The Euston Hogwash

War is money.Always has been and always will be.Of course thats not to say that a usefull idiot such as Blair does not play his sad part.A creature with no morals always has its role to play.Bush´s dog has its role.

Check this video out.And then check this stock chart out.

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Lives In The Balance (Exclusive Video)
From Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1

It's not just the incongruous statements, the language itself is couched in repulsive rhetoric. This statement is rather telling:

"Indeed, the reconfiguration of progressive opinion that we aim for involves drawing a line between the forces of the Left that remain true to its authentic values, and currents that have lately shown themselves rather too flexible about these values."

Who's being flexible with authentic values? Obviously, political positions are far more complex than the polarised left vs. right presented in the media, but I think the basic difference between left and right is simple. Left politics is based on co-operation and equal distribution of power and wealth, right is based on competition and grab what you can. This particular group of pundits, some of whom profess to represent the left in liberal newspapers such as The Guardian and Independent are far from it.

US and British foreign policy is based on one thing only: power. These pundits are either extremely misguided or damn sinister. PNAC indeed.

Brits have left a dreadful legacy of its colonial past. Its sometimes a wonder to me that many of these countries have found the grace to forgive but they do not forget. Brits did not bequeath democracy to India, that polyglot country carved it for itself in its own way.

Whats happening in Iran? There's a very good piece by Kamran Matin in Counter Punch, 'Synergism of the Neo-Cons' at http://www.counterpunch.com/, which explains how the ruling so called reformist elite misestimated the plurality of the electorate and its inherent survival forces, thus sowing its downfall.

This is not much different from what is happening with Blair's Labour whose policies are forged on the basis of focus group managed consultations re electoral aspirations of an electorate not respected to be informed but stupid enough to be manipulated with well informed, very bad and irrational judgements whose final recourse is divine inspiration. How insane can this get?

France demonstrated yet again how to storm the Bastille - you don't go home after one big show, you keep repeating show after show until it makes a difference.

Words will not destroy the unholy alliance of corporate capitalism and political power but action will.

Given the very big fish of corruption that needs to be confronted, we really need to be more active in building community networks that have informal focal contact rather than impersonal communication media which the majority do not reach. Its about human-human conversation to transmit information and ideas about the type of societies we want to live in and pass onto the next generation, our children. Its also about outrage at what is happening today in the name of security that makes us so much insecure of a tomorrow.

I'm currenly reading my way through the whole document. God, its awful! Its just begging to be fisked isn't it? It keeps contradicting itself and exposing double standards which it says its against.

Yes, definitely something knocked up in a pub - they must have been very drunk.

Davide Simonetti

If you are referring to the PNAC doc, I read it from cover to cover in 2003 just after US-UK-Australia walked/bombed into Iraq. It explained to me that playing the game by their rules will not win the day. I think we are playing this damned game by the rules 'they' dictate - we need to set out an independent gameplan just like the stormroopers of the Bastille did in 1789. Last thing we need are any prayer meetings.

Sona

I was actually referring to the Euston Manifesto, which I had not heard about until today. I read the PNAC thing about the same time you did and it was as terrifying as anything a conspiracy theorist could dream up, especially as it is now obvious that they meant every word and are in power. The Euston Manifesto by contrast, apart from one or two pertinant points, merely seems like more-of-the-same Blairite waffle.

Since quarsan raised the issue of understanding the world that our governments like to grandstand in in our name, I referred to a Counter Punch article re Iran in earlier post. There is also an informative article on Myanmar (Burma) in Asia Times On Line (AToL) by Larry Jagan entitlred 'Myanmar woos China', Russia' at http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HD12Ae04.html.

There are some very good pieces in the AToL re Thailand, Phillipines, China, Japan, South Asia and the much ignored Pacific Islands.

AToL btw is an excellent online publication re other, ie non western (cross atlantic hegemonic), perspectives and coverage of issues that is a window to how the vast majority of the world's population perceives the world.

It covers issues that are news across Europe and North America too, almost the same day they are handled by the western media.

I say this from working in six countries across four continents - a life experience that has taught me to respect diversity.

Woeful empty egotistical disengaged opportunistic yet wholly unpromising and probably therefore quite dangerous media-bubble / blogosphere (sheesh! enough already) garbage of the stuff we've heard so much of before.

I agree - this was probably cobbled together in the pub.

I was reading and thinking this is weird, then I realised its like an emptier version of David Cameron chums makeover of the Tory Party! Its an attempt to have an internal coup of an empty party long vacated by 'old labourites' who know either just till the allotment or write letters to the Guardian.

The real question is simple: what were they drinking?

Davide Simonetti

I have now read the Euston Manifesto (EM) - while not as diabolical as the PNAC 2000 policy doc, the EM is no policy paper but an apologia. It is a supportive declaration of the PNAC's PR slogans. The contradictions are apparent not merely in the principles enumerated in the document itself but also in the empirical validity or the raison d'etre of those principles themseves. The whole thing reads like another dossier emanating from an unholy prayer meeting.

Guess what,

It was cobbled together in a pub. This from Bloggers for Labour who seem to be behind the idea:

For those interested in trivia, the story is that the word Euston was derived from the approximate location of a pub (sorry, it wasn't smoky, though the toilet was broken and cold - oops, given it away now) where group meetings took place. In fact, the name was originally proposed by myself, but won a vote, and was modified over time. A

Says it all really!

k folks, its time to storm the Bastille - before the nukes start - actually they have already started since 1991 - they just masqueraded as DUs (depleted uranium)

no seriously, do we wait till the next election (ie, the deed is done)?

Thank you all for your comments. As I said, we treat our readers as intelligent people and that's why I dicn't give their guff the fisking it deserves.

I picked on this single point to show their bone-headed idiocy.

their arrogance is something they can show themselves:

such hubris is a hallmark on New Labour

For 'Local' people?

It's really nice that they named their 'thing' after an area of London. Very internationalist, they can't even be arsed to imagine a life outside of the capital of England. Visionary.

OK, maybe I am overdramatising somewhat, but one of the purposes of the Euston Manifesto, as I see it, is that by presenting a document that - even if it is incomplete, and work in progress - only unreasonable people could oppose

And then it throws in little things like this

But if the state itself violates this common life in appalling ways, its claim to sovereignty is forfeited and there is a duty upon the international community of intervention and rescue.

i.e. war war war

We are, however, united in our view about the reactionary, semi-fascist and murderous character of the Baathist regime in Iraq, and we recognize its overthrow as a liberation of the Iraqi people.

i.e. war war war

It is a manifesto for pre-emptive war and perpetual war.

Yes, we all oppose evil regimes but to say that we have a duty to go to war against them and that the results of such wars must be recognised as liberation while at the same time pouring scorn on those who criticise the USA's motives in such wars is dangerous drivel.

It's hard to engage with the discussions at this blog because of the febrile atmosphere and the assumption that I (and other participants at the EMG) can legitimately be tagged with any criticism of the USA or Blair you choose.

The self-reinforcing paranoia concerning the origins of the Manifesto really says a lot - perhaps you had better fisk away, taking each point entirely on its merits, and leave the prayer meeting, manifesto for pre-emptive war, and 'Blairite' crap at the door. Yes, it helps to bind your collective together, but you must know it means nothing.

BTW, haven't you ever had a meeting in a pub? And did you draft a 3000 word document while you were there?

Finally, the latest theory is that the EMG is doing M15's work. Obviously foreign governments are also involved. Nobody's mentioned the Other yet, but it'll happen. Shows the predictability of so much of the criticism, so perhaps you can provide a more intelligent critique.

with all due respect... wtf are you talking about? You haven't even addressed a single point we've made, never mind refuted any of them.

I gave you my views of your circle jerk manifesto and you haven't answered anything.

Bloggers4Labour

fyi, think I am healthy and not at all feverish - it is easy to concoct a feverish or 'febrile' atmosphere intoxicated enough to mistake a pub for a church of the converted. But what was the point you were trying to make? You do not address concerns that the EMG produced a non policy apologia in Orwellian convoluted phraseology for policy enumerated by a foreign power. Is that your vision for the UK? That it remain a poodle with and beyond Blair?

And Finally:

haven't you ever had a meeting in a pub? And did you draft a 3000 word document while you were there?

No. believe it or not we write Blairwatch completely sober. In all honesty if you'd laid off the mutual masturbation and boozing, it would have improved the god awful writing in your apoligia manifesto no end.

Go on, give it another go, but when you're less pissed.

trust us, it'll improve it

You very funny.

Sorry, is this serious?

You're such a tease, quarsan!

No, seriously, I think you just won over the undecided with your last point.

And feel free to add another:

*** UPDATED ***

Off-the-cuff comment, taken out of context, from Bloggers4Labour - let me say that again - Blogger4Labour!!! reveals the arrogance of New Labour/speaks volumes about their true motives/shows their contempt for X, Y, and Z, and their slavish...

Commenter 1: something about Bliar
Commenter 2: I left a rhetorical comment about Blair bathing in blood and was spoken to in ever such a rude manner
Commenter 3: repulsive; shameful; moral indignation; etc.

etc.

To be lectured by the Labour Brighton and Hove? CLP 'Political Education Officer' is indeed an honour....

Yet again you misread/misrepresent: I'm a *branch* (i.e. two wards) Political Education Officer.

And if you want to continue to be snidey, then my final comment must be: "I'm glad you think so".

Apologies, I got your title wrong. My mistake.

To be lectured by the Labour Brighton and Hove? Branch 'Political Education Officer' is indeed an honour....

Bloggers4Labour: We have offerred critiques of your position on several occasions, including this pretentious manifesto.

you have commented here often and you are welcome to continue. however, we would appreciate it if, at least for once, you could answer the points.

We note that you have never done so. FYI, I have spoken to several Labour figures - far, far above the level of branch political officer - about your manifesto, responses included: 'thank god nobody's going to take notice of it', 'oh god' and 'this is embarrasing'.

I have spoken to several Labour figures - far, far above the level of branch political officer - about your manifesto, responses included: 'thank god nobody's going to take notice of it', 'oh god' and 'this is embarrasing'.

How bizarre: are you really "pulling rank" on me? Some socialist you are. Frankly, whether I volunteer for sweeper-up-after-events or am a "source close to the leadership" is no guide to the relevance or value of the points I raise. And you're a fool to think otherwise.

I'm quite prepared to believe - as indeed you should be - that there are senior Labour figures who are morally lazy, cynical, seat-warmers (with very poor spelling). It sounds like you know a few.

Once again you fail to respond to any of the points we make.

I do indeed know a lot of Labour people, true one or two are not bright at all, but many are good hard working repesentatives and very thoughtful people. One of those quoted above is very involved in understanding state terror, and yes, I did edit the swear words out of the reply.

PerpetualWars-r-us(inc)

The self-reinforcing paranoia concerning the origins of the Manifesto really says a lot - perhaps you had better fisk away, taking each point entirely on its merits, and leave the prayer meeting, manifesto for pre-emptive war, and 'Blairite' crap at the door. Yes, it helps to bind your collective together, but you must know it means nothing.

It is not paranoia. The people involved are apologists for the Iraq war and occupation, and are beating the drums for war against Iran. They have also been apologists for some of the worst excesses of the USA in the occupation of Iraq.

We can see where the "decent" left have lead us and the direction in which they want to lead us now and I for one am pretty scared.

B4L - From a comment you made on your own site. I think it explains a lot about where we differ:

Your first point - most people I think would agree - being an ordinary American, or any kind of American doesn't make you a legitimate target, I'd be happy to stand next to you and condemm those who behaved so appallingly to the woman in the example you gave.

But the second part of your point - are you really suggesting your position is that the actions of the US/UK abroad, or indeed at home have no bearing on terrorist acts committed against the UK/US at home or abroad?
If that is what you are getting at - then there's the rub...

To try to understand why things happen is not the same as legitimising terrorism. That seems difficult for you to grasp. Or just plain inconvenient.
Many of us feel US/UK policy has a relationship with terrorism, I would suggest there are very very few on the 'anti war left' who feel UK/US policy justifies terrorism, or the example of the appalling abuse the American woman in the article you reference suffered.

Perhaps real the problem is the "psychosis" of those who appear to be running around shouting that our actions are righteous, and more of the same will make everything alright!

I think this so-called manifesto is nothing but a self-righteous feel good thing. It doesn't present anything new. I've also written a response to this:

A Critique of the Euston Manifesto