Just a quick video to explain my feelings on the Bristol Riots on 8th/9th/10th August 2011.
Please help spread this message to as many people as possible. We will not stand by and let our community burn, or live in fear. We cannot let these youths rule our lives.
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Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive of Europe’s largets low-cost airline easyJet has been in the media today to announce a new report by an independant company, commisioned by the airline.
Under Government proposals announced in March, the Air Passenger Duty tax (APD) would increase from £12 to up to £16 for any flight up to 2000 miles. This is despite PM David Cameron making a pledge to change the way APD was charged from ’per passenger’ to ‘per plane’.
Charging APD on a per plane basis would encourage airlines to adopt more economical and environmentally friendly equipment. As things stand, all passengers are charged the same amount, regardless of which airline they are flying on. Under the per-plane scheme tax rates would vary depending on the carbon emissions of the aircraft.
For example, easyJet’s average fleet age is 4 years. Therefore, flying on an easyJet aircraft is much more economical than on a 30 year old plane that many of the long-haul and charter airlines use. So, should it not make sense that these APD is charged in the same way road tax is? Charges would increase in line with emissions and aircraft size just as a large 4×4 ‘gas-guzzler’ owner has to pay more in road tax.
The report commsioned by easyJet found that the new charges would INCREASE emissions by up to 360,000 tonnes per year whilst reducing tourist spending in the UK by £475 million a year, leading to the loss of up to 77,000 jobs.
easyJet have set up an online petition at TaxPlanesNotPeople.co.uk and I highly recommend you sign it in order to show the coalition that we will not stand for further increases on a ridiculous tax that needs to change. Every signature helps….
A British woman has reportedly been beheaded in a busy supermarket in Los Cristianos, Tenerife this morning. Witnesses described a surreal scene as the 28-year-old Bulgarian suspect walked from the supermarket carrying the victims head by the hair, whilst muttering to himself. The incident took place around 10am this morning (local time).
There are reports that the woman was a shop assistant in the supermarket where the incident took place, and that the suspect was a homeless man with a police record who had been released from a hospital in February after receiving ‘treatment’ for violent behaviour. Reportedly there was no motive for the attack. Local councillor Manuel Reveron said;
“Apparently this gentleman without any motive or any reason, although for this there is no reasoning, entered the shop and then cut this woman’s neck and took the head in his hand outside up to the sidewalk.”
I stayed in Los Cristianos just last week, and it’s a beautiful and popular resort in sunny Tenerife. Details of the victim are still to be released – presumably the authorities will be notifying relatives. My thoughts go out to all those affected by this sick, disgraceful murder.
Update: Reports now stating the woman was 60, not 62.
This is the full text of President Obama’s statement on 1 May 2011 regarding the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
11:35 P.M. EDT (4:35am BST)
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory — hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.
And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.
On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.
We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda — an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.
Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.
Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.
And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.
Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.
Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.
For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.
Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will — remain vigilant at home and abroad.
As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.
Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.
Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.
The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.
So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.
Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.
We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.
Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.
And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.
The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.
Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
<End of Statement>
More: Video of President Obama’s Speech | Osama Bin Laden Killed
Live coverage of President Obama’s statement on the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
Update: Speech has now concluded. A replay of the whole statement can be found below.
Great news in the fight against terrorism…. Osama Bin Laden, the leader of terrorist organisation al-Qaeda, has been kiled and the US Government has his body.
More on this breaking news story as it is released. US President Barack Obama is due to make a statement shortly.
UNCONFIRMED news reports suggest he was killed along with family members in a mansion near Islamabad, Pakistan. This is yet to be confirmed.
Obama’s news conference has been postponed three times so far, but a statement is due shortly and I will update as and when it happens.
Update: President Obama confirms that Osama Bin Laden has been killed in a compound deep within Pakistan (Abbottabad, north of Islamabad) after enough evidence was gathered by authorities that the Al-Qaeda leader was in hiding at that location. After a firefight, Bin Laden was killed, and US forces took possession of his body.
The first lead on Bin Laden’s whereabouts was received in August 2010, and last week President Obama gave the go-ahead for an operation to ‘get Bin Laden’. A small team of US forces completed the mission on Sunday May 1st 2011.
Former President George W. Bush has released a statement regarding the killing of Bin Laden;
Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001.
I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude.
This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.
President Clinton said;
This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaeda’s other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children.
The UK Government released this statement;
The news that Osama Bin Laden is dead will bring great relief to people across the world. Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the worst terrorist atrocities the world has seen – for 9/11 and for so many attacks, which have cost thousands of lives, many of them British. It is a great success that he has been found and will no longer be able to pursue his campaign of global terror. This is a time to remember all those murdered by Osama Bin Laden, and all those who lost loved ones. It is also a time too to thank all those who work round the clock to keep us safe from terrorism. Their work will continue. I congratulate President Obama and those responsible for carrying out this operation.
There are now jubilant scenes outside The White House in Washington. Thousands of people have turned up, and are celebrating the US operation that has killed the Al-Qaeda leader.
For those of you that have not seen the news on this, on Thursday night (21st April 2011) a riot took place on the streets of Bristol in the Stokes Croft area.
The trouble came as a result of a police raid (or eviction in their terms) of squatters in the famous ‘Telepathic Heights’. The police have said that they received intelligence of a plan to petrol bomb the new – and highly opposed – Tesco store opposite the building, and that members of the public had seen petrol bombs being taken into the graffiti adorned house.
So, here is my opinion on the events of Thursday night – Friday morning. As I said, just my opinion…. We are all entitled to one, and I refuse to be attacked for sharing mine. I do welcome constructive criticism, and lively discussion though….
Many have questioned why the police decided to ‘raid’ the property on a busy Friday night at the start of a bank holiday weekend when the area was full of alcohol fueled partygoers, and I have to say I agree. This already – to the average man on the street – seems like a recipe for disaster.
If the police did fully believe that an attack on the Tesco store was imminent, then I understand that action needed to be taken to protect the lives of innocent people in the area. BUT, and it’s a big but, why did they have to show such force to arrest 4 people? There are reports of a lot of riot vans (possibly up to 160 police in riot gear) arriving, and shutting off the busy Cheltenham Road before entering Telepathic Heights.
This is obviously going to attract attention in such a busy area. People are definitely going to want to find out what is happening on their doorstep, and this is exactly what happened according to reports.
Up to 200-300 people gradually turned up, the majority of which were leaving pubs and clubs eager to find out what all the commotion was about.
The police reportedly then formed a line of defense restricting these people from approaching Telepathic Heights. At this point people were still merely trying to find out what was happening.
Somehow, and it’s unclear at this time how it happened, the mood started turning more sour. Bricks and bottles were being thrown at the police, and they armed themselves with full riot gear – however, not necessarily in that order. This is some information that desperately needs to be cleared up. If the police armed themselves BEFORE any trouble, then there needs to be someone fired for making that decision.
If it was the case that items were thrown first, then I understand that the police needed to protect themselves. However, in my opinion, they still almost asked for this situation by racing into town looking like they were ready for battle.
Stokes Croft was already a very tense area after the Tesco store that was unwanted opened a week or so ago.
I am not anti-Tesco. I shop there so I couldn’t possibly say that I am. But, I support the residents of Stokes Croft that have fought tirelessly for two years to prevent the store from opening. Unfortunately, we live in an era where big businesses – and more specifically money – rule. We as civilians appear to no longer have a say in what happens in our towns and cities. Councillors desperately attempt to ‘pretend’ we can have our say, but ultimately they will make their own decision – and that decision will be based on money.
I don’t live in Stokes Croft, but it is about a 5 minute walk away. It is an amazing, diverse, and alternative area of Bristol. It almost feels like you are not in Bristol anymore when you walk through it. It is a wonderful place, with a quirky atmosphere that can only be a good thing.
But, Tesco and the council have continued in their quest to open the 33rd store in the Bristol area.
According to reports, 93% of residents opposed the opening…. But – and this is a difficult one – the store has been busy since it opened. So, where are these shoppers coming from if such a high percentage were opposed? Please can someone answer that one for me?
Anyway, as the night progressed the police – as they did in London recently during the students protest(s) – became very heavy-handed. Please note, that I did not see it with my own eyes as I was lying in bed being kept awake by the police helicopter over my house for 6 hours!
I have read many firsthand accounts on Twitter, and blogs. In fact, even Labour MP Kerry McCarthy has said the way police reacted was uncalled for as she got shoved out of the way for no reason.
I understand that it must be difficult being a police officer in this situation. You have a job to do, and are following orders from your superiors. A small minority are throwing objects at you (apparently a breeze block was thrown from a roof at one point, which I find completely unacceptable. Police officers have families too, and this action could have killed someone).
In this scenario, adrenaline will take over, it’s a natural human reaction when you are under threat. But, your reaction still needs to be controlled, and hitting and pushing innocent bystanders is unjust and should be fully investigated.
On the other hand, any person who threw anything at the police, or caused damage to other people’s possessions, should be ashamed of themselves. Simple as that. I completely condemn any violent acts – whether it’s a police officer or a civilian.
I believe that a riot that makes the news like this does nothing to win support, and therefore a few mindless idiots have stained the reputation of the area. However, I also believe that the police have a lot to answer for.
One more important point. In an interview with the BBC, Assistant Chief Constable Rod Hansen said something along the lines of;
‘If the group moved away after we had made the arrests, then the incident would not have escalated to such a degree’
Huh? Seriously?! What about if – maybe – the police had moved out after they had made the arrests they were looking for? Maybe 160 officers in riot gear on the streets was what incited the group to escalate the situation…
Either way, there needs to be serious and thorough investigation into the actions of the police and how they handled the situation as it developed. I for one, do not believe that the majority of people there that night were looking for trouble. In fact, I have seen many videos on YouTube that show various people pleading with police to let them through to allow them to get home………….
What are your thoughts on the events? Particularly interested to hear the opinions of those that were in the thick of it.
Before we start, it is only fair that I share with you a simple fact; my understanding of politics is severely limited – at best. I’ve always had a mild fascination, but never enough to force myself to pay that much attention to the ‘inner workings’ of Government.
I am a labour supporter, and despite everything I will continue to be. I find the Conservative Party to be full of ‘toffs’, and I simply can’t relate to that. Having said that, Gordon Brown is not a great leader. He has no charisma (just ask the Americans what a guy with a bit of charisma can do for you!), and lacks any form of personality. Compared to David Cameron though, he’d get my vote every time.
My focus in this article though, is on politics as a whole. The whole system seems outdated to me, and that’s why the general public are often left feeling alienated.
Watching Prime Minister’s Questions (or PMQs) is like watching a bunch of children arguing – albeit with a more expansive vocabulary!
It leaves me pondering; would you find the same scene in the boardrooms of huge companies up and down the country?
I think not. Companies are run by adults, whereas our country is run by children…….
I’m not implying that Chief Executives and Managing Directors are saints. We all know that is not true, and I’m sure there is a comparable level of dishonesty and deceipt in both parliament and the boardroom.
To be continued……….
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