No. No And THRICE NO!

'A green light for criminals': Anger as justice minister calls for most sentences of less than a year to be axed to cut jail population.

• Rory Stewart said judges should hand out more lenient sentences to criminals
• He insisted this would slash reoffending and was not a cost cutting exercise 
• Many of Britain's prisons are overcrowded and plagued by drugs and violence 

By IAN DRURY FOR THE DAILY MAIL

This lunatic minister knows nothing. THIS is the new, vomitworthy Tory Party.

Quirky History.

Robert Scarlett ('Old Scarlett')

Some believe Robert Scarlett inspired a famous scene in Shakespeare's Hamelt (Image: Wellcome Collection gallery, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Robert Scarlett, or 'Old Scarlett', the cathedral's sexton was something of a local celebrity in the Tudor era. The Peterborough gravedigger lived to the age of 98, with his life spanning the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I.

Old Scarlett was said to have buried two people from every family in Peterborough - which may not been an exaggeration, given that the city was ravaged by the plague in the 1570s. He was also involved in the burials of both Katherine and Mary and legend suggests that he may have been the inspiration for the gravedigger in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

In 1594, Old Scarlett finally got a grave on his own. He was buried just inside the cathedral - an unusual honour for common folk. His painting above the west doors looks down upon the cathedral visitors.

Juncker - So Now We Know.

Juncker's decision to commemorate Marx speaks volumes.

Published 2018

The decision of the European Commission President to unveil a statue to and speak at the celebrations of Karl Marx's 200th anniversary celebrations in Trier is a travesty say UKIP.

Margot Parker MEP, Ukip's Deputy Chairman said,

"When you think of all the murder and misery caused by Marx's ideas over the years this is an extraordinary decision by the European Commission President.

"The Commission argues that "Whatever people's views of Marx, I don't think anyone can deny he shaped history. Not speaking about him would be to deny history." 

"Yes he changed history, but many have and few have done so with such appalling results. This is a direct slap in the face of the former Soviet bloc countries of Eastern Europe, so much for common values.

"One has to wonder what other figures from history they would like to celebrate, in order to recognise that they changed history? Who knows someday in the future they might be building statues to Nigel Farage."

Is Turkey Really Our Friend?

https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/979564/ross-clark-columnist-turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan

Making The New Liberalism Work?

Remainer - The Penny Finally Drops.

Paul Green, Haxby Road, York.

 AS one of the youngest voters, I voted Remain in 2016, but accepted the democratic will of the people while hoping that we might rejoin the EU some years ahead. Sadly, our negotiators have encountered hostility and intransigence with every obstacle being put across their path. 

Now firmly in the Leave camp, I believe that not one penny should be sent to Brussels where these unelected bureaucrats are giving us no option but to leave with no deal. 

Surely this would be the best outcome in any case, allowing the UK to trade with the rest of the planet, under WTO rules? This will also protect the UK against EU leeches who seek our taxpayers funds to pay for appalling actions such as those causing devastation, suicides and bankruptcies in southern Europe, due to the common currency which was deemed essential for the creation of a superstate and the erasure of individual nation states.

 From: JA King, Thurgoland, Sheffield. ONE feels sorry for the Remoaners as they cannot accept a democratic vote to leave the EU. Their infighting and blocking tactics will only give strength to the EU negotiators to produce for UK the worst possible deal for which they must bear the full responsibility. The EU negotiators must be laughing their socks off at the tactics of the Remoaners. No wonder they are only too willing to wine and dine them in Brussels. Positive-thinking people would be giving all the help and assistance to ensure the UK a good deal. The worst case scenario is that we remain in the United States of Europe, who will then demand that we join the euro. This will mean that our unemployment will rise to the levels of that of Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece. From: Coun Tony Galbraith, Elloughton, Brough. THE DISPARATE group of “Yorkshire Leaders” (The Yorkshire Post, June 12) seem extraordinarily complacent on our trade with the EU. On their own figures, we make an annual balance of trade loss of about £7bn currently as members of both the Customs Union and the Single Market.This enormous figure represents about £1,400 per man, woman and child in the county. Surely they should be directing their energies to bringing about change which would enable us to export more and import less? That would really be good for us.

Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/yp-letters-i-voted-to-remain-but-eu-s-attitude-has-changed-my-mind-1-9211977

Penalties For Driving & Using A Hand Held Phone Still Too Low.

https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2018/06/22/two-thirds-of-drivers-unaware-of-new-penalties-for-using-handhe/?ncid=webmail

Fluttering By.

Proper Brexit Will See Food Prices Drop.

JA King, Thurgoland, Sheffield. 

HAVING been in sales and marketing for more than 35 years, I am astounded by the negativity of the Remoaners with regards to our leaving the EU. I see this as a fantastic opportunity to buy most of our food that we buy from the EU at a lower price outside the EU, as the EU impose large tariffs on goods not purchased from within the common market so as to keep the EU producers competitive.

 Therefore, I see the cost of food imports falling, also allowing our own producers to produce more of home grown produce  With a massive trade deficit with the EU, one would have thought that they would have been on bended knees begging us for a good trade deal.
Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/yp-letters-leaving-eu-is-a-fantastic-opportunity-to-buy-cheaper-food-1-9219681

Any Bravery I May Have Does not Come From Me.

World Cup.

6 - 1? 
NICE! England's biggest ever World Cup win and qualification assured, irrespective of the result against Belgium on Thursday.

Butterfly.

God Commanded Abstinence!

Christian beauty blogger says God commanded abstinence before marriage because sex creates permanent bond.

Jardine Malado Mon 18 Jun 2018 15:30 BST

• ey Raine
Courtney Raine appears in a screen capture of her YouTube video about abstaining from sex before marriage.

A Christian fashion and beauty blogger on YouTube has recently shared why she is saving herself for marriage in the hopes that other women will be encouraged to do the same.

Courtney Raine, a 21-year-old student from Pennsylvania, said in a recent video post that she usually shares fashion and beauty tips in her posts, but she wanted to talk about her decision to abstain from sex until marriage.

She said she was making the video for girls who want to abstain from sex until marriage but don't not think that it is possible because of the messages coming from today's pop culture and social media.

Raine, who was raised in a Catholic family, she had decided at a young age to save herself before marriage and that she wears purity rings.

When a previous boyfriend wanted to have sex and did not want to live by Christian principles, she says she broke up with him.

Raine ended another relationship because that ex-boyfriend lied to her about being a virgin.

The blogger then explained why she believes that waiting until marriage is beneficial for women.

"You know that the person you're with is in it for you. They love you and everything about you and it's not just the physical part of it. Also not only that, you'll never have to worry about getting pregnant and you'll never have to worry about getting any diseases," she said, as reported by the Daily Mail.

She said she believes that God prescribed abstinence before marriage to protect people emotionally and physically because people become attached to the first person they have sex with by forming a "chemical bond" during intercourse. She believes that the chemical bond keeps the people linked to each other throughout their lifetimes."They are forever bound and you are supposed to have that with your husband," she said.The blogger advised women who want to abstain from sex to avoid being seen in a swimsuit by their boyfriends. She also suggested that people should avoid talking about sex so that they would not be tempted. Christian Today

Seek God's Approval.

The Ten Commandments - Strawbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLwPv9EXwFU

Dave Cousins - a known Roman Catholic - has been digging deep into irony for this track. Check out the url - and savour the words from the man who brought us his interpretation of Psalm 23 in the mighty song, Lay Down.

The Ten Commandments

(Lambert)

Sony ATV Music

There's a new religion
And it's hot off the shelf
Where the congregation
Have to worship themselves
There's no fire and brimstone
But there's an inglenook
Where you can take communion
From a TV cook

There are Ten Commandments
And you can please yourself
If you keep or break them
You're still condemned to Hell
If you've a dollar in the bank
And that will see you through
But if your neighbour has a dollar
Well then you'd better get two

We can't negotiate a contract
A package to suit your claim
You'll get no justice in that sense
'Cos nobody's ever to blame

There's a high priestess
She knows the spice of life
She's only skin and bone
But she's a football wife
They take an altar to the terrace
So we can name our saints
You're given fifteen minutes
With karaoke brains

You'd better choose your friends
Very carefully
If they can help you network
Well they're no use to me
Take what you want
Not what you need
We used to have that problem
Now they're a dying breed.

Strawbs albums in recent years - indeed decades -  have generally lacked the magnificence of their first years.

Worth trying their accoustic set using their older tracks, Baroque and Roll.

From there you might consider: Grave New World, Hero and Heroine, From The Witchwood, Dragonfly and the AWESOME Bursting at The Seams.

You either love or hate the voice of Dave Cousins. There are few who can take him or leave him.

Ringing Down the Years is a tribute to the late, great Sandy Denny who was a friend of Dave's and who had performed with him on occasions. She died after a tragic accident three + decades ago.

The album Ghosts is also a very worthy effort but does not lend itself to being attractive in the first three or four hearings. Those who enjoy Strawbs will, however, come to enjoy it.

Sadly, there is no album than these that I could recommend.

The Sad Demise Of Ukip.

A long term member of the party which had once possessed the potential to change British politics told me yesterday something which amazed me.
I am obviously aware that elected politicians and members in abundance have fled UKIP in the last two years but I was intrigued to hear a fascinating fact from someone wholly in the know.
The observation made was that 'all the talent' has now departed.
Whatever ragbag the party has become - it is not vaguely possible for it to rise, phoenix-like from the ashes, because of this fundamental fact.
Sad. Really sad. NOW what do we do to stop the inexorable march of the malevolent, 'liberal' left?

Metrication.

I have never objected to metrication per se - but I have always objected to the imposition of the system by law - and the criminalising of those choosing to operate under the imperial system. That way lies tyranny!

In a nation that works on miles as its unit of measurement for roads, we have a further problem when some organisations insist on using kilometers - especially TV companies.

I do accept the inevitability of kilometers eventually replacing miles but would suggest a 15 year transitional period with kilometers gradually added onto all NEW road signs in brackets. A further 10 years with Kilometers as the main on all NEW signs but with miles in brackets.

To do it fairly for older people, this entire process should take a full generation.

In weights - I do appreciate how many goods are sold today in bags of 454 grams (1lb). That helped many.

Incidentally, living part of the year in Spain, I have no problems whatsoever with any metric units.

Whitewash!

In one of the most exciting cricket matches imaginable, in front of a huge Old Trafford crowd, England stumbled to the narrowest victory possible, a single wicket, to take the ODI series 5 - 0  and to make history in the process.
England's bowlers, led by spinner, Mo Ali whipped the Aussies out for a derisory 205 on what looked like an excellent batting strip. Well, maybe it wasn't quite so lacking in 'demons' as it had first appeared.
At a hideous 27 - 4 it seemed that England were destined for defeat and when this became an unbelievable 50 for 5, there really was no way back.

Buttler in action.

Step forward the man of the hour, vice-captain Jos Buttler who hit a supremely intelligent and undefeated century to steal the game from right under the noses of the Aussies.
The giant fast bowler Stanlake had bowled with venom and skill for the visitors and did not deserve to be on the losing side.

Illegals Should Be Deported. Trump Is Right.

Trump vows to return illegal immigrants who 'invade our country' back to 'where they came' with 'no judges or court cases' 

President Donald Trump on Sunday called for illegal immigrants to be removed from the United States and sent back 'from where they came' without a legal hearing or due process. Mail.

Sargon Of Akkad And Freedom Of Speech.

GP Taylor.

UP until this week, I had never heard of a man with the username Sargon of Akkad. Apparently, he is a political YouTube blogger, (whatever that is) and seems to have an opinion on everything. From my research, he is disliked by the far right and the far left. He gives his opinions in an honest way and invites debate. Nothing I have seen so far shows he is a hateful person. A lot of what he says I totally disagree with, but he certainly has a right to say it. I heard of him because he was due to appear last week at Scarborough Spa. 

The event was cancelled following a risk assessment. The ‘risk’ appears to be a campaign by a local left wing group to stop him appearing, and it worked. Labour councillor Rob Barnett said: “Scarborough Spa are to be congratulated for refusing to allow their stage to be used. We don’t need division – we need unity to fight for a better society.” 

Obviously, the society that Mr Barnett wants is one where censorship rules over freedom of speech. I find it very worrying that a political group should seek to censor those who do not agree with them. The great thing about this country is that we have always been allowed to share our opinions until recently. 

Obviously, this is something that this new breed of censorship Nazis want to stop. ADVERTISING Throughout history, the first thing dictators and oppressors do is shut down those who speak out against them. By cancelling the event, Scarborough Spa has now empowered a political group and reinforced the idea that they can shut up anyone who they want. Just the slightest threat of protestation sends the Spa running for cover. This in itself is hateful and goes against democracy. It has also given Mr Akkad even more publicity. Open debate is the most important thing in British politics. We in this country are allowed to listen to the arguments of others and make our choices at the ballot box. It is something not every nation enjoys. That is why we have fought world wars to bring down tyranny. The micro-tyranny of self-appointed parochial despots should be fought with the same vigour. Whatever weird, mixed up or crazy views Mr Akkad may hold, he should have a right to say them publicly. In turn, we have the right to debate peacefully with him and reject his ideas. That is the foundation of democracy. Free speech is what this country is based on. The campaigner Peter Tatchell recently said that “freedom of speech is one of the most precious human rights. A free society depends on a free exchange of ideas”. How right he is. We have always had the right to say what we want. Our newspapers have kept corruption at bay and exposed those who break the law. 

Yet even writing this column has forced me from Facebook, Twitter and my mobile phone because I was sick of the veiled threats and abuse I was sent. One man said I should be harassed ‘until my head exploded’, that was the only one I could put in print. I gave in to trolls because it was easier than having to read vile messages from left-wing liberals so filled with hate that on occasion, I feared that their words would turn into actions against me. It was always the same people, hiding behind usernames, all acting in concert. It is amazing how intolerant these liberal people are of the viewpoint of others. What happened in Scarborough is not an isolated case. The left-wing appears to use this tactic throughout the country with some very unlikely casualties. 

Both Peter Tatchell and Germaine Greer have both been ‘no platformed’ and not allowed to speak at events. Now this ‘no platforming’ is spreading to events in theatres and buildings run by local councils. Well-organised groups are easily able to put on the pressure with a few well-aimed emails and tweets, play the race card and stop someone from speaking. Looking back into history, imagine what would have happened to the likes of Charles Darwin and Karl Marx if they had not been allowed freedom of speech. Both men had ideas that caused outrage at the time. Their beliefs caused widespread offence. Under the rules of the so-called liberal left they too would have been kicked off the stage of the Scarborough Spa. Freedom to speak has to be defended at all costs and any erosion of this is an erosion of democracy and the British way of life. Those who sought to stop Mr Akkad have proved themselves to be anti-democratic. It would have been far better for the Spa to allow him to appear and then he could be engaged in vigorous debate. However, that type of polite politics seems now to be consigned to history, as the bullying tactics of silencing opponents before they speak now prevails. GP Taylor is a fair-minded writer and author from North Yorkshire.

Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/gp-taylor-nothing-liberal-about-silencing-freedom-of-speech-1-9213629

20% Trump Tariff On EU Cars?

Good job we ain't gonna be in the EU, then - innit?

Kostas Rigoula Tsigris.

An artist who brings out feminine beauty without ever offending.