... for the peoples of the world the most important aspect ...

... of the 1215 Great Charter (Magna Carta) should be embedded in our psyche, it's the 29th clause which guarantees Justice, albeit at the time it only applied to "Freemen" ...

NO Freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or be disseised (to dispossess or to deprive) of his Freehold, or Liberties, or free Customs, or be outlawed, or exiled, or any other wise destroyed; nor will We not pass upon him, nor condemn him, but by lawful judgment of his Peers, or by the Law of the land. We will sell to no man, we will not deny or defer to any man either Justice or Right.^[1]

... unfortunately in the 21st century Justice is sold, it is denied, it is deferred, all to the highest bidder.

A case in question

Sophie Lancaster, her mothers "Black Rose", not ethnicity but a cultural choice, she was Gothic as was her boyfriend Rob Maltby.
"... both were kicked and beaten so badly that ambulance staff could not tell which was the man and which the woman when they arrived on the scene."

How does the 1215 Great Charter apply to Sophie and Rob ?

Has Justice been sold or denied or deferred  ?

How does "... a gang of binge-drinking teenage yobs ... , without the slightest provocation, inflict such ghastly violence on a pair of kindly innocents" relate to the principles of Justice outlined in our great Charter.

We sold justice to the drinks and distribution industries by dropping the age that people are able to purchase alcoholic drinks.
We denied life to Sophie by creating a society that is intolerant to "difference".
We deferred morality, politicians chose to set aside qualities that accompany's tolerance .

... a sidestep in social observations ...

How can our Prime Minister become craven in his subservience to Anthony Bamford, a man who actively lobbies for cuts to business taxes and for restrictions to workers' rights, what human being would wish to take away from people rights fought hard for.

Would Bamford wind the clock back to a time when serfdom was the norm, when only a few were accorded the benefits of the 1215 Great Charter, is it might be time to wrench away from the "Great Bore Bamford" the rights he is claiming for a superior existence in this our world ?

... a fistful of horrors, 400 ...

... in fact.

The richest 400 people in the USA have a wealth that equal the wealth of the bottom 140 million people combined.

To put it into perspective, each of the 400 has the combined wealth of 350,000 citizens.

If each of the 400 wealthy few could corral these 350,000 people they would each need a city the size of New Orleans.

For a more considered opinion you might try the decline of the great American middle class by Robert Reich.

Remember the 140,000,000 are not the underbelly of a nation, they represent almost half the citizens of this powerful country.

Now my question is ...

... are not these 140,000,000 people stakeholders in the USA ?

... and when you say YES, you might like to consider ...

... the 400 have a combined wealth of $7.5 trillion, whilst the 140,000,000 share an equal amount !

Is this Justice or might it be very similar to the society of Moses in ancient Egypt

... and is it so very different here in the United Kingdom .............. I doubt it !

... two views, two ...

... quite different perspectives !

The UK government through its Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said the rich of the UK pay sufficient into the tax pool, check out the figures ...

... almost 90% of tax take is paid by the top 50% of the income groups.

This particular coin has a very different other side, the wealth of the top 50% ...

... dwarfs the wealth of the bottom 50%.

You might say that the wealth has been earned therefore such comparisons should not be made, as George Osborne said ...

... beware of "driving away" the UK's "wealth creators"

I have this feeling that our politicians are not being particularly honest with the electorate.

Is it the politics of envy to ask the top 50% of taxpayers to contribute a little more to pay for the poverty that underpins their wealth, Is it true that if taxes increased for the wealthiest 50% they would depart our small island leaving an unfilled vacuum ...

Or could it be true that the top 50% of taxpayers exist because of the production of the little people at the bottom of the pile, could it be true that an economic vacuum cannot exist except in the empty minds of politicians.

It's not necessary to invoke the politics of envy to right an obvious wrong, it is important to maintain a culture where aspiration is a motivating factor ...

... but it's equally important that we do not have a social underclass as a foundation of society.

Economic Justice is as important as Criminal Justice.

Clegg is wrong to suggest the wealthiest people ...

... could be asked to pay more tax for a limited period.

 A weak politician with feeble ideas, if he had a backbone he would have said ...

Every person earning above the average should be taxed to support the lowest paid in the economy, the lowest paid that underpin our economy through their poverty.

The idea is, we are all players in the game of life, and, with a few exceptions, contribute to society, unfortunately some contribute much effort for little return, and those of us who were cast a better hand are given an advantage that is unjustified.

What is the worth of a doctor to society, when compared to his nursing colleague, compared to the hospital porter, compared to the hospital grounds cleaning team !

The aim of the Liberal Democrats could be a levelling game, the levelling of opportunity for people, this is not the model of Marx but the models based on the propositions of John Rawls, deliberations from behind his "veil of ignorance" to promote social justice.

Would we condemn people to poverty if we might be tomorrows pauper, would we set a minimum wage that is insufficient to sustain our existence.  It's true that poverty is relative in a discrete society, it is not useful to compare the poverty of Britain with the poverty of Brazil when exploring local solutions, solutions to issues that Clegg might consider today;  although in the greater scheme such comparisons will expose our humanity or lack of.

For Clegg he might begin a British long march towards Justice and the elimination of poverty, as a start he could do well to consider the reform of taxation in our country, a reform to ensure that no-one person or company doing business in Britain fails to contribute in full.  That is the foundation, a society where contributing is a virtue.

A digression following on from yesterday in the USA ...

... in the USA during 2007 the following words were expressed ...

"If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democratic president. It's kind of a pipe dream, it's a personal fantasy of mine, but I don't think it's going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women."

... by the conservative Fox news guest and celebrity pundit Ann Coulter.

... she would disenfranchise half of society, what hope for the little people ?

Dissent, a cornerstone ...

... of democracy, of civilisation, for without dissent in Britain we would have :

1. children chimney sweeps.
2. children mine workers.
3. children as young as 5 working

Our voice of dissent in Britain was Anthony Ashley Cooper, better known as the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury.

In Russia today there are the punk band Pussy Riot,and the object of their dissent is nothing more than the vertically challenged President (some say for life) Putin, a man who is unable to contemplate a democratic challenge.

In 16th century Italy there was Galileo Galilei, a dissenter who searched for truth through science, his adversary was the Roman Inquisition. 

Whereas Galileo was persecuted because he had proven the Earth orbited our Sun, the Pussy Riot are being persecuted by the Russian political establishment because they will have no truck with the Putin regime.

What point life if you are unable to protest another man's politics ...........

Don't blame us for not dying.

A letter from Jane Reed of London in today's Times.

I got old by not dying. And now, with all this talk of the soaring costs of caring, how elderly demographics are reversing the improvements in public financing, of job-hogging, I feel “not dying” may have been an irresponsible choice ( £ "Time to target over-60s’ benefits") written by David Budworth.

My generation grew out of the aftermath of war. We lived through two major recessions where income tax soared to 85 per cent for some and we worked by candlelight. The houses we saved for became valuable — an inevitable result of supply and demand economics in a small island. The pension I built up over 50 years is quietly diminishing. My savings produce little or no growth, and I am happy where possible and when called upon to be the family banker, like so many of my contemporaries.

I feel for younger people suddenly faced with back-sliding living standards, but we are where we are and blaming my generation for not dying is not the answer.

Is this a line in the sand that politicians fear to tread I wonder.

94% of us ...

...believe there should be an investigation ...

It's not a small majority, it's overwhelming, and the topic is ......... oil.

The problem seems to be another distortion of facts to manipulate the market price for oil, and who is in the frame :

• ... banks
• ... hedge funds
• ... energy companies

I expect the political left wing to assign blame to Capitalism, but like the Libor scandal it is a failure of morality and ethics of individuals.  In fact this particular markets is unregulated, it relies on the most basic of traits we expect of those in positions of responsibility, "honesty".

This is one of the major concerns raised in the G20 report, published last month by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

In the study for global finance ministers, including George Osborne, the regulator warns that traders have opportunities to influence oil prices for their own profit.

It points out that the whole market is “voluntary”, meaning banks and energy companies can choose which trades to make public.

IOSCO says this “creates opportunity for a trader to submit a partial picture in order to influence the [price] to the trader’s advantage”.

In an earlier report, the regulator concluded: “It is open to companies to report only those deals that are in their own best interests for the rest of the market to see.”

The price reporting agencies, Platts and Argus, argue they employ journalists to weed out false data submitted by oil traders

Could this be a reason why we are paying such high prices for fuel at the pumps ......

In fact this is another example of a need for a regulatory body that is divorced from the industry under scrutiny.  The public needs protection.

... can you fool all (update) ...

... the people all of the time ?

Lesley Griffiths

Betsan Powys

Wales on Line

... this politician seems to think so.

... if there were such a thing as Justice, then Carwyn Jones would remove her.

... if there were such a thing as honour, then Griffiths would go,


Update, the British Medical Association say the report is discredited.

Hibbert’s rules, ...

... Old girl returns as head and saves sinking school. 

A former pupil has transformed her old school from one “ruled by children” to an “outstanding” primary.  Hollin Primary School in Middleton, Rochdale, near Manchester, was placed in special measures after being castigated by Ofsted for inadequate teaching and leadership, and erratic attendance. Elaine Hibbert, 57, who first joined the school aged 5, returned five decades later as a “super-head” and last week it was rated outstanding. 

Mrs Hibbert, who turned around two failing schools before returning to Hollin, describes the culture of struggling schools as akin to Lord of the Flies. 

“Nearly all my headships have been in schools that have failed or are about to fail, schools that are usually in very damaged communities,” she said. “My first was in 2000 at a primary school in Oldham. Expectations were low. It took just under two years to come out of special measures.” 

Her second was in Rochdale. “The head teacher had gone off sick, and when there is no leadership at the top the teachers batten down the hatches and become very insular. It’s a broken regime and the children get hold of the school and forge their rule on it. Pupil presence in failing schools is always very strong.” By the time Mrs Hibbert left in 2009, it was rated outstanding. 

She arrived at Hollin Primary in the same year. Once she set out her plans, half the staff decided to leave. In the 1950s there had been an “immense amount of pride” in the new council estate where she grew up. It now has endemic unemployment. “The aspirations of many parents were very low but they still wanted a good deal for their children,” she said. “One of the issues was the lack of trust parents had in the school. In modern schools you have to try a lot harder to earn respect from children and parents.” 

She added: “I’ve found, quite sadly, that parents challenge teachers as a matter of course. There’s no point challenging a teacher if the child is not at the expected standard or if the parent has not made sure the child is at school every day, or isn’t doing homework. 

“Teachers would never criticise a parent for challenging them about the curriculum or the progress their child is making, but what frustrates teachers is being challenged over how they deal with behaviour, and sanctions they have put in place.” 

Parents and children reacted with disbelief when they heard she was from the estate where they lived. She said: “We didn’t have a uniform in those days. The parents were all really hard-working but when you see old school photos we look like ragamuffins.” Teachers were treated “like gods” and dinner ladies ruled with a rod of iron. 

Since she became head, results in the Key Stage 2 tests taken by 11-year-olds have risen from the low 40s to 100 per cent in reading, writing and maths. Mrs Hibbert said: “The whole ethos of the school has changed.”

The Times 9 July 2012.

Hibbert’s rules, ...


... as modified for life thereafter :

Have clear principles, a moral code, a sense of purpose,recruit or retain staff who want to make a difference and embrace the local community.

 

In the USA they know how to serve ...

... a dish that is best served cold.

In  New Jersey, a babysitter who pleaded guilty in US District Court Wednesday to the sexual exploitation of a child (that took place on at least two separate occasions in her home) faces 30 years behind bars.

Whilst in Britain a gang of 9 sexual predators, men who ran a child sexual exploitation ring in Greater Manchester, have been jailed, but only for a fraction of the time that the New Jersey pervert will pace the floors behind bars...

... the 59-year-old unnamed leader was jailed for 19 years, he is appealing on racial grounds.

... the judge called him an "unpleasant and hypocritical bully" who had ordered a 15-year-old girl to have sex with takeaway worker Kabeer Hassan as a birthday "treat".

Hassan, 25, of Lacrosse Avenue, Oldham, was sentenced to nine years for rape and three years for conspiracy.
Abdul Aziz, 41,  of Armstrong Hurst Close, Rochdale, convicted of trafficking for sexual exploitation, received a nine year sentence.
Abdul Rauf, 43, of Darley Road, Rochdale, convicted of trafficking a child within the UK for sexual exploitation, received six years.

Adil Khan, 42, of Oswald Street, Rochdale convicted of trafficking a child within the UK for sexual exploitation, received eight years.
Mohammed Sajid, 35, of Jephys Street, Rochdale, convicted of one count of rape, sexual activity with a girl under 16 and trafficking for sexual exploitation, was jailed for 12 years.
Mohammed Amin, 45, of Falinge Road, Falinge, known as "Car Zero", convicted of sexual assault and received a five-year jail term.
Hamid Safi, 22, of no fixed address, convicted of trafficking girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation and sentenced to four years.
Abdul Qayyum, 44, of Ramsay Street, Rochdale, was jailed for five years. He was a driver and was known by the name "Tiger".

... I believe each of the 9 predators should have been put away from society for the rest of their years, a dish best served cold, revenge.

It seems the USA knows how best to serve justice to the depraved. 

The hippocratic oath ...

is not difficult to understand, it reads thus ...

I swear to fulfil, to the best of my ability and judgement, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience 

the joy of healing those who seek my help.

Unfortunately the oath does not apply in Bahrain ...

... where dozens of doctors and nurses who treated injured protesters in Bahrain have appeared in court charged with attempting to topple the monarchy, it is a grotesque miscarriage of human rights to pervert this ancient oath taken by medical staff, it demonstrates a level of barbarism unwanted in this world we live in, don't take my word for it read it here.

Bernie Ecclestone was so wrong when he supported the return of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix to the racing calender, the Hippocratic Oath would need to become the Hypocritical Oath to satisfy the brutal regime in Bahrain.

Listen to the people of the world Mr Formula One .... we do not want you supporting brutality wherever it exists.

Justice, Osama Bin Laden dead, ...

... killed by US forces outside Islamabad, BBC report here, it couldn't have happen to a nicer person.  I wonder if he looked his executioner in the eye;  I wonder because the thousands of innocent people murdered in his name were oblivious to the reason why they were having their lives ended by strangers.