Journal Entries
Here we go again...
Posted Sep 29, 2005
When New Labour proposed jacking up the Anti-Terror Laws in this country the majority said - OK, if it is necessary so be it.
I was one of those voices in the wilderness who exclaimed "they will use them against the ordinary citizen who disagrees with them, have you fools not read 1984? Newspeak = Political Correctness, the war against those without and within, there is no love but love of New Labour?".
I was accused of being an alarmist and even unpatriotic (often by people who had not served their country as my family has for three generations).
Now the gloves are finally coming off. For those who don't listen religiously to Radio 4 as I do 
the plot goes thus:
An 82 year old man heckled the Foreign Secretary - Jack Straw - during a speech about bringing democracy to Iraq at the New Labour Conference. He said, once, "Nonsense", and then, horror or horrors, "Rubbish".
Directed by the New Labour Chairman, Ian McCartney, three burly security men bundled the old gentleman not only out of the hall, but out of the centre and onto the street.
Later, when he had regained his composure, the gentleman (who had the appropriate credentials) tried to re-enter the conference venue. He was promptly arrested by Police under the Anti-Terror laws and detained. One must assume that they were waiting for him under direction from the Home Secretary - why else would they single him out? He was later released without charge. After all what could they have charged him with? Carrying an unapproved opinion?
Now they are doing this is under the present Anti-Terror Laws, wait until the proposed regulations vis-a-vis "glorifying or promoting terrorism" come into force. Where shall we be then?
If, in a public place, I state I support the campaign against vivisection, or perhaps that I think we should bring our troops back from Iraq, I could be arrested. I'm not saying it is likely, but hand me a megaphone and I'm on my way to Belmarsh High Security Prison and the Old Bailey.
Where then free speech my lovelies, where then?
Be careful what you write here friends, it may soon be illegal.
And don't say I didn't warn you.
Blessings,
Matholwch the Discordian /|\
Discuss this Journal entry [9]
Latest reply: Sep 29, 2005
Intolerance
Posted Sep 15, 2005
The question of tolerance and intolerance is one that crops up time and again on h2g2. It is one I have pondered for many years. I used to jokingly say that I was intolerant of intolerance, pretty much as a get out clause. More recently my meditations on the subject have grown darker.
It is true that many of the world’s religions have certain points of similarity in terms of ethics and morality. Without such common lines it would be hard for them to attract worshippers/adherents. However, how they apply these morals and ethics, and why they choose to promote them are very different. These points of difference are critical if we are to seriously consider interfaith tolerance and cooperation.
As a druid it is part of my sacred role to apply the principles of fairness and justice in all I do. Right action is more important than fanatical adherence to a set of laws or statutes, no matter if these are secular or divine. A good friend of mine once said that in this society we have a hell of a lot of law, but precious little justice.
Beyond these two principles of fairness and justice though, my only guidance in dealing with my fellow humans is the little wisdom I have acquired through my life and in my relationship with the spirits of the land and of my ancestors, and my gods.
If we are to do as many say and “believe absolutely in absolute tolerance, of people, of beliefs and of religions” then that can lead us down a very dark path. For instance if you are tolerant of the Roman Catholic Church’s beliefs then you could be considered complicit in their attitude towards AID’s and birth control. Such a policy does not deserve tolerance, indeed it deserves the strongest approbation.
Another example. I believe in free speech, yet I abhor the beliefs of the British National Party and am highly intolerant of them. Such intolerance in not wrong for it is in response to the hatred, lies and bile they spew onto our consciousness.
To be intolerant towards certain practices and beliefs of the various world religions, where these beliefs are inconsistent with the sanctity of life or with fairness and justice is also, in my opinion, quite normal and acceptable.
The tolerance that is expected of us by the legislators of the European and British Parliaments only allows such unethical and immoral philosophies to flourish, especially where they are tied to the coat-tails of a world religion or particularly vocal ethnic grouping.
Personally I lay the responsibility for our society’s obsession with this false ‘tolerance’ and ‘equality’ firmly at the feet of the philosophers and politicians of the post-WW2 period. It was an over-reaction to the hell that war showed them. Unfortunately rather than lift everyone up to a utopian ideal it has, in practice, dragged many down to the lowest common denominator.
I think that we are perfectly within our rights to be intolerant, especially of the Abrahamic religions, many of whose beliefs and practices are clearly unethical and immoral. To rail against injustice and to introduce the principles of fairness, not equality, is a fine path for a person to walk.
In short, I think we should be intolerant, but allow our intolerance to be guided by your wisdom. Pretty soon the government will try to take that right away from us as well so enjoy it while you may.
Well with the cat firmly placed among the pigeons I await the storm 
Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.
Discuss this Journal entry [9]
Latest reply: Sep 15, 2005
Matholwch's on the road again...
Posted Jun 5, 2005
Just in case any of you are penning admiring or vitriolic prose to me on any of the half a dozen threads I regularly disrupt I am sorry to announce that I am not here.
I have a temporary contract (3 months) on the other side of the country which means I have almost no internet access Monday-Friday.
I will try to catch up at weekends but I have a family and better things to do than read 300+ postings on a single thread.
My apologies for being a selfish git 
Bright blessings,
Matholwch /|\
Assistant to Rob McKenna, the Rain God.
Discuss this Journal entry [5]
Latest reply: Jun 5, 2005
Death on the roads...
Posted May 9, 2005
Yesterday I made the weekly pilgrimage to the mother-in-laws and the recorded fresh roadkill toll was as follows:
- Badgers x4
- Pheasants x6
- Fox x1
- Rabbits x2
- Magpie x1
As usual I performed the Druid Roadkill prayer as I passed each one, and stopped once to move a recently killed badger onto the verge.
The trip took an hour and covered 45 miles of country A road.
Recent research suggests that most native British mammals and birds cannot react quickly enough to anything moving faster than a stooping Sparrowhawk or Kestrel. This is about 42 mph. Indeed where a 40mph restriction is in force roadkill incidents fall by as much as 90%.
The incidence in human accidents and deaths falls by a similar amount. Indeed two weeks ago my wife and witnessed a horrific accident where a car towing a caravan and another car collided as both tried to overtake and old couple going 40mph on a narrow country A road. They were both doing over 60mph, lost control and the rest was history (and carnage).
Is it not time to begin a campaign to restrict road speeds to say 50mph in open country on wide roads, 40mph on bends and in dense country or narrow roads, as well as the 30mph and 20mph restrictions in built-up areas?
Also isn't driving at 50mph a lot more fuel efficient than 60mph or above? Another environmental bonus.
I've even thought up a name for the campaign: Indecent Haste. Hmmm... I am going to have to look into this a bit. I'll get back to you all about it, but in the meantime, any comments?
Blessings,
Matholwch /|\
Discuss this Journal entry [6]
Latest reply: May 9, 2005
Say goodbye to civil liberties!
Posted Apr 9, 2005
Anyone interested in carrying ANY form of protest in the UK from Monday had better watch out. Read on:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1419842,00.html
You can also find this article at www.monbiot.com
It occurs to me that with these new powers we could be prevented from discussing anything that might bring alarm or distress to two or more people on this public forum.
Oh well, anyone want to discuss crochet?
Sad blessings from the Police State,
Matholwch /|\
Discuss this Journal entry [8]
Latest reply: Apr 9, 2005
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