“IS THIS JERSEY?” – AND SOVIET-STYLE CENSORSHIP.

[Razzard]

If we're on the subject of pimping did you know that government house has a pimp? Seriously! There's this little dude, can't remember his name but he works fo da man. Apparently when a navy ship is docked in the harbour or out in the bay the pimp gets together a possie of young females, tells them to get dressed up all fancy, then 'introduces' them to the Royal Navy's finest. Now I've got no proof money changes hands but sure does sound like one hell of a 'lil' pimp to me!

[danrok]

If we're on the subject of pimping did you know that government house has a pimp? Seriously! There's this little dude, can't remember his name but he works fo da man. Apparently when a navy ship is docked in the harbour or out in the bay the pimp gets together a possie of young females, tells them to get dressed up all fancy, then 'introduces' them to the Royal Navy's finest. Now I've got no proof money changes hands but sure does sound like one hell of a 'lil' pimp to me!

I did see a woman boarding HMS Whatever in the harbour a couple of years ago, and judging by her appearance she was not there to unblock the toilets.  Looked like a WAG.

[Stuart Syvret]

A few facts for this thread.

I have never called anyone a Nazi (apart from real Nazis, and yes – there are some in Jersey); that was simply Ozouf and Rankine’s ‘straw-man’ spin put on an e-mail I sent to Freddy Cohen when he gave as an excuse for betraying his election promises “I was just being a team-player”.

It is important to be very clear about what has been written – on which forum and when – and by whom.

I conduct my name-and-shame policy, not on this site – but on my own blog – which is nothing whatsoever to do with Planet Jersey. Do not get confused as to what has been written on which site.

Another very – very – fundamental difference between 95% of contributors to cyber-space – I write my blog quite openly - under my own, real, identity.

That point is, perhaps, the most fundamental distinction between my blog, and sites like PJ.

For sure, I dish out the rough stuff – and one has to be prepared to take similar treatment. But unlike those who make utterly untrue, defamatory remarks about me – I don’t cower behind a pseudonym – and I do it on my own site.

There is also the small matter that what I write is true on the facts and evidence available – so much so that I’m prepared to be cross-examined on these issues, under oath in court.

Can those hiding, cowardly shysters who write lies about me say the same?

Planet Jersey exists for an entirely different set of purposes to sites such as my blog.

PJ is here as a forum for all kinds of interesting debates – some times very robust debate – but still debate. If PJ became merely an anonymous smear and hate site – like some Face Book sites – it would very rapidly lose all credibility.

Not to mention the very significant risk to those who run this site of being sued for defamation.

As I’ve pointed out many times on my own blog and elsewhere, I receive a very, very substantial number of allegations against people – frequently my Jersey oligarchy enemies – and I just don’t publish them. Some of the allegations are manifestly straightforward vitriolic lies; and others which hypothetically could be true, I don’t publish because I have no other supporting evidence, such as corroboration, evidence of similar fact, documentation – etc.

It seems to me the rules of this forum are pretty clear – given its ‘mission-statement’ and purpose.  If users don’t like it, they can go elsewhere.

And expanding on the ‘Oi! You looking at my bird’ theme – the message is ‘come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough.’

Or – to translate it into “polite” (I’m practising, Pip) – ‘proceed to make an attempt should you consider yourself sufficiently resilient.’

Stuart.

[Lieve]

All with you on that one, Stuart. I bet you that - if all were made to post under their real name (don't worry, I realise it would be impossible to check that), the tone of most posts would change drastically. I know for myself I weigh off my words a lot more.

Many talk about the need for 'accountability' of States members, but they forget that there is no accountability if you rave and rant and tell lies under a pseudonym. So for many this seems to be a fashionable word to use but not for them to put to use themselves. Now, I am not against usernames per se but if you hide behind it to make vitriolic remarks about people, I'm afraid I find that quite cowardly. Would these people have the guts to say the very same thing under their own name? Inhibitions you lose when hiding behind a user name and avatar are not necessarily of a sexual nature ! 

[Pomme de terre]

Lieve, the difference is that States Members are paid £46,000 per annum. We expect them to be accountable.

A large number of civil servants are paid even more than £46,000 per annum. We expect them to be accountable too.

We're not paid for coming on here and ranting. Well, not yet anyway 

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

All with you on that one, Stuart. I bet you that - if all were made to post under their real name (don't worry, I realise it would be impossible to check that), the tone of most posts would change drastically. I know for myself I weigh off my words a lot more.

Many talk about the need for 'accountability' of States members, but they forget that there is no accountability if you rave and rant and tell lies under a pseudonym. So for many this seems to be a fashionable word to use but not for them to put to use themselves. Now, I am not against usernames per se but if you hide behind it to make vitriolic remarks about people, I'm afraid I find that quite cowardly. Would these people have the guts to say the very same thing under their own name? Inhibitions you lose when hiding behind a user name and avatar are not necessarily of a sexual nature ! 

What you are saying then is that you are up for it? ( :)Er Soviet style censorship)

[en830]

We're not paid for coming on here and ranting. Well, not yet anyway 

Maybe this could be a new States sitting proposition ?

[Res Nullius]

The amount of sitting polititans coming on here at all times of the day or night means that some of them are clearly getting paid to come on here and rant.

[Razzard]

Hey I'm a coward - don't mind admitting that but in such a small community is it not safer to question the pomposity and moral ineptitude of the majority of the current crop by taking a username?

And anyway I don't come on the PJ to get involved with heavy debate all the time. I enjoy the frivolities and satire which have long been associated with political debate. I like being able to take a light hearted look at the ridiculousness of some of the characters whose egos are the size of houses. Knock them down a peg or two I say and help them understand that they can't always like arrogant self regarding bullies.

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

The amount of sitting polititans coming on here at all times of the day or night means that some of them are clearly getting paid to come on here and rant.

To be entirely PC you should include standing Politicians in your grouping, but I take your point.

[Fritz]

Folk could lose their liveliehoods if they posted under their real names.

[Stuart Syvret]

Fritz

I understand exactly what you’re saying.

It’s for precisely that reason that I allow comments on my blog to be 100% anonymous.

Indeed, I know quite a number of people who have been oppressed in their work-place simply for trying to do the right thing.

The point I was making earlier is that if person A wants to post a comment that accuses named, real person Y, of murder or something like that – then attacks of that magnitude should only be permitted under real, verifiable identities.

There is a very good reason for this.

When legitimate serious allegations of malfeasance get made against people, they should be treated seriously.

But if everyone under the sun can just poor a thousand total lies into cyber-space – then you get into ‘the boy who cried wolf’ syndrome.

When it’s for real – no-one takes it seriously – because of all the utter crap that’s been written.

And that’s bad news for victims and the public good in general.

I hope that makes my position clear.

Stuart.

[Mod 4]

Well put Stuart

Thats what many people do not realise, freedom of expression, the free press comes attached to and with a duty of responcibility. The good news is that PJ has achieved something other media in Jersey has not, for people to have there say.

Lets keep it that way.

MOD 4

[Lieve]

Folk could lose their liveliehoods if they posted under their real names.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with that, Fritz. Off the top of my head I could name at least ten people in my immediate circle of friends and acquaintances that do live in fear. Non-believers are always very quick to say : "Ah, but you read Stuart Syvret's blog." But as I said, I am talking about people I know personally.

I didn't mean to imply everyone should be made to post under their own name - not in this climate!

[SteveGidley]

From what I can gather from the threads posted so far on PJ by SSS and his adoring supporters, we are living in an island (sorry "Oligarchy") that can be compared to Germany under the Nazis. An Island where people "live in fear" of voicing any criticism of the ruling elite under their own name in case they get spirited away in the dead of night never to be seen again. An island where the rule of Law only applies to enemies of the State. An island where dark conspiracies are hatched and perpetrated by the "Establishment" against us, the public, and those few, brave, crusaders for justice who dare to speak for the downtrodden masses.

Surely those of you with an ounce of common sense will recognise SSS' view of Jersey as a delusional, paranoid conspiracy theory invented by a person who needs to create his own version of reality in which he is a hero because it is easier than accepting the fact that, in the real world, he is just another, insignificant, ordinary person.

Reality Check!

We don't live in Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia or Cambodia under Pol Pot.

The reality of the situation is that Jersey is, to all intents and purposes, a village applying village politics. Of course there is ineptitude on a massive scale, Jersey politicians are, after all, amateurs and, for the most part, not bright enough to earn a decent living in the real world. Of course there is corruption, not that anyone will openly admit it, but corruption goes hand in hand with political life. Of course there is abuse of power, I wonder how many Police officers have heard the words "do you know who I am?" in their careers. And, of course inconvenient truths will be swept under the carpet "for the greater good".

None of the above is news and none of it is unique to Jersey, the same could be said of the UK, USA, France, Spain and every other "free and democratic country". In an opressed society, those in power are free to abuse their authority quite openly without fear of repercussions. In a free society (including Jersey) politians who are corrupt or abuse their powers do so covertly and fear the consequences of being found out.

I have no problem with posting under my own name and I certainly don't live in fear of the "Establishment" whoever they are. What are they going to do? bore me to death? The reality of the situation is that most of Jersey's politicians lead a stressed and probably fearful existence. They are stumbling from one crisis to another without a clue what to do about each one as it arises. Those of them that have got their fingers in the pie are probably terrified that they will be found out, they are hugely unpopular to the point where their paranoia is truly justified and no one will mourn their passing. They might be idiots but a surprising number of them do mean well.

Jersey might be badly governed, poorly administered and prone to the odd scandal but it is still a free and safe society to live in. Those of you who choose to live in SSS' version of Jersey, keep taking the Prozac and try and get a good night's sleep.