Friday, 18 of May of 2012

Nasty Nine of Oldham

Many people were shocked to learn of the ‘grooming’ trials going on in the north. Clearly a crime that until now largely ‘slipped under the radar’ it has the potential to stir up many passions, some ugly. Some wish to sweep it under the carpet to hide community divisions, some wish to use it to increase those divisions. How we ensure this doesn’t happen is a debate for another day. Today however we turn to our resident poet, Jasan, to reflect upon the ‘good and bad’ actors in this drama.

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In any democratic and liberal society, crimes by a handful, especially if they are of minority origin, shall provoke a soul searching debate of national significance; as the Oldham nine of Pakistani Origin have done, who were sentenced today for 70 odd years behind bars for grooming and abusing young girls of the host community background. Already the tremors prompting shock waves of racial tones roll fast towards the peaceful beach.

The crime is unpardonable in any civil society and especially by men of faith who are supposed to pray seven times a day.
Yet the fact remains not all Muslim men are guilty by association of this heinous crime.
Another ironic and yet a shining point in all this is that the law man – Nazir Afzal, the prosecutor -who took the case back to the prosecution and eventually to the courts is a muslim too.

Amid these conflicting juxtapositions travel my poem to a saner and safer zone.
Hope the poem is sensitive enough to all the values and ideals it is supposed to uphold

Regards
Jason Jesuthasan
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Nazir Afzal – the Law Man
and the Nasty Nine of Oldham
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“They ripped away all my dignity and all my last bit of self-esteem and by the end of it I had no emotion whatsoever because I was used to being used and abused daily,” a victim’s statement.
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Nazir the law man – a man of virtue
While the nasty nine were sexual predators
In their hands suffered shameful torture
Countless girls – hell’s wrath be on these tormentors

Dangle morality forever between prayer and pleasure
Tangled amid sin and prejudice – the truth
Nazir and nasty nine give a tool to measure
The good and evil these isles have given birth

Nazir and Nasty nine, both in this melting pot
Called Britain which still holds its head high
Standing tall to be just and apt
In that light may this sad saga pass-by

May the law and justice forever reign supreme
For the guilty to be punished as the law dictate’
Yet, prejudices may not throw peace to the fire
And let not the guilt of a handful mire
This nation into the evil minds of the extreme

Jason

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© All rights reserved. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate-whether for sale or non-commercial distribution, should be addressed to E.Jesuthasan, e-mail jason_jesuthasan@yahoo.com


National Liberal Party – Tales from the Liberty Wall – 4WR

4WR Supporters Bulletin

AS WE’VE noted previously, a National Liberal Party meeting unveiled plans for a new section on the party website to be known as the ‘Liberty Wall’, hosting pages and links to campaigning groups sponsored or supported by the party.” (See our article Steering Committee meets to plan strategy! of 22/04/2012 for full details of the meeting.)

To date, those on the Liberty Wall include the St. George’s Committee, Nations without States, English Green, National Liberal Trade Unionists and Fourth World Review. No doubt more will follow in due course.

However, as well as promoting various groups and causes on the Liberty Wall, the NLP also wants to feature news, views and bulletins from those groups. Also – and in accordance with our well-known Libertarian stance – we’d be happy to host debates as well.

This means that the Liberty Wall will become a vital ‘two way street’ in terms of information, policy and debate. We’d therefore encourage each and every group to send the NLP as many articles as possible so that we can all help to build the Liberty Wall!

With this in mind, we’ve reproduced a 4WR Supporters Bulletin, which, we understand, is being distributed at the moment. It provides both an update concerning the next issue of 4WR (issue 154) and an idea of future developments, including promoting 4WR’s idea of ‘Small is Beautiful!’ via dozens – if not hundreds of – local newsletters.”

As soon as we get any more information from 4WR – or from any of the other groups on the Liberty Wall – we’ll let you know. In the meantime, here’s the (above mentioned) 4WR Supporters Bulletin:

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4WR Supporters Bulletin – May 2012

Dear 4WR Supporter –

The next issue of Fourth World Review should be out towards the end of this month.

Issue 154 of 4WR will consist of two major interviews. Both were conducted by Wayne John Sturgeon. Those interviewed are Henry Law of the Land Value Taxation Campaign and Dr. Vernon Coleman, the well-known anti-EU activist and author.

One major confirmed article is Panjaab – A Forgotten Palestine! A Small Nation Versus Indian Superstate by Jagdeesh Singh. On a similar theme, 4WRs new series, Raising a Voice for Small Nations, will also include updates from Sri Lanka and Sicily.

I have written an editorial on ‘Advertising’ and an article entitled Political Progress. This notes:

“At heart we are engaged in a battle between the power of morality and that of money. We can only win by making the local community, the place where personal relationships can prevail over impersonal mass power relationships, a significant core of decision-making power.”

We’ve also got four book reviews plus several other items of interest. Also look out for the cover of this issue of 4WR. I can guarantee that it’ll be a case of ‘once seen, never forgotten!’

Once issue 154 is ready we’ll let you know. Until then, why not treat a friend, family member or work mate to a FREE pdf copy of the last issue of 4WR? Simply send their e-mail address to me at papworthjohn@yahoo.co.uk and I’ll send them a copy of issue 153.

I can also reveal that 4WR now has a Facebook page. It can be used for 4WR-related announcements and debates. Why now check it out? If you’re on Facebook, simply type in Fourth World Review in the ‘Search’ bar at the top of your home page.

- John Papworth, Founder, Fourth World Review.

PS: Do you have (or do you know anyone who has) experience of fund-raising? The current Editorial Board wish to promote 4WR’s idea of ‘Small is Beautiful!’ via dozens – if not hundreds of – local newsletters. We are looking for people who are willing to help with the financing, writing, production and distribution of these newsletters. Please get in touch as soon as possible if you fit the bill!


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