This Is Stoke Newington

Merry Christmas from Stoke Newington

Kris — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:09:46 +0000

Thank you Isaac Watts for this Stoke Newington classic.

Wind Turbines on Hackney Marshes: Why is everyone so fucking stoopid?

Kris — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:49:05 +0000

I was on Church Street today, minding my own business, as I do, when some school-kids with a camera and a microphone asked if they could interview me.

Because I am nice, I said yes and and asked them what it was about.

With camera rolling, the interviewer told me that Hackney Council is proposing putting – wait for it – wind turbines on Hackney Marshes and was asked, “what’s more important, football or the environment”?

Because I’m not rude and don’t swear in front of young people, I did not ask which brainiac came up with the ridiculous idea that wind turbines will “save the environment” and which dumbass thinks it’s a brilliant idea to ruin football on the Marshes for a fricking publicity stunt?

Hey, I’m all for alternative energy – and I do get that we need to conserve resources and limit the pollution we create. I also however get that wind farms belong in isolated areas and not the inner city. If they must be in the inner city, can’t you find some disused brownfield site rather than spoiling the one green space they have to play football and learn teamwork and discipline?!

Let’s look at Hackney Council’s reasons “for”. Firstly, they say, “if the 120 metre high turbine goes ahead, it will offer Hackney the opportunity to buy green energy for up to 25 years, cutting carbon emissions significantly and potentially saving money. The Council could also receive rent for the land the turbine would sit on, which could be invested in sports and playing facilities on the Marshes”.

Hummm,they could also save money by not pouring millions of pounds down the pan “project managing” Clissold Leisure Centre and Park…

Notice that Hackney, “will have the opportunity to buy green energy“. Not get free green energy, merely have the “option to buy”. Hello, are you telling me they don’t have the option to buy green energy now? Bullshit.

As for Hackney Council’s brilliant negotiating skills and “getting rent”, we need only look to the Clissold Leisure Centre and ITNet before that to see those razor-sharp skills in action. Utter fucking fiasco.

As for the second reason, “the ODA is already going ahead with one wind turbine on Eton Manor in the neighbouring borough of Waltham Forest. If a turbine was built on East Marsh, the two together could generate enough green electricity to power Hackney¹s street lighting at night and all the main Council buildings by day”.

Oh, one’s going up in Waltham Forest anyways, so we might as well have one too? As for “the two together could generate enough green energy to power Hackney’s street lighting all night and the main council buildings by day” – yes, they could. They could provide the green energy IF WE PAY FOR IT. [not to mention that the energy generated isn't earmarked to light up Hackney - just that it could generate enough to light up Hackney]

Hackney Council propose to spoil Hackney Marshes in return for a nominal rent from the turbine owner and the opportunity to BUY energy from that owner. Brilliant.

Thanks, but no thanks, Jules: you’ve done enough already.

Yet again, Hackney Council’s going to get turned over by disingenuous morons who couldn’t run a bath.

Bonnie Greer @ Centerprise (Dalston) 5 December

Kris — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:06:25 +0000

Alright, you fuckers. You remember the 22 October 2009 Question Time? The Nick Griffin hoo-ha with the rest of the panel bricking it? The rest of the panel, that is, with the exception of Bonnie Greer. Oh the irony. Bonnie earned high praise that night because she was the only one on that set not hyper-ventilating. I’m guessing it’s because she was brought up with the First Amendment and she’s not interested in attempting to control what other people say.

Anyhoo

Bonnie will be holding court down in Dalston on 5 December. bonniegreer flyer

For any of you who can’t make it, a reminder of the night we were all glued to our seats:

Youtube 1 of Question Time here.

Youtube 2 of QT here

Youtube 3 of QT here

Youtube 4 of QT here

Youtube 5 of QT here

Youtube 6 of QT here

Operation Stable Door: Triple Shooting in Stoke Newington

Kris — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:33:41 +0000

Gosh darn it – it’s just so hard to keep up with all the murders and attempted murders in Stoke Newington these days.

I can’t believe this passed me by:

Shocked community leaders believe last month’s triple-shooting of three teenagers has set a precedent and are calling for improved security measures in the area.

The ‘ride-by’ shooting of Kieon Barker, 15, and two other 14 year-old boys on Howard Road, Clissold, is the first ever on the estate, but it has changed the state of play, according to Keith Johnson of Milton Gardens Tenants’ and Residents’ Association.

Youth workers and residents agreed at a community action meeting that CCTV, metal detector wands and better lighting are now necessary to stop further attacks in and around Milton Gardens Estate.

“The premises do need to be upgraded now,” said Johnson. “They [the shooters] are acting as random as you like so you do have to take precautions and do have to take into account the safety of the young people.

“It might sound a bit extreme, but in my opinion it’s necessary, it’s for the safety of the young people as well as the people working with them and the residents,” said Johnson.

A worker at the Crib youth project, which works with 13-19 year olds in the area, said, “I walk that way with my daughter to the bus stop when I finish work. We could have easily been walking in that direction, so it isn’t just the kids it affects, it’s everybody.

“Judging by the way it’s being dealt with, it could happen again, because there’s nothing stopping them. You have to put things in action to stop these things happening,” she said.

Councillor Karen Alcock said, “Milton Gardens is a good estate. It’s had one shooting in the eight years I’ve been a councillor; it’s not a bad estate. It’s a good place to bring up children, and there are a lot of happy families on that estate.”

“I’d hope it will never happen again and I’m sure the police and the Crib and the community will make sure it doesn’t,” she said.

But Johnson said the atmosphere has darkened. “The young people have witnessed three of their friends being gunned down and bloodied in the street,” he said. “I think it hit home for them, and the residents, that the area is a bit more dangerous than they thought it was.”

At a Clissold Safer Neighbourhood Meeting on 11 October, Sergeant Sue Wright said that the shooting is being investigated ‘robustly’ by a team from the police’s gun crime unit, Operation Trident.

All three victims have been discharged from hospital. Source

Tom, Lizzie, your thoughts? We already know Jules Pipe’s response: “Dial 999“.

Kate Nesbitt, Naval Hero

Kris — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:37:14 +0000

Shout-out to Able Seaman Class 1 Kate Nesbitt, who has my gratitude.

“A 20-year-old medic who repeatedly rushed forward to save colleagues while under attack from the Taleban has become the first woman in the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross and only the second in the Armed Forces.

Able Seaman Class 1 Kate Nesbitt tended wounded colleagues from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines several times when they came under fire while on patrol in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence said: “Able Seaman Nesbitt’s actions throughout a series of offensive operations were exemplary. Under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.”
The Military Cross is given to members of the Armed Forces “for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy”, and ranks below only the Victoria Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Cross as a recognition of bravery in battle. Source

Rock on, sister.

Another Stoke Newington Murder

Kris — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:03:06 +0000

I was out trying to post a letter when I saw the police tape. Another day, another teen-aged hit in Stoke Newington.

A nice young lady with a microphone asked me about kids in this area. I said I’d never raise any here.

Why would I? All the little fuckers round here think they’re Scarface.

UPDATE
The victim’s name was Michael McCarthy and two suspects have been charged with his murder.

If I hear the “Police are institutionally racist” one more time today, I think I’m gonna scream

Kris — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:21:11 +0000

Right, I get off the bus today and see two cops with a young black man who they need to speak to.

Enter, stage left, (exiting the bus just like me) two black men and a woman who may have been their mother.

Mom said, “they’re looking for a black man”

One of the men said, “I thought they were coming after me”.

I turned around and said, “ohh, what a relief, I thought they were after me”.

Unimpressed, the trio turned around to approach the police who were having an unremarkable chat with the young man. I’m sure it’s always helpful to have the uninformed question your every move as you try to do your job.

That brings me to this little gem

A Metropolitan police officer was found not guilty today of racially abusing two teenagers.

PC Mark Jones, 42, a member of the force’s Territorial Support Group, was accused of subjecting the youths to a physical and verbal attack while on patrol in a marked police van in west London in June 2007.

It was alleged that during the incident he accused one 16-year-old Kuwaiti of “robbing people while British soldiers are getting killed in Iraq”.

But Jones denied any wrongdoing in connection with the incident and the jury of five men and seven women at Kingston crown court cleared him of two charges of racially aggravated common assault following the three-week trial.

Jones and four colleagues, PC Neil Brown, 33, Sergeant William Wilson, 52, PC Steven White, 31, and PC Giles Kitchener, 31, who stood trial alongside him, were also found not guilty of misfeasance in public office.

The jury spent five hours deliberating before clearing all the officers.

None of the officers showed any emotion as the verdicts were read out.

During the trial, the court heard the officer was travelling with colleagues from London’s Paddington Green police station to patrol Lambeth during the evening rush hour when officers spotted a group of youths allegedly mouthing obscenities at them.

When they came to a stop, three teenagers were allegedly taken into the van one by one and subjected to taunts.

“Whistle blower” PC Amechi Onwugbonu, who had been in the van, gave evidence against Jones during the trial.

He said the officer swore at one teenager, Omar Mohidin, who was 16 at the time, before kicking him off the carrier.

He accused him of walking over another youth, Ahmed Hegazy, when he lay handcuffed on the floor of the vehicle.

He said a third teenager, Basil Khan, was brought onto the van before he was sworn at, punched, kneed and slapped in the face.

But Jones consistently denied acting in an unprofessional manner and PC Onwugbonu later admitted that he and Jones were “not best buddies”.

To PC Onwugbonu and the three jackasses at the bus stop today, I salute you for doing your bit to foster good race relations with your utterly spurious accusations.

I suggest the Metropolitan Police kit every officer with a San Jose “ear video camera” and bring an end to this bullshit.

To Be A Gay Man In Hackney These Days

Kris — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:32:51 +0000

Maybe isn’t as bad as being a lesbian in South Africa – where “raping women straight” appears to be the accepted view -

But you’re likely to get your ass kicked outside the George & Dragon.

The Guardian reports:

We’re in the midst of a new wave of anti-gay hate crimes.

No shit. Hummm, and who might the perpetrators be?

Internet chatter has increasingly discussed that such increases in homophobic hate crime is the result of the failure of multi-cultural policies to address the widening gulf between the views of new citizens from countries where homosexuality is seen as morally wrong and those UK citizens who don’t. Comments posted invariably state that most perpetrators of homophobia have been either of black or Asian origin. Many site the growth of Islam and religious fundamentalism as being a catalyst for such problems.
source

Once again, I thank Labour for their cultural relativism – my rights (erm, the right to walk down the street minding my own business without getting my head kicked in) have been sold down the river to pander to other cultural points of view.

Come on, Guardian. It’s time to tell the whole truth.

And for all you squriming relativists – here is an excellent op-ed by Antonia Senior:

The logical flaws are also obvious. Take female genital mutilation. I think it is an abhorrent, evil crime. Yet the woman slicing out the clitoris of a child with a rusty knife thinks she is doing the right thing. Clearly, one of us is absolutely right and one of us is deluded. If your culture believes in genital mutilation and mine does not, then my culture is right and good and yours is wrong and bad.

This is an argument made persuasively by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the former Dutch MP and political activist. Ali argues that Western feminists retreat into silence when faced with the subjugation of their Islamic sisters, hobbled by their unwillingness to criticise other cultures.

Sing it, sister.

A Party Political Announcement

Kris — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:06:22 +0000

Sorry – but there is only one way to stop the Hackney Labour insanity – and that’s to vote them out of office.

Missing Cat Alert

Kris — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:24:59 +0000

Faithful readers of this blog will remember when Tabster first arrived on the scene earlier this year.

Our neighbours took Tabs to the vet, got him neutered and up to date with his shots and made him part of their family. He is a much loved cat and everyone in the block misses the guy.

Please, if you do see him – leave me a message.

My neighbour confirms she had Tabster chipped.

NBB (23 September)

Tabs was found by another neighbour last week nearby. The very kind man saw me today told me how he found Tabs and where he laid him to rest. He didn’t realise, as there are lots of cats ’round here.

My neighbour and I suspected the big guy might have died, but we are still sad to have it confirmed. RIP Tabs.

NBBB (24 September)

Here, I’ve got a question for you: who buries someone else’s cat? I was thinking today – that’s something I’d never do. I’d call the council or the RSPCA, I’d put signs up saying “Found: Tabby cat, please ring 555-1212″ and I’d probably knock on some doors, but I just don’t see myself burying a random cat. Hey, this is Stoke Newington, not a farm.

Call me an old cynic, but other things don’t stack up either.