Twit Councillor warns of social media pitfalls!

Your meant to tweet not twit!

Click image to enlarge.

Cllr Wes Streeting has openly supported new guidelines for Redbridge Councillors on the use of social media.  Yet he has a history of impudent rantings based on his identified problem with straight people?  His comments to the Ilford Recorder are juxtaposed to his flagrant malpractice, evidenced below within an extract taken from a blogger called Dizzy Thinks.  I like many of you believe Cllr Wes Streeting is an inappropriate champion for this new set of rules.  

Here is a hyperlink termed "Jilted lovers make websites for revenge".  I am not sure why I have inserted this here, but it seemed appropriate. :)

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Below extract from Dizzy Thinks: 

This is a gay club for gay people...we'll have no straight ones here

at 6/26/2011 07:08:00 AM

Let's play a little game shall we. Imagine, if you will that you're a Tory councillor and you went out one night to a nightclub to see someone perform. Imagine to that you were standing in the queue waiting patiently to pass the bouncers and get through the door.

Whilst in the queue you noticed that they were quite a few gay couples queuing too, so, you get out your mobile phone, you fire up Twitter and you tell your 6000 or so followers that,

Resent the number of gay people in the nightclub queue. If you want to see [insert performers name] BUGGER OFF SOMEWHERE ELSE.

What do you think the screaming Left would be saying on Twitter? It wouldn't be long before you'd probably be "under pressure" from Leftie bloggers to quit. "Evidence!" they would scream of the vicious evil hatred of equality and sexuality differences.

OK, game over, now let's shoot back into reality just a few hours ago to see what a Labour councillor and former NUS President said last night.

Now..... personally I don't really have a problem with the comment in terms of its content and point.* What I do have a problem with is the inherent hypocrisy that exists within the comment given who is making it. You see, it illustrates wonderfully everything that is wrong with identity-based politics.

If you're going to go down the route of championing the rights and equal treatments of social groups, whether it be based on gender, who you have sex with, or skin colour, then you really ought to be consistent.

For example, if you're going to champion women and fight against sexism, then being sexist towards men isn't really going to put your argument on the moral high ground. Likewise, if you've been listed as one of the "50 most powerful gay people in British politics" it's probably not a good idea to start slagging off straight people.

I doubt of course that such hypocritical dickheadness will result in any newspapers article calling for this particular councillor (also tipped as a future Cabinet minister) to resign or apologise for being heterophobic - mainly because there is no such thing as heterophobia just as it not possible for a white person to experience racism.

* UPDATE: Just so it's clear here, I don't think Wes Streeting should be apologising for being "nasty" to straight people because I do actually understand his sentiment. The issue is (a) what would be his reaction if you reversed the words and a Tory councillor said them, and (b) the act of doublethink required on Wes Streeting's part to make such a comment in the first place.

Islamic New Year and the Importance of Muharram

Imam Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad and Reverend George Hargreaves speaking for peace, unity and restoration on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 at Redbridge Carnival.

Around 40 visitors attended Imam Hafiz Abdullah's presentation on the importance of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.

A spirit of unity amongst diverse people.

On the 6th December 2011 a gathering of around 40 people from a diverse mix of at least 4 faiths, attended an interfaith meeting with guest speaker Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad from Ilford based "Quran Study Group."

The British Pakistani Christian Association together with other faith groups, are holding a series of similar events, to create a better awareness of the variety of faiths represented in our locality.  Our goal is to dispel myths about "other faiths" and to create a better awareness of festivals and practices, that local people might share the goodwill that enshrines such festivities.

Hafiz Abdullah spoke of the "cultural enrichment" that communities open to other faiths benefit from and commended the work of the BPCA in organising the meetings.  Our funding was gained very much as a result of the progressive partnerships we have with groups such as Quran Study Group, the British Sikh Council and the Hindu Human Rights Group.  We are grateful to all these groups.

In his address on the Islamic Calendar, Hafiz Abdullah described how the English word ‘month’ comes from the word moon and the Islamic Calendar is based on the Lunar Calendar that many Ancient Civilisations as well such as the Babylonians, Jews, Greeks, Egyptians, Aztecs, Indians and Chinese. Each month is just over 29.5 days long, the period it takes for the moon to complete a full cycle of the Earth.   The Islamic calendar is therefore 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar.  A result of this is the difficulty to coordinate holidays in the UK, as Eid and other dates move forward by a week and a half each year.  An advantage of the Lunar Calendar is that religious periods such as Ramadan and Hajj are subject to climatic variations with "different length of hours in submission to Allah where human imagination plays no part."

Hafiz Abdullah informed us that the Islamic Calendar was initiated by the second Caliph Umar in 16 AH/ 637 AD.  He said:

"The event of the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD, was chosen to begin the Islamic Calendar."

Hafiz Abdullah explained when setting the calendar the Caliph and his advisors wanted to select an important event and it was believed that the Hijrah was the first major sacrifice made by the early Muslims for the preservation of Islam in its formative years.  He said;

"The Hijrah year reminds Muslims, every year, of the sacrifice made by the first Muslims and should prepare them to do the same."

Hafiz Abdullah described the period of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Calendar and one of four sacred months.  He informed us that although not obligatory, it is recommended to fast during this period as there is Prophetic Tradition that states:

"The best fast, after Ramadan, is in the month of Muharram"

Hafiz Abdullah further explained that this fasting was originally done to thank God for liberating the ancient Jews from the oppression of the Pharaohs and the Jews remember this event during Passover.

Hafiz Abdullah also mentioned that the Prophet’s younger grandson Imam Hussain was tragically martyred on the 10th day of Muharram 680 AD.  He said;

“The heroic martyrdom of Imam Hussain demonstrates to Muslims the need to uphold justice and to fight against tyranny and evil.  They should be prepared to give their lives in similar cause if the need arises not just for Muslim's but for all people”. Hafiz described the peaceful message of the Quran and gave examples of the mercy shown by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) towards his enemies.  This is in total contrast to a minority of extremist people who carry out atrocities in the name of religion.  He also spoke about the tolerance of Islam and quoted the Quran (2:256):

"There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way”.

After the meeting, all visitors enjoyed a period of fruitful discussion over a warm buffet.   Hafiz Abdullah will be returning sometime in the New Year to present on other Islamic celebrations. 

Squatters Fright! Caught unawares....

 Gloomily walking through the streets these women set off to find their next victims!

 Wilson Chowdhry with his loud Buskers Pa shouting "We are all watching you, you will not be allowed to continue your crime on our roads!"

 A 3 hour eventual eviction was extremely demanding!

 Police noted a lack of road tax on vehicles used by the squatters.

 Small children being groomed into a very insalubrious lifestyle - why were social services not present?  

 Over 10 beds were found and in excess of 30 people exited from the property.

 Their amassed furniture and luggage blocked the streets prohibiting normal use of pavement area.

Tragic image of a community that is at odds with societal norms and with a lower moral code.

On Monday 5th December 2011 Mayfield Ward Police, with the assistance of officers from Goodmayes and Seven Kings, removed the squatters from 22 Gordon Road.  In excess of 30 people exited the property and simply dumped their possessions on our streets while they awaited relocation to their next Fagan's Den.    This group who originate from Romania are a closely linked criminal group who originally moved from Littlemoor Road to Cavenham Gardens and have also entered several vacant properties on Green Lane.  

Each time they have introduced high levels of criminality and antisocial behaviour.  The group have been viewed attempting to remove items from unlocked vehicles, by checking car door handles.  They have on several occasions been seem stashing stolen items at the Gordon road premises and regularly rummaging through junk left on the forecourts of local houses.  

A number of calls form myself and other residents ensured that local police knew that this property had become a hive of illicit activity, placing high on their policing priority list.

Local residents met to discuss the problem at the Clementswood/Mayfield Community Centre on Thursday 1st December.  At which I informed them of the impending eviction of the 5th that would be facilitated by the local Police.  We all agreed to meet with the unfortunate son of the former resident to support him and give the group a stark warning that we would not allow a continuance of their crime on our streets.

The occupants awoke to a big surprise on Monday as they were asked to leave.  They seemed bewildered and unprepared.  Usually after a court eviction the court bailiffs can take up to 12 weeks to evict illegal occupants.  this whole process took less than 3 weeks, a local record I am told and that because of the very cooperative Mayfield ward Safer Neighbourhood Police.

I brought my mini PA so that they could be told that their criminal activity would be watched by our road and a number of residents took pictures of the felons so that thy could be easily recognised in future.  We warn residents that they must be vigilant, it has been noted by many that the woman with the pushchairs are acting like finders, seeking empty properties and forecourt waste to be searched for valuable items.

They are all equipped with mobile phones and can force open a door in seconds.  We know this as the vacated property was locked and my brother in law agreed to stay last night, to look after the property.  The property has only an external toilet which was not accessible due the need to secure the damaged rear door. As a consequence when my brother in-law left the property to use our toilet a group of 3 men who must have been waiting for the opportunity, broke back into the property.  They did not know my wife Juliet was watching the property and another resident.  Both went out to approach the men who ran off on being seen. 

They then loitered with another 3 men at the top of my street until I led a group of 4 residents to meet with them, as emergency police failed to arrive despite regular calls to 999.  We had not intended violence only to warn them that the Police were on their way.  The men left before we reached them and we all sighed a breath of relief.  

I checked the property for tresspassers with the same group of four and after checking it was in good order, (except the missing lock) I returned home.  My wife placed my brother in-law in one of our vehicles, from here he could monitor the property in relative safety (unlocked home was vulnerable).  No more incidents occurred during the night and I will assume the criminals now know our community is both vigilant and aware of their deeds.

We will be reporting the children out of schools and young lad in the pictures- who has been drinking on the streets while underage -to the local truancy officer and social services.

Tell British Gas to: "Read the Meters!"

British Gas is demanding higher payments than are due.....instead of reading meters.

Let's campaign for HELP FOR PENSIONERS, THE ILL AND DISABLED who may not be able to get outside and down to meter-level, especially in the cold of winter.

Will you, your local councillor or MP join in asking British Gas to take on their responsibilities, read all outside meters, and rescind all bills where they have not bothered to read a meter which is located outside a property and fully accessible?

Miss. Jill Beeton from BRCASIG who met with us at our community meeting 1st December 2011, started the campaign which is now boroughwide, by speaking up at local community meetings trying to bring to councillors' and residents' attention matters related to the 200 pensioner deaths a day nationally during the winter; and her own idea for a campaign to go some way to help.  British Gas has been sending out estimated bills locally, and no doubt across the country, as it did last year: even where meters are outside and perfectly accessible to read if only the company bothered to ensure it was done!  

Miss. Beeton told of one bill last year where the estimated bill was three times the actual due, and another where the pensioner paid the £150 extra being demanded on top of what should have been the maximum due.  Yet this year the estimated bills have started again, and when she phoned British Gas to ask for a meter reading at one occupant's address the call centre operator said that he cannot do that!  She was not asking to discuss the bill, just for him to note it had not been read and that a meter reading needed to be taken before the occupier was billed.  So now reminders are coming out from British Gas for undue amounts, even where someone tries to get a correct reading, with British Gas threatening added costs on top! 

Getting people to do their own meter readings is simply not possible in many vulnerable people's circumstances.  As Miss. Beeton said, "Pensioners and the disabled cannot necessarily get outside, nor down to meter level!  There are plenty of people, elderly or with sight difficulties who could not read the numbering even if they could get to the meter." 

Jill asks, "Why should the elderly and vulnerable, those who are ill, injured or disabled, be asked to go outside in the cold over winter, and risk slipping and freezing to death in their own gardens, something which  unfortunately happened to some poor souls last winter?"  Why is British Gas not sending staff out, whether their own staff or contractors?  "The fuel companies simply should not be allowed to send out reminders where they have not read the outside meters in the first place!"

Surely Britsh Gas is in breach of the Equality Act 2010, by sending out demands and threats of extra costs when they have not even bothered to read an accessible outside meter?  In then not accepting a request that they do get someone to read an occupant's meter they are adding further failings, and unecessary inconvenience and stress to people who may be very vulnerable.

Will you ask your local councillor or MP to join in asking British Gas to take on their responsibilities, read all outside meters, and rescind all bills where they have not bothered to read a meter which is located outside a property and fully accessible?

Or contact British Gas themselves on Freephone:

0800 107 1211  
Mon - Fri 08:00 - 20:00 and Sat 08:00 - 18:00