28th Nov 2009.
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.
Hat-tip The Anglo Saxon Chronicle
The most troubling aspect is that politicians have been:
1. not only taken in by this, but they have
2. bought into it wholescale and have then
3. found it to be a powerful tool to manipulate, scare and tax their subjects
4. hiding behind the new found power of so called "Expert Groups"
We have had a close shave as "Governments", in their glee were about to hand over fiscal power (your money) to some new, as yet undefined, international government. Read this extract from the UN's "AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON LONG-TERM COOPERATIVE ACTION UNDER THE CONVENTION" and note the "Government" and the power that was to be handed to it.
Page 18/19. "The Government?"
38. The scheme for the new institutional arrangement under the Convention will be based on three basic pillars: government; facilitative mechanism; and financial mechanism, and the basic organization of which will include the following: (a) The government will be ruled by the COP with the support of a new subsidiary body on adaptation, and of an Executive Board responsible for the management of the new funds and the related facilitative processes and bodies. The current Convention secretariat will operate as such, as appropriate.
(b) The Convention’s financial mechanism will include a multilateral climate change fund including five windows: (a) an Adaptation window, (b) a Compensation window, to address loss and damage from climate change impacts, including insurance, rehabilitation and compensatory components, (c) a Technology window; (d) a Mitigation window; and (e) a REDD window, to support a multi-phases process for positive forest incentives relating to REDD actions.
(c) The Convention’s facilitative mechanism will include: (a) work programmes for adaptation and mitigation; (b) a long-term REDD process; (c) a short-term technology action plan; (d) an expert group on adaptation established by the subsidiary body on adaptation, and expert groups on mitigation, technologies and on monitoring, reporting and verification; and (e) an international registry for the monitoring, reporting and verification of compliance of emission reduction commitments, and the transfer of technical and financial resources from developed countries to developing countries. The secretariat will provide technical and administrative support, including a new centre for information exchange.
From: Seventh session, Bangkok, 28 September to 9 October 2009, and Barcelona, 2–6 November 2009 FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/INF.2 15 September 2009
Hat-tip Watt's Up With That
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."
Thanks to "Collecting my thoughts"
As this parable has evolved, it has gained the following paragraphs, in other blog entries
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.
13th November 2009.
Despite the rain, Matt and I headed into Broadmead/Cabot Circus to see the German Christmas Market stalls which opened yesterday.
They are mostly selling yummy smelling food, but one or two are selling crafts. Not that many stalls, so a quick visit before the really nasty weather hits later.
11th November 2009.
Shopping. We had a wander along Regent and Oxford Streets before lunch and the inevitable viewing of the Fortnum and Mason windows. Lovely as always.
We were very restrained on this trip only buying some of a particular variety that a friend of Matt's likes and we usually get for him when in London.
Yesterday we visited Foyles which is/was the biggest book store in the world. I was in there for an hour and could not help myself - I made purchases! I therefore held back today and did not visit Waterstones, which is nearly as big!
The trip home was uneventful and it is lovely to be back although we had a lovely break away.
10th November 2009.
We visited the British Museum today. Saw the 'Elgin Marbles' and entered the philosophical debate as to whether they should be returned to Greece. The Egyptian exhibition was interesting, although noisy with all the school trip groups. The most interesting section was an exhibition on clocks and watches and their history. Matt liked the Manga exhibit. The drawings (all hand drawn) were very skillful!
In the evening, after visiting our favourite restaurant in China Town we headed to the Lyceum theatre to watch the Lion King. OMG, WOW, it was incredible. The most dramatic start to a theatre show I have ever seen and it just got better. I would thoroughly recommend seeing it if you ever get the chance!
9th November 2009.
At the Natural History Museum we visited the Wildlife Photographer Of the Year 2009 exhibition. Very interesting with some absolutely amazing shots. Well worth seeing.
We then headed to the Hummingbird Bakery, just around the corner for a cupcake and tea. The cakes are works of art in every colour, flavour, decoration!
We took a quick walk around Camden market. Much bigger than when we last went, but full of the same stuff. Each stall seems to repeat itself in a slightly different version several times over.
We were unable to get theatre tickets for tonight so decided to go to the cinema at the O2 Arena. Something different and neither of us had seen it before. We travelled there on the Thames Clipper, a water ferry. Quite a different view of London and as the sun was setting.
We watched the new Disney 3D animation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It was good fun and the first 3D movie I had seen. The O2 was VERY quiet and cold too!
8th November 2009.
Matt and I arrived in the Big Smoke at 13.30 and hoped to check straight in to our hotel. Unfortunately we had got our times wrong so had some lunch and loaded our Oyster (travel) cards first.
Once checked in, it was much later in the day than we had hoped so had a relaxing evening walking around London looking at the Christmas lights. Regent St. was not very impressive but Oxford St was lovely.
The nicest were at Covent Garden though as shown in the photo which does not do them justice.
We also had a walk down Embankment. London looks very impressive in it's night attire!
We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe to the accompaniment of monkey sounds and thunderstorms. Good fun.
The signing of the Lisbon treaty today marks the end of a once proud nation. A
nation that has fought for the freedom of all Europeans through two
World Wars. A nation that now becomes just a vassal state of the
European Union. A nation whose Prime Minister now reports to his E.U. masters.
As Dr Richard North put it so clearly on October 9th:
Since the membership of the European Council comprises the heads of state of governments of the member states, this means necessarily that our prime minister becomes a servant of the European Union, bound by the treaty to promote its objectives, and subject to its law. He will no longer represent us in the European Union but, as part of the supreme government of Europe, is one of 27 who will determine the policies of the EU for individual vassal states to implement.
Thus, as we have remarked many times, come the next general election, we will not be electing MPs, with the wining party then go on to form our government. We will we choosing an electoral college which will then go on to choose the person it wishes to send to Brussels, not as our representative but as one of the 27 who will take part in the supreme government of Europe.
Despite the general election, therefore, the government will not change. We only get to change one member of our government – our member of the European Council. Those MPs who go on to become ministers will, by and large, assume junior roles in the rubber-stamp machine of the Council of Ministers, and then go home to implement EU laws.
To that extent, the next election is devoid of any great significance. Barring those few areas which have not been taken over by Brussels, the new "government" will be shorn of its power. The election is primarily an electorally mandated (partial) reshuffle.
And that is why the
The genius of it all though, it that so few will notice. The EU has learned that the way to take over independent countries is not by force of arms but to create "institutional changes" that go unrecognised for what they are. Leave intact the façades of the formerly independent institutions of the member states, and reward the politicians handsomely with the trappings of power, and the deed is done.
The end game is all but complete. Our politicians have sold the pass. They have allowed our government to be stolen. And if they don't care, we should. We are to be ruled by an alien power. It is not our government – it is theirs. We owe it neither loyalty nor obedience.
[Photo from England Expects]
Neighborhood
Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.
Links from my Family
A daily look into the life of a Lego character.
