about the European Arrest Warrant, defendants' rights and Andrew Symeou

Speech by Sarah Ludford MEP delivered to the European Parliament on Tue 24th Nov 2009

Sarah Ludford (ALDE). - Mr President, the Swedish Presidency is to be congratulated for the way they have pushed the overdue question of defendants' rights to fair treatment across Europe. This is absolutely essential to accompany the European arrest warrant. We need to ensure that mutual recognition really can be based on mutual confidence in all the national criminal justice systems. This is not the case at present and there are severe weaknesses.

I also have a constituent, Andrew Symeou, who has been in jail in Greece since July, refused bail because he was a foreigner. His Greek lawyer has made a complaint about police abuse and destruction of evidence. An application will be made to the European Court of Human Rights, and it is pretty shameful that this is necessary, because this is about the treatment of one EU citizen by another Member State. It is shocking that this has to go to Strasbourg.

So I support the European arrest warrant, but we absolutely must have the defendants' rights to go with it. Otherwise we will have scandals like that of Andrew Symeou which destroy public support for the European arrest warrant, as is happening in my country.

 Remember. Andrew has been in this Greek jail for over 4 months now.

Please note that Leo Carrington doesn’t exist, neither does Carrington Automotive Enterprises, Inc, however don't let that distract you from the message.

               Carrington Automotive Meeting                From the CEO               

**************************               

The Employee Meeting:

"Carrington Automotive Enterprises is what we call a Sub-S - a Subchapter S corporation. The name comes from a particular part of our tax code. Sub-S status means that the income from all 12 of our stores is reported on my personal tax return. Businesses that report their income on the owner's personal tax return are referred to as "small businesses." So, you see now that this $534,000 is really the total taxable income - the total combined profit from all 12 of our stores. That works out to an average of a bit over $44,000 per store.

Why did I feel it important for you to see my actual 2008 tax return? Well, there's a lot of rhetoric being thrown around today about taxes, small businesses and rich people. To the people in charge in Washington right now I'm a wealthy American making over a half-million dollars a year. Most Americans would agree: I'm just another rich guy; after all ... I had over a half-million in income last year, right? In this room we know that the reality is that I'm a small business owner who runs 12 retail establishments and employs 187 people. Now here's something that shouldn't surprise you, but it will: Just under 100 percent ... make that 99.7 percent of all employers in this country are small businesses, just like ours. Every one of these businesses reports their income on a personal income tax return. You need to understand that small businesses like ours are responsible for about 80 percent of all private sector jobs in this country, and about 70 percent of all jobs that have been created over the past year. You also need to know that when you hear some politician talking about rich people who earn over $200,000 or $500,000 a year, they're talking about the people who create the jobs." . . .

"Right now the Democrats are pushing a nationalized health care plan that, depending on who's doing the talking, will add anywhere from another two percent to an additional 4.6 percent to my taxes. If I add a few more stores, which I would like to do, and if the economy improves, my taxable income ... our business income ... could go over one million dollars! If that happens the Democrats have yet another tax waiting, another five percent plus! I've really lost track of all of the new government programs the Democrats and President Obama are proposing that they claim they will be able to finance with new taxes on what they call "wealthy Americans."

And while we're talking about health care, let me explain something else to you. I understand that possibly your biggest complaint with our company is that we don't provide you with health insurance. That is because as your employer I believe that it is my responsibility to provide you with a safe workplace and a fair wage and to do all that I can to preserve and grow this company that provides us all with income. I no more have a responsibility to provide you with health insurance than I do with life, auto or homeowner's insurance. As you know, I have periodically invited agents for health insurance companies here to provide you with information on private health insurance plans. The Democrats are proposing to levy yet another tax against Carrington in the amount of 8 percent of my payroll as a penalty for not providing you with health insurance. You should know that if they do this I will be reducing every person's salary or hourly wage by that same 8 percent. . . "

"Let's be clear about this ... crystal clear. Any federal tax increase on me is going to cost you money, not me. Any new taxes on Carrington Automotive will be new taxes that you, or the people I don't hire to staff the new stores I won't be building, will be paying. Do you understand what I'm telling you? You've heard about things rolling downhill, right? Fine .. then you need to know that taxes, like that other stuff, roll downhill. . . "

"Most Americans don't realize that when the Democrats talk about raising taxes on people making more than $250 thousand a year, they're talking about raising taxes on small businesses. The U.S. Treasury Department says that six out of every ten individuals in this country with incomes of more than $280,000 are actually small business owners. About one-half of the income in this country that would be subject to these increased taxes is from small businesses like ours. Depending on how many of these wonderful new taxes the Democrats manage to pass, this company could see its tax burden increase by as much as $60,000. Perhaps more."

I know a lot of you voted for President Obama. A lot of you voted for Democrats across the board. Whether you voted out of support for some specific policies, or because you liked his slogans, you need to learn one very valuable lesson from this election. Elections have consequences. You might have thought it would be cool to have a president who looks like you; or a president who is young, has a buff body, and speaks eloquently when there’s a teleprompter in the neighborhood. Maybe you liked his promises to tax the rich. Maybe you believed his promise not to raise taxes on people earning less than a certain amount. Maybe you actually bought into his promise to cut taxes on millions of Americans who actually don’t pay income taxes in the first place. Whatever the reason .. your vote had consequences; and here they are.

               Bottom line? I’m not taking this hit alone. As soon as the Democrats manage to get their tax increases on the books, I’m going to take steps to make sure that my family isn’t affected. When you own the business, that is what you’re allowed to do. I built this business over a period of 23 years, and I’m not going to see my family suffer because we have a president and a congress who think that wealth is distributed rather than earned. Any additional taxes, of whatever description, that President Obama and the Democrats inflict on this business will come straight out of any funds I have set aside for expansion or pay and benefit increases. Any plans I might have had to hire additional employees for new stores will be put aside. Any plans for raises for the people I now have working for me will be shelved..

Year-end bonuses might well be eliminated. That may sound rough, but that’s the reality.

               You’re going to continue to hear a lot of anti-wealth rhetoric out there from the media and from the left. You can choose to believe what you wish ... ..but when it comes to Carrington Automotive you will know the truth. The books are open to any of you at any time. I have nothing to hide. I would hope that other small business owners out there would hold meetings like this one, but I know it won’t happen that often. One of the lessons to be learned here is that taxes ... all taxes ... and all regulatory costs that are placed on businesses anywhere in this country, will eventually be passed right on down to individuals; individuals such as yourself. This hasn’t been about admonishing anyone and it hasn’t been about issuing threats. This is part of the education you should have received in the government schools, but didn’t. Class is now dismissed.