One Year on from Operation Cast Lead: Greens call for Justice for War Crimes in Gaza

With a deafening silence coming from the 3 main parties about the appalling situation in Gaza, I am proud to be a member of a party which gives a damn:

One Year on from Operation Cast Lead: Greens call for Justice for War Crimes in Gaza

The 6th January marked the 1st anniversary of the Israeli airforce bombing of al-Fakhora school in Jabaliya refugee Camp in Gaza. The assault was part of ‘Operation Cast Lead’ which included airstrikes and a land invasion of the Gaza Strip killing more than 1,300 Gazans, including more than 300 children over the course of 22 days. Caroline Lucas MEP and Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion added: “One year on from the bombardment, we demand justice for the war crimes committed on the people of Gaza. “Israel must be subject to the Geneva Convention concerning the rights of individuals and communities, in the same way that other states are.. The resort to ‘collective punishment’ in defiance of those requirements is completely unacceptable. While we condemn the actions of the Israeli Defence Force, we also condemn the Hamas qassam rocket attacks: Greens firmly believe that there cannot be a resolution based on the use of violence.”

Phelim Mac Cafferty joint International Coordinator of the Green Party stated: “One year on from the start of Operation Cast Lead, it is clear that the Israeli Defence Force believes it can act with impunity, committing what the UN described as war crimes in the bombing of the United Nations school in the Jabaliya Refugee Camp.[1] Over 40 died in the attack on the school which was packed with hundreds of people who had been ordered out of their homes with Israeli Defence Force leaflet drops and loudspeakers, in what the UN described a 'complete absence of accountability.' The Israeli action has been completely counterproductive to the prospects for peace.
“Throughout Operation Cast Lead: --Israel refused to act on the instructions of the UN Council which requested that it stop its bombardment; --The explicitly illegal bombing of built-up areas with white phosphorous was wide spread; --Such significant damage was caused to the infrastructure of Gaza, that Green MEPs, Jean Lambert and Caroline Lucas, wrote to the Israeli Ambassador to the UK calling on the Israeli Government to refund the EU for its investment in the Gazan infrastructure. “Gaza is a country where the poverty rate stands at 76% and the unemployment rate at 45%.[2] Geographically, it’s about the size of the Isle of Man except with a population of 1.5million where over half are aged under 15. Phelim concluded: “The Green Party demands an immediate lifting of the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel which has caused a humanitarian crisis with food, fuel and medicine being blocked now since June 2007.[3] There is no military solution to the Middle East conflict. Peace is the common need of all people in the region but will only be sustained when there is justice felt by both Palestine and Israel.”

[1]http://www.palestinecampaign.org/files/4MayGltrtoSCBrd.pdf
[2]http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_weekly_briefing_note_2008_11_25_english.pdf
[3]Israel has issued a written list of goods banned from import into Gaza. The list, which has baffled UN officials, includes spices, kitchenware, glassware, yarn and paper. John Ging, director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, The Washington Post 15 November 2008 said:

Viva Palestina convoy crosses in to Gaza

You will be pleased to hear that the Viva Palestina convoy has finally passed through the Rafah crossing into Gaza.



The convoy of nearly 200 vehicles, which started their journey at the beginning of December has had every possible obsticle and diversion thrown in its path by Egypt and Israel. The activists deserve our upmost thanks for taking this long and at times dangerous journey. They have not only helped deliver much needed aid to the people of Gaza but helped remind people that the blockade imposed by Israel is still in place.

Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur stated last month that 'two urgent priorities must be stressed on this dismal anniversary: first, Israel 's allies must demand, with a commitment reinforced by a credible threat of economic sanctions, that Israel immediately end its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip. Second, the Goldstone Report's recommendations, having confirmed the commission of war crimes possibly amounting to Crimes Against Humanity, by Israel and Hamas, must be fully and swiftly implemented.'

Tabloid stupidity

If you look at the cover of the Daily Express today you will see the most ridiculous headlines of the year so far - SNOW CHAOS: AND THEY STILL CLAIM IT'S GLOBAL WARMING



It is unbelievable that despite the overwhelming evidence you still end up with headlines like this.

Unfortunately the readership of such right wing tabloids believe this rubbish. A poll in the Daily Mail last week asked - 'Do you believe global warming is caused by man?'. Disturbingly only 20% answered yes!

You have to ask what hope there is for us with this level of ignorance in the country and some of the right wing media.

Convoy to Gaza at crisis point

The following is from Viva Palestina convoy:

To all friends of Palestine

Our situation is now at a crisis point! Riot has broken out in the port of Al- Arish.

This late afternoon we were negotiating with a senior official from Cairo who left negotiations some two hours ago and did not return. Our negotiations with the official was regarding taking our aid vehicles into Gaza.

He left two hours ago and did not come back. Egyptian authorities called over 2,000 riot police who then moved towards our camp at the port.

We have now blocked the entrance to the port and we are now faced with riot police and water cannons and are determined to defend our vehicles and aid.

The Egyptian authorities have by their stubbornness and hostility towards the convoy, brought us to a crisis point.

We are now calling upon all friends of palestine to mount protests in person where possible, but by any means available to Egyptian representatives, consulates and Embassy's and demand that the convoy are allowed a safe passage into Gaza tomorrow!


Kevin Ovenden
Viva Palestina Convoy Leader

Follow the York contingent at http://twitter.com/yorktogaza and http://www.yorktogaza.blogspot.com/

and the main Viva Palestina feed at http://www.twitter.com/viva_palestina and http://vivapalestina.org/

Support the campaign to get Lowkey's 'Long Live Palestine - Pt 2' into the charts

Getting this song into the charts will reach a whole new audience who do not follow the news too closely or are aware of the suffering in Palestine:

Lowkey - 'Long Live Palestine part 2'

DOWNLOAD IT NOW

PLACES TO DOWNLOAD FROM:

http://bit.ly/7AILEC - Amazon (UK)

http://bit.ly/52cmcw - Play


***LOWKEY HAS JUST OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THAT 50% OF MONIES RAISED FROM THIS SINGLE WILL GO TO INTERPAL, THE OTHER 50% WILL GO TO ISLAMIC RELIEF'S PALESTINE GAZA STRIP AID APPEAL .***

With all this talk about protest songs and the like, we thought it was time to make a group in Support of a fantastic rapper who goes by the name of Low-Key.
This group was set up with the intention of publicising his new single, Long Live Palestine Pt 2 which will be released to download on the 1st of January 2010.
**In order to get this in the charts, we should start downloading it on the 3rd of January**

The timing of this release is significant, as it will be released exactly one year after Israel devastated the Gaza strip with countless bombing raids and ground infantry attacks, leaving thousands of civilians dead, wounded or homeless.

**We have chosen Families Relief as our charity if you wish to make a donation along side purchasing Lowkey's track. One of the reasons we have chosen Families Relief is because they give 100% of their donations to charity

Please take the time to donate:

http://www.justgiving.com/lowkey4charts **

More about Lowkey:
Lowkey (born Kareem Dennis, 23 May 1986) is a British musician, poet, playwright and political activist of English and Iraqi descent. He first came to fame through a series of mix tapes he released before he was 18, before taking a hiatus from the music business. He would return in 2008 with wider music coverage, featured on BBC Radio and appearing at various festivals and concerts including the Electric Proms, Glastonbury, T in the Park and Oxygen in the build up to his first solo album, as well as collaborating with other famous British musicians to form the group known as Mongrel.

Families Relief do a lot of good work around the world in places such as Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq and many more places - helping out families and orphans.
If you can't afford to make a donation, then just make dua for all of our brothers and sisters struggling to survive around the world. Please just pray for them.

It's been a year now since the last Israeli massacre in Palestine. Insha'Allah we can get Lowkey into the charts and raise awareness once more and bring Palestine back into people's minds. The media may have gotten bored of it, but the people of Palestine are still struggling long after the bombs have been dropped.

http://www.justgiving.com/lowkey4charts




Available: 1st January 2010 (Start downloading on the 3rd)
Artist: Lowkey
Title: Long Live Palestine pt. 2
Download Via: iTunes

*When this song becomes available to buy and download, we will post all relevant details here.

PREVIEW OF SONG:

URGENT ISRAELI NAVY BLOCK VIVA PALESTINA AID CONVOY

The following is from the Irish4Palestine blog:

URGENT ISRAELI NAVY BLOCK VIVA PALESTINA AID CONVOY
I just got am urgent report from the Derry to Gaza team on the Viva Palestina convoy in Syria with the latest developments which are not very good for the Convoy or Gaza:

The boats were loaded with aid today and ready to leave for AL Arish, the plan was that we would meet them there, as we would fly to Al Arish and arrive before the boats.

However, the update is that the Israelis have just announced that they will be performing military operations in these waters and therefore the aid has no way of passing through these waters. So there is no point getting flights to Al Arish tomorrow as the aid wont be arriving. Of course, it now seems highly unlikely that we will get to the Rafah crossing between the 3rd and 6th when Egypt said the gates would be open to us. The Convoy is now brought to a total standstill. The Israelis have pulled a very dirty tactic here if what we are hearing is true. For now this is all we are hearing. More updates when we get them.

Derry to Gaza Team

Leopards and Tories cannot change their spots

I just want to scream at the radio every time I hear David Cameron using the word 'change'. The Tories think that by putting the word change into every speech will help repeat the success which Obama saw.

The cynical use of the word change is plastered across their website and used a total of 8780 times. His New Year speech uses the word change or changes 23 times.

The only change we will see from a Tory government is a change back to the selfish individualist policies we saw from Thatcher in the 80s. Giving tax breaks to the rich, running down public services and giving the toffs back their barbaric hunting practices.



[The original cartoon by Martin Rowson can be found on the Guardian website]

International Aid Convoy Members on Hunger Strike

The following is taken from the Viva Palestina website:

27th December 2009
Members of the Viva Palestina international aid convoy to Gaza will begin a hunger strike at 11.25 am today (27 th) in protest at the Egyptian government's refusal to allow the convoy entry onto its soil.

Diplomatic negotiations are also taking place between the Turkish and Egyptian governments over the convoy's entry to Egypt. IHH, Turkey's main humanitarian aid agency, has 63 vehicles travelling on the convoy.

The Syrian government has also provided aid and vehicles, as has the government of Malaysia. More than 400 people from 17 countries are travelling on the 150 vehicle convoy, which is taking medical, humanitarian and educational aid to Gaza.

The convoy departed London on 6 December and have travelled nearly 3,000 miles across Europe and the Middle East. However, the convoy and its cargo of aid is now stopped in the Jordanian port town of Aqaba, having been denied entry into Egypt.

British MP, George Galloway , who is travelling with the convoy, said: 'Israel has kept Gaza under siege for three-and-half years against international law. It has not allowed aid or rebuilding materials in following its attack on Gaza earlier this year. Our convoy is determined to break the siege and take in urgently needed supplies Spirits are high in our camp in Aqaba, and we are going nowhere except to Gaza.'

It was at 11.25 am on December 27 2008, that Israel dropped its first bombs on the besieged population of Gaza. Three weeks later, following a sustained air, land and sea assault, more than 1,400 Palestinians had been killed.

The Viva Palestina hunger strikers will consume only liquids until the convoy is allowed entry into Egypt.

Convoy members will also mark the first anniversary of the beginning of Israel's Operation Cast Lead by holding a march through Aqaba, jointly with the Jordanians. In the evening, more than 1,400 candles will be lit for a vigil.

The convoy has been jointly organised by the charity Viva Palestina and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign , the UK's largest organisation campaigning for solidarity with the Palestinian people.

You can also follow the York contingent of the convoy at http://yorktogaza.blogspot.com/

Christian Voice once again preach a message of hatred

Christian Voice have called for 'fellow-believers to support the Ugandan people in their determination to rid their nation of foreign homosexual proselytisation.' (http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/Press/press141.html)

Their director Stephen Green selectively quotes passages from the Bible to support his case, such as 'The Bible calls for the ultimate penalty for sodomy (Lev 20:13)'

Groups such as Christian Voice simply use the Bible to support their promotion of homophobia. You can pick passages out of the Bible to condemn or condone numerous actions from eating shellfish to selling your daughter into slavery, yet Christian Voice appear to be obsessed with homosexuality.

The message Christian Voice sends out differs greatly from that of the vast majority of Christians in this country, who work towards promoting tolerance and peace.

____________________________________________________________________________________
If you haven't read it yet, the following Open letter to Dr Laura nicely points out the hipocrisy of some Christians:

J. Kent Ashcraft
May 2000

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

These are the Biblical verses refered to above, in two different translations: the King James Version [KJV], and New International Version [NIV]

Lev 18:22 [KJV] Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. [NIV] Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Lev 1:9 [KJV] But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. [NIV] He is to wash the inner parts and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Exodus 21:7 [KJV] And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. [NIV] If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do.

Lev 15:19-24 [KJV] And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. 20 And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. 21 And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 22 And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 23 And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even. 24 And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean.
[NIV] When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. 20 Anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 22 Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. 23 Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening. 24 If a man lies with her and her monthly flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days; any bed he lies on will be unclean.

Lev 25:44 [KJV] Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. [NIV] Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves.

Exodus 35:2 [KJV] Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. [NIV] For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.

Lev 11:10 [KJV] And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you [NIV] But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales --- whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water --- you are to detest.

Lev 21:20 [KJV] Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken [NIV] or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles.

Lev 19:27 [KJV] Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. [NIV] Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.

Lev 11:6-8 [KJV] And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
[NIV] The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. 7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divied, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcases; they are unclean for you.

Lev 19:19 [KJV] Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. [NIV] Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

Lev 24:10-16 [KJV] And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.
[NIV] Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite. 11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the name of the LORD with a curse; so they brough him to Moses. (His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite.) 12 They put him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them. 13 Then the LORD said to Moses: 14 Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. 15 Say to the Israelites: If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.

Lev 20:14 [KJV] And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. [NIV] If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that no wickedness will be among you.

This text is take from http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/susan/joke/laura.htm

Come on people, let's stop Cowell getting the No.1

The following is from the Facebook campaign group:

LET'S GET RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE TO THE CHRISTMAS NO.1 SPOT THEN!

Q: So how do we do this then?
A: Take your pick(s) of the digital providers below. It should take you to the page where you can purchase your copy of KILLING IN THE NAME. in most cases it's track#2 but check before you click!

Q: Why have you used shortened links?
A: It gives us a ROUGH idea of how we are doing on sales. I can get a click count this way

Q: But there's other websites now offering RAGE for Xmas links?
A: Yes, but these links right here were created by the creators of the whole campaign themselves. They are not 'affiliate' links so therefore nobody gets any sort of 'commision'. You don't need to go anywhere else.

Q: When do i buy 'Killing In The Name'?
A: NOW until Saturday 19th December at 23:59pm


** DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT 10 TIMES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT...IT'LL JUST GET ANNULLED FROM THE CHART **
read- http://bit.ly/dontbuyloads (interesting from James)
read- http://bit.ly/lessonlearnt (BBC news article)

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DON'T PAY LESS THAN 0.40p !! It won't count. Direct linking approved by the Official Charts Company.


iTUNES - 99p - track #2 (click on 'view in itunes' on the right)
http://bit.ly/ratm-itunes

PLAY.COM - 65p - it's the only track on the page
http://bit.ly/ratm-play

7DIGITAL - £1.19P - track #2
http://bit.ly/ratm-7digital

HMV.COM - 79p (careful - this is track #1)
http://bit.ly/ratm-hmv

TUNETRIBE - 49P - track #2 - LIVE version (yes it counts)
http://bit.ly/ratm-tunetribe

TESCO DIGITAL - 67p - track #2
http://bit.ly/ratm-tesco

WE7 - £1.07p - track #2
http://bit.ly/ratm-we7

** AMAZON at 29p is TOO cheap, plus the other version defaults for some reason, so for the moment BEST AVOID! **

==================================

Got any spare change in your account? We're collecting for SHELTER. If everyone in our group donates £1...we'll have raised over HALF A MILLION pounds! Not bad for a facebook group
http://www.justgiving.com/ratm4xmas/

LET'S MAKE THIS A HISTORIC CHRISTMAS ON MANY LEVELS!

F**K you, I won't buy what you tell me

An interesting campaign has started on Facebook to encourage the British public to buy Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name Of in an attempt to make it Xmas No.1 instead of Simon Cowell's X-Factor offering. There seems to be quite a bit of momentum behind it with the group attracting over 400,000 members.

Join the group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2228594104

The group are also encouraging donations to Shelter as way of raising money for charity from the campaign. You can give at http://www.justgiving.com/ratm4xmas

Please don't buy the track unti Dec 13th, to ensure it is counted in the Xmas chart.

Vile bigotry on both sides of the Atlantic

Racism in the US

I was astounded when I heard on the radio today that a white US justice of the peace has refused to grant a marraige license to an inter-racial couple in Louisiana. (BBC News. It is easy to think that America has moved on from its dark past now that it has a black president, but this story just proves that racism is still prevalent not just among the general populace, but the establishment as well.

Homophobia in the UK press

Never a fan of the Daily Mail, I still find am occasionally shocked by the depths it sinks to. Jan Moir's article this week entitled 'A strange, lonely and troubling death . . .' is blatant bigotry, homophobic and extremely offensive to Stephen Gately's family and friends. [Note - It was originally titled "Why there was nothing 'natural' about Stephen Gately's death."]. In the article she writes:

Of course, in many cases this may be true. Yet the recent death of Kevin McGee, the former husband of Little Britain star Matt Lucas, and now the dubious events of Gately's last night raise troubling questions about what happened.

It is important that the truth comes out about the exact circumstances of his strange and lonely death.

As a gay rights champion, I am sure he would want to set an example to any impressionable young men who may want to emulate what they might see as his glamorous routine.

For once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see.

It is comforting to see that there are already 588 comments on the website, most of which are condeming it. There is also a Facebook group calling for the Daily Mail to retract the article, with over 2,500 members.

Stephen Fry's Tweet nicely sums up this vile article:

I gather a repulsive nobody writing in a paper no one of any decency would be seen dead with has written something loathesome and inhumane.

Who would vote for these people?

[If you cannot see the video click here]

So, after the Tory conference I find it difficult to believe that anyone would want to vote for them after promoting policies to alienate a large proportion of the working and middle classes. Unfortunately I have a rather queasy feeling that they will end up in power, just because they are not the Labour party.

Below are just some of the reasons why not to vote for them:

- Public sector pay freeze in 2011 - except frontline military or people on less than £18,000 (BBC News)
- Private training firms to be employed to prepare the unemployed for work and also to assess all 2.6m people on incapacity benefit to see what work they might be able to do (BBC News).
- Plans to raise the state pension age for men to 66 from 2016, up to 10 years earlier than planned (BBC News).

All of these cuts are mainly a result of the massive bail out we have had to give the banks. Those on incapacity benefit and lowly paid public sector workers should not pay the price for this incompetence.

Please don't forget how the Tories screwed the country up from 1979 - 1997. They will be no different if they get back into power next year. I obviouslly urge everyone to vote Green, but if there is no Green candidate it is still important not to give into apathy but to still go out and vote to keep the Tories out of power.

Brown's and Obama's hyprocritcal high horse

Once again we see our leaders displaying astounding levels of hypocrisy by threatening Iran with sanctions and hinting at possible military action.

The first point of hypocrisy is our mistaken belief that we have a right to nuclear weapons while others do not. Brown's futile gesture of cutting the amount of nuclear submarines by one, is pointless. We still remain a nuclear power and are wasting billions replacing the scheme while our country racks up further debt.

The second point of hypocrisy is the refusal of the current nuclear club to tackle Israel on its nuclear arsenal. Israel is the only country in the middle east since 1990 to take hostile military action against another country in the region, yet they are allowed to hold onto their arsenal not just without sanctions but with preferential trade agreements and US foreign aid.

Don't get me wrong, I too do not believe Iran should become a nuclear power, but neither do I believe any other country should either.

Ahmadinejad stokes the flames of anti-Semitism in the Middle East

Yet again Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has used blatantly anti-Semitic rhetoric to attack Israel by stating the Holocaust was "a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim". [BBC News]

How is such behaviour helping the Palestinian cause? To resort to lies and racism to fight for a cause discredits any valid statements you may make.

Israel should be criticised for it's illegal occupation and war crimes in the occupied territories, based on evidence and argument. Such abhorent behaviour is unacceptable and the sooner Ahmadinejad is gone the better.