The Yorkshire MEP Edward McMillan-Scott, who was expelled from the Conservative Party for opposing David Cameron’s unholy alliance with right-wing parties such as Poland’s Law and Justice Party (PiS) in the European Parliament, is mounting a High Court legal challenge to his expulsion. Mr McMillan-Scott has been excluded from the party for a period of five years — the same punishment Lord (Jeffrey) Archer got after being sent to prison for perjury — despite the fact that he has been a hard-woking Conservative MEP for 25 years. His ‘crime’ was to stand against Michal Kaminski, a leading PiS MEP, for the post of one of the European Parliament’s Vice-Presidents — and winning — thereby putting a spanner in the works of the Conservative Party’s backroom bargaining with their unsavoury continental allies. Mr Kaminski then had to be appeased by the Tories by their agreeing to his becoming the leader of the new right-wing grouping in the Parliament, the European Conservative and Reformist Group (ECR).

Edward McMillan-Scott’s line is that the Tory leadership has lost its way and that he has every right to be within the party to which he remains committed. He has accused David Cameron of having insufficient experience in dealing with European affairs and of making a serious mistake in promising to take the Conservatives out of the European Parliament’s largest political grouping — the centre-right EPP — as part of his domestic leadership campaign. In announcing his High Court action against the Conservative Party, Mr McMillan-Scott told a Daily Telegraph journalist, ‘The party seeks to prevent my candidacy in the next European election merely for taking a stand on matters of personal conscience. This raises very serious ethical, legal and poliical issues.’ It also highilghts how Cameron’s Conservatives are preapred to sacrifice their own stalwarts in their pursuit of miopic europhobia.

Picture of Oil Slick from beta.thehindu.com

• G K Vasan is the minister for shipping in the central government and lives in Chennai (not far from the spill site). I wonder if he is doing anything about bringing the owners of the offending vessel to book? 
• Jai Ram Ramesh our minister for Environment and Forests is probably still recovering from the COP15 disaster that he helped engineer.

I had to do this; I was destined to do this. It is a shame—being a cyclist but without a century ride to tell your grandchildren. Oh, well, excuse the exaggeration. I started my second innings one and a half years ago, and have done a lot of 50km rides and a couple of 80km rides but not a 100km ride until the day when Jesus was born.

Setting Up and Warming Up

On Christmas morning, I packed the necessary things—helmet, riding glass, bread with peanut butter, a bottle of Gatorade, two half-litre bottles of water, toolkit, mobile-cum-MP3 player, and a few bucks. (Some of you might only require these for a full-blown trip ) I started late at 5:40. It was still dark and the headlight was put to good use up to Medawakkam. The Medawakkam-Shonilganallur Junction-ECR outpost stretch had a bit of tarmac left amid debris. To add salt to this injury, insects of all types tried to get into my mouth, and I had to slow down to avoid swallowing the unnecessary protein.

ECR

ECR was a relief, or so I thought. ECR is actually wonderful (it is a cliché), but beware of the menacing dogs. Dawn and cool December weather is a deadly combination for a human who shares ECR with the canines. Breeding season it is, so you can always expect a pack of dogs at the isolated stretches of ECR. Individual dogs are scary, too. It may be your speed (slow compared to the two and four wheelers that fly at breakneck speed), your cycling attire, or just plain curiosity of the dog. I avoided them by either snubbing them or joining fellow cyclists. It worked and once past Tiger Cave, I didn’t have any issues. Cruising at near 30kmph, I reached Mamallapuram. The official festival season was about to start the next day, so the entire town wore a festive look and was crowded, too. Took the Mamallapuram bypass and reached a junction when my Cateye (cyclocomputer) read 50. I had covered the distance in 02:12:36. From that junction, you can take the left and continue on ECR to go to Pondicherry, go straight if you want to go to Thirukkazhukundram or Chengalpattu, or take the right to enter OMR and go to Thirupporur. Remember that the signboard on the junction doesn’t talk about Thirupporur, so there is a fair chance that you will miss it unless you enquire at the nearby teashop.

OMR

With a couple of bread slices, 100ml of Gatorade, and half litre of water I covered the first leg of the journey. It was wonderful as the tarmac was superb. OMR is good too, but the stretch up to Kelambakkam beyond Thirupporur is bad. You have a feeling that the tyres sink in the tarmac and reduce your speed. There were not many potholes, but the overall quality of this stretch is a bit of a let down. My average now hovered around 19kmph. Poor.

OMR is scenic too. A surreal sample: a fairly large paddy field (fenced), four or five buffalos gracing nearby, and a couple of bullocks resting under a tree.

Had a dosa at a hotel opposite the Thirupporur temple tank (beautiful and brimming–a sight to behold). Kelambakkam was chaotic. Bought a bottle of Kinley and turned left on the Kelambakkam-Vandalur road. Here the tarmac is good. Switched on the MP3 player as there was no traffic and enjoyed the songs with nobody except the occasional headwind for company. Stopped in a couple of places for rest and reached Vandalur, joined the flow of traffic on GST toward Chennai, climbed Tambaram Sanatorium Bridge, and reached home at 11:40am.

While coming down Tambaram Sanatorium Bridge, Cateye showed 100.00, and I was on cloud nine. It was exhilarating. It may be a weekly chore for seasoned riders, but for me it was a milestone. I may do a lot of 100km rides in future (mulling over a multi-day tour currently), but this one will remain special till I call it a day.

Vital Stats:

Total time: ~6 hours

Total time on the saddle: 4 hours 55 minutes

Total distance covered: 102.5 kilometres

Average speed: 20.5kmph (have to improve it definitely)

M2TX not only participated, but Carlo was appointed Bike Coordinator for the 2nd Annual Eagles Canyon Raceway Toy Run. The event was a tremendous success with about 100 drivers and riders on the track throughout the day, and bringing canned goods and toys. The canned goods will be donated to the local food bank, while the toys will be making a lot of children happy for the holidays.  In addition, proceeds from the track day will also be used to support additional charities such as area shelters.

The weekend did not have the best start as Saturday’s rain and cold conditions (the track temperature was right at 40F ) forced the bikes to forego the track.  Sunday, which was forecasted for a high of 70F also had a miserable start with foggy conditions prevailing until about 11 am.  However, once the sun came through, the track warmed up quickly and the first bike group was out at 11:20.  Some notables included professional racer Ty Howard, doing some testing on his new #35 KTM RC8R racebike which he will be campaigning for the 2010 season, as well as several other CMRA racers.

Carlo spent most of the day coaching the newer riders, and doing some lead-and-follow sessions around the track.  However, the slower sessions provided an opportunity to get the new motor settled in on the Superstock SV650.  Save for a minor issue with the shift lever needing some adjustment, it ran very well and we’re looking forward to testing it out at full speed at the next trackday.  We will also be shifting focus back to the SV650 since we will be racing SV650’s throughout 2010, not only in the Sprint Classes but also as part of Genesta Racing’s Endurance Team.

In other news, M2TX will be announcing its newest sponsor very soon and we’re very excited!

Nothing very special about the ride today except that I managed to get some unexpected and nice photos. starting with the prelude to the sunrise at muttukadu backwaters:

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Never was sunrise so beautiful. Never was sea so calm. Its worth waking up at 4 am in the morning and riding 30kms to watch sun rising from the sea. ECR is such a beautiful place.

Its been a long time since i was on ECR. Last time ride on ECR was probably 4-5months ago.  Last Friday, Bharani pinged me asking if i would join for saturday ride. He was planning to start from Tiruvanmiyur Signals at 4:30 and ride till Mahabalipuram. I was a bit hesitant to join as 4:30 am is too early.  It was already 11:30pm and i had to wakeup at 4am if i want to join the ride. Finally i decided to give a try, requested Bharani to call me at 4am.

Bharani called me at 4am and i woke up 10mins later and hurried started preparing for the ride.  Finally at 4:30 i started from home to Tidel park signals. Bharani was no where seen. I picked up my phone to call him and saw a sms from  Bharani saying that he is delayed by 5-10 mins. Instead of standing idle i warmed up a bit. Bharani reach Tidel Park signals in 5-10mins and we headed towards Seruseri on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).

I told Bharani that i don’t want to ride fast as i am recovering from a muscle injury.  We started averaging 21-22kmph. Damp roads and the spray prevented us from riding any faster.  It was already 5:15 by the time we reached seruseri signals. We have to cover a good some 7kms in 15mins  to catchup with the group waiting at Toll gate.  Luckily the road was dry and we were 1km away from Toll gate by 5:30. We were riding at 24kmph. Bharani suggested that we push ourselves a bit for this 1km as we can break for 2-3mins at Toll gate. We started speeding and reach a max speed of 36-37kmph. But, by the time we reached Toll gate, the group had already left to Scenic Spot.  I started from toll gate after  a quick break and bharani started after 3-4mins.

I started pushing myself a bit to catchup with the group. In no time i met Kandappa and Sundar. Sundar was a bit surprised with my sudden appearance, we talked till kovalam. Murthy, Vibha and Venky were waiting for Sundar and Kandappa at kovalam check post. All of us started to Scenic spot after a 2mins break.

Kovalam to Scenic Spot is the best part of the ride and the toughest one too. Tough not because it’s physically strenuous but mentally.  It’s hard to take eyes off the scenic beach and the sunrise. Finally we reached scenic spot.

Kandappa had a flat and it took a good 30-40mins to fix the flat. While Bharani was busy fixing the flat, I was enjoying the beautiful sunrise. The colors of the sky, sea and sun kept changing every minute.  That moment i felt very happy that i didnt miss the ride. Had I missed the ride i wouldn’t have seen such a beautiful sunrise. All the while i wise i had a camera to capture sunrise. At about 7:10 the group started towards Tiger caves and i started back.

But the beauty pulled me back. I ended up spending 10mins on the beach enjoying the infinite sea, sky and the sun that was peeping out of the dark clouds. Finally had to start as it was getting hotter. Reached home by 8:45, doing an average of 26-27kmph.  The day couldn’t have started any better!

Photo Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prabhakarans/

Immagini favolose da cartolina, sempre di più quel ritaglio scintillante che i turisti possono ammirare nei centri storici degli stati più restii a rispondere della situazione dei diritti umani è gran parte di quello che all'Europa viene concesso di vedere. Dietro la copertina, Russia, Cina, Arabia Saudita gestiscono l'economia e le istituzioni con metodi antichi, difendendosi con una polemica verso il mondo occidentale che trova sponda in un malinteso terzomondismo

L’ Europa chiede più cooperazione russa riguardo Transnistria e Georgia : la richiesta arriva al margine di una crescente perplessità europea mentre la Federazione Russa rilascia con inedità facilità molti passaporti e mette in cantiere una legge che permetterebbe all’esercito di difendere i cittadini russi anche all’estero

 

 

Il Parlamento Europeo ha approvato un avanzamento dei rapporti con la Federazione, ma non è convinto della trasparenza dei diritti umani nel gigante eurasiatico: giovedì il Parlamento Europeo ha votato un documento sostenuto da Ppe (Centrodestra, cattolici e conservatori), S&D (Socialisti e Democratici), ALDE (Liberali), Verdi/ALE (ambientalisti e sinistra progressista) e ECR (raggruppa varie formazioni di destra tra cui quello che resta dell’ Unione per l’Europa delle Nazioni) affermando l’importanza della cooperazione con la Federazione Russa, ma ribadendo le preoccupazioni già chiaramente espresse con l’assegnazione del Premio Sacharov all’organizzazione russa “Memorial”,  nome che richiama alla mente migliaia di persone tuttora in lotta verso lo Stato, in un paese dove molti attivisti per i diritti umani sono stati uccisi senza che le autorità abbiano individuato responsabili e dove le opposizioni affrontano restrizioni impensabili in Occidente, anche in paesi dove la situazione è oggettivamente anomala e squilibrata.

Difatti, l’assemblea elettiva ha invitato le autorità russe a garantire che gli assassini di Natalia Estemirova, Andrei Kulagin, Zarema Sadulayeva, Alik Dzhabrailov, Maksharip Aushev, Stanislav Markelov, Anastasya Baburova e Anna Politkovskaya siano rintracciati e consgnati alla giustizia ed ha  fatto riferimento all’assassinio di Maksarip Ausev, esponente dell’opposizione ucciso in Inguscezia. A questo punto la UE sta chiedendo anche misure preventive per la protezione degli attivisti per i diritti umani e l’avvio di indagini appena le minacce nei loro confronti sono note a una procura oppure ad un tribunale. Il Parlamento ha chiesto anche di seguire con la massima attenzione il secondo processo in corso contro l’ex dirigente della Yukos Oil, Michael Chodorkovskij, imprenditore ed oppositore, in particolare si teme (in maniera giustificata dai precedenti avvenuti) che le autorità utilizzino il sistema giudiziario come strumento politico.

Sostanzialmente, l’Europa tende la mano alla Federazione Russa, rinnovando il proprio sostegno all’obiettivo dell’adesione della Russia all’Organizzazione Mondiale del Commercio. Esistono però anche in questo capitolo ostacoli, come i dazi russi all’esportazione, tariffe ferroviarie per il transito di merci, pedaggi stradali e restrizioni su importazioni alimentari. Il Parlamento Europeo ha invitato l’Unione nel suo complesso a promuovere iniziative per arrivare ad una soluzione pacifica dei conflitti in Nagorno-Karabah ed in Transnistria, ma soprattutto in Georgia. La missione di vigilanza dell’Unione coincide con l’impegno europeo per l’integrità territoriale della piccola repubblica e c’è una certa preoccupazione per la proposta di legge, presentata dal Presidente russo, che autorizzerebbe l’impiego della forza anche per proteggere cittadini russi che si trovano all’estero, timore rafforzato dalla politica di rilascio massiccio di passaporti che si accompagna alla proposta.

Aldo Ciummo

Die britischen Konservativen scheinen sich um die Medientauglichkeit ihrer europäischen Alliierten zu sorgen. Presseberater sollen die rechten Sorgenkinder aus Osteuropa abschirmen und so das Schlimmste verhindern, schreibt die Sunday Times.

Nach außen betonen die Tories gern, ihre rechten Partner im Europaparlament seien achtbare Vertreter des konservativen Mainstreams. Die Kritik am dubiosen Geschichtsbild oder an der mehr als nur latenten Homophobie einiger dieser Parteien entspringe einer linken „Schmierenkampagne“.

Restlos überzeugt scheinen sie davon nicht zu sein. Nach Angaben der konservativen Sunday Times haben die Tories ihren Alliierten Presseberater an die Seite gestellt, die das öffentliche Auftreten insbesondere der osteuropäischen Verbündeten komplett kontrollieren sollen.

Das betrifft dem Blatt zufolge auch den Fraktionschef der gemeinsamen Gruppe im Europaparlament, der „Europäischen Konservativen und Reformer“: Michał Kamiński von der polnischen PiS steht nicht nur deswegen unter Beschuss, weil er in seiner Jugend einer neofaschistischen Partei angehört hat. Ihm werden überdies Homophobie und Antisemitismus vorgehalten. Bislang wirkt seine Verteidigungsstrategie unbeholfen und offenbart, wie tief seine Ressentiments sitzen.

Dem Jewish Chronicle diktierte Kamiński in den Block: Von Polen könne man erst dann eine Entschuldigung für das Pogrom von Jedwabne verlangen, wenn „die gesamte jüdische Nation“ sich für Verbrechen entschuldigt habe, die jüdische Kommunisten in Ostpolen begangen hätten. Bei dem Massaker in der polnischen Stadt, die zum Wahlkreis Kamińskis gehört, waren 1941 mehrere hundert Juden von ihren Mitbürgern ermordet worden. 60 Jahre danach bat Polens damaliger Präsident Aleksander Kwasńiewski offiziell um Vergebung für die Bluttat, wogegen Kamiński seinerzeit heftig opponierte. Daran will er offensichtlich festhalten, Presseberater hin oder her. Gleich vier Tories haben Kamińskis Gespräch mit dem Jewish Chronicle begleitet, will die Sunday Times erfahren haben. Genutzt hat es anscheinend wenig.

Rechte Allianzen im Europaparlament

Einen deutlichen Rechtsschwenk in zahlreichen EU-Staaten brachten die Europawahlen im Juni. Rechtsextreme und Rechtspopulisten konnten vielerorts zweistellige Ergebnisse einfahren. Seitdem sind im Straßburger Parlament drei neue Bündnisse entstanden, die teilweise bis in den konservativen Mainstream reichen.

Sie stellt nur 54 der 736 Abgeordneten. Sie bildet bloß die fünftgrößte Fraktion im neu gewählten Europaparlament. Und doch sorgt die Gruppe der „Europäischen Konservativen und Reformer“ (ECR) hartnäckig für Aufsehen. Sorgenfalten bereitete die rechte Allianz zunächst der EU-Ratspräsidentschaft und den europäischen Regierungschefs mit einer Kampagne gegen den Lissabon-Vertrag. Wenig später zeigte sich das US-Außenministerium irritiert über die Fraktion. Tatsächlich ist die ECR eine schillernde Gruppe. Sie verbindet moderne Konservative wie die britischen Tories, harte Rechtskonservative wie die polnische PiS der Kaczyński-Zwillinge und Splitterparteien vom rechten Rand.

Entstanden auf Initiative der Tories und der tschechischen ODS von Präsident Václav Klaus, will die ECR hauptsächlich EU-Kritik leisten. Die „souveräne Integrität“ des Nationalstaates solle gegenüber Brüssel bewahrt werden, heißt es in der „Prager Erklärung“,  in der die Fraktion ihren politischen Minimalkonsens formuliert hat. Ökonomisch liegt sie ganz auf der Linie der Thatcher-Erben. Leitlinien bilden „freies Unternehmertum“ und „freier Wettbewerb“, dazu werden Steuersenkungen gefordert und die Idee des „small government“ propagiert. Zugleich gibt sich die ECR wertkonservativ, betont die Bedeutung der Familie und fordert, Immigration müsse „effektiv kontrolliert“ und ein angeblicher „Missbrauch der Asylverfahren“ beendet werden.

Weiter auf Telepolis

Yes.  Long long ago, we explored a bit of East Coast Road, Chennai. If you are looking for an outing over the weekend which is neither too far nor too closeby,which takes a little more than a day yet a little less than two, while you are in Chennai, take my word!ECR is the best choice. We basically intended to go with the wind without any pre-arrangements. Nevertheless, we had a fair idea of the list of places on ECR that would interest us.

Trip started off with us taking a bus at Adyar at 6am on Saturday to Kalyana Perumal Temple,Thiruvidanthai. All the buses that go to Kovalam or Mamallapuram will take you there. The trivia about the temple is that it is the ‘Kalyana’ Perumal who, supposedly, blesses people with happy married lives rather marriage in the first place. And for this, devotees are expected to wear a garland and do the ‘phere’ around the temple. Sounds very much like the Chilkur Balaji temple in Hyderabad. The temple is also known for its idol, which has Goddess Lakshmi situated on the left side of His chest,which is way different from the conventional ‘Balaji’ and which, we thought, was meant to explain the speciality of the temple. It was a perfect start off on a saturday morning with a visit to temple enjoying the morning sun and the cool breeze. It took around 30 minutes to reach the place which is a small village with just this famous temple to boast about on one side and the coast on the other. Just in case you dont get a bus that takes you directly to Thiruvidanthai, you can board any bus that goes to kovalam and then, you have plenty of share autos that would drop you there in 5mins. All done at temple and it was time for breakfast. With not a single hotel in the vicinity, we had to get back to kovalam. Nothing here either. The roadside hot and yum idlies did it all!!

It was 8:45 and we were all set for the fun. We took a bus back and got down at MGM Dizzee world only to be told that it doesnt open till 10am. Commonsense. I know. Meanwhile, we went to Dakshinachitra that was a 5min walk from MGM to check out if there was a place to stay, if needed. Gladly enough, we managed to book the rooms, dropped our bags there and went ahead to MGM. MGM is no Disneyland! It is essentially for kids. Both the ones you have and the ones in you! Honestly, I have never been on a roller coaster before. I had lotsa fun going on it all alone! Ding dong! Lunch Time!! There is  a decent eat out inside MGM where we finished our lunch and headed back to Dakshinachitra in the hot sun on the highway.

After a short nap, Dakshinachitra was explored a bit here and a bit there alongside some shopping. This place reminded me of Shilparamam (Hyderabad) with a difference that this place has a lot to offer kids in terms of learning and fun. Pics will speak for it. Saving a little more of DC for the next day, we left for Muthukad backwaters which is 10 mins away. Yet again, in a bus. Honestly, there is nothing much this place can offer. Its just a boat ride to and fro. So, we quickly wrapped up from Muthukad and headed to Kovalam beach by evening. This probably is just another dirty Indian beach. Nevertheless, it was our first experience of lying down in the beach and watching the skies and the stars. It was wonderful. As it got dark, we took a bus back. The fact that DC doesnt offer any dinner left us with no option but to go in search of a decent affordable restaurant on the highway.

Next morning was more of a relaxed tour around DC and a little more of shopping, lunch and journey back.

Gyan:

Do

1.Carry a sunblock or do not venture in the months of march, april and may for this kind of ‘cheap n best’ travel plans on ECR.

2.Keep lotsa cash in hand. If you run out of cash, there is not a single ATM unless you travel 3kms from DC. The nearest one is at Mayajaal. Those of you who know ECR, will realise the implication better!The last thing you want to do is to beg the manager of the restaurant to swipe for 1000 when the bill is only 500. Which we did and somehow saved our lives with the 500 bucks till we got back to the city.

3.Plan the trip in a backward fashion. Cover the places further on ECR first and then travel back towards the city. This will cut down the expenses considerably.

Do not

1. Waste your time with Muthukkad. If time permits, the crocodile bank, situated further on ECR, is a better option.

2.Browse too much and spoil the fun. Its travelling. Not just visiting.

2. Stop yourself from letting loose the kid in you!!

The trip costed 1700 bucks with a major chunk of it spent on DC accommodation. It is a trivial amount when compared to the peace and seclusion you derive from being away from the chaotic city life.

Next in line: TADA waterfalls.

For now, tata!!

Chaito.

That the Tories have chosen an ill assortment of cranks and extremists as bed fellows in Europe is a source of bemusement for us on the Left. Their scepticism was always going to marginalise them, but the rush to irrelevance has left many of us open-mouthed in amazement.

The Tory position a per pro Europe is nothing short of contemptuous. They will not have a voice of any significance.

This matters. The UK should be a big hitter in Europe and beyond, not allied to the equivalent of the OMRLP and worse.

David Aaronovitch has written about this at The Times – I suggest a night at the theatre, Mr Cameron

For some reason the Tory stance reminds me of this little jewel: The Pig Got Up and Slowly Walked Away

The Conservative Party has been coming in for a great deal of stick of late about their decision to leave the European People’s Party (EPP) grouping in the European Parliament to sit with a new group, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), some of it from their own side.

Edward McMillan-Scott, a Conservative MEP, criticised the Party for joining forces with Poland’s NOP because of their dubious links to fascist and anti-Semitic groups.  This may or may not be true, it is immaterial to this post, but it does raise questions of any pan-European political grouping.

Other critics, too, want the Tories to leave the ECR because they believe that, by association, they are tainted with fascism and anti-Semitism.  But James Forsyth shows that there are unsavoury people in other parties, in this case the EPP, but the calls for the Tories to leave this group were not forthcoming.

National political parties are somewhat caught over a barrel.  They simply have to join one of the pan-European groupings if they want to receive funding for routine political activities.  Why is this?  Would it not be a little more transparent for each member to receive the funding rather than channelling it through contrived political groupings?.  That would be really democratic.

But no.  This will not do.  The European machine has decided that it will use funding to manipulate national parties to act as European parties and so give the impression of being part of a single European political entity.  And if parties develop that transcend national borders, the project is advanced that little bit further.

so when we start to complain that members of foreign political parties might not espouse the values of which we approve, let’s just remember that it is the European system that contorts domestic politics to conform to their idea of a European political identity, and that all the groupings have people of character we might not like.  That does not mean we should beat up our own domestic parties for the company they keep in groupings they are forced to join.

Bonjour à vous,

Voici un récent communiqué de presse de l’AECQ. Ref.  pour le communiqué
http://www.eveques.qc.ca/communiques/2009/20090923.html

Il relie à une lettre envoyée à la ministre en date du 15 mais diffusée le 23 septembre
http://www.eveques.qc.ca/documents/2009/20090915ECRLettre.pdf

Bonne semaine,

Danielle Lajeunesse
dlajeunesse@direction.ca

COMMUNIQUÉ DE L’ASSEMBLÉE DES ÉVÊQUES CATHOLIQUES DU QUÉBEC (AÉCQ)

Trois-Rivières, le 23 septembre 2009 – Dans le cadre de leur assemblée plénière qui se tient du 21 au 24 septembre, à Trois-Rivières, les évêques catholiques du Québec désirent communiquer les résultats d’un premier bilan qu’ils ont effectué sur le cours d’Éthique et de Culture religieuse mis en place depuis un an par le ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.

Dans une lettre adressée à la Ministre le 15 septembre et rendue publique hier (www.eveques.qc.ca), le président, Mgr Martin Veillette, a souligné d’emblée « que les indices s’accumulent pour démontrer que de sérieux correctifs s’imposent, sans quoi le programme ne sera pas fidèle à ses objectifs et ne remplira pas ses promesses. »

Rappelant que les évêques s’étaient engagés, l’an dernier, à mettre en place des mécanismes de vigilance, le président a déclaré qu’ils sont aujourd’hui en mesure d’établir plusieurs constats. Ils sont le résultat de données recueillies dans les milieux diocésains, auprès de parents, d’enseignants et de catéchètes, ainsi que de la part d’un groupe d’experts qui a analysé les manuels. Les principaux sujets d’inquiétude sont les suivants :

• la compréhension et la réception du programme sont compromises par le manque d’information des parents, premiers responsables de l’éducation de leur enfant;
• la place et le traitement de la tradition chrétienne dans les manuels approuvés pour le primaire ne respectent pas les prescriptions du programme;
• la formation des maîtres est largement insuffisante et les guides pédagogiques sont encore inexistants.

Après avoir commenté ces sujets d’inquiétude dans sa lettre à la Ministre, le président a affirmé que « le programme d’Éthique et de Culture religieuse comporte des défis très exigeants, à la jonction des valeurs et des droits fondamentaux de notre société ».

Les parents devront être mieux informés et écoutés. Il faudra consentir beaucoup plus d’efforts et de ressources à l’encadrement et à la formation des maîtres. Et les sérieuses lacunes signalées dans les manuels devront être corrigées grâce à un processus d’approbation respectant rigoureusement les prescriptions du programme et les engagements explicites du Gouvernement envers la tradition chrétienne. Pour notre part, de conclure Mgr Veillette, nous continuerons à suivre attentivement la question, comme nous nous y sommes engagés.

Renseignements : Rolande Parrot

À Trois-Rivières, 819 375-8987
À Montréal : 514 274-4323

I had been planning to post this blog for around 3 months now, but was caught u in several other things and hence couldn’t do it. This morning we had relatives arriving by the same train – 2861 – Link -Dakshin Express and they were very furious with the train, since they are used to travel from Hyderabad by AP or Rajdhani express and this is the first time they had taken 2861 – Link-Dakshin Express from Visakhapatnam.

The coach, AC system, Jerky movement  in the train due to [high?] speed. The dining trays (in the coach) seems to be falling off even on placing the dinner plate. The curtains [in 2nd AC coach) cannot be pulled and hence were tied to the mini ladder/stair, handles and whatever.

[FYI, the 2861 Dakshin Express contains two parts, one part arriving/departing from/to Secunderabad and another arriving/departing from/to Visakhapatnam as 2721/2722 Link Express both of them being coupled and detached at Kazipet station]

I am uploading few snaps that I had taken during my journey :

To switch on Fan or a Tube Light

Special Effects

Puzzles

"Split Wide Open"

The AC Vents

The House of Horror

Now for the regionalism, its only the 2721/2722 originating/terminating at Visakhapatnam [maintained by ECR - East Coast Railway, headquartered at Bhubaneswar] has such dilapidated coaches. The part of the train 2861/2862 originating/terminating at Hyderabad [maintained by SCR - South Central Railway, headquartered at Secunderabad] are very well maintained. Is this train the case of a step child of an absolutely unwilling parent?

H,

Erlebt Europa den erneuten Aufstieg des Nationalismus? Oder hat sich bei den Europawahlen Anfang Juni eine Reihe von nationalen Denkzetteln zu einem europäischen Ergebnis summiert? Wie auch immer man darauf antwortet, fest steht, dass rechte Parteien teils dramatisch zugelegt haben. Sie profitieren von innenpolitischen Krisen wie in Großbritannien oder Ungarn und segeln vor dem Wind des Euroskeptizismus. In den Niederlanden etwa nähren sich die Rechtspopulisten um Geert Wilders von der Debatte um die Zukunft der multikulturellen Gesellschaft. Aber sie bedienen auch die gewachsene Unzufriedenheit mit der EU: Laut einer Studie der Universität von Amsterdam betrachten 60 Prozent der Niederländer die europäischen Institutionen als „Geldverschwendung“. Dementsprechend will Wilders das Europaparlament langfristig abschaffen, Bulgarien und Rumänien ausschließen, die Türkei gar nicht erst aufnehmen.

Neue rechtskonservative EP-Fraktion

Europamüde zeigt sich auch ein Teil der politischen Eliten. Ausdruck davon ist die rund zwei Wochen nach der Wahl gegründete „European Conservatives and Reformists Group“ (ECR). Sie lehnt den Vertrag von Lissabon ab und will als Fraktion im Europaparlament für eine Beschränkung der EU streiten. Treibende Kräfte hinter dem rechtskonservativen Bündnis sind die britische Conservative Party, die tschechische ODS um Präsident Václav Klaus und Ex-Premier Mirek Topolánek sowie die polnische PiS der Gebrüder Kaczyński.

Tories und ODS verlassen dafür ihre Plätze neben Angela Merkels CDU und Nicolas Sarkozys UMP in der Fraktion der Europäischen Volkspartei. Der kontinentale Zusammenschluss der Christdemokraten gilt Tory-Chef David Cameron als zu EU-freundlich. Damit erfüllt er ein Versprechen an den europafeindlichen Flügel seiner Partei, das er vor seiner Wahl zum Parteivorsitzenden 2005 gegeben hat. Cameron kokettiert darüber hinaus mit einem Referendum über den Lissabon-Vertrag, sollten die Konservativen wie erwartet die im kommenden Jahr anstehenden Parlamentswahlen gewinnen. Großbritannien hat die Ratifizierungsurkunde längst abgeschickt – ein (absehbares) Nein beim Plebiszit wäre mithin völkerrechtlich kaum bindend, der politische Schaden aber immens.

Die Stoßrichtung gegen das Vertragswerk teilen die Tories mit ihren europäischen Partnern. Darüber hinaus hat man sich auf zehn Grundprinzipien verständigt, die in einer „Prager Erklärung“ niedergelegt sind. Dort werden eine klassisch neoliberale Wirtschaftspolitik und die „souveräne Integrität“ des Nationalstaates postuliert. Die transatlantische Partnerschaft soll hochgehalten und ein angeblicher „Missbrauch von Asylverfahren“ beendet werden.

In Großbritannien haben die neuen Alliierten der Tories erhebliche Unruhe provoziert. Der lettischen Vaterlands- und Freiheitspartei wird vorgeworfen, an einer Ehrung für Angehörige der Waffen-SS teilgenommen zu haben. Die Kaczyńskis sind für ihre homophobe Haltung berüchtigt, und Václav Klaus hat die Existenz des Klimawandels in Abrede gestellt. Süffisant kommentiert Labour-Außenminister David Miliband, die Tories bewegten sich vom „Euro-Skeptizismus zum Euro-Extremismus“. Auch ehemalige konservative Europaabgeordnete kritisieren, Cameron führe seine Partei und potenziell Großbritannien in die außenpolitische Isolation.

Tatsächlich hat die neue Fraktion große Anziehungskraft auf rechtspopulistische Parteien ausgeübt. Gegen die Aufnahme von Lega Nord und Dänischer Fortschrittspartei sperren sich die Tories jedoch. Die ODS wäre dazu bereit und verweist auf die erhöhte Stabilität einer größeren Fraktion. Momentan bildet die ECR knapp vor den Grünen die viertgrößte Gruppe. Den Löwenanteil der Abgeordneten stellt jedoch das Gründungstrio, fünf weitere Partner sind mit je einem Parlamentarier vertreten. Da sieben Parteien die Untergrenze für eine Fraktion bilden, könnte der Austritt weniger Abgeordneter das ganze Gebilde zum Einsturz bringen.

Zündstoff birgt das Bündnis genug: Während die Tories das urbane Bürgertum umwerben, streitet die holländische Christenunion für ein Abtreibungsverbot, und auf der belgischen Liste Dedecker stehen ehemalige Mitglieder des rassistischen Vlaams Belang. Auch das Freihandels- und Deregulierungspostulat der Prager Erklärung ist intern nicht unumstritten, die polnische PiS setzt eher auf Sozialprotektionismus.

Die Mehrheit der informellen großen Koalition aus Europäischer Volkspartei und Sozialisten kann diese Neugründung nicht gefährden. Überdies herrscht im Europaparlament kein Fraktionszwang, so dass Mitglieder der ECR in Sachfragen weiterhin häufig mit den Christdemokraten stimmen werden.

Dennoch verweist die neue Fraktion auf ein Defizit in der politischen Integration der EU. Teile der Eliten, darunter Spitzenpolitiker aus bevölkerungsreichen Staaten wie Polen, Tschechien und Großbritannien, sehen in der Union wenig mehr als einen gemeinsamen Marktplatz und stoßen mit ihrer offensiven Europaskepsis auf Resonanz bei den heimischen Wählerinnen und Wählern. Diese haben bei der Europawahl die ODS ebenso zur stärksten Kraft in Tschechien gemacht wie die Tories in Großbritannien, dort gefolgt von der offen anti-europäischen UK Independence Party.

Populistische und extreme Rechte

Erschwerend wirkt die rechtskonservative Neuformierung auf die Bildung weiterer rechter Fraktionen. Aus Sicht der populistischen und extremen Rechten ist die Situation paradox. Sie haben bei der Europawahl teils erhebliche Zugewinne verbuchen können, mit deutlich zweistelligen Ergebnissen in zahlreichen Ländern, vermögen daraus aber nur mühsam politisches Kapital zu schlagen.

Gerade mit Blick auf den rechten Rand haben die etablierten Parteien in der vergangenen Legislaturperiode die Hürden für eine Fraktionsbildung höher gehängt: Mindestens 25 Parlamentarier aus wenigstens sieben Staaten müssen nun zusammenkommen. Zudem sieht der Wahlmodus je nach Bevölkerungszahl unterschiedlich große nationale Delegationen vor: Deutschland entsendet mit 99 Parlamentariern das größte Kontingent, Malta mit fünf Abgeordneten das kleinste. Ohne Rückhalt in einem der großen Flächenstaaten lässt sich eine Fraktion kaum gründen. Und genau daran hapert es bei den Rechten augenblicklich. FPÖ und Dänische Fortschrittspartei haben jeweils satte zweistellige Ergebnisse erzielt – aber das reicht in beiden Fällen gerade einmal für zwei Parlamentarier. Umgekehrt ist der kriselnde Front National in Frankreich von sieben auf drei Abgeordnete gefallen.

Überdies verabschieden sich potenzielle Koalitionspartner in Richtung rechte Mitte. Geradezu einen Aderlass erleidet die „Union für ein Europa der Nationen“. Sie hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren zwar nicht als genuin rechtspopulistische Fraktion erwiesen, solchen Parteien aber breiten Raum geboten. Aus ihren Reihen wechselt die irische Fianna Fáil in Richtung der Liberalen, die Alleanza Nazionale folgt Berlusconi in die Europäische Volkspartei, die Vaterlands- und Freiheitspartei sowie die PiS bevorzugen die neue Allianz um Tories und ODS.

Ähnliches gilt für die heterogene Rechtsfraktion „Independence/Democracy“. Sie hat zuletzt nur aufgrund einer Ausnahmeregelung weiter bestehen können, da sie die geänderten Mindestanforderungen an eine Fraktion nicht erfüllt. Die Kerngruppe um die UK Independence Party und die rechtsextreme griechische Láikos Orthódoxos Synagermós fusioniert daher mit den Überbleibseln der Union für ein Europa der Nationen zu einer neuen Fraktion. „Europa der Freiheit und Demokratie“ heißt die Anfang Juli aus der Taufe gehobene Gruppe.

Ein Schwergewicht in der EFD wird mit 13 Parlamentariern die Unabhängigkeitspartei bilden, die rassistische Lega Nord mit neun Abgeordneten ein zweites; die weiteren Mitglieder steuern je ein bis zwei Vertreter bei. Der starke Part der Briten ist durchaus überraschend, schließlich wollen sie ihr Image als Rechtspartei loswerden und mit der Forderung nach einem EU-Austritt des Vereinigten Königreichs im Tory-Milieu punkten. Aus ähnlichen Erwägungen verschließt sich die PVV von Geert Wilders bislang allen Avancen. Sie will in den Niederlanden für bürgerliche Milieus wählbar bleiben und nimmt dafür die Isolation ihrer vier Europaparlamentarier in Kauf.

Allen taktischen Vorbehalten, inhaltlichen Differenzen und persönlichen Animositäten zum Trotz gibt es ausreichend Anreiz für eine Fraktion rechts der ECR, darunter erweiterte Rede- und Ausschussrechte, hohe Finanzmittel und größere öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit. Fraktionslose Abgeordnete bleiben hingegen von wichtigen Informationsflüssen abgeschnitten und können kaum Einfluss auf den parlamentarischen Betrieb nehmen.

Politisch verbindet diese Kräfte ohnehin mehr als gemeinhin angenommen. Längst haben sie eine transnationale Ideologie ausgeprägt, zu deren Kernelementen der Kulturkampf gegen die islamische Welt und der Glaube an die Überlegenheit der so genannten „weißen Rasse“ gehören. Verdichtet zu einem Minimalkonsens findet sich das in der „Wiener Erklärung“, die 2005 auf Initiative der FPÖ verabschiedet wurde. Die Unterzeichner polemisieren dort unter anderem gegen einen EU-Beitritt der Türkei und beschwören pathetisch die Verteidigung des angeblich bedrohten Abendlandes. Auch die EFD will nach eigenem Bekunden vor allem gegen Einwanderung kämpfen und die nationale Souveränität gegenüber Brüssel stärken.

Einige Kräfte der neuen Fraktion sind auf nationaler Ebene etabliert und bürgen für ein Mindestmaß an taktischer Disziplin, etwa die erstarkte Lega Nord und die Dänische Fortschrittspartei. Aus dem Nukleus der ehemaligen ITS-Fraktion von 2007 stehen die FPÖ und der Vlaams Belang als weitere Partner bereit. Beim Vlaams Belang erwartet man zudem ein Einlenken der Wilders-Partei, sobald die Parlamentsneulinge der isolierten Existenz als Fraktionslose überdrüssig werden.

Jean-Marie Le Pen hingegen wird die nächsten fünf Jahre ohne parlamentarische Gruppe bleiben. Sein Front National dürfte kaum neben dem rivalisierenden Mouvement pour la France in der EFD Platz nehmen. Die nationalkonservative Partei ist im Wahlkampf auf dem Libertas-Ticket gereist und hat das einzige europäische Mandat für die Allianz des irischen Millionärs Declan Ganley errungen. Ganley, ein Träger der irischen Kampagne gegen den Lissabon-Vertrag, hat eine Anti-EU-Partei in Brüssel etablieren wollen, mittlerweile aber sein Scheitern eingeräumt.

Wie bei der ECR gilt jedoch auch für die EFD, dass Kleinparteien einbezogen werden müssen, um das nötige Quorum zu erreichen. Dazu zählen die evangelikale Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij aus den Niederlanden oder die Parlamentsneulinge der Wahren Finnen. Die Stabilität einer solchen Fraktion stünde damit erneut in Frage. Viel wird überdies davon abhängen, ob weitere rechte Parteien der ECR beitreten, oder ob die Rechtskonservativen künftig vor allem um Liberale und Christdemokraten werben.

Rechtsextreme gescheitert

Definitiv gescheitert ist die Bildung einer genuin rechtsextremen Fraktion. Sie wird die nötige Zahl an Abgeordneten nicht erreichen, wie Nick Griffin eingeräumt hat. Umworben hat der Frontmann der erstmals eingezogenen British National Party unter anderem den Front National und die ungarische Partei Jobbik, die paramilitärische Einheiten unterhält.

Die deutschen Rechten haben den Sprung ins Europaparlament erneut deutlich verfehlt. Dennoch spielen sie in den Überlegungen ihrer europäischen Gesinnungsgenossen eine wichtige Rolle. Da die Bundesrepublik das größte nationale Kontingent in der Brüssler Versammlung stellt, wäre eine deutsche Rechtspartei bei Überschreiten der Fünf-Prozent-Hürde schon zahlenmäßig ein Schwergewicht in der Eurorechten. Uneins sind sich die rechten Netzwerker, mit welcher deutschen Partei sie kooperieren sollen. Der Vlaams Belang fürchtet, eine Zusammenarbeit mit der NPD könnte bürgerliche Wähler in Flandern verschrecken. Offiziell kooperieren die Flamen daher nur mit den Republikanern und der Splitterpartei Pro Köln, hoffen aber auf eine Fusion der deutschen Rechten.

Weniger Bedenken zeigt die FPÖ. An einem von ihr organisierten Treffen rechter Parteien im Februar des Jahres in Wien hat nach eigenen Angaben auch eine Delegation der DVU teilgenommen. Selbst direkte Kontakte zur NPD scheuen die Österreicher nicht.

Einstweilen bleiben die Europa-Aktivitäten der NPD, die bei der Wahl zugunsten der DVU verzichtete, auf außerparlamentarische Arbeit beschränkt. Die Nationaldemokraten gehören dennoch zu den aktivsten Kräften der „Europäischen Nationalen Front“, einem Zusammenschluss, der sich offen in die Tradition der spanischen Falange der 30er Jahre stellt. Sprecher der Front ist der ehemalige EP-Abgeordnete Roberto Fiore von der italienischen Forza Nuova, gegen den wegen Beteiligung am verheerenden Bombenanschlag auf den Bahnhof von Bologna 1980 ermittelt wurde. Der Italiener pflegt eine enge Freundschaft mit BNP-Chef Griffin, den die NPD selbst einmal als Redner auf ihrem „Fest der Völker“ in Jena präsentiert hat. Ihre Fühler haben die deutschen Rechtsextremen auch zu den Parlamentsneulingen der Jobbik ausgestreckt.

Gerade diese Verbindungen unterstreichen, dass von der rechtsextremen Szene und ihren Parteien weiterhin eine Gefahr ausgeht.

Zuerst erschienen in: Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik 08/2009

Today’s ‘Observer’ has details of an attempted cover-up by someone who would prefer that the world doesn’t know the far-right past of Michal Kaminski, leader of the European Conservative and Reformist group (ECR) in the European Parliament, to which the British Conservatives belong. Mr Kaminski was formerly a member of the neo-fascist National Revival of Poland Party, before leaving to join the more mainstream but nonetheless ultra-conservative (and some say anti-Semitic and homophobic)  Law and Justice party (PiS). But this fact was recently removed from his Wikipedia entry by persons unknown, whom The Observer has traced to the House of Commons. What makes the affair even more remarkable is that someone else (this time operating out of Strasbourg, the main seat of the European Parliament) has doctored the Wikipedia entry of Edward McMillan-Scott, MEP,as well. Mr McMillan-Scott, regular readers of this blog will recall, was expelled from the Tory Party after he stood against Michal Kaminski to become a Vice-President of the Parliament, and won. Mr Kaminski was given the chairmanship of th ECR as a sort of consolation prize for this rebuff.

So what does Mr McMillan-Scott think of what is going on? He told The Observer, ”My record was … changed to paint me as a Euro-fanatic. More seriously, there is a systematic cover-up by the Conservative Party of Kaminski’s unpleasant political past.’ That ‘unpleasant political past’ didn’t stop the Conservatives inviting Mr Kaminski as a guest of honour at their recent party conference in Manchester. By their friends shall they be known. Nick Clegg’s take on all this is, ‘The Conservative Party should come clean. If this is the Tory party trying to airbrush the embarrassing past of their new friend in Europe from the record, they should have the courage to say so.’ That is the crux of the matter. Was this tampering with Wikipedia sanctioned by the party hierarchy, or was it some young researcher acting on his or her own initiative? We need to be told. Either way, this childish attempt to conceal the truth has spectacularly backfired.

In February I postedabout the abhorrent far right Dutch MP Geert Wilders who had been invited to the United Kingdom to speak by the pictured Lord Pearson who is a member of UKIP.  I argued then that Jacqui Smith was wrong to prevent him expressing his views.  I am satisfied (pleased would mean I want people like Geert Wilders in London) that the appeal against the ban has been upheld.

There’s a couple of thoughts that come to mind.  How can we prevent people like Geert Wilders expressing their views in Britain, when the more extreme Nick Griffin from the BNP will appear on Question Time next week?  We have to accept that these views can be expounded no matter how much the vast majority of people disagree with them.  Also, as you will see from my post yesterday in relation to the Trafigura case , I am a passionate believer in the right of free speech.  It would be both illogical and unacceptable to stand up for free speech against a commercial corporation which has done wrong and then not allow political views, however abhorrent, to be aired. 

Looking back at my original post on Geert Wilders,  I note that I didn’t make an issue of the pictured UKIP peer, Lord Pearson, inviting such an extremist. David Cameron in 2006 described UKIP as “fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists“.  Having spent five years in the European Parliament with these closet racists, I am no longer surprised to see UKIP’s dealings with far-right politicians.

Interestingly, though, it is now David Cameron himself who consorts with racists in his new ECR group, many of whom are far from “closet”.

Le 21 mai dernier (2009), la Table de concertation protestante en éducation envoya une lettre à la ministre Madame Michelle Courchesne pour lui exposer notre position et pour proposer quelques pistes de réflexion utiles concernant le programme Éthique et culture religieuse (ECR). Même si le programme en question génère relativement peu de controverse chez la majorité de la population québécoise, une minorité de parents expriment néanmoins être profondément concernés vis-à-vis la direction du programme et surtout en rapport avec sa mise en application en milieu scolaire.

Un sujet particulièrement troublant pour la TCPE fut la divergence apparente entre le plan de mise en application et la réalité de ce qui se vie dans le milieux scolaire. La lettre mentionne plusieurs manquements au niveau de la mise en application qui ne tiennent pas compte de plusieurs des recommandations offertes au ministère de l’éducation par des regroupements comme la TCPE.

Cliquez sur le lien suivant pour lire la lettre / click on the following link to read the letter.

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Lettre de position sur le programme ECR (français seulement)

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On May 21, 2009, the Protestant Partnership in Education sent a letter to Minister Mrs. Michelle Courchesne outlining our position and to offer several ideas in regards to the Ethics and Religious Culture course (ERC). Though the course in question has generated only moderate controversy amongst Quebec parents as a whole. There is however a minority of concerned parents who have expressed profound concerns in regards to the direction of the course and especially its implementation.

One aspect the PPE has found particularly troubling is the apparent discrepancy between the stated action plan and the real-time implementation of the program in a school environment. The letter mentions several shortcomings in the implementation process that fail to follow several recommendations offered to the Ministry of Education by groups such as the PPE.

You may click on the link above to read the letter in its entirety.

Yesterday we(25 of us) have been to the live concert(Jai Ho) of A.R.Rahman at Marg Swarnabhoomi at ECR , chennai.  We had a great time over there. The Music started at around 7.30 pm and went on till 11.00 pm. Around 3 hours of music, shouting, dancing….really we had a gr8 time. The program started with one of my most favorite song…”Jaage hain  (ore kana)” from Guru movie and ended with the song “JAI HO & Vande mataram”.

The stage decoration and arrangements were wonderful. Especially the visual effects for each song was awesome. The dance performances were also good. I almost lost my breath with my favorite sivamani’s solo performance. And we cannot say this is a well organized event. We felt that little bit care should have been taken. The program started 1.30 hrs late.  And when coming to the songs played..most of the songs were hindi songs. The whole crowd was little bit disappointed on this. Anyways…we loved the show and music.

In someway music is related to GOD..and so Rahman is.."GOD of Music"

Around 100 km from chennai , around 300 buses , thousands of cars, thousands of bikes, around 50000 ppl towards one man and thats Rahman. I can proudly say he is “GOD of MUSIC”. Rahman rocks…..and thanks for giving us wonderful evening and for adding few more unforgettable moments of my life.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has a right old go in The Observer today at the Tories — and especially his shadow opposite number, William Hague — for their alliance with Michal Kominski, of Poland’s innocuous-sounding Law and Justice Party (PiS) and Robert Zile of the Latvian For Fatherland and Freedom party, both of which have dodgy records on issues such as anti-semitism and homophobia, not to mention a general far-right past. Quite right too. Far from beng party political point scoring, this is a necessary move to show just what disgusting people the Conservatives have got into bed with in the European Parliament. They were even parading them at their party conference in Manchester the other day. It was depressing to see Stephen Pollard of the Jewish Chronicle coming out in Kaminski’s defence earlier this week. Zionists often accuse those who defend Palestinian rights as being ’self-hating Jews’, but how self-hating can you get when you stand up and defend someone who refuses to apologise for the massacre of Jews at Jedwabne in Poland in 1941, as Kominski has refused to do?

But William Hague, far from admitting that the Conservatives have made a huge tactical error in their leaving the mainstream European People’s Party (EPP) to join up with these East European fruitcakes in the new  ‘European Conservatives and Reformists’ Group (ECR), has been stubbornly arguing that right is on the Tories’ side. Just look what happened to former Tory MEP Edward McMillan-Scott. He revolted at the prospect of supporting Michal Kominski as a Vice-President of the European Parliament, because of the Pole’s ‘anti-semitic, homophobic and racist past’ — and not only stood against him, but won. His punishment for this principled stand was to have the Tory whip wirthdrawn, then to be expelled from the Conservative Party, despite his long years of services to the cause, because — as William Hague explained it — he had made his allegations ‘against an individual who is a good friend of the Conservative Party and against a party (the PiS) allied to the Conservative Party in the European Parliament.’  By your friends you will be known, William. As a consolation prize, Kaminski was given the leadership of the ECR group in the Parliament. Pass the sick bag, Alice.

Dussera is a festival celebrated in many forms. It’s a celebration of the victory of good or evil, after nine days of Navratri. My grandmother tells me that Navratri is in honour of a nine day battle between a rakshas and a goddess (I’ve forgotten the names of both). At the end of the battle, the Goddess won, obviously, and we celebrate Dussera. It’s also the day that effigies of Ravan are burned, again as a symbolic victory of Good over Evil. Though the only thing we do in my family, which I find most relevant, is the cleaning and worship of the tools of your trade.

On this day people clean their houses, and their everyday working tools such as their computers, vehicles, typewriters, kitchens, etc. It is a day for remembering and respecting the tools that help in earning your livelihood. I enjoy doing this, and respecting my laptop comes very naturally since I would definitely die without it

A picture of a well decorated cycle; even a week after Dussera, most of the decorations are still visible in and around Pondicherry: