Knock knock

I might as well go proper far-right and link to this comment by ‘namenotnumber’ on the Biased-BBC blog. It’s a list of tweets by Ezra Levant which highlight some of the hypocrisy surrounding the Tommy Robinson fiasco.

The reason I’m doing so is that although there are undoubtedly legitimate technical reasons for the current Tommy Robinson situation, (his imprisonment and so on, which certain admirable people have defended and taken pains to justify) the individual who blogs as “The Secret Barrister” has let himself/herself/xeself down by using some emotive, nay, pejorative language when recounting the background to the affair. 

I can even detect a whiff of  disdain in the first sentence: 

Today the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) heard the appeal of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson).

The fact that TR uses a pseudonym (and we all know what his real name is) dwelling on it in that particular way seems gratuitous and a little bit rich coming from The Secret Barrister who wishes to remain pseudonymous.

Call me an ignorant fool who's indulging in a bit of whataboutery, but although I see (and sympathise with) Melanie's point, I have to say that if Tommy Robinson jeopardised the trial of the “men” accused of grooming and raping young girls by using pejorative language while live-blogging in the vicinity of the court, what does that say about the TSB and the reporter from the Independent he/she/xe praises :

“The excellent Lizzie Dearden of the Independent who provided a comprehensive live-blog of the hearing from the Royal Courts of Justice,”

...who seems to be doing something very similar (and, arguably, influencing TR's trial.)

Now that the police have been instructed to concentrate on hate-crimes far-right extremists like myself are apprehensively listening for the knock on the door. What hate-crime have I committed? I think being far-right is one.

Didn't Gabriel Gatehouse let his agenda hang out on Newsnight last night? If that’s impartiality, I’m a Dutchman.

Twits, spats and tw*ts

Looking at Twitter can be a depressing experience. Look at this extraordinary Tweet from disgraced ‘charity fat-cat’ and widower of murdered MP Jo.

Brendan Cox Tweeted a couple of days after the Westminster ‘vehicular attack’.

“Last few days has shown that the far right hate our country. They used a terror attack to denigrate it. They are no patriots.”

I stumbled upon it when I was looking at professor Steven Barnett ’s re-tweets. (Mar 25th) 

Also on that platform, amongst various references to “Hopkins” (He’s not a great fan) and Fox News, (not a fan) I spotted something by “the Secret Barrister” relating to Katie Hopkins’s spat with Jack Monroe and Laurie Penny, which, as  you are probably  aware, eventually cost Ms. H. a huge fine, (£131,000) the magnitude of which was grossly inflated through her intransigence. (she could have settled earlier with an apology and a donation of £5,000)

(Incidentally here’s something about another case I blogged recently, which might be of interest.)

Anyhoo, here’s the 'iNews' post about Katie H: "At £131,000, Katie Hopkins should realise trolling on Twitter is an expensive hobby"

Her intransigence. Whether or not you agree with the gist of her trolling (I often do - but not always) her intransigence was patently ridiculous, and reminds me of - you’ll be able to guess - Ken. No, not Dodd. The other one. Will he be getting a fine?

This is leading up to an excuse to advertise a number of posts about this subject, which I’m only going to link to, knowing that it’s a comparatively specialised topic that holds little interest for many, more’s the pity.

David Hirsh: Livingstone, Labour and antisemitism.

Paul Bogdanor: Ken Livingstone’s claims are an insult to the truth 

Marcus Dysch: Ken Livingstone claims Jews and Nazis 'collaborated' before the Second World War 

Ian Austin: This is a moment of great shame, and we owe you an apology 

and finally, Marcus Dysch again.:

Livingstone case has opened the floodgates for antisemites  

It has allowed cranks and nutters, whose pathetic expressions were once dismissed out of hand, to feel as though they are part of normal society, and that the matter of Jew-hatred is open to the same sort of rigorous debate as Brexit, house prices and the football. 
Mr Livingstone’s case has, to a large degree, normalised antisemitism. It is no longer a taboo subject. “

This is a meandering tale with no middle, beginning or ending, with perhaps only an indirect connection with the BBC, and I can’t even say I rest my case, because I don’t.