Folk Against Fascism

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:37 PM

700

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:38 PM

Mike Hockenhull.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: jeddy
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:44 PM

i have recieved the following messages.



I was talking to Kev and Val at the weekend in the Nag's Head and they were telling me Richard has been sending you pm's on mudcat, Just be careful Jade, Richard is a nice guy, but he might be looking jockeying (look at what happened with Marion that time).

Brian was there too with Val and Kev.

2nd one..

I have sent the following message to the website "Digg".

"Sir

The Digg user "HoffBridge" is lawful.I am using a photograph of meself which shows my best side, you have permission to copyrightit as I am the owner. My name is Bridge, and a nickname by which I am sometimes known is "Hoff". All postings, thus using my name and likeness, in support of the great BNP (British National Party - UNLIKE like the American Klu Klux Klan) are intended to and do carry the defamatory implication that I am a member of Mudcat cafe.

I require you tell everyone who I am on the site.

If I do not hear from you within 7 days agreeing to my demand, I will post a picture of myself in swimming trunks standing with Marion !

All of my rights are hereby reserved.

RIchard McD. Bridge"

What do you think of it ?


3rd one...

Dear Jade, I just spoke to Carrie and Ann, they send their love.

It seems quite clear to me that the agitator here is a member on the Mudcat forum. Some others may also be thinking along similar lines but I do not intend to propose names as it cannot be proven completely (unless someone can provide me with actual emails (including all headers) from these people and also the IP addresses of their posts to forums.

Anyway that's all for now, please pm me again on Mudcat, I always look forward to your pm's over there.

Love Richard ( by the way, your not a bad looking tart).




i have had others but have deleted them or they are not implicating anyone else.

sorry if some of those were you richard but i didn't think you were on FB.

i hope this helps in narrowing down the culprit!!!!!

right now i think i should read everyone eles postings.

take care

jade x x

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: The Barden of England
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:48 PM

Rifleman - Then good for you. Just expect someone like me to pull you up when you cast doubts about the proberty of the people I DO know.And seeing as you don't know me, I've let you know who I am, and can assure you that at 64 years of age I've 'Been there' and 'Done that' too. And what's more I still am.

Sorry for the thread drift everybody.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:48 PM

Vic, I can't trace the Guardian story, Racist, threatening - and beyond the law, which you mentioned as being at http://www.guardian.co.uk/ . Could you post the direct link? Many muchos.

In the meantime, whilst looking for that item, I found an even more disturbing story at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/29/white-supremacist-neil-lewington

A white supremacist with a bomb factory, and a National Front member apparently. Charming character!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 03:54 PM

If I'd wanted to know about you, Barden, I would have asked...I didn't ask.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: The Barden of England
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 04:05 PM

So Rifleman, you make judgements on people even though you don't know them. Par for the course if you ask me.

And with that I believe that I've indulged in enough thread drift. TROLL all you want Rifleman. When you do you'll get constant PM's in the future.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 04:14 PM

and complaints will be made, I assure you. As I said, people who need to know who I am already know...

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Emma B
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 04:16 PM

Fred, I think this may have been the Guardian story

Prosecutors press for action against BNP leaflets

"Senior prosecutors are calling for the laws on race hate crimes to be strengthened to counter the threat posed by the British National party.

The threshold for securing a conviction is so high that far-right activists are able to evade prosecution for material that many people would consider to be threatening and racist, according to sources at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The offence, which was created under the Public Order Act, only applies to acts that take place or are witnessed in public so it does not cover leaflets that are pushed through people's letter boxes.
It also offers no protection against the publication of inaccurate or false information.

Several BNP leaflets have been referred to the CPS over the last five years – some by senior police officers and one by a judge – but no further action has been taken

In another incident, Derbyshire police alerted the CPS about a BNP election leaflet claiming three asylum seekers had raped a woman. The police said the rape claims were "unfounded", but the CPS said there were no grounds to prosecute under existing law. "Whilst those details in the leaflet regarding the alleged rape are factually incorrect, this in itself does not constitute a criminal offence," said a CPS spokesman at the time."

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 04:23 PM

That's quite fascinating Jeddy. I know where Kev and Val were at the weekend - and it wasn't the Nag's Head. I also know where Marian and Marion (two different people) and Brian were - and that wasn't the Nag's Head either.

I look forward to HoffBridge's attempt to prove either that he is me (which he isn't) or that he is the copyright owner of the photograph of me that he uses (which he also isn't). The latter should prove especially hilarious since he is under the impression that there is a verb "to copyright".

He also doesn't know how to spell the name he renders as "Carrie".

I have never messaged you on facebook.

What a complete twerp he is. His attempts to use parts of my or Royston's postings are so obviously misplaced. It does however demonstrate the paucity of understanding of BNP members.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: jeddy
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 04:44 PM

so if i have got this right the police can't do anything unless the threat is personal and witnessed, no matter what.

aarrggggggggg!!!!!

this is so frustrating if we can all see what is going on, then why can't the law. i don't understand why it is okay for the BNP and not okay for ( whats his name)??   the islamic bloke the one who i think got deported.... you know who i mean.

surely inciting racial hatred should be delt with the same no matter what religion, colour, or political stance these nutters want to take.

anyway, richard, i hope that stuff helped if i get anything more that might help, do you want me to PM them or post them so others can see??

take care all and keep your wits about you.

jade x x

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 05:20 PM

Thanks Jeddy - feel free to post them in public, we might as well all have a laugh.

I'll have a word in the pub some time this week - the landlord looks like a compact pit bull and keeps two staffs - and has a picture of him shaking hands with Reggie Kray on the wall, so if anyone tries to disrupt his pub it may get entertaining...

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Vic Smith
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 05:24 PM

Fred McCormick asked -
Vic, I can't trace the Guardian story, Racist, threatening - and beyond the law, which you mentioned as being at http://www.guardian.co.uk/ . Could you post the direct link?

I did say, Fred, that It has not reached the on-line version of the newspaper at http://www.guardian.co.uk/ yet but it should do in the next few hours. and at 10pm BST it still has not reached that website...... But as your are an old mate, I've text scanned it for you.

Racist, threatening - and beyond the law. Procecutors call for action on BNP leaflets.

Pressure mounts for end to race hate law loopholes
GPS powerless to pursue complaints made by police

Afua Hirsch and Matthew Taylor

Senior prosecutors are calling for the laws on race hate crimes to be strengthened to counter the threat posed by the British National Party.
The threshold for securing a conviction is so high that far-right activists are able to evade prosecution for material that many people would consider to be threatening and racist, according to sources at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Prosecutors blame the lack of con­victions on the strict legal test, which requires showing an intention to "stir up racial hatred" or a likelihood that racial tension would be stirred up.
The offence, which was created under the Public Order Act, only applies to acts that take place or are witnessed in public so it does not cover leaflets that are pushed through people's letterboxes. It also offers no protection against the publication of inaccurate or false information.
Several BNP leaflets have been referred to the CPS over the last five years - some by senior police officers and one by a judge -but no further action has been taken.
Peter Herbert, the chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers and a part-time judge, submitted a complaint last year over a leaflet called The Changing Face of Lon­don that had two pictures, one depicting an all-white street party fom the 1950s, the other showing three Muslim women wearing a niqab, one of whom is making a V-sign to the camera.

"Under the law, it has become extremely difficult to mount a prosecution against extremism and hate speech," said Her­bert. "But with the rise of the BNP, and the subsequent rise in racist attacks and the fear the party's leaflets can provoke, it is essential to deal effectively with this threat."


Herbert said the law should protect peo­ple from material that creates a fear of rac­ist attacks as well as those that are deemed to incite racial hatred. "All the evidence suggests that it is people from minority communities and the faith communities that are put in fear of violence when racist leaflets are delivered in town centres or on estates. If someone handed out the same thing in the workplace, most employers would consider that gross misconduct; if someone does the same thing in the street, there is very little we can do."
Another complaint was submitted to the CPS by Lancashire police who expressed concern about a BNP leaflet which blamed Muslims for the heroin trade. Four people were arrested and released on police bail last year but detectives are still waiting to hear from the CPS about whether they have grounds to prosecute for "incitement to stir up racial hatred".

In another incident, Derbyshire police alerted the CPS about a BNP election leaflet claiming three asylum seekers had raped a woman. The police said the rape claims were "unfounded", but the CPS said there were no grounds to prosecute under existing law. "Whilst those details in the leaflet regarding the alleged rape are factually incorrect, this in itself does not constitute a criminal offence," said a CPS spokesman at the time.

A senior prosecutor told the Guardian: "There are numerous problems. The test to show incitement is very high and the material has to be distributed in public rather than put through people's doors. This makes it really difficult to get con­victions for material which many people consider racist."
A GPS source confirmed that the organisation would review its policies on prosecuting race hate crimes following the election of two BNP candidates, includ­ing the party's leader, Nick Griffin, to the European parliament.
"We will need to look again at the situ­ation with prosecuting incidences of this material," the source said.
Last week, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the official watch­dog on race and equality, wrote a formal letter to the BNP giving them one month to remedy three alleged breaches of the Race Relations Act, including the party's whites-only membership policy.
That announcement increased the likelihood of legal action against the BNP in the civil courts, but critics say there have been too few criminal proceedings, despite material distributed by the party which many regard as inflammatory.
Herbert, the former chair of the Metro­politan police race hate crime forum, said a number of anti-racism and human rights bodies would back a change in the law.
"I expect a strong coalition will form around this idea and put pressure on the government to instigate a change in primary legislation as soon as possible," he said.
Anti-racism campaigners welcomed the crackdown on inflammatory or racist leaflets but warned more was needed to effectively counter the threat posed by the BNP.
"Where the BNP has been distributing racially offensive material, it is right that they should be prosecuted with the full force of the law," said a spokesman for the anti-fascist organisation Searchlight. "However, the way we will defeat Nick Griffin and his party is street by street and estate by estate, not lawyer by lawyer and courtroom by courtroom."

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 05:45 AM

Vic and Emma B. Thanks for sorting me out over the Guardian article. I always thought racist leaflets were banned under anti-racist legislation. Obviously that's not the case, and something we need to organise to change.

Rifleman and several others. Will you for f**k's sake cool it. This is a serious discussion about the biggest threat to individual liberty and multi-cultural fraternity, and the rights of ethnic minorities to live in peace since the Berlin bunker. All you are doing is impeding the discussion.

BTW., and re the photograph in the Guardian article. If that isn't a fake I'll eat my hat. OK., in my case arthritis and old age have set in, but I tried doing a V sign and my fingers just will not not stick out like that.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 07:15 AM

Fred McCormick said
"re the photograph in the Guardian article. If that isn't a fake I'll eat my hat. "

Whether they are authentic Muslim women or not, it is clear that the photo has been doctored. The proportions of the photo have clearly been changed to make the women appear wider in proportion to their height - and this has been done to make them appear more threatening. This also explains the visual effect of the impossibly wide V-sign.

I would say that your hat has a non-dietary future, Fred.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 07:23 AM

They are quite likely Ameircan models who've been dressed up for the occasion. The BNP uses an American agency for such things. With any luck that will be because no reputable photographic agency in this country would touch them with a bargepole.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Frozen Gin (inactive)
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 03:23 PM

"This is a serious discussion about the biggest threat to individual liberty and multi-cultural fraternity, and the rights of ethnic minorities to live in peace since the Berlin bunker. All you are doing is impeding the discussion."

It appears to be another of those circular discussions that goes around and around, getting no where. It's fairly obvious what most people think of the BNP, and it's fairly obvious what some people want to do about the BNP rather than just talk about it..enough said

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: jeddy
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 03:41 PM

we might be going in circles but it is important to keep this thread in the list of recent topics, for people who only visit every so often and might not be aware of what is happening.

it is also important IMO that we keep on top of this and not get complaisent(?) about what 'they' are up to.

take care all

jade x x

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Frozen Gin (inactive)
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 03:51 PM

Oh, I agree, the issue is a dire one but it's hard to focus on the topic at hand when you have folks, screaming at one another like old washerwomen. The two of you, and you know who you are, cease and desist forthwith and please don't point the fingers and say that he or she (as the case may be) started it, I don't care who started it, stop it now!!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 04:16 PM

I think 'they' took it to PM already - indeed some time ago. So onwards...!

Any updates on the progress of a FaF website?

Anyone taken any initiatives in support of the campaign, or fancy suggesting any?

Anyone see the current discussions about blacking 'traditions', pertinent to this campaign?

I contacted my local SU about the campaign, but as yet have had no response. I imagine SU staff in general are busy with other more academic stuff at this time of year though.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Frozen Gin (inactive)
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 04:33 PM

"Anyone see the current discussions about blacking 'traditions', pertinent to this campaign?"

No, from my reading the blacking tradition and the complaints around it are an unecessary side track from the overall issue at hand (a red herring as it were)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 05:07 PM

No, from my reading the blacking tradition and the complaints around it are an unecessary side track from the overall issue at hand (a red herring as it were)
I dunno - the issue could be seen as a gift to the BNP, so it's very important to be absolutely clear what lies behind the tradition. Already some people have made a kneejerk reaction and gone onto 'political correctness gone mad' autopilot without considering the inextricable linking of the 'n' word with the border tradition.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 02:57 AM

There are no sidetracks fromthe issue at hand. All the nonsense like the "Blacked up Morris Ban" and the like must be noted and kept in view. Keep a file somewere and store thgis stuff there. But WE don't need to keep bringing these issues up here, surely we are already clear how WE feel, after all we are "Folkies".
I really think we should be reporting here on the actual activities of the Bloody Nasty People.

FAF Andy

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 04:48 AM

"we might be going in circles but it is important to keep this thread in the list of recent topics, for people who only visit every so often and might not be aware of what is happening."

I agree it's important to keep this thread going. That's partly because 'British' folk music is right in the BNP's firing line, and partly because we as singers, musicians, writers etc ought to be using whatever talent we've got to help organise against them. For the matter of that, there's also the question of what happens to the music of the rest of the world, should the BNP ever gain power. Yes, I'm talking about all the third world music which has become infinitely more accessible in this country over the last thirty years,and which the BNP would undoubtedly ban.

But internal arguing about who said what, and who's a closet troll, and who has the finest set of fascist bashing credentials won't merely get us nowhere. They are counter productive. If you want to start an argument please do it where it won't impede serious discussion.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 05:05 AM

The Bloody Nasty People seem to be exercised about the blackface morris issue, with a morris dancer contributing to the debate here.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 08:58 AM

Exactly so Fred McC., that's what I want to see here, not internal bickering and point scoring. I certainly wasn't saying the debate on "Black Faced Morris" was not important, just that we don't need to chat amongst ourselves about it. As I said, we probably all feel the same., but what we do want is proper evidence of BNP's activities, like the link from Gervase.

All power to your elbow,

FAFAndy    (for as long as SHE still goes by MBS)

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 09:33 AM

A thought occurred to me this morning. Nick Griffin hates the niqâb and burqa. Indeed he hates any form of Muslim uniform which involves covering the face. Repressive and mysoginistic says he, remembering to put his trousers on.

Nick Griffin has been to the USA and hobnobbed with leading members of the Ku Klux Klan. If he hasn't tried the Klan uniform, I'll put that non-dietary hat of mine straight back on the menu. What, I wonder does Griffin make of the Klan veil, which is designed to anonymously threaten and terrorise and kill innocent people and burn them out of their homes, where Muslim face covering is merely regarded as a means of preserving female modesty?

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: GUEST,MJ
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 09:43 AM

Andy

It has already been stated on another thread that it is not quite as simple as just changing your sudoname on Mudcat.

'SHE' has been MBS for as long as she has been online and has every right to continue to be so.

MJ

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 09:46 AM

MJ - it's easily done!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: MBSGeorge
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 09:53 AM

Change it now please that is a libelous statement!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 10:08 AM

Ah, the American spelling of "libelous" I see. So much for racial purity.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 10:16 AM

...and BNPGeorge, I would relish an action for defamation. Do, please, bring it on. A quick Google will give you enough information to serve a writ.
Nothing would give me more pleasure than to see a the racist and neo-nazi organisation that you champion pour its money into a pointless legal action.
And if it's not racist and neo-nazi, why on earth have you been staying so quiet all this time. Surely all these dreadful things said about the BNP need to be challenged by its standard-bearers, lest ordinary people actually think they're TRUE!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 12:36 PM

I have encouraged (and will continue to encourage) MBSGeorge not to respond to these issues in this forum. Because as I have stated elsewhere, anyone in her situation needs room to THINK. No matter how urgent anyone else may be about the speed of that thinking process or their desire for a response.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 12:48 PM

A nice idea in principle, Peace, but George Dale actually started a thread here to admit "I am the BNP Candidate in Chippenham". A lot of questions were asked of her - many more in sorrow than in anger - and no answers have been forthcoming. Her last post before today was on June 9th.
I would have though that in the four weeks that have elapsed, she would have had time to compose a calm, unhurried and robust defence of her views which she could simply post as a coda that that thread. Or this one. Or as a new thread.
One of the things about seeking public office on a political ticket is being prepared to stick your head above the parapet wearing that ticket. And, seeing as George was the catalyst for the birth of Folk Against Fascism, her response to the points that have been made would be pretty interesting.
But, as I've said before, I'm not going to hold my breath...

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: GUEST,MJ
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:08 PM

Gervase

What planet are you on? How could you possibly expect one person to respond to a thread with over 700 posts. It would take a year or more as each question answered would throw up more questions in response. Your expectations are a little unrealistic.

If you are that desperate to speak to MBSG then maybe you should try posing your question(s) through the pm facility instead of continuing to make assumptions and comments with very public references to her.

MJ

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:11 PM

The same questions have been asked many times - they boil down to whether or not she agrees with the statements and actions of the BNP leadership over the years.
And for someone who has stood for election - in public - her reluctance to state her convictions here is strange. She only has to post once; there's no need for her to get involved in a lengthy tit-for-tat.
But, if it makes it easier, I will PM George the questions that have been asked. She can then take her time in answering them, and I will post the answers here on her behalf.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:12 PM

GW, I appreciate your remarks' description of the time-frame and responsibilities you think are appropriate. If they were addressed to me, however, you just made me one of the greatest folksingers of all time. :~) I think you also moved me halfway across a huge continent. :~) Oh, and you changed my gender too-- what an interesting day THIS will be ! ;~)


It's not in the cards for me to post often in any BNP or FAF threads. I prefer face-to-face, so please do not infer any attitudes or thoughts on my part if I do not responds. I'm just busy, so I am prioritizing my time (and about to leave on vacation, too). :~)

And, as I said, I continue to encourage MBSGeorge to exercise restraint and not respond.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: MartinRyan
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:15 PM

This thread has become hopelessly unwieldy and appears to be being maintained as a form of publicity stunt i.e. to keep it near the head of the page and mark this site as being "anti-fascist". This is, no doubt, a holy and a wholesome thought - but its musical connections are marginal, despite all the protestations to the contrary.

I suggest it be moved to BS - despite the risk that those concerned will probably simply find another vehicle to carry their message here.

Regards

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: GUEST,MJ
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:18 PM

GW

In that case it is unlikely that she will respond - If I send/receive something via the PM service I do not then make those messages public. You won't gain anything by making that sort of statement- except perhaps tell people that you yourself have a low moral compass - PM = Private Message.

MJ

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Banjiman
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:28 PM

But you're a guest MJ..... how can you receive a PM. I hope your morals are in tact?

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: GUEST,MJ
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:31 PM

I'm only a guest as I don't currently have my own PC but will be contactable once it arrive - within the next few weeks I hope.

MJ

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Royston
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:33 PM

I encourage MBSGeorge to crawl away somewhere and stop bothering decent folk. There is no point trying to engage fascists on any level until they have worked out their internal anger and bitterness for themselves and are ready to return to normal society. Just ignore her. Not worth it.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:37 PM

I think moving this thread to BS is an excellent idea, Martin. I had considered it earlier, but there were a few messages in the beginning of the thread that made reference to music, so I left the thread in the music section.
I reviewed the last 150 messages in the thread and saw no reference to music at all, so I must conclude that this is a very thinly-disguised political thread. As far as I can see, the last significant mention of folk music in the thread was on June 20.
So, I've moved it to the non-music section.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 01:38 PM

WYSIWYG, it's the done thing in the UK for people that decide to enter the world of politics (which essentially involves wanting to tell other people what they can and cannot do), to be able to support their political views when questioned and challenged. George well knows this.

Whats more George is a big grown up lady, I'm sure she can make up her own mind whether or not she feels she is inclined to answer to robust questioning, without being patronised. It might be challenging for her to defend her political views, because she will receive some strongly supported arguments off of the many serious minded and extremely intelligent posters here. But, I for one would like to hear some of what she might have to say. Plus, I'm sure she's not so foolish as not to realise that she'll get much more 'robust' questioning than that found on a folk forum, if she proceeds much further in her political career. She's going to have to develop a very thick skin.

I might dislike the politics she stands for, and I do very much, but at least I recognise that she's an adult woman capable of quite strong self-determined action - as indeed her choices have already demonstrated. Your condescending Mumsy comments however, make her look as though she's a dribbling infant in need of burping!

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 02:26 PM

In that case it is unlikely that she will respond - If I send/receive something via the PM service I do not then make those messages public. You won't gain anything by making that sort of statement- except perhaps tell people that you yourself have a low moral compass - PM = Private Message.
That's a pity. I would have thought that someone who was willing to stand on a public platform for election would feel able to make their views public. But if what you say is true, and George is unwilling to answer any questions about her views or even make a public endorsement of them, that's probably all the answer we actually need.
I said in advance that her answers to the questions would be published here, specifically to make her aware of that point, so your comment about 'low moral compass' is rather wide of the mark.
Anyway, I shall still send her the questions. But, as I've said before, I'm not holding my breath for a sudden onset of moral fibre.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 02:37 PM

PM sent.

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM

Just a few points arising.
I had wondered when Joe would move this to B/S. Although it IS imho directly about the music we love, it has turned a bit introverted of late.
My idea of signing as FAF Andy arose when chatting with another MBS person. We are proud of our standing in the British folk scene. The suspicion is that BNP tagged on to MBS George because of her "title" it certainly stirred us up.
Interestingly some who wish to converse with George already know her personally. I have known her since she was very much younger and would be very interested to find where she came by her, to me, repulsive views.
While it may be her "right" to continue to use the prefix MBS, I am not alone in now finding it insulting to many old friends.

I agree with WYSIWYG, though, that it would not be good for George for her to join in with open converstaion on a Mudcat thread.

FAF Andy

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 06:27 PM

While it may be her "right" to continue to use the prefix MBS, I am not alone in now finding it insulting to many old friends.

I may be alone in my ignorance, but what does MBS mean?

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 09:34 PM

Middle Bar Singer-- a regular pubsinging crowd?

~S~

Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 02:36 AM

Just Google Middle Bar Singer.

FAF Andy